Ridiculous price quotes at dealerships

[mikeru]

$350 for an oil change at my local dealer. The truck has 5000 miles on it and they wanted to charge me for cleaning the battery terminals. All dealers are crooks.

My Audi dealership doesn't even charge that much for an oil change. Close though

 

[leighlee]

I was quoted over $1600 for a brake lens. Just the part. No labor. I found them online for $288.

 

[Dubyaoh]

Swelling lug nuts, who would have thought?

Salt makes your nuts swell. Ok, that answers a lot of questions.

 

[nlambert182]

It’s not a manual it’s a labor guide. Different books

I know.... it's just funny because only independent shops use that guide. Dealerships use the manufacturer times. Sometimes they're close, sometimes Chilton allows for more time than the OEM does.

 

[Scottly]

Skip those Amazon lug nut sets for $30. Complete garbage for longevity. They'll be rusted in under a year and looking awful.

He can buy 18 sets of them, change them out every 6 months, and do it for 9 years...And be better off than the dealer quote. Just sayin'....

 

[Scottly]

For those refusing alignments with new tires....I hope you guys ain't THAT guy who returns to the tire shop 6 months later, with the outer edge worn off because your toe is screwed up, complaining that the tires are junk....Please don't be THAT guy.

 

[truck2569]

There are currently no recalls on our 2020 Limited for lug nuts. I actually just checked yesterday. Do you have any information for this recall?

It goes if the lug nuts have been stretched by over torquing. I will see if it includes that new of a truck. I work at a Ram dealership I will find out. I know it is out there for my truck.

 

[suicideking]

My old 2011 F150 - Had it at a Ford dealer that was closer to my work. It was lifted on 35's. They told me I needed to replace the rack and pinion, 'starting to fail'. I don't remember the exact price, but I think it was around $4K - $5K. Told them I would bring it back when I had that kind of cash.

Took it to an independent shop and a different Ford dealer and asked them to take a look. Both said absolutely nothing wrong with the steering. Guess that other dealer figures some will just pay out of convenience since they already have it in the shop. Plus 'rack and pinion' might sound fancy to some.

I saw nice wheels and tires at my Jeep dealer. Asked how much and they were around double what you would pay at a tire shop. I complained about the price and they gave me the stern warning, 'they won't be covered under warranty if you get it done somewhere else'! I'm sure that scares some not realizing tires have their own warranty.

 

[mikeru]

It goes if the lug nuts have been stretched by over torquing. I will see if it includes that new of a truck. I work at a Ram dealership I will find out. I know it is out there for my truck.

Ah, okay. I assumed you were talking about 5th gens based on where this thread is located. Doesn't really matter to me since I upgraded to aftermarket wheels which came with solid lug nuts. But others may be interested in this information if you can dig it up.

 

[Sherman Bird]

If I may elaborate a bit. For every hourly wage a person makes add 15% the employer has to pay to the IRS on the 15th of the month for every employee, add the liability rate to that for the work being done, each activity has a rate it charges per 100 dollars of payroll. Then the same holds true for workmens comp all requirements of being a employer and that is before any other overhead. Payroll tax 15% comp rate for say roofing is another 40% depending on where you are for comp then add the liability rate probably about 18% anything where feet leave the ground is pricey but other industries have thier own high risk activities. Some states have paid family leave policies you have to buy. That is before you pay any other overhead. We are very blessed to have a few very good mechanics around us. I want to tell them to build a vehicle for mass production because the market of the big 3 is a mess after the EV push..

You allude to the societal belief that the charges for auto repair work go directly into the mechanic's pocket, and that the mechanic is laughing all the way to the bank, by most folk.

I appreciate your listing those "holes" in the coffers of an auto shop. Add this to the mix: When you bring your car to my shop, I charge you xx dollars per hour in labor. I also charge a mark up on parts, a modicum for shop supplies, and a disposal fee for fluids. which are hazardous material, for which, I'm liable and beholden to the EPA in the event of a spill.

Next: So, that new fuel pump I charged you 1200 dollars total for replacing takes a proverbial dump 2 months after I replace it. Now, I get to have the car towed (my expense) diagnose the problem (my expense), and tie up a lift/stall for maybe up to 2 days and NOT worked for profit on someone else's car (again, MY expense).
This is called warranty overhead/cost.

