DEALERS: THE BS NEVER STOPS!

^^sure looks like it here.

 

I feel for the uniformed and especially women that take their vehicles to the dealer for service. The dealers are just licking their chops when they see them. I expect the streaking wiper ploy at safety inspection stations. It is their way to make some extra money. I learned to replace my kids wipers and, when I was married ,my wife's. Funny every time they get an inspection they are told their wipers are bad but never myself.

 

I don't think that is "all" they care about. The business has just made the service writers livelyhood depend on getting high marks on the survey AND upselling to the customers at the same time. Hard to strike a balance.

 

They wanted to do a "battery service", $60 for a little baking soda job which I just did this year when installing a brand new battery. They also wanted to change my cabin air filter for $60...I think I paid $6 online last year, but haven't bothered changing it because the whole AC system is filled with mildew and the filter doesn't make a bit of difference.

 

I get the BS from both dealers and Indy shops. Recently went to a well known private shop. Spotless and well run. Only went to get an inspection. 45 minutes later guy comes over and sits down with me...tells me my front struts are leaking oil and my engine oil pan is leaking because someone used somekind of brass plug.

Well...its pretty obvious to anyone who would look under my truck that I spray the undercarriage with oil for corrosion protection. Its everywhere. I told him the Bilsteins are fine and the brass plug is a Fumoto drain plug. Gave me a dumb stare like "really". He probably didnt think I knew squat about my vehicle being I was a new customer. Dumb fuck trying to sell me something I did not need. Man I feel bad for people who dont know jack about cars. Auto repair is such a scam these days.

 

I recently bought my used (4k miles) tacoma from a dealership. When I bought it I had requested for them to make me a second key (since it costs about $100...). I paid a lot for a 2011, figured they would make me one no problem. They said no, but of course that was after I bought it and they handed over a single key. They ALSO gave me the truck with less than half a tank of gas.

However, I noticed they respond to EVERY review on google reviews. So I gave them two stars and explained the above (also they advertised the truck with O/D, which it does NOT have). The sales manager PROMPTLY called me asking to make it right. Suddenly he wants to give me another key and fill up my gas tank...

 

A while ago, I was sitting in the waiting room of a major dealership and I asked this very elderly women what they were doing to her car? She told me she came in for a tire rotation, and was sold on a brake job that was going to cost her $3,500+. She also told me that her husband who recently passed away used to take care of all the automotive issues.

 

These dealers are a rip off! I called Toyota of Wilmington the other day to find out if they had the shell for my key fob (little bit on the end broke off). Still works just fine. Only it won't stay on my key ring. Service department told me that they don't make just the shell. Would have to sell me a new fob and charge me to reprogram it. Grand total of 202 dollars for parts and labor.
I said no thanks! Went straight to Amazon and ordered two genuine fob shells for under 15 dollars. Two days later (thanks free Prime shipping) my fobs were in. Five seconds later I had switched out the shells.
Some poor uninformed person may have believed the dealer and paid over 200 for one fob! Highway robbery for sure.

 

I had the same thing happen for my Camry a few years back, and solved it the same way.

Sometime later I had to buy a new fob (tip - don't leave your keys in your pocket when going swimming), I handled the programming myself using instructions found online. it was a strange process of button pushing, key turning, etc., but better than paying the dealer to do it.

 

i guess i'm in the minority here. i can't speak as to how my dealership treats everyone but they treat me very well. i've never changed the oil in my scion myself.i bought it there used with 15k on the odometer. at 185k they said they would like to check it for an oil consumptio n issue. it failed. at 190k they rebuilt the shortblock free i did opt to have the upper end recond but that was my idea. they never try to sell me on anything they let me know if they find something and i fix it. they treat me faifly and respectfully and with the 4 toyotas i've bought in the last 6 years i'm in there all the time for something. i recently drove in with my wife in her not quite 2 year old rav when the serv manager saw me he ran out and asked what was wrong i showed him my issue he took pics said he'd be in touch 2 days later he called said the part was there bring it in and they'd fix it. i can't say enough about them to the good. i guess i'm either rare or lucky

 

Casper66, you say your vehicle "failed the oil test" and the dealer "rebuilt your short block free"???
I feel I have stepped into an alternate universe. Who is this mythical dealer?

 

What kind of warranty exists that would cover a 185K mile vehicle?

 

Lifetime powertrain warranty......now widely available from dealers on new and certified used vehicles

 

i went in for an oil change at 185k and laghingly told my service writer that i had toadd oil for the first time between services. he told me toyota was having an oil consumtion issue in a certain series of engines, camry, scions,etc. and that they'd like to do a test. they changed the oil then sealed the filler and drain to make sure they weren't tampered with, had me drive it for 1100-1200 miles then bring it back in for a check. it failed taking just over 2 quarts to refill. they said they were ordering parts and would let me know when they came in but it would be a little while. when i expressed my suprise that toyota would do such a thing they said they had been even replacing short blocks in cars up to 300k. all work would be performed at no charge to me and a loaner vehicle provided. i asked for a quote on having the head recond a new timing chain and water pump. at $1600 i went ahead and did it labor was covered, except for the head recon, by having the lower end work done. the car runs like a top and hopefully get another 200k out of it. it is battlefield toyota in va. and they are great to deal with. but i can only speak for myself.

 

Gimmicky. That is unless you like bringing your car to a dealer for every single maintenance item. Skip one or go to the wrong dealer and you are shit of luck.

 

Not looking to start a pissing contest, but that's not exactly true. The small print, see #3

 

Oh gotcha. I must have been looking at a different warranty provider. Some of them make you go to the dealer. The one you quoted above is definitely a better deal.

 

"Some of them make you go to the dealer"


Not in the US they cannot force it.

that warranty in the pic is the way it is in the USA

here is where 'as long as you keep records' no dealership, manufacturer, or OEM warranty provider can
force you to use 'their system' to retain warranty...but you have to keep accurate records that is mandatory.

if you have a non-OEM warranty (some third party warranty not from toyota) then you just signed
all your rights away and they could say you need to spin three times and hit yourself with eggs to
get the warranty...you'd have to do it

but dealerships and toyota ? nope, use your own stuff and keep excellent records and you are covered.
but you MUST follow ALL the maintenance intervals in the maintenance manual to the letter


example of following the manual:
say you have a greaseable slip joint and want to lube the
prop shafts with one type of grease, and later on you haz driveshaft issues

specification:
Spider Gear: Lithium base chassis grease NLGI No. 2

Slide Yoke & Double Cardan Joint: Molybdenum disulphide lithium base chassis grease NLGI No. 2

if you did not use moly in the slip or cardan, and you have excessive play in the slip or cardan, won't be covered.

 

You have to check out the warranty's offered by warrantyforever.com. My head exploded after reading about them, and from what I have read they are very popular for whatever reason.

 

so the dealer is now a rip off b/c they cant sell you something that Toyota doesnt offer?!?! ok