Stopped by this morning to make an appointment for routine maintenance, usually there's about a 2 week lead time to get appointment. Service manager asks if I want to do it now. This has never happened before, he said there were some no shows and he had a couple of techs that needed something to do. Sure thing, especially since most of what I was getting done is free anyway if you purchased there. Bought a lottery ticket on the way home, maybe I'll be a billionaire Friday.
Unusual occurrence at the Toyota dealer
- Thread starter Chuck24
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Times are tough at most dealerships now. Limited new car availability, limited used car stock, and people are deferring maintenance or going to less expensive independent garages for routine things like oil changes.
Service departments want to keep their techs busy since many still pay based on flat rate hours.
Service and parts make dealers more than sales, especially now.
Service departments want to keep their techs busy since many still pay based on flat rate hours.
Service and parts make dealers more than sales, especially now.
DWalt
Member
Long ago I discovered the hard way that taking a car to a dealership for service, other than recall or warranty work, is something to be avoided like an STD.
After my free service ran out my next service which was oil change and tire rotation was almost $100. Insane. That was the last time you will see me in that dealership unless I need warranty work
Yesterday I took my wife's RAV4 to the Toyota dealership for an oil change. My dealership makes on-line appointments so I had to wait for less than an hour.
It was about $100 for a synthetic oil change which is what they charge at the other shops around here.
It was about $100 for a synthetic oil change which is what they charge at the other shops around here.
This is a timely thread. I've been doing business with the same Toyota shop for 20+ years. Bought lots of vehicles, had them do most of the work. Never had an issue. They've had the same service manager for all that time, and a lot of long time service writers.
Yesterday I went in foran oil change. About 20 minutes later one of the asst. service managers found me and asked me to go out with him to the service bay.
My Tacoma was up on a lift and the guy pointed out that three of the bolts holding the front skid plate were sheared off. I asked how that might have happened, but he really didn't have an answer.
I told him to go ahead and replace them even though it would cost an hours labor.
I must have been slow because it wasn't until I got home that the obvious dawned on me. Since the sheared off ends had rust, that had happened on a previous service visit.
No one other than their techs has done any work on the truck and I don't drive off road.
I don't think three bolts would sheer off on their own. If they did then I think Toyota would have issued a TSB about it.
For background I started working on cars and trucks when I was 10. I worked for my Dad's business through my teen years when not in school. All of which is to say I know which way to turn a wrench.
Today I got a follow up text asking if all was okay. I usually don't reply and usually when Toyota asks me to rate my service I give them a 5 star rating. This time I'm thinking about replying to the text and asking to speak with the service manager.
Since it's clear that one of their techs sheared off the bolts, I think they should absorb the cos of the repair.
Am I wrong?
Yesterday I went in foran oil change. About 20 minutes later one of the asst. service managers found me and asked me to go out with him to the service bay.
My Tacoma was up on a lift and the guy pointed out that three of the bolts holding the front skid plate were sheared off. I asked how that might have happened, but he really didn't have an answer.
I told him to go ahead and replace them even though it would cost an hours labor.
I must have been slow because it wasn't until I got home that the obvious dawned on me. Since the sheared off ends had rust, that had happened on a previous service visit.
No one other than their techs has done any work on the truck and I don't drive off road.
I don't think three bolts would sheer off on their own. If they did then I think Toyota would have issued a TSB about it.
For background I started working on cars and trucks when I was 10. I worked for my Dad's business through my teen years when not in school. All of which is to say I know which way to turn a wrench.
Today I got a follow up text asking if all was okay. I usually don't reply and usually when Toyota asks me to rate my service I give them a 5 star rating. This time I'm thinking about replying to the text and asking to speak with the service manager.
Since it's clear that one of their techs sheared off the bolts, I think they should absorb the cos of the repair.
Am I wrong?
LVSteve
Member
Dealerships typically charge $100/hour or more for servicing and have done for some time. I'm surprised that you are surprised.
Independent shops are getting up there as well. Of course they don't have the huge overhead that dealerships do.
Lodging a complaint can't hurt, but expecting them to take responsibility for it now is a lost cause.
My local shop charges $55 for an oil change using dinosaur oil.
snowman
Member
Steve,
grover99 lives in Missouri; you're in Las Vegas. Could it be that dealers in his general area have lower charges than in your city, and thus account for his surprise? I don't know of course -just a thought.
Regards,
Andy
DWalt
Member
My last synthetic oil and filter change at the local quick change shop was about two months ago. $62 after a $10 discount coupon. But they always have the $10 off coupons on their website. No appointments needed, and you stay in the car while work is performed. Took about five minutes. And they also check the tire pressure, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. I couldn't do it myself much cheaper, what with synthetic oil at the auto parts store now at about $8/quart. I used to have it done at the nearby Firestone shop, but their price is now approaching $100.
Last edited:
In the past I always changed my own oil. old age is creeping up on me and I can't do it anymore. thought of paying 100 bucks just doesn't sit well with me even if that is what they are all charging now.
I have a car dealer friend who told me that if he could guarantee that each of his customers who bought a car from him would bring that car back to his shop for all of the required service and maintenance, he could afford to give the cars away for free!
I've never had an independent tell me I needed a fuel filter.
The problem is the dealership service departments treat you like they are never going to see you again - they gouge as best they can. Which pretty much guarantees they are never going to see you again. Service writers are incented to sell parts. Hence you always need something.
From a business standpoint, it is tragic. The selling dealership has 'prior franchise*,' making them the choice for service. Then they burn it down with the way they treat you.
The surprising thing to me is that the SALES departments of some of the dealerships around here (Sonic, Hendrick) have gotten thoroughly modern, treating buyers exactly right. Yet their service departments act like it's still 1950.
When I get a new car, I read the owner's manual to see what the service intervals are. I had a dealership send me a notice that my car was due for the "5,000 mile service." There is no such service. Lying to get me to come in. Except for warranty work, they NEVER saw me.
*Coke vs Pepsi. Coke outsells Pepsi simply because they came first. The products are indistinguishable.
This is a bad time for dealerships. Money spent on Xmas. #2 son always said that. Also, the cost of dealership labor is prohibitive.
Son started doing some side work, charging 80/hour and people are breaking his doors down. He just did 3500 in labor on a Peterbilt
Son started doing some side work, charging 80/hour and people are breaking his doors down. He just did 3500 in labor on a Peterbilt
Many of the new car dealerships in my area will repair any manufactures autos. I get Es and snail mail all the time from them looking for work.
Similar threads
