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Canawler

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Reason #872

One of my vehicles is at the dealership this morning for some minor recall work. The service advisor calls up and mentions they did a maintenance check and noticed the transmission and power steering fluids are very dirty/dark and asked if I would like them changed.

The tranny fluid only has 5000 miles on it and the power steer less than that... plus, I just checked them last weekend.... :banghead3


It's one thing to try to sell a service but to blatantly lie about it....:fing20:
 
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#2 ·
I feel that you missed a golden opportunity here. I always try to inject a wee bit of humor into a situation, so here's how I would of handled it:

Dealership: "Mr. Canawler, we have your vehicle here for that recall work. We have noticed that the fluids in the transmission and power steering pump look like they need to be changed."

Canawler: "WHAT? I had that darn thing into your shop for those two exact things two weeks ago. Are you saying that it appears that I paid you $150 to do it, but you didn't actually change the fluids out? Is that what your saying?"

D: (scrambles, looking through computer to find your name or the vehicle two weeks ago) "Umm, sir; I can't find any record of your vehicle being in our shop for that in the last two weeks."


C: "I know, I'm just yanking your chain. But in my defense, you started it. I changed out those fluids within the last 5,000 miles, Sonny. Now, do you have the number for the BBB?"

:sidelaugh:sidelaugh:sidelaugh If you can't shoot criminals, you should at least be able to make fun of them.
 
#3 ·
I would have INSISTED they show me in person.

I had a tire tech scare my girlfreind into buying a brand new $250 high performance GoodYear tire for her car. The old tire had a broken cord and a lump in the side wall. The car was in for something unrelated; and the tech told her it was "about to blow," and so she had a brand new one installed. The bulg had been in the tire for two years already. I took the car straight back and ordered the tech to reverse the deal and give me my old tire back. He said "on what grounds?" I said that tire was NOT gonna blow any time soon and I sure as **** was not going to buy those expensive GoodYears when it did. The manager agreed with me and told the tech to go find my old tire.

Always question things in person. It's a good way to let them know someone is watching them. I put a scare into the people at the tire shop. Maybe I was able to help out the next unsuspecting customer that walked in.
 
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#4 ·
I've had those sidewall bulges blow out before, but there should have been a way cheaper alternative to the $250 tire. Heck, I've had tire shops give me decent used tires for safety's sake with the request- "Come back and see us when you're ready to buy new ones..."
 
#5 ·
saleen49 said:
I would have INSISTED they show me in person.

I had a tire tech scare my girlfreind into buying a brand new $250 high performance GoodYear tire for her car. The old tire had a broken cord and a lump in the side wall. The car was in for something unrelated; and the tech told her it was "about to blow," and so she had a brand new one installed. The bulg had been in the tire for two years already. I took the car straight back and ordered the tech to reverse the deal and give me my old tire back. He said "on what grounds?" I said that tire was NOT gonna blow any time soon and I sure as **** was not going to buy those expensive GoodYears when it did. The manager agreed with me and told the tech to go find my old tire.

Always question things in person. It's a good way to let them know someone is watching them. I put a scare into the people at the tire shop. Maybe I was able to help out the next unsuspecting customer that walked in.
Click to expand...
was this the same place you went to with the balljoint debacle?
 
#6 ·
I tend to get a little long winded so bear with me. I bought the truck of my dreams in 2004. 2004 Chev Silverado 2500 HD, with Duramax Diesel Engine and Allison 6 speed auto trans.. In 2007 we were going on vac. in NC. I had it serviced with new oil, filter, air filter, trans fluid and filter, new brakes, new tires and general maint. The trip went fine except for a couple of hicups (exactly what it felt like) on the way back. Next afternoon when wife was getting ready to leave the truck wouldn't start. She called me and I had a wrecker haul it to the Stealership where we had it serviced. They called me during the day to say it was done. My wife left work early picked me up from work and I went to get it. The service manager met me at the door and said after I asked what happened.." well the next time you decide to change the fuel filter you might want to remember to put the O ring on and tighten the filter..." as he chuckled. He was in mid stride when I said.." thats funny you just changed the fuel filter amoung other things in the last two weeks.." he nearly fell down and looked as if I had hit him between the eyes. We were still walking and he turned and went into the service bay area where the "Mechanics" were standing around laughting about the guy who put his own fuel filter on and didn't tighten or put the O ring on, and they had to fix it. The Service manager went to the write up area and got a print out of the previous work. The "Mechanic" who was the mouth of the group, was in deed the Lead Shop Mechanic and the Mechanic to service my Truck. I paid nothing and I sent the bill for the wrecker to my insurance company with the paid recipt for the servies that hadn't been done properly. I don't use these people any more. Oh by the way, yes they are a Chevrolet Dealer. I still get letters from them asking me to come back for my service. I now use a local Shop that does gret work at a fair price. I told ya I got long winded. Thanks.
 
