Main Dealer Servicing - customising a service
Sept 21, 2016 16:36:23 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 16:36:23 GMT
On Saturday my car flagged up it is soon in need of a service. It usually gives me a couple of weeks to ring around then another couple of weeks before it starts to really grumble with messages when starting up and shutting down.
I filled in the online form of the manufacturer and requested two quotes from the two closest garages stating the age of the car, the current mileage and I also requested a gearbox oil change. This last item is not a standard service item but something I want done as I have noticed 3rd and 5th are not engaging as smoothly as they once did. Preventative maintenance or waste of money you decide but it keeps me happy.
Dealer A replied with a fully itemised quote broken down by labour, parts and oils and VAT.
Dealer B rang on Monday but I was in a meeting so I called him back this morning. He started off telling me I don't need an oil change, it's not on the service scheduled, not recommended by the manufacturer. I thanked him for this but said I still wanted it included in the quote. He quoted me a higher figure than Dealer A without including the gear oil change. I then asked for a breakdown of what was included in the service, he was charging me for an ancillary belt change which was replaced FoC last year by the manufacturer including the tensioner. He knocked 70€ off but still will not quote me for the gear oil change.
Anyone else had similar experience with main dealers and going off the standard service sheet ? You can't give business to some dealerships.
I can see why independent garages with a bit of listening to what the customer wants and engaging with them rather than telling them what they want get the business. Or, buy an older Billy Basics car and DIY.
I filled in the online form of the manufacturer and requested two quotes from the two closest garages stating the age of the car, the current mileage and I also requested a gearbox oil change. This last item is not a standard service item but something I want done as I have noticed 3rd and 5th are not engaging as smoothly as they once did. Preventative maintenance or waste of money you decide but it keeps me happy.
Dealer A replied with a fully itemised quote broken down by labour, parts and oils and VAT.
Dealer B rang on Monday but I was in a meeting so I called him back this morning. He started off telling me I don't need an oil change, it's not on the service scheduled, not recommended by the manufacturer. I thanked him for this but said I still wanted it included in the quote. He quoted me a higher figure than Dealer A without including the gear oil change. I then asked for a breakdown of what was included in the service, he was charging me for an ancillary belt change which was replaced FoC last year by the manufacturer including the tensioner. He knocked 70€ off but still will not quote me for the gear oil change.
Anyone else had similar experience with main dealers and going off the standard service sheet ? You can't give business to some dealerships.
I can see why independent garages with a bit of listening to what the customer wants and engaging with them rather than telling them what they want get the business. Or, buy an older Billy Basics car and DIY.