I will invest in a tool to reset my codes so I can perform the repair for the cost of parts. I only bring a car to a dealer if I cannot get the problem fixed or the tools required to perform the repair are not worth my investing in. An example is the upper ball joints on my 97 exploder which have to be pressed in and I didn't want to buy the press, plus after the repair was completed I would still need the car aligned which only a shop can properly do accurately. After having the work done and looking over the charges like environmental disposal fee (for a ball joint really?), shop supplies charge (I was told gloves and rags aren't free
) padding the actual hourly rate. Now I have learned another lesson and will get a press the next time I have to do ball joints. I may not be ASE trained but I was a full time autobody man and have the ability to perform most repairs on my own, keep in mind I grew up when there were distributors and carburetors and timing chains etcetera. Now I look under the hood and I'm appalled by what I see; plastic and more plastic, which to me should have kept the cost to the manufacturer down but it hasn't.
Ty being a service writer I am sure you can understand my perspective that a dealership is looking to get as much money as they can from a customer, isn't your pay commision based? I'm not saying you would try and take advantage of people but being commission based it is only natural that a person would want to make sure all possible repairs that can be are done to increase the numbers for himself and keep the managers off their back. To me the customer is the pogie in a school of bluefish, it's the nature of the business. Why don't service writers/advisers get paid a salary for doing their job, why don't mechanics get paid salary rather than flat rate?