Why dealerships suck...

[RZAwora]

Just a rant...
DEALERSHIPS suck, but we all knew that already. Here is my experience today...
Purchasing 20" wheels for the Denali from MAY03LT. Need GMC center caps. Figured out from OS that the part # is 9597360. GM Parts Direct has them for $5.47 each plus the shipping and handling charge, comes to $34.83 for 4 of them, what I think is a decent price. So... I call the 2 local dealers around me to see if they could come close to the price. Nope... won't even try. The first price I was quoted from Hetrich is $12.06 each...LMAO. Told him about price on GMPD and said if he could get them closer to $8 a piece I'd buy them from him... nope, $9.09...list price, lowest they would go. Second dealer Lewes Automall $9.09 each and won't budge. Why would I pay $36 and have to drive 20-40 miles to pick them up when I can pay $35 and have them shipped to my door? What's worse is the guy at Hetrich is like, "Well GMPD is known to send the wrong parts sometimes. You might not get the right ones then you'll have to worry about shipping them back and all the hassle. If you bought them from us, we'd make sure you got the right thing. Just keep that in mind." What poor salesmanship...I mean is that the best he can do? I find it ridiculous that they would infer the chances of getting the wrong part from one company (GMPD) would be any higher than the chances of getting the wrong part with another (Dealership).
What kind of business people are these dealerships? If it was my shop, sure I'd love to sell it for $12.06 each, and maybe $9.09 would be my bottom line I'd like to sell them for. However, if I knew I was going to lose the sale, I'd match the price to make even a dollar or two. What's better, $1 or $2 profit or no sale? That answer is obvious to me, but my business isn't a dealership. I just don't get these places...on with my day. I'll be ordering from GMPD. This is why we call them STEALERSHIPS!!!
And to think I'm going to have to deal with them to replace my window switch...

 

[The_Roadie]

Wait - the first dealer quoted HIGHER than list price, hoping you're some sort of rube who didn't know better?!?

The dealers seem to want to protect their markup even if it costs them a sale, since they know it sets a precedent. If they get known as a place who caves on price given to consumers, and offers you the parts closer to the wholesale price they offer local professional mechanics, that could also piss off the local mechanics.

Yes, it's a racket. But we (mostly) have to participate because ALWAYS insisting on getting the rock-bottom price could drive the dealers to stock fewer parts locally, and then we're screwed if we need something right away to avoid renting a replacement vehicle while mail-order takes its sweet time delivering a critical part. Otherwise, our home towns would HAVE nothing but Walmarts and everything they didn't carry would arrive by Fedex and UPS. And if you didn't work at Walmart you might as well move away because you would have no job. Oh, but then Walmart would also close. We're all screwed in the long run if this keeps on. I think I'm spotting a trend.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Not surprised to read this...they dont give a shit about the customer.

 

[RZAwora]

I understand your point Roadie, I guess the local mechanics are better/more frequent customers than the average Joe, but still... It's almost as if they punish those who wish to do things themselves. The fact that they would quote an "average Joe" a price higher than list just shows a little bit about that dealer. Also, the fact that they wouldn't go below list also shows something. I don't think they're charging a local mechanic list price for parts. I can understand them not wanting to "cave" to everyone, but someone who has done their research and is presenting them with an alternate source and price...I would just think good business sense says try to get the sale. I guess I'm wrong. Either way, dealerships still SUCK!!!

 

[Boricua SS]

I'm sure I'll get a little backlash for this... but... are we really talking about a $1 here? so for a dollar, your going to wait the 3-7 days to receive something in the mail, that could possibly be the wrong item, or might not fit right (been there done that and it pisses me off every time), then to build a relationship with the local dealership that could help you out one day in the long run since you have a good relationship with them, get your parts in a day, and have that people relationship if something is wrong?? i can see what you mean, that they're willing to lose the sale for one dollar, but in the same breath, you're willing to walk for one dollar... so i guess its a glass half empty, half full type of situation?? it reminds me of people driving from gas station to gas station, just to save 5 cents... i know for most of my parts that i have bought for my SS, i would have much rather spoken to someone in person and have it local, then wait the days, weeks, and sometimes even months for my parts that i ordered to come in the mail...

i see your point here and ultimately, dealerships do charge an arm and a leg, but at least they came down for you... and maybe i am a little biased to dealerships because my father works at one, and the dealership SAVED MY ASS and got me a new motor when i spun a bearing in my SS back in March... but a good relationship with the dealer goes a long way... they have helped me out numerous times in the past whether its a quick check on one of my vehicles, for free, because something just isnt right, replacing my window switch FOR FREE under my warranty when I BROKE IT doing the LED swap, all the way to adding a few qts of tranny fluid or oil for free if i am low... so i agree with your rant, but also want to say that there are dealerships out there that do care for the customer...

