Stealership Stories

[thom4782]

I recently had two experiences with Porsche parts price gouging.

I wanted to replace the A/C filter. The local dealer wanted over $100 for the OEM part that NAPA sells for just over $20. I also might have to replace the A/C evaporator. Porsche's price is over $1800 for the part with the evaporator already in the air handling box. The OEM supplier charges under $700 for the exact same thing.

What's your worst experience with the dealer trying to pick your pocket for parts.

[Bmod986]

Not gona lie but that is there job. If you have the money to buy a porsche then they will asume that you also don't have the time to be bothered to find cheaper prices so they charge you what ever they feel. Think of it as the connivence fee for the rich and ignorant. Also they guarantee all there work and parts so that also cost money.

Personally I only have gone to the dealership once and that was when I first got the car and I wanted to make sure that it would be in good condition for me and I had a bad experience with back ally mechanics. The Dealership diagnosed and changed the MAF sensor and fixed some odd ends in the electrics. $1400 I think was the total price. But that is ok even though it is expensive. I was assured that I would have no problems in those departments for a while. 2 year warranty to be exact. One thing is for sure I do all my own work now and Cassandra will only see a dealership if i get a check engine light that I cant handle.

[Ghostrider 310]

Wow, that's their job? Certainly not the way my father ran his business nor is it the way I allowed the seven dealers that reported to me at EK run theirs on our behalf. I have my own bad story so I truly understand but my Ford dealer? Most honest guy I ever did business with.

[Topless]

Ummm, I'm not real comfortable bashing dealers for sport. It's a free country and they can ASK any price they want for parts/service. It is up to you to shop wisely and find the best combination of price and service. If you blindly overpay for parts or service because you are too lazy to use google first, it is that guy in the mirrors fault, not the dealer.

Like them or not, we need local dealers. If their prices are out of line, buyers will simply shop elsewhere and market forces will correct this over time.

[Bruce Wayne]

i have to be honest, my local main dealer is pretty fair. but the only things i get from them are 'short notice' and low cost items. like sump plugs, brake caliper bolts, trim clips and stuff like that. larger and more expensive items i shop around for and sure the main dealer can't compete with a wharehouse set up.

main dealer are often restricted from getting their parts though the dealer network, that buys parts through the factory chain, who then get them from suppliers, who get them from the manufacturer, each one needs to put a mark up to live and and pay the rent. in stark contrast the wharehouse supplier is often getting the part direct from the factory componant supplier so it is going to cheaper.

the main dealer set me right when my key decided to loose its brain and key coding and as the car has to plugged into the porsche system and code the key to the car it was main dealer or nothing, the price was the standard cost of the key plus a bit of their time and then gave me discount too.

of course i wouldnt get all my parts and work done there, but you shop for the best prices.

[Bmod986]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Wow, that's their job? Certainly not the way my father ran his business nor is it the way I allowed the seven dealers that reported to me at EK run theirs on our behalf. I have my own bad story so I truly understand but my Ford dealer? Most honest guy I ever did business with.

Don't get me wrong Ghost, I am talking from observation. Most high end car dealers will overcharge for about everything simply because they can and the rich people who buy there cars can't be bothered for a few extra dollars. But there are a few good dealers that have decent prices and amazing staff and customer service. Also it comes down to how much competition that dealer has. If there are more then 2 porsche dealer in a 25mile radius you can be sure they will be competing for their cliental. Aside from that I have a good relation with my dealer, paul miller. Cassandra is only handled by me or the dealership, no one else.

As a business owner I wouldn't take advantage of my customers, but I understand that they have a profesional staff that requires training every designated amount of time to have the most relevant information on our vehicles, and they have to make the money from somewhere so its going to be parts and labor. Now let me clarify when i got the MAF changed they charged for the part about $350 or $400 and then they charged me for some other parts that they changed. They also spent a good amount of time looking through my car to make sure that all my electrics and other visible components were in working order.

So ya it all depends on the dealership and the people who work there. Some dealers are bum holes, while some provide the best service you have ever seen. On average I think its about a 30% increase on most of the parts that Paul Miller sells. Then again that will go into warranty and they will provide all the labor if anything were to go wrong. The 30% chance things will go wrong lol.

Bottom line I like my dealer but avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary to go. Also I don't know how many people the parts go through before they reach a dealer and Im sure it varies.

[Johnny Danger]

$300 for an oil change on my Alfa Romeo Spider back in 1994 . I asked the service manager if St. Francis of Assisi himself had done the work ?

[Deserion]

My local dealer, Brumos, has fairly good prices on the parts and accessories. No complaint there. However, they did state that their oil change/inspection/etc. service was $300. So I skipped that, did it myself.

They've also brought their prices down on their parts, since oil filters (for example) are now almost half of what they used to be.

[Kenny Boxster]

Mother went in and got her windshield wiper filled for a bargain. Only $89! Now she is accompanied by me every time she takes her car to the dealers.

