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Main Battery Failure - 07 103k - Cert. used car. - Fair treatment?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jdjoe_97, Sep 14, 2012.

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  1. jdjoe_97

    jdjoe_97 Junior Member

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    Ok.... been thinking on this. What is the chance that a bad 12V battery would cause a misdiagnosis on the main drive battery? Since I did not buy the car new, only as a used certified car, I don't know the age of the 12V battery. Is there a code that would or would not be present if so? Just throwing something out there, I do not have the codes yet from the dealer, but this crossed my mind today. If it's not possible, than ok.. just curious. Thanks for all the comments.
     
    #21 jdjoe_97, Sep 16, 2012
  2. jdjoe_97

    jdjoe_97 Junior Member

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    Folks, bit of positive news today. The parts guy at the servicing dealer finally figured out he was charging me a core charge of $1350 to arrive at his battery price. Will find out tommorow the final repair estimate after the $1350 reduction in parts cost.
     
    #22 jdjoe_97, Sep 17, 2012
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Not likely, but worth checking ($200 + 1/2 hour versus $1400 + whatever). Put your own voltmeter on the jump point and see what the 12V battery reads with the car OFF, first with headlights off and then on.
     
    #23 richard schumacher, Sep 18, 2012
  4. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    I do not think that this is so cut and dry. First off there is likely something going on behind the scene. My guess is that had you gone to the less expensive dealer first you would have been offered less by Toyota and the rep. My guess is that they are looking at actual cost of parts and labor and your out of pocket cost in either case would be a function of these costs.

    The second thing that comes to mind is are you sure that the 2 estimates are for exactly the same thing - the battery is the big part, but are all of the other bits and pieces that dealer 1 are replacing the same as dealer 2. Dealer 1 has seen the car and their estimate might have more work scoped out. If you have both have you compared them?

    The last thing - I think that you just need to stop over-thinking it. Based on everything I think that the deal that dealer 1 offered with the help from Toyota and the rep is fair. I think that you need to be happy with the bottom line number and realize that it is likely that while the top line cost from dealer 2 would have been less that the net cost to you would likely would not have changed much.

     
    #24 stevemcelroy, Sep 19, 2012
  5. jdjoe_97

    jdjoe_97 Junior Member

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    Update - Thank you for all who commented. The result came yesterday, as the servicing dealer called me indicated he has made a mistake on the parts quote, and finally agreed with the parts guy. Long story, but the MSRP included a $1350 core charge that he was not aware of and took quite sometime to be convinced of. He adjusted his estimate, Toyota - National Cust. Care reviewed and upheld thier offer for asistance. The servicing dealer apologized and indicated he had overcharged two or three other people on the battery replacement and he would be refunding them the core credit as well. He said my repair would be taken care of 100% between the Toyota assistance and his dealership. He also mentioned that Toyota planned to issue a bulletin to dealers to clarify the part pricing. I want to point out to all that I was not after a free repair at all. I simply could not move forward with the quote that was unexplainably and significantly higher than the next closest five dealers.

    stevemcelroy - Quote from all dealers pertained to the battery only, no additional parts, and installation, that was confirmed from the start.

    He called this afternoon, and the car is ready to pick up, will get it Friday.
     
    #25 jdjoe_97, Sep 19, 2012
    usnavystgc, Patrick Wong and cwerdna like this.
  6. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    So you got a free repair and a new HV battery in the end? Congrats!
     
    #26 2009Prius, Sep 19, 2012
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    If so, that's awesome!
     
    #27 cwerdna, Sep 19, 2012
  8. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    OK finally a happy ending. Toyota stealers sometimes still good.
     
    #28 ahmeow, Sep 19, 2012
  9. jdjoe_97

    jdjoe_97 Junior Member

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    I want to say I confirmed yes, they're still are some honest OEM dealers in the country. I can tell you of a few in Northern Indiana and one in East/Central Ohio.

    2009Prius - Yes 100% covered repair.
     
    #29 jdjoe_97, Sep 19, 2012
    usnavystgc, 2009Prius and cwerdna like this.
  10. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    Very good. Keep enjoying the nice car.:)
     
    #30 ahmeow, Sep 19, 2012
  11. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    This is just one more positive example of how Toyota stands by its product. Great story and great ending. Thanks for sharing...

    And... to answer the question in your subject line, Yes, more than fair treatment.
     
    #31 usnavystgc, Sep 20, 2012
  12. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Wow, that's a great outcome jdjoe! :)

    What's the bet that either the dealer or Toyota cooperate caught wind of this thread. ;)
     
    #32 uart, Sep 21, 2012
  13. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    Happy to hear that it worked out. I went back and read your original post and you did say that you were comparing just battery cost so sorry for that. But in essence the issue was that the 2 estimates were not the same and was not an apples to apples comparison. I do not know how they write up the estimate for this, but the $15 core credit does show up on the paperwork from Sears when you buy a battery there so it is hard to believe that a $1350 credit gets netted out and left off of the paperwork from the dealership though companies do have a number weird ways of accounting for things.

     
    #33 stevemcelroy, Sep 21, 2012
  14. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    I wonder how many other dealers owe a core charge back to a Prius owner?
     
    #34 John H, Sep 21, 2012
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