Service Price matching - impossible to satisfy conditions, so a hollow offer?

I am having great difficulty in getting any Audi dealer to price match a service.

I wouldn't feel the need to do this, but as they penalise newer cars owners by charging higher prices for PRECISELY the same service, I feel it is necessary.

I have a quote from a specialist to carry out the service, who confirmed he uses genuine parts in the service, and that the electronic service book is also updated. The Audi dealers are saying they need a quote with all the part numbers listed of what will be used in the service, which is ridiculous.

It seems to me they make a grand offer, and publicise it, but then make it almost impossible to to obtain. I pointed out to the 2 dealers that when they provide a quote, they don't give aprt numbers, so it is double standards. The terms and conditions on the Audi website make no mention of requiring part numbers on quote.

The specialist will carry out a proper service above and beyond the minimal splash and dash a dealer will carry out, they will have pride in their work rather than just trying to reach time targets to get their bonus.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Justinos

I am having great difficulty in getting any Audi dealer to price match a service.

I wouldn't feel the need to do this, but as they penalise newer cars owners by charging higher prices for PRECISELY the same service, I feel it is necessary.

I have a quote from a specialist to carry out the service, who confirmed he uses genuine parts in the service, and that the electronic service book is also updated. The Audi dealers are saying they need a quote with all the part numbers listed of what will be used in the service, which is ridiculous.

It seems to me they make a grand offer, and publicise it, but then make it almost impossible to to obtain. I pointed out to the 2 dealers that when they provide a quote, they don't give aprt numbers, so it is double standards. The terms and conditions on the Audi website make no mention of requiring part numbers on quote.

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My local dealer did a price match after much complaining from me. They never just accept it. The quote did show using audi genuine parts and the independent does buy them from the dealership so they couldn't argue that. Is there an option to complain to Audi Customer Services as they are falsely advertising?

Audi also want (wanted?) a breakdown of the costs into parts and labour. At least that's what they told me when they first refused to honor the price match.
They first agreed to price match, then said the quote I gave them had insufficient information, and tried to get out. Needless to say that wasn't going to work.
After asking to talk to a manager they agreed to keep their price match promise, but it wasn't without effort.
Let's just say that wasn't a great experience.
The year after, my car was over 3 years, so the same service was 50% cheaper at Audi anyway, so quite competitive.

I think this is dealer dependent.
Last time I got a price match was relatively easy. Showed them an email that pretty much said 20k inspection and a price and they matched it. No breakdown of parts or labour.

Hi...

Hull Audi (JCT600) have price matched a third year service and MOT from Auto Technica in Hull after just a short phone call.
£120 for the service (interim) and £50 for the MOT, only extra is £10 for the loan car Insurance.
Think the original quote was for £269 and £50 plus the £10 loan car Insurance.
Im more than happy with that.

martin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MC09PJC

Hi...

Hull Audi (JCT600) have price matched a third year service and MOT from Auto Technica in Hull after just a short phone call.
£120 for the service (interim) and £50 for the MOT, only extra is £10 for the loan car Insurance.
Think the original quote was for £269 and £50 plus the £10 loan car Insurance.
Im more than happy with that.

martin

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I am getting nowhere with this. They are all saying the same, if the quote doesn't have part numbers on it then they wont accept it.

I asked one of the dealers to confirm their quote to me in writing with part numbers, and he said he couldn't.

I wouldn't feel the need to try and get a price match if the pricing was fair. They charge new car owners 0-3 yrs more than +3 year owners for the same service. I know as I have swapped a 5yr A6 for a new one last year. This is exploitative as they know you don't want to risk any warranty issues in the warranty period, so are more inclined to use a dealer, so they charge you more,

It is fundamentally wrong to charge one group of customers more than another.The irony is also that servicing newer cars is probably easier as less wear, deterioration etc.

If they can’t quote you with part numbers how the hell can anyone outside the dealership network to be able to quote with part numbers.
I think some dealers are a pain to deal with and others are better.
I’m finding the whole Audi customer service has been getting worse over the last few years.

And why would anyone outside the dealer network bother to quote with part numbers when they know fine well they are just being used as a bargaining tool.

How about asking Audi to quote for a service with Part Numbers, then taking that quote to an independent and ask them to quote based on the Audi offer?

I've had 3 A6's in last 10 yrs or so and this dual pricing system has always irritated me but I've put up with it until recent 38k inspection service and S Tronic gearbox service. Contacted usual dealership who have now centralised service bookings into a call centre and was quoted over £900.....can't remember the exact figure as the sound of my own laughter drowned out the last 2 numbers. When I said 'that can't be right' I was given the good news that the price would be much less next time as my car would be over 3 yrs old!

So next step was to email another Audi dealer (different group) to ask for a quote and I also emailed a local VW Audi independent and asked then for a quote. Local indy emailed quote straightaway at £480 for everything inc VAT and to dealer specification/parts. 2nd Audi dealer never replied. Work all done by Indy, no problems and electronic service log etc with Audi all updated as well. Indy has access to any software updates that are needed.

Didn't bother trying to price match and to be honest if they'd have dropped from £900+ to £480 I'd have been insulted as this would just confirm original quote was a joke. Probably won't use an Audi dealership again now.

I do all my own service and repair, so I've only been to the local Audi dealership once, for a dipstick, as the top of mine was snapped off when I bought it.

