When you buy a new or used car, the dealership will insist on providing its repairs, services, and routine maintenance. While you might feel pressured to visit the dealership’s service department, many drivers will find better car care at a local mechanic. Let’s look at four reasons to skip the dealership for car services.
1. Long Wait Times for Appointments
When your car needs care, it often cannot wait. Dealerships are asking drivers to wait weeks—or even months—to make an appointment. Delaying necessary car care can put your vehicle at risk for further damage. Even for routine car care, vehicle manufacturers make a point to emphasize the importance of these timely services in vehicle owners’ manuals. To then make this car care inaccessible seems unfair.
This issue also restricts scheduling flexibility. There are plenty of situations wherein you might require appointment accommodations.
- What happens when you are unavailable during the dealership’s limited appointment windows?
- Or when you have to reschedule because of an unexpected scheduling conflict?
- If you are going on a holiday road trip, you will want to make sure your car is ready to go.
- When your car is involved in a wreck, you will need quick service to ensure it is safe to drive after a car accident.
These scheduling complications put more stress on you and further complicate your access to necessary car care.
Getting the car care you need does not have to be stressful. Local mechanics like Chapel Hill Tire offer same-day or next-day appointments—giving you reliable access to the vehicle service you need.
2. Higher Car Care Pricing
Dealerships are known for upping the pricing of their services. In some cases, vehicle manufacturers might control the service costs. For example, car manufacturers might require their dealerships to use only brand-name parts. Meanwhile, independent mechanic locations can source from a variety of reputable, high-quality brands that may offer more affordable prices.
3. Unexpected Costs: The Lack of Pricing Transparency
Dealership service contracts are often filled with loopholes. When your car requires service outside of your contract, you might be hit with elevated costs. Dealerships are also notorious for poor pricing transparency. You might not know about these extensive costs until after you wait months for an appointment, arrive at the dealership, and standby for their initial inspection.
What are service departments trying to hide by omitting their pricing from the website? Without cost transparency, you might also be left to wonder if you are truly getting the dealership’s best pricing. At a trusted local mechanic like Chapel Hill Tire, you can review transparent pricing online—ensuring that all customers are treated fairly.
4. Limited Customer Amenities
You never know what to expect when it comes to dealership car care. Unfortunately, their amenities are often limited. For example, many mechanics give drivers loaner vehicles when they require overnight or extended services. Dealership service departments offer this feature as well. However, the dealerships are prone to selling their loaner vehicles when the car resale market is highly competitive—making this an unreliable amenity.
Because car dealership service departments are often contracted, they are not incentivized to go above and beyond for drivers. You might expect the bare minimum from your car dealership service department. Meanwhile, a local mechanic network like Chapel Hill Tire will offer industry-leading convenience, including:
- Free pick-up and delivery service
- Text updates and pay-by-text options
- Free shuttle services
- Online appointment scheduling
- Free inflation for low tire pressure
- Easy online tire buying with full transparency
- Free loaner vehicles for extended services
Industry-Leading Car Service Near Me
Chapel Hill Tire helps drivers enjoy world-class car service without the hassle of dealerships. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our professional mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our coupons, or give us a call to get started today!