Car main dealer prices vs. Independents - Worth reporting?

[screenman]

And there's the rub. Presumably enough people are paying the price at the main dealer that they are making a (probably handsome) profit.

I do think there's an argument for some sort of price regulation. Don't ask me for a fully formed plan, but I wouldn't think it would be too complicated to come up with something that ensured fair pricing and/or the main dealer to tell the customer that they may be able to get the work dome cheaper elsewhere.

I'm big and ugly enough to look after myself in this sort of situation, but I strongly suspect there's a sizeable minority of customers who aren't and just pay the price quoted by the main dealer.

Suprising though it may be to some of you the profits in a dealers is not a huge percentage, with many sailing close to the wind. There are plenty of people taking larger wages than a lot of dealers make.

https://www.motortrader.com/motor-t...erage-dealers-made-5000-profit-may-10-07-2014

 

[NorthernDave]

And Bentley.

And Porsches, and even Lamborghinis.

Oh, and MAN trucks.

 

[simon.r]

Suprising though it may be to some of you the profits in a dealers is not a huge percentage, with many sailing close to the wind. There are plenty of people taking larger wages than a lot of dealers make.

https://www.motortrader.com/motor-t...erage-dealers-made-5000-profit-may-10-07-2014

Maybe if the dealers and the manufacturers had a *proper* look at their pricing policies they'd attract more custom and make more money?

You have to admit that the overall sentiment in this thread is very anti main dealer? It's obviously not a scientifically selected sample group, but it does appear that the majority have had poor experience with them.

As said upthread somewhere I've had company cars for years and never really thought about it, but I hope to retire soon-ish and will be taking part ownership (with MrsR) of a car. Dealer service / maintenance pricing will be a factor in what is bought, both model of car and new or used.

 

[vickster]

I have not had my car serviced. They have been giving me money for something I enjoy doing.

Serious question - how much do you charge a main dealer for a typical dent fix...and then how much does the dealer charge the customer for that same repair (the same, more than they pay you?) Or do you only fix used cars that are then sold on by the dealer?

 

[screenman]

Serious question - how much do you charge a main dealer for a typical dent fix...and then how much does the dealer charge the customer for that same repair (the same, more than they pay you?) Or do you only fix used cars that are then sold on by the dealer?

I charge £40 a panel, in most cases the dealer lets me deal direct with their customer, the one that does not upcharges by £10, which I think is very fair seeing as I am using thier workshop and they are handling the invoicing etc.

I would say retail work like this only accounts for about 5% of my work, the rest as you say is sales vehicles. I have known non retail garages upcharge by considerable more, in one case £580 for a £40 job, they are not a customer of mine anymore.

Although I think dealer prices are expensive I do have a grasp on how much it costs some of them to open the doors, a small family owned main agent can easily be £50,000 a month.

 

[screenman]

Maybe if the dealers and the manufacturers had a *proper* look at their pricing policies they'd attract more custom and make more money?

You have to admit that the overall sentiment in this thread is very anti main dealer? It's obviously not a scientifically selected sample group, but it does appear that the majority have had poor experience with them.

As said upthread somewhere I've had company cars for years and never really thought about it, but I hope to retire soon-ish and will be taking part ownership (with MrsR) of a car. Dealer service / maintenance pricing will be a factor in what is bought, both model of car and new or used.

To be fair, you would not expect much more from cyclist, some are not known for being easy going with money.

 

[KnackeredBike]

I have used main dealers from time to time. What you get is a very good service, you know they will do what you ask them to do, on time, with a courtesy vehicle and without buggering around with the price. As do many good indies, but you are IMO more assured at a main dealer.

The work I have done which turned out to be dangerous were both at indies (one garage and National Tyres, who fitted wheel nuts on back to front and cable tied the spare wheel cage to the fuel lines respectively).

I do quite specialised agency work and if I have to take time off or worse cancel a whole series of work because I can't make one day I will lose many times more than the premium you pay for a main dealer.

Which of course leads on to why the bloody hell don't I have a back up pushbike? Well, not for much longer hopefully!

 

[Dec66]

I have a Renault Grand Scenic. It's due a cam belt change.

The main dealer (a well known franchise) said "it's normally £700 but we're doing it for £399".

They have a lovely showroom, with free coffee and WiFi.

Arnold Clark Renault dealers, I read with interest today, do it for £245. Only trouble is, they're all up North.

I'm checking out some independents, needless to say.

If my dad was still around he'd have done it for the price of the bits and a few beers, bless him.

 

[Milkfloat]

My family (father and grandfather and great uncle) used to own and run (with two other families) a group of Ford Dealers in Kent, until the mid 90s. I can promise you that none of them were millionaires. During the times as a kid I used to hang around the service and crash repair areas although mechanics and panel beaters would have fun I don't think any customers would have been negatively affected. I am also fairly sure that Ford would not have put up with any shenanigans from the dealers, even Ford had a reputation to protect.

 

[mustang1]

Crikey, I wasn't aware of this. Anyone want to swap their Pinarello for my old Apollo? They're no better than other bikes...

Bwahahaha!!! Yeah you can have my pinarello. I'll even chuck in one of those fancy coffee machines coz all coffee apparently is the same too.

 

[Profpointy]

My experience of main dealers is mixed. Some ok if pricey (company car so not my problem), one lot doing our works van did f-all as the regular driver marked the spark plus to find them untouched and the oil still black. Our works manager just shrugged. Likewise had my own metro worked on a couple of times by main dealer - being willing to pay for so-say expertise - absolute shyte. Best main dealer experience was a very posh lotus garage working on my (I jest not) 1968 cortina (1300 old banger not the lotus version) - workmanship impecable and price perfectly fair and reasonable. When I saw the tiled workshop, cars under dust sheets and formula 1 style snap on tool chests I expected to be shown the door but they were great. For the last 7 years been taking my Saab to an independant specialist and they've been great. The last bill for engine rebuild was around what I paid (them) for the car originally. Good workmanship, fair price, and sensible advice on what to do and what to leave. I dare say I'll keep returning for as long as I have a saab

 

[Cp40Carl]

Bwahahaha!!! Yeah you can have my pinarello. I'll even chuck in one of those fancy coffee machines coz all coffee apparently is the same too.

Thanks Mustang1, I will send you a jar of Asda Smart Price coffee in exchange, I'm sure you won't notice the difference.

I've managed to trade my BMW in for an old Fiat Panda at a local garage; the Fiat arrives tomorrow and I can't wait to see how it handles those tight corners. The garage owner seemed very pleased with the deal...