Okay, I understand the frustration, but as a former dealer tech, let me play devil's advocate and maybe shed some light here...

First off, the flat rate system pays a tech two tenths (0.2) of an hour for an oil change (others may differ, but pretty sure that's standard). It usually takes that much time to get the keys, get the car, get the oil/filter, and do the paperwork.

Now, any time spent on the car longer than 0.2 hrs means that you're working for free. As I've said, oil changes usually take longer than the job pays for, so you'll essentially lose money on each one. Do you really think that tech is gonna spend much time giving you special TLC?

He won't if all that the work order says is "oil change". If you specify "oil change AND scheduled maintenance" then he'll write you up a nice long list in hopes that he can actually make some money off of this time wasting oil change he got stuck with.

In addition, since the oil change job is about the worst thing to be stuck with, it will get passed off onto the lowest guy in the pecking order (which was me). Now my customers were lucky with me because I tend to be a bit obsessive when it comes to working on cars. Other guys? Not so much. I often got bitched at for being too thorough.

And just one more thing I noticed. Now I know some people might be used to the good old days when you didn't have to think about your car's condition at all and the shop did everything for you, but those days are gone. However, a car comes with an owners' manual. Spend some time to read it! It will tell you what you need to know about maintenance. It's a bit shocking that people will spend heaps of money on a car, then not "read the instructions" like they would for an I-pod or something like that.

I'm not attacking anyone, I just want to show the other side of the situation and encourage everyone to take a more active role in their car's maintenance, even if you never swing a wrench.


And by the way, I got out of that job when I realized I was too obsessive about the work to crank out the jobs fast enough to make any decent money.

I'll be graduating next year with an engineering degree, so at least the story has a happy ending!

 

Great advice. My experience is that normally you're fighting them off doing all the items that are not even mentioned in the service schedule.

I agreed with JD. Bottom line is that I think you have the right approach with the Vette. If you do it yourself you know its been done.

 

I personally would be afraid to place my $50,000+ vehicle in the hands of anyone who was only charging $39.95 for anything! If it is an activity that is only worth $39.99 - best to do it myself - nobody qualified to do anything is going to work on a project basis for $39.95 (and most of that is not even going to the technician). Now, if there was no cost of materials and they could do the work in 30-minutes and be guaranteed several jobs a day and got to keep all the money - that would be different.

I have had electricians charge me over $100/hour and I have had to rewire every single thing they have done. My plumber charges $90/hr to break everything in sight. Even a massage now costs $70/hour + tip (hence no massages the last few years - used to pay $8.00/hr at the health club). How could I expect someone to obsess over my pride and joy when they do not even get a pizza out of the deal. It is worth $39 to me for them to just not scratch the paint job while they screw things up!

I learned a long time ago that you don't always get what you pay for, but it is insane to expect to get what you don't pay for.

 

I bought my first NEW car (63- 409 Impala) 42 years ago and have bought maybe 20 since. I do get notices sometimes for service but unless you tell them to do something they don't. That is the way it should be because they charge you for most of work except warranty. I don't want to pay for something other than what I take the car in for.

 

So basically dealers are dammed if they do (hound you for every service the car may ever need based on the owners manual and their observations) and dammed if they don't (and let you call the shots).

 

UPDATE:

All is well. They checked over the car top to bottom, front to back, and came up with these service suggestions.

Change Supercharger Oil, it was low and had an off odor. : $140
Change the PCV Valve : $34.95
Change the Fuel Filter : $69.00
3 part Fuel System Cleaning : $139.00
Transmission Flush : $120.00

I only had them do the supercharger oil change. I am going to pick up a PCV Valve at an auto parts store for 3 bucks. As for the fuel system cleaning and fuel filter, this car runs only on premium, and I only put in Shell V-Power or Amoco Ultimate. I am pretty sure the fuel system is clean as a whistle.

As for the transmission, I need to find someone that will flush it and drop the pan and change the filter.

They missed the cabin air filter, I guess I'll do that myself.

 

Same here - my dealer - which is Brown & Brown in Mesa Arizona - sends me reminders of oil changes - and specific service schedules - I too, see the the same service advisor everytime - Gregg See to be specific - he makes me feel that while my coupe is there it is "his" and he will make sure items are done correcly - the sad truth is when the human element is in play anything is possible - another sad truth is we have to trust some people some of the time - wives - business partners - and MOST important - dealers and service advisors - (weak attempt at humor on the MOST important ones). Anyway - just wanted to throw in my .02....

 

I don't know..maybe I'm missing something in this thread....all cars come with an owners manual. Every owners manual I've seen has a section on recommended service intervals. Ya know, that owners manual is not just to add weight in the glove box..IT NEEDS TO BE READ...