DEALERS: THE BS NEVER STOPS!

I realize that dealer service dept. issues are a common thread here, but this story will just make you slap your head.
I have a 2011 DCSB. Early on, I had the leaf springs changed from the 3 pack to the 4 pack under the old TSB due to load impact issues.
I got the recall notice on the springs last month and called the dealer and explained about the spring change that was done and was told I had to come in to have them inspected under the recall. I was told it was a 4 hour job and left the truck yesterday in the afternoon for an AM appointment today as I needed a ride to/from the shop and this is what I could work out. I told the service writer about the spring change and he said I needed to have it inspected due to "extra brackets" being installed under the recall.
About 0730 this morning I got a text that my truck was done. I did not think anything about it being done so early as I figured that they must have worked on it last night as they are open until 7pm.
I got to the dealer today to pick up the truck and the same service writer told me "you did not have to bring in your truck as the work was already done via the spring change" and that nothing was done to the truck. I reminded him that we talked about that same thing when I brought it in, but just got a blank stare. I told him that he simply wasted my time and gas and he started to say that they did not know about the spring change, but I again told him that not only did I have the spring change done at their place, but also it is on my service record which they maintain. He had no answer.
Wait, there is more: In addition to the truck is ready text I got an email which said that two items in my "requested free inspection" (something I never asked for!) showed that they need to be replaced immediatly due to safety issues. What were these two things you ask? The wiper blades were streaking and a battery terminal has corrosion on it. Replacement of the blades and the battery cable would have cost (are you ready for this) $209.00 Nope, not kidding. I pointed out to him that the wipers were not streaking as they are fairly new and that the heavy pollen we have now will cause the issue until you use the squirter. I also told him that the battery corrosion can be fixed by cleaning the terminal/clamp and that replacing the whole cable is just a waste. He tried to defend the report by saying that "it was Toyota's wiper standard" that was the cause of the report and that cleaning of the terminals was not "found to be effective"
Wait, there is still more: He walks out with me to my car and asks that give him all tens on the customer survey! Yeah, sure

It just never ends with those knuckleheads! I am certainly no expert mechanic, but I do pity those who have no knowledge of cars and would take what they said as true.

 

If it isn't warranty work I go to an indy shop, dealerships are a joke.

 

It's crazy that people sometimes make mistakes or are ill informed.

 

Seems to be the standard at most dealerships. Want to buy a battery cable?

 

You have to realize that when dealing with a dealer's service dept., their job is to get their hand in deep your pockets.... Most of a dealer's money is made through service, not vehicle sales as some may think.


The survey..... The service guy will 'earn' more $ with higher scores.

The bottom line, they're all whores

 

Close...most money is made through PARTS, then service, then sales.

 

Good for you.

Or what? They are going to come and get you? Repo the truck? Call the po-po?

It's ok to ignore them, especially when you know what's up.

Time to find a good independent mechanic. There's nothing routine maintenance wise on your truck that needs a Toyota specialist. And for most of us, routine maintenance is all we ever need.

 

That's why you need to do all your own work. If you cant, get a pal to show you how to do basic maintenance. Have a beer and do it yourself!
The service departments job is to make as much as they can 209.00 for wipers and a battery cleaning is a joke........

 

This. Typically parts make the service dept money, service labor covers the overhead. Warranty work makes the dealer no money, so they try to make up for it by selling you some other job like battery cable replacement.

 

I once went into a motorcycle dealership to get a key for an old 1977 Kawi. The guy told me, he had the key, but recommended that it would be cheaper to go to the local locksmith that he proceeded to recommend me. I was blown away. I figured he could have gotten fired saying something like that... ha!

 

Yeah, you expect that from jon Q public but for what dealerships charge for labor and the fact that they need to know more about how to work on what they sell there and associated recalls, it's absurd, retarded & unacceptable from this consumers point of view. You can get better service at a high school automotive class for free than what you are robbed of at dealerships and that is FUBOS.

 

I've actually been kind of lucky in dealing with the service department at the Toyota dealership where I bought my truck. The service writers on several occasions have pointed out things discovered during routine inspections done while getting oil changes and the like under my extended used vehicle warranty. Sometimes it's things like the cabin air filter, or the engine air filter, or wiper blades. They have always told me that "We can do it, or you can have it done yourself. That might be cheaper."!
They really haven't tried to upsell me on anything...so far.

 

This bugs me as well. All they care about are their lame o surveys.

 

there is an inspection process that should be done to satisfy the recall. they need to inspect all the hardware and shackles etc. to see if they need to be replaced. so even though you had the springs replaced before, the recall wouldnt be satisfied untill they inspect it. this is wat should have been explained to you....they just handled it wrong.

not all of us are "whores".

 

Now this is the way a dealership should actually conduct business but unfortunately the majority of them are out to just "fuck you over" just for $$$$.
That dealership is probably in the 1% out of a 100 that seems fair and honest to the consumer/customer. This is why I do the majority of all maintenance myself.

I sure wish every Toyota dealership conducted business like this, yes you are lucky!

 

I would have shown him my middle finger and said...."this is the only number that I'm giving your fucking survey"!

I hate fucking dealerships because their main purpose to see how much they can fuck you over out of $$$$$, whether buying a vehicle, parts or service....but unfortunately you have to deal with them at some point or another.

 

Not surprised.

 

you done got ChuckleFucked by that dealer

1) the spring thing, let that pass

2) all the other crap. FU to them.

 

Nice to know that at least 1 exception to the overwhelming majority that exists....

 

And if the springs he has don't have 4 clips on them like the ones being put on now, they should be replaced again regardless of what was done yrs ago on the TSB. They should have looked at truck too, not just what computer is saying. And no one is saying the employees of the dealership are whores, they aren't the ones getting fucked by lame practices. And we are discussing this incident not every visit by every person to every dealership.