We wait in lines at grocery stores. We wait in lines to buy highly sought tickets to concerts or a big game. We wait in phone queues to talk to someone at a bank or a clinic or ... let's face it: We spend a decent portion of our lives waiting in some kind of line.
What we want is quick service that keeps us from that dreaded time-wasting waiting line. Express lanes, self-checkout and online shopping help, as does paying for gas at the pump. And car dealerships have responded with some fast in-and-out services that help time-starved consumers.
You can drive into a dealership and drive out soon after in a different car or truck, new or pre-owned, of course, but that's not what most of us mean. Dealers have other fast services that fit the definition. Some dealers have rental car agencies on site, for example. And separate, well-marked areas for trucks, used cars and other services make it easy to find where you should go.
There are also oil change/lube services. Many dealers, often situated in new or remodeled facilities, offer express no-appointment lube services, usually with separate entrances. You can schedule appointments by phone or online, too.
During your brief wait, you enjoy rooms equipped with things like fireplaces, comfortable furniture, Wi-fi wireless Internet (or laptop plug-ins), large-screen TVs with cable and DVD players. You can get something to drink, something to eat, perhaps watch your kids play in an enclosed area with toys and a TV.
Meanwhile, dealer techs go through a lengthy checklist: changing oil, lubricating whatever needs it, checking and topping off fluids, examining belts and hoses and looking at everything underneath your car, including your tires, with an eye on safety. And while the subject is tires, dealers are a great one-stop shop for buying new tires, getting them rotated and having your wheels aligned.
When you get your car serviced at a dealership, you drive into clean, well-lit, enclosed write-up areas that are heated or cooled and separated from noisier work areas. If the problem goes longer than a short wait, you can get a loaner vehicle or a shuttle ride home or to work.
Doing quick service at dealerships has this advantage: techs know the ins and outs of your car when the dealership sells that make. Dealer techs are certified and trained to know the cars their dealership handles most often, and technicians also have access to the latest technical bulletins.
