$200 for Krown Rustproofing in New York???
12-04-2012, 09:08 AM
#11
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Thanks for everyone's comments. I decided to give the Krown corporate office a chance to assist me with my pricing question. Here is the text of an email I sent to them this morning. Hopefully I'll hear back before my appointment with Hoffman Auto tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you know what the response is.
"Hi,
I get the impression from your website and from talking with many others on a Ford F-150 forum who use the Krown product that your pricing is standardized. However the closest Krown dealer to me, Hoffman Auto in Lake Placid, NY, who I have an appointment with tomorrow, charges $200, a full $75 more than what others seem to be paying for a 2013, regular cab, two door, Ford F-150 with an 8' box.
When I asked why the price was higher I was told that included extras not in the standard service such as dropping the spare tire and washing the vehicle. But washing the vehicle is part of the standard service and while I'm not sure dropping the spare tire is (or is required), it is certainly not worth $75 of additional labor for a service they described as taking about one hour.
I'd like to see Hoffman Auto do well so I have a Krown dealer I can rely on year after year to provide the Krown product as I plan on keeping my truck for about 15 years. Hoffman Auto just started as a Krown dealer several months ago. But at that price I'm forced to reconsider the entire economics of going with an annual Krown service or at least look for alternative dealers in Canada which is not convenient for me.
Your thoughts on the current pricing for the Krown service charged by Hoffman Auto would be appreciated. This will be a great help for me in deciding how to care for my truck in the future and whether Krown will play a prominent role.
Thanks,"
"Hi,
I get the impression from your website and from talking with many others on a Ford F-150 forum who use the Krown product that your pricing is standardized. However the closest Krown dealer to me, Hoffman Auto in Lake Placid, NY, who I have an appointment with tomorrow, charges $200, a full $75 more than what others seem to be paying for a 2013, regular cab, two door, Ford F-150 with an 8' box.
When I asked why the price was higher I was told that included extras not in the standard service such as dropping the spare tire and washing the vehicle. But washing the vehicle is part of the standard service and while I'm not sure dropping the spare tire is (or is required), it is certainly not worth $75 of additional labor for a service they described as taking about one hour.
I'd like to see Hoffman Auto do well so I have a Krown dealer I can rely on year after year to provide the Krown product as I plan on keeping my truck for about 15 years. Hoffman Auto just started as a Krown dealer several months ago. But at that price I'm forced to reconsider the entire economics of going with an annual Krown service or at least look for alternative dealers in Canada which is not convenient for me.
Your thoughts on the current pricing for the Krown service charged by Hoffman Auto would be appreciated. This will be a great help for me in deciding how to care for my truck in the future and whether Krown will play a prominent role.
Thanks,"
12-05-2012, 04:03 PM
#12
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Here is the reply to email I sent to Krown headquarters inquiring about pricing.
"Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. Typically the
pricing on our website is standardized but at some locations it may vary.
With our Lake Placid location they routinely see vehicles that have more
dirt and debris on them, with that in mind they have to do a little more
prep work in order for our product to work effectively. They do power wash
the underside of prior to spraying to make sure that this is not a problem.
The vehicle is washed after the treatment is applied to remove any of the
over spray that may exist.
When you go to Hoffman auto we will discount your first treatment by $100.
We appreciate your business and we hope that you see the value in protecting
your vehicle with Krown, if you have any further questions or concerns
please feel free to contact me anytime."
While I'm grateful for the $100 discount, I'm left with the feeling that Hoffman Auto does not have any competition in their service area and has chosen to price the Krown service at a higher than normal profit margin. I've owned an auto repair shop for many years in the past and understand their decision. My only quibble is they (and Krown corporate) use the rather weak explanation that "extras" like a quick pressure wash underneath the vehicle and dropping the spare tire are worth $75. Pretty good profit for 10 minutes work.
I'm still willing to give them a try and will get the initial service done. But I'll be comparing prices next year with two other Krown dealers who are just South of Montreal and are the same driving distance from my house.
"Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. Typically the
pricing on our website is standardized but at some locations it may vary.
With our Lake Placid location they routinely see vehicles that have more
dirt and debris on them, with that in mind they have to do a little more
prep work in order for our product to work effectively. They do power wash
the underside of prior to spraying to make sure that this is not a problem.
The vehicle is washed after the treatment is applied to remove any of the
over spray that may exist.
When you go to Hoffman auto we will discount your first treatment by $100.
We appreciate your business and we hope that you see the value in protecting
your vehicle with Krown, if you have any further questions or concerns
please feel free to contact me anytime."
While I'm grateful for the $100 discount, I'm left with the feeling that Hoffman Auto does not have any competition in their service area and has chosen to price the Krown service at a higher than normal profit margin. I've owned an auto repair shop for many years in the past and understand their decision. My only quibble is they (and Krown corporate) use the rather weak explanation that "extras" like a quick pressure wash underneath the vehicle and dropping the spare tire are worth $75. Pretty good profit for 10 minutes work.
I'm still willing to give them a try and will get the initial service done. But I'll be comparing prices next year with two other Krown dealers who are just South of Montreal and are the same driving distance from my house.
12-06-2012, 01:09 AM
#14
I think after your get the first one done and call the same place again next year you will be able to get the same price. If not I wouldn't go back either. They are simply trying to rip you off.
12-06-2012, 08:52 PM
#15
Senior Member
Is it normal for them to pressure wash the underside? Here in Canada, they don't do that and it doesn't hinder the treatments. Maybe Krown uses a different method. The extra cost for saying they pressure wash underneath is a poor excuse for the extra cost. Great reply from Krown though, certainly worth taking advantage of the offer.