Going to the Dealer from now on....here is why

[buster]

Over the past year I've had some bad experiences from non dealership places.

1. NTB lied about the struts on my car and my wife's car. They also lied and said the power steering fluid was burnt in her car. All of these things I had re-evaluated and it's not true at all.

2. Local mechanic told me he was using OEM calipers. Never did. Put cheap calipers on that rusted after 3 months.

3. Friend went to some Iffy Lube place. Filter was loose and leaked oil until engine was bone dry.

4. PepBoys put the wrong size tires on my friend's car, almost causing her to get into an accident.

5. Another quick lube place put the wrong MTF in the Honda.

6. Another quick lube place put in that ATF mix in the Mazda, which technically is not the correct fluid.

I take some responsibility for not checking on these guys, but I shouldn't have too. Back to the dealer and using OEM parts.

In addition, I've found that after market brake pads and rotors are just not as good.

 

[pbm]

I avoid the dealer at all costs (except for warranty work) because they are usually very expensive. I know that dealers can have specials on oil changes, AT flushes etc...that are comparable with independant shops but that is not an issue for me since I generally do my own maintainence work. I also avoid the large chains since their 'techs' are usually not the brightest or most knowledgeable, IMO.
It's hard to find a reputable, honest mechanic but if you ask around you will probably find one...

 

[Burt]

Guess there are no honest mechanics in NJ or at least you have been unable to find them. I find that any franchised independent shop is staffed with people that are working on incentives to upsell you on things you don't need. They have high staff turnover and no concern about their reputation because they are only there for awhile.

Find a local shop that is not a chain. They have to make it on their reputation and return business.

 

[daman]

cals will rust right away there virgin iron so un less painted they will rust. Do more of your own work.

 

[btanchors]

buster, I understand your frustration, but about the only one of the issues above that would be solved by going to the dealer is the use of OEM parts.

I concur with Burt above - you need to find an independent, non-chain mechanic's shop. That's where I have had the best success.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: buster
Over the past year I've had some bad experiences from non dealership places.

1. NTB lied about the struts on my car and my wife's car. They also lied and said the power steering fluid was burnt in her car. All of these things I had re-evaluated and it's not true at all.

2. Local mechanic told me he was using OEM calipers. Never did. Put cheap calipers on that rusted after 3 months.

3. Friend went to some Iffy Lube place. Filter was loose and leaked oil until engine was bone dry.

4. PepBoys put the wrong size tires on my friend's car, almost causing her to get into an accident.

5. Another quick lube place put the wrong MTF in the Honda.

6. Another quick lube place put in that ATF mix in the Mazda, which technically is not the correct fluid.

I take some responsibility for not checking on these guys, but I shouldn't have too. Back to the dealer and using OEM parts.

In addition, I've found that after market brake pads and rotors are just not as good.



All of the above can and do happen at dealers every day of the week.

What you need to do is find a shop and a person at that shop that you TRUST.

The shop can be a dealer, a pep boys, or a little pop and son garage.

You just have to find one. That is the hard part. Ask around. Ask your friends, neighbors, family, ect. . . who they use.

If some one has found a gem, they will be more than happy to share it with you.

I used to have a GREAT guy that worked at a Firestone shop. He was SO good, he was fired due to low "up sells".

Now I go to the dealer for my new VW. They are ok. But I do not trust them.

For all other stuff, I go to a local shop where I know and trust the owner very well.

Take your time, and you will find one too.

Where abouts are you in NJ. The shop I know is not far from the NJ border in Bensalem PA.

 

[hate2work]

In many ways dealerships are not much better than those you mentioned. Cheap labor is used for all mundane repairs/fluid changes, aftermarket parts can be used to keep costs down on expensive repairs, mistakes are made and then covered up, etc.

 

[Mr Nice]

Why not just do *most* of the work your self and get it done right the first time since your bought the correct parts.

For all my tire needs I go to TireKingdom and when they try and up-sell I just say no thanks.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Going to the dealer occasionally for an oil change with a coupon isn't a bad idea.

We took my wife's car to the dealer for an oil change and when the ran the VIN in their computer, they discovered a service campaign on her car for rear brakes. The rear brakes were replaced free of charge.

 

[pottymouth]

All of the things you mention can and do happen at dealerships including the use of non-OEM parts. The only guarantee you have by going to a dealership is the guarantee that you paid the most you could for the repair.

Pep Boys, Sears, quick-lube joints, etc. are the bottom rung of service centers. Their bad practices often stem as much from incompetence as dishonesty. That being said, I've experienced top-notch incompetence at dealers as well. Some of the company cars I have driven were only authorized to be repaired at a dealer. You wouldn't believe some of the ridiculous things I was subjected to. For example, the Ford dealer that told me the check engine light (bad DPFE, common on Fords) was due to bad struts. Ummm, yeah...OK.

As was already suggested, you need to find a competent, trustworthy mechanic regardless of where he works. Ask your friends who they use, check with the BBB and ask the right questions of the mechanic and you should be able to weed out the truly awful from the acceptable.

Or do as I do and do nearly everything yourself.

