The dealer shop likely knows when they offer a big discount on something easy for them to do, like a coolant flush and replacement, oil and filter change, etc, they’ll find some other stuff in need of work too. The shop may actually loose money on the original service, and hope to make it back and more on the subsequent work. It’s the same business model as some Japanese restaurants, the meal prices are often very reasonable, they re-gain their profit on their sushi and adult beverage offerings.
I think the OP was wise to take advantage of the discount, wise to listen to what the dealer shop said also needed some work, and wise to let an inde shop offer a second opinion on that.
About Monroe for shocks, I have to say I have no experience at all on that subject. But no matter which shock manufacturer I might want to use, I’d get a quote for an inde shop along with the dealer’s quote before deciding on who to do the work. A dealer shop – unless the warranty is involved – isn’t necessary for common jobs like shocks.
Ya know there are times a dealer option is the best option. Often times they have the tools, expertise and knowledge. In our area they are very comparable in price to the ind, I use an ind out of convenience, we have an on board mechanic for most of the probs at work, but certain fleet vehicle problems it is a no brainer to take it to the dealer.
I’m a civil service mechanic, and there are a few times we bring vehicles to the local dealer, because they’re best equipped to handle the situation
Instrument cluster replacement and programming are some of the examples. We have our own scan tools, service manuals, technical website access, etc., but we aren’t set up to flash modules
There is no shame in saying you’re literally not able to do a certain job and send it to someone who is
There may be more to the shock situation than meets the eye. Most after market shocks are actually upgrades with regard to the diameter of the damping cylinder and valving. Many OE shocks and struts are valved uniquely for the car. Some have zero resistance or very light reisitance to compression and use high resistance to rebound to stop bounce. Most after markets seem to be 50/50 compression to rebound. Installing a 50/50 after market shock on a Lincoln that used a 0/100 from the factory can make for an unhappy customer as soon as they cross their first railroad tracks.
I suggest you throw away all coupons because all companies in business will tell you a load of crap either by deception or ignorance on their part.
Car dealers do not have a monopoly on “believing all customers are stupid”.
The person who told you this does not work on the car and does not call for parts prices or order parts or check availability. The service writer is the weakest link in the service dept. That’s not a slam against them either.
@db4690
I stand corrected. I suppose it would be more accurate to say they can be the weak link but as you point out that could also be said for the tech, the parts guy, etc.
the service writer is not the weakest link . . . far from it
A good service writer can make a lot of money for the dealership
A good service writer is vital for mechanics working flat rate
A lousy mechanic with an excellent writer will earn more money than an excellent mechanic with a lousy writer
A writer isn’t expect to be as knowledgeable as the mechanic. He’s expected to be able to read people and sell work
I’ve known dumb writers who could sell ice cubes to eskimos . . . no offense intended
I’ve known very knowledgeable writers who couldn’t sell anything to save their lives
I’ve known writers who were physically repulsive and had poor hygiene, but they were able to sell a lot of work, because they didn’t beat around the bush. They gave the customers the straight dope.
They said “You need such and such. Do want to do it.” A significant percentage of customers responded very well to the straight up approach.
Truly spoken from the business side. As the guy who has always had the misfortune of always standing on the other side of the desk (the customer side), I’d rather the knowledgeable service writers “who couldn’t sell anything to save their lives.” If you to to sell me all you’ll see is the door hitting me on the rump on the way out.
True service in this business is not about “selling” people. It’s about figuring out what people need and communicating that clearly in a way that allows them to make a decision that is best for them. Leave the selling to the sales staff. I have an acute “sales” detector and it operates like a repellent. I will go away immediately. I won’t be back. To suggest that service is about sales is - well, everything that is wrong with many dealership shops and chain “auto care” operations.
The service writer needs no more to be an expert at automotive repair than the wait staff at your favorite restaurant needs to be an expert on preparing your meal. They are 2 different lines of work. The guy in the shop needs to know how to fix cars. The guy at the desk needs to figure out what you need and sell it to you. Often the 2 needs coincide, but regularly the customer has no idea what he wants or needs and is argumentative about that to boot.
Of course it’s about selling work. Nothing happens until something is sold. We’re in business to make money, not just friends. The same could be said about any line of work.
Nah, Honda (4 or 6) timing belts are among the easiest out there.
IF AND ONLY IF - you have a lift. I’ve only known ONE person who had a lift in their garage…and he did a lot of work for other people as a part time job. Doing a Honda timing belt without a lift is a royal pain.
One thing I could say about the OEM shocks on her Mazda is that they can’t be all that great if one has failed already. Monroe may not be the best you can buy, but I wouldn’t expect them to be any worse.
Some of you need to go back and read the original post. The main point was the service guy telling me only OEM shocks were available for my car and if I didn’t believe it I could go check. Well I did and found out that wasn’t a true statement.
@MikeInNH was spot on:
“You missed the complete point…The services writer LIED…thinking the customer would be so stupid he’d never check any place else.”
or Mike could have said lied or is incompetent.
I wasn’t after input as to what shocks are the best or did my mechanic check the shocks prior to replacement (for the record yes she did). The job is over and done with. I posted this in the general discussion section because it’s a customer service question and not an automotive hardware or diagnostic question. If I wanted advice on the best shocks available I would’ve asked that question.
BTW for budgetary reasons, I’d like to keep the car another 2 to 3 years. That adds another 20 - 30K miles to the 120K currently on the vehicle. I don’t need shocks that last another 7 years and 120K.
Even though this discussion did veer off track a bit, I found the consensus on Monroe shocks interesting and appreciated learning from everyone’s input. They used to make a very good shock/strut.
Going off on a tangent happens a lot on the web, here and elsewhere. Think of it as getting more than you asked for, bonus answers. Check the Off Topic box if you like.
Just to be a wise guy, I would not equate the service writer with the person who seats you at the table in a restaurant, v. The mechanic and the chef. The service writer should be in constant communication with the mechanics as to maintenance procedures. If you want to sell service “successfully” , you had better be right more then you are wrong. Let me say that with regard to your statement , they should coincide.
@my2cents, there’s almost no such thing as a thread that sticks directly to the point.
Good services that are truly needed sell themselves my good communication through people who know what they are talking about. That’s actually one reason that I won’t go to shops anymore if it’s one of the places where I don’t talk to the actual person doing the work. (I get how this can be problematic for the shop). And I never stay with a shop where anyone there has to “sell” me. If I have been given good information and the options, then that’s all I need. If you want to call providing information and options “selling” - well then forget it as this is just about semantics.
I’m not attacking you . . . I’m just disagreeing with you
As a mechanic who used to work flat rate at a dealership, I can tell you first hand, it’s not funny when your writer can’t sell squat, and you’re struggling to pay your bills
FYI on the Honda recall, it was not to replace the balance shaft seals, it was to add some clips to hold the existing seals in place. It did not require removing the belts.