quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
In the meantime, physician fees are cut by almost 3 percent this year. No longer are physicians highly paid specialists.
According to the American Medical Association, Medicare physician fees have decreased by approximately 29% when adjusted for inflation since 2001, signifying a significant decline in physician payments over the years through Medicare.

This has what to do with Stealerships?

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

In the meantime, physician fees are cut by almost 3 percent this year. No longer are physicians highly paid specialists.
According to the American Medical Association, Medicare physician fees have decreased by approximately 29% when adjusted for inflation since 2001, signifying a significant decline in physician payments over the years through Medicare.

This has what to do with Stealerships?

Maybe the poor underpaid physicians can re-train as car mechanics.

The 23 yo transmission guy at the local GM dealership pulls in $124K a year, doesn't have a mountain of debt, and 5 more years of school and training to complete.

This shit isn't sustainable. I will only take it to a dealer if there is a recall or technical service bulletin. On the rare occasion it's something I can't do myself, I'll find a local mechanic with a good reputation.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
The 23 yo transmission guy at the local GM dealership pulls in $124K a year, doesn't have a mountain of debt, and 5 more years of school and training to complete.

Techs between the ages of 20 to 30 make the most money at that time, still healthy.
Pay is flat rate, 6hrs to do that transmission (warranty) or 10hrs (customer pay) either way. Stand around at the water fountain = not being paid. Pretty much why they don't like to talk to customers unless they have to.
Tough business to be in, after 40yrs of it, I would not recommend it.
When that 23yr old tech turns 65, aint nothing left of him physically to enjoy retirement.
All sounds good on paper but there are more issues than good things.

I took a friends car to an Alfa Romeo stealership for a Recall and Oil Change.

Show up on time for the 11AM appointment.
Quoted $275 for the oil change !
2 to 3 hours to do both. OK, I guess.

At 1PM Service Writer sends me a Tech walkaround video showing a oil and coolant leak.
Now I worked on a few cars and have worked at Dealerships.
There is a difference between a LEAK and some seepage. And from what I could see those stains had been there for a long time. Along with NO stains on the garage floor.

Quoted $4885 for a Timing Cover ReSeal and Spark Plug change. And $2850 for a Radiator replacement.

He offered to "Discount the job to $4900".
And he could have the job done that day (shop closed at 530pm).

I said "so you have $800 in parts and $4100 in labor ?" "Yes, that is about right".
"So you are going to charge me $4000 for 4 hours of labor?"

Now I understand how Flat Rate Mechanics work, but on top of not believing anything was REALLY LEAKING, he expected me to buy those price quotes.

Needless to say I would never return to that place.

I was actually test driving some Alfas and after looking at their maintenance costs and schedules, I just bought another BMW. I can pretty much do much of my own maintenance.

Stealership quoted me $560 for front pads. The pads are $80. I replaced them in 30 minutes. scam for real.

In all fairness it’s not just dealerships that are price gouging. Tire store chains are second and coming up fast.

Go in for a slow leak repair, middle of the week. Fixed and out the door I go. Next day TPM warning light on. Fill tire, next day, same thing.
Can’t get back there for a few days, now on a Saturday.

Now suddenly I need a set of tires despite not being at wear indicators. When I question him about the tire I’m told it was not the repair but now it’s a bead leak. And the only way to fix it is replace that wheel and if one is bad the others are soon to follow. I ask him about using bead sealer and I’m told “That’s just a band aid, it doesn’t work”.

Funny thing I told him that both GM and FCA and probably others all approve it’s usage for bead leaks. This point he should have gotten a clue that o knew what I was talking about. He tries taking over me and generously offered me financing on tires and wheels. I let him go on about “You want a flat when you have a child in the car?” (grandson’s kid seat in the back), at that point I said “Almost fifty years in car dealership fixed operations, I know a couple of things. Just put it back together.”

Went down the street to another chain (Belle Tire) and while it was a couple days until they could get me in they used bead sealer. Still holds air a year later. Oh, still on the same tires and not on the indicators yet about 7-8k more on them.

Maybe the poor underpaid physicians can re-train as car mechanics
I am putting a tip jar in my waiting room.In a couple of years I can move out of my mud hut with the grass roof. BTW physicians are just body mechanics.