Sears Auto Center or Dealership for Struts?

[Lani]

It's been suggested that I replace the front shocks in my 2002 Mazda Protege ES because it's leaking oil. So I'm in the process of shopping around for the best quality/deal and I've narrowed it down to two places to get this done: Mazda Dealership or Sears Auto Center. Both quoted me for $400. Anyone here have experience with either, so I can make the smartest decision.

Oh, I've called Midas and all those kinda chain stores- they quoted me for $600.


Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Anna

[Captain KRM P5]

Sears stopped paying premium wages for thier techs many years ago and have lost alot of the quality that they used to have. I would not even put them in the same league as any dealer.

[Lani]

Any other opinions? I have to make my decision by tomorrow morning.


Thanks Again.
Anna

[Prodigy]

If you pay my plane ticket, I'll install them for you.
I'd go with Mazda.. over Sears

[DiS]

yea definetly dealershit over sears......is there any chance that you can do it yourself?

[Lani]

yea definetly dealershit over sears......is there any chance that you can do it yourself?


Nah, I don't think I could do this myself without some help and the proper tools. None of which I have at the moment.

Looks like I'm headed to the dealer in the morning. Apparently, it's a 3 hour job so they're loaning me a 05 Mazda 3. :)

[FunkyBuddha]

go to dealership.

[SciFiMan]

Yes, if the same price, go with the dealer to install.

[h109]

I was in the same boat. The dealer quoted the same. So, I bought the struts from a NAPA store (about $130 for the Monroe pair) and got it installed at a local shop ($100). The only prob is that the mechanic had "cut" the sway bar links. And so, currently shopping for them.

Btw, I also checked Sears. Some times they have this free installation deal. Very rare, but turns out very cheap. Other wise, was quoted about $285-$300.

-Hari

[Lani]

I took your advice: I went to the Mazda Dealership and had my struts replaced. They also had to replace both front sway bar links to make them fit but all and all, I'm happy with it.

Oh, get this...they stuck me with a 2003 Mazda Protege LX for a loaner car. The thing was all beat up, dents and dings, engine made strange rattling noises, brakes were grabbing ...and the car only had 28,000mi on it. I couldn't believe the world of difference when I got into my 2002 Protege ES...it was like I was driving a completely different car.

Thanks Again!


Anna

[chaosProtege]

i am a tech at sears here in NC, i can vouch for most of the guys i work with here doing good work. i hear too many horror stories about most of the other sears around the country tho. good idea to take it to the dealership.

[Lani]

i am a tech at sears here in NC, i can vouch for most of the guys i work with here doing good work. i hear too many horror stories about most of the other sears around the country tho. good idea to take it to the dealership.


I'm going back to Sears in the fall for front brakes. (2thumbs)

[protegeV]

If the dealership quotes the same price as any chain service center...Firestone, Mr. Tire, Merchants, Goodyear, or Sears... I'd always go to the dealer. The idea of the other places is that they are cheaper. The dealer isnt ALWAYS going to do better work but you've got a MUCH better chance since they work almost exclusively on one make of cars.

[DiS]

If the dealership quotes the same price as any chain service center...Firestone, Mr. Tire, Merchants, Goodyear, or Sears... I'd always go to the dealer. The idea of the other places is that they are cheaper. The dealer isnt ALWAYS going to do better work but you've got a MUCH better chance since they work almost exclusively on one make of cars.

agreed BUT, in my experience, all these chain stores are crap. You are MUCH MUCH better off going to a private mechanic and get the car taken care of there.

[Lani]

Dealers don't always give you the "lifetime guarantee" on their products which is what can make those chain stores seem so appealing (but for only brakes and tires; I wouldn't dare trust them under the hood... not even for an oil change).


Anna

[protegeV]

Dealers don't always give you the "lifetime guarantee" on their products which is what can make those chain stores seem so appealing (but for only brakes and tires; I wouldn't dare trust them under the hood... not even for an oil change).


Annahey, watch it. I work at Firestone and Im the shit(fuoops)
Haha, j/k...I think the reason a lot o people dont like the big chain stores is because when someone has a problem its immediately attributed to every store.

If one jiffy lube locked up someone's motor, immediately everyone thinks they suck and dont go there. Firestone had problems with their tires years ago, so people stayed away for a few years(even though the manufacturing of that one tire model had nothing to do with the service aspect of the shops)

On the other hand, if you go to Honest Bob's Auto Service in the alley around the corner and they screw you over, chances are that no one else is going to know or care about it, and its not going to negatively affect the business of any other shops.

Unless you know the people at a private shop or have plenty of positive recommendations, this is probably the worst place to get your car serviced beause if something bad happens you have almost no recourse...or at least it wont be very easy. If you go to a chain store and have a problem its pretty damn easy to get a discount/refund...I see it all the time at my job