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Am I Being Ripped Off 2

jmallon

jmallon

SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2003
Messages
8
Location
Lockport, NY
I recently took my 03 Avy with 8500 miles into my local dealer (who shall remain nameless but if you search for them based on my location you will find them) for service. The dealer said that I needed to have a GM service number II. This service was due to the fact that the vehical was 1 year old with almost 9000 miles on it. The "service" that my chevy dealer performed was as follows:

Brake inspection and maintenance
Oil and filter service
greased all vehical fittings
lubricated hinges and latches
Inspected underhood fluid levels and filled as necessary
inspected belts and hoses
inspected front/rear axle fluids
inspected drive train
checked drive train boots and seals
Inspection of Air Filter - (I have aftermarket system)
Rotate and balance tires
Inspected PCV system
Inspected Cabin Air Filter
performed visual inspection of cooling system for leaks
measured freeze protection level of cooling system
Lubricated key lock cylinders
performed starter switch check
performed auto transmission shift lock control check
performed ignition transmission lock check
performed brake and transmission park mechanism check
ispected battery terminals
inspected wiper blade performance
visual inspection of steering and suspension componenets
inspeced exhaust - I have a magnaflow system
inspected tires and wheels for damage/deterioration
and so on..
Basically all they had to do was look the truck over. Other than the oil change and lube no parts or fluids where used. The total bill for all this: $218.58 :( !!!
Only $14.00 was in parts the rest was labor. Labor for what I don't know. The worst part is that the next day I had to take my wifes 03 cavilier in and guess what they told me it needed the same service plus the inspection was due and the trunk release was not working properly and needed adjustment. Thinking fast I asked the dealer if they accepted coupons from competetors. I showed up with the car and coupons good for fee 25 point inspection check, 5 dollars off the inspection and $19.95 for a oil change and lube.
The end result was that I paid $206.66 for the Cavy. So in 1 week I paid over $400 for 2 basically brand new auto's. According to my dealers maintenence schedual I will be duing this every 9000 miles!
Let me know what you all think!
 
Did they use Lubrication when they raped you! It all sounds like BS to me! My advice is to find a reputible mechanic and talk to him first. If you were closer, I'd say my dad, but he is in Western Monroe County.
 
Sounds like a rip off to me. When I've brought vehicles in for an oil change they perform all those "checks" as part of the service. Usually costs me about $30! Add $10 to rotate the tires! Total of $40+/-. I've never heard of this service nor would I want to pay that kind of money for what they did... looked at. Just my .02.
 
YA I'll say you got ripped off, it better to do all the checks yourself, I do NOT go to my dealer for service I do all of my own service. I did go to my dealer for warranty work thats all and with 9000 miles on your vehicle you shouldn't have many problems. It would have cost less to take it to a service station that you trust, it doesn't void any warranties as long as you can prove you maintained the vehicle with regular services.

Real sorry you got ripped off but all the dealers are like that, sell you something you don't need. Good luck in the future.

Gary
:E:
 
I would be taking it somewhere else. I have never had a completely good experience at any dealer, and I've been to Chevy, Ford, and even Volvo.

Fortunately, for non-warranty work, I've found an amazing garage right near my house. Because of a p$%s poor design, it took them 2 weeks to change the Mazda clutch in my Explorer. Now keep in mind they had the transmission out at least 3 times, maybe 4, which involves removing part of the exhaust. They only charged me 5 hours labor, which is the standard for a new clutch.

A lot of that stuff is part of our PA state inspection, and that is only about $40. I smell a cash cow mooing. If they built the car/truck right, why does that all need to be inspected after only 9000 miles?
 
Your Owners Manual has all of the needed preventive maintenance listed that's required for your warranty. Anything over that is your dealer adding stuff on. I had a dealer that was trying to do the same thing. So I went to another dealer and asked them to perform the maintenance according to Chevy's requirements.

The difference?

Dealer 1 - $400 for the 15,000 mile inspection

Dealer 2 - $68 for the 15,000 mile inspection

I'd say the price for your service (although I don't understand the 1 year/9000 mile part) is pretty far off.
 
kodio said:
Your Owners Manual has all of the needed preventive maintenance listed that's required for your warranty. Anything over that is your dealer adding stuff on. I had a dealer that was trying to do the same thing. So I went to another dealer and asked them to perform the maintenance according to Chevy's requirements.

The difference?

Dealer 1 - $400 for the 15,000 mile inspection

Dealer 2 - $68 for the 15,000 mile inspection

I'd say the price for your service (although I don't understand the 1 year/9000 mile part) is pretty far off.
Click to expand...

AGREE!

check the manual...it lists what is required.....
 
This is exactly the kind of situation that gives dealerships a bad reputation. Some deserve it, some don't.

