It seems more and more car repairs have to be done by a dealer these days. My repair guy told me they simply don’t have the tools to replace door sensors and such, and said that car manufacturers keep many things secret, except for those required to be public by law. This basically gives dealers a monopoly on repairs, and they usually are quite expensive.
Is anyone working on or lobbying for change in legislature on this? Are there consumer advocacy groups that have this on their list? I want to protest somehow.
I am not aware if anyone’s raising this issue seriously. I’ ve had thoughts just like you too. It’s sad but true, it not only makes repairs more expensive for consumers but also puts many skilled, passionate, mechanics out of business too. Many just end up throwing their entrepreneurial skills away to be enslaved and work for one of those dealers or companies.
The idea behind this is to not only make profit out of sales, but also out of service and support which is a longer term revenue maker making their business more sustainable and secure. It’s sure not good for consumers and skilled mechanics who want to be independent.
Also I feel, revenue out of repairs and services is something that the dealership doesnt need to work hard and sell hard. It’s something that the consumer needs and has no choice other than to accept whatever the dealership says. It’s like, when the consumer buys the car, the ball is in his/her court and after the purchase, when it comes to repairs, the ball is in the dealer’s court. Now it’s their chance to extract from the customer whatever they gave them as deals or offers.
I’m very wary of this too and like to protest also. Well….sorry I know I didnt answer your question, but just agreed with you and added my opinion. I would like to know the answer too.
#1 by mystery on January 5th, 2010
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Why don’t you start one? You can also write to Ralph Nader.
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#2 by sensible_man on January 5th, 2010
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I get parts that are "dealer item only" from the dealer and install myself. There are many parts that auto stores cannot carry, but this doesn’t mean they are unobtainable. Only problem with this is voiding a warranty.
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#3 by CoG on January 5th, 2010
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I am not aware if anyone’s raising this issue seriously. I’ ve had thoughts just like you too. It’s sad but true, it not only makes repairs more expensive for consumers but also puts many skilled, passionate, mechanics out of business too. Many just end up throwing their entrepreneurial skills away to be enslaved and work for one of those dealers or companies.
The idea behind this is to not only make profit out of sales, but also out of service and support which is a longer term revenue maker making their business more sustainable and secure. It’s sure not good for consumers and skilled mechanics who want to be independent.
Also I feel, revenue out of repairs and services is something that the dealership doesnt need to work hard and sell hard. It’s something that the consumer needs and has no choice other than to accept whatever the dealership says. It’s like, when the consumer buys the car, the ball is in his/her court and after the purchase, when it comes to repairs, the ball is in the dealer’s court. Now it’s their chance to extract from the customer whatever they gave them as deals or offers.
I’m very wary of this too and like to protest also. Well….sorry I know I didnt answer your question, but just agreed with you and added my opinion. I would like to know the answer too.
References :