Dealer suggested rip-off service

[06 Dodge]

Everyone's experience is different and my independent mechanic does great work at half the price of the dealership and he doesn't try to up sell you or overcharge on services that don't need to be done. If you're paying reasonable rates at your dealership that's awesome and definitely stick with them but generally independent mechanics are less expensive than taking your vehicle to the dealership.

Guess I'm lucky as I just had my dealer install my oil and oil filter check all the fluid and topped off my wiper fluid all for $61.92 after $20 discount for being a costco member, local independent shop want a minimum of one hour labor for oil change, current rate is now $175 hr....

 

[Sherman Bird]

Everyone's experience is different and my independent mechanic does great work at half the price of the dealership and he doesn't try to up sell you or overcharge on services that don't need to be done. If you're paying reasonable rates at your dealership that's awesome and definitely stick with them but generally independent mechanics are less expensive than taking your vehicle to the dealership.

I believe that you should keep your indie mechanic, hell, even take donuts to him occasionally.
The mechanic in today's world who sells their services for under 50% of the dealer is quite concerning to me.
IF he/she is going to provide the work product at a consistently high success level, with the capital intensity germane to the entire process, the entity (shop) has to realize a capital level of profit that ensures equipment upgrades AND continuous education updates. Here, in Houston, Texas most indie shops bottom line out at a more realistic (for these demographics) 70-80% of the dealer.
But, as I've said many time: "To each his own!", said the man as he kissed his pet pig!

 

[Sherman Bird]

I'm guessing they are doing this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XC93LK9?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Most places charge anywhere from $150-$250 to do this "service." Don't use recirculate and keeping the temp controls on Auto if available helps reduce the need for this. Or run the blower no AC for a couple minutes after or toward the end of a drive.

My wife's Toyota is horrible with building up a musty smell. I do this every time I change out the cabin filter which is about every 10k miles.

I.ve been gone from the dealerships for north of 23 years. When I was there, (Ford), they were enjoined by franchisee agreements to use FORD, and only FORD products. Ditto for GM dealers I worked for in the past.

The world has changed radically, so I can't speak with any absolute surety about that scene today.

 

[Wellcraft]

Guess I'm lucky as I just had my dealer install my oil and oil filter check all the fluid and topped off my wiper fluid all for $61.92 after $20 discount for being a costco member, local independent shop want a minimum of one hour labor for oil change, current rate is now $175 hr....

If you're happy using the dealership keep using the dealership

 

[06 Dodge]

If you're happy using the dealership keep using the dealership

Being happy doesn't factor, at least at the dealer I can sit at the window to the shop and watch the guy drain my oil and change the oil filter and top off fluids where at the indy shop I can not watch them do the work, its drop off your truck when they open and we will call ya when its done...

 

[Wellcraft]

Being happy doesn't factor, at least at the dealer I can sit at the window to the shop and watch the guy drain my oil and change the oil filter and top off fluids where at the indy shop I can not watch them do the work, its drop off your truck when they open and we will call ya when its done...

Do whatever works for you and apparently that's taking your vehicle to the dealership and I'll stick with taking my truck to my independent mechanic that does just as good work as the dealership except he charges much less money. There's no right or wrong answer