Well, I guess it depends what you think your time is worth. If you make big money and have very limited free time, I could see paying high labor rates and overpaying for parts. But, if you don't have money burning a hole in your pocket and you're not short on time, why not turn a wrench and be smart by ordering your parts from an online seller.

The thing is, I doubt any of us commenting on this thread are looking to open a shop. We're commenting from our perspective as DIYers not looking to get bent over at a dealership. I don't give a shit that a dealership or shop has high operation costs. My local dealer's labor rate is $200/hour. I don't make anywhere close to $200 hour so it's a no-brainer for me to the avoid the dealership service department like the plague. Maybe the mechanics and other employees at these dealerships aren't making much money but I can guarantee the folks at the top are probably rolling in doe.

To each his own. People like me enjoy doing their own wrenching more than just for the money savings. The learning, the challenge, the sense of accomplishment, and the knowledge the job was done right are other reasons why I choose do do my own wrenching.