integrity in the service department

[Josef]

I went to get the van inspected the other day when the dude walks in and said this is what your cabin filter looks like and it was really dirty. I asked him what it would cost and he says $30.00
I told him thank you but I would take care of it. I changed it yesterday and my wife states she couldn't tell the difference between the new and old. I wonder what that means???
Josef

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It means either your wife has a broken nose (like not smelling) or more likely the filter was still doing it's job, or there really isn't anything to smell in the fine dust the filter is trapping.

 

[hodge]

If it's dirty, it's dirty. It may still be working, but it won't be allowing as much air through, and it will continue to get clogged. I change my own, though- I can buy them for much less than the dealership wants to supply them for, and they are easy to change.

 

[skeets]

Is there one of them in the 2016 Silverado?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is there one of them in the 2016 Silverado?

Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O97lIcO1RY

 

[Lil Foot]

Just about every dealer or service center I've ever taken my truck to wants to replace my cabin filter for $29.95 to $119.95- only trouble is, the 2003 Super Duty doesn't have a cabin filter. I have even had Ford dealers argue with me.
Morons.

 

[Josef]

It means either your wife has a broken nose (like not smelling) or more likely the filter was still doing it's job, or there really isn't anything to smell in the fine dust the filter is trapping.

the point was the old one and the new one were identical and if a person were to do a card shuffle would not know which was the old or the new. They also smelled the same as I checked. The one he showed me very obviously needed changing as he taped it with his hand and dust dropped out.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Ah so, very tricky he keeps a filthy one around just to show...he probably didn't even look at yours

 

[OldeEnglish]

This is when you bang the dust out of the filter right on the service counter. Then you say, it's good to go now!

 

[Josef]

He was suposed to be doing a Texas safety inspection, that's all. What that has to do with a cabin filter I do not know. On my particular car, it's suposed to be changed at the 30,000 mile service checkup where they just change it and don't come show the customer.

 

[skeets]

Thank wolfman

 

[Tooljunkie]

I can say they trap dirt. Saw one so bad there was dirt heaped on top of it. I check them as routine maintenance. Up here in winter if cabin filter is really dirty the windows wont clear.
Most shops do not check these filters. A little dusty, no big deal. I just give them a light vacuming and replace. And reccomend filter at next service. I give my customers lead time unless its a safety issue. Then its a phone call.

So my best friends wife takes van to another garage for oil change,throws in a set of brake pads and a wheel bearing. No call and a 300 plus dollar repair. That shop knows full well what i do,couldnt notify her so i could fix it. Buddy was very unimpressed,considering i do his repairs for parts cost only. Now that shop has integrity problems,one reason why i left. Oh did i mention i used to work there so i know they did it out of spite.

 

[Orangeglow]

Unfortunately, guys are pressured to sell parts, whether they are needed, or not.
Got a mechanic friend that use to work at a GM dealership. When new ownership took over, they were all brought into a meeting, and told that each one of them must peddle 5K in parts each, per month.
IF they didn,t they would promptly be replaced. Kinda makes one sick to hear that.
Like I mentioned earlier, he used to work there. He doesn,t any more.
I have also seen first hand how ladies seem to get more scare tactics, and for example, are told that their brakes must be replaced immediately, because the vehicle is not safe to be removed from the hoist. LOL
After checking the brake pads and rotors on all four corners, they were still good for another 50K.
I now warn everyone I can to always get the diagnosis in writing, and always get a second opinion.
Asking for a written document seems to slow down the immediate repairs considerably.

 

[OldeEnglish]

My wife's outback typically needs the cabin air filter changed every 15k miles. The dealer charges like $30 to do it so let them do it. I just had brake pads put her car and called around to a few shops, one being strictly a Subaru repair shop. The dealer ended up being $200 cheaper than all the others and used OEM pads which I got 45k miles out of. I was really suprised how the dealer came in so much lower!

 

[CaveCreekRay]

I was really surprised how the dealer came in so much lower!

Dealers have control over how much they charge for parts and how they charge for labor. When I got too busy to install a new timing belt in my 4Runner, I took the timing belt, a new water pump, and a new thermostat along with all new belts into my Toyota dealer and he put the whole lot on for $300 (or a little under three hours of labor). I told him much of that stuff would be easily accessible or off doing the timing belt. He agreed.