 

[71Chevyguy]

I have worked at several dealers and in all honesty I would not take my car to a dealer unless it was something they they HAD to do. Bulk oil is scary, we used to stock whatever is the cheapest which usually turned out to be a blend of 10w30 and SAE30 so it was not too thick. Brake pads etc. were from advance since we were installing "OEM or EQUIVALENT" which went for the oil too. I do not feel it was right but that was just the way it is to make an extra few bucks. The warranty repairs were left up to the part time high school kids because the tech refused to do the work at 50% off the allowed time since it was warranty. Belts were a favorite item to upsell because they pay for a good amount of time but if done correctly take no time at all to replace. And lastly there is the fact that many people working at the dealers simply have no clue what they are doing or talking about. We never used 5W20 oil in cars that required it. It may have been on the receipt but I know for a fact it was not what went in there. Not that anyone cared. It just upsets me that you spend so much money on a vehicle that sometimes may need the help of the dealer. They are the only ones that can do certain things such as re-flashes. Not fair to the consumer because I have found that many dealers are the least knowledge out there simply because they do not want to hire someone capable of doing the work correctly to save a few bucks.

 

[buster]

Good points, you guys may be right. I've just had a lot of bad luck lately.

 

[MrCritical]

Interesting thread.

Yes, there are good techs and bad techs at dealerships, and indy garages. Word of mouth is a great gauge of service satisfaction.

Dealerships in my area tend to get the best techs because they can pay more, and have the most benefits. However, they expect more from their techs (getting to work on time, putting in x amount of hours, training, ect). Some guys don't like the regimented work schedule, and then you get a great tech at an indy shop. And every tech at the dealership isn't grade A.

Dealerships tend to charge more per hour. Understandably, because their overhead is usually much higher. Insurance, training, tools, and warranty of service/parts is traditionally more expensive/longer at a dealership. A good independent garage is a viable alternative for many routine repairs.

For electrical or driveability diagnosis, I always recommend the dealership (if you get your vehicle to the proper tech for the job). Yes, it's a little more per hour, but you may pay for a lot less hours to find the problem.

 

[Pablo]

Use friends, Angie's list, etc to find a reliable mech. Chat with them and the owner. Let them know your experiences, but don't challenge them of being potentially dishonest. These methods have worked every time for me. Plus after awhile they know you and your car. I had a guy weld and reconnect a broken weld in an aftermarket swaybar. He only charged me for the new hardware - he knew the value of the return customer.

I would say in general, MOST mech's are honest. Warning - sometimes the great places are crowded.

 

[hounddog]

Was told years ago that a middle of the road dealer tech was better then a top tech at a independent on the brand vehicle dealer serviced. I found this to be true. I find dealers willing to go that extra mile for the most part on repairs. Most dealers always use OE parts. Longer warranty's on repairs. The Chev dealer I take my vette to is better priced on maintance items then any of the merchant or independent shops in the area. Plus for enough maintance work they put me in a rental they pay for! Chrysler dealer near me is outrageously exspensive on maintance. A Chrysler dealer 45 miles from is like the Chev. store. Better priced then any surrounding merchant or independents and will loan me a rental if enough service work to make it profitable for them. All in all I find the dealers better equiped,cleaner,neater and more professional then the merchant or independent stores.

 

[needsducktape]

I think people should disclose WHICH dealers do this -as someone who worked for BMW/DUCATI I can say without a doubt ONLY BMW & Ducati fluids and parts used...

Now Joe blow's Chrysler dealership -I might start listening to the whole NON OEM parts and [censored] bulk oil statements from above....

My Toyota came back from the dealership -and yes, I saw the Toyota OEM filter mounted on the front in plain site.

 

[71Chevyguy]

FWIW the dealer I worked for that did use whatever parts and cheap bulk oil was a Chrysler dealership that is now closed. The customers that went there religiously have no idea how lucky they are to not longer have the option of getting their poor vehicles serviced there.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Years ago the Hyundai dealer put the wrong MTF in my Sonata during a 24K service and the car would grind when i tried to shift. I brought it back to show them this and request the correct fluid. They said they NOW see the car has been recalled for transmission problems and they absolutely must rebuild the trans. I said this was absolutely NOT necessary as the trans worked FINE up to the fluid change and if they could just put the proper spec oil in all would be good. They said that they are required to withhold the car from me due to lawsuit liability and repair the transmission. They proceeded to then destroy the trans over the next two weeks. I finally got the car back and tried to drive away and something was hitting the hood - looked and the trans tail was not even bolted to the unitbody frame. I brought it hame and fixed it myself. The trans shifted but made bad whining noises. Traded the car (sorry guys!)and NEVER, Never went there again. The dealer was: Hampton Ford Hundai in Noth hampton, NH. Maybe their hyundai techs and service managers are better now.

 

[Sayjac]

I understand your reasoning and thought that the dealer will provide peace of mind by using quality OEM fluids and delivering quality service.

Just an anecdote for you. Recently had a Civic head gasklet replaced at the dealer. Got it home only find the dealer had used original green conventional coolant, not Type 2. While likely not immediately harmful, not OEM either. Returned and got a free gallon of Type 2 premix, bought another and had to do multiple and wasteful drain are refills to get correct concentration. Also ac bearing failed a month after hg service, perhaps no relation, or perhaps belt was overtightened.

So point is, going to a dealer doesn't guarantee use of quality fluids and quality services done.

IMO and experience, a good independent mech/tech, especially those that specialize in a make, can be just as good or better. But, hard to find.

 

[ethangsmith]

Wow, you guys go to some seriously shady, terrible dealers. I work for Lancaster County Motors and I can say we don't do the kind of stuff you guys are talking about. I'm really sad to hear what dealers are doing. We use OEM parts (Unless a customer demands otherwise) and warranty work is only done by trained technicians- not the lube technician. We offer several options of synthetic oil and if there is no aftermarket fluid that is specifically approved for an application, we will only use the OEM fluid. Yes, we're more expensive, but I trust our guys out in our shops to make the repair correctly. It's amazing how often we are getting customers in that took their car to a private shop and the work was done wrong and now we have to correct it. It happens more frequently than you think!