Do you stay loyal / service your car at the dealership where you bought your car? If so, for how long?

Posted by DisplayKnown5665@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 47 comments

In 2010, I bought an Avalanche from a GM dealership in my city. For the first few years (mainly while under warranty), I've always taken it there to get serviced (oil changes, tire rotations, repairs, etc.). After that, I've started going to other local businesses, but would still occasionally go to the dealership. I'd just go wherever was most convenient or cheaper at the time.

Last week, I traded that in for a Silverado at a GM dealership in another city about 45 minutes away. I get a free "first time" oil change and inspection. Supposedly, this can be done at any GM location, but I'm not sure where I should go.

If I go to my local one, I feel like they'll be upset with me for not buying through them or even letting them know I was interested in a new truck. Maybe I'll just have a harder time getting in or be lower on the totem pole so to speak?

On the other hand, the 45-min drive to the other dealer isn't bad. Driving an hour or more is a normal way of life around here. It was honestly kind of nice doing business at a new/different location for a change, but not sure I'd want to be making that drive every single time. Should I just go there for the first time and then stick with my local one?

I know I'm overthinking this, but I'm curious what others do and why.

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CoachOpen1977@reddit

No and they gave us lifetime free oil changes with the car. The problem is it’s over 30 minutes away from my house and anywhere else that I ever go. I literally have no other business in that area and even when I make a goddamn 8am appointment they always tell me it’ll be end of the day or the next day. Like do they even know what an appointment is?? If I make an 8am appointment I expect them to be pulling it in at 8:20 at the latest. So I just DIY it all. A free oil change isn’t worth a whole hour of driving and wasting a whole day off without my car for a service that takes 20 minutes.

Infamous_Hyena_8882@reddit

When the car under warranty, I take it to the dealer. Afterwards, it really depends on what the work is. There’s a European auto mechanic not that far from the dealer. Quite honestly, the rates are almost the same. The one thing I’m not going to the dealer is that everything they do, labor and materials comes with a two-year warranty.

Scott43206@reddit

I do, but only because other places consistently fuck up the factory rims (multiple cars) and tend to shoehorn on substandard generic parts. I had a quick lube place throw away my Honda's factory wiper arms so they could install their generic blades which I noticed after the new arms started rusting about 6 months later. I also had a quick lube place on a different Honda not get the oil plug back in correctly which leaked nearly all of the oil out into my garage,

After about 6 different mishaps I realized saving money was costing me money.

Totally different story if you have a personal relationship with a good independent mechanic, but stay the fuck away from the quick lube style chains.

bean_fritter@reddit

HELL NO

SkeletorsAlt@reddit

Absolutely not.

Dealer service departments are for warranty service and recalls only in my book.

OldeWorldWays@reddit

And barely that

MissNobodyyyy@reddit

I wouldn't overthink it, dealerships don't really care where you bought the truck, they just want the service business. I'd use the free oil change wherever's easiest and stick with whoever's more convenient long term. A lot of people bounce between dealer and local shop anyway. I usually just go where it's cheaper and save the dealership for bigger stuff. That's also why some folks look into things like CarShield later on, just to help with bigger repair costs once you're past the basic maintenance phase.

N043@reddit

I generally only use the dealer for oil changes and service while under warranty. After that it’s whatever makes most economic sense.

As far as the dealer not liking that you bought it somewhere else. That doesn’t matter. There’s no loyalty in the car business. They don’t give a shit where you bought it. They’re making money on the service.

IllustratorObvious40@reddit

only for warranty work.

Due_North3106@reddit

I usually do, we don’t have a local mechanic or quick lube.

Have developed a relationship and it helps.

RevolutionSalty8360@reddit

Bought a Honda from a Volvo dealer, won’t be taking it there.

hemibearcuda@reddit

Never. Warranty work and recalls only. There is absolutely no other reason to pay a dealership to work on your vehicle. Their job is too milk as much money from you for as little overhead as possible.

