Dealer Rant

[F-1 Si]

Originally Posted by boltuprite

My dealer rant for Honda was with regards to the B2 servicing you are supposedly supposed to have at around 10,000 kms. They try to stiff you for around $249.00 just to INSPECT things like brake pads, suspension, clutch play, fluids etc. (all are covered under the bumper to bumper warranty anyway). Yeah like after 10,000 kms you are going to have problems with these things anway, and besides you would think if there was an issue they would notice it on a routine oil change when the car is on the lift.

But my best rant is saved for when I had my Chrysler Intrepid. The transmission cooling lines were leaking slightly where they attached into the radiator. Dealer tells me they need to replace the lines at a cost of around $400.00. I told him where to go, took the car to a mechanic at the top of my street. He tightened the connection nuts at no charge and the leak stopped.

WoW that Chrysler dealer had some big nutz.

I'm not really surprised with any of the Dealer Rants in here at all. Alot of the crazy S$#@ that is done at the dealers should really be brought to the attention of American Honda & Canadian Honda. Honda is in no position to loose us or any of it's customers because of poor service. Most dealers profit more from service then they do from selling new cars.

I recently sent emails and hard copy letters with my problems to my dealer and American Honda. I started doing this so should the rest of you, it just takes a min to print out a copy of your email and drop it in the mail.

[tbone]

I hate how dealers try to guilt you into thinking they have the only mechanics capable of working on your car. If anything my local dealer has just been average over the last 7 years. I've had to take my car back to them a bunch of times for them screwing up simple jobs. I know mistakes happen but when you pay the dealers shop rates, they shouldn't be messing up simple things like wheel alignments, brake jobs, etc.

I'm pretty lucky that I've found a local mechanic that does good work for basically half the price and backs up his work, unlike the dealer that'll try to squeeze every penny out of you.

I agree with boltuprite, the prices they charge for easy jobs like the 10,000 "tune up" is ridiculous, they're just a cash grab. Most of those things are inspected during oil changes anyways.

[F-1 Si]

I just found my last service receipt my dealer gets $90.00 per hour !!!

[tbone]

Originally Posted by F-1 Si

WoW that Chrysler dealer had some big nutz.

I'm not really surprised with any of the Dealer Rants in here at all. Alot of the crazy S$#@ that is done at the dealers should really be brought to the attention of American Honda & Canadian Honda. Honda is in no position to loose us or any of it's customers because of poor service. Most dealers profit more from service then they do from selling new cars.

I recently sent emails and hard copy letters with my problems to my dealer and American Honda. I started doing this so should the rest of you, it just takes a min to print out a copy of your email and drop it in the mail.

I doubt complaining to Honda will really help much but I wish you the best of luck! In the past I've tried the same thing with GM and Ford for their shennanegans and it's never amounted to anything. Hopefully Honda's head offices will treat you better.

[wing_gundam]

Originally Posted by F-1 Si

ALL dealers profit more from service then they do from selling new cars.

fixed for ya

[wing_gundam]

Originally Posted by tbone

I hate how dealers try to guilt you into thinking they have the only mechanics capable of working on your car. If anything my local dealer has just been average over the last 7 years. I've had to take my car back to them a bunch of times for them screwing up simple jobs. I know mistakes happen but when you pay the dealers shop rates, they shouldn't be messing up simple things like wheel alignments, brake jobs, etc.

I'm pretty lucky that I've found a local mechanic that does good work for basically half the price and backs up his work, unlike the dealer that'll try to squeeze every penny out of you.

I agree with boltuprite, the prices they charge for easy jobs like the 10,000 "tune up" is ridiculous, they're just a cash grab. Most of those things are inspected during oil changes anyways.

And as Tucan Sam would say...."Follow your (car)" Let it tell you what to change and when. Dealer suggested servicing are pure cash grabs. The civic maintained along the lines of what the car + manual says will last over 10 years, probably 15 years.

There was a good article in Consumer reports looking at someone with a Honda Civic Ex (they always pick a civic for these long tests) from 1995 and showed how well it's running with over 200,000kms on it. The civic was picked as the top car by them to last over 10 years, and with only following the car + manual, would need the least amount of replacement parts during that time. Now of course there are always the exceptions, but I trust consumer reports.

[tbone]

Originally Posted by wing_gundam

And as Tucan Sam would say...."Follow your (car)" Let it tell you what to change and when. Dealer suggested servicing are pure cash grabs. The civic maintained along the lines of what the car + manual says will last over 10 years, probably 15 years.

There was a good article in Consumer reports looking at someone with a Honda Civic Ex (they always pick a civic for these long tests) from 1995 and showed how well it's running with over 200,000kms on it. The civic was picked as the top car by them to last over 10 years, and with only following the car + manual, would need the least amount of replacement parts during that time. Now of course there are always the exceptions, but I trust consumer reports.

Well said!

[F-1 Si]

Originally Posted by wing_gundam

fixed for ya

Thanks

[8Renovatio8]

My rant:

I used to have an '01 Civic EX a few years ago. I took it to a Honda Dealer for an oil change on a Saturday. Realized that there were long/huge paint scratches front right side of the car Sunday night. I couldn't prove it to the dealership that it was their fault. Now, I check every inch of my new car for any damages.

Also, my girl left a cd in the glove box thinking nothing will be stolen. Ironically enough, it was. We told the manager that someone had been stealing stuff. They responded, "No one will do that. We value our customers. We have zero tolerance." All that blah blah. We ended up calling the DVD rental place and the manager told us to pay $45.00...........

