Dealership rant.

Isn't that the truth! the world isn't like the "good ol days" my dad talks about. Everyone's just in it for the money or to better there selfs.

 

I worked at a stealership more than 30 years ago, and it was one of the BEST lessons-learned experiences in my entire life. In short:

1. Try to do ALL your own maintenance. The less that stealership-monkies are touching your vehicle -- the better. Even if you have FREE oil changes, do your own.
2. Always get more than one opinion on proposed work.
3. If you have to buy parts for your vehicle, check the online/internet parts places FIRST. Why? Stealerships will charge 30 to 50 % more for a part than you can purchase at Rock Auto etc online. You can often buy OEM cheaper online or at the auto parts store than you can at the stealership parts counter.
4. If you need work to be done, always tell them that you will wait for it to be completed. Why? Because when you talk with the service advisor, they'll ask you if you'll be waiting -- and those customers that wait, get their cars done FIRST. If you tell them that you're dropping it off, they'll flag it as a less-priority than if you were waiting.
5. Buy a code reader. Why? Check Engine lights (CEL) are big moneymakers for stealers and also the bane of a service manager's existence. Anyone can use a code reader. You can easily get the CEL and check online for the probable problem BEFORE the stealership has a chance to interpret the code.

That's a brief list for everyone. The service guys usually hate the sales staff, as they are always lying and blaming the service department for things out of their control.

 

This sounds like a lot of Toyota Third gen problems exacerbated by poor dealership service. Par for the course it seems lately.

 

I agree with everything except the mark up of parts prices. Dealerships or independent shops must mark up the price of parts to remain in business. Its normal.

Any work you are competent to do yourself, then yes, save the 30-50% mark up.

 

Two tranny updates, license bulb with water and greased zerks. Spin it up.
Better than Silverados with upper control arms disconnecting and f150s losing brakes.

 

Totally agree..!!

 

I thought Toyota Care recently added the cabin airfilter swap to the 20,000 mile service for free?

 

cabin air filter is a 2 minute job tops. order one from Amazon.

 

Has anyone used a k&n cabin air filter ? Like the idea of clean often and having reusable filter.

 

Agree 100%. All I am saying is that the stealership is NOT the only source of parts for our Tacos. The advent of the interwebz has greatly assisted us all in saving some money. Example: You're driving down the highway and glance at your fuel gauge. It shows that you have almost hit empty. You know that you'll be filling your tank, so you take a glance at your Gas Buddy app on your smart phone. It shows that at the next exit regular unleaded is selling for $2.73 a gallon. But one more exit down the freeway it is selling for $2.23 a gallon. Where are you going to fill your tank? At fifty cents a gallon savings, you're pocketing a few dollars....... by using the internet (same as looking for Taco parts online).

 

Note: this took some digging, but I have confirmed member "69others" works for Toyota's marketing department.

 

Interesting that you had problems at this dealership. I also go to the same dealership since we are in the same town haha. When I went in for my 10000 service they did the first oil change. Service got done fairly quick and I left feeling happy since it was a easy trip.
But things went downhill. A coupe days after having the service I noticed a couple oil drips leading into the garage. Didn’t think much of it, thought maybe it was some oil I used to lube up some parts on another thing the day before. Hopped in the truck and backed it out of the garage, then I noticed the lake. Oil everywhere. I think I blacked out for a second I was so pissed, but then I took a look. Could tell it was coming out of the oil canister. So I had to walk to the store and buy some 0-20 since I didn’t have any laying around. Took almost 2 quarts to fill back up. I only live about 3 minutes from the dealership so I filled up and went straight there. They acted like it was no big deal, took a look and sad the o ring was not installed correct. Didn’t offer a damn thing like reimbursement for the oil I bought or even a credit for a future oil change. They even acted like they did me a favor putting in a new oil filter. Now it’s time for my 15000 service and I’m thinking of going out of town just so they don’t touch it again.

 

Although there is a ton of help here on TW, I feel you might get further if you copied and pasted that rant to Toyota Customer Service Center, 800-331-4331 is the toll free #.
I've had issues with my dealer not being informed and giving wrong information out...
After emailing documents and calling to explain the situation Toyota Corp quickly settled the beef.
It's worth a shot to contact them. You seem like a VERY loyal customer. These dealers kind of do as they please but once you get Corporate involved they seem to come back to reality. That being, 'the customer is first'

 

Did you ask the dealer if they replaced the cabin filter after the last visit? Was it listed on the paperwork? Did you pay for one?

It is not part of the 2 year, 25k mileage service so I would expect that if they replace it you will be paying them for it.

http://news.toyotaofboerne.com/a-look-at-the-tacomas-maintenance-schedule/

Not sure why you think they lied to you.

 

With my dealer it's covered for my truck. It was supposed to be replaced at the 20k service. The manager of the service department even confirmed that it was covered and should have been replaced. I needed up talking to him in person and taking my old shitty filter to him by his request so he could use it as a learning tool. He did apologize on the behalf of the "team" that worked on my truck.

 

I have had a few problems at Groove Toyota here in Denver. Once, is a mistake, but after a few times, I won't be going back. When I took it in for the third Toyota Care, there was a missing lug nut. Since they are the only ones that have rotated the tires, I got them to replace it. Took some talking to them to get them to do it. But they replaced it with one that is not the same size as the others. Another time I took it in, there was a small leak between the transfer case and the transmission. After five trips there (including replacing some seals that didn't take care of the problem), I am hoping that it is taken care of. On the first time that they tried to replace it, and dropped the transfer case, they left one of the brackets on the drive shaft loose. Since I was having the seal fixed, I had them do the 30,000 mile service through Toyota Care (extended service). They figured out where the leak was, but didn't have the parts in stock, so that was going to be a trip back in. When I got it back, they indicated that they had not changed the spark plugs. I told him that they were supposed to be changed according the the regular maintenance schedule. Called up Toyota corporate and confirmed that they should have been done. After going around a couple of more times, I got them to replace them when they fixed the seal (I did already pay for the service, so wasn't going to pay double to do it myself). Then I find that they left a oil drip can by the filler cap. So I am not happy with them. Hopefully Mountain State Toyota (which is closer anyway) will be better. There's my rant. But if you want to buy one, go see Macy at Groove - he was a great salesman to work with.

 

what a beaver!!!

 

Just had my last service under Toyota Care. When I got home, I pulled the cabin filter and guess what? It was dirty. My service order says it was replaced. I called the stealership and was told that the 20k service does not include the cabin filter. My reminder from Toyota says it did. I talked to the service underwriter and she said it does. She offered to give me one. Ok. Now, will I trust them when I am paying? Absolutely not! I plan to call Toyota. I checked the oil and it had been changed. But, I can't check the filter without draining the oil. Never again.

 

Stealership....that cracks me up every time someone uses that term. I've never visited any forum where that term wasn't thrown around. Just kinda funny to me. Carry on!