Stealership Ripoffs...

How about a thread with stories about just how greedy most dealerships are???

Buddy at work bought some of the predator step bars for his 2015 TRD Sport. He was pretty excited about getting them installed. I asked how much they were going to charge him... They quoted him 2 hours of labor at an install price of $150!!!!!

I showed him just how easy they were to install and told him to pick them up from the dealer and bring them by work and we would do it. He brought them by... 12 bolts and 10 minutes later he had his new predator steps on!

Ended up saving him $150!!! I know the dealer has to make their money but charging 2 hours of labor for 12 bolts is flat out theft!!!

 

I had similar. I asked if they knew it only consisted of a few bolts for the bars.

Had one at a Nissan dealer years ago. Crank shaft position sensor went out and for giggles I asked the labor. $125. I asked for a Phillips screwdriver, went to the parking lot and came back 5 minutes later having fixed my problem. Told the guy I was glad to save that money and time on that fix.

Pretty common with accesories and repairs.

 

While the 2 hour charge of $150 ($75/hr) may seem high. Have you used a plumber, A/C tech, electrician for your house? Makes the $150 seem reasonable, imo.

 

I'll add just 1 story. Had my 2005 4 cylinder in for normal service. They call and say it's done BUT that my air filter and cabin air filter were "very bad and need replacing, we can do it for $80". I said no thanks, coming for the truck. On the way home I stop at Oreillys and check my filters. Engine air filter is 90% and cabin filter is just missing. I go in to Oreillys and buy a WIX cabin air filter for like $15 and takes 35 seconds to swap in.


That's just ONE story, I have many more. I can't believe how many clueless people they scam this way. AT all dealers, not just Toyota.

 

The local Toyota dealership had a sign up at the parts counter advertising Toytec spacer lifts with rear lift blocks for only $1200 installed! Tire and Rim packages from the low $3000's...

 

Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical are skilled trades that require lots of training and licensing. Far different than screwing on oil filters. $75 is too high for a grease monkey who cross threads your damn drain bolt.

 

Agreed if you only dealing with o/f and tire rotation.

I have never paid &75 for a oil change and tire rotation.

Don't want to get into a pissing contest. My post was to show that many trades are expensive for simple tasks.

 

Lucky for me I haven't had too many issues aside from a few years ago I bought a used Honda Accord and the tires were awful so in the terms of sale I had them right in they would install brand new Bridgestone tires as part of the agreement.

so when I went to pick up the car after the install they put Primewell tires on the car. I was livid! They told me, "They sell those tires at Firestone." I said tough shit I specifically said BRIDGESTONE tires. I had to demand to talk to the sale manager and after arguing about for 15 minutes they finally gave in and put the correct tires on the car.

What pissed me off the most is the price difference was only $200 total, so they lost a good customer for just trying to squeeze a penny.

 

I'm ok with auto shops charging $75/hr but when they quote someone 2 hours to tighten 12 bolts, that's a little excessive!

 

I've had issues with dealerships and dishonesty before, but not where I bought my Tacoma. I'd had my 07 about 2 1/2 years with 40,000 miles on it. It was clearly out of warranty. I came out one rainy day after work on a Wednesday to lay something in the rear seat and noticed wet carpet. I drove straight to the dealer. I explained the problem, he handed me a set of keys to a Corolla, and said call tomorrow. In was in and out in under 3 minutes and most of that was getting stuff transferred from my truck to the car.

They replaced the rear window and detailed the truck inside and out at no charge. It was ready Thursday, but they asked to keep it till Friday to let the carpet completely dry before I picked it up.

 

If they ask and the customer agrees it's fine I guess. When I bought my trailer hitch for my 05 at a local store they offered to install it for like $125 or so, can't remember. I said no thanks and installed myself in like 25 minutes. But when I was there, lots of people, mostly ladies were making arrangements for simple things to be put onto their cars. This was a vehicle outfitting place, they sell hitches, roof racks, boxes, etc...

 

Had the same sensor got out on a VW Jetta (it sits right in the front)...went to autozone and they read the code for free but didn't have the part. Called VW, they said they would have to "diagnose" it and if it's the sensor they would replace it for a total of ~$400 which includes the diagnostic fee of ~$200 (means they plug in an OBD2 reader and let the system run...)

I told them I knew what the issue was, so I just need the sensor and was quoted $100...so they wanted $300 to diagnose a problem that was already diagnosed and to swap a sensor.

Ended up buying the sensor from RockAuto for $64 and a torx-set for $10, changing the sensor was popping the hood, remove the engine cover and replace the sensor which took about 5min total...

 

It's VW. I've seen them charge $2300 in labour to replace a clutch

 

These stories are actually interesting, delaying my work productivity.. but interesting. Keep them coming

 

It was my ex wife's car...I never bought a VW again

 

I agree.
Much like paying a plumber to replace the flapper valve or float in a toilet.
Though there are many people who cannot do the install due to health limits.

 

What bothers me about the $150 for 2 hrs. is the dealership gets 90% of the $$$ and the tech gets squat. Who does the work? The mgt. types sittin' inside on their asses in an air conditioned or heated room do nothing, yet reap the bulk of the reward.

 

$75/hr is less than the janky, corner garages charge here. My dealer labor rate is $135/hr, and my preferred garage is down the street from them and they're $110, I believe.

I was quoted $150 to install my aftermarket 4 pin trailer light harness from a local auto electric company.. it literally plugs into my tail light wiring harness with OEM connectors. It took me about 30 minutes, making everything look factory and everything clean with wire loom.

 

No hijack We are fortunate enough to have one of the BEST, FAIREST, PROFESSIONAL independent Toyota/Lexus (only) shops in the country It's ran by two former Lexus Master Mechanics. If your in Ft.Worth TX, you're lucky !!! http://www.prattauto.com/ Not a paid or commercial advertisement. Just years of happy service

 

Here's a quote I received by email from my dealer (who I purchased the adjustable Toytec coil-overs from):

"Height Adjustment = $139.95-280.00 (takes 1-2 hours we will charge you on how long it takes)"

I did this myself in 30 mins with the supplied spanner wrenches, a measuring tape, and a jack.