But, how can the uninformed/innocent keep from getting raped? By, getting info from the educated.

Like many members here.

If you know a dealer has a tendancy to charge for extras, or overcharge, let everyone know. If you go into a dealership service center, with knowledge, you may be able to negotiate a better deal than their quote. If they don't want to play ball, then walk. But, at least you gave them the chance. Some may learn, some won't.

[rant over]
 
It's good to relay bad experiences because it lets others know what you watch out for. I made the same mistake years ago. I took a car in for some work at the dealership and they asked me if I wanted them to do the 24,000 mile maintenance while I had it in. I agreed (without asking how much). The next thing I knew I was socked with a $250 bill for exactly the same types of things you mentioned.

I very often take my vehicles to the dealership for maintenance. The reason is because I don't personally know of any good mechanics. I figure the dealership is my best shot at getting a good mechanic, because since they generally pay more, they can be more selective.

Now I tell them a couple of things up front. First I tell them that all charges have to be authorized by myself prior to the work being performed and I also tell them that I will not pay for any parts that do not fix my vehicle. By this I mean if they replace 3 things, but only one of them was the actual faulty component. I'm only paying for the one faulty component.
 
Almost everything you listed would be considered common preventive maintenance items that any qualified person could perform him/herself. However, many owners are not comfortable, "qualified", nor have the time/interest in doing such things so they depend upon for-profit alternatives to perform such service checks (or they just ignore preventive maintenance and pay for it at some point in the future).

The price charged by a dealer is generally higher than a local shop and likely to be higher than national service centers (e.g., Sears, Firestone, Goodyear, etc). The dealer obviously has more overhead and has the service equipment and parts deptartment to maintain. These costs are spread over all of the service charges whether you need them or not. Thus dealers are at a cost-disadvantage when it comes to typical servicing. A thrifty consumer from a pure cost standpoint should thus go elsewhere. However, some consumers feel (correctly or by perception) that they get better quality service from a dealer compared to the alternatives or it may come down to convenience (I'm already there for some other reason and it's just easier to have the service done at the same time), or trust (I trust a dealer more than Sears to not rip me off -- or perhaps I should say I distrust Sears more than a dealer).

The bottom line is, the dealers charge what they charge because they can (regardless that their overhead costs are higher). They are higher than the alternatives because consumers are willing to pay a little more for whatever reason. It's not really a rip off so much as you paid a premium for something you likely could have had done cheaper somewhere else, but your peace of mind knowing it was probably done right and knowing they probably did not try to sell you some completely unneeded repair like some other shops might do (a common complaint of the national repair centers). It's all about economic theory -- balancing price with what the competion has to offer. If you feel you did paid too much, next time go someplace else (or better yet, perform the service yourself).
 
IMO, I'll bet they didn't do but very few of those miniscule items on the list at all. It's easy to think of them and print something up. I'd look closely - Q-tip some "lubed" areas, and such..

Go ahead and mention them! All you need to add/edit in your statement is words to the effect of: "In My Opinion", or "It Appears To Me That" .

Then invite them here to post their side of the story....

If they don't, then you can mention it to the local "Daily Rag" or broadcast media. If they do, that's fair! :rolleyes:

It's apparent they are getting greedy, obviosly not a good sign.

Any attorney's here have a comment on that?
 
kdunlap said:
Almost everything you listed would be considered common preventive maintenance items that any qualified person could perform him/herself. However, many owners are not comfortable, "qualified", nor have the time/interest in doing such things so they depend upon for-profit alternatives to perform such service checks (or they just ignore preventive maintenance and pay for it at some point in the future).

The price charged by a dealer is generally higher than a local shop and likely to be higher than national service centers (e.g., Sears, Firestone, Goodyear, etc). The dealer obviously has more overhead and has the service equipment and parts deptartment to maintain. These costs are spread over all of the service charges whether you need them or not. Thus dealers are at a cost-disadvantage when it comes to typical servicing. A thrifty consumer from a pure cost standpoint should thus go elsewhere. However, some consumers feel (correctly or by perception) that they get better quality service from a dealer compared to the alternatives or it may come down to convenience (I'm already there for some other reason and it's just easier to have the service done at the same time), or trust (I trust a dealer more than Sears to not rip me off -- or perhaps I should say I distrust Sears more than a dealer).

The bottom line is, the dealers charge what they charge because they can (regardless that their overhead costs are higher). They are higher than the alternatives because consumers are willing to pay a little more for whatever reason. It's not really a rip off so much as you paid a premium for something you likely could have had done cheaper somewhere else, but your peace of mind knowing it was probably done right and knowing they probably did not try to sell you some completely unneeded repair like some other shops might do (a common complaint of the national repair centers). It's all about economic theory -- balancing price with what the competion has to offer. If you feel you did paid too much, next time go someplace else (or better yet, perform the service yourself).
Click to expand...

