Automobile Dealer Recalls and Upselling
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
August 18, 2016 12:24pm CST
My 2009 Rav4 is at the local dealer's shop this morning for bout the third safety recall since I have owned it (2010). I appreciate that Toyota and other auto manufacturers are required by law to repair safety hazards free of charge.
What I do not like is getting a call an hour after I drop it off reporting "needed repairs" that, if I agree, will cost me over $800. I was told that my rear brakes needed replacing and there is a "special price" available today, only $200. And, oh by the way, your water pump is seeping a bit and it and the drive belt need replacing for only $515.00.
The thing is, I don't ever let a dealer service my car except for these recalls. My car was in my favorite independent shop a month ago. There was no problem with the water pump and my brakes are not yet ready to be replaced. I called my local repair shop to confirm.
Do you get your car serviced at dealerships? If so, beware of rampant upselling. Good independently owned shops are far more honest and cheaper as well.
6 people like this
4 responses
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
18 Aug 16
Shouldn't really say this as I develop software for the diagnostic systems for franchised dealerships of a number of major manufacturers but I always use a local independent. I've built up a relationship with him over a number of years and I completely trust him not to do anything unnecessary.
Those dealerships have to pay for the fancy showrooms, receptionists and free coffee somehow!!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
19 Aug 16
@JamesHxstatic Well there you go. A free car wash!! Was definitely worth being ripped off!!!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 16
Yes, I just picked my car up and there were employees all over the place. They gave me coupon for a free car wash.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Aug 16
@WorDazza I wonder if I would have gotten two car washes if I had bought their line of baloney about my car? Oh, they called again and told me how much they'd like to have my car on the lot to sell and what a great deal I could make on a new one.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
18 Aug 16
i avoid dealerships 't all costs. seems that many places 're 'nto that upsellin' garbage. i'm glad'ja didn't listen to 'em 'n 've a trusty mechanic to tend to yer 'normal' needs.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
18 Aug 16
@JamesHxstatic noperz, ya sure can't. seems that many work'n commission these days?? 'r they've the need to make 'quotas' each month to ensure a bonus coz their wages aint too good. pitiful what our society's come to, eh?
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 16
You just can't trust those dealers, and now @Unclejoe tells us (above) that the mechanics work on commission!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 16
That is really service! Good for you.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Aug 16
For those very reasons, I've never gone to a dealer. Love the Rav4 though! I want one.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 16
My Rav has been great. I can't believe they keep making them bigger every year though. My daughter drives a Mini Cooper and loves it, but the newer ones are really growing in size too.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Aug 16
@teamfreak16 Toyota is the car recommended by my mechanic too. I had a '96 Camry that I really liked.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Aug 16
@JamesHxstatic - Toyota's are great. I had a 4×4 that ran forever.
1 person likes this
