JohnzCarz

Any of you have seen this deal from Mavis?

 

http://imgur.com/l6g8PMB

 

http://www.mavistire.com/?kmas=1&kmca=91770970572-mavis-e-g&kmag=AN:MAV|PB:G|TT:SN|CD:Branded|GT:New_Jersey&kmkw=mavis&kmmt=e&gclid=CIa2mNnH6cwCFRRZhgod1-gFdQ

 

 

Talk about doing the desperate thing to bring people in through the door.

They have had that deal going for a long time - as in years. Not sure if it's just a "pad slap" or if they include resurfacing the rotors, etc.

And it seems the race to the bottom is all-inclusive. There used to be a time when you could count on the quality of a particular brand, now it seems even some well known brands are sometimes no better that the white-box stuff. Maybe there really is just 1 factory pumping out all this stuff, the only difference is the color of the box. At least the factory stuff seems a safe bet...for now.

I have to ask myself - do customers really believe they are getting 'free' oil changes or, as another dealer was advertising, free tires for as long as you own the vehicle? I can maybe see a struggling shop giving away $15 worth of oil and a filter in the hopes that they generate some traffic and build a customer base but eventually someone (the consumer) pays for that oil change in some form. I can't even imagine how the tire deal works. They must have a clause that you need to bring in the car for an 'inspection' every month or else the deal is void.

I guess this marketing does work though. Locally the 'free oil change for life' marketing campaign started with 1 dealer and within no more than 2-3 months every dealer in the area was on-board. I doubt they would join if it was a money loosing deal.

What a business charges per hour has no bearing on why others make 8-12 dollars per hour. I do agree that it's really hard when you make only a little above min wage, especially if you have bills and a family.

 

The fact is that most shops charge a fair and honest price; some don't charge enough and are struggling. What happens too often is that the shop owners do not generate enough income to pay their techs a decent wage. Techs work hard and deserve a decent wage. That can only be accomplished by understanding what profits need to be earned when performing services and repairs.

 

Let's face it, the typical auto shop owner is not a Wall Street Executive, not too many of us have a home in the Hamptons and get picked up in a limo each morning to take us for our mocha late and then drive us to the office. We are, however, among the hardest working group of people in the world.

 

I do appreciate your opinions, thanks for taking the time to post your point of view.

I think it’s human nature to look at the invoice and think the shop is making a fortune. When you consider the cost of the equipment, facility, utilities, insurance, salaries, training, fees, etc. it’s a different story. But the customer doesn’t see that part.

As for $17.99 oxygen sensors and $14.99 brake rotors, I don’t think they actually fit any of the cars driven in this country!