[AT] OT: Dealerships

[Mike Sloane]

What many people don't understand is that most car dealerships don't 
make their profit on selling cars; even with all the sleazy bullshit 
that goes on in the showroom, they are lucky to break even. They make 
their profits in two areas: 1. kickbacks from the banks and other 
lenders who handle the financing and leasing, and 2. the service 
department. Also note that the "service writers" are on commission, so 
they get a percentage of every dollar on the repair bill.

Everybody has their own horror story about getting screwed by the 
dealer's service department. My latest one is taking my Toyota Camry in 
for its "first servicing" last year. What boiled down to an oil & filter 
change and rotating the tires came to around $125. My local guy does the 
same thing for about $30. (Only my local guy doesn't have free 
internet/WiFi, or a wide screen TV, a coffee bar, comfortable chairs, 
etc.) I will never go back to that dealer again unless it is for a 
no-charge recall program.

Mike

On 7/9/2012 5:15 PM, Mike Meulenberg wrote:
> I too hate going to dealerships, the trend around here at least is to
> make into mini luxury day spas. There is a chevy Buick/GMC/ Caddy
> dealer near us that has a place for the ladies to get there hair and
> nails done, a fancy coffee shop, wirelesss internet etc. I can't help
> but think while I'm leaning on the granite counter top explaining the
> problem to the service writer that someone, namely me. is paying for
> all this. Mike M