Dealership experience (bad) - My thoughts

fla_guy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 07:04 PM

I had my 10k service done today. I had another not 100% favourable experience. In the past I have had my oil overfilled, underfilled, skid plate dropped, oil left smeared on console, just sloppy stuff.

I hope some dealers and service people read this:

Today, I brought my own oil and TRD filter to be installed. When I paid I noticed I was charged for these parts. I know this stuff happens, but I think it happens way too often. I had to go back to get a refund.

I checked the oil as I always do when I got home. It was level with the full mark. But I brought only enough oil so they could not over fill it. There were little bubbles though in the oil on the stick. I know they were bubbles because it looked like grit, but it went away after a second :-) However, my windshield washer fluid was not topped up. My power steering fluid was a little lower than it should be too.

The floor of my truck was pretty dirty. The inside of the door was dirty, the door sill was scuffed and covered in dirt, and there were a couple big black grease smudges left on the carpet. Come on guys, I brought my truck to you darn clean and near perfect. I know the Toyota mats don't have good coverage and stuff, but can't you return my truck to me the way I brought it in, or better?

It the little stuff that sets dealers apart, I really don't want to go back, or trust this dealer with big stuff, when they can't get the little stuff right. I honestly have not been to a dealer that I can say does great work. I just haven't been to the right one yet I guess. I wish I lived closer to Sparks.

OK, I'm done.

PENER · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 07:23 PM

I sympathize with you.

but you have to look at it the other way too: few people nowadays are willing to pay the price it takes for quality service or craftsmanship (it applies not only to auto service, but construction industry etc)

too many people got used to cheap chineese $hit they can get from local wally, that they think they can get the service/installation/craftsmanship for a few bucks also. guess what, you're going to get a $hitty service.

it doesn't really take that much more, business wise, to get an oil change right. a few more bucks an hour they pay the lube guys wouldn't break customer's wallet, but it would make a day/night difference in the service/quality.

fla_guy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 08:34 PM

Greg, you have a great point. I would pay more if I knew I was getting a quality caring job. To me it seems like a crap shoot. I really have to start doing this myself, but unfortunately I live in an apartment that doesn't let you do oil changes, etc. in the parking lot, and I can't rotate my own tires. I even have doubts as to whether they even bothered to balance them

I had my car in at a different place yesterday for some EGR valve work. They had to take the plactic valve cover covers off. I checked out the work when I got home. Some of the plastic clips were busted and they were not replaced right. This sloppy work is just wrong!!!

Da Hui · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 08:43 PM

Last time my dad had the oil changed in his '07 Camry SE the next day he noticed the entire passenger front fender was covered in smeared oil as was the engine bay.

Tundradrenalin · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 09:45 PM

The last time I changed my oil I didn't get any on my fingers, even when I took off the filter. And when I was done, I took off my gloves and washed my hands anyways.

plugnickel · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 07:03 AM

No dealers have an invested interest in my truck, like I DO. I will NOT let one of their kid/drunks/low lifes touch my vehicle for an oil change. Who will change my oil in most dealerships? Most of them will be the ones on the lower food chain that could care less about me or the name Toyota. Therefore,,,I change my own oil. Problem solved.

FLTundra06 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fla_guy

I had my 10k service done today. I had another not 100% favourable experience. In the past I have had my oil overfilled, underfilled, skid plate dropped, oil left smeared on console, just sloppy stuff.

I hope some dealers and service people read this:

Today, I brought my own oil and TRD filter to be installed. When I paid I noticed I was charged for these parts. I know this stuff happens, but I think it happens way too often. I had to go back to get a refund.

I checked the oil as I always do when I got home. It was level with the full mark. But I brought only enough oil so they could not over fill it. There were little bubbles though in the oil on the stick. I know they were bubbles because it looked like grit, but it went away after a second :-) However, my windshield washer fluid was not topped up. My power steering fluid was a little lower than it should be too.

The floor of my truck was pretty dirty. The inside of the door was dirty, the door sill was scuffed and covered in dirt, and there were a couple big black grease smudges left on the carpet. Come on guys, I brought my truck to you darn clean and near perfect. I know the Toyota mats don't have good coverage and stuff, but can't you return my truck to me the way I brought it in, or better?

It the little stuff that sets dealers apart, I really don't want to go back, or trust this dealer with big stuff, when they can't get the little stuff right. I honestly have not been to a dealer that I can say does great work. I just haven't been to the right one yet I guess. I wish I lived closer to Sparks.

OK, I'm done.

If you are going to continue to use a dealer to do the work on your truck you need to try different one. I am sure there are several not to far from you. I think Clearwater has one and I know there is one on I-75. I think it is Wesley Chapel Toyota. I am sure it will be more of a pain to use another but I wouldn't let the guys you have been dealing with do anything more to my truck. Other than that talk to people and find where there is a good independent shop to do your non warranty work.

Bakemono · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plugnickel

No dealers have an invested interest in my truck, like I DO. I will NOT let one of their kid/drunks/low lifes touch my vehicle for an oil change. Who will change my oil in most dealerships? Most of them will be the ones on the lower food chain that could care less about me or the name Toyota. Therefore,,,I change my own oil. Problem solved.

Thats exactly why I try to do all the work myself. Not only do I not trust dealer mechanics to do the job right, but by the time you drive down to the dealership, wait for the work to be done and then drive home; you could have done the work yourself in about half the time and spent a lot less money.
Unless you are lazy or are a complete idiot when it comes to cars, I dont see any sense in taking your vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance.

StatCoder · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 10:40 AM

Please help me to understand why you would go to the trouble of: 1) Buying your own oil change supplies; 2) Inspect the oil dipstick, power steering, and wiper fluid; 3) Inspect the interior of your truck

and not bother to do these fluids yourself. Who do you think did your 10K service, anyway? A master technician? It was the guy who fills fluids at at the dealership service operation. Maybe you can go over there and give this young man of nineteen a lecture on how to take more pride in his fluid-filling work. This kind of "scheduled" service is for people who just drive their vehicle to the dealership, wait, and drive it away - mindlessly.

What you are doing is like going to McDonalds and complaining that they don't toast their buns anymore and everything is heated up in the microwave oven these days - which I do

Splicer · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PENER

a few more bucks an hour they pay the lube guys wouldn't break customer's wallet, but it would make a day/night difference in the service/quality.

I respectfully disagree; if someone doesn't give a rat's *** about the quality of work he does, a little more money won't change his work ethic. When I was earning $1/hr (yes, I am that old), I took pains to make sure my customer's cars left cleaner than when they came in -- it was expected, and I never had complaints.

Bakemono · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splicer

I respectfully disagree; if someone doesn't give a rat's *** about the quality of work he does, a little more money won't change his work ethic. When I was earning $1/hr (yes, I am that old), I took pains to make sure my customer's cars left cleaner than when they came in -- it was expected, and I never had complaints.

Exactly. You should do the job right and to the best of your abilities no matter how much money you are making.

StatCoder · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakemono

Exactly. You should do the job right and to the best of your abilities no matter how much money you are making.

I'll make sure to explain that to the waiters and waitresses as I tell them I will not be leaving any tip. According to you, it will make no difference in the service I recieve.