Honda Service: Dealer or Local Gulf Station?

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Billy - 21 Nov 2005 23:32 GMT

I keep getting ripped off by my Honda dealer service department. I
believe they are too agressive in recommending work to be performed on
my Accord and Odyssey when in actuality - it is not needed.

So I'm switching to a local Gulf shop. Haven't used them yet, but my
neigbors have an Acura and claim that they are really good. Of course
the dealer says "I'm going to have big problems", "they don't use Honda
parts", "they don't cut the rotors on brake jobs", yada, yada, yada.

What is your opinion?

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Brandy Alexandre - 21 Nov 2005 23:59 GMT

Billy <UseNewz@hotmail.com> wrote in rec.autos.makers.honda:

> I keep getting ripped off by my Honda dealer service department. I
> believe they are too agressive in recommending work to be
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> What is your opinion?

In the middle. Find one with a AAA approval or an independent Honda
mechanic. I used to go to the dealer until I realized... duh... one of
the mechincs opened his own shop. I took my cars there for 17 years.

Signature

Brandy Alexandre®
http://www.swydm.com/?refer=BrandyAlx
Well, would you?

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High Tech Misfit - 22 Nov 2005 00:35 GMT

> In the middle. Find one with a AAA approval or an independent Honda
> mechanic. I used to go to the dealer until I realized... duh... one of
> the mechincs opened his own shop. I took my cars there for 17 years.

AAA stamps of approval don't mean a thing. The best recommendations come
from other customers.

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Brandy Alexandre - 22 Nov 2005 02:21 GMT

High Tech Misfit <me@privacy.net> wrote in rec.autos.makers.honda:

>> In the middle. Find one with a AAA approval or an independent
>> Honda mechanic. I used to go to the dealer until I realized...
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> AAA stamps of approval don't mean a thing. The best
> recommendations come from other customers.

"AAA can help keep your car or truck running strong all year long! It's
the perfect way to enjoy more peace of mind on the road."

- AAR facilities employ Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or
manufacturer certified mechanics.

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Signature

Brandy Alexandre®
http://www.swydm.com/?refer=BrandyAlx
Well, would you?

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 22 Nov 2005 00:08 GMT

> I keep getting ripped off by my Honda dealer service department. I
> believe they are too agressive in recommending work to be performed on
> my Accord and Odyssey when in actuality - it is not needed.

You betcha.

So have them do only what your owner's manual recommends. Who cares
what they say.

Compare their prices for the same work against the prices from your
local service station.

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stevie - 22 Nov 2005 00:49 GMT

just have the Gulf mechanic use Honda parts.
I keep getting ripped off by my Honda dealer service department. I
believe they are too agressive in recommending work to be performed on
my Accord and Odyssey when in actuality - it is not needed.

So I'm switching to a local Gulf shop. Haven't used them yet, but my
neigbors have an Acura and claim that they are really good. Of course
the dealer says "I'm going to have big problems", "they don't use Honda
parts", "they don't cut the rotors on brake jobs", yada, yada, yada.

What is your opinion?

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Remco - 22 Nov 2005 13:28 GMT

> just have the Gulf mechanic use Honda parts.
> I keep getting ripped off by my Honda dealer service department. I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> What is your opinion?

It is just like finding a doctor - there are good ones and bad ones.
(Then again, aren't doctors are just like car mechanics, but with an
advanced degree? :)
Just because one works at a dealer, doesn't mean they know what they
are doing.

If you find a good mechanic at a local shop, use him/her. Be sure he
replaces parts with original Honda (OEM) parts, though - OEM parts can
make all the difference most of the time.

Remco

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SoCalMike - 22 Nov 2005 02:06 GMT

gulf gas station?

> neigbors have an Acura and claim that they are really good. Of course

they might be. there are other honda/acura independants out there as
well as other dealers. worth a shot, though.

> the dealer says "I'm going to have big problems", "they don't use Honda

they probably go through a place like NAPA. if NAPA had a reputation for
selling junk, they wouldnt get any contracts from mechanics. mechanics
HATE doing work over again for free.

> parts", "they don't cut the rotors on brake jobs", yada, yada, yada.

i dont cut the rotors either. no biggie. just makes em warp faster.

> What is your opinion?

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KWW - 23 Nov 2005 13:52 GMT

--
KWW

<snip>

> parts", "they don't cut the rotors on brake jobs", yada, yada, yada.

<snip>

So what? One of my local Honda dealer never turns the rotors when they
replace the brakes either, and they charge an arm and a leg for service.
They were bought out by a national dealer chain (Sonic) and now they lowered
the wages of the mechanics, push the service writers to write up extra
services, and raised the cost of service.

I do most of my own service now, but since my in-laws have a fairly new
Accord, I finally got them to go to one of the other local Honda dealers for
service (Rusty Wallace).

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Sparky Spartacus - 03 Dec 2005 08:37 GMT

Why not "just say no"?

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