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Gauge Cluster

VMax2007

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VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
Posted

Not my truck, but I figured this was as good a place as any to post this.

 

As some of you already know, the gauge cluster (speedo/tach) in my wife's 2004 Impala has been whacked for the past month or two. I called the dealer and they wanted about $600 to fix it (parts/labor). I asked about the "GM special service/warranty" (whatever they call it?) on the 03/04's and was told it was only applicable to the full size trucks. 2nd dealer I called confirmed.

 

I thought this was :D since I am betting the components used in the 03/04 truck's cluster are the same ones used in my wife's 04 Impala. So, I decided to call the 1st dealer back and I asked to speak with the service manager and then asked him to contact the local GM rep and plead my case for me. They would not give me is direct contact info. I was very nice and simply explained my situation, then told him I was a lifelong GM owner and to tell the GM rep that if they wanted to ensure that I remain loyal, they may want to at least meet me half way on this as they have acknowledged this as an issue. My wife's Impala has only 49K miles on it. This was last Monday....

 

The service manager called me today and guess what he told me?

 

 

No dice, right?

 

Nope, he told me he talked to the GM rep and given my situation and my loyalty, they would pay for 50% of the cluster replacement. :rolleyes:

 

I guess it pays to be nice and still be firm. They most certainly could have said "too bad, you are SOL".

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
  • Author
Posted
nicely done. good job recouping $300 :rolleyes:

 

Like I always say, it never hurts to ask. More times than not, if you are cool about it, they will be too. At least that is my experience.

  • 2 weeks later...
VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Update:

 

I got this done today.

 

KUDOS to GM/Dealer.

 

It only cost me $162 TOTAL!!!

 

Original estimate was $500-$600 P/L, got GM to pay 1/2, dealer knocked it down even more to $162 parts and labor. :cheers:

tobias Senior Enthusiast

tobias

Posted
Posted

I missed this thread. Nice work, Jeff.

 

I have to say it sounds too easy. Have you argued with this guy before, maybe? :cheers:

unit731 Senior Enthusiast

unit731

Posted
Posted

I'd say job well done. You are to be congratulated.

 

Sometimes the soft and polite approach does work. Thanks for sharing this situation.

 

Does anyone out there know how/why the price was lowered? Did the dealer 'eat' the part cost or labor cost? The manufacturer? Was this lowered cost/price retail or wholesale? Any ideas?

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'd say job well done. You are to be congratulated.

 

Sometimes the soft and polite approach does work. Thanks for sharing this situation.

 

Does anyone out there know how/why the price was lowered? Did the dealer 'eat' the part cost or labor cost? The manufacturer? Was this lowered cost/price retail or wholesale? Any ideas?

 

That's a good question. I was told several times that the part was about $400 and the labor was about $150, never given a firm quote. So, I assumed I would be paying about $275-$300 for my 50% share.

 

When I picked up vehicle, the Service Writer told me very quickly from about 20ft away (I was standing at the cashier window) that is was actually cheaper since they applied GM's full 50% allowance. So I am assuming they got the part for cheaper and/or maybe labor was less than what GM covers?

 

My receipt was vague and only showed my costs with the part at $120 and labor at $35.

 

Either way, I wasn't about to complain or question it. :cheers:

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