Please. Starter switch check. Inspected wiper blade performance. I don't see these anywhere listed in the owner's manual maintenance schedule. I'm not saying that these are necessarily bad things to do, but if the customer leaves feeling ripped off, the dealership sold him the premium caviar service level, when probably the bread and butter service level is what the customer desired. If your dealership's idea of proper maintenance doesn't jive with your pocketbook and/or sensibilities, then find another that does. I'm currently very happy with where I've been going, (although they all ususally want to change the oil at 3000 miles even though the truck says it is happy at up to 10,000).
 
Go back to the dealer and shove your foot up his @ss...tell him it's routine maint. of his colon and will cost $220.00 for removal of the foot!
 
When I went to Valvoline instant oil change they did most of that for free with the oil change AND they top off your fluids for 3 months free. All for under $50, and in 15 minute without getting out of the truck. I dont go there now because I get Mobil 1 at a local shop cheap and inspect on my own... sorry to hear about your experience... :E:
 
Main One said:
(although they all ususally want to change the oil at 3000 miles even though the truck says it is happy at up to 10,000).
Click to expand...

I'm a mechanic by trade, and I won't go more than 3,000 miles give or take a few, on my oil changes. And I use Mobil1 in almost everything I own. (minus my off-road truck) Small price to pay to know that my oil hasn't broken down and could harm my engines.

BTW, on the original post, we offer an inspection service(mostly geared toward someone looking at buying a used vehicle) and inspect more than what was inspected on your Av for 1 hour labor.
 
If any of you have your vehicles registered through mygmlink.com this is an inspection that is done at the 6 month point and at the 12 month period. Everytime I update my service history at mygmlink.com it's a space that is available for me to put who when where has performed these inspections. Have I done them? Hell no! It's not part of the regular service schedule. My service advisor never mentioned any special service inspection to me, but i do know what you're talking about. Did they ask you did you want the special service done? and what kind of grease or lubrication did they use >:Dor did they use any at all
 
jmallon said:
Let me know what you all think!
Click to expand...

I would think that perhaps the problem is not only the dealership but also your own.

I'm sorry to say that you need to be an educated consumer.

After paying that much money for them basically doing nothing how does it feel to sit down are you all swollan and soar.

What i would do is contact your local Better business association and inform them that you feel as though you have been ripped off and for sure you have! go around to other shops and ask them to write quotes for a oil & lube with a 50 point or 60 point inspection get a few then return to the dealer and demand that they match the average of those prices.

If they don't then write a letter to the editor of the newspaper detailling what happened and call GM!

Also get some "Preperation H" that will help with the discomfort in your back side!! :7:
 
After reading what everyone is paying for a basic oil change I hate to admit my dealer gives FREE oil changes for as long as you own the vehicle. My previous ride was a 2001 Silverado 4X4...the oil was changed every 3K miles. If you phoned a week ahead of time you could pretty much name day and time. I guess I'm spoiled.

soknight
 
lance6902 said:
Go back to the dealer and shove your foot up his @ss...tell him it's routine maint. of his colon and will cost $220.00 for removal of the foot!
Click to expand...

I have to say that when I read your post I was rolling on the floor.

You could not have said it better. If it would have happened to me I would have no problem telling the Service Manager that right to his face. Karma to you Bro !!!
 
soknight said:
After reading what everyone is paying for a basic oil change I hate to admit my dealer gives FREE oil changes for as long as you own the vehicle. My previous ride was a 2001 Silverado 4X4...the oil was changed every 3K miles. If you phoned a week ahead of time you could pretty much name day and time. I guess I'm spoiled.

soknight
Click to expand...
Free?? Nothing in this world is Free! My guess is that it's worked into the purchase price or somewhere. ???
But then again, I have been wrong before! :2:
If indeed it's free, (or hidden so well Sherlock Holmes couldn't find it), I'll be buying my next Avy there! (y)
 
Chevy dealer in Sylacauga, Al., charges $9.95 for oil and filter change + lube. However, I do my own, always have and will until physically unable. I now use Mobil 1, helps to decrease dependency on East oil. 3000 miles, BS. An American vehicle in Europe recommends oil change at 15k while Jiffy, Sears,etc; and oil companies want the dough at 3k. U.S. Military has tested oil changes and found that they were not necassary. If the gov't went that route, I do not know. Avalanche computers tell us when the change is "needed". I am 59 years young, have purchased 20+ Gm vehicles, never needed any warranty work. The warranty expires at 36/36 anyway. When I sold or traded a GM vehicle, the test drive by the manager confirmed the soundness of the trade in. Maybe I have been lucky, but I have saved a ton of $$ and time not waiting at a dealer for what I can do in 30 minutes. 
 
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