Toyota left a tool under the hood...

[TRDCal]

Where did I compare a 4Runner to an airplane. I was comparing my standards and expectations of workmanship and customer service to Red's. My statement regarding thoroughness as an A&P Tech was in reference to workmanship and attention to detail. There was no mention of 4runner. You're the one who injected the 4runner in there, not me. But since you decided to weigh in, it seems that your position, as it appears from your post is that it's ok to have lower quality of work on a 4runner since "a forgotten tool isn't going to kill 300 people." IMO, being thorough applies to any skilled profession not just mechanics.

I believe what happened was everyone was talking about a tool forgotten in a 4runner and then you said "Over 30 years ago I got certified as an Airframe & Powerplant Technician as a hobby. Simple mistakes like leaving tools inside aircraft cowling were not tolerated". So I put two and two together, but after all this is a 4runner forum so their bound to get "injected" into the conversations.

I'm not saying it is "OK" that the work on your 4runner is of a lower quality but I'm definitely saying that's the reality of it. Don't get me wrong a skilled AME (A&P Tech) is no more skilled than a skilled Auto technician. I believe that any skilled professional who takes pride in his/her work will be thorough (no matter what the profession) but thats the problem...it's not the 20 year veteran master mechanic that forgot his impact gun, its the highschool drop-out with no education or ambition who changes tires all day.

That's just my opinion anyways, don't take it too seriously...have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Red]

Agreed on both points. And that is what I simply stated to begin with. Not sure of where the lawyers, pitchforks, torches and apocalypse have any relevance in this discussion but thanks for the laughs.:thanks:

Have a Merry Christmas!eace:

It's a discussion on a forum, just keeping it light hearted.

Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[me_rikey]

i'm sure there's some kind of moral issue with this, but i'd just keep it and go else where. first of all they didn't apologize, second of all a tech forgot his tool which is essential to doing his job, and third those prices for those services are ridiculous!

 

[Gecko123]

Wow, Toyota Dealer leaving a tool inside the hood. I didnt think this topic would be so hot.

 

[R.A.]

Wow, Toyota Dealer leaving a tool inside the hood. I didnt think this topic would be so hot.

Especially since cdn87 has not been back on the site since 12-15-2012 02:19 PM.

:shrug:

eace:

 

[JWaldz]

I can't stand the dealership sometimes but lucky for me, I know a few of the guys personally. So I usually get good rates and prices. They did piss me off once though when I took it in for an oil change and they took my front aftermarket skid of for some reason. I had the front 3 grade 8 bolts reinforced with lock-nuts on the backside. They snapped all 3 bolts before coming to find me. Pretty 5hitty. They comped my oil change but I didn't have enough time to sit around and wait for them to drill out the holes so I had to do it myself and buy more hardware.

 

[cdn87]

Thank you everyone for your taking the time to read and post in this thread.

Here is an update:

I spoke with Stampede Toyota again about a week ago now and as was suggested to me, I asked for someone from their dealership to drop by and pick up the tool and that I would be willing to arrange to bring it to my office with me if business hour pick up was the only option. They have yet to get back to me to arrange something so I still have the tool in my possession.

In the meantime, I ended up taking my 4Runner to another dealer (Heninger Toyota). After I mentioned that I was concerned about the possibility of damage under the hood due to an error at the other dealer, they offered to perform a full inspection at no charge.

After the inspection was complete, I received a call from the service writer who assured me that no damage was present under the hood but the CV boots were torn and needed attention. It was mentioned that no noise was audible from the CV joint on a test drive but that just replacing the torn boots would be ~$900 ($450 per side) or I could have both axles replaced for ~$1,200. Also, because there was very little grease left in the torn boots, if I just replaced the boots this may only be a temporary fix. So I decided to just to spend the $1200 and solve the problem.

They performed the work and I picked it up same day. They changed the front and rear diff fluid and installed new CV axles and charged me $1,070.00 out the door and thanked me for my business.