Ridiculous price quotes at dealerships

[Hootbro]

Current Jeep JL and JT's use the same lug nuts. You can find like new OEM take offs on Ebay for under $40 for a full set from conversion and accessories companies that install aftermarket wheels.

My recent dealer tried to screw me story involves having them swap over the tires and TPMS sensors to a new set of OEM wheels. They tried to bill me twice for the TPMS swap like they were doing a second dismount/mount of the tires built into that labor. Luckily I asked about that before hand and got that sorted with a bit of arguing to adjust that before they started and tried to shaft me after the fact.

 

[Guitar Guy]

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.

 

[Bad Tiki]

Had the dealer say they were going to void my warrenty because I was following Rams recommended oil change interval and not the dealers. After repeated demands to speak to supervisor he backed down.

Wanted $500 for caliper service as said they could be sticking, after pointing out that would be warrenty work said they were fine.

Wanted $50 to change cabin filter and another $50 for new muffler clamp.

I switched dealers

 

[pscarbor]

How would you would feel if YOUR boss were to hire some shave-tailed young-un to do your job, because, after all, you are "ripping him off"?

In all trades, it is expensive to have someone else to do things. AND, one CAN save a fortune doing it themselves.

A water heater replacement around here comes in at a total of around 3 grand if done by a licensed plumber.
I can go get a new water heater for 600 dollars and put it in myself. But, I am not so cynical as to accuse the pro for his charges as an attempt to rip me off. I just save the money I save, and move on! The plumber has to make a living, too, AND his E&O insurance is astronomically high!

I recently had heart surgery. I sure didn't and don't begrudge the professionals who saved my life THEIR charges. Oh, and their insurance for mal-practice chokes a horse. I wonder if I can get a pacemaker and the leads off of E-Bay.

In closing, the service writer was trying to make a living.

Sure thing. I had my 2009 Ram 1500 at a dealer last year for the 5 year inspection required to keep the lifetime warranty. The inspection was fine; they did a "complimentary" evaluation of the vehicle and came up with about $4000 worth of things that were "critical" and had to be corrected "immediately".

The only thing on their "critical" list that actually needed attention was one of the burned-out license plate bulbs, cost quoted to replace it, $262.00. I told them no thanks, drove down the street to an O'Reilleys and bought a package of two bulbs for fifty cents. Reached under the bumper, pulled the socket out and replaced the bulb. Total time to fix: about one minute.

That would be the equivalent of, while you were in for your heart surgery the nurse trimmed your toenails and then billed you $500. Car dealers will rip you off if you let them!

 

[Reicher5]

In terms of lug nuts swelling, I've had a similar issue with my Cherokee. It wasn't so much for corrosion as it was for me using a 3/4 socket instead of a 19mm for years on it and the corners became too large. I ended up filing the corners back down until I got new ones lol. The ones I broke the caps on didn't show any corrosion really, and I live in Canada.

 

[Atcer2018]

As in here, I often hear the term "rip off" when referring to a dealer or independent auto repair business based on the price. Same for appliance, plumber, or electrical repair businesses. But it's only a rip-off if the competitor is you and you're doing the work yourself.

When you do the work yourself you are not charging yourself any labor, hence the comparison is not valid. You also probably haven't paid for specialized training, experience, tools that a driveway mechanic wouldn't necessarily have, a dedicated facility, insurance, etc.

If you have all those things and still think it's a quick and dishonest way to make money, I suggest opening your own shop and getting on the gravy train.

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 121577 miles.

True words! Businesses also have warehouses and supply chains, rent, taxes and employee benefits to pay for. The technicians don’t buy the one use Harbor Freight tools that a DIY’er does because they use said tools every day whereas I have a box full of specialty tools that I’ve used exactly once. Matco and Snap On are expensive because techs need warranty replacements when they are used daily. Employees also appreciate heat and A/C where they work and we do it yourself folks don’t have accountants either.

 

[commander]

Years ago in LA, (Beverly Hills) there was a Cadillac dealer that the owner told the service writers if they ever wrote a service repair order under $100 they would be fired. Low and behold a guy from out of town comes in and only wants an oil change. So that's what was written! The writer got fired.
When I bought my 24 Ram, the Ram Boxes paint doesn't match. The writer tried to tell me that's because one is plastic and the bedsides are metal. Once I told him that we never had a problem, Then I proceeded to let him know that I ran Collison Centers for dealers for 30+ years! All he said was OH! They offered to send it to a shop, and have it painted; I refused! They would never make me happy!
I will say: I have worked with good writers and some that were pretty shady.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Sure thing. I had my 2009 Ram 1500 at a dealer last year for the 5 year inspection required to keep the lifetime warranty. The inspection was fine; they did a "complimentary" evaluation of the vehicle and came up with about $4000 worth of things that were "critical" and had to be corrected "immediately".

The only thing on their "critical" list that actually needed attention was one of the burned-out license plate bulbs, cost quoted to replace it, $262.00. I told them no thanks, drove down the street to an O'Reilleys and bought a package of two bulbs for fifty cents. Reached under the bumper, pulled the socket out and replaced the bulb. Total time to fix: about one minute.

That would be the equivalent of, while you were in for your heart surgery the nurse trimmed your toenails and then billed you $500. Car dealers will rip you off if you let them!

There are horror stories everywhere about nearly anything. And, just like fishing stories, the prize seems to grow with each telling!
The surgical team took 2 hours on me for a procedure which typically takes one hour. They were being diligent through the complications, and taking the time necessary to do the job correctly. When I saw the EOB sent to me by the insurance company, they didn't charge any more than the flat-rate amount, which was hefty if all you do is consider time and training.

