When Super Isn’t So Super
I’ve been reading up a little on the “Super Warranty” issue, which, I must admit, I had never heard of until my Assistant Editor mentioned it. Super Warranties are being mandated by more and more states to cover automotive emission-control systems for 15 years or 150,000 miles, and independent repair shops in those states are not pleased.
The idea was hatched in California, where the Air Resources Board (CARB) decided that it would be a good idea to keep emissions-control hardware under warranty longer. And it is a good idea: People are keeping their vehicles longer, so it makes sense, from CARB’s point of view, to do everything it can to ensure that those vehicles will be running clean for their entire lives. Super Warranties can make sure that this happens, and 11 other states seem to agree, because they’ve adopted similar regulations as part of their clean air initiatives.
But where does that leave the independent service provider, who currently makes a lot of coin repairing emissions-control systems? If vehicle owners are compelled to return to the dealer to get their emissions-control systems maintained, the logic goes, they are likely to have all their service needs taken care of at the dealer, killing two birds with one stone. The independent shops lose out twice: once on the emissions-control work, and twice on the additional service work.
I’m not sure where I come down on this. As I said, I do think the Super Warranties make sense, from a clean air point of view. But I also understand why independent service providers might feel they have had the rug pulled out from under them. It just goes to show you how hard it is to find solutions to the complex issues facing our transportation industry, and our country. Can there possibly be a way to have clean air that doesn’t make someone unhappy?
May 1st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I run 3oo Tractors and 700 trailers, If I had to depend on OEM shops I would be out of business. They charge way over the top, I can’t get it right most of the time. I have had to tow trucks out of these shops 50% of the time. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a truck at a dealer in Northwest. 6100 dollars for a radiator core and fan hub. Next week had another one, Its cost was 2800.00 Monoply is not better look at the cost of fuel. Get real. Jim Andrus
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Can independent service providers become OEM certified? There are some dealers I rather NOT take my vehicles to for warranty issues or services. The dealers do “take you to the cleaners” for repairs and services! There are independent shops that do excellent work at a reasonable cost. I rather pay them the money and have it done right the first time instead of taking the vehicle to the dealer 10 times for the same issue! Automotive Emission-Control Systems have come a long way and lasting longer. If automotive vehicle is well maintained, the pretty coin you pay for a longer warranty… is it worth it in the long run?
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Dealer pricing: I have worked at both OEM and independent. Even though we think the dealer is a “rip off”, with the government hounding about longer warranties-the dealer/factory has to cover those expenses somewhere. Super warranties will increase the price of new vehicles as well. When the vehicle is in the shop for a warranty item-the cost of the other non-covered repairs will be even higher!! Nothing is free in life not to mention all the taxes the government will loose when the independents go out of business/parts stores/etc. Imagine the job losses. Whats wrong with buying something and having to pay for repairs/maintenance. Guess boats/houses/lawn tractors/snow mobiles should have super warranties as well.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I agree with Matt. The OEM also charges more because we pay our mechanics better,have better bennefits and have a cleaner enviroment than most indenpendent shops. i get complaints about indenpendent shops all the time from my customers, mostly drivers from out of state stoping to get a repair and get ripped off. Drivers feel more at ease going to a dealer when out on the road knowing that the repair will be backed up throughout the United States through the dealer network. Try getting a small shop to ok a repair they did when it fails out of there state. If you feel your getting ripped off by a dealer then you need to go to the top of the chain and discuss the issue with them.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Having in house repair makes me more aware of the OEM cost difference on some items. However, when on the road breakdowns occur, most of the time I use oem shops for the peace of mind that the parts and knowledge are there to get my trucks back on the road. Have I been ripped off? Yes quite often but I have had some great shops also.Is OEM more expensive? yes most of the time. Learn from your experience and choose wisely.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe this warranty is for autos not big trucks. It only makes sense that someone take steps to insure the automobile buyers/owners are protected in some way other than what the manufacturer so called gives you, if someone doesn’t watch them (OEM) we are all in trouble, as far as costs if you have bought a new vehicle you should note that you are already paying for the emissions devices. I say Bravo good job CARB.
This action will make the devices better for everyone, who knows may cars will start lasting 1,000,000 miles as a standard.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Any service provider worth his salt,knows that he needs to be a “hero” to his clients. How ?? Expose new maintenance methods and technologies,and bring all his clients and prospects into the real world of maintenance. Change the mind-set on drain intervals and lubes,taught to him by servicing operations which do not stay up on best available practices Techniques,but say he nust change at Mfgr’s interval. That’s warranty related,and how good are warranties in this day and age???–before or after expiration. There is a vast opportunity under these conditions to now go back to the user and show him something new and proven. Just think of the referrals when costs are reduced by 30-50% with good practices performed by Just such Independent Service Operations,which are NEVER offered by OEM;s to user/Customers,when warranty work is performed.Is it possible that these warranty costs are built into the original costs of the vehicle up-front?And will be there anyway? They are controlling the issue at the O E M. Good fleet maintenance operations want and should demand control of how their equipment is operated and once they give that up,they are at the O E M’s mercy. Any good service facility should be prepared to get the control back to the owner,and to help him to rely on them to do it,by helping to make good decisions.
If this sounds like selling,it is;which any shop should know how to implement ,as part of knuckle busting phase of his business.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
OEM has to be judged by each dealer as far as price and fairness. They are not higher due to paying their technicians more; they are higher because of the independence they enjoy. Many functions they perform, like flashing electronic control modules, they have the market cornered on. Hence you get the “pay up and shut up” attitude. A dealer starts on the front lot attempting to gouge the customer purchasing the vehicle. Then they attempt to gouge them on parts pricing and service rendered. They are not worried about customer pay work due to warranty. It is money in the bank. An independent shop owner if forced to make every customer fully understand the repair and related cost. They are forced to dig and scrape for training on a broad variety of makes and models. Most dealer technicians are lost in that broad world of coverage and fail miserably when trying to migrate into it. I owned and operated my own shop for 16 years. I did a lot of repair for dealerships who did not have the expertise to perform the work. I could not hire a good tech for less than 35 an hour. No dealer in my area ever beat my wage. This long warranty is not a sweat. Sorry service and poor workmanship at the OEM will pay off big for private shops. My comments are based on my experience.