Stealership pricing

I agree, after replacing the water pump myself, I took the $250 I saved and invested it in tools. A win-win in my book, saved $250 which gave me new tools and the satisfaction to say I did it myself.

 

Just an update.
Since I had a little free time. I inspected the 4Runner
License plate light - replacement not needed. Yeah, it's "weak" and hard to see during the day. Pretty bright at night though.
Cabin air filter - Yep, 30 seconds to pull it out. Need replacement. Ordered.
Induction cleaning - Normal - I take out the TB and use FI cleaner every 30k.
AC Refresher service - Not sure how they "powerfoam" the evaporator. I believe this is under the dash by the blower. This one is pure BS.
Tune up - Don't know how they set "timing" when it's ECU controlled. Basically a sparkplug service - Spark plugs changed at 95k.
Mass Air flow service - $150 service on a $130 sensor? Funny. Took off the MAF and blasted it with MAF cleaner. $7 can with plenty left over.
Batter inspection - Service advisor said the clamps were "corroded". Checked it, just filthy from the red grease they spray on it. Cleaned it. No corrosion whatsover.
Drive Belt - After 106K, I think it's time to be replaced - $74 OEM part - Ordered. 10 min max to get the belt off and on.
Coolant exchange - Still looks good but again after 106K, probably needs a change. Ordered.
Auto Trans flush - Most likely need a flush at this miles but $370? I've seen this for $200-250.
Drain and fill Diff - Did it at 65k with all synthetic oil (front, T-Case, Rear). Probably needed again. Ordered.
Leaking slip yoke - Inspected. Normal. No leak. They saw some old grease from when I greased the drive shafts.

So about $260 worth of parts aside from the tranny flush. Basically $500 to do a $2,500 service. Good one Puente Hills Toyota.

 

well done man.

you might to change the plugs too, that might run you another $30

 

Last week was quoted $300 to replace rear shocks on truck @ 70,000 miles. Got on eBay, found NTO (new take-off) shocks from a 2015 Silverado shipped to house for $49. Never did shocks before, watched video on youtube, I was shocked it took me only 15 minutes, I was guessing like 2 hours or something considering the labor cost of $125 per shock installed.

Before that I was quoted $585 to replace my fuel pressure regulator on my truck, they said I had to drop the fuel tank and it would take at least 4 - 6 hours. Part was $149. I found the part online for $27, unbolted the 6 bolts to my truck bed, and 3 friends and me lifted it up. Replaced the part without dropping the tank (it was on top of the tank, under the bed of the truck). Took 35 minutes, no special tools required.

What's really messed up about the fuel sensor is that while I was still at the dealership, standing at the front counter to pay the diagnostic fee (because I declined the $585 service), the tech walked up to me and said if I waited until Saturday, he'd do it at his house for only $300. Firstly, That's still about $250 more than I did it for. But more importantly, he did at AT THE COUNTER, at the dealership. That was pretty insulting that the tech would screw his employer by undercutting at his job, on the clock. No class..

 

Anytime a woman walks into a stealership , service managers be like:

 

Isn't the internet wonderful, with the freeing up of all that technical information. Years ago before the internet I wouldn't think about doing half the things I do, to me if I see something done, rather than reading how to do it, helps the most and gives me the confidence to take something on. I think the first 2 things I used the internet for was replacing a coupling that drove my washing machine and a dryer belt, both combined saved me at least $200.....ect.

I did the water pump myself and saved at least $250, so with that I bought some new tools, learn more about my Tacoma and it just gave me a great feeling inside after doing it myself.

 

Years ago yes, with the internet I would consider that playing Russian roulette, but I know the stereotype you're talking about. I think that mindset is slowly dieing out, heck one bad review on a place like Yelp can hurt business, so hopefully thats won't happen as much.

 

I hope so. I do see it every now and then pop up, but yeah its probably falling to the wayside. Some stealerships treat both sexes equally awful, gender equality!