The bills don't stop, but income does AND I get to work FREE for up to a couple of days, in some instances.

So, average it all out! When all the liabilities and headaches are dealt with, There's no way My shop makes NEARLY what average folks might think!

 

[mtofell]

She told me once that automotive safety items such as seat belts and airbags are pretty much useless overall at higher speeds

Reminds me of the commercial fisherman... I was watching a documentary once and one commented he doesn't bother to wear a lifejacket at night. If you go over you're done.

 

[Dusty]

Dealers charge on average 253 per hour. The book says how many hours to charge for any given repair. That’s why their pricing is always high. By the book regardless of how long the tech takes. Book might say 4hrs & the tech can do it in 45min. You pay 4hrs. The book use to be chilton labor guide. Probably still the same. The dealers might have a 78 hourly rate posted. But thats not what they charge it’s always around 250

The highest I've ever seen around here is $185 per hour and it appears that whether it's GM, Ford, Honda, Ram, or VW the price is almost spot on. A good friend of mine owns an independent shop and he $180 per hour. Not much different.

Maybe in some locations it's that high, but the national average is a lot less.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121612 miles.

 

[Marshall]

Salt makes your nuts swell. Ok, that answers a lot of questions.

bad on the ankles as well, when the ticker is bad, but the nuts are still OK.
that reminds me wheel changing time of year, Damn.
the nuts for the winter wheels are like a long torks driver, about 2 in long, if you lose that , you are not changing a wheel.
The labor rates around here are $130 or so, a small shop is 90/hr. but it's been a year or so since I checked.

 

[Gettintired]

Just recently went to my local dealer for oil change, multipoint check and tire rotation on my 2021 ram rebel. The customer service guy came through and told me all was good but they were having issues removing the lug nuts due to some cover?!? On them that had swollen and they didn’t want to ruin and round off the lug nuts and then said that I could have them all changed for the princely sum of $551 a price for just the lug nuts alone (no mention of labor costs). He showed me the individual cost of one lug nut was $28.99 on their iPad, but give him his due, he did say I would be cheaper buying them online where I can get a full set on Amazon for under $30. Another prime example was a different dealership I went to for my media hub not working properly, it wouldn’t charge or allow my phone to connect via CarPlay. I was quoted $87 for the part, and they then told me they would have to take a seat out and the total cost would be $457. Instead, I got the part myself for $44 delivered to my door, didn’t have to take the seat out at all. And the hub was replaced in 45min thanks to a YouTube video. Anyone else been quoted for stupid pricing for simple things ?

Just recently went to my local dealer for oil change, multipoint check and tire rotation on my 2021 ram rebel. The customer service guy came through and told me all was good but they were having issues removing the lug nuts due to some cover?!? On them that had swollen and they didn’t want to ruin and round off the lug nuts and then said that I could have them all changed for the princely sum of $551 a price for just the lug nuts alone (no mention of labor costs). He showed me the individual cost of one lug nut was $28.99 on their iPad, but give him his due, he did say I would be cheaper buying them online where I can get a full set on Amazon for under $30. Another prime example was a different dealership I went to for my media hub not working properly, it wouldn’t charge or allow my phone to connect via CarPlay. I was quoted $87 for the part, and they then told me they would have to take a seat out and the total cost would be $457. Instead, I got the part myself for $44 delivered to my door, didn’t have to take the seat out at all. And the hub was replaced in 45min thanks to a YouTube video. Anyone else been quoted for stupid pricing for simple things ?

