Ford subaru dealers in Rye, NY cheat

Perhaps a third opinion? The local guys quite often will replace a cheap part at first that isn't the cause of the problem but helps it out a bit, and continue to replace little things every time something else isn't quite right. Total cost is much greater this way.

-mark

There are great dealerships and bad ones. For example the ex had a 92 Dodge Daytona that was a total lemon. Thank goodness for xtended warranties!!! I usually had to complete the job the local dealer did (tighten things etc) . However the Subaru dealer I go to has reasonable prices and I havent had to bring the car back for them to re-fix something. They also took me in on a friday afternoon before 4th of july weekend when the check engine light went on and fixed that . When it comes time for timing belt and such I will bring it there even if its a little more $$$ than a local shop. It will be done right. I woulfdnt even think of letting the chain stores around here do a job like that after a tire buying experience.

Not so likely they will farm it out. Very likely that they will do two things:

1. Charge a lot more per hour to cover the dealer overhead. Those fancy buildings and land pay a lot of salaries and taxes.

1. Do the work that "should" be done as opposed to what "needs" to be done so as to avoid legal conflict (and run up the bill). If the mechanic is into the front end to replace the bearing he should also replace the pads and rebuild the brakes while he has them out including turning the rotors and maybe replacing the calipers. If he doesn't and any of it fails in the next few months a competent attorney would have a field day blaming the dealer for negligence. The local guy can do the bearing, ignore the brakes and do it for a significantly cheaper markup as he doesn't have a parts department, nearly as expensive real estate taxes, or a large managment team to support. He is also probably almost suite proof as he may not have enough attachable assets to interest a lawyer. He also may make more money than the actual mechanic at the dealership.

The other thing I've caught a ford dealer doing is marking parts up about 30% higher than retail book price.

In this case I know exactly what causes the problem, I need to have the bearing replaced. It costs 120 in a local auto repair. Subaru dealers were not willing to do it. At the end their price was 1800 $ and they told me "your car is not worth investing, better invest in a new one". How would you call that?:)

Not to quibble too much but I learned a long time ago that Ford dealer book is whatever markup the dealer asks for. There is no such thing as a suggested retail price from Ford. There might be from somebody like Edmonds but they are not Ford or GM or etc.

Reality from their point of view. 8-) Not that I agree with them. They have their POV and I have mine. ;-)

Knowing their point of view you should never visit them if you have a used car:) That's my conclusion.

When 3 dealers quote you one thing and the fourth quotes 30% higher, it does kinda look like the fourth is playing with a different set of "books"

They are. The only surprising thing was that 3 agreed. I got into it when my neighbor as a service manager for Ford. The price book was a computer printout tailored to the dealer. With the computer as the pricebook it is even easier to tailor pricing. The only thing one can do is shop around and only do business with the folks most favorable to you.