Don't believe me ? Ask your favorite dealer how much they charge for a cabin air filter. Then price one yourself on Amazon and watch a YouTube video of it being replaced.

A dealership will charge anywhere from $150-$200 for a $20-$30 filter that takes 5 minutes to replace.

If I can't repair / maintain it myself, I give my money to a family owned shop where the owner is the mechanic and his reputation feeds his family.

No_Geologist_3690@reddit

Oh get off your wallet. They charge .3 plus cost of filter (usually around $80 total) to change the filter. Sure it’s easy, but would you do anything at work for free? Probably not. Not every vehicle out there is a drop the glove box and there it is. It’s a menu price that covers all makes and models.

I fix so many vehicles at the dealer that independent shops can’t fix or won’t touch.

Philodendron69@reddit

Absolutely not. There was nothing wrong with the dealership I went to but they aren’t a “Mazda” or any specific brand. Their thing was the price is the price, no haggling. I would go back to buy a car but would rather take my car to my independent mechanic who specializes

CuriousMost9971@reddit

The dealer where im at is pretty fair on their work. My car also has free oil changes for life.

Rare-Bet-870@reddit

I bought my truck out of state but I do have a dealer that even though it’s kinda far I would go back to for everything

wpmason@reddit

If they’re close, reputable, and reasonable sure.

But I consider that earning loyalty, not just sticking with them because you did a deal once.

But also, don’t get maintenance done at a dealership. Find a real shop that isn’t busy doing warranty and recall work.

cfbluvr@reddit

The dealership will not gaf what you do

I only go to the dealership for warranty service

Otherwise I am my own service center

DarlesCharwinsGhost@reddit

As soon as my free services ran dry. I went to a local mechanic I trust.

S7alker@reddit

Im not loyal to any dealer or brand. Just like any business the employees make it happen and if the right ones quit (avg 5 years at a dealer), leave, retire, then the location can be a place to avoid real quick. Brands can also change enough to drop quality from the last time you bought and the new vehicle may not be as good as the last one so I always keep up on auto news and research from scratch when due for a new vehicle. We didn’t punish people for not buying at our dealer, but my advisor did go out of his way to find coupons and discounts for those that bought it at our dealer as a thank you but I don’t think its that common to care.

DonkeyImpossible316@reddit

I mean I'm loyal to companies that are loyal to me - if I'm getting gouged that isn't loyalty - if they take care of me and bring value then I'm there for it. The relationship has to be mutually beneficial and if so it will be long term and strong.

Customer experience is one of, if not the only true differentiators left.

Ok_Two_2604@reddit

I took a bus 250 miles to find a dealer that would do no markup and actually had the car I wanted. Not very convenient. I did oil changes at 3 local dealers and the only one that didn’t try to get me to do a transmission flush and such at every oil change was also the only local dealer that said they would do no markup (it was prime Covid) but were unable to source the right model in a color that wasn’t black or primer gray. So I have been going there, until most recently they were bought out and doubled the oil change price and also didn’t find the issue so charged me for a warranty job where you can visibly see the coolant leaking out. Tried a new dealer that just opened near me and they fixed it, plus they supposedly tested al the other fluids and said none needed changing. So that’s my new dealer.

It saves like $20 going to the quick change place vs the pre sale oil change at the old dealer is why I actually went to the dealer, plus they sold parts cheaper than online for my tow bar, etc. Sucks there were sold. All the staff in service and parts including the techs seem to have changed.

9BALL22@reddit

I AM loyal to my local mechanic, not to any dealer.

sfo2@reddit

I only go to the dealer for warranty work. They’re usually slow and expensive for basic maintenance.

But in general, I find it’s actually faster to do most basic maintenance myself. Between driving to the service center, waiting, and driving back, things like oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, etc are substantially faster and cheaper in my driveway.

Human-Time-4114@reddit

Dealerships routinely are cheaper for oil changes than independents in my area

rac1283@reddit

You must find a lot of good oil change coupons. Dealers around here want to charge $120-$150, which independents routinely beat.

