[AT] OT: Dealerships

Mon Jul 9 15:59:21 PDT 2012

I used to be a controller at a multi-line GM dealership in Southern
Minnesota for a couple years.  They dealt with everyone pretty straight up
in the service shop and the parts department, but I'm not so sure about the
front end.  The game that was getting started at that time was to nick car
buyers in the finance and insurance department.  It was already common
practice in the metro area, to the point that the dealers would offer great
prices on cars with the knowledge that they could more than make it up in
the "F&I" dept.  We were getting pushed to follow suit to help margins.  I
couldn't stomach that and a few other practices, and it didn't take long for
me to start looking for an exit, even though it was pretty good job to hold.

Our local GM dealer runs a clean operation from the best I can tell; maybe
I've had good experiences because they know my history with their
competition and it cuts out some of the BS.

The local Ford dealer, however, I will never again set foot in.  I was
grossly overcharged on labor and parts on a Ford Aerostar repair.  When I
started going over the bill with the service manager he finally started
getting embarrassed, then told me that this was the way that the ownership
wanted it done, and I should go talk to them.  One of the items was $35.00
labor to change out the "bad battery" that I had just replaced myself the
winter before.  It had taken me 3 minutes to change it out in the Kwik Trip
parking lot.  Literally.  But the book said .7 hours, so that's what I got
charged.  I told him he wouldn't like it either if he was in my shoes, but
I'll pay it, and they'll never see me in there again.

Taking advantage of people that don't have much mechanical knowledge and are
at the mercy of "knowledgeable" people in service department is just
stealing, plain and simple.

Rant done.

Phil
Sunny Minnesota

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike Meulenberg
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 4:16 PM
To: at
Subject: Re: [AT] OT: Dealerships

I too hate going to dealerships, the trend around here at least is to make
into mini luxury day spas. There is a chevy Buick/GMC/ Caddy dealer near us
that has a place for the ladies to get there hair and nails done, a fancy
coffee shop, wirelesss internet etc. I can't help but think while I'm
leaning on the granite counter top explaining the problem to the service
writer that someone, namely me. is paying for all this. 
Mike M

----- Receiving the following content ----- 
From: Mattias_Kess? 
Receiver: Antique tractor email discussion group 
Time: 2012-07-09, 16:13:45
Subject: Re: [AT] OT: Check the grounds

What kind of Volvo was it?

Mattias in Volvo country
Den 9 jul 2012 22:09 skrev <weeksh at att.net>:

> In Georgia, at least 19 out of 20 of them are rip off artists. Same goes
> for most of the chain operated repair places around here as well. I
> assume they are rip offs until proven otherwise.
>
> I have enough experience to spot them almost instantly so do not get
> taken very often. However, I do not understand how people that do not
> know better can afford to use them for anything.
>
> I will not buy buy parts from them unless there is no other source.
>
> Howrd in GA
>
> On 8 Jul 2012 at 22:16, Dean VP wrote:
>
> > Roy,
> >
> > That is quite amazing. Who would have thought of that particular current
> path? You need to
> > tip the Maintenance Super! Sometimes dealers try to get you to fix
> things that are not
> > needed so they can sell more parts and labor. I wonder if this issue is
> written up in a
> > Technical Service Bulletin within the Volvo organization?
> >
> > I had a Ford dealer in AZ tell me my truck transmission oil was
> discolored and had a
> > burned smell. And that my differential case was leaking. At the time I
> had just changed
> > the transmission fluid about 2,000 mile earlier and the whole truck had
> been thoroughly
> > inspected before our trip to AZ. . I just flat didn't believe them so I
> didn't follow
> > their recommendations. I checked the transmission fluid myself and it
> was so clear it was
> > hard to see on the dipstick and no burned smell confirmed by 5 of my
> neighbors in AZ. Had
> > the engine oil changed at the standard interval and was told the same
> thing for the second
> > time at the same dealer. Transmission oil needs to be changed because
> it is dark and has
> > a burned smell and differential leaking. About a $400 service bill if I
> followed their
> > recommendation. I didn't. Drove back home and put another 3,000 miles
> on the truck and
> > had it serviced back at my Ford dealer here in WA that I trust.
> Transmission oil is fine,
> > no burned smell and no leak in the differential case. It is really hard
> to find a dealer
> > than can be trusted. I will never ever do business with that Ford
> dealer in AZ again.
> > Horne Ford in Apache Junction, AZ. Not an honest service department.
> > http://www.roberthorneford.com/
> >
> > Dean VP
> > Snohomish, WA
> >
> > "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path
> and leave a trail."
> > - Ralph Waldo Emerson
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:
> at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]
> > On Behalf Of Roy Morgan
> > Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 9:43 PM
> > To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> > Subject: Re: [AT] OT: Check the grounds
> >
> >
>
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