Falcondrivr

Sorry, but I need to get this out again.
I need to switch my race pads out with new OEM (was at Sebring this past weekend.) My old standard pads had one backing plate separated. So, called Suncoast in Sarasota (:45 from me,) Bert Smith in St. Pete (:20 from me,) and Reeves (:10 from me.) Prices were as follows: Suncoast; .15 over cost, $161, Reeves; $214, Bert Smith; $268!
Why can't these f'n dealers figure out that parts are no longer going to be the cash cow? Here's the worst part. The best 993 tech in our area just left the indy and went to Bert Smith...The labor rate is pretty comparable, but I can't have him work on my car when I have to pay a 166% premium on parts! Don't they realize that their service business would increase if they were fair in the pricing? It's not like Porsche owners aren't educated consumers...
I guess I'm just miffed because I either have to spend 1.5 driving to get the pads, or wait a couple of days for shipping.
Sorry,
Rant over.

bbs993tt

I'm right there with you!

ilko

My wrench lets me bring my own parts.

insite

i'm with you! i tend to order from suncoast or sunset at 15% over cost. i had to pick some things up from Jim Ellis in Atlanta; their prices average 35% - 55% over LIST, not cost, LIST price.

needless to say, i buy 1% of my parts in town & have the rest shipped from sunset or suncoast.

speedbump2

I am very surprised that the best price came from Suncoast.
We drive to Sarasota every Winter to visit with family, and about five or six years ago I went to
Suncoast to get the 40K service done on a VW Passat wagon we had.

They quoted me a crazy price over $600 for the service! So I asked for a breakdown on the charges,
and it showed that they were nickel & diming me on everything imaginable, and charging me way over
list for the materials (mostly filters and fluids).

So I waited until we returned home and got it done for under $300. Less than half! And it wasn't even
the dealership where I bought the car.

--Chuck--

Falcondrivr

Suncoast is known to match Sunset's pricing (cost+15%) Not sure why they hosed you. were you wearing a Piaget or something?

nile13

Parts _are_ the cash cow for a dealership. Why are we surprised?

NC TRACKRAT

Granted, emergencies and unforseen circumstances can come up but, for expendables like filters, pads, oil, etc., I always have spares on the shelf and buy at competitive prices when not needed.

insite

a big difference is whether it's mail order or walk-in.

bart1

Mine, too. I even had Sunset deliver parts to my local dealer once.

TMc993

+1 I've always gotten great service and prices from Suncoast...If you think Ellis is high, drive up GA 400 a few miles and check Hennessey's prices...They'll take your breath away.

T

AOW162435

Rick,
I hear you. But another perspective is that the consumer squeezes the dealer so hard on new car deals that the dealer must make up revenue elsewhere....


Andreas

insite

haha i made that mistake ONE time. i literally laughed in the parts guy's face when he told me the prices. i proceeded to tell him that they were almost double LIST price. he proceeded to offer me a 15% discount since i'm a PCA member; that made it only about 70% more than list. fail.

Falcondrivr

Sure, I get that. But couldn't they make it up through a busier service department? They sure aren't going to get that charging retail+25% (Bert Smith)

speedbump2

Maybe it was the NY license plates.
Car dealerships are probably not as dependant on the "Snowbirds" as most of
the other businesses in that part of town. Maybe they thought I was an easy mark.

--Chuck--