5k mile service time?

The OP rant reminds of going to the doctor. Can't remember the last time they saw me at the appointment time. You may get into the exam room, but the real wait starts.

That said, my experience is plan on 2-4 hours for simple services. Most dealerships have a free ride service. Drop the car off, go to work or back home if you don't want to wait. Like others have stated, many have great waiting rooms. Multiple tv, snacks, and computers with internet access.

I tend to build my relationship with a service advisor. It pays off in the long run.

 

My 5k services took about an hour for fluid checks, oil changes, tire rotate and wash. This was after I told them not to pull my air filters and waste my time. What really po'd me was when I had a leaky rear shock. First time I waited 2 hours with an appt. only to find out they had ordered the wrong part. They took the original shock off before realizing they had the wrong one. The second time I took it in I had a 7:15 appt.. When it took 2 hours this time I complained to service writer and he said that is because the shop does not start until 8. I said BS then why have me come in at 7:15. I wrote them up and when the manager called he said that they start about 7. I said someone was lying to me. I also stated that I could change both rear shocks in an hour an that included retrieving tools out of my garage. I have not been back since the last free oil change. Now they are sending me letters and discounts. They go right in to the trash.

 

Damn, that is nice. You should of seen the waiting room in the fricking Dodge dealership that I had my Dakota in this time last year getting a heater core and water pump installed. The dealership was in a old Kroger Food store building. Liked to froze to death.

 

I'm actually very courteous when going to the service department, I just think it's inexcusable this happens. If I ever found a bead of oil or substance on my wipers after a service visit, you can bet your ass someone would be getting fired.

 

Unfortunately - Stealerships are the most horrible examples of auto service on the planet. They are ALL THE SAME because they are taught to be.
Every possible penny is squeezed from the customer and the only time you will be “under the illusion” that they care about you is before you take delivery.
After that minute - You are nothing. So yeah - you weigh the pros and cons of those first freebie oil changes and go on.
Its a damn shame - but once you accept this as fact and move on you will be happier.
See the Youtube video to reset the service required lights yourself. Do your own maintenance or use a reputable shop. My 2 cents.

 

Yeah, for the most part MarcoTaco, I agree with you. We’ve all been ripped off at car dealerships at least once in our lives. I bear no illusion or hostility to the two Toyota dealerships I deal with in my area. So far it’s only been free oil changes that came with the truck deal I got when I bought it new. I told them up front that I preferred doing basic non warranty maintenance myself and to put that on my file, which they obliged. My truck hasn’t needed anything yet, so there’s never been an issue but at least they don’t try to sell me BS services of a questionable nature. You can always be assertive and at the same time polite. If someone ever tries to install something like wipers that I didn’t order I can refer them to their note on file and just tell them to take them off.

 

I work at a dealership and agree with everything you said. Unfortunately.