Brought my Toyotas to the dealer for service over the last few days...

[1engineer]

It's just upselling and no big deal. The world has been taking advantage of unsuspecting and gullible people since cave man days. Go to another dealer you feel more "comfortable" with if it bothers you. Is it wrong? Sure it's wrong but not against the law.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

It's just upselling and no big deal.

There should be a dislike button for posts like this. It is a big deal.

It happens because dealerships know 99% of those who come to them are clueless and will in many cases buy their BS. Yea...it's not illegal, but that does not make it right.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Coca Cola will get rid of all corrosion in every nook and cranny.

Baking soda does the same and does not leave behind a sugary mess like Coke does.:boink:

We have some really good acid neutralizer that we use to clean battery terminals, but what I typically see is a crust about 1mm or more forming in the nooks and crannies and even soaking it in this stuff for half an hour or more is barely enough to get it to chip off. Not to mention that it still requires scrubbing and by the time the crust is removed the protective plating on the terminal is gone and a more easily corroded copper looking (I don't remember all the plated layers that make up the terminal) layer is exposed. The positive terminals used in vehicles these days are ridiculously flimsy things seemingly almost designed to collect and encourage the blue crust to grow.

I'm not saying you shouldn't give the baking soda or Coca Cola a shot, by ll means if you have the opportunity to let the terminal soak then go ahead. I unfortunately already lose time (because its .3hrs to do a battery service, which you'd think would be enough until you factor getting keys, pulling the vehicle in, ect.) on battery services at work because I take the battery, battery tray, terminals, and hold-down out, then clean them, add protection goop and re-install everything.

Not to mention that from what I have seen once the grey metal coating has been stripped off from chemical reaction or scrubbing, the blue crust comes back faster than before.

I understand your response here, but what I don't understand is why there is a belief that the service manager at the same dealership would have a different answer. Why would you think he/she would throw his/her employee under the bus by back-stepping the dealerships recommendation, or not wanting to make the extra revenue (either directly from our wallets or through warranty service)? Or do you have a dealership that is that politically divided?

I made the same recommendation for the OP and it has nothing to do with appealing to the goodness of the Service Manager. If the SM is a good guy, he'll make it right; but more often than not these guys are as crooked as their Service Writers and General Managers.

But what I am encouraging the OP to do is to make damn well sure the SM knows why he's losing a customer and on top of that, make sure its written down. If that SM gets enough written/recorded complaints against his department then upper management has to come down and find out why they are getting so much evidence against the guy. Most times it won't do much in terms of change anything, but I can tell you right now that when the SM has to spend half his day defending himself against upper management he's having a bad day. :whoo:

 

[1engineer]

There should be a dislike button for posts like this. It is a big deal.

It happens because dealerships know 99% of those who come to them are clueless and will in many cases buy their BS. Yea...it's not illegal, but that does not make it right.

Did you read my WHOLE frickin' post bro?
I SAID it's wrong, but unfortunately morals and profits usually don't mix. If you want to live in your little world of unicorns and rainbows and everyone helping their fellow man then go for it. The real world will eat you alive. Again, it happens in all walks of life. People need to get a hammerlock on ignorance and this crap wouldn't happen.

Oh, I "liked" your post because it's the only button I have...

 

[Americas High Five]

I understand your response here, but what I don't understand is why there is a belief that the service manager at the same dealership would have a different answer. Why would you think he/she would throw his/her employee under the bus by back-stepping the dealerships recommendation, or not wanting to make the extra revenue (either directly from our wallets or through warranty service)? Or do you have a dealership that is that politically divided?

Like me, you do not know the dynamics of that particular dealership and are not stating facts, only speculation. If I was told I needed services I clearly did not (OP's examples: battery terminal treatment, new wipers, alignment, etc.) I would let the service manager know I was being ill advised to by his employees and that he is losing a customer. I am simply giving advice on what I would do if it were me in this situation as are many others in this thread.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Did you read my WHOLE frickin' post bro?
I SAID it's wrong, but unfortunately morals and profits usually don't mix. If you want to live in your little world of unicorns and rainbows and everyone helping their fellow man then go for it. The real world will eat you alive. Again, it happens in all walks of life. People need to get a hammerlock on ignorance and this crap wouldn't happen.

Oh, I "liked" your post because it's the only button I have...

No rainbows on this end. I've avoided being eaten quite nicely 1E. I read your post. My comment dealt with your opening remark...."no big deal". A somewhat nonchalant attitude on your part.

 

[1engineer]

No rainbows on this end. I've avoided being eaten quite nicely 1E. I read your post. My comment dealt with your opening remark...."no big deal". A somewhat nonchalant attitude on your part.

Because it is "no big deal." Walk through a fish market in Taiwan or a swap meet in Australia...same thing. Watch any commercial here in the U.S. for any product...same thing. Do you really need a hot pink tooth brush with big thick plastic knobs on the side for $5.00 or will the $0.29 cent version work just as well? You want a channel from the cable company but it's "bundled" in $30.00 of worthless crap you don't want or need but you get it anyway. It's all about the "upsell" and again, it's no big deal because it's built into the fabric of businesses. I would be surprised if the dealer didn't try to push silly stuff like that.

Here's one for ya: Why do you think most auto companies now put a bunch of options into one package? I used to be able to order al a carte but now I'm forced to buy a package. Again, it's upselling at the highest level. Want that leather? Have to take that POS Nav unit too lol.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Have to take that POS Nav unit too lol.