 

[The_Roadie]

There's a broad curve of them, as in everything. My dad's best friend owned the local Chevy dealership in a town of only 5000 people. When I was growing up, I could walk in there and they would GIVE me parts. My dad always had first pick of new models coming in - for instance, I learned to drive in a 1st generation Corvair, and we owned the first of the 2nd generation models in our county when they came out in 1965.

So I grew up with a 110% positive impression of dealers. It took decades of deterioration in the industry and customer loyalty in general to convince me they're often bad guys now. But they're not ALL bad I have to point out. We have dealer-employed mechanics as members here. They mostly stay quiet so they don't have to take the insults and defend the bad apples.

 

[RZAwora]

I'm sure I'll get a little backlash for this... but... are we really talking about a $1 here? so for a dollar, your going to wait the 3-7 days to receive something in the mail, that could possibly be the wrong item, or might not fit right (been there done that and it pisses me off every time), then to build a relationship with the local dealership that could help you out one day in the long run since you have a good relationship with them, get your parts in a day, and have that people relationship if something is wrong?? i can see what you mean, that they're willing to lose the sale for one dollar, but in the same breath, you're willing to walk for one dollar... so i guess its a glass half empty, half full type of situation?? it reminds me of people driving from gas station to gas station, just to save 5 cents... i know for most of my parts that i have bought for my SS, i would have much rather spoken to someone in person and have it local, then wait the days, weeks, and sometimes even months for my parts that i ordered to come in the mail...

i see your point here and ultimately, dealerships do charge an arm and a leg, but at least they came down for you... and maybe i am a little biased to dealerships because my father works at one, and the dealership SAVED MY ASS and got me a new motor when i spun a bearing in my SS back in March... but a good relationship with the dealer goes a long way... they have helped me out numerous times in the past whether its a quick check on one of my vehicles, for free, because something just isnt right, replacing my window switch FOR FREE under my warranty when I BROKE IT doing the LED swap, all the way to adding a few qts of tranny fluid or oil for free if i am low... so i agree with your rant, but also want to say that there are dealerships out there that do care for the customer...

I see your point of view, and honestly you are right. Once he dropped that price down to $9, that makes the difference a mere $1. However, that being said, if they weren't trying to rape me from the original call, I probably would have ordered them. That particular dealer is a 60 mile round trip for me though, so it's also another $12 in fuel cost, etc, plus my hour and 20 minutes time just to deal without someone who tried to screw me in the first place. The 2nd dealer is only a 25 mile round trip, about 45 minutes altogther. You are right, I think I would just be better off ordering them from Lewes Automall and be done with it. I was just ticked off at the first call I think...thanks for making me come to my senses. I'd probably feel different if I had connections in the dealership.

 

[Boricua SS]

I see your point of view, and honestly you are right. Once he dropped that price down to $9, that makes the difference a mere $1. However, that being said, if they weren't trying to rape me from the original call, I probably would have ordered them. That particular dealer is a 60 mile round trip for me though, so it's also another $12 in fuel cost, etc, plus my hour and 20 minutes time just to deal without someone who tried to screw me in the first place. The 2nd dealer is only a 25 mile round trip, about 45 minutes altogther. You are right, I think I would just be better off ordering them from Lewes Automall and be done with it. I was just ticked off at the first call I think...thanks for making me come to my senses. I'd probably feel different if I had connections in the dealership.

i can understand your frustration, and have been there before... i didn't realize the trip was that far for you.. local to me is like a 10-20 minute drive, which is where my dealerships are located... like roadie and I said, not all dealerships are like the one you talked to... there are the select few out there that do care about service and customers.. i don't so much have connections, well i guess i do , but i would say that with as much as i have frequented the dealership to work on all of my vehicles, is how I've built the relationship/connection, and i have followed that certain Service Manager/adviser to every dealership he's worked for... ever since i began driving, i have taken my vehicles to the dealership, whether it was an oil change, or basic maintenance (replacing my driver seat side power button panel/window switch, etc...) all the way to replacing fuel injectors, intakes, head gaskets, etc... my father doesn't work in the service or parts dept, and the only discounts i get for him working there are, i get parts at his cost and a few bucks off on labor.. or they let me bring my own oil and filter, and just charge me labor to do the oil change, or tranny flush... like Ive been in the market for the mirror lenses since my truck didn't come with them... eBay wants $45 a piece for the clear ones... so i asked my dad, he looked them up.. and even at his cost, its the same price as the eBay ones... but i will go to the dealer so i can keep building that relationship... not just because my dad works there...

 

[MAY03LT]

I don't think they're charging a local mechanic list price for parts.

If they did, the mechanic wouldn't be able to mark it up

That E320 alternator I told you about today was marked up to $489. Sigh.

 

[RZAwora]

If they did, the mechanic wouldn't be able to mark it up

Lol...

