I had ANOTHER terrible dealership experience...

...second time I've taken my vehicle in for service, second time I've had to throw a fit to get anything taken care of. This doesn't even include the horse shit I had to sift through just to buy the damn thing. Somebody open up a new Toyota dealership close by, please?

First visit, 5k service. Ask for the rear spring TSB to be performed, I was told no problem. I showed up, was told they'd have to inspect it first, was told no, proceeded to fight them all day, parts were finally ordered. Had to bring the truck back to get the springs installed, picked up my truck and drove off just to realize the bottom bolt holding the drivers side strut did not have the bolt tightened...at all! Was a thread or two from falling off. (extended story posted awhile back)

Second visit, 10k service. Briefly before my 10k service the airbag light came on and I've had the WORST case of chirping blower for the last 2k miles. The first and second setting on the blower is unusable at this point, and now the third setting will chirp every once in awhile. My 'best friend' at the dealership tells me he already ordered the replacement fan and some anti rattle kit, wouldn't be in until Monday. I get a call later on and they tell me the code for the airbag light is front left collision sensor, so my truck must have been in an accident/fender bender and it isn't covered under warranty. I call back and they tell me that they can't find any evidence of an accident ('cause there was never one!), but that it was probably from when my passenger seat was removed to install the stereo...which I installed and never removed the seat for! Let alone the light came on a month or two after the stereo was installed. I calmly explained to them the seat was not removed, and I did not understand how removing a passenger seat would set off a drivers side front end sensor. Nobody can explain to me the reasoning either, but it isn't going to be covered under warranty. It will cost $95 to reset the light, but I was told to rest assured because I was only paying for one hour of labor when it would take 3...3 hours to reset the light? I was told if it was to be done right, it would take that long. I hung up, took some time to think about it, called a couple of other places, talked it over, got mad, got angry, got upset, got frustrated, got sad, took a deep breath and called back. I finally got them to check it out with warranty and I also got to speak with the tech. He informed me that possibly sliding the seat back to the fullest setting could set off a sensor...to which my response was "do I need to be afraid anytime somebody adjust the seat in my truck? Should I probably put a sign on my dash?" After that I reminded him of the last time I came in and they sent me on my way with a truck they neglected to put together. He immediately found a way to get it covered under warranty! MAGIC!! They also found out my truck already has the updated blower motor, and they found an anti rattle kit in stock! Everything was done!!!

HAHAHA!! Now for the good part: I pick up my truck, it takes 40 mins for them to find my paperwork, wash the truck and deliver it to me (mind you, I was called earlier and told it was finished!). My 'best friend' drives around and immediatly asks me for a favor. He wants me to call Toyota Service to request a solution for the fan, BECAUSE IT STILL CHIRPS, JUST AS BAD! I was told there was nothing more that could be done. I told him if I drive away and the chirp is still there that I would call back, and he told me there is no use because he couldn't do anything else. But if I called Toyota and asked some questions because "obviously you're good at that type of stuff" (a stab at how i've thrown a fit every time he's seen me) maybe they could help.

Has to be the worst dealer ever....ya? Mind you, I bought the truck from this guy. He couldn't close the deal because he didn't know what he was doing and I kept pressuring him. He had to get the sales manager to come out and make the deal with me. I tried getting a hold of him about a couple of questions and he 'no longer worked there anymore.' Only to find out a couple weeks later he's in service and is now my service adviser. At this point we have a hate hate relationship...but so far I can honestly say I'm in the right every time I've pressed any issues.


phew, sorry for the rant. If you read this, thank you. I'll make another post about the chirp...but any ideas?

JER

 

So, what exactly is the problem? Chirping blower motor, or friendship advice?

 

That's some pretty awful service...sheesh.

 

I been a member of BMW M3 Forum for many years. We call the Dealership the Stealership! Go figure

 

Sorry brother- but the saying "Fool me once, Shame on you...Fool me twice. Shame on me"

They proved they suck at service but you took your truck back there...I'm surprised you expected anything different. Sorry to hear it's been a pain. Good luck getting everything fixed...and when you call Toyota to get them to fix the blower..make sure you do a "customer survey" or whatever on the dealership.

 

I've noticed something.... when I'm happy with the service I get an email to fill out a survey.... When I'm NOT happy, amazing, I get no survey.....

