BMW of El Paso Michael Wooton- Service Advisor trying to make me pay for parts i do not need and or parts that were working. when he recieived car. El Paso, Texas

I agree 100% on that post.

...I do not want to go back and forth regarding who is a bigger ripoff..dealers, independents or chains..all have good and bad.

You are biased since it seems you work at a dealer shop..I am biased because I am constantly at battle with dealership shops that can not diagnose their way out of a paper bag..but all that said...EVERY consumer should follow these basic principles to avoid a rip off. This online article says it great so I will copy and paste it and give the source, rather then use my own works. I agree with this advice 100,000% for anyone who can not do their own repair and maintenance.

How to Prevent Auto Repair Rip-offs

Source-   [ehow.com]


Contrary to popular belief, not all auto mechanics are out to rob you. With a little effort, you will find a good, honest mechanic that you can trust. Unfortunately, you may encounter a few bad apples along the way. Here are some tips to help prevent auto repair rip-off:

  Find a mechanic you feel good about before your car needs major repairs. Ask friends and co-workers for referrals.
  
 Bring your car into any new shop first for small repairs like an oil change or a brake check and evaluate the overall service they give you.

 Bring a check list of what your car needs (and why) whenever dropping your car off. Avoid bringing your car in and asking them to "do whatever it needs".

 Talk to the mechanic who will be working on your car. Go for a test drive beforehand and clearly explain and point out the problem.

 Get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable with any diagnosis. It is perfectly acceptable to tow your car to a second shop for another opinion if it isn't drivable.

Request a written estimate.
    
Ask about the warranty for parts AND labor on any repairs and get it in writing.

 Request that your parts be saved for your inspection. Ask before the work begins.
  
Go for a test drive before paying the bill to make sure the car drives well and/or was fixed to your satisfaction.
 
 Read the bill carefully before paying. Ask for clarification on any charges that don't make sense to you.
 
 Pay with a check or a credit card: you can always stop payment on a check and some credit cards offer protection against consumer fraud.

Tips & Warnings

 Don't let price be your first or only consideration. The cost of repairs at any given shop is not necessarily an indicator of quality.
  
 Avoid bringing your car in for repairs just before setting out on a road trip.

Karl the whole industry is corrupt and well as Wall Street, the Government and men from Mars?? Jees you have tooo much time on your hands. What do you drive or do you just stay at home watching PBS and posting poems/google this crap on ROR??

What a waste of air

a direct reflection of America: a country whose foundation is solidly built on- LIES, DECEPTION, FRAUD, MANIPULATION, GREED, TRICKERY, DEEP CORRUPTION, & the CONSTANT PURSUIT TO FINANCIALLY INJURE THE INNOCENT PEOPLE HERE & ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Auto dealer repairs- 1812 ( This is mostly deals with dealer repairs)

Auto dealers- 14573 (This is mostly sales with new and used car dealers)

Auto mechanics- 1349

Auto repair service -5899 (this category includes all businesses including dealerships)This actually is mostly Independent and chain repair shops out of this their are about 100 dealing with dealership repairs

 Auto Service stations -487

Auto Tire Shops -901

Auto Warranty -2069

 Automotive - 1376 (general category includes all business including dealerships)

 

so the Numbers for repair shops is 5899 and dealers repair shops 1812 looks like most of the complaints are with the repair shops. Sales has nothing to do with Auto repair and what we are taking about they are even separate departments that get billed with labor charges, shop disposal, and a mark up with parts.

I can't tell you how many T-belts that have been put on wrong that I had to fix. Cant tell you how many times I have to go into a car to fix the person before me and fix what was wrong in the first place. I have seen engine harnesses unrivaled and had the cylinder head off they then brought it in and asked us to diagnoses why it would not start. I have seen the Lube places put coolant in to the engine oil into the washer bottle. I have had cars I just do a valve body then the Butcher shop drains the transmission which is a 14mm alien bolt!!!!! So year unless you want them to replace your fan switch instead of the coolant temperature sensor GO TO THE DEALER.

99.999999999% independent shoppes are butchers

"If you don't like dealers you can take you car to the local butcher shop down the street"

Why a local "butcher shop"? Everyone already knows the dealership is a major 100% catastrophic RIP OFF to have any service done..unless under warranty..which even that often is a battle. Not to say all dealer shops are rip offs, or have terrible mechanics..but unfortunately history shows, it is all to often the case.

There are plenty of good local mechanics that are honest, ethical, certified and have experience. But too many people trust these horrible scam tire, muffler and oil change shops to perform diagnostics and services where no one there has any training or experience. They just keep replacing parts at the customers expense until either A) it is fixed, B) the naive customer keeps spending until they are in bankruptcy, or C) a threat of legal action is required or acted upon.

While I admit you can find some good mechanics at a dealership, Myself being an expert at auto electronics, have found myself in dispute with dealer mechanics and service managers, who did not even understand how to properly use and read a basic digital multi meter. This is fist hand experience and not opinion.

Lets just use this site for an example..as of to date in alphabetical order-Number of reports lodged here alone...

Auto dealer repairs- 1812
Auto dealers- 14573
Auto mechanics- 1349
Auto repair service -5899 (this category includes all businesses including dealerships)
Auto Service stations -487
Auto Tire Shops -901
Auto Warranty -2069
Automotive - 1376  (general category includes all business including dealerships)

Do the math. Granted auto dealer reports in general are pretty high...coming in second in number of reports...banks...at 12263

next in line..mortgage companies at 11344.

No other categories have yet to hit the 5 digit mark..but..number one..Corrupt companies (general) at 34162..

Not that these numbers in itself mean anything since we all know many of these reports are unsubstantiated, or pure nonsense..but coming from one tech to another..and one who also deals with the public..you'd have to be living in a cave with Bin Laden if you do not think the car dealer shops all to often overcharge and misdiagnose, especially electrical issues. Having one master mechanic (if that) employed at a shop that has a dozen idiots, does not make a good shop. The problem for most people is, they simply trust the dealer or Midas or any name they recognize, and not actually ask around or research for a good old honest mechanic. They ARE still out there but could be a dying breed. I find these days I am more of a software engineer then a craftsman...but I can still sling a wrench with the best of them.

"This is not to imply the dealerships are honest..as 99.99999999% of them are cons, cheats, crooks, criminal, and liars."

I would agree with the sales side. but the shop is in general more honest. Not every tech is a grade "A" tech most are "B" and "C" level. If you don't like dealers you can take you car to the local butcher shop down the street. they love hiring washed up dealer techs.

You brought it into the dealership, they told you that you needed a new engine. You left the dealership and another shop replaced the battery and the car ran fine.

Okay..but the car does not "run" on the battery, it runs on the alternator. That is right...once a vehicle is running, the battery just sits there like a large doorstop on the electrical system..the entire electrical system operates off the alternator once the vehicle is running.

So..how could just changing a battery make it "run" any better?

If the battery is bad...it won't do what it's primary function is...which is to START the car.

Surly if the car was not starting even you would think it could possibly be the battery?

This is not to imply the dealerships are honest..as 99.99999999% of them are cons, cheats, crooks, criminal, and liars.

But you can not use an example of something that makes no mechanical sense to concluded this. If it don't fit...you must acquit.

'Google' this- BMW 325i AUTOMOTIX DEFECT, and that should take you to the site with information for your BMW, regarding recalls.

Karl You are Blowing smoke No DEALER tech would be that poor of a tech. I know many of the scams your joe shops down the street uses to rip you off ( most of the are very easy to do).

that I only needed a new battery.