I had to make a 60 km round trip to order it and another to collect it, and they got the wrong one.:(

Having just rung for a price on my first service on A6 2016 and been quoted £642 by Reading Audi (I asked genuinely if they were taking the p***) I then got a slightly lower quote of £479 and then with the oil removed £360 (Shell Helix 0w30 which they told me I needed is £80 for 10l) so all in at £440 which is a total rip off for effectively an oil and filter change but asking around I know of noone who has been able to get any Kent/S.E. London based Audi dealer to price match (they are nearly all Inchcape which I think could be the reason!)

I just keep telling myself its £220 a year which I suppose is not that bad but still really hurts to be so ripped off knowing that if the car was 3 years old Audi would put a stamp in the book for less than £250 but what can you do if you dont want a fight on your hands if ever needing to claim off the warranty, needless to say the second that is finished off to an Indi I will go

£360 for oil is taking the **** a little.
I’ve had this conversation with dealers before. Last time I told them to buy the oil across the road at the shell garage as they were selling the helix ultra for £25 for 5litres.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nictry

Having just rung for a price on my first service on A6 2016 and been quoted £642 by Reading Audi (I asked genuinely if they were taking the p***) I then got a slightly lower quote of £479 and then with the oil removed £360 (Shell Helix 0w30 which they told me I needed is £80 for 10l) so all in at £440 which is a total rip off for effectively an oil and filter change but asking around I know of noone who has been able to get any Kent/S.E. London based Audi dealer to price match (they are nearly all Inchcape which I think could be the reason!)

I just keep telling myself its £220 a year which I suppose is not that bad but still really hurts to be so ripped off knowing that if the car was 3 years old Audi would put a stamp in the book for less than £250 but what can you do if you dont want a fight on your hands if ever needing to claim off the warranty, needless to say the second that is finished off to an Indi I will go

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Don't disagree with your sentiments, but at 2 years your car is getting what Audi would term a "major service" (ie Oil Change and Inspection) which Audi would charge £409 for on a 3+ year old car

Thats how I am looking at it, although had a call today from local dealer to confirm my booking and said would be £10 more as including pollen filter - thought this was interesting as Reading Audi told me this was £62!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nictry

Having just rung for a price on my first service on A6 2016 and been quoted £642 by Reading Audi (I asked genuinely if they were taking the p***) I then got a slightly lower quote of £479 and then with the oil removed £360 (Shell Helix 0w30 which they told me I needed is £80 for 10l) so all in at £440 which is a total rip off for effectively an oil and filter change but asking around I know of noone who has been able to get any Kent/S.E. London based Audi dealer to price match (they are nearly all Inchcape which I think could be the reason!)

I just keep telling myself its £220 a year which I suppose is not that bad but still really hurts to be so ripped off knowing that if the car was 3 years old Audi would put a stamp in the book for less than £250 but what can you do if you dont want a fight on your hands if ever needing to claim off the warranty, needless to say the second that is finished off to an Indi I will go

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I've just had a quote from my local Audi garage for my cars 1st service at 18k miles (I change the oil every 9k).
£306.91 plus VAT for the inspection and oil change or £168 plus VAT for inspection only. So that makes the oil change £139 plus VAT FFS! Pollen filter is £59.62 plus VAT on top of that.

Thought I would update this thread as I have been speaking to Audi U.K. about a repair they aren’t warranting and asked for part numbers.
This is how hollow of an offer this price matching is.
It is audi uk/dealership network policy not to give part numbers out. This is to stop you sourcing alternatives or going outside the dealership network to get repairs/servicing done but their policy on price matching must include part numbers. The most you will get is a quote with a loose description of the part.
A lot of suppliers/manufacturers have caught on to this that’s why you can match to pr numbers instead for things like brakes. More difficult if it’s not a run off the mill type part.
At least some dealers don’t follow these rules as I have had a price match with a back of the fag packet type quote but some aren’t.

It is pathetic and very irritating. Leaves a sour taste. Audi now ignore me on Twitter as there is no credible defence as to why they can charge two different prices for precisely the same process, parts etc. You don't get anything extra for the higher price so how can it be justified?I just want them to explain, but they can't so ignore the question.

For a 2016 A6 2l Tdi, oil filter part number is 03N115562. Pollen filter is 4H0819439.
Part numbers aren't hard to find. I use audipartsdirect.co.uk, buy them from there.
I have an inspection carried out by Audi, buy genuine parts, use the approved oil and get my local garage to change the oil for a £20 contribution to the tea fund.
Intact S/H, no questions with warranty and save quite a lot of money

I think it’s easy to find part numbers for normal service type parts, filter, brakes etc. I’m looking for a part of the seat which is more difficult as it’s made up of like 100 parts.
My mate has a TPS account so can get genuine vag parts also has a big discount with TPS. If I have the part number I could source it through TPS or get it abroad even and pay into my mates tea kitty rather than dealers.

I had a new gearbox on the last A6 out of Warranty on goodwill, so lack of 'dealer' SH would have resulted in no goodwill I suspect, so I am having to consider the extra cost as the goodwill tax. For info Synter have confirmed today that they no longer price match either independents if you can jump through all the hoops, or other franchised dealers.

Totally get the goodwill tax part of it but in my experience the goodwill is few and far between as under certain consumer law that there’s an expectation for a product. Like your washing machine, even though it comes with a 1 year warranty you still have a claim after that as you wouldn’t expect it break within 18 months as most buys these things to last years. The claim needs to be made against the retailer not the manufacturer. PCP and weird finance agreements makes this more a problem for consumers as it’s who the contract is with rather than the supplying retailer. So to avoid bad publicity and lawsuits they call it good will. Or in other words they just covering there own a$$.
Most of the time the dealers are still making money as it’s rare to get 100% off. Normally 50% if you are lucky.