Dealerships vs. Stealerships

[Lead Foot]

Anyone else notice this? It seems that Lincoln dealerships want to charge their customers more for the same part that can be readily had from a Ford dealership, at least in my area. I went to Holman Lincoln to get a price on a set of rear struts for the LS. The parts associate quotes me $94 each . So I go to World Ford (knowing they'd be cheaper) and the guy there says they list at $85 but sells them to me for $71 each. Unbelievable; it should be a crime. I had the same experience with the purchase of the front sway bar end links ... a $10 difference each between the places. These dealerships are only about 5 miles apart. Who the hell do they think they're kidding? Anyone else have stories like this?

 

[ToddG]

Anyone else notice this? It seems that Lincoln dealerships want to charge their customers more for the same part that can be readily had from a Ford dealership, at least in my area. I went to Holman Lincoln to get a price on a set of rear struts for the LS. The parts associate quotes me $94 each . So I go to World Ford (knowing they'd be cheaper) and the guy there says they list at $85 but sells them to me for $71 each. Unbelievable; it should be a crime. I had the same experience with the purchase of the front sway bar end links ... a $10 difference each between the places. These dealerships are only about 5 miles apart. Who the hell do they think they're kidding? Anyone else have stories like this?

I don't understand why you're complaining. These dealerships are independent businesses and can charge whatever they like for parts, service, etc. However, you don't have to buy them. Treat this problem the same way you would if you were buying, oh, say, toilet paper. If the market sells TP for $4 for 4 rolls and the drug store sells the same 4 rolls for $2.99, where would you buy?

 

[2001LS8Sport]

I don't understand why you're complaining. These dealerships are independent businesses and can charge whatever they like for parts, service, etc. However, you don't have to buy them. Treat this problem the same way you would if you were buying, oh, say, toilet paper. If the market sells TP for $4 for 4 rolls and the drug store sells the same 4 rolls for $2.99, where would you buy?

Well said. It's called "capitalism". They have the right to charge whatever they want. If they charge too much...and their customers find out about it...they will be gone. That too is called capitalism. It's a double edged sword.

 

[Lead Foot]

I don't understand why you're complaining. These dealerships are independent businesses and can charge whatever they like for parts, service, etc. However, you don't have to buy them. Treat this problem the same way you would if you were buying, oh, say, toilet paper. If the market sells TP for $4 for 4 rolls and the drug store sells the same 4 rolls for $2.99, where would you buy?

Not really complaining, but to charge over list price is ridiculous for a large dealership. I'm not talking about toilet paper at the local corner store as compared to Walmart who obviously has stronger buying power. These two are large dealerships in the same area, and the prices are extreme to each other. I've had the same experience in the past thus why I shop around ... it pays to. In most cases around here the higher-end dealer that buys the same part from it's parent manufacturer is charging more based on demographics that a person who bought the more expensive car might accept the higher price of parts. I just wanted to see if others here have experienced the same.

 

[Lead Foot]

... If they charge too much...and their customers find out about it...they will be gone.

Very true.

Guys, I'm not looking to be educated in shopping ... just simply stirring interest in others possibly having the same findings. I always check with the Lincoln dealer first since they are closer (I could ride my bike). Ford is a bit further, but in the end who do you think gets my business? Ford. The Lincoln dealer has already proven to me that they are not worthy of my hard-earned cash if they cannot either price-match or lower their price. C'mon, I know they don't buy the parts for list? Why charge so much, other than greed?

 

[SilverLS]

I was thinking about this the other day when I went to the lincoln dealership Longwood LM is gotta be the worst in central florida I went there to get the plactic clips for the engine cover and cowel cover and the lady (seem to always be there) could not even figure out what I was talking about...She was looking stuff up for about 10 mins I went out got one and when I came back in she said she found em that they are 18 dollar each and have to order 8 MIN ORDER!!!! YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for plastic CLIPS!!!!!!! I think she was talking about something else because she told me that they had to be ordered that they dont stock them....WTF I HATE THIS PLACE>>>>>>>>>But than again I dont wanna drive 15 mile (45 mins in orlando) to get the same crap....I was thinking Im sure ford carrys them and SOMEONE would know what Im talking about...

 

[Lead Foot]

... WTF I HATE THIS PLACE ...

:lol: I'm just picturing you actually saying this while standing in the parts department with others around.

 

[ToddG]

Not really complaining, but to charge over list price is ridiculous for a large dealership. I'm not talking about toilet paper at the local corner store as compared to Walmart who obviously has stronger buying power. These two are large dealerships in the same area, and the prices are extreme to each other. I've had the same experience in the past thus why I shop around ... it pays to. In most cases around here the higher-end dealer that buys the same part from it's parent manufacturer is charging more based on demographics that a person who bought the more expensive car might accept the higher price of parts. I just wanted to see if others here have experienced the same.

Well, complain if you want to, but that's the way it is.

Yes, it definitely pays to shop around, especially on-line. I've found some very good deals on Lincoln accessories online.

One thing I would note is that it seems to me that Lincoln owners on this board and elsewhere are really cheapskates. Lots of people complain about the cost of service, parts, gas, etc. Look, if you can afford a Lincoln in the first place, you should be able to afford a part or two, or pay for gas and insurance, without complaining about it. After all, the Lincoln demographic is an income level of $60K+. I know a large majority of people on this board who own USED cars easily make this amount, and if they don't they shouldn't be driving Lincolns.

 

[the_ancient]

Not really complaining, but to charge over list price is ridiculous for a large dealership.

A Business Owner Charges as much as people will pay. They are appearently selling them for that price or they would lower it.

there is no reason NOT to have a price over list if they can get people to pay it.

Unbelievable; it should be a crime.

Actually making them sell it for list price would be a crime, aka price fixing

 

[the_ancient]

double post

 

[SoonerLS]

Anyone else notice this? It seems that Lincoln dealerships want to charge their customers more for the same part that can be readily had from a Ford dealership, at least in my area. I went to Holman Lincoln to get a price on a set of rear struts for the LS.
<deletias>
Anyone else have stories like this?

First, a question: why were you looking for struts for your LS? Get tired of holding your hood open?

As for hearing about something like this, you ought to go talk to the GM guys--this is (or used to be) de rigeur for them. If you had a GM car, you had to learn the parts interchange lists--and not just between the different GM marques, but also between the vehicles. Not only would the same part on a Trans Am and a Camaro have a different price, but the same part on a Corvette and a Camaro would have different prices (and guess which was more expensive).

Of course, I've never sullied my ownership record with a GM product; this is just what the Pontiac/Bowtie guys I know have told me. From what I've heard, the 'Vette guys are the best at this...

 

[Dutch]

Berge Ford in Mesa, AZ charges MSRP +25% for all of its parts. No big deal if you're parts shopping because you can go elsewhere, but if you take your car in for service you won't know you've been :q:q:q:qed until you go to pick it up.

 

[the_ancient]

Berge Ford in Mesa, AZ charges MSRP +25% for all of its parts. No big deal if you're parts shopping because you can go elsewhere, but if you take your car in for service you won't know you've been :q:q:q:qed until you go to pick it up.

every time I have ever had a car worked on I get a est BEFORE the work is done. This includes how much they are charging for the parts.....

most states also require you to appove the work before it is done. if you take it in to have them check on a problem and they fix that problem before they called you for appoval, you dont have to pay except for the diag. fee because that was the only work you authorized