Dealers vary in service pricing??

[rkj082000]

My Ex just hit 100K, looking to get some service done at the dealer (stuff I just do not feel like messing with), so I stop at dealer A to make an appointment and get pricing. Then I called dealer B to compare, out of curiosity, and am kinda surprised at the differences:

Dealer A:

Fuel Filter - 48.00
Transfer Case drain and fill - 80.00
Flush and Fill coolant (if needed) - 90.00
Replace serp belt - 70.00
Complete tranny service (filter and flush) - 225.00
Total - 513.00

Dealer B:

Fuel Filter - 45.00
Transfer Case drain and fill - 45.00
Flush and fill coolant (if needed) - 70.00
Replace serp. belt - 70.00
Complete tranny service (filter, and flush) - 165.00
Total - 395.00



Difference - 118.00
Plus dealer B is giving me a free loaner because I purchased the truck from them. I thought all dealers used a standard book for pricing, why the difference? Needless to say, dealer B gets my truck.

 

[SVO1]

Nope not all dealers are the same.They are independantly owned and operated, so it is up to each dealer what they charge.

 

[Doug]

Yup, Dealers even charge different prices for parts.

 

[Black Magic]

Yea, they all can very. You know what kills me the Chevy dealer in town only charged 12.99 for an Oil change! The Ford dealer charged like 25-30.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by Namitey
Yup, Dealers even charge different prices for parts.

I thought parts were standardized pricing through Ford? Hmmm, thats interesting

 

[section525]

When we were looking for F150 coil spacers.. the local dealer wanted $35 a piece! The dealer in the next town over only wanted $14.

 

[rkj082000]

I was looking at buying motorcraft spark plugs from the dealer, they quoted me 10.99 a piece. Autozone has the very same plugs for 4.99 a piece. I understand some dealer mark up but more than double for the same parts!!?? I'll take the 4.99 ones, thank you very much . (thanks to this board which informed me autozone had motorcraft plugs).

 

[BradE.]

$70 to replace belt. LOL, that is too funny. That takes all of about 5 minutes to replace it.

 

[Robert]

Don't count on the "if needed" part of the flush and fill coolant. If your coolant hasn't been changed in at least two years and your dealer is made aware, they will say it is needed. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty and spending the day working on your Explorer all of the items listed can be done by anyone that is capable of following directions that has a decent set of tools for less than $100 in supplies. With the exception of the tranny service, I would be willing to let my mechanically disfunctional Wife do under my guidance (well maybe not). They are all extremely easy to do and don't require any special knowledge nor specialized tools. Here's a breakdown (times quoted are safe estimates for someone doing the job for the first time and maybe running into a problem or two):

Fuel filter: New filter $6, $10 for the fuel line quick disconnect tool = total $16 in parts. Time to change = 1.5 hours (experienced = 30 minutes).

Transfer case drain & fill: 1.5 quarts of Mercon ATF = $4 (you have to buy two quarts), $3 for Harbor Freight siphon pump to get new fluid back in = total $7 in parts. Time to change = 45 minutes (experienced = 15 minutes).

Flush and fill Coolant: 2 gallons of antifreeze $12, 2 gallons of deionized water $2.50 = total $14.50 in parts. Time to change = 2.5 hours (experienced = 45 minutes).

Replace serpentine belt: New belt = $15. Time to change = 1 hour (experienced = 10 minutes).

Complete tranny service: 12 quarts of Mercon V ATF (2 quarts to spare) $48, new filter $10, new filter o-rings $1.10, new pan gasket $0.48 = total $59.58. Time to change = 5 hours (experienced = 1-2 hours depending on how bad exhaust bolts are on the catalytic converter under tranny pan).