No other alternative?

[Oddity]

I'm really dreading dropping $60 at the dealership for them to get a full on mechanic to press a few buttons and activate my fogs. I know I've asked before, but before I go in on saturday, just wanted to double check that no one else has the time (or the starscan).

It's not the money, I'll gladly pay anyone else, it's just that it's an outrageous cost for such a small task.

Grr, stelership steals.

[orangekrush]

What do you mean "activate the fog lights"? Just curious!

[oakcharger]

When you install the factory fogs into an SE or SXT that didn't come with them, you will have to go to the dealer or anyone with a starscan Mobil to enable the relay in the PCM

[AdamC]

NOT to be a dick- but do you do work for free?? our tech are here to make money... pressing a few buttons sure- but knowing what buttons to push is another thing... do you not pay a taxi driver, even thou you can drive??

[JonoWilliams]

Grr, stelership steals.

Cant say stealership around here. I did a few months ago and wow did some sensitive people become offended. I prefer the term "rip off bastards" now.

[Nightshade]

I'm really dreading dropping $60 at the dealership for them to get a full on mechanic to press a few buttons and activate my fogs. I know I've asked before, but before I go in on saturday, just wanted to double check that no one else has the time (or the starscan).

It's not the money, I'll gladly pay anyone else, it's just that it's an outrageous cost for such a small task.

Grr, stelership steals.

Go buy a starscan then.. or find someone who has one. Painting with such a wide brush is somewhat unfair don't you think? they aren't all stealerships..

NOT to be a dick- but do you do work for free?? our tech are here to make money... pressing a few buttons sure- but knowing what buttons to push is another thing... do you not pay a taxi driver, even thou you can drive??

x2

[willtransco]

LOL..you mean charging me 7.32 per lugnut..that isnt worth .50 cents. I didnt feel any love when I went in to buy..after the TECH rounded off 4 during a Dealer Tire Rotation..and decided to keep it a secret..till I found out! Then said I must have done it...AFTER I got home...Nice Crew here at DEALER!!!

[JonoWilliams]

I love threads such as this as it stirs up so much controversy. However I would go as far to say that yes they are all stealerships. Let’s be fair the general opinion of the public is that stealerships.... rip us off. By doing such simple things as removing grease nipples from control arms so... you have to buy new ones when they wear instead of re greasing. This is just a minor example and I am sure a hard core car guy will have his own different opinion on this matter and will be educating me shortly.

I would like to clarify one point though. I previously came under fire by mechanics on this forum as they screamed "I work hard for my money".
I couldn’t agree more. I wouldn’t be a mechanic for twice the money I earn right now. My closest friend works for Ford and works his butt off for what is in my opinion, not enough money. BUT
The dealership that employs him.... is a thieving bastardo like the rest of them. I hope to avoid the usual backlash at what is just my humble opinion.

Good luck with the star scan!

[AdamC]

There are dealerships that give us all a bad name-- a 7 dollar nut- is crazy- but it's not like the dealer makes the prices, the corp does-- i offer oe nuts and also the cheapo ones- b/c no one is forcing you to buy from me... but i want your business whether you want the expensive ones or the cheapies.. again- no grease points- what can i say- its engineered that way.. it's not like we (parts guys) decided to only sell the non-servicable ones...

Again-- we are all not stealers--- and it is unfair to lump us all in the same bunch....

[Oddity]

Didnt mean to rile up any sour moods with this, don't get me wrong, but $58 per HALF HOUR is kinda up there, dontcha think? Im all for paying off people for their work, but no way in hell does the mechanic pocket that much, lucky if he/she gets half.

I mean, Im up in the plumbing profession, I know the trades, it's not fun nor easy work at the best of times. But our top licensed guys, hell, even our lead supervisors, don't make that IN AN HOUR. Furthermore, I wouldnt be surprised that if given the starmobile, I could figure it out on my own within a few hours. Not to undermine the mechanics in any way, but it's really a simple process.

Dealerships are notorious for inflated prices, Im not knocking the guys that work there, or any specific make. Just in general, they make coin off people who dont know much in regards to cars other than how to press the gas and brake pedals. Adam, you do wonders for us guys that need the mopar parts, makes buying them bearable, but for the general public, it's $5 plastic pushpins.

Definitely did not think that saying 'stealership' would warrant me negative rep.

[mundenj]

ive had these for awhile and havnt shared... I went to the durham region dodge to get my rims installed after i bought them off of a guy in bowmanville. My dealer is here local in Niagara Falls. So i get these service notices from both of them now. On the same day i got these from both places with so called deals. I know its dealer pricing but why such a big difference.. They are both for Oil changes and Piece of mind inspection

first one from my dealer



and from the Durham... WHY SUCH A DIFERENCE IN PRICE... i mean is niagara losing money or is durham making way to much

[AdamC]

i don't know all the facts- but it probably has to do with the door rate- here in Toronto we're low at $110/hour, most stores are $120.. probably only $90 in Niagara Falls..,.

[hemicanucksfan]

but $58 per HALF HOUR is kinda up there, dontcha think? Im all for paying off people for their work, but no way in hell does the mechanic pocket that much, lucky if he/she gets half.

I mean, Im up in the plumbing profession, I know the trades, it's not fun nor easy work at the best of times. But our top licensed guys, hell, even our lead supervisors, don't make that IN AN HOUR. Furthermore, I wouldnt be surprised that if given the starmobile, I could figure it out on my own within a few hours. Not to undermine the mechanics in any way, but it's really a simple process.

i don't want to get too into this as these "stealership" threads are minefields. but you should also realize considering that you know the trades that companies you work for charge much more per hour than they're paying you. it's called business. shoot, at my wife's company, they charge $750/hr for work done in her suite. she doesn't get paid anywhere near that. not even close. but they have to pay for her equipment. same as a dealership. they have an awful lot of overhead with just equipment (have you ever heard how much a starmobile costs? there's a reason very, very few people have one) and other costs (training for techs, wages, benefits, etc). another thing to think about is all the empty dealerships around right now too. in ajax/pickering four dealerships have closed in the last while, with another just up the road in scarborough. if they were money making places, i'm sure they'd still be open. just a thought. i'm not condoning all dealership practices (i've had run-ins with a few bad ones myself) but to paint them all with the same brush is not fair to the good ones.
my $0.02

[hemi2nv]

"shoot, at my wife's company, they charge $750/hr for work done in her suite. she doesn't get paid anywhere near that."

So lets say that she makes 25% of that !!! WOW no wonder you got such a nice Magnum and a SRT to boot

Hemi 2NV

[hemicanucksfan]

haha. i'd love it she made 25%. i'd love it if she even came close to 10%. no dice.