Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Well, considering that the one time I had major work (timing belt/chain) done by a dealer (which I'm assuming would count as a reputable shop, no?), I barely made the 20 miles to home before the engine blew up, I know which I'd choose :-)
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If the dealers were as good as you implied, there would be little reason for independents, who don't have a sales department, or 100%+ parts markups, just their reputation.
One dealership I worked for had me do all of their warranty rattles. Another had me braze the broken piece back on the engine block that the idiot tech had broken off trying to install a (probably wrong) starter motor.
The average dealer tech makes less than 25% of the labor they charge, to say nothing about the huge parts markup. Recipe for dishonesty.
I probably would not want to work on the cars of most members here, but in most cases NASA rocket scientists were fine. I got real good at culling out those who made interactions difficult or impossible, like the gent who accused me of being the cause of everything wrong with his 150k car after I did him a favor and replaced a light bulb for free.
regards
mech