5 Reasons for Choosing an Independent Repair Shop Instead of the Car Dealer
When it comes time for auto maintenance or repairs, choosing where to go can feel like a real tug of war. Many people think that a dealership should know all the ins and outs of their vehicle, making the dealer an “obvious” choice.
On the other hand, many consumers are turned off by the pricing and the feeling of being “upsold.”
Certainly, there are times when it makes the most sense to go to the dealer. For example, if your car is under warranty and needs a repair that will be covered by the warranty or if there’s a recall for your vehicle. Being able to show that all recalls have been performed can be important when it comes to selling your car later on.
However, for nearly anything and everything else, including regular maintenance, Consumer Reports has consistently reported that the majority of consumers are far happier with their experiences at an independent shop than a franchised dealership.
There are many reasons why choosing an independent repair shop will give you far better satisfaction. These include:
The Mechanics
While this isn’t true at all dealerships, plenty of them try to make some extra money by hiring unskilled workers to do simple maintenance chores, such as oil changes, head light bulb replacements, etc. They certainly won’t charge you less, either, nor will they let you know who is actually working on your vehicle.
Independent repair shops, however, often allow you to not only see the mechanic who is working on your vehicle, but you can usually talk to them if you wish. Most people enjoy the one-on-one relationship they build as they continue to bring their car back to the same location and use the same technician. Chances are that the independent mechanic will get to know your vehicle like one of his or her own! Be sure to ask if your independent repair shop hires ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians. This ensures that you aren’t having an inexperienced “grease monkey” to work on your vehicle.
Customer Loyalty
Dealerships, obviously, must have brand loyalty, which means that they must use original manufacturer parts, even if another brand is cheaper or more reliable.
Independent mechanics must answer to you directly and they know which brand of aftermarket parts (meaning brands that are not from the car manufacturer) are the most reliable or the least expensive. You can discuss the options (such as warranty) and prices of using remanufactured parts, used or aftermarket parts with an independent shop, something a dealership cannot do.
Dealers have a constant flow of vehicles for warranty work, which means they are busy even without your business. Your independent mechanic doesn’t make any money from warranty repairs, so it is in their interest to fix your vehicle and make sure it was repaired right the first time.
Price
It’s true that dealerships usually have cushy, comfortable waiting rooms, with big screen TVs, free coffee or soft drinks, possibly even free popcorn and cookies. Don’t forget that those fancy waiting rooms cost money and guess where it’s coming from? The car manufacturer isn’t paying for those sleek sofas. You are!
While independent repair shops have waiting rooms and coffee, most of them are more clean and simple, not plush and over the top.
Let’s not forget the friendly service advisor. Did you know that many of them in dealership environments earn a commission on the parts and labor from your repair? And depending on the dealership, there may be a lot of pressure to hit certain sales minimums. This may be why it seems like they always greet you with a long list of “should do” items.
This isn’t to say that those service aren’t necessary, but it’s important to trust the person who’s recommending repairs and maintenance, whether it’s at the dealer or independent level.
Saving Money on Your Lease
If you are leasing your vehicle, you might think that it is necessary to have the dealer perform regular maintenance or it will void your warranty or lease. Unless it specifically states in your lease that you MUST have maintenance performed at a dealer, you don’t need to foot those extra high maintenance costs incurred at the dealer.
You will need to keep all your receipts to prove that you did perform maintenance on the vehicle, but otherwise, you can have your vehicle serviced at an independent shop and save some serious money.
Better Selection and Price
In addition to saving money from labor and parts costs, when it comes to maintenance items, such as tires, batteries, or even windshield wipers, your independent repair shop can offer you a large variety of brands (and prices) to choose from. The dealer cannot do that because they’re more restricted by the vehicle manufacturer.
When it comes down to it, you really can’t go wrong by choosing a qualified independent repair shop like Hong Kong Auto Service. We employ ASE-Certified mechanics, and we never forget that we are working for you, the consumer, not the car manufacturer.
Call us today for an appointment, schedule online or drop by to discuss your vehicle’s needs. Give us a chance to earn your business!