Yesterday I took my SUV to the dealer where I bought it in 2007 for a service appointment. The car is running fine but the LCD panel alerted me to the need for an oil change. No problem... I decided to take it to the dealer because they will do the service for $29.95, and will also wash the car for free. And, since the car is still under warranty, having it done at the dealer seemed like a good idea.
While I was registering with the service representative, he pulled up my file and informed me the car really needed, in addition to an oil change, an "intermediate" service that should be done every 15,000 miles. My car has 16,000 miles so I didn't think this was unreasonable, but I but did ask how much it would cost. The service rep crunched numbers, flipped through some papers, entered some data in the computer, and then announced: "We can do it for $499.90 but I will give you 10% off."
After I picked my jaw off the floor, I asked him for the details. He said it was $399.95 for the 15,000-mile service and an additional $99.95 for "Throttle Body & Air Intake Cleaning." The latter is supposedly required so that my car "doesn't forget how to drive." I told the rep that if I had to pay $100 every 15,000 miles for my car to remember how to drive, then it must have a major design flaw. I also told him there was no way I would pay their prices.
As I was leaving, the rep warned me that the warranty would be void if I used filters that were not made by Nissan. Long story short: I called our trusted mechanic, Ed, that we have used for 20 years and he told me he could do the entire service for $165, including the tire rotation. Ed specializes in Honda and Acura and is certified, but he is very competent and can work on Toyotas or Nissans, too. He is reasonable, honest, and has never steered us wrong.
It really bothered me that the rep at the dealership tried to scare me into paying their exorbitant prices for a routine service. He must think I just fell off a turnip truck or maybe because I am a woman, I can be talked into thinking service work must be done at the dealer to keep the warranty valid. I noticed I was the only customer there and maybe it's a sign of the times and the desperate state of the auto business. The evening news just the other night had a segment about how DIY auto repairs are creating a little boom for auto parts stores. Who knows, except I won't be going back to the dealer any time soon, not even for a cheap oil change and free car wash.
Car Service Ripoff
March 4th, 2009 at 07:57 pm
March 4th, 2009 at 08:03 pm 1236197038
March 4th, 2009 at 08:17 pm 1236197832
A good mecahnic can save you so much money. The only car I kept to the bitter end lasted 20 years, so what do I know?
March 4th, 2009 at 08:59 pm 1236200382
March 4th, 2009 at 10:28 pm 1236205738
March 5th, 2009 at 12:55 am 1236214501
March 5th, 2009 at 01:17 pm 1236259073