Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Nice try, DC

[Utah Willie]

Previous fuel filter purchases have been through a local shop in Utah where $18 seemed in the ball park. I just went to Anderson's Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep in Lake Havasu City, AZ. where I now reside and did I get a rude awakening:--)

The price they wanted for a genuine MOPAR fuel filter (made of the finest products,,,yahta, yahta) A whopping $45 and change... . out the door:{ Holy "Stick-it-to-em, Batman!!!) Where did DC ever get the idea that they were to charge 300% more than Geno's? I just told the parts man "You gotta be s******g me!!??" and said "No thanks, I'll order from Geno's". For what I saved, I could drive to Geno's and pick up a couple. Is there any place to write to get some notice of these rip-offs by the five-star folks? Has the three pointed logo gone to their head?

 

[jrandol]

It is ridiculous isnt it? I am in a very capital business myself but give me a break!! I dont mind if DC makes money off me but I do mind if they make their monthly property payment off me everytime I need a stinkin oil and fuel filter! I get mine at Cummins direct, good prices.



Here is some interesting info, most large Franchise Dealerships use their FBO (Fixed Based Operations) dept which includes parts and service to pay for all the overhead of a dealership. If it is well ran, both revenue streams combined fromt the FBO centers should pay for the entire dealership operation. So the gravy to the owner comes from the Car Sales. With New Car sales being much less profitable than used car sales, it really ties down to how many used units they move and are they hitting their manufacturer #'s from DC or GM or who ever. The richest Franchise Dealer owners always have a really strong used car sales biz.



Anywho, thought some might find this interesting.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Utah Willie



The price they wanted for a genuine MOPAR fuel filter (made of the finest products,,,yahta, yahta) A whopping $45 and change... . out the door:{ Holy "Stick-it-to-em, Batman!!!) Where did DC ever get the idea that they were to charge 300% more than Geno's?

My grandpa was wanting a new fuel filter for his PSD when he still owned it. Ford dealer also wanted $45 for it. Went and got Wix for $19 somewhere else.

 

[mediccummin]

And they don't even give you a kiss

After that #&*#&$^*. My Dealer told me they were the only ones that could change the fuel filter because it took special tools. Not that I'm a mechanic but I have been working on stuff all my life and can pretty much figure things out. And besides it does'nt take a rocket scientist to change a fuel filter. Then I asked what are the special tools, he could'nt answer, I think he was use to not being challenged. Then I ask how much to have this done, $109 plus tax, I laughed in his face and left. CROWN DODGE of Ventura CA. has a poor reputation in the County and I have never heard anything good about them. Beware.

 

[RobbyRam]

I also have had the exact same exact experience with my Dodge dealership, and also, the same price, for a fuel filter, NOT including labor: "$45. " Do they reall think we're THAT stupid?



What's funny to me is that they only charge about $12 for an OIL filter, which is about the same $$ as you can buy it for at Cummins West , or anywhere else for that matter. (I guess they figure we 'morons' DO try to change our own OIL filters, but we would not attempt a 'super difficult' fuel filter change. )



I personally pay $17 for fuel filters, including labor, at 'Pro Fleet,' a 'big rig' type oil change facility here in Sacramento. I've also bought fuel filters from 'Cummins West' for only $17.

Bob in Sacto

 

[TowPro]

After reading how hard it was to change the fuel filter the first time, I had the dealer do it (OUCH) in 1998. then I found out it was the 12V that was always stuck the first time you changed the filter, not the 24v. Oh well, that was the last time I paid the dealer to work on it.

 

[AlFischer]

Well, I must be smarter than the average bear 'cause I looked in the TDR and bought my first oil and fuel filters from Cummins West and with the great info on the website did the 'difficult' change with the correct 'special' tools myself in minimum time.



Guess my TDR subscription was paid this first time!!!!!



Cummins will discount filters about 25% by the case. Good price.

 

[BarryG]

$45 is that all, thats a good deal compared to what they tried to charge me. I went to pick up a can of interior paint to paint my new A pillar a couple years ago and thought as long as I was there I would pick up a fuel filter. Guy rings it up tells me $65 and change. As soon as I came back from the bathroom from cleaning out my pants I was thinking a fuel filter cant be more than 20 bucks tops asked how much was the paint and he tells me $7. I said a fuel filter is $58 and he says no it is only $55 (what a smart a##)tax is the other. I say I will take the paint only. He then proceeded to tell me it was top quality and doubted I could find it anywhere else for less. I still passed on the great deal he was offering. Went home called Genos had a new one on my porch in a couple days for around $15. It is too bad they feel that way about their parts, especially the consumables, they lost my business forever at least on anything I can get anywhere else.

 

[jrandol]

I bought a can of White touch up paint from the local dealer last week. $20!!! Its a little can just larger than a tube of chapstick. Oh well, gotta have it.

 

[Jetpilot]

A flexplate from DC runs $336. Buy it from Cummins and it can be had for $104!



Doug

 

[FFutch]

Just changed the crank sensor. Called the Dodge dealer $60. I ask if I could get it from Cummins,he said"no it's a Dodge specific item". I thought o. k. maybe since we're dealing with different e. c. m. 's. Sent my sister-in-law to pick it up. Guess what,it came in a Cummins box with the Mopar sticker over the Cummins part# . Found the Cummins # and it was $37 at my local truck place ... Doug

 

[Ncostello]

Popular Mechanics magazine once took a plain jane Ford Escort and priced every single part that made up the car. The found that to put it together with all purchased parts from the dealer it would cost over $40,000 if I remember right... that was from an article circa 1988.



You'd think someone at DC would realize diesel owners are typically different than a little old lady buying an Omni. We tend to know a little more about what it takes to do at least some work.



I guess at four times the price you can sell four times less and still do OK. And there will always be those who let the dealer do it... and there will always be filters consumed by incidental changes due to other work... usually the bill would be so big an owner would be glad to see something on it was only $45.

 

[BLandau]

I bought three Fleetguard FS19579 StrataPore filters two weeks ago for $10. 02 each from the Volvo Truck dealer. Fleetguard lube filters (LF3894) were about $8. 00 each from the Western Star dealer.



DC wanted $38. 00 for the fuel filter.

 

[jrandol]

Its Ridiculous, I bought a few fuel filters from the Kenworth dealer here in town a few weeks ago, $8. 99 a filter. I remember when I first bought my truck (Aug. of 02) they wanted $49. 99 for the same filter. They have since dropped their price down to the current $43. 95. Oil Filters are now $29. 99 at the dealer. jeesh!!