OP
What to do about car dealer ? (*** see Post 27 *** )
- Thread starter Narragansett
- Start date
bgrone
Member
I worked at a major insurance company as a truck and heavy equipment appraiser, my dept, handled garage keeper claims for autos and trucks. We referred to quick change establishments as "iffy lubes". We did find a lot of fraud on customers part: guy parks with dented side of car away from building walks in tosses the keys with a "be back later" wife picks him up, comes back later; "that dent was'nt there when I dropped it off.
coltle6920
Member
Just curious...
Do you also bring eggs,toast and bacon to your local diner and ask them to prepare it for you?
Long time ago there was a gas station owner where I lived that had a sign over his desk that basically said...
"You wouldn't bring food to a diner and ask them to prepare it for you so don't bring me your car parts and ask me to install them for you."
DWalt
Member
1. Never go to a dealership for anything service related other than warranty work. A lesson learned the hard way many years ago. If you go there for warranty work, DO NOT let them upsell you for any other services not under warranty.
2. Re-read #1.
3. Go to Walmart for all simpler stuff like oil changes. Make an on-line appointment to speed things up, don't just show up.
4. Anything you can do yourself, do it yourself. YouTube is great.
2. Re-read #1.
3. Go to Walmart for all simpler stuff like oil changes. Make an on-line appointment to speed things up, don't just show up.
4. Anything you can do yourself, do it yourself. YouTube is great.
Last edited:
On the times that I was inside a dealer's service area, the oil change bays were all staffed by kids barely out of high school. I'm sure this varies from dealer to dealer.
At least the shop manager knew to go get the old guy to fix a problem.
What kind of idiot doesn't check the dipstick on an oil change? My truck holds 6 qts & I STILL check the dipstick when I do an oil change. Always.
Every time I have moved to a new area, I have had to search for an honest service company. I have been successful, but it took many tries.
A favorite story from one - who had been a factory trained dealership mechanic for 15 years before getting fed up - I took my 2001 Mustang Bullitt in for my second oil change. We noted that it took 5W-20 oil. I told him that after my 'free' oil change at dealership, it ran sluggish. He laughed and said that dealerships have 55 gal drums of 10W-30 from which mechanics draw oil for changes. Special oil for your car? They go to the drum.
He was run out of business by "Cash for Clunkers." He kept a lot of older cars running. CoC wiped out his customer base. He still did a few jobs for me out of his home garage for a few years before retiring. Fortunately, I found another trustworthy shop.
A favorite story from one - who had been a factory trained dealership mechanic for 15 years before getting fed up - I took my 2001 Mustang Bullitt in for my second oil change. We noted that it took 5W-20 oil. I told him that after my 'free' oil change at dealership, it ran sluggish. He laughed and said that dealerships have 55 gal drums of 10W-30 from which mechanics draw oil for changes. Special oil for your car? They go to the drum.
He was run out of business by "Cash for Clunkers." He kept a lot of older cars running. CoC wiped out his customer base. He still did a few jobs for me out of his home garage for a few years before retiring. Fortunately, I found another trustworthy shop.
I agree. I would never use customer parts, because you warranty your work, and you have no control or knowledge of the customer's parts.
kozmic
Member
I had a mechanic for my work and personal vehicles for over 30 years. I noticed that whenever I brought in a work truck the bill hovered around $500 regardless of the service. His bills were itemized, but he was definitely taking liberties and making assumptions on what I wanted to have done.
I moved our business elsewhere. He approached me several months later and asked if he had been replaced as our mechanic. I told him I would provide a detailed answer for $500.
I moved our business elsewhere. He approached me several months later and asked if he had been replaced as our mechanic. I told him I would provide a detailed answer for $500.
I would tell him go find another mechanic.
Many years back working at my buddies garage we had to replace the starter on a 59 Vette. Owner brought in a rebuilt starter.
We did the work and told him and written on his bill we were only warranting our work, no parts.
