Is Your Ford Service Center "Price Competitive?"

[Thomas Rogers]

I ask because when I bought my Trac the dealership had this nice "Meet and Greet" dinner at the showroom/service center in which they gave all the new, recent owners this song and dance about how they wanted our aftermarket business...new tires, new shocks, misc work, you name it, they wanted it, and they would be price competitive.



Well, my Rancho RSX shocks came in, and I got a quote from Pep Boys to install them for $71 total ($14/shock * 4 + $15 misc shop materials fee). Anyway, that price wasn't bad, but PepBoys is about 12 miles from house, while my dealer is only 2. So, remembering what they said, I stopped in on my way to work.



I explained the truck had 10K miles, that I almost killed my family on the NE extension of the PA TPK (or was it 81, I can't remember) when I hit a pothole going 70, and I said had shocks "in hand" to replace and wanted a price quote to replace them. I was upfront and told him the PepBoys quote (not a quote, but a true cost). I asked if he could be competitive, and that I wasn't necessarily looking for them to BEAT that price.



Anyway, the service manager checked his computer, hit a couple of buttons, asked me if I am sure the price quoted was right, and then said: "I appreciate that you gave us a shot, but I can't get anywhere near that number...not even close!"



I didn't press him for his number, because, frankly, I didn't care. I gave them the oppty for my business.



I DO COMPLETELY understand that the overhead and average salary/hourly rate for a Ford technician is of course greater than that of a Pep Boys tech. It just seems to me that the service manager that pleaded for our business with a promise to be competitive really was offering NOTHING but words. Do they REALLY want to be competitive, or were those just "words" in a hope to lure in those that really don't shop around?



I just wanted to hear what others have experienced.



TJR

 

[Mark Koback]

They were probably referring to being competetive as far as total job moneys, not just labor wise. Also, keep in mind they are going to try and sell you OEM replacements rather than aftermarket parts. Even though I work for a dealership, it was probably a luring tactic instead of a true statement. But every dealer is different in terms of what they will promise.



MK ..... The "other" Mark

 

[Deleted deleted]

I never go to those 'car clinics' offered by the dealership. Figured it was nothing more than a soda pop and hot dog, then a hardline salespitch to either sign a extended warranty or some bait-n-switch on service charges for maintenance work.

 

[Dreman]

Hey, at least you get a soda pop and hot dog!

 

[EddieS'04]

I have noticed that the 2 dealers closest to me are on average 20% higher,for regular repair and maintenance. Even more for the heavier stuff. Dont intend to let them do anything but warranty.



The one that I bought our two fords from, took us around for introductions and gave me the same song and dance, about competitve pricing and best service.

 

[Frank Marano]

Competitive....no



Consistant.....yes



Expensive......yes



I cant complain with their level of service though. They seem to do what they say and in a timely manner.

 

[David Torres]

My local dealership changed owners a few years back. Right after the ownership change it was great in that all their service fees became competitive like $20 for oil changes. Then gradually they went back to the old over priced fees that are typical of dealer service centers. The same dealer oil change now cost $40 which is the highest in the area. An auto transmission flush that everyone else gets $60-$80 for is $120. I would prefer to use the dealer when possible but financially it often just doesn't make sense.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

My Ford Service Centers near me are not competitive. They also tend to jerk me around. By this I mean I make an appointment for a specific problem (for instance, the friction modifier recall). They tell me when to show up. I get there and wait 30 - 45 minutes so they can tell me they ran out of the stuff). This has happened to me numerous times. I've been to the shop over and over again for the same problems so many times that I have lost count. Mind you these are all warranty repairs, but my off-duty time is still valuable to me.



When I owned Toyotas, I had all of my regular services done by them, because they changed the oil and did other services a lot faster than many of the jiffy lube type places, and the price was the same. They also washed my car before they gave it back, so I was actually saving time and money by using them. I really miss those days.

 

[TomT]

I have never seen any dealer service competitive other then maybe oil changes and such. But that's just a lure to get you in their shop with hopes you will spend more on additional repairs. Once the warranty runs out I don't ever go back to the dealer for repairs.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

Is Your Ford Service Center "Price Competitive?"

Nope, see thread named "Dealer wants $173 just to diagnose CEL!!!" :blink:

 

[Dan Otto]

Personally I don't see what their (Ford) problem is. Shop rate is about $75 an hr. and that work is about an hours work. Why can't he match? :wacko: Am I missing something here? :unsure:

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Obviously their rates and hour books say different, DD!

 

[Shawn Hennessy]

My dealer wanted nearly $3,000 to do the rear end repair that I paid $1,600 for. Even the 1.6 k was a bit steep for my blood.



Dealers are not all that competitive.

 

[Fudged Undies]

only dealer I have ever seen be "competitive" is Spartan Lincoln-Merc. I saw firsthand what Rusty can do at the ATL meet. Yeah, that name comes up alot around here and it's not really close to most of us but if you have connections you use them. Rusty is one connection I will always be proud to have so long as I drive a Ford Product. And I go out of my way to send him busness whenever I can.

 

[Dan Otto]

dealers are supposed to go by a fixed shop time. Quotes should be in the ballpark with set time tables set up by Ford. (say for ex. shocks and swaybar for the rear may be 2 hours labor) What seems to be going on is Ford losing their seatcovers (not shirts) in the market and try to make back lost bucks by soaking us out of our hard earned cash. :angry: We are not stupid! All that will happen is business will go to outside shops like PepBoys. Too bad for Ford.