#8 ·
Seems unusual your Duramax would run with a missing gasket, as as far as I know, it does not have a lift pump. I would bet they found something more serious they did wrong and used the fuel filter as an excuse.
 
#9 ·
These dealers try anyway they can to make more money off peopl. I've been looking for a new vehicle for my wif. I found a used one at a dealer in Penn. The dealer charges a $477.50 prep charge on a used vehicle. First it was document fee's and now used car prep fee's. Its getting rediculous.
 
#10 ·
I left a little out of the story just to shorten it up. When the local wrecker driver picked up my truck at the house he said fuel was just pouring out of the engine bay area. It was bad enough that he called me at work that day to let me know. We did smell diesel fuel a couple of times comming back on I-75 but it was about 90 deg out and we had the windows up and the A/C on. When we got the truck home my 16 yo son went out to look at it and found the O ring on top of the shock tower next to the filter area. I would imagine that the filter was probably just about off or close to it. When the wife backed out the truck quit after about 6' as it tipped at the end of the approach to the garage. I believe it started sucking air then and wouldn't run. :fing20:
 
#11 ·
I have the opposite problems with my mechanics. They look at the list of what I want done, and cross it off if it is not needed. They are very religious, and to cheat a neighbor in their religion is a very serious thing.

Of course, when I stopped in around noon one day, to see them all prostrate on the floor under my wife's Durango up on the lift, I feared the Durango was on its last leg.
 
#12 ·
D-dogg; I have a Durango story too (not my vehicle, belongs to a friend of mine) '02, 4.7V8, and she screwed it up "good"; I am surprised that it lasted as long as it did, with how she (doesn't) take care of it; Her Dad lives a few states away, she's divorced with a couple kids; her Dad said "take it in, I'll pay for it"; and she took it into a long time buddy of her Dad as he always "took care" of them when the parents lived in the area;
He took care of her alright; I priced out a few remans at $~2500; this guy charged her $5800(!) and reused most of the hoses, belt, thermostat, and such; A week later the oil sending unit blew, and he soaked her for ANOTHER $150; when it needed brakes her "sort of" boyfriend (no not me) bought rotors and pads for a whole $78 but couldn't get to it right away; so she again went to her Dad's buddy that owns the local repair shop; $500 later she now had brakes..... If that's how friends take care of each other who needs Enemies?
 
#13 ·
Saleen, they were most likely covering their rears by advising your girlfriend to get that defective tire replaced, and if the other 3 were the same high performance goodyear tires that explains that.
At least they had discovered an issue that was real. Yes, I have had bulges blow too, and no way I'd let my girlfriend drive on it for a day, much less two years.

Not saying you didn't get soaked...The Goodyear dealer here got me good once and I never went back. (Sold me 2 tires at the advertised price then added mounting & ballance at $30 each in 1980 dollars without mentioning it until it was done..still won't go back to even price their tires after 31 years) If I need Goodyear tires here I go elsewhere.
 
#17 ·
attorney_barnabas_collins said:
Saleen, they were most likely covering their rears by advising your girlfriend to get that defective tire replaced, and if the other 3 were the same high performance goodyear tires that explains that.
At least they had discovered an issue that was real. Yes, I have had bulges blow too, and no way I'd let my girlfriend drive on it for a day, much less two years.

