Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 11:06:12 PST
Reply-To: Richard Bias <rbias@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Bias <rbias@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: In defense of Dealers, was: Dealer ripoffs
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Any persons from NW New Jersey, go to Trend Motors in Rockaway, NJ. They
were the people (last ditch effort because I believed all dealer mechanics
are going to "take you for a ride") who got my Van through NJ inspection (my
CO and Hydro carbons were WAY OFF). I was "virtually speaking" hugging the
guy.
BTW, we bought our beloved Bug there and when that gets it's service, they
won't let you walk out the door with out stating that you are extremely
satisfied with their work and customer service.
Rich and Annemarie
85 GL "Buba"
98 Bug
>From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
>Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: In defense of Dealers, was: Dealer ripoffs
>Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 13:52:55 -0500
>
>I can only personally speak for three dealers in the US, all of whom I
>trust implicitly. For those of whom are within a half-day's drive to DC,
>the last two on my list are among the top-rated dealers in sales & service
>in the US.
>
>Joe Pecheles, Greenville NC (service to multiple VW's owned 1987-1993)
>Stohlman's VW, Vienna, VA (service to multiple VW's owned 1993-2000)
>Springfield VW, Springfield, VA (service to multiple VW's owned 1994-2000)
>
>Hope it helps
>
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Bulley-Hewlett
>Corporate Communications Counselors
>www.bulley-hewlett.com
>Mount Olive, NC USA
>877.658.1278 tollfree
>
>"I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses
>herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
>incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis punitor
>delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! -Wonka
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: BRENT CHRISTENSEN [SMTP:bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM]
>Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 1:34 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: In defense of Dealers, was: Dealer ripoffs
>
>Knowing several dealer mechanics, I can tell you that the more senior they
>are, the more they get to pick their jobs. I don't remember who's post it
>was that referred to this "cherry picking" but they were absolutely right.
>The new guys get the crappy/dirty work (which in many mechanics' opinion
>may
>be anything having to do with a Vanagon). This is why the work is often
>shoddy.
>
>Also, I have to disagree with Bulley's comment about their income
>potential.
>If a dealer mechanic knows how to pick his jobs, he can make upwards of
>$100/hour on "flat rate." In other words, he learns which jobs he can
>actually do in 1.3 hours that quote 4 hours in the Mitchell manual (which
>is
>how you are billed, BTW). Normally they achieve these "quick" jobs using
>some pretty scary shortcuts. In this example, if he is making $24/hour
>flat
>rate (to use Bulley's number), then he makes $96 for a job that he only
>spends 1.3 hours on. That comes to about $74 an hour of real wages. I know
>several mechanics that make close to $80,000 or $90,000 a year working for
>dealers. (In fact one of them drives a 911 and his wife drive a Volvo 850
>Turbo).
>
>IMHO, this rush to finish is also why you have this common situation of
>them
>telling you everything is "all set" when in fact, it may even be worse.
>(Been there, done that). I can't believe it is simply that *all* dealer
>service managers are idiots.
>
>Brent Christensen
>'89 GL Syncro Westy
>Santa Barbara, CA
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