How do Main Stealers make their prices up !

[lxi]

I'm with DSM on this.

I think what the OP was actually saying was along the lines of "I got a good deal" rather than really asking a question (given the subject line was clearly a rhetorical question as he immediately told us exactly how the price was made up)

For a simple job, I would probably agree with the OP.

For a complex job, not in a hundred years. I use main dealers for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being if part A needs to be removed and in the process part B gets broken, then there's a deal to be done, whereas at the local place I doubt that would happen (and if it did, he wouldn't have the part in any case)

 

[renault12ts]

Well this thread adds to the good feeling of the forum...not. And I don't blame the OP who is an old and valued member.

 

[DSM10000]

Well this thread adds to the good feeling of the forum...not. And I don't blame the OP who is an old and valued member.

Well clearly not everyone is in agreement with everyone else nor will they ever be!

 

[Spinal]

Here's a question - walk into any Mercedes dealership, speak to the pretty young lady at the reception to book your car in. Then return, while waiting for your complementary car to be given to you, you sip a bean-to-cup coffee and eat a pastry. The floor is spotless, the surroundings clean as a whistle. The workshop and reception are separate, so you do not have to deal with the noise/mess. The workshop itself is pristine as well. While you're there, buy a silver money clip, or a model SLS for your son. Drive out in your courtesy car, and then use the dealer's drop off service to get your car delivered to you at work. Oh yes, and don't forget to take into account mobilolife warranty. Oops, forgot my question now!

Smaller independents can be much more agile, and offer a much cheaper/faster service - but you cannot expect the same level of standardization and support that a dealer offers.

I'm not saying dealerships are better - I'm just saying they have a different set of offerings.

It's like comparing two mobile phone plans, and saying that one is cheaper and has the same number of minutes... but then not looking at coverage, out-of-hours support, etc. Or like comparing hotels - a small independent can be absolutely great, but it can also be entirely pants. That said, if you walk into an Oberoi, anywhere in the world, you can expect a certain standard.

You are essentially comparing two very different services, both of which change your part... but with different risk landscapes and supporting offerings.

M.

 

[Lee C63]

Id expect that if Merc mechanics are better trained & got special tools it should take them less time than a non-Merc mechanic, not quote me DOUBLE the time & TREBLE the price.

I thought the same until last month.
Went to the AMG Dealer for a Quaife LSD to be fitted. I explained exactly that it was a Quaife diff and not a standard Merc LSD "No problem" Quoted 650 pounds......5 hours later a phone call for service manager " we cant do it as it requires special tooling and no dealer in this area has it.

Went to local independent " No problem we need the car for the day and no special tools are required " 350 pound later job done.

I always thought the Dealer was the specialist but it turns out they are nothing special....

Just my opinion and experiance which left a sour taste in my mouth....but 300 pound richer.

 

[joecash]

why can't people agree to disagree instead of venting their spleens at on another - otherwise it lowers the tone of a decent forum - heavens knows what those who volunteer their time to keep this forum running are thinking - they must be horrified and holding their heads in their hands.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Deleted. You're right joecash.

 

[DSM10000]

I thought the same until last month.
Went to the AMG Dealer for a Quaife LSD to be fitted. I explained exactly that it was a Quaife diff and not a standard Merc LSD "No problem" Quoted 650 pounds......5 hours later a phone call for service manager " we cant do it as it requires special tooling and no dealer in this area has

I always thought the Dealer was the specialist but it turns out they are nothing special....

Does the Quaife differential need special (i.e. non MB ) tools to set up? I would have thought it was a straight swop?

 

[DSM10000]

Why is this such a difficult concept for some, as Spinal, I and others have pointed out dealers offer different services such as courtesy cars, working areas, coffee, wi fi, drop off and pick up etc .

No one is "justifying" dealer prices and I am unsure why some are hung up on this word but some of us are giving information which explains why, in many circumstances they are higher.

We all choose (as I have mentioned a number of times) were to get our vehicles repaired and we all can choose the most appropriate place according to need.

 

[Berkshire Rich]

Your point being?

Its not clear? You complained that the OP had started a pointless thread, of no interest and of no value. And yet have posted 10 replies (so far).

 

[developer]

To me the OP was surprised at the SIZE of the difference, for what was basically the same job.

I agree.

There's no doubt that towards the more premium end of the market, dealers can assume that owners are better off, and they will be able to take advantage of that.

To support this, cars over three years old enjoy cheaper servicing at some main dealers, (to prevent out of warranty customers going to independents, for example), however those aforementioned overheads are still the same. This tells me that the dealer does have price flexibility when it wants to.

 

[Spinal]

Oh yes, don't forget that many dealers will price match

So you can get the BA experience for EasyJet prices. Oh wait, is that another example where "BA rip off" people because easyjet are cheaper?

To support this, cars over three years old enjoy cheaper servicing at some main dealers, (to prevent out of warranty customers going to independents, for example), however those aforementioned overheads are still the same. This tells me that the dealer does have price flexibility when it wants to.

Or offsets the cost against other services; or uses it as a loss leader to tempt you to buy another car, or uses it to get rid of old parts filling the shelves, or they don't need to keep older parts in stock at dealers (storage is expensive in cities... much cheaper to store in some warehouse in Germany) ... so many options...

 

[DSM10000]

why can't people agree to disagree instead of venting their spleens at on another - otherwise it lowers the tone of a decent forum - heavens knows what those who volunteer their time to keep this forum running are thinking - they must be horrified and holding their heads in their hands.

I certainly am not "venting" anything

The OP made comments that were discussed and as part of that I and others explained why (backed up with relevant information and examples) why dealers cost more.

A couple of people seem to have an issue with their posts being questioned or disputed I imagine that the rest of us just want an open discussion and one without preconceptions or personal insults!

 

[DSM10000]

Its not clear? You complained that the OP had started a pointless thread, of no interest and of no value. And yet have posted 10 replies (so far).

The right of reply dear boy! Plus I, and others have been trying to add some balance and reason .

 

[renault12ts]

...and it's only Monday.

 

[E55BOF]

Yes, we all know that main dealer costs will be higher; better-trained, specialist staff, all the special tools, expensive premises etc. That applies to most makes, not just MB.

However, ISTR one of the reasons for the post - you may feel it should be the only one - was that the dealer quoted for a MUCH longer time to do the job than the local man actually accomplished it in. I think you're BOTH right, so why not kiss and make up.....

 

[DSM10000]

...and it's only Monday.

You can lead a horse to water ....................

The week will get better,................................. colder, more windy and possibly with a dusting of snow so we can look forward to the winter tyre debates

Some of us many disagree occasionally but I still maintain that if we were to sit around a table sharing a drink or a meal then I doubt there would be much more than friendly banter!

 

[DSM10000]

Yes, we all know that main dealer costs will be higher; better-trained, specialist staff, all the special tools, expensive premises etc. That applies to most makes, not just MB.

However, ISTR one of the reasons for the post - you may feel it should be the only one - was that the dealer quoted for a MUCH longer time to do the job than the local man actually accomplished it in. I think you're BOTH right, so why not kiss and make up.....

That is why I suggested that the MB service guide might have specified more checks and hence the longer time but that and other points were not picked up.

As I said, put us all around a table and ..................

 

[martyz]

The jobs been done,he payed less than MB quoted,he had a cup of tea.


THE END

 

[DSM10000]

The jobs been done,he payed less than MB quoted,he had a cup of tea.


THE END

Starbucks or greasy spoon?? (See SPX's post)