Dealer Charge to Reprogram Door Locks??

[114run]

Picked up my '11 4Runner (SR5) on Wednesday and read the Owners' Manual. Discovered that the dealer can re-program the door locks and other stuff. So, I go back on Thursday and ask the dealer to do some re-prograning and they want to charge me $54. WTF??? Well, I complained and the service guy tells me that the owner will have to wave the charge. WTF??? Isn't this part of the new car set up? Anybody else have a similar issue? :wtf:

 

[beamer4prez]

They should do this for free. It's takes all of 5 minutes. They did it for me along with a couple other things (seatbelt chime, etc.)

edit: run a search for programmable features. There are a lot of fun things you can have them do for you. And like I said.... all free.

 

[-JD-]

I asked the dealer when i picked up my 4runner to program these settings for me as well as have someone check the tire pressure and he hummed and hawwed and made a big deal about it saying that he has to pay a tech $100/hour out of his commission to do it..... in the end they didnt do it for me!!!

I went to another dealer where i DIDN'T buy a truck and they did it for free....

 

[coldryder]

My dealer also wants $100 (o.k., actually $95). I am trying to get the salesperson to make the dealership pick up the tab. I've told him I will take it to another dealership if he can't work something out for me. I think he's coming around to my point of view.

 

[Scuba6]

I'm always surprised each time this topic pops up and some new 5th Gen owners are running into this same fuss with the dealerships.

It seems to me that most dealerships these days are making a big point to build long-term relationships with customers so that we will bring the truck in for service and then use the same dealership for future purchases. Performing free basic setup services is just part of building this relationship...and it literally does take 5 minutes. So I'm surprised when dealerships neglect to do that!!

My original dealership did a one-time set up without question, and the dealership I'm now going to (moved states) for 5K service etc made some additional adjustments without question. Most of the service reps I've dealt with just consider it an easy win to build your the relationship.

 

[kingpin748]

Find a new dealer. Sounds like they are going to be "nickle & dimeing" you to death for the rest of your relationship. My dealer changed the settings for me at my first oil change free of charge.

 

[rover]

I was told 1/2 hour charge for as many changes that i wanted to make.
btw this was after the deal.

 

[Chrisinvermont]

I made sure that I worked it out with the salesman prior to signing. When I made the service appointment the manager told me that I had to pay. I refered him to the salesman and the cost was picked up by the sales department.

You would think on a vehicle that you need a specialized equipment to set user preferences that everyone should get at least one shot at setting the preferences that they want when they buy the vehicle. I am used to being able to set these preferences myself on other vehicles, I don't know why they are so locked down on the this one.

 

[114run]

Everybody.........Thanks for your replies. Although I am new to the 4Runner, I've owned many Toyotas (Tacomas, Rav4, Celicas etc.) over the years.

Scuba6.........You make an excellent point.

kingpin748........I agree. The dealer, in fact, became upset when I did not purchase their service contract. I explained that, for the past 25 years, I've done all my own maintenance. He even tried to scare me into believing that Toyota would not honor the warrantee unless they did the maintenance work.

I really hope Toyota reads these forums.

 

[NikonShooter]

I've had reprogramming done 3 times and have never been charged. It only takes them less than 5 min. to reprogram things. Heck over 1/2 that time is for their computer to boot up and recognize the car.
:hunter::infidel::gun5: