Auto dealership....

[dave1918a2]

I get oil changes at Walmart. Charge is 19.95 and You go inside and buy the oil and filter You want. My 1996 Powerstroke cost $178 at the local repair shop. Not quite $80 at WM. Bought new Michelins at Discount Tire and get free rotations every 5K and free tire repair. Never went near a dealer for anything but a used car or truck. Of course there was the local dealer that charged My 82 year old Mom $475 for an electronic ignition module on Her 1978 Toyota Corolla. Changed Their tune after a call from My companys attorney. Refunded all the extra stuff They didn't use and a written apology.

 

[grover99]

With two of my older friends the choice to stop driving was made by their Doctor. You know something like this " Mom the
Dr says you have to stop driving". That way she can be mad at the Doctor and not her son.

 

[Chuck24]

Luckily, my mom decided on her own. If she needed anything my sister was only 15 minutes away and I could be there in 45. Usually went on Saturday to do shopping. I was always thankful that was a dreaded conversation that never happened.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have a tracker on my elderly mother’s car to assist me in assessing that issue. We’re not there yet, but it’s coming . . .

The Day my Mom Voluntarily Said "I'm not Driving anymore"
was one of the Great Moments of Relief in my Whole life
It was getting to the point we were going to have to take Action
& Mom made the decision herself

 

[S&W Fan]

I had a 2003 Tahoe I had purchased at a local dealership which has the name of a very prominent Denver former football player. While it was under warranty I would take it there and was always treated very fairly.

In 2018 I received a coupon for a $35 oil service and inspection. Let me say I’m anal about the care of my vehicles/motorcycles-big on routine maintenance.

When it was completed I was handed a sheet with $1400+ in recommended services-the dreaded “dealership up sell”.

I took it to my favorite tire shop/garage, showed them the sheet asked for their recommendations-they came back with just under $500 (brakes, rotors, a belt were the big items). Stood by the conviction the other items not necessary. Had them handle it.

The next I received an email survey from the dealer about my recent visit. I was very open and honest about my thoughts. The day after that I got a call from the service manager, upset over my experience, wanted to personally examine the Tahoe. I thought about it overnight and agreed. They picked it up the next morning, dropped off a loaner.

A few hours after he got it the manager called me, acknowledging the work I had done but still feeling it needed most of other work but not all, roughly $900, and would do all of it for free. I agreed. When I came in to pick it up he came out to meet me, apologized for the way things were handled and that he was changing having the “oil rack techs” who are not full mechanics do the inspections.

I appreciated that-I’m not anyone famous or important just another long term customer.

 

[Golddollar]

I appreciated that-I’m not anyone famous or important just another long term customer.

But for a business that makes you important.

 

[JJEH]

...

I took the car to the dealership to ask about it. The twenty year old who was called for his "experienced" opinion said the only way to disable it was to remove the rear dash and sever the wiring connection. $420 was the quote. I won't repeat what I told him.

Don't get me started, I've had my fair share of drama with Dodge dealerships and the last one made me write a letter to the owner of that franchise. Of course, I haven't heard back from him, but I will also send a letter to Stellantis. I'm not sure if this is lack of training or flat out incompetence, but it needs to stop.

 

[duman444]

Dad is getting to that point

My Dad is 92 and is getting real close to the point where he needs to stop driving. Sister lives with him but works, and one brother lives in the same neighborhood and uses my Dad for supervision of any work done at his house, taking care of his animals when he's gone, etc. So, he does not want to stop him from driving or he misses out on his free labor.

Kind of a funny story, Dads best friend Roy is 7 years older and living in a retirement home. About 7 years ago my Dad got a Lexus SUV. After years of driving small Toyota trucks with 4 bangers, he's in a sports car.

Picks up Roy from home and heads on a 40 mile road trip. Because he wants to know-he takes Lexus up to top end. 85 yr old driver with 92 year old passenger headed north on I-45 at 121 MPH. He slowed down and no issues, but I almost wish a HP would have pulled him over. He would have had a story to tell about the almost octogenarians running 100+ on the freeway!

 

[BigBoy99]

I have a friend who owns an auto dealership. He says he makes his money in the service department. He said that if he could guarantee that every person who bought their vehicle at his dealership would bring that vehicle back to his service department for all of the required maintenance, he could afford to give the cars away for free!

 

[JJEH]

I have a friend who owns an auto dealership. He says he makes his money in the service department. He said that if he could guarantee that a person who bought their vehicle at his dealership would bring that vehicle back to his service department for all of the required maintenance, he could afford to give the cars away for free!

Seriously, I'm so very happy to hear that. I've worked in the service department and was always really committed, because it's one of the most important departments a dealership has.

Sales will sell you the very first vehicle, service will see all the following ones!

When I started working in the U.S., at a Chevrolet dealership (their Dodge location wasn't hiring), the owner told me that "we make our money in sales!" His attitude towards the service department made that 100% clear and it was a lousy dealership! Few years later he sold it and I'm not surprised.

 

[boykinlp]

Bought new Michelins at Discount Tire and get free rotations every 5K and free tire repair.

I, too, always buy my tires from Discount Tire because of what they do for free. Yesterday, I had an appointment about 10 minutes away from home. About 20 minutes before the appointment, I went to get in my pickup only to see the rear driver's side tire was slack. I looked and saw a screw head barely sticking out of the tire. I have a compressor, but it has been kinda wonky for a while, so I decided to limp it to the local convenience store that has an air pump.

When I pulled into the store's parking lot, I see parked cars blocking my access to the air machine. Remember, I have an appointment! I cussed a little and backed up near the parked cars blocking them in. Luckily, the machine has a long hose, and I had correct change. I put in my quarters and the pump started. I inflated the tire until the machine timed out. Got to 35 pounds, and made me dizzy leaning over that long. I got to my appointment on time and the tire was holding air. Drove to Discount Tire and told the guy I needed my FREE tire patched. Of course, he wanted to inspect it. He checked ALL the tires for tread wear and frowned when they were all in spec. He then checked my wipers, which were OK too.

Begrudgingly, he lead me back in the building and wrote up the order, telling me it would be 100% free. He tried hard to uncharge me, but no bueno! Waited about 30, they were pretty busy, and headed back home. I had had to use their free tire patch service about once a year. Driving through neighborhoods with new construction, you are bound to pick up a nail or screw. I would be very upset if I had to pay $25 for that service. All in all, I was happy.
Larry

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

34 years ago I found out that if you are competent and honest,
the world will literally beat a path to your door.

I started a swimming pool repair service(liners/cracks/pumps/cement and lines) as a side job about 25 years ago as a "side-extra $$ job. Never printed a business card or advertised. Word of mouth kept me busy all the time. Finally had to give it up or quit my full time job as I had so much business.

The quoted above is VERY true.