Why do people fear the car dealers service department?

I read so many questions about what is wrong with my car. And why didn’t the part the parts person at the generic auto parts store sold me fix my car. Why do people fear taking their car to the dealership for repairs? Most of them fix it right the first time, and guarantee their work. Sure it may cost more, but there is a reason for it. Dealerships send their service personnel to specialized training for their vehicles. They typically service all makes and models, but specialize in the brand they sell. So they are more likely to know the common problems of that particular brand. And why not bring your vehicle back for its minor maintenance as well. If you have a major problem just out of warranty, but have been a good customer in the past they are more willing to work with you and get you some after warranty assistance.
I can’t count the number of times a customer has come in after spending $100′s on a simple problem that “Joe Bob” didn’t know how to fix.

God, I wish more people thought like you do. Did I mention I am a tech at a Chevy dealership? Also, did I mention that I DON’T rip my customers off? Really, there are good dealerships and bad dealerships, but most dealerships are pretty decent. On the whole, I would say the same percent of dealerships are crooked as independent shops. If you’re worried about getting ripped off, check with the better business bureau, and if you think they’re feeding you a line, get a second opinion! Dealership parts are expensive because they’re better than aftermarket parts! $100 dollar brake jobs are cheap because they are usually done wrong by pimply faced losers who don’t know how to check their oil, much less do your brake job right. I can’t begin to count how many brakes plus brake jobs I’ve had to re-do. I think we should put up a sign that says “we fix $100 brake jobs” Cars cost money to fix. If you can’t afford it, ride the stupid bus.

Edit: Warranty labor times are generally 60-75% of customer pay, not 2 to 3 times less. Don’t get me wrong, I do prefer customer pay though. Moreover, if I don’t go by the book on labor, I’ll get fired. I’m not a crook, so I wouldn’t do it anyway.

Troubleshooting Car Problems : About Common Electrical Problems in Cars