rnl

I did get a bottle of private labelled water.
Just had an annual oil change. Probably less than 3,000 miles over the past 12 months. but for some hip pain (that will resolve with time) would have done it myself.
Over the years I have taken the car to lots of dealers for in and out of warranty service - everything from routine maintenance to a bad heater controller and have always been treated not like a customer, but as a welcome guest. Something that I never found at Toyota, Honda, Subaru (yeah, I know, they're Porsche dealers and they charge more and can pay for the latte machine, etc.). I have always paid the bill without complaint or comment,

Today noticed a "new thing" on the invoice. a "Shop Charge." That charge was not there in April 2024 when they swapped my winters for summers and flushed the brake fluid.

It's clearly a percentage of the service and parts and not insignificant. When I asked about it the service advisor replied that the Porsche dealer is entitled to a profit. That's odd. I thought the profit was built into the $220 per hour charge for mechanical work and the 200% markup on parts. I also thought that the excessive charges (I truly expected to pay) included polite treatment by the employees, I stand corrected.

I was polite.

I bought the car, new at that store in June 2012.

I return on regular intervals for get stuff done,.

I was extremely polite and did not raise my voice. I did sound annoyed however.

Is this nonsense becoming the new standard? Is this the new norm?

Got Bearings?

Are they suggesting they didn't earn a profit before now? [Sarcasm]

Tpup

Vote with your dollars and go somewhere else.

rnl

done. I've had it with them.

Porsche_nuts

Unfortunate. Maybe the SA was having a bad day. Even so, you need to treat each customer with respect. Regardless.

CubsFan1

The SA needs training. Not justifying the actual charge but at the least he or she should have a canned approved response for this question. I have seen this explained as the cost for disposal of the old product, the cost for shop towels, etc. These “extra charges” evolve over time as they become regulated. Such as environmental fees for the disposal of oil, etc. If I were advising the dealer it would be to have a clear explanation for the charge or raise prices elsewhere, e.g., labor, parts, etc. It’s an unnecessary component when you’re likely going to pay what they charge had they just built the “shop charge” into the quote elsewhere.

MPawelek

Find a local Independent that will treat you properly. Lucky for us in the West Houston/Katy area we have one of the best. They also do a 40 point inspection for free. This last year I bought a CPO 911 from the largest Porsche dealership in Houston. Two weeks later I stopped by this Indy and was offered the free 40 point inspection while I watched through a window. My new to me CPO 911 had front boots cracked and leaking grease all over the front end, only one thousands left on the front brake rotors and the radiator fluid compromised by someone adding the wrong bright yellow fluid to the correct European bright reddish fluid. Was I ever pissed. Not what I would expect on a CPO Porsche from a dealership.

TiptonInAustin

No reason to be pissed. This was a lucky break! Just take it back to the dealership and have the work performed. They will take complaints of improper CPO prep seriously.

Texas is growing too fast and has too much oil money. Houston might be a little better, but the owner of North and South Austin Porsche has no incentive to provide competitive prices. If you have more money than time, you'll use them.

MPawelek

At the time I was in my fourth month of chemotherapy, puking my guts out and popping morphine tablets like M&M candy just to maintain the pain. I opted to have the Indy fix the problems rather than the extra drive and hassle with the dealership. The 911 came available at the worst time for me but is a favorite to drive now.

HardRider

What is the name of the local in west Houston? thanks

MPawelek

“Garagisti”….They work on any German car. Near 99 and I-10. Tell them the guy with cancer gave you the link! They’ve seen me stagger in like a drunk after therapy and have been very kind. Actually picked up my 2014 Carrera Cabriolet 4s from them this afternoon for a broken /missing fan blade from the driver’s side fan.😊
https://www.thegaragisti.com

sunspot2013

Sounds like the "documentation fee" that the sales department tacks onto every car deal has been integrated into service invoices as a "shop charge."

Tier1Terrier

The obvious solution is to find a local indy shop.

bill edwards

Shop charges are common in Georgia for many years. Privately owned Toyota dealer explained it to me back in 1990’s . It covers items such as washing / cleaning towels and rags . Ofds and ends such as that. Independent shops here also charge same. Perhaps the service advisor had a bad day, didnt themselves know what it covered or was a new employee not suited for the role. If this is attitude isnt representative of the normal dealer, contact the service manager or general manager for further details. One event i wouldnt necessarily throw them under the bus but i would escalate to get your concerns covered

JimEb

When you paid did it also prompt you for a minimum suggested tip of 25%?