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Don't let me get ripped off by the stealership

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kingkong5, May 21, 2012.

  1. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    I have a 2006 Prius with 136k miles on it. Bought it used in 2009 with 96k miles on it when I had to commute from Orange County to Burbank everyday. Averaged over 57MPG then, because most of the freeway commute in rush hour was <40mph. I was able to get a job closer to home in 2010, and my wife took the Prius, getting 47MPG with her commute at faster freeway speeds.

    Last week, it got the dreaded red triangle/exclamation point, check engine light and the red car/exclamation point on the MFD. My wife wanted to take it to the local ethnic repair shop to save money, but I was sure I wanted to take it to the Dealership so they could deal with the warranty work first.

    Dropped it off this morning, and received a call about 2 hours later. The HV Battery needs to be replaced. He mentioned that it was going to be about $4000 for the battery, but good news, they're going to cover it for me if I'll go ahead and authorize the other items that need to be done:

    1) 12V Auxilliary battery replace: $360
    2) Water Pump & Belt: $515
    3) Throttle Body Cleaning: $140
    4) License Plate light bulb: $30

    I'm thinking that these prices are jacked up, even for Southern California. I think I can replace the battery myself for 1/3 that price, and I think the ethnic repair shop can handle a water pump and belt replacement (not sure how much that should cost though). And I can put a new light bulb on in the back, I think.

    Are any of these prices reasonable? Right now, I only authorized them to do the HV Battery under warranty and the Inverter Pump under recall. Since they have to order the battery, they said to let them know if I want the other stuff done as soon as possible, in the meantime they asked me to come pick up a loaner car for the wait until the HV Battery comes.

    Thanks for all the help! I'm thankful for Priuschat letting me know (years ago when I first bought the car) that because I'm in California and purchasing a California vehicle, the battery warranty is covered under Emissions for 150,000, not the standard 100,000.
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    ??? They are going to "cover it for you IF you authorize other repair work?"

    And then later you mention it being "warranty" work?

    Well if it is covered under an extended warranty...it's covered. They should be doing the work...without attachments..

    No ethical service department should be making "package" deals, giving you free work IF you authorize- other work.

    I just don't get the details and framework here.

    If it's work covered by either a warranty or recall...they should be doing it. PERIOD....for free under warranty or recall parameters.

    If it's not? Then they should NOT be offering you mixed package jobs...
     
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  3. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply. What I meant to say was that the way it was worded to me, they were trying to get me to authorize the other work by letting me know I wouldn't have to pay for the expensive HV Battery. I'm sure this practice might work on other people who are grateful that they don't have to pick up the $4000 battery cost.

    But since I knew that the HV Battery was covered under the CA Emissions warranty, I was prepared to say that I would still like the HV Battery replaced at no cost, but that I would hold off on deciding if I wanted them to perform the other work at this time. That is, I know that Toyota warrantees the HV Battery for 10 years/150,000 miles because I'm in California.

    But the items that they say need to be replaced, I'm sure I want to have them done, but probably not at the prices they want, do I?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ya, i think the battery is under the 10 year. 150k warranty. everything else, i'd shop around. except the license plate bulb. can't beat thirty bucks for a bulb. :)

    edit: i just paid my local mechanic to install new 12v in my 04 that i'm selling. $200. for toyota battery and 1/2 hour labor $30.
     
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  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well technically then..."They" aren't covering it for you...Toyota is covering it for you under their Hybrid Battery Warranty.

    I don't like the idea of a service department angling or presenting repair work in that manner.

    Do what you wish...but make sure you are only paying for, what you want done.

    They shouldn't be presenting Warranty or Recall work as something they are doing for you as a favor, or part of another deal.

    They shouldn't be using the failure of your HV battery as leverage for other work being done at your expense.

    If that's the wording they used? I don't like that service department.
     
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  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    All of the listed services they are proposing are good PM suggestions for a car with 136k miles. Are any of them necessary? It depends.