The dealer quoting you $262.00 was ridiculous. THAT in and of itself is a horror story. But, at least you didn't hide behind the chainsaws as depicted in the Geico ad, you took the perfectly running car!
And, bully for you to use your spidey sense and not let them gouge you. One of my customers has a Porsche Panamera, and she just LOVES to brag about paying 600 dollars for an oil change at the dealer. I guess some people feel "good" about being bent over, as though they think that paying astronomically high rates makes the repair or service "better" somehow.

 

[Dusty]

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.

Great comment. I agree 100%

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 121577 miles.

 

[Jerrybob]

I stopped carrying my v iagra perscription in my glove box and my lug nut swelling problem went away.....just sayin! LOL!

 

[Sherman Bird]

As in here, I often hear the term "rip off" when referring to a dealer or independent auto repair business based on the price. Same for appliance, plumber, or electrical repair businesses. But it's only a rip-off if the competitor is you and you're doing the work yourself.

When you do the work yourself you are not charging yourself any labor, hence the comparison is not valid. You also probably haven't paid for specialized training, experience, tools that a driveway mechanic wouldn't necessarily have, a dedicated facility, insurance, etc.

If you have all those things and still think it's a quick and dishonest way to make money, I suggest opening your own shop and getting on the gravy train.

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 121577 miles.

Totally dead-on!

 

[Tominator223]

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

 

[nlambert182]

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

I've never seen a domestic brand service department charge that much anywhere.... The average in the US is around $130 for a dealership. Independent shops can still fall below the $100/hr rate.

Heck, diesel dealerships don't charge that rate! They're in the $180-$190/hr range.

Book time is book time though... if the tech does a 4 hr job in 45 minutes the dealership makes money. If the tech takes 4 hrs to do a 1 hr book job, guess what? The dealer eats it.

The manufacturer sets the book time, not a Chilton's manual.

 

[djzap]

How would you would feel if YOUR boss were to hire some shave-tailed young-un to do your job, because, after all, you are "ripping him off"?

In all trades, it is expensive to have someone else to do things. AND, one CAN save a fortune doing it themselves.

A water heater replacement around here comes in at a total of around 3 grand if done by a licensed plumber.
I can go get a new water heater for 600 dollars and put it in myself. But, I am not so cynical as to accuse the pro for his charges as an attempt to rip me off. I just save the money I save, and move on! The plumber has to make a living, too, AND his E&O insurance is astronomically high!

I recently had heart surgery. I sure didn't and don't begrudge the professionals who saved my life THEIR charges. Oh, and their insurance for mal-practice chokes a horse. I wonder if I can get a pacemaker and the leads off of E-Bay.

In closing, the service writer was trying to make a living.

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..

 

[Tominator223]

I've never seen a domestic brand service department charge that much anywhere.... The average in the US is around $130 for a dealership. Independent shops can still fall below the $100/hr rate.

Heck, diesel dealerships don't charge that rate! They're in the $180-$190/hr range.

Book time is book time though... if the tech does a 4 hr job in 45 minutes the dealership makes money. If the tech takes 4 hrs to do a 1 hr book job, guess what? The dealer eats it.

The manufacturer sets the book time, not a Chilton's manual.

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

 

[rzr6-4]

Bully for you! You saved 800.00 dollars! I have never pressured anyone to do a car or truck repair when I've quoted them. I tell them what I found, take the time to formulate an estimate, then tell the customer the TRUTH about the situation.... Does the repair need to be done right away? Can the wait to have it done? Can they do it themselves? Let them be in control of IF they want to do the repair, When, and by whom! I respect their choice.

As I've told MANY folks here and elsewhere; Find a mechanic when you don't NEED one.

As to the guy trying to upsell you an alignment, was his shop busy? What was his motivation? Did he have a brand new Hunter alignment machine costing north of 70 grand? Hard to say.

As in here, I often hear the term "rip off" when referring to a dealer or independent auto repair business based on the price. Same for appliance, plumber, or electrical repair businesses. But it's only a rip-off if the competitor is you and you're doing the work yourself.

When you do the work yourself you are not charging yourself any labor, hence the comparison is not valid. You also probably haven't paid for specialized training, experience, tools that a driveway mechanic wouldn't necessarily have, a dedicated facility, insurance, etc.

If you have all those things and still think it's a quick and dishonest way to make money, I suggest opening your own shop and getting on the gravy train.

My thing is that I don't have specialty tools, vehicle lift, easy-to-use catch pan for trans fluid, but all combined it only took me about 3.5hr for both projects. Like I mentioned in my first post, I was quoted at $1k close to 2 years ago. Easily $1200+ now.

3.5hrs is more like 2.5-3 with the right tools and you actually know what you're doing. $200 cost of consumables. So that makes $1000/3hrs = $333/hr. Heck of a shop rate. And that's using the low end of my cost guess and the high end of my time range. I know they have overhead, but that cost just *seems* excessive.

 

[Marshall]

Heck of a ride fer lunch, U talking ZOOM call with bologna sandwiches? lol.

(Secretary, closest thing I got pictured below).


View attachment 553846

I can read horse , I just had the same talk with the wife this morning.

 

[Gemeni06]

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.

 

[teammontana]

I think a lot of the lug nut problems are from the impact socket only being 1/2 on the lug nut. This causes the “skin” getting malformed and messing up 1/2 of it. This happened to my daughter’s Focus when the dealership did a tire rotation and every lug nut came back damaged. When we tried to put her snow tires on, we had to replace every lug nut before we could reinstall the wheels. Would not have been able to change a flat with the lug wrench that came with the car.

 

[Bpfau]

$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.