Dealership Woes..

Even at a good dealer there can be suspect employees. Also goes that a bad dealer can have good ones.

In general, I’ve found the effort and/or skill level of people who work on my cars to be below expectations.

Not sure if the issue is my expectations, but I do feel that there are systematic issues and a potential conflict of interest with pay structures like flat rate.

Know you’re not alone, and it’s not just dealers, and it’s not just automotive either.

Jeff

 

I feel the same way but I don't post on the internet about it, I just go find a company that does good work. They are out there and it takes a bit of work.

 

A friend took his personal truck in for an oil change, tech walks into the waiting area with a very dirty air filter. Sir, your air filter is dirty, would you like to replace it ?

My buddy is a very large guy, tells the tech in front of everyone...I don’t know where you got that filter, but since I replaced it yesterday, that can’t be mine, I suggest you go find mine and put it back in place.

The tech left the room without saying anything, lol.

 

First time I find a tech taking down my dashcam, we will have a pow wow with not only the tech, but the service manager, and for good measure, the GM. The techs have zero business touching anything other than what they are working on. They practically are guilty the moment they either shutoff, or remove your dashcam. It is aftermarket and has nothing to do with the service they are performing and have no business messing with it. Full stop.

 

You also have no business recording people without their consent right? In a private establishment? Personally, if you wanted my services and you felt you had to record my actions, I would tell you to take a hike.

 

Sorry this happened to you my man. I think you did a great job of handling the situation, for what it's worth.

I had a slightly similar situation, basically I went in for maintenance and they didn't rotate the tires. I was within the 24 mo/25k mile maintenance warranty, but because I am running tires that are not "factory tires" the tech didnt rotate them..

Thankfully the service manager took care of it, but I just hate that attitude. I can understand not warrantying aftermarket parts, but this is a maintenance item. Like if I changed my oil at 10k miles, and went in for a 15k mile change to the dealer, they wouldn't change my oil?

 

I like this game. Tires were marked 8. They were brand new and are advertised as 12

 

I rarely talk about it. It’s kind of a personal thing. Definitely worth finding someone you trust. Can be hard to find.

Jeff

 

There may be decent dealers out there, but in all the ones I've dealt with, I have yet to find one.

 

Playing devil's advocate here, but why would you worry about the camera unless you're not going to do the job properly, or take my vehicle on a joyride? I get that some people don't want the owner of the car to hear their conversations from inside the shop, but its not like the owner of the car is gonna share it on social media unless something went wrong.

I've found my dashcam unplugged once or twice when I have gone in for an oil change.

 

if you don't trust them enough to work on your truck why not just do all the work to it yourself, if you took it in to any mechanic and didn't do a research into their business reviews then the onus is on you for going there in the first place, there are Dealers service department reviews along with other shops FYI

 

I do trust them, it's just extra insurance in my opinion.

 

Trust but verify?

Jeff

 

definitely, I always pop the hood to make sure everything is in order.

 

My dashcam footage is interesting, but i wish it showed more. Once the hood goes up you cant see exactly what they are doing, you just see whether they are standing on battery side or airbox side, or if the truck is in the air or on the ground. You can also hear the torque wrench when they rotate tires. Most important to me is watching how they treat it when moving it between the customer check-in, to the back lot, and to the shop. No complaints, besides hearing that the reason why I never get my complimentary carwash is because the tech doesnt like my softopper (liability issue, not personal taste issue, but still).

 

Did that report go with that air filter!? They marked that as a yellow item?

 

It only needs a little smack on the back to make it clean again, no problem.

 

Fair enough.
Alot of people have their dashcams set to record 24/7 regardless. I don't know too many who are going to walk in an establishment and think long enough to unplug it.
I have yet to have to take my taco in for any work, but I guarantee I won't remember to unhook the dashcam. And I am also not the type of person to check the footage in general unless I have a reason..and if I was in the OP's shoes and noticed nothing appeared to have been touched...you bet I would look at it, and take it in and have a chat.
Spending $$$$ for service that ultimately hasn't been accomplished is theft...simple as that. And if there is proof...even better.

 

How did you pay for the service,if by card ,have your bank reverse the charge !!! They flat out cheated you !