Do service writers make commission?
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
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From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Do service writers make commission?
Curious if the Service Writers at Mbz dealers make a commission? Reason for asking is that last year I was told that one rear tire had a nail in it and needed to be replaced but I declined thinking I could save some $$ going to a favorite local tire shop. Was also told that the model of tire on the car was no longer available and would need to change out all four so they would match. Came to find out the neither rear tire had any nails in them and my local tire guy was able to provide the exact match for the existing fronts, saving me from replacing two perfectly good front tires and about $1500. I’ve also been told that I have a minor oil leak on the drivers side turbo but have never had a drop of oil on the grange floor and never needed to top off the oil. There’s no way I can have them prove the oil leak but based on the tire issue, I’m very skeptical about actually having an oil leak. To me, the only reason they would lie about the nail or leak would either be the service writer making commission or the dealer itself telling them to upsell. I plan on speaking with the GM when I take it in for B Service and will likely be changing dealers from here on.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I have found my Mercedes dealer to price tires fairly. There is usually a coupon from the manufacturer, and the dealer offers a discount on an alignment. But, compared to what others have posted, I probably have one of the better dealers. (I had a 2004 SL500 that my independent shop could never align properly, so I just thought the car handled poorly compared to my Audi TT. I had my Mercedes dealer do an alignment and the car handled amazingly. Of course, their senior guy did the alignment because the car had ABC suspension.)
Getting back to your quesiton. I don't know. I think it would vary from dealership to dealership.
Getting back to your quesiton. I don't know. I think it would vary from dealership to dealership.
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Joined: Dec 2019
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Curious if the Service Writers at Mbz dealers make a commission? Reason for asking is that last year I was told that one rear tire had a nail in it and needed to be replaced but I declined thinking I could save some $$ going to a favorite local tire shop. Was also told that the model of tire on the car was no longer available and would need to change out all four so they would match. Came to find out the neither rear tire had any nails in them and my local tire guy was able to provide the exact match for the existing fronts, saving me from replacing two perfectly good front tires and about $1500. I’ve also been told that I have a minor oil leak on the drivers side turbo but have never had a drop of oil on the grange floor and never needed to top off the oil. There’s no way I can have them prove the oil leak but based on the tire issue, I’m very skeptical about actually having an oil leak. To me, the only reason they would lie about the nail or leak would either be the service writer making commission or the dealer itself telling them to upsell. I plan on speaking with the GM when I take it in for B Service and will likely be changing dealers from here on.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Not on commission that I know of or heard.
They can get bonus for selling any of those "EXTRAS" like:
Fuel system cleaning, Alignments and sometimes other things not a part of an A or B service...
All depends on how well the service department is doing.... you can tell as they talk more about services you do not nor came in for the actual reason you are there.
They can get bonus for selling any of those "EXTRAS" like:
Fuel system cleaning, Alignments and sometimes other things not a part of an A or B service...
All depends on how well the service department is doing.... you can tell as they talk more about services you do not nor came in for the actual reason you are there.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
Years ago whilst still under warranty I went to the MB stealer. They rang mid morning and asked if I wanted a fuel injection injector clean for $150. I asked the fella "are you going to take each injector out and bench test/clean them, or just throw a bottle of crap in the tank?" His response was gold "So i guess you dont want it then" 🤣🤣. Definitely on some sort of incentive package.
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Been in the industry for years now, they're very heavily incentivized.
Company generally doesn't like you if you don't up sell, job security and all that.
Just had a local collision center pull that on a personal vehicle - charged almost $650 (oem mirror price) and replaced with a $69 part - amazon quality. Basically defrauded my insurer. Words were had - considering a billboard now...
It's tough now for a lot of guys, small dealers some are doing all of their own work, I'd expect things only to get worse until people aren't willing to put up with it.
Company generally doesn't like you if you don't up sell, job security and all that.
Just had a local collision center pull that on a personal vehicle - charged almost $650 (oem mirror price) and replaced with a $69 part - amazon quality. Basically defrauded my insurer. Words were had - considering a billboard now...
It's tough now for a lot of guys, small dealers some are doing all of their own work, I'd expect things only to get worse until people aren't willing to put up with it.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Yes, commission. The root cause of scumminess in the retail automotive industry. Said scumminess is aided and abetted by the third party franchise business model and corrupt state-by-state dealer laws which harm the public.
Never go into a dealership unless it is a must. Even then, avoid it.
If visiting a dealership is an absolute must, never ever ask the question “what should I do?”. This is the kiss of death (of your wallet).
Never go into a dealership unless it is a must. Even then, avoid it.
If visiting a dealership is an absolute must, never ever ask the question “what should I do?”. This is the kiss of death (of your wallet).
Last edited by chassis; Mar 31, 2025 at 06:36 AM.
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
"Curious if the Service Writers at Mbz dealers make a commission?" Yes.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Another vote for yes. The compensation plan can have many labels; commission, bonuses, incentives, or goals. It's all the same; they are "incentivized" to get as much money out of the customer as possible. The service center is the profit center of US car dealerships, some say second most profitable behind finance department.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Apr 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Another vote for yes. The compensation lan can have many labels; commission, bonuses, incentives, or goals. It's all the same; they are "incentivized" to get as much money out of the customer as possible. The service center is the profit center of US car dealerships, some say second most profitable behind finance department.
Long time ago before the internet, profits were in the sales department. With the Internet that is no longer true. Finance, add ons and service is where the money is made. Best example are the "A" and "B" service. The A service takes less than an hour, is not done by a mechanic, but by a lower paid person and consists of 7 quarts of oil, filter and topping off of fluid (windshield washer fluid). The oil is less than $45, the filter another $15 for total cost of materials $60. The charge anywhere from just over $200 to upwards of $300.
As to asking the SA: Remember the old adage:
Never ask a barber if you need a haircut!
