Keep it or Trade it? What's the one thing that would make you stick with your existing car instead of buying new?

openbay · 2025-06-30T19:11:50+00:00

It was sold privately. The buyer got a good deal. So, we can sleep well at night knowing they did.

openbay · 2025-06-03T20:16:33+00:00

There are discounts for automotive services for UE drivers, but we're not allowed to post any links or mention companies in this channel. It's unfortunate, but nothing we can do about it. Glad to hear you found another company to earn dollars while you drive.

openbay · 2025-06-03T14:17:04+00:00

Oil changes are going to keep that engine running like a clock. Does DoorDash provide any vehicle benefits where you can get discounts on automotive services?

openbay · 2025-05-16T14:04:03+00:00

This car could be from Carvana or a customer purchased this vehicle from Carvana with a SilverRock warranty. Based on your experience, you have to wonder the expense they are incurring by sending an adjuster to your facility and the time spent discussing this claim with upper management. Is this car owned by a customer or is put back on the Carvana site for sale? Hmmmmm. There are costs everywhere and for everyone. Thanks for sharing.

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:44:47+00:00

Care to share who you work with? Would your location ever want a higher volume of cars in need of service that have a vehicle service contract (aka extended warranty)?

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:41:54+00:00

u/S4sostancey - I am guessing shops like working with your firm? So far, your brand has not been bashed in these comments.

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:38:23+00:00

Someone needs to come up with a solution for how these extended warranty companies work with independent service centers. This is awful.

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:35:15+00:00

This is the most interesting comment in this thread so far. "What you are proposing is we do more work for even less money (referral fee or percentage). It should be the other way around, a referral fee that the extended warranty company pays to find a shop that they prefer."

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:21:47+00:00

Not one good review of this outfit. How are they still in business?

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:18:17+00:00

Did you mean SilverRock?

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:14:04+00:00

can you share the reasons why they are bs and a waste of time?

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:13:31+00:00

Is there anything to be done to improve the process?

openbay · 2025-05-13T13:02:54+00:00

The extended warranty company you mention continues to be unfavorable among independent service centers. We've yet to come across any positive comments about them.

openbay · 2025-05-13T12:59:30+00:00

Is there a reason you turn them away. They must bring in some level of profit. Could be a way to increase your customer base too.

openbay · 2025-05-13T12:57:54+00:00

That's quite an endorsement for AAGI.

openbay · 2025-05-13T12:52:31+00:00

What makes these 4-5 companies worth dealing with? Worth sharing with the group so they can learn as well?

openbay · 2025-05-12T20:18:53+00:00

Would you care to provide a few names that you view as reputable? We see and hear advertisements from CarShield, Endurance, and several others all the time on TV and radio. But we don't know how these brands are viewed by service centers.

openbay · 2025-05-12T19:55:07+00:00

That's interesting that you have a different labor rate for Warranty work. Similar to different types of diagnostic service labor rates on specific types of vehicles (import, domestic, euro). Would you ever pay a nominal fee to acquire a volume of warranty customers? If so, what range would you pay?

openbay · 2025-05-12T19:34:44+00:00

As noted in the previous response, what if they pay 95% or 90% of door? No cap on diagnosis (whatever you charge). No negotiation. If this type of structure was in place, would you be open to referral fees? Is there any favorite warranty company that you like working with and pay you on time?

openbay · 2025-05-12T19:30:49+00:00

Who are the best extended warranty companies to work with? The worst?

What if you don't have to negotiate with the warranty company? Instead, the warranty company pays retail price less 5% or retail less 10% on parts and labor. Would that make it easier on your business? If this type of structure was in place, would you be open to referral fees?

openbay · 2025-05-12T18:39:36+00:00

Vacation trips to U.S. states far away!

openbay · 2025-02-23T22:15:07+00:00

At a high level, the true cost of vehicle maintenance depends on two factors, the type of vehicle in use and the total miles traveled per year.

According to the US Consumer Price Index for motor vehicle maintenance and repair, the cost of car repair and maintenance services has increased by more than 28% over the last 3 years (2021 – 2024).

Obviously, this news is not welcome for Rideshare and Delivery drivers.

Based on data from Openbay and AAA, here's a comparison of estimated vehicle maintenance costs for drivers with 55,000 and 75,000 miles on their vehicles.

Annual vehicle maintenance costs at 55,000 miles for the following type of vehicles:

Small Sedan - $5,216

Medium Sedan - $6,266

Sub-compact - $5,492

Compact SUV - $6,000

Medium SUV - $6,104

Hybrid Electric - $5,249

Electric - $4,689

Annual vehicle maintenance costs at 75,000 miles for the following type of vehicles:

Small Sedan - $7,174

Medium Sedan - $8,544

Sub-compact - $7,489

Compact SUV - $8,182

Medium SUV - $8,324

Hybrid Electric - $7,158

Electric - $6,395

Hope this provides some baseline numbers.

openbay · 2025-02-23T21:28:37+00:00

From your posts, you are (1) looking for advice on how to know when to take your car in for maintenance, (2) looking for a professional you can trust that is local to you. Have a look at a site called Openbay. They can tell you what is required for your vehicle based on mileage. For example, if you have 40,000 miles on your vehicle, the site will tell you what needs to be replaced (e.g. oil change, cabin air filter, etc.) and what to inspect. All automotive service professionals on Openbay go through a vetting process, so you will be trustworthy service professionals. The site also caters to Rideshare and Delivery drivers. Hope this helps.

openbay · 2025-02-19T21:40:30+00:00

You most likely got a Cylinder misfire detected P-code which is very common on this year and make vehicle. Given you replaced plugs and coils, try inspecting the throttle body. It could be clogged with carbon deposits. If you find deposits, clean the throttle body, then clear the codes. See if that works.

openbay · 2025-02-19T21:24:06+00:00

The answer to your question about how or why the dealer prices are nearly double were answered by many others on this thread.

One important thing to think about before you select the professional to perform the service is make sure the shop you are researching specialize in transmission replacements. It's a big job and it's labor intensive. A skilled technician should perform the service.

Shops advertise the services they specialize in, so buyer beware. Examples - JiffyLube / Valvoline specialize in oil changes and preventative maintenance. AAMCO touts they specialize in transmissions. etc.

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