I've heard the complaints of bad service from some people, but I have to give up a story of good service.
I am on a cross country trip with my new S2000. I'm just at the 6000km/3750 mile point. So I thought I would get my car's first oil change done at a dealer.
I'm only stopping for a short time here in Edmonton, so I decided to call around. Yellowhead Honda gave me the "need an apointment, and the earliest is a week from now." Also, oil changes there cost $35.
Called Alberta Honda (97 St and Yellowhead Highway). The service guy says, bring it on in, if you could do it by 10 am, that would be best. Quotes $30 for the oil change.
Jump in the car (after checking the FAQ and threads on oil changes... do not let them lower the car onto the oil catch basin) and drive down to the dealership.
Looks like a good place to get the car taken care of, but looks can be deceiving. The parts girl, Bonnie, takes my info, key and tells me where I am in the line up. The time it takes me to walk around the dealership, look at a car or two and walk back out to my car, the mechanic is walking over to bring mine into the shop. Full clean covers on the floor and seat, careful drive into the bays (and the mechanic knew to push the Start button!) and set up for the change.
They let me walk on into the service area to watch my car being serviced. The mechanic is careful and respectful of my car. I also do a little watching of the other mechanics. They all seem to be taking good care of all the cars, Civic, Preludes, Accords, whatever.
The car is up on the hoist and oil is draining. The mechanic checks everything under the car while waiting for the oil to drain. A new oil filter, drain plug back on, and down comes the car. Drop the 5 litres of oil in, and heaven of heavens, the mechanic checks everything in the engine compartment - hoses, belts, fluids. Tops up the washer fluid, double checks the hoist bars are clear and takes the car out of the bays.
Efficient and competent work all round.
I go to pay, and ask the price on an oil filter and washer to go, just in case I need one on the road. They quote $9. I get two, double just in case, and they bring them out. I look at the bill and it looks too low. Ask Bonnie, and she says the oil filters are being sold at the "oil and filter change" price of $7.
Not anything too big, just very good service, and taking care of the customer.
They made me feel like I was valuable to them, and that they would want me as a customer.
Onwards into the open road, next stop, British Columbia.

 

Thanks for the morning lift.