Why I use the term "stealership"

[Wolfman]

I took my 03 Prius in for it's 45K service yesterday - consequently the first one that I had to pay for out of my own pocket in part due to them having to make good on an earlier mistake on the last service.

I did my usual hand them 4 bottles of Mobil 1, one only half full, and reminded the tech doing the service writeup that I wanted the 45K service done according to the list in the Prius book, and also that my tires are to be kept at 44 front, 42 rear. I also asked for one empty bottle back.

I was told it would be two and a half hours. No problem. They're feeding the customersas it's a Saturday, and I wanted to get my fill.

I go eat, watch some TV, and then wander around the lot. I decide to get more water, and find that my car is back around front already, so I go to the desk. Coincidentally, the paperwork has just been printed.

On the list - trans fluid change, EFI "system cleaning," and I'm being charged for engine oil that I supplied - and I've supplied my own oil from the first service. I end up pointing out to the cashier that the oil was supplied by me, and the trans fluid change and EFI "work" was not authorized by me as part of my car's service.

The service writer comes out and tries to explain that this is their "standard" 45k service as listed on their big board outside. I told him that I don't care about their board, and that I specifically requested that they did the service as mentioned in the book. His supervisor comes out, looks at the work order, and then snatches it off of the table. He comes back a few minutes later, visibly put out at me, and then states that he knocked $100 off of the ticket. While the cashier and I were waiting for the new paperwork to print up, his "duties" had him pass me by two or three times more, and every time, he would get beet red in the face as he stormed by. Seems that he was rather put out at being caught and stuck with eating his "extra" work.

When the service writer came back, I reminded him that I bring in my car for service not because I don't know how, but because I don't WANT to be crawling around under cars al the time, like I used to.

[jayman]

Wolfy:

Geez but THAT sucks!

Whenever I bring a vehicle in for service, I always go over *every* point and then make the service writer print out a hard copy. I make the service writer initial where it mentions "Customer must be contacted for any additional work" and I initial every line I wanted done.

I'm not sure if your local jurisdiction has that legal out in the work order. It's required here, but naturally 99% of the time the customer *never* initials it. They trust their service writer, which can be a *big* mistake.

My local Toyota dealer has no problem with that and knows I'm a "by the book" sort of person anyway. If it's not in black-and-white, don't even think about it.

Sadly, another local Toyota dealer wasn't so honest. Despite the printed work order with their initials by the "Customer must be contacted ..." they did a *lot* of extra work when they did the warranty head gasket job on my 1990 Toyota 4Runner. I even bought the d*** thing off them new too.

They did things like gear lube change all around: I had changed using synthetic lubes less than 3 months previous. Yep, the EFI "cleaning" which is usually a high-profit maker for the dealer. Even "cleaned" the HVAC.

All in all, around $400 in extra charges. I flatly refused to pay, the service writer - a young smart-a** little s*** - got all snotty, and I demanded to see the dealer manager. Oh, that young little s*** also tried to snatch away my original hard copy work order where I quite clearly initialed by "Customer must be contacted ..."

I growled at the little s*** that if he ever touched me again, I'd flatten him, then we glowered at each other as the dealer manger ran huffing over to us.

I pointed out where I had initialed to be contacted for *any* work not expressly authorized by me. The manager also tried that "discount" bulls*** and I loudly remarked to the waiting folks in the service area "Everybody watch your wallets, these characters will rip you off!." I then threatened to contact my lawyer.

The manager, then beet red, took the "updated" work order from that lying piece of s*** service writer, tore it up, and instructed the cashier to stamp "Paid In Full" on my original work order.

You really have to stick up for your rights. I'm sure there are good dealerships out there, but there are also a lot of crooks too.

[TonyPSchaefer]

almost sounds like it's neccesary to have a printed copy of the work you want done and a note indicating that you supplied the oil up front and having the service tech sign it before starting the work.

I'm a bit put off, though, that their "standard" service would deviate from the printe Toyota service plan.

[Wolfman]

There's this HUGE board on the wall where you drop of the cars. labelled every 3k miles of course. I'd hazard a guess that there is alot of "extra" stuff on at least 80% of the scheduled items. They call this their "Toyotacare" program or some such BS name. IIRC, one of these services tallies in at over $1,000!!!

The next service for my car will be at 52,500 miles. All this one entails is an oil change and tire rotation. They do these on the outside lift where I can babysit them. If it wasn't for the fact that they are the only Toyota stealership in my range of travel around the metromess, and that they are literally located 3 minutes from work, they'd be out a customer already.

Now, if they screw up the 60K service, they will be finding out what happens when I've reached the end of my rope.

Oh yeah, they also reset the damned consumption computer also. :cussing:

[Cosworth]

I only take my cars to dealerships if I have friends who work at the dealerships. Otherwise, I work on my own cars.

My mother owns an Audi and had it go through 60k service. Guess what the cost was... $600! :x And, this was for checking fluids, greasing hinges, etc. Then, they have nerve to tell us that the brake pads & rotors need to be replaced... at $710!!

Hate stealerships!

[Wolfman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cosworth\";p=\"74044)</div>

I only take my cars to dealerships if I have friends who work at the dealerships.  Otherwise, I work on my own cars.  

My mother owns an Audi and had it go through 60k service.  Guess what the cost was... $600!   :x   And, this was for checking fluids, greasing hinges, etc.   Then, they have nerve to tell us that the brake pads & rotors need to be replaced... at $710!!  

Hate stealerships![/b]

This is the first car I've ever decided to let somebody else do the maintenance on. It's more of a feeling of being too strapped for free time, and not wanting to crawl around trying to reach around under a vehicle wil low ground clearance.

But, if they cannot do the job right, I guess I'll end up going back to doing it myself.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wolfman\";p=\"74042)</div>

Now, if they screw up the 60K service, they will be finding out what happens when I've reached the end of my rope.[/b]

Wolfy:

If *that* happens ... you had better start practicing on reducing your Circular Error Probability right now.


Remember: you have to *slowly* exhale and then *gently* pull through the break-over point.

:twisted:

[Frank Hudon]

If it was my consumption screen that was re-set I'd be in jail now awaiting my court apperance on an assult charge. Or out on bail awaiting my court apperance on an assult charge. I'd be long past the end of my rope.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Post-it Note on the MFD. "Resetting the Consumption Screen will cost you $<insert service price here>!"
I'm only half kidding.

I have changed the oil in all my cars. I married my wife because she once cancelled an afternoon date with me because she felt her car was running rough and she wanted to check the gapping on her spark plugs. But when it come to the Prius, I will give it a little more time before I'm comfortable performing work on it myself. I love my car but know my limitations. I will reclaim my manhood at some later date.

[Mary Lou]

[font=Comic Sans MS:13d8f961be]When I brought my car in for my first oil change, I received a survey from Toyota in the mail for the service of my car. Fortunately, nothing went wrong and I gave them excellent ratings. I'm hoping when I bring it in for second service, I will get a survey from Toyota too. The dealership seems to be very concerned with the ratings they get. Before the survey came in the mail, someone from the dealership called to make sure everything went okay and that I was satisfied. They then mentioned that I will be getting a survey from Toyota about this trip to the Service Department and that if I wasn't going to rate them excellent, let them know, they will try to make it right. Does Toyota send these surveys out for all customers who get regular service?

Mary Lou[/font:13d8f961be]