Auto Dealer’s Service Departments in some trouble
The auto dealerships around the country are having such difficulties these days. Sales down, recalls, problems, problems. Well the problems continue because people are becoming less likely to have their repair and service maintenance done at the dealership. J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Customer Service Index shows that satisfaction is down for dealerships and many people use their dealerships for the repair and service for the first 3 years, which is the warranty stage. Once the warranties expire, people choose to go to independent mechanics and auto services instead. Sad but true.
Let’s face it. It’s expensive for routine maintenance at dealerships. These people are highly trained and skilled but in tough economic times, people may be more apt to save a buck or two. You can definitely get an oil change or tires rotated for quite a bit cheaper. That’s a blow for the dealerships. They make a lot of money from repairs and service, and a lot of people are employed by their service and body shop departments. Dealerships are going to have to do some marketing and become more competitively priced for the service maintenance. It’s not impossible to do I’m sure, and if they don’t want to lose more, they have better consider it.