As General Manager of Land Rover Marin, I often hear from customers who are weighing their options between purchasing a vehicle directly from a dealership or using an auto broker. While auto brokers may seem like an attractive shortcut, I want to take a moment to clarify the reality of both options-so you can make an informed decision.
The Myth of "Car Intelligence" and Hidden Broker Fees
In today's digital age, many consumers consider themselves experts when it comes to purchasing a car. They think using an auto broker will save them both time and money. The truth, however, is quite different. Auto brokers typically charge a fee ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for their services, which are passed directly to you, the consumer. That's money you could save by handling the purchase yourself.
With the advancements in the internet and AI, the car-buying process is easier than ever. From detailed make and model comparisons to transparent pricing, color options, financing, and leasing, you have everything you need at your fingertips. There's no longer any need to outsource this important decision-making process when the tools you need to make an informed choice are so readily available.

What Auto Brokers Offer (and What They Don't)
While auto brokers may be appealing to those who find the car-buying process overwhelming, they come with a significant catch. According to Capital One, brokers can add an additional $1,500 to $2,000 in fees, covering inspection and delivery costs that often go unnoticed until after the event.
Another important consideration is that brokers don't own the vehicles they source. As a result, you miss out on the opportunity to test drive, inspect, or assess the condition of the car in person before committing the purchase. This means that you might not be able to spot potential mechanical or cosmetic issues until it's too late.

What Dealerships Offer That Brokers Can't
At Land Rover Marin, we believe in offering you a comprehensive and transparent car-buying experience. Here's what we provide that brokers simply cannot:
• On-Site Inventory: You can test drive the vehicle you're interested in today-no need to wait or make compromises.
• In-House Financing and Leasing Options: Our dedicated finance team works with you to find the best rates and terms, all in one place.
• Trade-In Evaluations: Get an instant trade-in evaluation with no obligation, right here at the dealership.
• Certified Warranties and Service Options: Benefit from exclusive warranties and service packages available only through an authorized dealership.
• Instant Delivery: Drive away with your new vehicle the same day-no delays, no waiting.
According to Chase Bank, dealerships like ours often own their inventory, allowing us to work directly with manufacturers and financial institutions. This streamlines the process, enabling us to provide you with quicker transactions, more flexibility, and often better value from start to finish.

Simple Price - Simple Process: A Smarter Way to Buy
To make the car-buying process even easier, Land Rover Marin offers our Simple Price - Simple Process approach. Here's how it works:
• No Haggling: We are doing research for you. Our team regularly checks market prices 2-3 times per week to ensure you get the lowest possible price upfront-no negotiation required.
• Fair, Transparent Pricing: Everyone pays the same price, eliminating surprises and ensuring a fair, pressure-free experience for all customers.
• One Point of Contact: From selecting your vehicle to final delivery, one expert will guide you through the entire process. No confusion, no bouncing around from department to department.
• Flexibility to Shop In-Store or Online: Whether you prefer to visit us in person or complete your purchase from the comfort of your home, we cater to your needs.
Our approach is rooted in trust, transparency, and simplicity. No hidden fees. No games. Just a straightforward, seamless process that ensures you get the right car at the right price.

Bottom Line
While auto brokers may offer convenience, they come at a steep price-often adding thousands of dollars in hidden fees and depriving you of the ability to test, negotiate, or drive off the lot immediately. A dealership, particularly one that offers a Simple Price - Simple Process model, gives you transparency, flexibility, and a far more rewarding overall experience.
Don't pay more with a broker-let Land Rover Marin make your car-buying experience simple, smart, and stress-free.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need help finding your perfect Land Rover. We're here to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Warm regards,
Bret Feasel

 

Auto Repair and Maintenance Service at Marin Luxury Cars vs Independent Garage

Many consumers think and feel that they get the best value from Independent garages vs. utilizing the franchise Dealerships like Jaguar Land Rover Marin. I am going to give you a few options and things to think about before making your decision or before you make your next service appointment for your Jaguar or Land Rover.
HOURLY RATE: At an independent garage, you may find listed (posted) a low dollar amount for labor, such as $195.00 an hour. At Jaguar Land Rover Marin in Corte Madera, CA you might see a, hourly charge $245.00 (example only), but you may be paying more at the Independent. On the outside it appears the independent garage will do the work for less, or it seems? Here are some examples to help you decide:
FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIANS at Jaguar Land Rover Marin in Corte Madera, CA:
All Jaguar Land Rover Marin Service employees go through factory training all year round, in fact dealerships pay $135k + per year (depending on the size of the shop) just for training, ask the independent how much they spend per year? Dealerships train so that their techs can spot, diagnoses and find the issue quickly (also a requirement by the manufactures), saving you time which saves you money (hourly rate). Example: The independent finds the issue and fixes it in 3 hours at $195.00 per hour, or $585.00. Marin Luxury Cars factory trained technicians find the issue and fixes in 2 Hrs (he is trained/knows where to look for issue) at $245.00 per hour which equals $490.00! Quicker, faster because we know what to look for. Jaguar Land Rover Marin techs only work on our brands = experts. Independent techs must know how to work of all brands = less experienced and slows down diagnostic.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER FACTORY ISSUED CERTIFIED TOOLS:
You can use the same scenario above as far as tools required, dealers spend $175k + on special tools required to fix the vehicles quicker and more efficient. The best tools allow for the best work performed. Again, experts are faster and more efficient.
FACTORY or OEM PARTS:
Jaguar Land Rover Marin must use the most updated factory parts, they are at times more expensive, but they are manufactured better and stand up to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications. The OEM parts are the best because they have been tested and the manufacturers stand behind the vehicle and the parts for 4 years or 50k miles; they must be the best. Independents buy off-brand (sometimes the old, outdated OEM parts - obsolete by the manufactures) or even used parts; parts cost less but do not last as long or in some case, will not allow the vehicle to perform and its best. Off brand parts (non OEM) or used parts are usually not under warranty, and when they fail, Independents will not warranty their labor they charge to replace them.  Jaguar Land Rover Factory OEM parts can get updated yearly and sometimes monthly; the new “updated” (or better) part is used by Marin Luxury Cars to fix an issue thus giving the consumer the best available parts option. The older, out dated parts get sold off by the original suppliers to parts houses and discount retail outlets once the manufactures have deemed these parts obsolete (or inferior).  Have your dealership service department put the best and most updated part (Factory OEM parts) in your Jaguar or Land Rover to have peace of mind = less time, less expensive.
REGULAR MAINTINANCE or SERVICE/REPAIR BY JAGUAR LAND ROVER MARIN = EXTENDED VALUE:
When you save money (or think you did) by servicing at the independent garage, you have no recourse if you have an issue after your new vehicle warranty expires. If you service regularly and within the guidelines required by the manufacturer (by Jaguar land Rover Marin) and the part fails, Marin Luxury Cars in Corte Madera, CA can recommend or suggest that you get a discount or “goodwill” (no charge to the consumer) by the manufacturer.  If a part fails after the original warranty expires, and you have service history by an authorized dealer, the manufacturer can (and usually does) step up and repair at a discount or at no cost to the consumer (even if there is no warranty left). If you service through an independent, you have no way of getting help from the manufacture (this alone is good enough value to service at the dealer). The factory will stand behind you, or at least, offer some sort of goodwill.
We look forward to seeing you at Jaguar Land Rover Marin.
Bret Feasel, General Manager
Marin Luxury Cars
Jaguar Land Rover Marin

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