[san rensho]

I love my dealer. Probably one of the most expensive in the US, The Collection, Coral Gables (Miami). The dealership sells Maserati, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin and Mc Laren. Supermodels staff the reception desk. Its a 7? story building that has no lot with cars lined up, just 1 model of each car in separate showrooms with 25 foot high ceilings and museum quality lighting. A showcase to very expensive cars.

Why do I love my dealer? Because I've known the parts guy for years and he gives me wholesale prices on parts, lower than Pelican Parts prices. So when I go to get a part, I get to peruse the great cars, and just as entertaining, chuckle at the dance of very wealthy people buying the most expensive cars around.

[Meir]

Originally Posted by san rensho

I love my dealer. Probably one of the most expensive in the US, The Collection, Coral Gables (Miami). The dealership sells Maserati, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin and Mc Laren. Supermodels staff the reception desk. Its a 7? story building that has no lot with cars lined up, just 1 model of each car in separate showrooms with 25 foot high ceilings and museum quality lighting. A showcase to very expensive cars.

Why do I love my dealer? Because I've known the parts guy for years and he gives me wholesale prices on parts, lower than Pelican Parts prices. So when I go to get a part, I get to peruse the great cars, and just as entertaining, chuckle at the dance of very wealthy people buying the most expensive cars around.

So maybe you can hook me up with your parts guy

Thom, if you are planing to do the evaporator job yourself, I'm about to post a DIY in couple of days. Another option is to buy an aftermarket evaporator and replace only it (instead of the all box) will cost you 100-300 $ in parts + recharging the system.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Meir

So maybe you can hook me up with your parts guy

Forget about the parts guy, hook me up with the receptionist.

[Alfieg23]

Not to mention that I always have my doubts about whether they actually replace all the fluids that they claim were replaced. That is why I do as much as I can on my own or, if I go to a mechanic, I like to be present and watch what is being done to make sure.

[paintboy]

I avoid dealerships. Period. There are enough independent garages around with factory trained mechanics to do the work correctly and at a reasonable price. I had a new clutch, new dual mass fly wheel, 100k tune up and serp belt all done for $3800.00. I consider that reasonable. Dealer wanted $2800.00 for clutch alone. Dealerships have big overheads and stay open on the money they make in the service department. The market, in time, as mentioned before, will adjust.

[Bruce Wayne]

Not to mention that I always have my doubts about whether they actually replace all the fluids that they claim were replaced. That is why I do as much as I can on my own or, if I go to a mechanic, I like to be present and watch what is being done to make sure.

my mechanic, was porsche trained and left becuase they just teach fault code diagnostics and part replacement as defacto reapirs had $10,000 dollar week last week. mainly recitifying other workshops bad work.

one oil change, he pulled the dipstick oil is black, the previous mechanic who didn't solve the problem but charged for oil and filter..

another mechanic charged to change two wheel bearing hubs,, cutomer brought the car to him as it was still getting bearing noise, he pulled the wheels and still has old bearings on despite the customer being charged for supply and fit..

it just goes on and on.. there are a LOT of con-artists out there that will and do take advantage of those who are not savvy.

i am savvy and i have caught garages out 'bang to rights' several times, which is why i do my own work, or if i need specialist tooling, or can't be arsed to get grease under my nails call my guy..

like i said last week he had 10,000 dollar week just on rectifying other peoples f-ups.. he also took pictures of the work paid for and not by other mechanics and is writing confirmations letters for the customers and suggesting they take it up with trading standards.

it really does bust my hump people getting ripped off as well as it does him as he puts it, it damages the reputation of his industry.

[guruuno]

Princeton Porsche-NJ, ordered spin tops + bolts, and 2 trim pcs., online, w/shipping was around $118. Princeton, $200. Thieves.

[SeanZ4]

Aristocrat in Kansas City.... Bad. Very bad. Wanted around $60 for a gallon of Porsche antifreeze. I now refer to them as 'Ass-rape-O-crat'. Our local GM dealer is even worse. The service writer alone is responsible for the fact that I'll never own another GM product again. Never.

[Perfectlap]

The only thing I've gone to the dealer for is full diagnostic test (they will tell you EVERY THING that needs replacing $$), oil filters I didn't want to wait to come by mail and a wheel alignment after I ran over a curb nearby and was afraid I bent something underneath. Now my indy has the highest end diagnostic software and I avoid big curbs that jump out in the middle of the street.

When my Boxster hit the 10 year mark I was given a dealer quote of nearly $12k to replace the shocks, clutch and coil packs.
But you get a free shoe shine, all the cold sandwiches you like and doughnuts.

[SeanZ4]

The P-dealer in Wichita, (whom I do actually like) is now advertising that they will go get lunch for you from anywhere you want for FREE! (while you have your car serviced with them). So see they're not all bad. These guys will buy you dinner before they *&%$ you :-)