Service Dept. Conflict of Interest?

[Rangerdavid]

Ok, so I take my Prius into the dealer for servicing, oil change, filter, rotate tires, state inspection, winter wiper blades, and yes, the replacement key fob.

The key fob is another story, but I did get a new one, programed, for $274.00. But, that's not the point of this post.

The guy in the service department tells me their business has been slow lately, which is hurting them a bit since all the maintenance guys are on commission. COMMISSION!!!! WTF!!!!

So, instead of salary, or hourly, they get a commission on what they sell you? syntheitc oil instead of regular, or course you need a new air filter, and how 'bout those wiper blades?

There is a bit of a conflict in what "really" needs to be done to the car and what they can sell you because they get commission. My key fob aside (and my wife is NOT allowing me to live that one down since it was mine that was lost) doesn't anyone else see anything wrong with this?

RD

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Rangerdavid

...The guy in the service department tells me their business has been slow lately, which is hurting them a bit since all the maintenance guys are on commission. COMMISSION!!!! WTF!!!!

This is common practice, hence the vehicle owner should be on guard regarding service recommendations from an individual who has a personal interest in maximizing service $s spent.

[firepa63]

Commission? I don't believe that, unless they are different from any dealer I've done business with. The sales people are probably on a form of commission, but I seriously doubt the mechanics/techs are.

[subarutoo]

Why do you go to dealers, anyway? Except for the key fob, anybody, including DIY can do basic service. For warranty items, YES, anything else? NO.

[galaxee]

techs are paid flat rate, aka straight commission. that's nothing new. usually writers are paid a base rate plus commission.

it sucks when there's no work to do and you're standing around all day for free. the economy has really dealt a blow to the automotive service industry. i hope this year's "busy season" (pre-thanksgiving till new year) isn't a total bust like last year, a substantial percent of the year's income comes from those 2-3 months. jan-march are always dead, but you need the busy season to stock enough away to get through the dead season.

we got pretty hosed this time last year thanks to the economy shift.

[galaxee]

also- another comment- flat rate time protects you from a tech who has no idea what he's doing and takes 12 hours to change a timing belt or something. you're charged book time, not actual time it took the guy. it favors techs who get things done quickly, but it's hard on the new guys who are just learning. keeps techs from putzing around when they're motivated to finish this job so they can get the next one started- this drives up profit per service bay, which is what the dealer wants to see.

but like all systems it has its flaws to the customer- upselling unnecessary work, shortcuts to save time, etc. and to the tech- diagnostic work doesn't pay unless you replace something, returning problems don't pay much if anything, you make less money per hour if you spend the time to do the job right.

[rigormortis]

Originally Posted by subarutoo

Why do you go to dealers, anyway? Except for the key fob, anybody, including DIY can do basic service. For warranty items, YES, anything else? NO.

hahahaha

guess what

soon you will have no reason to go to the dealer according to your post. effective january 1st 2009, in california, any licensed locksmith will be able to set prius fobs!