Find a Local Repair shop in your area:
If you've bought a new or used car, you'll probably find yourself having to deal with the service center of the dealership you purchased it from. Unfortunately, you might feel that the service adviser is squeezing every penny out of you, and you might be right. We're here to help!
Most manufacturers set up training programs to pass along ethical practices, core competencies and brand image training to their franchisees. But it doesn't always trickle down and some dealerships will train their employees to pile on unnecessary fees and services to boost profits. Some even set up incentive programs for their service writers to write larger repair tickets. Brand dealerships from BMW, Audi, Toyota to Ford and Honda are often guilty of this. If you do decide to have your vehicle serviced at the dealership, here are some tips that will help you along the way.
Be Sure to Separate the Manufacturer (AUDI, BMW, VOLVO) from the Dealership
Consumers sometimes forget to separate their car manufacturer's brand name from the actual dealership they purchased it from. The dealership is a franchise and ultimately fosters its own culture and business tactics. Most manufacturers try to pass on their culture and core values to the franchisee, but in many cases the dealership owner's mission and culture prevails.
Choosing a Local Dealership
Nothing beats word of mouth. Ask a friend or family member about their dealership experiences. Research online; there are many websites today that have real reviews from real people. Some examples include Angie's List, Yelp, MechanicAdvisor.com, etc. Make sure there are reviews and that the majority are of positive experiences. If 100% of the reviews are positive be weary and check other review sites.
Sometimes, however, it's wise to avoid dealerships altogether for repairs. You can find a great local mechanic with just as much technical know-how as the mechanics at the dealerships. We've learned through surveys that some dealerships have poor customer-employee engagement which translates into bad customer service. Dealerships also tend to charge higher hourly labor rates due to the higher overhead costs.
Contact the Manufacturer
*Look up the contact information in your vehicle owner's manual.
If you suspect your dealership is not honoring your warranty or doing shoddy repair work, report it to the manufacturer via phone or email.
It's very important to be polite and direct rather than defensive or vulgar. Do not slander the dealership, just politely explain the problem with your vehicle and ask what the next step is to getting the issue resolved. Oftentimes the manufacturer will take matters into their own hands to avoid a poor brand image and to avoid losing you as a future customer.