You guessed it the rebuilt **** the bed in a couple weeks. This time we had a GM new starter we put in. Of course he also had to pay for the additional R-R!
As Vette starters of that era were hard to install/remove he spent a lot more on labor as we did the job twice.
Used to have my tires changed on the motorcycle at a locally owned shop. You bring in the wheels and tires and he'd mount them for cheap. Had a sign out front advertising it. He used to complain about people bringing in their tires purchased off the internet instead of buying the tires from him.
"2 things. One, maybe charge less than double the price for tires, and 2, if you don't like it don't do it. Only mount tires you have sold."
His answer? "Can't afford to lose the business." he needed the money from that service which is why there was a sign out front. Also, the people that came in for that service would be back if something else was wrong on their bike.
He eventually went out of business and most places now won't mount tires unless they sold them. They cite liability issues. They don't know how the tires were made, stored and handled before then.
"2 things. One, maybe charge less than double the price for tires, and 2, if you don't like it don't do it. Only mount tires you have sold."
His answer? "Can't afford to lose the business." he needed the money from that service which is why there was a sign out front. Also, the people that came in for that service would be back if something else was wrong on their bike.
He eventually went out of business and most places now won't mount tires unless they sold them. They cite liability issues. They don't know how the tires were made, stored and handled before then.
DWalt
Member
I change oil at Walmart. Did it just last week, synthetic oil (5.4 qts), filter, and the multipoint check, in and out in 30 minutes, total tab was $58. All the quick oil change places would charge close to $100. Regarding tire rotation, I have yet to have my wheels and tires rotated - ever. And I don't think I have suffered for not doing it. I do not plan to start now. If I see a tire getting to look iffy, I just replace that tire. Did that also last week at the neighborhood Mexican tire shop, but for a different vehicle. Tire had the beginnings of a tread separation. Used to get oil changed at the local Firestone store, but after they shorted me a quart and a half once, I don't go there any more. Just fortunate I checked the dipstick myself a few weeks after that oil change.
Last edited:
I've been going to the same oil change place for years now. It's a quicky place, but is locally owned. Owner is almost always on site. They are very good, but not inexpensive. They always bring me the dipstick to show oil level after an oil change. The only thing they ever try to sell me extra is an air filter - which I generally change myself. They'll bring me the filter and ask do I want it changed. Nope - just changed it last week myself.
My Bronco takes 6 quarts. There are steel skid plates to remove to access the plastic drain plug. Yes, the drain plug is plastic and tightened by hand only. I don't want to mess with those skidplates even though I could. I also don't want to mess with taking oil in to be recycled and cleaning up my driveway after the inevitable small spills. They charge me around $100 for 6 qts of Mobil One and a new Motorcraft filter (they do charge an extra $15 because it's a "special" filter. I'm sure it costs more than the cheapos they normally use, but it's easy access right on top of the engine.
Wife's Lincoln has a plastic undercover that requires removing about 47 little bolts (okay maybe it's only 8) to access the traditional drain plug. I let them do that one as well.
I rotate tires myself every 7500 miles. It's a workout on the Bronco with those 90 pounders, but I can get it done in about an hour rotating all 5. If I took it to the shop I'd have to wait longer than that for them to do it. I do foresee a time when I won't be able to, though.
My Bronco takes 6 quarts. There are steel skid plates to remove to access the plastic drain plug. Yes, the drain plug is plastic and tightened by hand only. I don't want to mess with those skidplates even though I could. I also don't want to mess with taking oil in to be recycled and cleaning up my driveway after the inevitable small spills. They charge me around $100 for 6 qts of Mobil One and a new Motorcraft filter (they do charge an extra $15 because it's a "special" filter. I'm sure it costs more than the cheapos they normally use, but it's easy access right on top of the engine.
Wife's Lincoln has a plastic undercover that requires removing about 47 little bolts (okay maybe it's only 8) to access the traditional drain plug. I let them do that one as well.
