My turn to rant. Dealer service

[phs]

I have been going to my dealer for service on my Toyota's since 2001 and have always been satisfied in the past. They seldom came out and "Suggested" extra items (other replacing dirty filters) and when they did would explain and show why and it was almost always justified. THEN, they moved into a new facility with fancy waiting areas and amenities - the cars are taken to a second building behind and there is no longer an area where you can watch the mechanics.
Almost immediately I noticed that there was a marked increase in the service writers coming into the waiting area to tell the customers about things the mechanics found and "Suggesting" extra service items - mostly to cars that are no longer under warranty. Filters, new lug nuts, Fuel Injector services, wipers, power steering and brake fluid flushes. battery cleaning service. always with a seemingly large "labor" component. I seldom heard these Suggetions at the old facility and had come to pretty much trust that they only suggested extra items whan it was actually justified.
Today, it was my turn. 2008 Corolla with 42K on it and absolutely no percieved problems or issues and no decrease in fuel economy except for weather related. Accelerates and runs great - no code lights showing. Went in for an oil change using my supplied Pennzoil Platinum as usual and it wasn't long before the service writer was back suggesting a Throttle body service at $65.00 and a power steering service at (I think) about $80.00. Reasoning: They said it looked dirty so the tech checked Immediate service required. I declined.
Like I said, This started as soon as they moved to the new facility which also correlates simewhat with a downturn in sales and the economy. I used to be very satisfied with the service there but more and more it is apparent that they are attempting to add on extra services to help pay for the new facility and cover the drop in car sales dollars.

[mikered30]

I am sure they have to pay for the new service facility and with sales so far in the toilet, they have to make money from unnecessary services. No where in the corolla manual does it recommend changing power steering fluid or cleaning the throttle body. However, it is good PM to clean/change them, which can be done pretty easily by yourself for under $10.

[mrsep48]

Originally Posted by phs

I have been going to my dealer for service on my Toyota's since 2001 and have always been satisfied in the past. They seldom came out and "Suggested" extra items (other replacing dirty filters) and when they did would explain and show why and it was almost always justified. THEN, they moved into a new facility with fancy waiting areas and amenities - the cars are taken to a second building behind and there is no longer an area where you can watch the mechanics.
Almost immediately I noticed that there was a marked increase in the service writers coming into the waiting area to tell the customers about things the mechanics found and "Suggesting" extra service items - mostly to cars that are no longer under warranty. Filters, new lug nuts, Fuel Injector services, wipers, power steering and brake fluid flushes. battery cleaning service. always with a seemingly large "labor" component. I seldom heard these Suggetions at the old facility and had come to pretty much trust that they only suggested extra items whan it was actually justified.
Today, it was my turn. 2008 Corolla with 42K on it and absolutely no percieved problems or issues and no decrease in fuel economy except for weather related. Accelerates and runs great - no code lights showing. Went in for an oil change using my supplied Pennzoil Platinum as usual and it wasn't long before the service writer was back suggesting a Throttle body service at $65.00 and a power steering service at (I think) about $80.00. Reasoning: They said it looked dirty so the tech checked Immediate service required. I declined.
Like I said, This started as soon as they moved to the new facility which also correlates simewhat with a downturn in sales and the economy. I used to be very satisfied with the service there but more and more it is apparent that they are attempting to add on extra services to help pay for the new facility and cover the drop in car sales dollars.

[mrsep48]

Interesting, my service reps did the same to me. They wanted to always try and hit me for an additional service that they claimed was needed.I would say fine but not now I don't have the money and my place of employment was laying people off. What I did was fix the items myself and with a little help from the internet and a few repair manuels I found you don't need to be ASE certified to fix these items. On the bigger ticket items I shopped around to my local repair centers and had the work done. The car industry is a monster and the product they sell is a game we have to play. After all we who are the drivers are NOT going to walk. But what we can do is play the game and just walk away by not falling into the trap. You work hard for your money,spend it wisely!

[Pishtosh]

try this link: http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jun07/1..._Moonroof.html

I suppose we are all mostly weary of the cat and mouse game that is the modern car business. That someone would feel it necessary to tell a service rep that he 'can't afford it, layoffs etc. etc.' is too bad. Maybe it's time to try saying something like 'beat it, punk' until the dealers get the drift.

[mrsep48]

Interesting read and video.Send it to Michael Moore so he can do a documentary. Also if you look carefuly at the service writers name tag it reads "Ponocchio"