No coupons

🤣

toiletsurprise@reddit

Hell I take my shitboxes to walmart for oil changes, 40 bucks for synthetic and done.

Tree_Weasel@reddit

Dealerships are far too overpriced for any services there out of pocket.

I do as much work as I can on my own. And I have an independent mechanic I trust to do any work I can’t. Took me years to find a good one.

But dealerships charge $200+ an hour for labor when independent shops charge about half that, give or take(locally, it’s $220/hour at dealers vs $110/hour at my local shop).

Unless you have warranty work or a service package that was included with your car, don’t use the dealerships. They’re far too overpriced for the same work you can get elsewhere.

EventHorizonHotel@reddit

No. Dealer service is used for warranty items only. Anything else I fix myself of take to my local and trusted independent mechanic shop.

KittiesRule1968@reddit

No way in hell. FUCK Grainger Nissan.

waldcha@reddit

I went to the dealership to do an oil change once because I had a cupon. Not sure I would go back even if it were free. that expirence has had me doing all my own maintinance since.

RavedBlitz@reddit

Loyal? To a corporation?

Lmao. No.

dcamnc4143@reddit

I do. I've not had a problem with my dealership. I know a bit of car mechanic work from being around my dad, and I never felt they did or recommended something that wasn't needed.

Dry-Discipline-2525@reddit

Hell to the nah. Avoid dealers unless it’s warranty related

mattkime@reddit

Aw hell no!

gettin-hot-in-here@reddit

The way the business is now, dealerships may not make any money on selling new cars (after accounting for staff costs, floor plan fee, and so on). They make money on financing through them, and they make money on selling optional extras such as VIN etching, extended warranty, gap insurance, and so on. And they can make a lot on (non warranty) repairs and service. So the "one free oil change and inspection" is good business, because they hope you'll consider doing oil changes on your own dime with them.

My friend who owned a car repair business included a free inspection with every oil change where they looked at suspension, brakes, and tires, and recommended anything that was needed to keep the car safe. If it's done right, it's an honest way to drum up business because customers don't want to be driving around with problems that could cause an accident or become more expensive later. (in the normal course of business a car getting its very first oil change shouldn't have anything to fix, but not everything goes the "normal" way)

MarsRocks97@reddit

Go to the one you want.

Dealerships service centers don’t care where you bought your car.
Only take it to dealerships when it’s under warranty, manufacturer recall, or you have a free coupon.
A reputable independent mechanic shop is worth their weight in gold. This is always my preference over the stealership.

Busy_Account_7974@reddit

While your local is out on the sale, they would more than welcome you for service as that's where they make their $$$ from. Do the "free" service and find an outside shop and only go back to the dealer for warranty work. Ask you buddies for recs to the outside shop.

Middle-Reputation628@reddit

Honestly, why do you care? You do what’s best for you.

NeedleGunMonkey@reddit

It is a car dealership not a marriage.

We went to a different city to buy our vehicle and they included 2 years of oil changes & tire rotations. Once that is done I will go to a local trusted shop. I will not give our local dealer any of our business, they were awful when we were looking for a new car.

Medium-Pay-9057@reddit

I’m more loyal to my barber than any service center. I do have a friend that opened his own shop so I will more than likely start taking my cars to him to help support his business.

Rebel78@reddit

When car is out of warranty, I don't touch the dealership service dept unless it's a recall. Way too $$$$$$$$$

AwarenessGreat282@reddit

One, you owe them nothing. Two, they really don't care and the service dept. would rather you went somewhere else for "complimentary service". Service is separate from sales at most stores. So those free "maintenance programs" the sales dept. touts to get you to sign just burns the service manager because he needs to do the work for free out of his budget, not sales. It's all good for the ownership as they win in the end.

jrileyy229@reddit

Just go to your local dealer... Of course they would have liked to sell you a new truck, but they're not going to treat you like dirt over it. You're still someone who buys brand new trucks, so you're still someone they want to have a good rapport with