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DickM · 13-05-2008

Originally Posted by Rockhopper

They don't really have the same overheads though. A garage in London will be far more expensive to run than a one man band working out of a lock up.

Also approved dealers have to spend significant amounts of money on all the special tools that Alfa say they should be using. A friend of mine is a Ducati approved mechanic working for himself. He had to buy what is effectivly a screwdriver with the end bent over. (does some special job on the engine - most people would manage with a normal one). Nearly £60 from the factory, but he's got to have it to maintain his Ducati approval. Thats just one tiny item, then there are shelves and shelves of official workshop manuals that are updated every few weeks. He doesn't get them for free! You and i would use an ebay copy perhaps - he can't do that.

The list goes on!

Sorry to disagree, but "front line" main dealers, be they Ford or AR, incur the same costs. The higher volume "badges" like Ford, can pitch their service and/or repair prices lower than Alfa, as their throughput is much greater. The one-man bands (whole in the wall scenario), are not in the same league - operational cost wise. Saying that, I avoid all main dealer service/repair outlets (like the plague), and always use if possible, my local tried and trusted (reasonably priced) 5 man band, independent motor service, MOT & repair unit. They even admitted yesterday, not to having an AR workshop manual to hand - but helped me all the same with their "hands-on" experience.

13-05-2008	#5 (Post Link)
DickM Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 Member car: 156	Re: Why such a rip off????? Originally Posted by Rockhopper They don't really have the same overheads though. A garage in London will be far more expensive to run than a one man band working out of a lock up. Also approved dealers have to spend significant amounts of money on all the special tools that Alfa say they should be using. A friend of mine is a Ducati approved mechanic working for himself. He had to buy what is effectivly a screwdriver with the end bent over. (does some special job on the engine - most people would manage with a normal one). Nearly £60 from the factory, but he's got to have it to maintain his Ducati approval. Thats just one tiny item, then there are shelves and shelves of official workshop manuals that are updated every few weeks. He doesn't get them for free! You and i would use an ebay copy perhaps - he can't do that. The list goes on! Sorry to disagree, but "front line" main dealers, be they Ford or AR, incur the same costs. The higher volume "badges" like Ford, can pitch their service and/or repair prices lower than Alfa, as their throughput is much greater. The one-man bands (whole in the wall scenario), are not in the same league - operational cost wise. Saying that, I avoid all main dealer service/repair outlets (like the plague), and always use if possible, my local tried and trusted (reasonably priced) 5 man band, independent motor service, MOT & repair unit. They even admitted yesterday, not to having an AR workshop manual to hand - but helped me all the same with their "hands-on" experience.