At the Nissan dealer I work for (for 2 more weeks) we always help the service customer out when we feel it is reasonable to do. However, if you're not buying cars here or doing preventative maintenance/recommendations, don't expect any goodwill warranty claims or hook ups on price.

Dealerships often have a huge bottom line, which is why they are so much more expensive, plus they are using factory parts, but you already know this.

O, and just because a professional mechanic can do a 10 hour job in 5, doesn't mean he shouldn't be payed 10 hours. A technician shouldn't be punished because he got the job done faster than some joe blow down the street could. That's why he is a professional tech. I've had many cars towed in to my shop because the first guy who is much cheaper couldn't fix it right and fucked it up worse, now it will cost the customer three times as much, plus a tow bill, when they could have had it done right the first time with a warranty on parts and labor. I'm not knocking the independant guy, and dealerships prices can be crazy on service, but they are more expensive for a reason. Better techs, better service/support, and an overall easier experience, at least that is the idea, and what we try to do here.