Indy Vs Dealer

[rjundi]

I am very happy with my independent. He is reasonable, fair and honest. The dealer when I have visited(warranty and recall) always comes up with a large bill of immediate items like strut bushing or axle boots. My independent says no way.

He is over 20yrs experienced in the make I have. He is also very pleasant to talk with and I notice very good with all customers including women.

 

[MrCritical]

Depends on so many variables, I'd say it's impossible to categorize as Indy vs. Dealer.

Competition for techs here is fierce. The dealer pays more per hour, and the best ones get a guarantee per week to tide them over in slow times. The same dealers also spend thousands a month on training and tools. That's not to say that every tech in the dealership is top notch.

The independent shop techs here that are high quality either have a stake in the shop, or don't like the more rigid work schedule of the dealership. Good for you in that their labor is usually cheaper per hour, and bad in that they have more leeway in when they work on your car (i.e. more to suit their paycheck and less in the order that it came in the door). Shop owners are more lenient with them than shop foremen at the dealership because they know the good independent tech that can pass a drug screen and background check is just a phone call away from a better paying job at a dealership.

The independents here are usually 2-3 years behind the latest accident avoidance, cylinder-deactivation, and hybrid technology. Good luck getting one to work on your Prius. And don't be surprised if they replace something and bill you for it that was covered under your powertrain warranty at the dealership.

There are very good and competent independent shops here. My only complaint with any of them is their unwillingness going in to tell a customer that they don't have the tools or training to work on certain systems or technologies.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Aaargh, my experience is VERY bad at stealerships. GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, etc., have all been very difficult for me to stand dealing with.

Since a very young age I sought professional education and learned to fix them myself. Dealers in my area confound me with misinformation, lack of training, and outright deceit in trying to force you to perform maintenance that isn't in the manual!

The indies I know have a LOT of experience, and the Internet has removed the advantage of the stealership tech.

 

[MrCritical]

I guess it varies by area.

We constantly get indy shops sending us cars that they've told the customer the converter is bad on and should be covered under 8/80 emissions warranty.

Usually the bad converter is because the customer has ran the car with the engine missfiring or using oil so long that it has ruined the converter, neither of which is warrantable.

We've had them bring in cars for us to warranty the transmission they bought over the parts counter because "it's doing the same thing as the old one."

It sure is, because there was nothing wrong with the old one. The vehicle had a bad ECM/PCM.

They try to get powertrain warranty on junkyard engines, vehicles that have been rebuilt, Katrina cars, you name it.

Just send it to the dealer. They'll warranty it. After you've paid them to fix it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

People try to scam a dealer? Say it ain't so!

But it is. Those are simply ignorant and/or dishonest folks. Too bad, because I'm certain this is one of many reasons the service writers get "siege mentality". They think they are under attack, and they are.

 

[GenSan]

When I lived in South Jersey my then 1995 Chevy Blazer was always serviced at the same dealer that I purchased it at. And then when I traded in the Blazer for a 2002 Toyota Sequoia same thing, I always took it to the dealer. Naive I was back then.

When my wife and I moved to WV in 2005, I perused the ASE website and learned about "Blue Seal Shops" and located an Indy out in Steubenville, OH who also goes by the name of Bob.

Since then I have told my wife that I have found (hopefully) our last mechanic.

If and when I look for an indy in the future they will always be compared to Bob's Auto Clinic for their honest, dependable, and quality service.

I'm never having any future owned vehicle serviced at a dealer
even if it is for free and under warranty.

Indy for life!

 

[morris]

i think that indie shops have some freedom that dealers dont have. like a repair that is under warranty the dealer has to repair it one way only. in the case of ford spark plug they have to replace the head with one just like one they took off. but an indie can repair it right. just another way to look at it.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
I guess it varies by area.

We constantly get indy shops sending us cars that they've told the customer the converter is bad on and should be covered under 8/80 emissions warranty.

Usually the bad converter is because the customer has ran the car with the engine missfiring or using oil so long that it has ruined the converter, neither of which is warrantable.

We've had them bring in cars for us to warranty the transmission they bought over the parts counter because "it's doing the same thing as the old one."

It sure is, because there was nothing wrong with the old one. The vehicle had a bad ECM/PCM.

They try to get powertrain warranty on junkyard engines, vehicles that have been rebuilt, Katrina cars, you name it.

Just send it to the dealer. They'll warranty it. After you've paid them to fix it.



Yes, seen this many times and frankly got upset over it (back when I was serving dealerships). Scammers came from all walks of life trying to sweet talk or threaten you (dealership writers, service dept managers, etc.) into warrantying their broken vehicles. Truth is, almost all of them are the owner's fault, only a very small portion of those are legitimate cause (TSB, defects, etc.).

The kind of disrespect from indy shops and scamming car owners are what I got out of the repair business entirely, went to school and got my degrees (yes, I got a major and a minor) and now a rather cushy job in the office.

I still fix cars for a very dedicated small pool of clients. We are both in good terms, strong, long-term relationships and everybody happy.

Q.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: HWEaton
As an Indy shop myself, I know people have told me they like coming in due to the relaxed atmosphere, honesty, and pricing. I mean, really, where else can you either sit in a waiting room couch with you laptop with free wi-fi, or sit in the shop area in one of two recliners and watch the work be done, while surfing the web on your laptop?


At the Dodge dealer I use. You can't go out in the shop due to insurance reasons but they have a great waiting room. Leather couches. Leather recliners with massage, heat, and I believe one of them even has lift assist for the elderly. They have cable TV, free drinks, and more.

As to the original question. I go to the dealer using my parts as a rule. Dealer parts are over priced and as a rule mediocre quality. I can get better for less aftermarket. I have no issues with the quality of work at any dealer I have used except for one Toyota dealer( long story I won't get into ). My dealer does charge slightly more for labor than the average local indy but I don't care. They do a good job and treat me right.

I actually worked dealer parts and service( Ford )for a couple years and I have also worked a lot in the aftermarket parts and auto body field so I have seen and dealt with a LOT of independant shops. There are some good and there are some god awful.

I think some people would rather die than give any dealership any credit. Indy shops are not always better and can be a lot worse. The dealer I use now( have dealt with them since the 70's in my family )is absolutely great.