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Dealer arrogance or panic?

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solarmer1

Active Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2009
Messages
87
Car
MB 2001 E320cdi, 2010 W212 E350
Just passed my local MB dealership and saw a notice propped up outside.

The notice is in banner format and purports to show what can only be described as a "back street garage" with the following "advice" printed underneath the picture.

"THEY MAY CHARGE HALF PRICE FOR LABOUR BUT MAY TAKE TWICE THE TIME".

Clearly the independants have touched a nerve however more probably cash flow. Long may it be so!
 
I love this.

It means they are worried about our little workshops.

It actually should read.

"BOOK YOUR CAR IN AND PREPARED TO BE BENT OVER"
 
Or if they are really honest - THEY ARE BETTER AND CHEAPER BUT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN BISCUITS.
 
solarmer1 said:
Just passed my local MB dealership and saw a notice propped up outside.

The notice is in banner format and purports to show what can only be described as a "back street garage" with the following "advice" printed underneath the picture.

"THEY MAY CHARGE HALF PRICE FOR LABOUR BUT MAY TAKE TWICE THE TIME".

Clearly the independants have touched a nerve however more probably cash flow. Long may it be so!
Click to expand...

I think the modern day mb driver has realised that they can get the same service for less at a good independant(sometimes a lot less)& with people being careful with their money mb dealerships are probably feeling the pinch,after all the only incentive to keep your car serviced by mb is mobilo/mobilife breakdown for free(i get free breakdown cover with my bank account).
 
solarmer1 said:
"THEY MAY CHARGE HALF PRICE FOR LABOUR BUT MAY TAKE TWICE THE TIME".
Click to expand...

When I first read your post, I genuinely thought you were going to say the sign had been put up by a disgruntled main dealer customer.
 
Well, let's see. Neither Olly nor my other tame workshop has ever forgotten to tighten the wheel bolts.

It made for an entertaining Friday night, and an even more entertaining discussion with the dealer principal this morning.
 
solarmer1 said:
Just passed my local MB dealership and saw a notice propped up outside.

The notice is in banner format and purports to show what can only be described as a "back street garage" with the following "advice" printed underneath the picture.

"THEY MAY CHARGE HALF PRICE FOR LABOUR BUT MAY TAKE TWICE THE TIME".

Clearly the independants have touched a nerve however more probably cash flow. Long may it be so!
Click to expand...

Arrogant. The main dealers charge for the book time...not the actual (shorter) time.
 
DolphiN Tech said:
Well, let's see. Neither Olly nor my other tame workshop has ever forgotten to tighten the wheel bolts...........
Click to expand...

Or as happened to a friend of mine (albeit some years ago), forgot to put in the brake fluid :eek:
 
Stratman said:
Or as happened to a friend of mine (albeit some years ago), forgot to put in the brake fluid :eek:
Click to expand...

I can see that being exciting. First thing I knew about mine was booting it up the slip onto the M4, only for all hell to break loose on the left rear :eek:

In their defence, it was actually the dealer's bodyshop that were at fault, but the dealer is my point of contact so it's their backside that gets chewed.
 
Yes They MAY or MAY NOT do lots of things.
That poster actually says NOTHING.
 
Stratman said:
Or as happened to a friend of mine (albeit some years ago), forgot to put in the brake fluid :eek:
Click to expand...

Or forgot to replace the bolts on the engine cover or gave me car back complete with oil/grease marks all over my light coloured seats and carpets or no longer itemise the parts for a service ( would you if you were charging £125.00 for oil?). .etcetecetcetc.
 
When are they going to realise that price is not the most important thing. The quality of work and the service you get IS.

Some of my customers can afford to take their cars where ever they like. They choose us not just because we are better value but we care that little bit more.
 
BlackC55 said:
When are they going to realise that price is not the most important thing. The quality of work and the service you get IS.
Click to expand...

Those two sets are not mutually exclusive either in my experience.
 
I think it's too late for the dealers now. Even if they dropped their prices I think most Indy users wouldn't use them anyway.
 
I have heard of Dealers wanting to send cars to Indys to have work done on behalf! What does that tell you?
 
They should split out sales and service into different companies.

Then employ sales people who are arrogant wonkers to replace the ones who are.

Meanwhile, the shyte service department companies will die a death and the better ones will remain (as I have had good service from a main dealer service department before).
 
Main dealers servicing - balancing the books for the discounts the sales monkeys have to give to sell the cars.
 
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