Crappy dealer, or am I being picky?

Got my oil changed and tires rotated at the dealership for the first time after buying my truck. I'm fully planning on doing it myself from here out, but figured I'd take advantage of their inspection if nothing else, to see if there were any issues I hadn't noticed or addressed.

The service advisor did the normal attempts to upsell (air filter, cabin air filter - at $55 EACH) which I declined. They then informed me my wipers were showing wear and recommended replacement. I again declined, because that was pretty much the first thing I replaced after buying the truck and didn't think anything of it.

Today, I'm back at the dealership having the third brake light recall done, and a different service advisor walks up to another gentleman in the waiting room and puts him through the same spiel including wiper blades and air filters. He got kind of understandably huffy as he informed the advisor that he'd replaced his wiper blades yesterday.

I get that dealerships need to make money to stay in business, but this kind of stuff really rubs me the wrong way. This is the first time I've had a newish vehicle in a long time; is this just normal and something I should expect, or should I avoid this place?

 

Avoid that place. Blind up-sales tactics are a bad sign.

 

Sounds about right. They dont actually check most of the time, but rather check your history and see when the last time you replaced these items. If they dont have a history of it, they assume its needed.

 

Shady. Just going through their routine bullshit hoping people that don't know better will bite. I'd move on to another dealership if you can.

 

Standard practice. These people probably get a cut of the over-priced sell of these services and pad their paychecks with your hard-earned money.

I won't step foot in one of those places and hey, check to make sure the oil cap is still there and the oil level is correct.
Look for drips underneath too.

 

Yeah, my driveway is pristine, thank goodness. All the broken oil filter stories on here gave me nightmares.

 

I'd just ignore them, or go to another dealer if there is a convenient one. Those guys don't work on commission, and management probably requires each advisor to do that spiel (or they will get a bad employee review).

I was having transmission fluid changed at a lube place several years ago, and a guy came in holding a really dirty air filter and asked if I wanted mine changed. I had just changed it, and the one he was holding wasn't even the right part. To his credit, he didn't say it was mine, he was just holding it. It was just a prop that they use, apparently. Sadly, this probably works more than half the time.

 

Absolutely how some dealerships svc department’s business model works . Thats why some dealers only sell high demand vehicles to “local” customers and not out of state. They are counting on that income stream over the life of your vehicle and expect it to pay out.

Also, Follow the service intervals in your owners manual , dont go by the svc departments menu. Many dealers accelerate service procedures early because people blindly do what the dealership recommends and get un needed services done. After all it says Toyota on the building, but thats simply not the case . Unless they specifically find an issue, go by the owner’s manual.

 

Super common. But at least the folks at my dealership seem to be honest about when stuff needs replaced. I always take my truck in for oil/tire rotation/etc but air/cabin filters i just change when they let me know. They've always been visibly dirty. I just politely say no thanks I'll handle it myself and that's it. That reminds me I was supposed to buy some License plate lights after the last time I went in... oops. Better get those replaced.

 

Not to defend a dealer.. but I think dealer service depts are probably geared towards most "non-car people". Lets face it, that would be the majority of their workload as most people dont give a shit about their car.

Just last week I watched some girl get in her car at the business next to where I work and turn on the wipers to clear a dusting of snow. There was no passenger wiper! Nothing, just the arm going back and forth on the glass

 

IMO all dealerships are crappy.

 

I am not anti dealer, I am sure there are some good ones, but their overall model is suffering to put it nicely.

I am down to three friends that work for dealers, the others all left. Specifically referring to the ones that left; they are the ones I would not want to leave if I was the owner,,, while not perfect employees I am sure. They liked what they did and were good at it, but didn't like all the other shenanigans,,, high pressure sales, lying, cheating, over charging, etc etc.

 

I was shocked what my local dealer charges for oil changes. $80 plus tax etc. I get service is a profit center, but I can buy 12 quarts of Mobil 1 for $60 then buy the filter for $10 (for 2). So for $70 I can do 2 oil changes v $80 for 1!

 

typical dealer bs.

100% but id say most are same.

$80 isnt awful, quick lube places can be over $110

 

I disagree. My Toyota dealer is pretty decent, I've never heard anything extravagant being recommended when I was sitting in the waiting room.

The Subaru dealer I use is excellent and have taken care of me several times, and even when something was half my fault they covered it.

 

Normal. But worse than it used to be.

They've taken lessons from the old Mickey D's 'can I supersize that for you and add a hot apple pie'. With as many folks they have shucking and jiving the service line, you know they are getting substantial uptake or they wouldn't be paying folks to do the dance.

I went yesterday for a recall regarding battery mounting on my '14 RAV.

1st guy, sales bird dog. I'd like to buy your car today. What can I show you that you'd like to upgrade to? Me: not today my friend. I like this one. At least he smiled and said 'it is a nice looking ride' and did not persist.

2nd, Valet. Why are you here, do you have an appointment? Me: recall. No, I was told by email by your SM that I could have this check performed in the lane. That received shocked look. Takes pictures of VIN, Odo, around outside of car. Goes to Advisor.

3rd. Finally an Advisor. The same why are you here, do you have an appointment? Me: same answer as above, show him his bosses email. Another shocked look. (No, I don't know his boss, just told him I wasn't coming in unless it was in and out, because I had the correct class battery securely mounted. He asked I come so they could make the Gvmt happy with completed recalls, and did offer the in and out I required) Advisor takes all the same pictures, goes to do paperwork. Has me sign I'm waiving the free multi-point inspection. But he did admit I had the cleanest 78k engine and vehicle he'd seen in like, well, forever. But he was not happy, because w/o the multi-point he can't tell me my new filters and wipers need replacing.

4th, leaving now, and an aftermarket glass guy comes up and says we can fix that chip in your windshield while you wait. (it's not visually detracting to the driver). Told him I'd wait till it starts cracking then have it replaced, but it had been there 3 years already, so doubtful I'd be back soon.

All like drones looking for the queen. Came home and showered.

 

I'm happy to spend the $80 bux for the convenience. I get up early on a Saturday morning before the wife is outta bed. Head in to be there when they open. Usually somewhere between the 1st and 4th car there, and they take them in order. I kick back in the waiting area and drink at least 3 or 4 awesome cups of coffee from their fancy automated machine, then head home usually before the wife is up. To me, it's a nice relaxing morning I'm not spending on the ground under my truck.

Some people enjoy wrenching. I can do basic stuff, but it's just not my thing. I'm fortunate that the $80 isn't a big deal every 6 months (I don't put many miles on the truck anymore), for some people I'm sure it could be.

 

I leave routine stuff to the dealer for the same reasons. I can do all these things myself, but sometimes I would rather throw money at it and go fishing while someone else is doing the work.

 

Is this something new? In my 10+ years as an employee all the service writers were on commission, the assistant service manager was on commission as was the service manager and parts personnel. Us techs were the only ones not on a commission, we were on flat rate which IMO is even worse for the customer.

 

It's the auto service equivalent of "would you like fries with that?" If you don't like the upsell thing then don't go there.