On the other extreme: Fifteen years ago I bought my first 525 BMW as a "certified used" vehicle. Part of that is new brake rotors and pads. I asked the service writer what that brake service ran and he said, "A tad under $1800." Later on, when I picked up a 528 an older guy had ridden the brakes on, I bought new OEM rotors and pads from a non-dealer source and the total was $450, including new brake hoses at each wheel. No way did labor make up all the difference in the original quote. The dealer charges an arm and a leg for parts.

Trying to convince people to be pro-active and swap out parts that will be off a vehicle is often seen by customers as "up selling." I think its just smart, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle. Having a mechanic you can trust is really important for people unfamiliar with automotive issues, especially the new tech issues that only faze people more.

Its a jungle out there. We don't all live close to Frank. Fortunately, I have a shop with guys like Frank nearby for more serious issues.

 

[mattillac]

Could dude have cleaned the filter, like blew it off/out with compressed air or something ?

 

[Newlyme]

Dealers have control over how much they charge for parts and how they charge for labor. When I got too busy to install a new timing belt in my 4Runner, I took the timing belt, a new water pump, and a new thermostat along with all new belts into my Toyota dealer and he put the whole lot on for $300 (or a little under three hours of labor). I told him much of that stuff would be easily accessible or off doing the timing belt. He agreed.

On the other extreme: Fifteen years ago I bought my first 525 BMW as a "certified used" vehicle. Part of that is new brake rotors and pads. I asked the service writer what that brake service ran and he said, "A tad under $1800." Later on, when I picked up a 528 an older guy had ridden the brakes on, I bought new OEM rotors and pads from a non-dealer source and the total was $450, including new brake hoses at each wheel. No way did labor make up all the difference in the original quote. The dealer chargkes an arm and a leg for parts.

Trying to convince people to be pro-active and swap out parts that will be off a vehicle is often seen by customers as "up selling." I think its just smart, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle. Having a mechanic you can trust is really important for people unfamiliar with automotive issues, especially the new tech issues that only faze people more.

Its a jungle out there. We don't all live close to Frank. Fortunately, I have a shop with guys like Frank nearby for more serious issues.

I had my 2006 VW Jetta TDI in to the dealer for routine maintenance, timing belt. The day before the appointment the check wallet light ca, I mean check engine light came on. I didn't check the code before I went in and assumed it was a simple glow plug so I asked them to check and advise. I have already replaced two so far as they have brought themselves to my attention.
Sure enough it was in the glow plug department.
Well the estimate was $1,400.00! Four new glow plugs, wires, bridge, and rectifier.
I declined.
When I got the car home I read the code. Number 2 glow plug. Ordered two glow plugs online, $37.50 each. Two day shipping, one needed glow plug, one spare for the shelf $90.00. Check wallet light out. Check wallet $1,310.00.
Also they found one of the rear disc brakes was dragging. $1,400.00 for new rear calipers,pads,rotors and bleed the brakes. I was planning to do the brakes in the spring so I check to see how much to install all four wheels if they use my parts, I have the parts on the shelf, $875.00 OEM. $1,300.00 to put my parts on. Again I decline. Now if I could just get my wife to cut me a check when I'm done.
This is not to bash the dealer. They do quality work. I just pick my poison.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

NM,

With more and more people experiencing similar visits to their dealer, how long do these Bozos think they can stay in business?

German cars have the best price for replacement parts because German regulations mandate at least four OEM suppliers for these parts and that they be made available for at least ten years after production ends. That means OEM parts are plentiful and reasonably priced.

My brother blew a radiator in his five year old Suburban. $375 was the best price he could find for the part online. My 2000 528 BMW OEM Behr radiator was $156 online. And BMWs are supposed to be expensive to maintain? Try GM parts!

 

[skeets]

If you can afford a BEE MER you can afford to have it fixed
Aint nuttin cheap any more, and every shop is out to screw you over it seems

 

[D2Cat]

Yesterday my wife's car would not start. Battery done! I wanted an Interstate, so I made a few calls... 5 actually. The price ranged from $112-$154 for the exact same battery. This is in a town of 6,000 pop. and all the places get their Interstate batteries of of the same truck.

Apparently it's an odd battery because they had to order them, with the exception on one shop....and his price was the $112. Guess I was fortunate.

How can prices range so far for something so simple?

I choose to not buy batteries from Wal-Mart as a last resort because it's a road trip through the store when you have to return them.(Go in to sporting section to have them test it with their super duper gizmo that the employees do not know how to effectively operate, take battery to service desk, while someone pays for a soda pop and loaf of bread while chatting with the cashier about some personal matter...)