Posted by Peter Warman on February 12, 2004, 4:48 pm
Hi All
This afternoon i have taken two calls from customers that have recently purchased newer vehicles, both with extended warranties, so they naturally assumed that they would have to take them back to the dealerships for servicing......but they both got a shock
First customer has 2002 Peugeot 206 and required a 30,000 service and was quote £260:00 Inc VAT
Second customer has a 2002 Astra and needed an interim service requiring visual checks and an oil and filter change. He was quoted £175:00 Inc VAT
Both asked if they could have it serviced at their local garage (me), both said as long as genuine parts are used, then there was not a problem......so i have booked both jobs in
But i am concerned at the prices they were quoted, especially the Astra, no more than an hours work, so why such a high cost?
Just last week we lost a Vauxhall dealership called Masters in the south London area, all 4 branches closed. The reason given was extended service intervals and less time to do them in, so less profit (a few other reasons a well) played a contributing factor
So trying to whack the customers wallet while the vehicle is in seems to be their answer. It can only drive the customers away from the dealers and in the arms of Independents