Why You Should Visit a Dealership When Your Car Needs Work

​When it’s time to service your vehicle or look into an issue, you’ll probably sit down with your phone or computer and start searching for “auto repair near me.” But not all repair shops are made equal. In fact, between dealership service centers, independent mechanics, and repair shop chains, you’ll find a great variety in the service you experience. Because your vehicle is an investment and something you likely rely on for every important aspect of your day, you want to make sure it’s in the right hands when you take it in for service. Below, we’ll go over the benefits of going to a dealership when your vehicle needs service or repairs.

Dealerships Have Specialized Technicians. Other Shops Don’t.

Some people like going to their local mechanic because of the friendly neighborhood feel and the ability to have lengthy interactions with the person who will work on their vehicle. However, it’s important to note that here at Premier Ford Inc., you will also find a welcoming feel and attentive care from our service team. And then, you’ll get another major perk: specialized knowledge.

While independent mechanics need to have a broad spectrum of knowledge on every type of vehicle that might come through the doors, dealerships have technicians who undergo specific training for the brand or brands the dealership carries. If you need your Ford maintained or repaired, you’re better off going to a Ford dealership like us than an independent mechanic.

Walk into an independent mechanic shop, and you might (if you’re lucky) find one who happens to specialize in Ford models. Visit our Ford dealership, and you will definitely work with a team that specializes in Ford models. The same is true of repair shop chains—they tend to favor mechanics with low to moderate levels of experience in every brand instead of high-level experience in one brand.

Independent Mechanics Negotiate. But Dealerships Offer Other Savings.

Another reason some drivers prefer independent mechanics is the illusion that they might get a better deal than they would at a dealership. We say illusion because just because an independent mechanic will negotiate with you doesn’t mean you’re getting the best deal. In fact, it might mean getting a worse deal than you would at a dealership.

Dealerships like ours have standardized pricing. Everything is transparent, so you know upfront what things will cost. Furthermore, we regularly run discounts and specials, so you can often find a great deal on the service or part you need. Dealerships also often offer protection packages. These let you bundle all of the important services and repairs you might need into one plan for consolidated pricing and peace of mind. We offer our Ford Protect Extended Services Plans. These are comprehensive warranty plans that cover things like major repairs, routine maintenance, roadside service, car rental fees, parts replacements, and other issues that might come up.

Independent mechanics don’t offer benefits like this, but you can buy peace of mind with one of our plans. Repair shop chains also don’t tend to sell plans like this. Only dealerships, with our specialty trained technicians and a wide network of part suppliers, can guarantee this type of assistance.

Dealers Offer Mobile and Pickup/Dropoff Options

Hey, you’re busy. Bringing your vehicle in for service isn’t always something you have time for. But if you’re going to an independent mechanic or a repair shop chain, you have to bring your car in yourself. Meanwhile, here at Premier Ford Inc., we like to give our busy customers options. That’s why we offer mobile service and pickup/delivery options. Choose our mobile service, and our technicians will come to your home or work and perform service and repairs right there.

Should more advanced work be required, our pickup and delivery program lets you schedule a time for our team to pick up your vehicle, bring it into our service center for repairs, and drop it off with you when it’s done. It’s the ultimate in convenience, and you only get it when you work with a dealership like ours.

A Full Support Staff

When you work with a dealership, you’ll experience a VIP level of service you might not get at independent or chain repair shops. An independent mechanic is busy and often has a limited team. The mechanic himself might also fill the role of the receptionist and bookkeeper. This can lead to delays. Work with a chain repair store, and they do have large teams for every need, but you usually need to call a corporate customer service number and be sent up a phone tree. It’s a hassle and can feel impersonal.

However, we have a full support staff, including a dedicated finance department, a customer care team, and our dedicated team of technicians. Whatever you need, there is someone here dedicated to handling your request. It’s a level of efficiency and VIP attention you won’t get elsewhere.

Thanks to our large team, we make it easy to get an appointment. We work hard to see you as soon as possible so you can get back to enjoying your vehicle. Independent mechanic shops typically have smaller teams and might only have one actual mechanic. This can mean longer wait times, not just for getting an appointment but also to get a diagnosis and to see those repairs finished.

If you service your vehicle at the same location where you purchased it, then you can work with a team you already know. Many of our customers like the rapport and familiarity they enjoy with our team. Once you’ve already gotten to know our staff during the purchase process, you’ll like being greeted with the same faces when it’s time for maintenance and repairs.

Specialized Parts

We specialize in caring for Ford vehicles, which means we carry genuine Ford parts. It’s an integral part of returning your vehicle back to you in near-factory-new condition every time. When you visit a dealership that specializes in your vehicle brand, they will have parts for your model that are ready to go.

When you visit an independent mechanic, they often have to order the parts for your vehicle, which holds up repairs, leaving you without a functioning vehicle for longer. Go to a chain repair shop, and they might have the parts you need, but they might just try to sell you cheap generic replacements rather than genuine factory parts. Using genuine OEM parts is always the best bet.

If You Want Specialized Care, Dedicated Attention, and Quality Parts, Visit Us

There’s no denying that a dealership combines some of the best of all worlds. At Ford Premier Inc., we will offer you the friendly atmosphere and personal attention you get at an independent mechanic, but we also have the support staff in place to give you a high-level experience. With unique offerings like mobile service and pickup and delivery, we also make it easy to get your vehicle cared for on your schedule. Finally, a dealership will specialize in the brand it sells. If you drive a Ford, you want it in the competent hands of technicians trained to care for your specific vehicle. When you need your Ford maintained or repaired, you can easily make an appointment online with us. We’re ready to keep your Ford running smoothly.