Stupid Service Department Trying To Rip Me Off!!

[the_josh]

i take my truck into Concord Toyota yesterday to get the oil changed (which i think is the last time because it keeps getting more expensive and the wash that used to make it worth it at the end is the worst ive seen yet, looks like a 16 year old kid washed it) so after i get my truck the service rep comes up to me and says they found a serious problem, the inner cv joint on the passenger side has failed and is leaking grease and i need to get it fixed immediately, and i ask how much and he states $512 including parts!! and im thinking oh hell no, and he says if it doesnt get fixed soon the axle will fail and need to be replaced, so i kindly thank him and say i wont be getting it serviced here and that im going to take it to my suspension guy, so after leaving the dealer i go to my suspension shop and have jerry the head mechanic look at it and after he inspects it he says all it is, is a failed clamp and its allowing grease to slowly leak out but barely any has leaked so far, sooo i call toyota and order the part to a grand total of $7.02 and ill be getting it tomorrow and ill install it!!

what drives me nuts is they dont even care to examine further they just want to replace the whole thing, im sure there are many people that just go ahead and have toyota fix it and lose hundreds of wasted dollars in the mix!

 

[MikesToy]

You should tell the maintenance shop manager that he needs to fire his ppl. Better yet, tell the dealership owner that.

 

[GatorGreg]

You should tell the maintenance shop manager that he needs to fire his ppl. Better yet, tell the dealership owner that.

The problem though (I've heard) is that dealers make most of their money off the service department - and with vehicle sales going down the toilet they have an even bigger incentive to rip you off in the service department

 

[MikesToy]

The problem though (I've heard) is that dealers make most of their money off the service department - and with vehicle sales going down the toilet they have an even bigger incentive to rip you off in the service department

Service and Parts Dept can be rip-offs. I tend to work around it.
For example: If i went to inquire about a prob, the tech would quote me big $$$$$ just to look at it. Now if i went in and "asked" why about the prob, most likely the tech would say let's take a look at it. AND if i went to the parts dept and ask for how much for a 2007 taillight, the sales guy would get on the computer and quote me big $$$$. Now if i went to the same parts dept and said i want a $95 2007 taillight, most likely the sales guy would just add sales tax to your price. LOL

*Just my experience, i already went both ways.

 

[HB 4X4]

I would have gone back and talked to the guy who originally gave me that BS quote.

 

[toto]

There's no point in complaining or trying to talk to managers. They know exactly what they did, and you know exactly what they did. Fortunately, you're smarter than they are.

I'll have to try Mike's idea the next time I visit the parts department!

 

[rook]

hopefully, you will get a survey from Toyota and you can trash the dealer. I believe there are incentives based on their overall score. Hit 'em where it hurts

 

[<<<<]

Do Not use that Service Department, in fact do not use any car dealer for repairs. DIY or trusted local shop will save you money and time, also you'll be able to see the work done, where @ the dealer you're stuck in waiting room watching Oprah...

 

[greasefingers]

I have the same problem. When I rotated my tires last month I noticed that the driver

 

[Ohio4R]

the wash that used to make it worth it at the end is the worst ive seen yet, looks like a 16 year old kid washed it)

Hey dont be mad i did this as a summer job and i was 18, it gets annoying washing 50+ cars a day.

 

[Ohio4R]

hopefully, you will get a survey from Toyota and you can trash the dealer. I believe there are incentives based on their overall score. Hit 'em where it hurts

Yes, it does. Working as a porter at a local toyota dealership, my service managers would constantly yell at me about this. They get a large sum of money at the end of each month if they were in the green. I didnt like them that much so i would piss the customers off and we would get bad surveys. lol

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Rip-Off Artists


They don't call them "stealerships" for nothing, ya know!

With profit margins somewhat thinner on new cars, they have to 'make it up' somewhere else. More and more consumers are using the Internet, on-line buying services and credit unions to help negotiate the sales price on a new car.

Thus, used cars, parts, service, financing/insurance and dealer "add-ons" have now become their cash cows. Why is the $10 pinstripe often going for $150 or more? Then there is the obligatory 'rust protection' that they offer here in the South.


