Is it not amazing when...

...the dealership actually does something correctly, and honors the warranty?

First and foremost my local Toyota dealer is the worst dealership, of any brand, I have ever dealt with. A couple of examples of how things go with them: I let them change my oil under "Toyota Care" since it was free. Well, the last time I took it to them they didn't change the filter. Ok, no biggie, mistakes happen. So I took it back and very kindly let them know that they had missed this part of the oil change. The service manager snottily told me I must be mistaken because "a master technician had done the work and he would have replaced the filter". Never mind that the filter was still covered with mud when I got the truck back, as it had been when I dropped it off.

To my dismay, the wife's Yaris ended up there for an oil change later on. This one really took the cake. They didn't change the filter. They didn't drain the old oil. In fact, all they did was add another four fresh quarts on top of the four already in the engine. Thankfully I caught it after the vehicle had been driven only 5 miles or so. This time I took it back and the same service manager recoiled in shock when he pulled the dipstick out. I also showed him the cheapo filter jiffylube had put on (still on the engine) the last time the oil was changed. The reaction I got wasn't friendly, but at least they agreed to resolve things.

Needless to say I've started changing the oil and doing most maintenance on both vehicles myself.

Anyway, I was getting to my 36K and had the blower motor chirp/squeek thing going on. I dreaded, and I mean ****ing dreaded, taking it back to them. Still I called and made an appointment, since (courtesy of TW) I had found out there was a new TSB and part # that I just had to have.

I've read a lot of posts where people recommend asking the dealership to "take a look at something" even when the owner knows exactly what is wrong and "let them find the TSB" on their own. Unfortunately that doesn't work in my neck of the woods. This time, when I called I told them a) what was wrong, b) that a TSB existed for the problem, and c) that I thank them in advance for resolving the problem. I even printed out and left the goddam TSB on the dashboard for the tech to find.

So what happened? They actually fixed it, and they actually didn't bust my balls for once. I guess I am posting this because I finally seem to have found the magic formula for good service from my dealership, and it runs contrary to what's usually recommended. YMMV, of course.

 

From my experience, printing the TSB and handing it to the Service Writer seems to be the ONLY way to ensure that they know a) about the TSB, and b) that you expect them to actually fix the problem according to the TSB. I get so irritated hearing "Oh, that's normal.", or "It's functioning as it was designed to do." from these dealers.

Congrats, by the way!

 

My dealership always denies the existence of any TSB's. They are literally as useless as tits on a bull.

 

My stealership seems to be the last to know about TSBs. When I took mine in for the melted DTRL they acted like it was the first Taco they had ever seen that happen to.

 

It doesn't matter how well known the issue is, they always act like they've never heard of it before. It's infuriating.

 

Anyone know where I can find TSB's to print out? My dealer is like the op's, useless when you tell them about issues.

 

Out of curiosity as we are in the same state, which dealership or general location?

 

they would spit shine your turd in the sales department..

after you get the truck..nobody is paying attention to the turd. i hate dealerships. buying a new vehicle is painful to me..then getting pro service. geesh.

 

Me too.

I'm pissed at them before I even walk in the door, because I know the bullshit they're going to TRY to pull. It's all the same old tricks. How stupid do they think we are?

 

GM pulled that same trick on me with my Colorado head TSB. When I politely brought it to to the service rep's attention he said he'd never seen a head go on that truck so he didn't know about it.

The dealer got me back 4 weeks later when the rep now handling it said he didn't think it was the head no matter what I showed him on the TSB and refused to touch it unless I paid.

The 2nd dealer (as luck would have it the first rep was now there) did it but banged me for 2 grand for the other stuff it broke, and he told me GM will refund it. GM said no and sent me to him. He then said "I've seen a lot of these heads go over the years and never had anything else go so this must not be related". When I reminded him that 2 months prior he'd never seen a head go on it, he was too busy to talk any longer. Haha..

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7107-tsb-list-2005-toyota-tacoma.html

 

Thats one thing I have to say good about Mercedes. When I had my SLK, I was treated very well when I would go in. They give you a free loaner Mercedes to drive while you get your oil changed.

That aside, my Toyota dealership does have a sweet 30 seat movie theatre upstairs that you can choose your movie from a NetFlix control pad on the wall. Kinda makes it easier to wait for your work to get done.

 

Sheesh. You guys must have ultra bad luck or something. When I took my truck in, they replaced the fan in less than 15 minutes, asked if I wanted it washed and even vacuumed the interior. No charge, no hassle.

 

It's not that we have bad luck so much as you seem to have golden luck. Be aware that not hassling you about things is only part of the good service equation, and has nothing to do with whether or not work gets done correctly. Free vacumming or not... always double check their work and expect them to screw it up. You'll eventually thank yourself for it, trust me.

 

^Meh, had they denied you the TSB work, the alternative would have been to order a TYC blower for $37 and change it yourself. Really not a big deal.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1962848&cc=1431544

It's all part of the $100 3-pointed star oil change special. Lexus dealers treat you even better.

 

I had the dealership here ask me how i got the tsb acting like it was paperwork from the pentagon or someshit.

 

^ Even though the TSBs are available to anyone with a TIS subscription?

 

My god how long does it take to change the oil?

 

Drop it off at 7am on the way to work and pick it up at 5:30pm on the way home. No waiting and they always wash and detail mine.

 

I got my squeaky blower motor replaced under warranty not problem. The tech i spoke with told me they change out about 2 to 3 a week lol.