Now there's somethin' we agree on.

POS Navigation Unit. I get a kick out of watchin' my wife battle with that thing.

Get in the f**k*** car and drive.

 

[philsey]

For you sissy-pants that are offended by the upsell, please allow me to remind you that it happens all the time, and for those that succumb to it, well, either get a brain or caveat emptor.

Sound familiar: 1) Wants fries with that, 2) care to upsize your drink for only fiddy-cent, 3) we recommend the 5 year maintence agreement with that stove/microwave/refrigerator/dishwasher/tablet/phone/pc/, 4) the lifetime balance is only $15 more per wheel, ..... and the list goes on....

ETA: and my fav: THREE suits for the price of ONE.
ETA2: As far as the dealer upsell is concerned, you just need two words: "show me".

 

[nevada]

Because it is "no big deal." Walk through a fish market in Taiwan or a swap meet in Australia...same thing. Watch any commercial here in the U.S. for any product...same thing. Do you really need a hot pink tooth brush with big thick plastic knobs on the side for $5.00 or will the $0.29 cent version work just as well? You want a channel from the cable company but it's "bundled" in $30.00 of worthless crap you don't want or need but you get it anyway. It's all about the "upsell" and again, it's no big deal because it's built into the fabric of businesses. I would be surprised if the dealer didn't try to push silly stuff like that.

Here's one for ya: Why do you think most auto companies now put a bunch of options into one package? I used to be able to order al a carte but now I'm forced to buy a package. Again, it's upselling at the highest level. Want that leather? Have to take that POS Nav unit too lol.

in this case it is a big deal, its fraud.

the terminals didn't need cleaned. they would have billed him and NOT done anything. that IS WRONG, and illegal.

 

[Americas High Five]

It's all about the "upsell" and again, it's no big deal because it's built into the fabric of businesses. I would be surprised if the dealer didn't try to push silly stuff like that.

I just had my oil changed and VA State inspection done last week. No attempt at "upselling" me on anything; no 60K maintenance (currently at 62K miles), no mention of new tires
(currently @ 4/32 tread left), no additional fluid changes, etc. I was baffled when the service rep sent me on my way so easy with no mention of the above...

 

[nevada]

For you sissy-pants that are offended by the upsell, please allow me to remind you that it happens all the time, and for those that succumb to it, well, either get a brain or caveat emptor.

Sound familiar: 1) Wants fries with that, 2) care to upsize your drink for only fiddy-cent, 3) we recommend the 5 year maintence agreement with that stove/microwave/refrigerator/dishwasher/tablet/phone/pc/, 4) the lifetime balance is only $15 more per wheel, ..... and the list goes on....

ETA: and my fav: THREE suits for the price of ONE.
ETA2: As far as the dealer upsell is concerned, you just need two words: "show me".

upselling isn't the same thing as flat out charging for something that it doesn't need, or that isn't done. they are telling him it needs these things done. they aren't asking if he wants to do it. offering an addition, or saying you need it is 2 different things.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

in this case it is a big deal, its fraud.

the terminals didn't need cleaned. they would have billed him and NOT done anything. that IS WRONG, and illegal.

I don't disagree with either of you guys... but this is America, land run my large corporations and their yearly earnings; protected by the corrupt politicians they pay off, all in the name of making a quick buck off the unsuspecting and calling it the American Dream.

It sucks, its disgusting, and more often than not illegal; but America (hell, the whole world) as a whole allows corrupt consumerism to run rampant. Its why we get decontented products for higher prices and not many people object in any meaningful way.

 

[Socalrugger]

Coca Cola will get rid of all corrosion in every nook and cranny.

......in the 4Runner and your body :beer:

 

[Socalrugger]

I don't disagree with either of you guys... but this is America, land run my large corporations and their yearly earnings; protected by the corrupt politicians they pay off, all in the name of making a quick buck off the unsuspecting and calling it the American Dream.

It sucks, its disgusting, and more often than not illegal; but America (hell, the whole world) as a whole allows corrupt consumerism to run rampant. Its why we get decontented products for higher prices and not many people object in any meaningful way.

........and this is all before the $2,000/hr lawyers get involved

 

[Antman]

oh, i "liked" your post because it's the only button i have...

 

[Y2KSR5]

What dealer? Pappas is starting to get on my nerves with not returning calls etc

 

[dekeman]

Once you reach 3,875 posts on T4R.org, the site admins send you a $500 cheque for all your contributions, having greatly increased the general knowledge of the 4R population, but also because they've made a boatload from all the ads. It's an upsell to get you to post more.

 

[Antman]

Once you reach 3,875 posts on T4R.org, the site admins send you a $500 cheque for all your contributions, having greatly increased the general knowledge of the 4R population, but also because they've made a boatload from all the ads. It's an upsell to get you to post more.

Sho me da MONEY!!!:whoo:

 

[toyotatech84]

this is quite disturbing because as a former tech turned service manager this type of work drives me nuts. We have a bunch of younger guys doing our oil changes and shit. i get recommendations like this all the time. First thing i do is ask them to show me how bad certain things are (brakes more specifically) and based on my findings i will either take customers to their vehicle to show them the importance of said repairs. If i find the recommendations bogus or unnecessary i will take it off the ticket or advise the customer on future needs. For them to recommend a battery terminal replacement would warrant a write up from me. I was told at a young age as a tech (started at 17) to treat their cars as if it was my mothers vehicle.