I rotate tires myself every 7500 miles. It's a workout on the Bronco with those 90 pounders, but I can get it done in about an hour rotating all 5. If I took it to the shop I'd have to wait longer than that for them to do it. I do foresee a time when I won't be able to, though.
pantannojack
US Veteran
I understood that in the early days, post WW11, of motor cycle clubs, the actives prided them selves of self sufficiency in maintenance and repair. I believe the same should prevail now. There is no class hierarchy excuse from personal responsibility.
I buy my tires at Discount Tire. I get FREE rotation & balance for the life of the tire at NO CHARGE. This isn't by accident, I did my homework before I bought them.
My last (seems like) dozen vehicles have all been 4x4. Jeeps, trucks, all 4x4. I added skid plates on almost all of them. Guess what? I did my homework as mine had access ports or openings to get to the drain plug. These were all aftermarket brands, none were OEM plates. Again, I did my homework before I bought them.
I have NEVER bought a 4x4 without seeing the undercarriage beforehand. It either got put on a lift or I crawled under it, looking at it from front diff to rear diff. I did my homework, IOW.
Nor do I change my oil in or on my drive or concrete pad. That's just beyond stupid, IMO. If there was no choice in that, I would at least slide a large cardboard box that was flattened under the vehicle. All my changes occur in the grass, where I care less about oil drops or spills.
I do all my brakes, sparkplugs, air filters & cabin filters. Change my diff oils, tranny fluid & filter. All. I'm 65 years old with bad rotator cuffs, creaky knees & hips & back. So this isn't easy at all for me, but I do it anyway.
Guess what? I've never had an oil leak, cross threaded drain plug or filter, wrong oil or low oil. Nor have I had to deal with a denied claim. I also know the job got done correctly with no worries on my end. None.
I've also taught teen boys how to do this stuff, as my Dad taught me when I was a teen. As far as I know, they're still doing their own maintenance. I hope they will someday teach their sons as well.
I get not everyone is mechanically inclined. I get that, I've seen it. But if a man can clean his own guns, he can certainly do his own oil changes, IMO.
I weep for the destruction of the independent male...........
Last edited:
Countrycuz
Member
Wow, such a big deal over an oil change. I used to it myself all the time, but times have changed. I'm caring for a wife with health problems and keeping the home going. My local dealer will do it for 50 bucks with no problem so far. I have better things to do.
DWalt
Member
I always changed my own oil and OF. But I am now getting arthritic hands, started using Walmart for that job the last few times. I don't drive too much these days since I no longer drive to work so I usually go two years or so between changes.
ACORN
Member
My daughter just texted me that the dealer wants $660 to to put new front pads, no rotors, on her 2021 Mazda CX5 AWD!
Repeater
Member
You know us...
We took Sue's 2005 Mustang to the dealer for some warranty work, in 2007, and were told it needed new ball joints (at 17,000 miles).
I elected not to have the work done (and received many caveats from said dealer about the consequences of my decision). In 2020, we traded it in, still having those same ball joints in place and many more miles on the odometer!
Lets just say that I don't trust a dealer's opinion as far as they can throw it!
We took Sue's 2005 Mustang to the dealer for some warranty work, in 2007, and were told it needed new ball joints (at 17,000 miles).
I elected not to have the work done (and received many caveats from said dealer about the consequences of my decision). In 2020, we traded it in, still having those same ball joints in place and many more miles on the odometer!
Lets just say that I don't trust a dealer's opinion as far as they can throw it!
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 5,160
- Reaction score
- 8,941
Took Santa Fe back to dealer regarding the missing valve stem caps and the dag gone sticker. Service dept. told me someone stole the caps, just shook their head about the dumb sticker. Went to sales and got 2 replacement caps and scheduled removal and retint of window. Salesman told me sticker should have been removed by Service when I bought vehicle. Waiting to see what happens…
