Why I hate the dealer

ToyotaCare sounds like a great deal, free oil changes etc for two years or 25K miles, BUUUUTTTTTTT, my time is worth more than the cost of oil.

I *wanted* to get the TSB done, and to have them look at my stereo that blew out the rear channel, in addition to the 10K mile service and they quoted me three hours.

OK, just do the basic oil change. That should be quick. After all, I have an appointment.

Nope, they quoted me 90 minutes.

Well, F$ck a duck. Never again. I’ll buy an aftermarket stereo, wait for 1.05, and take it to Grease Monkey where I barely have time to check email before they are finished.

 

Won't they give you a loaner car or a courtesy shuttle?

 

No, but they have popcorn and free wifi.

 

Lots of auto manufacturers are providing 2 years of standard service now, included with the price of the vehicle... NOTHING is free. The service center is a dealership money maker... and the xxxxCare plans are designed to get one into their shop and aquatinted with their “expertise”, simple marketing scheme.

I seem to have a bit more confidence in utilizing dealer for PM, especially if the vehicle is a high end one (my Mercedes GL550 has only been serviced by MB for example). I’ll use the Toyota folks for the first two years since I already paid for it... customer service received will assist in determining if I continue brand loyalty afterwards.

 

Oh stop whining

 

You might be valuing your time a bit too high? Of course, it is personal.

I value my free time at about $2/hr. That goes for what others might do for me or what I might accomplish myself. As an example, I mount my own motorcycle tires. Considering the time it takes to get the wheels off, loaded, driven, waiting, and then getting bent over for up to $40/tire (typically $20/tire)? Screw that.

ToyotaCare is free, so that fits my sensibilities. I waited a couple hours for my 10k service. I sideloaded the ECU TSB myself.

I know other folks that feel the way that you do. In the end, it is a personal decision.

 

Not to sound like a dick, but why not just relax dude?

Everyone is a busy person, we all have jobs, no one enjoys waiting, but it’s free maintenance.

Change your own oil? Buy used next time? Or better yet, pay the out of pocket expense at Grease Monkey or do it yourself.

You should probably get this haircut while you wait

 

I've got a few comments for you:

1. I'd guess that their quoted times are on the high side so that they won't have customers complaining that they've been lied to. What would you rather have? Dealer tells you 30 minutes but then takes an hour? Or they quote you 90 minutes and they complete it in an hour? I'll take the latter.
2. If your service work takes more than 3 hours, the dealer should provide you with a loaner. Mine does.
3. I've had oil changes on my 2014 Tacoma done for free by Toyota; it took an hour and that included getting my truck washed.
4. When I had my dealer do mine, I always scheduled the first available appointment on a Saturday which minimize the time I was there. Plus, the dealer has free bagels and muffins. Can't beat that.

David

 

I made an appointment at 10am last weekend for warranty work. I called to check in at 3pm and they had not even gotten to it yet. Turn outs the appointment time is just a "check in time" and I still have to wait. I was pissed and they promised they would hammer it out before they closed and then they ended up breaking something and had my rear diff locked up. Didn't have a loaner for me to take home as it was 6pm at that time...luckily had a friend with me. They ended up delivering me a loaner at 9:30 on Monday.

Dealers can be a pain in the ass...but free is free.

 

David, those are some good points. Thx.

Sure, I’m whinging. I’m sitting here at the dealership with nothing better to do.

 

Quit your bitching... The world doesn’t revolve around you.

Bet the service department is slammed right now, they all are this time of the year.
Probably short handed also. But that’s a topic for another thread.

Drop it off, get a ride. Hell..rent a car for the day, what’s that cost??

First world bullshit

 

Ain’t that the truth. Seriously, some times I think about how spoiled I am by Netflix, the internet, smart phones, 24 hour grocery stores, and a million other things that weren’t even imagined when I was a kid.

 

Sometimes we all need a reminder!

 

I prefer to think of any dealer provided auto care service (like ToyotaCare) as prepaid and NOT free... therefore, you’re wasting money by going elsewhere. If your time is that much more dollar based valuable (mine was before I retired), then have another person take it to service for you... spouse, child, friend, etc...

 

I’m with you, op.

Dealer service is typically as slow as turds after eating a block of cheese.

 

Here’s a idea while you wait. Order a some pizzas and share them with the service advisors and technicians.
You’ll be their favorite customer from that point forward.

 

My local dealer had a courtesy shuttle. I'd drop the truck off, and they would give me a ride to work, when it was done, i'd schedule the pickup ride, and grab my truck. If it was going to be more than jus the day, they would give me a loaner.

 

Few dealerships have an "express" oil change service but I'm not it holds under the Toyota maintenance plan.

I just dropped off my Taco for warranty work (parts ordered and arrived) and I'm at work. I never expect them to be quick.

 

You mean to tell me ya'll get free popcorn and bagels?!

Mine just gives out coffee and crappachino's