[MATCHBX]

Don't forget that the dealerships charge quite high labor rates as well. Plus they are installing oem parts that are more expensive than aftermarket ones (such as checker, autozone, etc. sell).

I have a horror story from Southview Chev that most on here have heard already. They tried to charge us $2900 for a timing belt and head job when their original estimate that we agreed upon was only $1900. We got out of there only paying $2100 (10% over original agreed upon estimate). They lost all their quoted labor time.

Dealers will always be higher because they have specifically trained mechanics and they use oem parts. Some do try to take advantage of people that don't know much about cars, but not all do. It's hard to find one that doesn't but they do exist.