Not saying you didn't get soaked...The Goodyear dealer here got me good once and I never went back. (Sold me 2 tires at the advertised price then added mounting & ballance at $30 each in 1980 dollars without mentioning it until it was done..still won't go back to even price their tires after 31 years) If I need Goodyear tires here I go elsewhere.
Click to expand...
This is where the story gets subjective. I won't debate that the tire could have blown out. I've seen new tires with no bulg blow out for no reason. This tire was more than 50% spent and the bulg had been on the side wall for at least two years already. The dude told my GF the tire was "about to blow." He pressured her into making an expensive descision she was not qualified to make. I was planning on buying a set of BFG Comps for this car in the near future. I sure as heck was not going to buy a set of the expensive GoodYear Gatorbacks that the car had on it at the time. The store manager agreed with me that the tire most likely was not going to blow. He did however back his guy for recommending the tire be changed out. I agreed with the fact that it should be. The tech said nothing about the front tires and they had the edges worn down on them.
 
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#18 ·
We were traveling across the States a few years ago. Stopped in a large town for lunch and there was an oil change place next to the restaurant. Ask them if they could change the oil and lube the car while we were eating. They said sure and since it was a good, clean looking operation with three bays I told them to go ahead.

While we were eating the guy from the counter comes in and shows me a piece of white paper with some oil smears on it. Tells me it's samples of the oil from the power steering, transmission and rear end. All are very dirty. Says we really need to change them and that one front wheel bearing is loose. Also says the air filter and fuel filter should be changed.

I tell him I'll be over in a few minutes and make arraignments. One of the locals setting at the counter waits till the guy leaves and tells me they always do that to people traveling thru and to watch them close. I told him I wouldn't fall for it because the car had been fully service less than 6000 miles prior and I knew it was a con. We had actually done the work in our shop at home.

When I talked to their shop manager I got the phone number of the operations national headquarters and used the pay phone in their waiting room to register a complaint. They had a few customers that were waiting that got an earful that day.

I hate places like that.

Mike
 
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#19 · (Edited)
Tencubed said:
We were traveling across the States a few years ago. Stopped in a large town for lunch and there was an oil change place next to the restaurant. Ask them if they could change the oil and lube the car while we were eating. They said sure and since it was a good, clean looking operation with three bays I told them to go ahead.

While we were eating the guy from the counter comes in and shows me a piece of white paper with some oil smears on it. Tells me it's samples of the oil from the power steering, transmission and rear end. All are very dirty. Says we really need to change them and that one front wheel bearing is loose. Also says the air filter and fuel filter should be changed.

I tell him I'll be over in a few minutes and make arraignments. One of the locals setting at the counter waits till the guy leaves and tells me they always do that to people traveling thru and to watch them close. I told him I wouldn't fall for it because the car had been fully service less than 6000 miles prior and I knew it was a con. We had actually done the work in our shop at home.

When I talked to their shop manager I got the phone number of the operations national headquarters and used the pay phone in their waiting room to register a complaint. They had a few customers that were waiting that got an earful that day.

I hate places like that.

Mike
Click to expand...
Until recently I worked for a place that shall remain nameless. As the Service Manager that is what was expected of me. It caused me a great amount of heartburn. If a car with 10,000 mi. came with a strut blown I was supposed to sell them both struts with mounts and sway bar links. I'm sorry but a car with 10K does NOT need new mounts and we could probably get the sway bar links apart. This was probably the last straw. An elderly customer went to the dealer to have a tire replaced under warranty and they told her that she needed rear brake pads and rotors immediately. She called me from the dealer cause we had her car in our shop a few weeks earlier. I told her that we saw nothing with her brakes at that time and she should bring it in and I would look at her brakes personally. She brought it in and I told her after inspecting them that she would be O.K. for a couple of months (5/32") till it fit in her budget. I thought my manager was going to have a heart attack. As far as he was concerned the dealer had "planted the seed" and I should have told her that she needed rear brakes and rotors NOW! I'm sorry but I know many successful people that got that way by doing the right thing and NOT trying to **** everone who walked through the door. That woman would have come back to me forever cause she trusted me. I guess my Manager was afraid he wouldn't get the money from her cause she was old and might die before she came back. Maybe I am just too old and cranky but I sleep better now. Anyone know where I can get a good job?
 
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#20 ·
A few years back my buddy John had his wife take her car to Mid** for a brake job. Several hundred $$ later with a complete new brake system she came home. next day, brakes weren't right. John took it in, failing to mention they had worked on it yesterday. Service manager came up and told him he needed new front brakes and calipers. John whipped out the receipt and asked if they were lying about what work they did yesterday or lying about what needed to be done today. He left with a full refund and fully functional brakes. I don't understand how people can sleep at night pulling this kind of stuff.
 
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