Dishonesty at another dealer!

[Bryan C.]

Sounds like bait and switch.

Most dealerships have the customer sign an estimate for a standard 1hr diagnostic charge just in case what is wrong with the vehicle isn't covered by the warranty. What if your 1yr old car with 15K miles has an ABS light on, it is still under the 3/36 warranty. You bring it to the dealer and they find you hit something on the road and damaged a speed sensor. Now the factory isn't going to cover the repair or the diagnostic charge, because it was your fault, and not a failed part. So is the dealership supposed to look at it for free just because you thought it might be covered? What if they pay the mechanics on commission only, then he would get nothing for his efforts. Nothing is free, you just got to deal with it.

Bryan

 

[Rawbrown]

last time I took a vehicle to an alignment shop, (never go to the dealer), I got a free alignment check. once it was found out of spec, then I agreed to the charges.

go to an indepented alignment shop and have a talk with them.

 

[bchulett]

>>>I used to work for an independent repair facility for several years. And yes, they do have an awesome alignment machine and a good tech that knows his stuff.<<<

>>>I still want my fifty bucks back from the dealer. I know its a fruitless conquest, but its the principal of it all.

Question:

Why didn't you take it to your old boss to begin with ... especially knowing they had the equipment and a good tech ??


Some helpful insight:

Next time pay with an American Express card. At the least, you could have placed payment on hold until the dispute was resolved. Moreover, Amex will serve as a mediator to help you articulate your dissatisfaction with the dealer.

Also, the manager doesn't operate in a vacuum ... manager's ultimately report to VP's. If you really want your money back ... I suggest writing a letter to the VP of sales and service ... documenting your complaint----without expressing your personal feelings toward the manager or the tech. Just the facts .. complete with timeline.

Graciously (key word) ... request a meeting and that you would like to discuss and resolve the situation. Provide your return address, phone number, a time you can be contacted. And if you're really bold and willing to go the distance ... write the following statement in closing:

"I would appreciate a response within 10 business days from receipt of this letter. If I don't hear from you, I will assume your decision is to resolve this situation in a court of law".

Finally: Send the letter U.S. Express Mail ... with internet tracking, return receipt and signature of recipient.

Now, they may call your bluff and not respond.

But I think there is a good chance the VP will respond since you went through all the trouble to write and document your complaint ... and sending it US Express Mail---requesting his signature.

This will set the tone for the meeting and/or provide you with the required documentation if you need to take him to court---and believe me .. he doesn't want to go to court, or spend the money to send the service manager and service tech over a $50 dispute.

My guess is he will call to soothe the ruffled feathers ... and offer you a voucher for a free oil change, lube and safety check.


You just need to ask yourself ... would a free oil change make you happy ?


Good Luck.

 

[Greg Smith]

last time I took a vehicle to an alignment shop, (never go to the dealer), I got a free alignment check. once it was found out of spec, then I agreed to the charges.

go to an indepented alignment shop and have a talk with them.

Yes this has always been my approach. Many chain tire shops have a corporate policy of providing free alignment checks. They then give you the info on whether it is out of spec and the cost of alignment and of any parts replacement needed. While I am willing to pay for an alignment shops time in checking things, if a good shop has free checks built into its pricing model and if I get a copy of the alignment machine printout showing it is out of spec and showing the after alignment within spec then I will go to them. For example recently my daughter's Passat needed an alignment since it was pulling to the side. The VW dealer wanted $100 for alignment or alignment check. I sent her to Merchants Tire for a free alignment check. We also used a $20 off coupon from Merchant's web site. Turned out the toe was way out of spec. and we have the before and after print out. I believe Just Tires and NTB also have a similar policy on free alignment checks. Of course you often need to educate the tech about how to adjust your caster with shims if you have a castor issue. Just Tires provided the same free check on my xj a fee yrs ago and found bad balljoints (and needed an offset one to correct a camber issue) which I had repaired somewhere else since they could not do the work. Greg

 

[lunghd]

Just make it worth the dealer's time to PAY you to leave:

First:
Call dealer and schedule an 'oil change' for "As late in the day as you make it!" Shoot for 4PM if they close at 5, later if they have extended hours...

7:30AM on day of "oil change":

Get your favorite cd, a walkman with headphones and a good book.
Borrow a 15 passenger van.
Borrow 15 children under the age of 10.
Give each child sugar cookies and pop-tarts. Anything that will promote a sugar-buzz.
7:45AM - Drive to dealership.
Provide each kid with a triple-dip ice-cream cone and a 64oz. big-gulp with no lid or straw.
8:00AM - Go into service department's waiting area.
Tell them you had to come early for your evening appointment and you sure hope they don't mind you're baby-sitting for some friends.
Put on headphones.
Sit.
Read.
Enjoy.
Tell service manager "They're not my kids. But I'll call the cops if you touch them. Do you have my money?"
Enjoy more. aperwork

 

[Kejtar]

Just make it worth the dealer's time to PAY you to leave:

LOL... arty: THis is a good one !