 

And I'm wondering where the "lisence plate" is? Is it near the "license plate"? Maybe he's charging for looking for it...

 

Very true. I've been patiently learning how to service my vehicles over the past few years so when I get my wife a new 4Runner soon, I will be able to keep it in great shape, so after it's paid off, I can build SUPER CAMP 4RUNNER! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. (Insert Chris Pratt picture again).

 

I believe Yelp/Google reviews can hurt mom-n-pop businesses more than car dealerships. Look up just about any car dealer via either one of these and you'll see all kinds of reviews from 1 to 5. In spite of this, these dealerships continue to sell cars everyday.

People go shopping for new/used cars and their minds are for the most part set on one thing...price. When they're happy with that, it's over.

The things you've read about in the opening post of this thread go on all day, everyday at dealerships all over the country and it's likely not going to change anytime soon.

 

I'm not naive, but where most of the profit a dealership receives isn't from selling cars, but from the service center and think enough bad reviews do impact profits from people looking at those reviews. My point is that deceiving people (women or men) in this day in age of the internet, is a lot different than before when the only way to uncover bad business practices, was word of mouth or if it was really bad the newspapers or TV news outlet.

Just look at this thread started by the brother, whose sister was given outrageous estimates on mostly simple repairs. How many people will looking at this and be a better educated consumer, so it not just Yelp that the internet is a game changer for the dealerships.

The dealerships do provide a service and deserve to be compensated for it, but such blatantly ripping off this poor woman is reprehensible in my book and should have consequences.

 

I agree, well said and post pictures when you complete the SUPER CAMP 4RUNNER.

 

OP - have you contacted the big brass at Puente Hills Toyota?

The big mans name is Nicholas Cardin. Give him a shout. Don't waste your time crying to service mgrs.

http://www.puentehillstoyota.com/staff/assistantmanagers.htm

 

this is why im not buying a brandnew toyota anymore!!

 

Thanks but no need. Not getting any work done there even if their pricing was not comical. Sad part is that inspection was probably done by just a lube tech. I doubt an ASE certified mechanic would recommend all that.

 

To be fair, I do plan on buying a new Toyota when I'm ready. If you look at the prices of a 3 year old one, they are just a few thousand less than a brand new one. The resale, whether logical or not, is sky high.

Just like with my doctors, my restaurants, and my friends, I interview places and don't just take the first option I'm presented with. Buying a car is problematic because you're putting a LOT of emotion into a financial purchase which takes years to pay off. It's easy to get the fever, and find THE CAR at a lot where you really should be looking for the salesperson you like.

I have the benefit of a friend of mine owning a dealership. We don't always agree, and I've absolutely walked out of the service center without service before because I thought the price was too high. I let him know about it. Some of the pricing is set by the manufacturer, some of it isn't.

My father sold cars for 20 years at a Ford dealership. A good salesman sells a car. A great salesmen sells a person. When someone returns to buy their 3rd or 4th vehicle from you, you're doing it right. Anybody can dupe a guy into paying too much. But treat him fairly, be upfront, and he'll buy from you again. He'll tell his friends, he'll come back.

It's insulting to see this price sheet, because we are the small majority that understand what this work requires, how much parts cost, etc. We can slowly educate a person or two at a time. However, most people don't have time for that, and will trade that time for money. I understand there are a few of my friends who prefer it this way, and even when I offer to assist them with repairs, they still just let the techs do it. So, in that case, I feel it's my duty to at least point them at a reputable place to do business. They still spend more, but they are getting a better deal than something like we see here.

 

Rip OFF

 

+1, thye are trying to take advantage of a woman. I like the battery service. What does that involve? I think I would have wadded that paper up and asked where the nearest trash can was.

 

They said the battery service is testing the battery which can be done for free at most autoparts store or reputable service places when you get an oil change. It also involves cleaning the terminals. That's about it for $62.50.