The truth about "free labour" car service deals

Get $1,500 of labour on a list of car services for only $149. Sounds like a good deal, almost too good. Keep reading to learn the truth.
There is a knock on your door from a person selling a discount card on behalf of a car repair franchise. The discount card gives you $1,500 of labour on a set list of car repairs for only $149. You think it can't be right, there must be a catch. The salesperson insists it is a special introductory offer, only available for a short time and there is only a limited number of these discount cards available. The sales person tells you that the franchise workshop wants you to give them a try and that is why the deal is so amazing. Do you believe the salesperson? Do you buy the discount card?
Before you answer, know the truth. I have seen quite a few customer invoices from these discount labour cards and the labour for the listed services is indeed free. Its the services that are not listed the price of parts you need to be aware of. The term "padding" comes to mind when I see these invoices. Commonly there are extra services not covered (and usually not needed ) by the discount card and in almost every case all the part prices are seriously inflated. I have seen prices charged for air filters and fuel filters for example, at more than double the recommended retail price of the part, not forgetting the workshop buys at a trade price.

The end result is while you get the labour free with the discount card, you pay much more on the parts and extra services. When I have done a price comparison on these invoices, I have found that paying for the labour and being charged the recommended retail price for the parts worked out less expensive in a lot of cases. 

As for the limited introductory offer, well they will be back in your area in about 3 months, with the same spiel. So is it good value? Are you really getting the labour for free? Would you buy it?

Have you bought and used one of these discount cards? Share your experience with us, be it good bad or indiferrent.