Ekona Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 It occurred to me yesterday that we're all stupid. Bear with me on this. What's the first thing in general we say when people ask about servicing? "Don't go near a main dealer, they don't know their arse from their elbow, they'll break your car as they have zero knowledge!". Instead, we tell people to go to a good independent instead. Usually cheaper, usually better. Which is all well and good, and we feel warm and snuggly when we do that as we're helping fellow owners as well as the little guy trying to make a living. So why the juddery f*ck do we then see it as a good thing when we find a good indy that employs ex-main dealer technicians?! :lol: I'm as guilty as anyone, all the indys I've used for current and previous cars have guys working that are ex-Nissan/Porsche/BMW, it just struck me yesterday that that's a really odd thing that we as petrolheads do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1 6RYF Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/103260-announcement/ Awkward! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 That's what reminded me after I thought about it yesterday! It makes no sense though, why do we do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Simples: We are talking Nissan - how often to the technicians in main dealers get to service Zeds - once a month maybe? And who will be doing that, not master technicians you can be sure of that. And then the bill arrives at God knows what per hour charges are levied to cover all the dealers overheads. So those who set up Indys who have had the Nissan training can be expected to have in depth knowledge and skills of the specialist models and they themselves will be working on the cars and....most importantly, you as the customer gets to discuss the work on your car with that 'expert' before and after. And how many Nissan garages will allow you to watch their work in progress? Those who buy their Nissans to get them from A to B are just concerned their cars are serviced and fall for the argument that you should always have it main dealer serviced. And then you know it is being road tested by someone who is concerned they have done the work expected, not another bod who has not done the work or dare I say, as we have heard on several occasions, just enjoyed ragging the car because of what it is... That said, there are some good Nissan dealers out there who do a really god job from feedback we have seen. But sadly they are in the minority. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 I think the words "master technician" have a lot to do with it, a quick google shows the youngest has 5.5 years experience which would give me at least a fair amount of experience - I know theres only a certain number allowed to work on the GTR's as well (see also BMW M cars). Theres also a level of confidence in that they would have been interviewed and chose to work in an indy rather than there because they havent spilled any oil on the floor for 6 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fodder Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 The thing is like everything the good techs move on to where they can earn more and that's usually either working for themselves or an indy who specialises in the marque they cut their teeth on. Don't forget the main dealer may be more expensive but the techs don't see any extra. So yes looking for a good indy with techs who know the marque is preferable over a main dealer who will always be down the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanman312 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 I would much rather buy a car from someone that has done simple things like document all oil changes etc with receipts photos etc etc than someone that has stamps in a book anyone can get a stamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 As Colin said, the keys get tossed to some 18 year old on £16 per hour to do half a days servicing on a car and then charge the owner £300 - there are clever people at dealerships but they aren't the guys doing the servicing which is the absolute basics of working on a car. I would say as well in terms of the Kaiser example, the guy recruited knows they are going to be working on dozens of 350z's day in day out, he will know his stuff, unlike your spotty teenager who works on a convey belt of Micras then this low slung V6 rolls in that he has never worked on before... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne370Z Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) I have to say this was the first thing that occurred to me when I read the other thread..... We slag off and don`t like Nissan dealers/technicians working on our cars. We much prefer the Indys. The Indys employ Nissan trained Technicians ....... Edited November 9, 2015 by Wayne370Z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R88RPE Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 £16 per hour? Techs at my place are on half that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 £16 per hour? Techs at my place are on half that! If nissan techs are on 16 quid an hour I'm shutting up shop and getting a job slinging oil at Lookers! Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouthwash Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Look where Coldel is, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for some of them to be on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Alright chaps! Maybe I am not up to speed on minimum wage levels but my point still stands! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 ...and I have been in the pub since 2pm on my day off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Bloody southerners and your laaaandon wages. We still only earn thrippence up here! I did a service for a cabbage and an elderly goat yesterday. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Bloody northerners and your pittance rent levels! