The Reality of Dealer Servicing - Beware!

Yeah. I get that. I try to change my oil as late in the fall as possible so that I can hold off until after winter, or at least gamble that I will get a random warm day in February to do another one. The incompetence thing is real. I remember a friend getting wiper fluid dumped into his oil port at a lube place once.

 

I trust myself with oil changes but once forgot to refill an intermediate case on my boat and it cost me a $2500 out drive so I also dont trust myself.

 

I never take my vehicles to the mechanic, I do all the work, unless its something very serious like engine rebuild or a trans rebuild.

 

I can not comment. As there may or may not have been instances, that may or may not have been in violation of OSHA Regulations.

 

26k, good grief. You can't live on that these days.

Make more working at Amazon.

 

On the off chance that you haven't seen this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAHzP4umE4M

 

I would doubt if ALL of the plant quality control inspectors now everything about the products they are inspecting, be it cars, heavy machinery, or aircraft. Some of them might have a great working knowledge of the products they are inspecting. No way that they all do.

They might be more important than the person performing the maintenance on your purchase after the fact.

 

Interesting. My new ‘21 didn’t have anything like that. Wonder if its a regional thing.

 

Pretty sure that Toyoguard is a regional thing. I've bought a few new ones and have never paid anything over the price and the dealer fees they all seem to work in.

I work as a classic car mechanic and I hold no certifications whatsoever. Totally self taught and just learned as I went. I still learn new stuff every day. Started as a hobbyist working in BMW mail order parts for most of my career. Company went bankrupt and I started wrenching full time. I work on some pretty high dollar stuff and do some pretty crazy restomod type stuff on older muscle cars. And of course I HATE other people working on my vehicles. I recently bought my 17 and have brought it back to the dealer for a few things that they covered under warranty. Last time they couldn't even put a new gas door on correctly. It opened by itself on my way home... They supposedly did a full multi-point inspection on it before it went on the lot.... Yup that's why both upper idler pulleys are totally smoked... I've met some great techs in my life. But so many of them are burned out and just don't care. If you have the means it's usually better to just DIY.

 

You pay people more on their ability to do good work the first time. Rarely paying more to someone hoping they will do better, or care more works out.

 

Lets face it, preforming an oil change when you have lifts and all the necessary tools is not that difficult especially when you consider you're only working on Toyotas, not all makes and models off the street. I would think after 30 days on the job with an experienced mechanic to guide you, most anyone (man or women) with a bit of mechanical ability can learn to do it properly. Granted, 26K starting salary (12.50/hr) isn't much these days, but it probably mirrors what other such starting positions offer. You simply can't pay someone $25-$30 an hour for this level of work and expertise. The carrot would be to learn and graduate to the higher paying levels.

FWIW, Over the past 20 some years I've used the same dealership for such work on three Tacomas, one 4-Runner, a Camry and an Avalon. I've had zero workmanship quality issues. Maybe I'm just lucky in that regard.

 

You find a good dealer stick with them. We've got a very good dealer here noted for outstanding service, but their going to price themselves out of business at the rates their charging. I guess they've have plenty of work so they can afford to pick and choose right now.

 

a good dealerhahahaha u sir have won joke of the day

 

You laugh but there's some Toyota dealerships out there with great service/parts departments. There's also more clueless/shitty indy shops out there than one could wave a stick at.

 

That is very true. Honestly I'd hate to go through the search and verify effort to find a intendent shop I could trust. A dealership screws up, you have options. They are more likely to solve the issues then the small shop independent in my experience, which I'll admit is limited. Maybe that's changed in recent years. But still, the fact of the matter for me is I'm happy with the dealership has done for me. I guess I should duck my head As that's not the popular opinion in these parts.

 

So there's a coralation between level of pay and quality of work...?
Lots of factors there you're not considering...

 

and im sure there are great politicians too aswell right!!!

 

HA! no, not that.