My dealer charged me 228 dollars to change a fuse and anybody that says that is not rediculous has no brain at all or is a dealer or works for one. Just because someone can't do something themselves is no reason to charge an exhorbitant price I've put many water heaters in and I can promise you it's not any where near a 3000 dollar job that's just greed and the only one that would support that should be put out of business

 

[Floyd1979]

Just recently went to my local dealer for oil change, multipoint check and tire rotation on my 2021 ram rebel. The customer service guy came through and told me all was good but they were having issues removing the lug nuts due to some cover?!? On them that had swollen and they didn’t want to ruin and round off the lug nuts and then said that I could have them all changed for the princely sum of $551 a price for just the lug nuts alone (no mention of labor costs). He showed me the individual cost of one lug nut was $28.99 on their iPad, but give him his due, he did say I would be cheaper buying them online where I can get a full set on Amazon for under $30. Another prime example was a different dealership I went to for my media hub not working properly, it wouldn’t charge or allow my phone to connect via CarPlay. I was quoted $87 for the part, and they then told me they would have to take a seat out and the total cost would be $457. Instead, I got the part myself for $44 delivered to my door, didn’t have to take the seat out at all. And the hub was replaced in 45min thanks to a YouTube video. Anyone else been quoted for stupid pricing for simple things ?

Just recently went to my local dealer for oil change, multipoint check and tire rotation on my 2021 ram rebel. The customer service guy came through and told me all was good but they were having issues removing the lug nuts due to some cover?!? On them that had swollen and they didn’t want to ruin and round off the lug nuts and then said that I could have them all changed for the princely sum of $551 a price for just the lug nuts alone (no mention of labor costs). He showed me the individual cost of one lug nut was $28.99 on their iPad, but give him his due, he did say I would be cheaper buying them online where I can get a full set on Amazon for under $30. Another prime example was a different dealership I went to for my media hub not working properly, it wouldn’t charge or allow my phone to connect via CarPlay. I was quoted $87 for the part, and they then told me they would have to take a seat out and the total cost would be $457. Instead, I got the part myself for $44 delivered to my door, didn’t have to take the seat out at all. And the hub was replaced in 45min thanks to a YouTube video. Anyone else been quoted for stupid pricing for simple things ?

How does the lug nots get “ swollen “

 

[Floyd1979]

How does the lug nuts get “swollen “?

 

[BenchTest]

How does the lug nuts get “swollen “?

I believe that's been covered earlier on. Most of the OEM nuts have a chrome sleeve over the actual steel nut. Over time salt/water gets in between the two and causes the rust/corrosion to start forming, resulting in swelling.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Costs are location dependent and are based on what the customer is able and willing to pay. I live in the Northern Adirondacks which is relatively austere compared to other areas of the country. The costs for service and parts here, even at dealerships, are nowhere near the costs shown in this thread. If the local shops and dealerships here charged the prices in this thread they would go out of business for the simple reason that people here would be unable or unwilling to pay these prices. So in the area where you live there are apparently enough people who are able and willing to pay the prices. If not, the local shops and dealerships would go out of business.

Dusty, I did have my own shop (now retired) and treated my customers like friends that I wanted to come back. Customer Loyalty is the fast track to great profits, much better than "ripping off" one customer at a time and then wondering why your customers go elsewhere.

My customers whom I treated like "friends" ALL exploited that inferred friendship to their manipulative self-beneficial advantage. Lesson learned the hard way: "Friendship and business do not mix!".

Terry Greenhut wrote a very good book on how to successfully manage and thrive in one's own shop. Being "friends" was never in his vernacular; being professional Was/is. ... and THAT is what makes it work BOTH for benefits of the proprietor AND the customer!

 

[Hootbro]

My customers whom I treated like "friends" ALL exploited that inferred friendship to their manipulative self-beneficial advantage. Lesson learned the hard way: "Friendship and business do not mix!".

Terry Greenhut wrote a very good book on how to successfully manage and thrive in one's own shop. Being "friends" was never in his vernacular; being professional Was/is. ... and THAT is what makes it work BOTH for benefits of the proprietor AND the customer!

Nobody will screw you over quicker and take advantage of you than so called "Friends and Family".

 

[dchapma1957]

I recently took my 2011 to the dealer for a misfire code. To make a long story short, they kept the truck for a week and came back with a quote for $11,200 for a cam/lifter swap! Yea, 11 GRAND! I drove it home and did it myself for $3,500 including a set of reconditioned heads and OEM cam/lifters.

I about fainted!

A few days ago I called them only out of curiosity about a transmission flush with new filters. Qhote: $550 IF they didn't find anything else while doing it. I can do it myself for under $100. Truck runs fine, but transmission has never been serviced and it has 132,000 miles on it - I figure it would be good preventative maintenance to get that done. It is next on my list.