 

PREVIOUS PART NUMBER
87103-04040
NEW PART NUMBER
87103-04041
Motor Sub-assy, Blower w/Fan

Listed above is the old blower motor number and the new blower motor number. Does your paperwork show the correct motor?

 

That's why I don't really let on how I feel to the writer. I'll call a parts/service manger in their office to complain and then call Corporate with comments.

Like the parts manager who is going to hear from me on Monday- It's been 3 weeks since I ordered a single nut...Still not here.

 

Thing is, I don't let on... I don't get "upset" until I'm down the road after thinking about it

 

If i was on bad terms with the service guy at the dealer, I'd find another solution, drive out of the way to another dealer or something, because that sounds similar to being on bad terms with the wait staff at your favorite restaurant, who knows what they may be doing to your truck/food when it is out of your sight. Just wouldn't trust them to take good care of me, and/or not screw with me. Hard enough to get good service from people you have no history with, or even are on good terms with.

 

It's obvious judging by how your first visit went, that you shouldn't let these guys come near your truck. Loose bolt? that's a safety issue and is unacceptable. My advice to you is, go to another dealer. If there isn't another dealer nearby, then drive to the next closest one. Your visits have been nothing but pure garbage being fed to you left n right. Excuse after excuse and shitty customer service. Call Toyota North America and complain about these idiots.

 

and this is why I follow my service interval routine to a "T"... BY MYSELF!!! I will not take my vehicle into a dealership, or any other shop for routine maintenance for this very reason. If I wanted that much drama in my life, I'd watch 90210!

 

Dang, you need to find a new dealer, even if you have to drive further. Mine does nothing short of kissing my ass when I go in. They even compliment me on my mods lol

 

You can get corporate to call you back in less than 24 hours (week days) if there's a problem.

I've asked them mundane questions always get a straight answer right away. I would hope that the same would go for getting service straightened out.

 

This is one of the main reason why I regret buying a toyo. Freaking service sucks. Bingham Toyota in Clovis is just the same. Horrible service advisor and tech.

 

This is pretty much what you'll run into at nearly every dealership. Seems no one knows or wants to take accountability for anything. They try to make things so damn aggravating for you, hoping you just give up & leave. The majority of people & techs are clueless about their own product & procedures & don't even realize what asses they make of themselves. Most products & services they offer are available elsewhere by more qualified people at better prices. I don't waste my time with these idiots anymore, I have learned to take care of most things myself or go to a local guy that has spent his life as a mechanic & knows 10 times what the 20 yr. old " certified" tech at the dealership thinks he knows.

 

I agree with this statement all the way, BUT...

the next closest dealership is a 35min drive further than this dealer. I don't exactly have warm and fuzzies about that dealership either. Basically I had already decided to never return to the dealership after they screwed up so bad the first time but what am I supposed to do about warranty claims? I just need to get on the horn with Toyota Corporate and complain. It shouldn't be a pain in the ass to own a car, especially when the car/truck doesn't live up to it's expectations and the place that is supposed to fix it makes the issue 100xs worse!

Thanks for the sympathy and the 'what'd you expects.' I totally agree, I'm the chump for going back. Too bad people really suck that bad!

JER

 

I take offense to that. My cousin is a service advisor for a local BMW/Mini dealer. They do seem to educate and provide their employees with the tools to succeed. May be the exception though.

Also, does anybody notice that service seems to go down as the unemployment rate goes up?? Hmmmm......

 

[quote="OldManTan";2360617]

Also, does anybody notice that service seems to go down as the unemployment rate goes up?? Hmmmm......[/quote]

Ya, with so many people to choose from right now you'd think they could come up with some competent, polite individuals. My area, for some unknown reason, is TERRIBLE for custo service. It really drives me nuts. Doesn't matter if its cars, food, clothing, or coffee...customer service acts like it is an inconvenience to be helping you. Damn hippies and hipsters is what it is!

JER

 

You are so very right.I cant imagine what goes on in back room service center meetings.

I live very near a Toy. dealership here in Phx. Az.and they just SUCK.I have to go to a dealership 50 miles away.Its a real pain in the Asx to get there but I go there when I can.

Frank Loyd Wright Toyota in Scottsdale Az has treated me as good as its going to get...... not perfect but good.

Hope you find one out in CA and clue the forum in if you should run across one.


Take care