Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

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RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote:[/strong] You could get ripped off as easy in California as you could in Florida.[/div]
Easier! Here in NorCal the standard dealer charge is $125/hr, and *minimum* 25-33% markup over list price on parts! And on a lot of flat-rate charges, it's obvious the dealer makes a killing.

I realize it's the service managers pushing a lot of this, (do they get a percentage?), and the poor stiffs actually doing the work often get the shaft. The guys over at www.flatratetech.com certainly think so...

John
[link:www.goldengatemark8.com|Golden Gate Mark VIII Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

Red Box Rebel ':)

Dear Gentlemen:

1. That includes you too, Eddie. I was never an auditor. That was a highly specialized job. All an auditor did was audit. As a service rep, I did a limited amount of auditing. My main focus was in customer satisfaction and getting vehicles fixed right the first time.

2. All Dealers were required to have trained techs. It is true that the bigger Dealers could piggy back their untrained techs off the backs of the trained ones. However, that normally meant that they were supervised and were limited to lower skill level repairs.

3. As far as you guys complaining about the labor rates charged by the Dealers, look at the independent shops before you cast your stones. When a Dealer requested a warranty Labor Rate increase, I was required do perform a survey as one of the many steps in the process. I would survey the surrounding market and report my findings to Dearborn. (Ford Headquarters in Mich.)

4. Bottom line is that Dealership labor rates were based upon the competitive market.

5. Last point is that I can not count the number of times I saw the Dealership fix the messes created by an independent shop who lacked the trained techs. As I have said in earlier postings, there are good Dealers and there are bad Dealers. You can not lump them all in the same pot and still remain fair and balanced! Shop around and you will find an honest and properly trained Dealership Technician. The same can be said of the independent.;)
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]Also, what's the consensus here, should I go with a non-air suspension replacement? I'm not an aggressive driver, mostly to-and-fro work.one.
[/div]


If the option to convert crosses your mind, allow me to be of assistance.

http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/d...pic&forum=21&topic_id=2889&mesg_id=2889&page=


They have called me the "leader of the pack" on occaision, because not only did I "defect" from the air ride, but I stand firm in my belief that it is YOUR car, and YOUR priorities come first. You only lose 2 things when you convert:
load levelling ability
trademark Lincoln Mark VIII feature

but the gains can out-weight the losses, depending on your priorities. Just remember, it is your car...

read this for more info on the conversion. And YES, I do have "both". 94 Mark VIII, converted, and 97 LSC...stock air ride. Love them both.
(dont let the ignorance of some spoil the reason you came here asking for help-trust your instinct...me, I'd always go with someone who specializes in one area of expertise, than knowing a little about "everything") My 2 cents.

PM me for any advice, help, questions about the conversion kit...I think if you ask those who have seen, and been for a ride in my car, you'll see...you CAN have the ultimate ride.

[a
Club 16 President/Founder
94 Black/Black M8
97 Toreador red/Lt. graphite LSC M8
V.P. GGM8​
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

( All Dealers were required to have trained techs. It is true that the bigger Dealers could piggy back their untrained techs off the backs of the trained ones. However, that normally meant that they were supervised and were limited to lower skill level repairs. )

Hate to disagree, but there are many many uncertified techs doing the work that trained techs are suppose to do at dealerships. I know this due to the fact that I have a few friends that work at local dealerships here in NY. Also it wouldn't be cost effective for the dealer to pay a trained tech to oversee all the work of the untrained techs. The only time a trained tech will overlook the work of another tech is if they are asked to, or there was a problem that wasn't fixed in a previous visit.


(As far as you guys complaining about the labor rates charged by the Dealers, look at the independent shops before you cast your stones. When a Dealer requested a warranty Labor Rate increase, I was required do perform a survey as one of the many steps in the process. I would survey the surrounding market and report my findings to Dearborn. (Ford Headquarters in Mich.))

You have to be kidding right? The labor rate at any dealership I have ever been in is higher than just about all the independant shops. True there are alot of bad independant shops out there, but if you look around finding a good on isn't all that hard. Example of some Labor rates:

Local Ford (not Lincoln) dealership = $100/hr
Local Land Rover Dealership = $150/hr
My local Independant shop (which has done work faster for me compared to above dealers) = $50/hr

Example Ford wanted $150 more to change out the starter on my Mark than the local guy did it for. I had a few small problems nothing major with my Land Rover (valve cover gasket, and exhaust manifold leak). The Dealer would have charged $150 for parts and $500 for labor. I got the parts for $110 at a local parts place and paid $100 Labor at the local shop.


On a side note lets keep this civil. Some people will have different experiences with the same problems, but there is no need to fight about what works.
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

Red Box Rebel ':)

Dear John:

1. I'm supposed to believe that a repair shop in New York only charges fifty bucks an hour? How many decades ago was that? Remember, this is a MARK VIII discussion group, not a MARK III discussion group from the sixties!

2. Anecdotal comments about labor rates are just that, anecdotes. Do an actual survey of comparable independent shops before you tell me that the Dealers are always higher.

3. By the way, did Newcomer ever get his ride fixed? Seems to me that with all the hot air blowing around here that his bags should have stayed inflated! ;)
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

One thing little off topic:

RedBOxLabel ->> Can you fix you signature so it doesn't shop up on the top of your post ? It makes it very difficult to concentrate on the text, and to be honest it makes the content look funny ...
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

Red Box Rebel ':)

Dear Just Boosted:

1. Please explain. What do you mean by shop up! Although I have been to Detroit many times, I still require the services of a translator. Please help! ::wtf::
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

1. "Show up" ... WTF does Detroit have to do with it ?

2. Since you know how to look up profiles, name is Jeremi, thank you.
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

This thread needs to be locked. The original author probably got so sick of the sarcasm, he left and will most likely never return. if that happened, we failed in our mission.

I know what other discussion boards are like, and this entire thread reminds me of some of them.

Mods...this thread has come to a complete halt. Nothing was accomplished.

I wont point fingers, as it is painfully obvious who, what, when, where, and why.

I took the liberty of "private messaging" the author in hopes to salvage any hope of providing help.




[a
Club 16 President/Founder
94 Black/Black M8
97 Toreador red/Lt. graphite LSC M8
V.P. GGM8​
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

Red Box Rebel ':)

Dear Jeremi:

1. Please, get a sense of humor! I see you have found the "W" key. I still need a better explaination. I need more information on what you are seeing, and why it causes you to lose your concentration?

2. Do I need to call the Geek Squad?

3. What ever happened to Newcomer's air bags? Can anyone please answer my question?
 
RE: Newcomer needs someone to explain suspension bags (97 LSC)

That's enough. There is no need for sarcastic and rude comments here.

EDIT: And just to clarify, it is not against our rules to post other websites on here. I would suggest that all people using these forums become familiar with the rules.
 
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