New Audi Dealer strategy?
08-26-2004, 12:36 PM
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New Audi Dealer strategy?
The other day I went to a local Audi dealer to get wiper blade refills and to have the recent recall work done. They had a big professionally done billboard in the service department that compared the prices that other shops around town were charging for about 5 or 6 specified repair/maintenance services. The disclaimer stated that the prices were collected by an independent third party.
The Audi dealer's price was the most expensive on every service, and in some cases double what the cheaper independent shops' prices were. Of note, I think all of the indy shops were Bosch authorized service centers. I was going to ask what the rationale behind posting this billboard was, but figured they say something about the assurance that comes with the work being done by the dealer, etc.
Anybody else see this at your local dealer?
The Audi dealer's price was the most expensive on every service, and in some cases double what the cheaper independent shops' prices were. Of note, I think all of the indy shops were Bosch authorized service centers. I was going to ask what the rationale behind posting this billboard was, but figured they say something about the assurance that comes with the work being done by the dealer, etc.
Anybody else see this at your local dealer?
08-26-2004, 01:10 PM
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And exactly why would they want to do that?!?
As a guy that shops around to save a few cents on a gallon of gas, I don't think that any Audi service advisor could convince me that "its only a few dollars more for the assurance of having qualified Audi technicians work on your car."
Bottom line: an indy shop needs to do good work to maintain their business, while a dealer can hire the least motivated/qualified person to read instructions out of an Audi shop manual (all they seem to do is just replace parts until the problem goes away).
Bottom line: an indy shop needs to do good work to maintain their business, while a dealer can hire the least motivated/qualified person to read instructions out of an Audi shop manual (all they seem to do is just replace parts until the problem goes away).
08-26-2004, 01:14 PM
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That's hilarious
like those ads for Progressive insurance that say they will also give you quotes from 2 or 3 competitors; I had that ad on tape and noticed on slo-mo that some of the other quotes were lower!
We want your business, but want to encourage you to have it done elsewhere. FWIW, they do the same thing at VW shops here in LA and, surprise surprise, the stealership is always the lowest. Sometimes by only a buck or two, but that's the same game that internet retailers play with each other, constantly comparing prices so they can always be a few cents cheaper and come in first when you froogle or pricegrabber them. Silly.
We want your business, but want to encourage you to have it done elsewhere. FWIW, they do the same thing at VW shops here in LA and, surprise surprise, the stealership is always the lowest. Sometimes by only a buck or two, but that's the same game that internet retailers play with each other, constantly comparing prices so they can always be a few cents cheaper and come in first when you froogle or pricegrabber them. Silly.
08-26-2004, 01:19 PM
#4
Hmmmm, you're only as good as the info you gather ;-)
Could be the other sources had some dimwit call and ask for just the basics, while the dealership is using all inclusive numbers. Doh! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!
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