Ugh. I guess it's their nature (Dealers being shady)

[SnakeEyeSS]

Seriously, I thought it was over. Years ago my Mazda dealer decided I needed some items replaced because they were in bad shape. Stuff I had replaced before I stopped in for warranty work. But for years since then, starting when I stopped in to look at a car everything was better, so I started using them again, and no issues since. So here we go, I have done a drain and fill on my wife's car twice, it was 38k miles, and they tell me it should be changed based on mileage. Sure by mileage, but then I see the text link I got, it says "fluid in poor condition" on recommended service area. 

 

Yes, I'm sure it is. It's a specifically engineered fluid for the skyactiv trans that isn't used in any other transmission, which Mazda says is good until the trans needs to be opened for a service or repair. (Of course I change it regularly anyway,but they shouldn't be recommending a synthetic transmission fluid be changed every 30k because it's in poor condition by then. That's absurd when traditional fluids last that long). And it hold like 12qts and I have done a drain and fill of 3.5-3.8qts twice. Spend the 5 minutes checking the dipstick lazy/lair. (Yes 5 min, it's hidden and you have to remove the air box).

 

And $11 for a new drain plug that "became stripped". Yes, you are the only ones that ever removed it since I got a 5 years of oil changes deal. Oh wait, I forgot the shop fee and disposal fee. $16 for a drain plug they stripped.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Oops, please delete the other, page crashed the first time I submitted.

[CadillacLuke24]

I thought the term Stealership was a bit harsh. After visiting the one in town a few times, it's far too KIND.

[Z45]

Whats so hard to understand?  

People think of the service advisor as a mechanic but basically they are salesmen. Many are even paid on commission. That means that the more work they convince you that your vehicle needs; the more money that it puts in their pocket.   Their job is to sell services weather you need them or not.  

Its the way they all do business, they want your loyalty and $$.

[gearheadesw]

I remember once letting the dealership replace the cabin air filter, a $20 part at best. They charged me $70 to replace the filter, I feel sorry for the people that can't, or won't, work on their vehicles.

[Z45]

I replaced mine last week, took 15 min and I was in no hurry. 

[KARNUT]

Service writers will up sell,it's their job. It's up to the car owner to read their manual. Every 30K miles they want to do an fuel system flush, it's not cheap. The manual states using top tier gas it's not needed. I just keep my recipes. After 4 of their vehicles I changed brands. Their 3700 mile oil changes was the deal breaker. When they know your name on site your there too much.



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[diyer2]

2 hours ago, gearheadesw said:

I remember once letting the dealership replace the cabin air filter, a $20 part at best. They charged me $70 to replace the filter, I feel sorry for the people that can't, or won't, work on their vehicles.

I do my own maintenance and repairs for cost effectiveness and knowing it's done right.

As I get older this seems to be changing.

Wifes car needs a timing belt and I 'm considering having it done.

 

[Hillwood]

The nature of any BUSINESS is maximizing profits and minimizing costs...

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[Imcrazy]

I don't think the OP should be too worried stuff happens... Like others said service advisors are salespeople....

[Nitrousbird]

On my wife's last Audi, during a warranty repair they claimed the tires would need replaced soon on the paperwork.

 

I walked the service advisor out to the car and called him on their BS.  We had just put brand new tires on the car a couple weeks earlier. 

 

The also tried to scam a $700 service that was basically plugs, air and cabin filter...and inspect a battery that was a few months old.  Instead I did OEM plugs, OEM Cabin filter and K&N engine filter for under $100 in under an hour myself.  

 

It's the norm.  Asking $1000 for a $150 brake job.  I don't pay dealerships to do work.  They can do an oil change if there is a good coupon or warranty work. Beyond that, I'll do it myself.  Next DSG service on the wife's S4 I might have an Euro Indy do it as the pain in the butt vs cost ratio may justify having them do it. 

[CadillacLuke24]

When I had Clyde in for a warranty repair to the left rear axle seal, they serviced that (cool) replaced the oil cooler lines as they were evidently weeping (also cool) and then felt the need to change the radiator to a tune of $900 labor because one of the seams near the top was weeping. I politely told them that wasn't on the agenda. They must not have liked that because I found a nice gouge in my right front wheel when I picked him up. 

 

Yup, never going back there for anything. 

 

I also checked my radiator when I got home. I didn't see anything major, and have a sneaking suspicion they may have planted a trail to try to convince me. I know warranty work is not reimbursed the same as regular work, but for crying out loud do a good job or not at all damnit. 

 

 

 

[RyanbabZ71]

On 1/1/2019 at 1:30 PM, Nitrousbird said:

On my wife's last Audi, during a warranty repair they claimed the tires would need replaced soon on the paperwork.

 

I walked the service advisor out to the car and called him on their BS.  We had just put brand new tires on the car a couple weeks earlier. 

 

The also tried to scam a $700 service that was basically plugs, air and cabin filter...and inspect a battery that was a few months old.  Instead I did OEM plugs, OEM Cabin filter and K&N engine filter for under $100 in under an hour myself.  

 

It's the norm.  Asking $1000 for a $150 brake job.  I don't pay dealerships to do work.  They can do an oil change if there is a good coupon or warranty work. Beyond that, I'll do it myself.  Next DSG service on the wife's S4 I might have an Euro Indy do it as the pain in the butt vs cost ratio may justify having them do it. 

You in Indy?  If so may I ask what dealership you bought your 18 GMC from? 

[Nitrousbird]

19 minutes ago, RyanbabZ71 said:

You in Indy?  If so may I ask what dealership you bought your 18 GMC from? 

Nope.  I live near Columbus, OH.  I flew out to Laura GMC near St Louis to get my truck. 

[SnakeEyeSS]

Checking back in on this, I know why some GM owners down play this. Now that I have owned a new GM, the service network, at least on the Chevy side,  is so subpar with the customer interaction side of the business, it all makes sense. Even with my Mazda dealer being so shady, they at least answer the phones, and are willing to discuss things. I have had two Chevy dealers just completely willing to loose business if they don't know the answer to simple questions. It's Stark contrast to 6 other dealers spanning 4 other unrelated brands that have been great. 

 

I had a service advisor hang up on me last year when I asked if I could just get the part to save me an hour of waiting for them to do a literal 30 second fix(replacing the engine cover, literally 30 seconds). I asked because other Camaro guys have had success with that(and they have asked because if you don't know, a number of Camaro's have been totaled at dealerships being placed on lifts incorrectly)

 

Because why wouldn't the dealer want to get credit for warranty work they didn't even have to do.

 

Even looking at online reviews, all brands have random bad dealerships, but the GM complaints(at least locally) are consistent, poor or completely  absent communication.

 

Why is this?