99% of customers will "trust" the dealership mechanics and service writers to do the right thing -- which is kind of stupid when their salaries demand them to do just the opposite. Many (but not all) dealer service departments often pay their writers & technicians on commission. By padding the order, it is possible for them to significantly add to their paychecks.
:bash:

Some would say this is highly unethical (and I would agree) or at the very least a conflict of interest, the folks in the trenches probably would say that if you can afford a new Toyota, then you can afford to pay $60 for what should be a $20 oil change. Well, more power to 'em; but it won't be by stealing from me.

Finding an independent shop is not always easy, and some of them are just as unethical as the worst dealer......but they are out there. Talk to a friend or neighbor who has a well-maintained older vehicle and ask where they get it serviced. That may steer you in the right direction.

I usually do my own oil & filter changes, along with some of the other minor stuff. I typically take my vehicles to the stealership only for "included" things such as annual state inspections or warranty/recall work. If something comes up that is rather expensive, I will often try to get a second opinion.

With the economy being what it is, consumer rip-offs are only going to happen more often.

 

[partsrep]

That's a shame. But not all dealers are that way. My dealership has been nothing but fair with me as long as I have been a customer there. Six Toyotas and 12 years later that still treat me like a valued customer.

 

[Mabuse]

I notice the original poster has an OME lift. The leaking CV boot is a common problem on 4Runners that are lifted.

While I hardly want to defend the behavior of a dealership, in this case they are doing more than just looking out for themselves and their wallets. There have been many DIY write-ups on this forum about people experience problems with the CV arms and leaking boots. There is an OEM kit for replacing the boot that consists of a new boot, several clamps, and assorted hardware. While the kit doesn't consist of much it carries a hefty price tag of approximately $300. Adding labor on would easily bring it to $500.

The dealer wasn't gouging you (although the case could be made that Toyota is gouging everyone with overpriced parts, but that's not the dealer

 

[MikesToy]

Re: Re: Stupid Service Department Trying To Rip Me Off!!

Hey dont be mad i did this as a summer job and i was 18, it gets annoying washing 50+ cars a day.

:lmao:

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I had a bad experience in 2007 with Cavendar Toyota in San Antonio. I was a junior in high school and this was before the 4Runner was my car. so i took it to the dealer to do i think it was a $20 oil change. I told them to use the parking brake so the tranny was hold the weight and to "treat her right" they did the exact opposite. 15 minutes later I walked out and there was a nice belt buckle scratch on the passenger fender. I RAISED HELL!!! 4 AN HOUR!!! there is a reason why there is fender mats when you work on cars. since then I have been DIY and never happier!

 

[BROOKLYN]

I notice the original poster has an OME lift. The leaking CV boot is a common problem on 4Runners that are lifted.

While I hardly want to defend the behavior of a dealership, in this case they are doing more than just looking out for themselves and their wallets. There have been many DIY write-ups on this forum about people experience problems with the CV arms and leaking boots. There is an OEM kit for replacing the boot that consists of a new boot, several clamps, and assorted hardware. While the kit doesn't consist of much it carries a hefty price tag of approximately $300. Adding labor on would easily bring it to $500.

The dealer wasn't gouging you (although the case could be made that Toyota is gouging everyone with overpriced parts, but that's not the dealer[/QUOTE/]

I agree, when you go to the dealership they will not replace a gasket or clamp they replace the whole piece. They do this because its less work but will pay the same rate. Parts makes more money and the most important reason is its the safer bet. When you replace a whole piece rather than a section it reduces the risk of comebacks and managers and toyota reps ripping you apart for a screw up.

 

[tomhaney1]

Hey dont be mad i did this as a summer job and i was 18, it gets annoying washing 50+ cars a day.

Get a different job then :dammit:

 

[tomhaney1]

Service and Parts Dept can be rip-offs. I tend to work around it.
For example: If i went to inquire about a prob, the tech would quote me big $$$$$ just to look at it. Now if i went in and "asked" why about the prob, most likely the tech would say let's take a look at it. AND if i went to the parts dept and ask for how much for a 2007 taillight, the sales guy would get on the computer and quote me big $$$$. Now if i went to the same parts dept and said i want a $95 2007 taillight, most likely the sales guy would just add sales tax to your price. LOL

*Just my experience, i already went both ways.

X2 I will go online and find the cheapest part price from a toyota dealership (usually Conicelli) and take it in and they will match the price- mechanical or body parts. Have to pay tax but large items are charged shipping anyways and if they have it at least you pick it up right there.