    1) 12V battery - if it is the original battery not a bad idea. You can purchase a replacement for about $200 and change it yourself if you are able. You can also check the battery with a voltmeter to test. If under 12V after sitting for an hour or so you need to replace.
    2) Water Pump & Belt - Chances are the belt will show signs of cracking and it would not be a bad idea to replace. While you are changing the belt it is not a bad idea to change the water pump. You can probably get it done for a lot less than $500+ but be sure to use the Toyota SLLC coolant and be sure any trapped air is bled off correctly.
    3) Throttle Body Cleaning - This is usually recommended for a car with this mileage. This is really a simple procedure that you can do yourself if mechanically inclined. A good non-Toyota mechanic should be able to do this for a lot less.
    4) License Plate Bulb - not a bad price.

    My two cents worth :)
     
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  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    1) A Prius battery lists for fairly high dollars
    Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 +
    is $165 after rebates, some threads here talk about $125 at certain stores. If you had the simple do it yourself skills for this replacement, your license plate light will be under $2 at the same stores.
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...6-optima-yellow-top-125-99-free-shipping.html
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/105272-151-optima-battery-free-shipping.html
    2) I would search Prius chat for recalls, but you want this done. That part of your warranty may be done. The recall is the inverter water pump.
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...call-alert-2004-2007-inverter-water-pump.html

    3) This is more involved as a do it yourself project. (but it is detailed on PriusChat) They seem to be billing you for 2 hours.
    TB cleaning
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...leaning-mass-airflow-sensor-instructions.html
    4) I think they are billing for a half hour, perhaps the smallest increment their system allows
     
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  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Just for clarification on my 4 cents worth. I'm not saying the work the dealership is presenting may NOT need to be done. Or even that the prices are fair or unfair.

    The work may indeed be prudent. The prices may be fair enough.

    But trying to pressure a customer into authorizing that work, based on an unfair representation of warranty or recall work, is ethically wrong IMO.
     
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  9. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    So much help, so fast! Thanks so much for your replies. Yeah, it left a bad taste in my mouth that the service guy would even attempt to link the warranty work as their goodwill, in an attempt to get me to agree to the additional work. I believe that the additional work is necessary, but not at those prices. I'm not sure if I should have expected more; when I've dealt with Lexus service before I didn't feel such pressure on the upsell.

    I'm going to go ahead and order the Optima battery to put it in myself. I have a Schumacher battery charger, would that work to keep power on the system while I swap out the battery? I'm not sure what things get erased when the power is cut off, if it's only the radio presets then I don't really care, but if the charger works to keep the memories alive during the swap that should be easy to do.

    The water pump for the inverter will be completed under warranty for me at the dealership. They also said the water pump and belt for the engine needs to be replaced. I'll take it to the Toyota specialist place nearby that will do it with Toyota fluid and parts for a little bit cheaper. Thanks for the heads up on the SLLC fluid. I'll have them do the throttle body cleaning too.

    I'm going to switch out the license plate bulbs to LED's. I think the bulb costs $5, I'll buy a few extra and install them in the dome light.

    yay! So after this is all said and done, I'll have a new HV Battery and the car will be good for another 136k miles, hopefully!
     
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  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Totally agree. Since you did such a good job of addressing this part of his post I concentrated on the repairs :)
     
  11. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    My frugality gets the better of me sometimes though. I know it's bad form to do what the dealership attempted to do, and luckily I knew better. On the other hand, they need to eat, too.

    When you go to the supermarket, they sometimes price low items, but raise the prices on others so that at the end they make some kind of profit. Is the service at the dealership not the same? That is, am I doing something bad by going to them for the warranty service on the HV Battery and the recall notice for the inverter water pump, but going elsewhere or DIY for the other maintenance? I remember when Ralph's had whole untrimmed tri-tip on sale for $1.97/pound; I don't want to be like that guy in front of me who cleared out the meat case of tri-tip.