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 I think the obvious answer is it's easier to hide in a big organisation than a little one. If an Indy owner is more likely to have eyes on his business then there's no place for a slacker to hide, whether that slacker has loads/no experience. I don't think anyone is carpet stating literally everyone at a stealer is rubbs, there's a few good comments on here about dealers, just on balance Indy's seem to have the right spirit and can't be complacent that the middle class mafia will keep coming back time after time after time just simply because it's a main dealer - regardless of price and customer service. The other element in my mind is that your average Nissan dealer (non performance place) probably sees one 350/370/GTR for every 500 micras, so they just don't enough trigger time on the big muscle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 http://www.350z-uk.c...0-announcement/ Awkward! Not awkward at all and this is why exactly why it isn't. Sly has traded on here virtually since he started trading I believe, he is a master technician. I have taken my car there on a number of occassions and have had nothing but perfect service each and every time. About a year ago he employed another master tech, the last time my car was there he worked on it, again no issues at. If Sly has spent over two months intervieiwnng and looking for a 3rd Master Tech that in itself gives me the confidence to return again. You could of course argue that any other independent is equally as good, on the other hand any other indpenedent, like any other Main Dealer could employ a complete dick head but at least with a Master Tech i suppose you decrease those chances!!! At the end of the day it's all about personal choice and we make our recommendations here to help other forum members on the basis that we have received a godd or better than good service. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilogikal1 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 My 2p (and I'd like change, please ) When someone recommends an indy over a dealer (on many owners forums, not just here) for competency reasons, the indy in question is usually a specialist rather than just any old non-affiliated outfit. By their nature they will know that model more than your average dealer who has to cater for a wide range of models currently on sale, let alone the historic models. I do see your point though, Dan, obviously Nissan are training people capable of working on a Z... But they also train many, many more who aren't. Why risk the chance of that one guy in x number of dealers vs. the place where (in Sly's case) all of the employees have that knowledge, exposure and experience of your particular car. With all due respect to our specialists on here, they may not be the first names that gets mentioned if you want your Ferrari F40 serviced, for example. Because I know you have one of them tucked away in your garage. The cost is usually a big reason too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 That's exactly the point I'm making, thanks Graham I wasn't saying that indys are using rubbish labour, my point was more the irony of car enthusiasts when it comes to things like this. We view main dealers as a risk, but we want those same people working at our indys. It's just odd, that's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 You dont need a master tech for servicing , any apprentice can change the oils on a zed , they are basic cars . You need a skilled fitter with experience of the marque when its in depth problem solving, certain upgrades , using diagnostic equipment etc for this experience is key Anyone who can service a micra can service a 350/370 every other service is an oil change and inspection, takes 1 hour to do it thoroughly, hardly rocket science. The reason I use an independent specialist rather than a main dealer is that they have a passion that main dealer lack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 I would also be more likely to trust an indy - they have a reputation to uphold within what are often tight knit communities of owners. A couple of bad jobs and that's half their potential business down the pan. Dealers on the whole don't care about customer retention, or customer service, they just take it as it comes whoever it may be coming through the door. There have been too many stories of workers in the likes of Halfords and dealerships who go out hooning it around in customers cars. In terms of your question Dan, I have to disagree, would I take my car into a dealership to most likely have an inexperienced mechanic work on it who has possibly never even opened the bonnet of my model of car before vs an independent who puts customer service first and uses highly qualified people who work on that model of car regularly, I wouldn't no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 So your answer to my question is yes then, not no I said that we all prefer indys to main dealers, albeit for silly reasons. Also, indys do use apprentices too! Every one has got to start somewhere, and they're only cars. It's really not rocket science working on them once you have the basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 In general though Indy's I think though have a whole different attitude and mentality compared to dealerships - would I recommend a dealership to someone where you have no idea who is working on your car vs an Indy where you know the background of the person? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 Depends on the dealer. I've been very lucky and only ever had excellent relationships with main dealers, so I happily recommend Glyn Hopkin in Bishop's Stortford to people on here for Zed stuff as they were great with mine, and reasonably priced too. Same with Porsche, OPC Colchester were fantastic both in sales and servicing; and also Hills Toyota in Stortford for the MR2. I've yet to go near a BMW main dealer though, so can't comment on my local ones there. I think main dealer's are unfairly maligned for the most part: Sure, some are crap, but then so are some indys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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