That E320 alternator I told you about today was marked up to $489. Sigh.

Hot damn... glad I only have a 1200 watts... my stock one still works and no lights dimming. I guess I see where the money for those wheels is going.

 

[Wooluf1952]

I'm not sure how auto dealerships work it, but my son is in parts sales at a Harley-Davidson dealer.
He usually gives discounts to good repeat customers, police, firemen and service men and women.
The thing is, he can only give so much of a discount and the discount comes out of his pay.

 

[MAY03LT]

Hot damn... glad I only have a 1200 watts... my stock one still works and no lights dimming. I guess I see where the money for those wheels is going.

No that's the list price that the guy with the mercedes e320 paid for that super crappy factory 120A replacement alt I replaced today.

The mechman high output alt that i want is less then that lol

 

[RZAwora]

No that's the list price that the guy with the mercedes e320 paid for that super crappy factory 120A replacement alt I replaced today.

The mechman high output alt that i want is less then that lol

Oh gotcha...that's nuts. I'm sure it's a trade secret how much of a mark-up there was on that baby so I wouldn't even ask. Hey, I guess if he can afford a Mercedes he can afford that alt. though.

 

[6716]

It's getting tougher and tougher to make a "bricks and mortar" business run.

I went to my local Advance Auto Parts today with the screen print from my Rock Auto cart. I like having AAP 5 minutes from the house, and I'd prefer to shop local whenever I can. Best they could do was $466 on a purchase I was showing them I could get for $387. I drove home and ordered on line. No hard feelings, just an economic decision.

I was quoted $325 parts and labor to replace one upper ball joint. I'm sure that's what they have to charge at that shop to make it worth coming in that day.

I worked at a dealership, and when you look at the amount of money at risk to make a place like that run day in and day out ... Think about the building, the land, the wages, the equipment, taxes.

Money gets made when information is asymmetrical ... when one party knows more than the other. If you have the same information as the dealer ... part number, quantity, installation method ... the dealer can't make a buck. They can only make a buck on people that don't know cars, or when they have a competitive advantage, like stock when you have to have the part right now.

The information age has been a huge benefit to the consumer side of things through the destruction of information asymmetries. It has made buying easier and selling less lucrative.

So don't pay dealer prices when you don't have to, and be happy for the internet, while understanding that the dealer's business is getting tougher by the day.

 

[RZAwora]

The information age has been a huge benefit to the consumer side of things through the destruction of information asymmetries. It has made buying easier and selling less lucrative.

So don't pay dealer prices when you don't have to, and be happy for the internet, while understanding that the dealer's business is getting tougher by the day.

Agreed...and I think it's just a matter of time before you'll be able to pay UPS or FedEx a monthly/yearly subscription fee so everything you order on the internet comes via one or two day delivery. Similar to Amazon Prime if you know what I mean. Hell, Amazon is even trying to kick start a same-day delivery option, though I'd hate to see the cost.
I prefer to purchase things online. The idea of a brick and mortar store is a lot of times over-rated these days. The corporations (generally speaking) don't pay the employees enough to retain the ones with knowledge. They want more profit, so they hire people for less money. What you end up with is an employee selling something, or providing a service, that the consumer can educate them on. That's not true on all things, but it is true far too much anymore. I'd rather do my own research, price comparison, order from the computer, and have it sent my way.

 

[Regulator]

I prefer to purchase things online. The idea of a brick and mortar store is a lot of times over-rated these days. The corporations (generally speaking) don't pay the employees enough to retain the ones with knowledge. They want more profit, so they hire people for less money. What you end up with is an employee selling something, or providing a service, that the consumer can educate them on.

Two good examples of this....

Three years or so ago I went to my local Auto Zone to pick up a cam shaft position actuator. They first argued with me that the truck didn't have one on in. This was before they even pulled up the truck in the computer. They continued to argue with me until I walked out, got it off the passenger seat of my wife's truck and took it in and sat it on the counter. Then as they are putting the truck info into the computer, 2002 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6, they argue with me that it does not have a straight 6 in it. They told me that Ford was the only vehicle that ran an inline engine. I picked up my bad CPA and asked him to follow me outside to my wife's Bravada. I opened the hood and pointed out the 6 coil packs in a straight line. He then said, well this is an Oldsmobile, not a GMC. I got in the truck and left and have not been back.

Secondly, I have a rather extensive history at my local Advance Auto. So much so that they have offered me an independent mechanic commercial account. In the 8 or so years I have been going there I have seen 5 complete turnovers in that store, including the store manager. I know JRSS can vouch that now when I go in there I walk right up to the computer and start searching for the parts I need myself. When asked if they can help me I usually just laugh them off and tell them it is ok, that I probably know the store better then them. Usually I get a smart alack comment until they see my account history.

 

[Regulator]

oops, sorry about the double post. I got a Data Base error and refreshed the page.