    I don't think I'm being that guy since I'm assuming the dealership gets money to do the HV Battery and recall work, so they can get by on this transaction even if I don't participate in the other maintenance. But do we have to throw them a bone so they can stay in business?
     
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The water pump and to a lesser degree the throttle body, are really mechanical. The battery and license plate light are simple plug-ins by comparison.
    I know I would have a mechanic do the water pump.
    I would feel better about a mechanic doing the throttle cleaning.
    I feel the battery will be just as easy for me to do.
    I have done the bulbs my self every time I found them, if the dealer finds them I let them fix em.
     
  13. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    To an extent, yes, because warranty work generally pays 1/3 less (for labor times) than customer-pay work. If dealers only got warranty work and no customer-pay work, it may be difficult to stay in business.

    If you are trying to build a relationship with the dealer, then throwing them some profitable work occasionally goes a long way towards building that relationship. However, if you have no plans to return to that dealer, then it's a moot point.

    Regardless, I am glad that you got the matter resolved. But I am very disturbed that your HV battery died at 136k in a very mild climate and mostly highway driving. :eek:
     
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  14. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    Well, the dealership had me go back yesterday to get authorized for a rental car. They said the last time they had to order a traction battery, it took 18 days to be delivered so they don't know how long it may take. That's fine with me I guess, I wasn't even expecting a free rental car while they kept mine.

    But I got my rental car, which is a newish Corolla. I kind of like it, small and revvy. Unfortunately it smells like someone smoked in it then sprayed a bunch of cheap perfume in it. I mean, as I was using it last night I was thinking how much this reminded me of cheap stripper smell. And that's not really pleasant.

    Is it weird to call them back today and ask for a different car? I don't want to be a pest, but I'm not sure I want to drive around smelling of cheap stripper for the next 3 weeks. And if I do call them to exchange are they going to stick me in a (blech) Yaris or Aveo?
     
  15. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    If you aren't happy with the car ask for an exchange. Toyota is paying for it so it really doesn't matter. Ask what non-smoking car is available. If one isn't available immediately you should be able to reserve it.
     
  16. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338498902.380155.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338498920.398279.jpg

    My Optima yellow top came shipped ti my door. The box was a little beat up and upon opening I saw the black terminal cover had fallen off and the terminal was bent. Should this get sent back to advance auto parts or do I just try to bend it back?
     
  17. RobertK

    RobertK Member

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    Let Advance know what happened immediately. Save the box and all of the packaging until you receive instructions regarding return or disposal. Don't try to straighten the post, since you might make the situation worse. It looks like there is now an open space around the post that can leak now or in the future.

    Advance should ship you another battery at no additional cost and file a damage claim against the carrier. From the pictures, it looks like the box was dropped with the terminals down. The carrier may claim that the product was not adequately packed for shipment (and they may have a case), but that is between the carrier and Advance.

    I beleive that Advance may stock this battery in their stores now. If so, you might be able to exchange it, if you are near one.

    At least they are shipping fresh batteries...
     
  18. kingkong5

    kingkong5 Junior Member

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    I'm in SoCal and there isn't one around here, so I'll write them to ask. I guess I won't try to fix it myself and make it worse. Thanks!
     
  19. RobertK

    RobertK Member

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    There is a toll-free customer service number on your receipt. Call them today and tell them what happened. You can email them the pictures if they need anything else. With damage claims, you are better off reporting problems sooner than later, so the carrier can't claim that you damaged it and are just trying to blame them.
     
  20. Mike Mc

    Mike Mc '16 Prius 4, '13 Prius 3

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    I wouldn't necessarily say it was the carrier (UPS,FEDEX) the way that Advanced packages the batteries is somewhere south of horrible. Mine came and the box had holes all in it from the battery posts, fortunately there was no damage and the battery tested fine. The box the battery was shipped in was 1.5X's too big and the only packing was a few air pillows. I talked to A/A about this and they said they would address it.