[portabuddy]

all of this is horrable... i work at a dealership, IF!!! and thats a huge if we break something we repair it and tell the customer that durring the whatever this broke and we replaced it for you...

we put everything through warranty that we posably can even if the truck is out of warranty range, gessus how would these ppl feel if they took there cars to the dealer and got treated this way, its just me and the service guy on nights and thats how we run things, no complaints and very loyal custoners, to the point of buying pizzas for all the guys and beer sometimes too.


and if we dont have the part in stock we rob a new truck and order it in fot the new truck not the customers.

[wing_gundam]

That's great to know that you have a dealership that works hard to serve the customers. I love taking my car to a place like yours. But not everyone is completely on the ball as much as we would want them to be.

For example, I just got a letter from the newest dealership I went to, to get the Rear Wheel bearing/ABS recall checked. It was the first time I was there, okay, so they send me fan mail, okay, but this is what the fan mail said:

1) That I should have my oil replaced and that they booked an appointment for me (gee that costs me money) and that its probably around 15%. In fact I brought my car in 1 month ago (to another one) and have 90% left. That is something they should have looked at since they record KM's etc.

2) They sent me a letter (a second letter) advising me to come in for my Rear wheel bearing/ABS sensor recall.

I just got the mail this week, and I took my car in last week.

[F-1 Si]

Originally Posted by tbone

I doubt complaining to Honda will really help much but I wish you the best of luck! In the past I've tried the same thing with GM and Ford for their shennanegans and it's never amounted to anything. Hopefully Honda's head offices will treat you better.

Well today I got a call from the Service Manager. He rolled out The Red Carpet for me apologizing a countless amount of times. Promised me that all of the shakes, rattles & thuds would be fixed. He is going to have the shop forman work on my car. If they can't solve the problem I can see a trade in coming.

[Whocares05050]

I filled my last tires with nitrogen insteed of air. i never once lost pressure in 13 months.

[F-1 Si]

Originally Posted by F-1 Si

Well today I got a call from the Service Manager. He rolled out The Red Carpet for me apologizing a countless amount of times. Promised me that all of the shakes, rattles & thuds would be fixed. He is going to have the shop forman work on my car. If they can't solve the problem I can see a trade in coming.

Ok update dropped my car off yesterday. Sevice manager calls me today..Both front struts being replaced(Leaky), Sunroof tension adjusted. I pick it up tomorrow. BTW I also mentioned the 2nd and 3rd gear grind not really sure how they are handling that as of yet will know tomorrow am.

[definingmoment]

Gotta love when you "make an appointment" at the dealer for a "half hour" worth of labor only to have them ask you if you going to have a ride when you get there on time. Then you ask them why you would need a ride and they say it "might" be done in the next four hours! Whats the point of an appointment!! This happens every time I go there!!

[definingmoment]

Horror Stories, I have a ton:

1.) I wanted the OEM cig lighter accessory. Well, needless to say honda's shit instructions for installing it aren't really accurate because it doesn't pry out easily. So in the interest of not f'n it up I take it to the dealer to have them take it out. So they charge me like 20 dollars to do it and I get out to my car to find a console that looks like they took a crowbar too it! I COULDVE DONE THAT FOR FREE, JEEZ. So needless to say they replaced part of the console but not the other part(the scratch was across two panels). After three visits back(and four incorrect parts, and two dash repairs from taking the radio out, I dont know why???, all free of course) they finally tell me the panel cannot be replaced without taking the whole dash apart(which is true, I checked). The did some scratch removal and gave me a 150 dollar credit. Still, that is ridiculous.

2.) In order to have my fogs covered by warrenty I took my car to the dealer to have them do the work. After a price dispute(they quoted me 50 dollars less) I let them go to work. It takes their "tech" over four hours to get them in!! They then inform me that they are not working. At the five hour mark they finally get them working and blame the honda instructions for telling them to connect the wrong wires. I get home to find all my light and sunroof fuse blown as well as they didn't file down the fog cutout. ALL AFTER 5 HOURS!!! I took it back and showed them honda instructions and asked why it wasn't done. He gives me a sob story about his tech having to get "paid". I asked him for what since the work was so shitty. He ended up giving me a full refund and I filed them myself.

If you want more stories just ask!

[boltuprite]

another favourite is those little mail reminders you get;

"our records indicate it's time fotr you to come in for an oil change. For your conveneience we have pre-booked a service appointment on ____________"

Okay, first off how would they know whether I need an oil change. My car has an on-board service reminder with regards to oil life and it all depeneds on how the car is driven. (so far I have had 3 oil changes in 19,000 Kms)

Also my dealership has express drive-thru server, so appointments for oil changes are not required LOL.

[The_D_Money]

I actually had a good run in with a dealership here in Daytona. Made an appt. to get the ABS recall fixed and an Oil Change. Called later ,after making the appt., to schedule to bring in my girl's civic for the recall as well, no prob. Dropped mine off at 7:30am, took hers so I didn't have to wait there. They originally told me about 11am, mine would be done. At 9:13am I get a call, your car is ready, sweet. Drop hers off, pick mine up. They didn't really give me a time for hers, bc there were a bunch of cars there, no biggie. I left around 10am, called at 11am to check on it, "We've got our detail guy cleaning the car right now, by the time you get here, it'll be ready, We also noticed our detail guy didn't clean your car, would you like him to?" Not a bad deal, didn't have him clean it, bc, I probably would have gone through the lot and bought and Si while he was doing it, pretty good experience.

[GlassDoctor]

Im guessing Jon Hall Honda? They are great, we do work for them alot. That is where I will be getting my civic.