Worse perceived image?
 

Inside the automotive industry, which line of business is considered to have the worse image in the eyes of consumers? What I mean is that consumers generally think that they are out to ripe them off. The general repair shops? Transmission rebuilder/repair shops? Tire shops? Muffler shops?

I'm not sure which is worst, but I worked with a fella awhile ago, whos step-dad ownes a small chain of transmission repair shops. He said it's a seriously profitable buisness. There's a very large mark-up on the parts, and the labor cost is way over blown.

UH... is this a trick question ? DEALERSHIPS !

According to a 1999 Gallup Poll, auto mechanics were 20th out of 45 professions thought to be "the most honest" in the US.

1. Nurses
2. Pharmacists
3. Veterinarians
4. Medical Doctors
5. Grade & H.S. Teachers
6. Clergy (remember this is 1999)
7. Judges
8. Policemen
9. Dentists
10. College Teachers
11. Engineers
12. Day Care Providers
13. Funeral Directors
14. Computer Industry Executives
15. Bankers
16. Home Repair (plumber, carpenter)
17. Chiropractors
18. State Governors
19. Journalists
20.Auto Mechanics
21. Business Execs
22. Store Salespeople

29. Building Contractors

36. Real Estate Agents
37. Lawyers
38. Guns Salesmen
39. Congressmen

41. Insurance Salesmen
42. HMO Managers

44. Telemarketers
45. Car Salesmen

Re: Worse perceived image?
 

Not the service end. Most people dread taking their car for repairs, but they truly FEAR buying a car. No one is considered worse (earned or not) than the salespeople.

In my own car buying experiences, it is well founded.

I trust commercial transmission places about as far as I can throw my 420SEL. After that, I trust tire store chains about as far as I can throw my 300D. After them, I trust mechanics with a messy shop (stuff laying everywhere-nothing organized) about as far as I can throw my 280SE. Last but not least, I trust people selling stuff on TV about as far as I can throw my E420.

Reminds me of a sign I saw at a repair shop once...
it read: "In God we trust, all other pay cash" :D

Don't trust a repo guy scoping out your car.

I'll second that (with a little edit)

USED car salesmen! :eek:

Mike