| $200 For Service @ 6,500 Miles?
- Click HERE for Original Thread
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| ilovetocamp |
My wife took our MDX to St.Louis Acura for a free oil change and the service guy sold her on the idea that it needed to have the tires rotated, differential fluid change and an additive to clean the injectors. She left there paying almost $200 for these added services.
Now I don't trust them for service because I don't think these were necessary and even if they were the charges are out of line.
Am I wrong? When I called to complain they told me that Acura recommends this service and it needed to be done. I told him if it needs that much maintenance I'll go back to a Toyota.
I would appreciate any opinions.
Thanks |
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| eurohazard |
"ACURA" doesn't recommend those services until 15,000 miles. It is on page 199 of the owner's manual (2004).
Your dealership, I mean stealership...is certainly going to recommend you pay them $200 for unneeded services. They definitely ripped ya!
The only needed item other than the oil change was the tire rotation. |
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| cycler15 |
Sorry you had to learn the hard way. From now on, don't get suckered by "normal maintenance" items the dealership tells you that you need. Follow the owners manual. I would call them back and tell them that the owner's manual says the rear differential needs to be changed every 15k, not 6k. Fuel injector service at 6k? That's ridiculous. Maybe at 30k. Call and explain your displeasure, maybe you'll get something out of it. If not, go to another dealership if you can.
BTW... when you go for your 15k service, don't get suckered by the "15k maintenance service package". They bump up the prices for these ridiculous "package services" which are mainly inspections. Just tell them exactly what you want and pay for each service item by item. This way there are no hidden charges. |
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| jamchen |
yes i can not agree anymore about these mindless charges that dealers are making....
but in order to keep the warrenty valid, things that are stated in the manual must perform....
but just my little AUS$0.02, why don't you prepare anything you can before hand? i meant, there are ppl offering OEM Honda parts @ much lower costs... like my dealer quoted me the ATF for 14.50 AU per bottle.. and you need 4 in order to do a drain and refill... compare i got 4 litres of ATF costed me $13 US
and yes i had to pay to shipping but i also chucked in few filters which are light and don't affect the total weight... :2: |
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| G. COLTON |
Unfortunately many (most?) people know very little about the vehicles that they drive. Because of this they will have maintenance and services performed on their vehicle that are not required.
The time for people to start learning about automobiles is when you are young. When my daughter was in Jr. high school I wanted her to take a one semester course on basic automobile care and upkeep. My wife would not back me on this and now my 39 year old daughter gets taken by service people.
I learned from my father who was a master mechanic. He so well known around our area of NC that Lee Petty even tried to get him to work for his team. However, Dad was a homebody and was not about to move or go to a job that requiredhim to travel.
The message is, start your children on the correct course now. If you cannot teach them yourself get them enrolled somewhere where they will have the basic knowledge to survive in that auto jungle.
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| ilovetocamp |
I already told the service manager we won't be back there for anything and I told the salesman we bought it from I will share this story with all my friends and they will be sorry they lied to my wife.
Maybe I should print these responses and show them to their GM.
Thanks for the help |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by ilovetocamp
I already told the service manager we won't be back there for anything and I told the salesman we bought it from I will share this story with all my friends and they will be sorry they lied to my wife.
Maybe I should print these responses and show them to their GM.
Provide a link to this discussion in an email to them. You might also rate them in the Dealer Rating section as well as document this experience in the Dealers: Your Experience Forum. Also report them to the local BBB as an establishment that discriminates against women (that will get their attention).
If you like to fight; I'd demand a refund of some sort.
Free Oil Change, Tire Rotation, VTM-4 fluid change, and Gas Additives do NOT cost $200 anyway :eek: |
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| hammermdx |
| Bummer, another dirtbag dealer!!!! |
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| richkuan |
Well, most stealerships are like this, oh I mean dealerships. They will try everything to rip you off, get your purse empty. They lure you with "Free Oil Change" but you will find yourself stuck in the situation that have to pay hundreds of dollars for the "Free" service before you can get your car back.
This is pretty normal since this is how they make money. If you were the manager of the dealership, you probably will do the same thing to maximize your profit.
So, the best way to protect ourselves, as customers, is to do the homework, educate ourselves. Know what is necessary, what is a rip-off. Especially ladies (sorry, no offense), most time they are the easiest victims since they know very little about vehicles and get scared and nervous easily.
I personally had a lot of experience with dishonest dealerships. They told me ridiculous things trying to scare me, and many times they just pretend they are my boss and order me to take their long list of service items.
I remember one time a dealership (a Honda dealer) want to charge me more than $3000 dollars on regular maintenance. When I found out that most items are their "guesses" and "dues" (your timing belt and water pump are due, you are due a transmission flush, etc., and they talked to me in the mannor that sounds I "owe" them.) and the prices are incredibly high, I refused to do these items. The "service consultant" was annoyed (since his bonus flew away) and told me "Don't bet your family safety by not doing any one on the list." The next thing I told him was to get my car out without doing anything.
Another story, a service consultant (another Honda dealer) showed me a damaged rubber seal and told me I need a new one. She said the part is internal to the engine and if I don't put a new one on, the engine will leak and I will need a new engine. But the problem is, I know that part does't belong to my engine since I know my engine pretty well. I asked her to show me where that part goes on the engine and why a internal part will cause oil leaking to the outside of the engine, she couldn't say a word. So she dropped that item. Then she wanted me to replace 2 corner light assemblies, yes, the whole assembly, because the bulbs were burnt. She claimed that the wiring must have some problems so I have to replace the whole assembly. But the problem is that there is no wiring in the light assembly. Then she agreed that replacing the bulbs would be enough and quoted me $18 for a bulb. It's not the headlight bulb, just a 5W corner marker light bulb and you can get 2 for $1 in Walmart.
See, they will try everything to get money from your pocket. Becasue they need money, period. And if you don't know when to say no, "I am an easy victim" will be on your face.
For dealerships like this, you better never go back, unless you feel very comfortable being ripped off in exchange of that peace of mind.
I have not been into any shop for more then 10 years, by taking care of the vehicles myself. I totally agree that since the car is an important part of our daily life, the more you know the better. I feel pretty comfortable today taking care any problems my cars have. I had done stuff from simple like change oil and brake pads to complicated tasks such as rebuild the engine, replace the rear main seal, replace the timing belt, etc. As time pass by, I got more and more usful experience.
Educate your kids so they know the basics of vehicles. Educate your wife and ask her to call someone that knows cars when something like this happens so she won't be ripped off. |
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| mdx99 |
quote:
Originally posted by ilovetocamp
My wife took our MDX to St.Louis Acura for a free oil change and the service guy sold her on the idea that it needed to have the tires rotated, differential fluid change and an additive to clean the injectors. She left there paying almost $200 for these added services.
Now I don't trust them for service because I don't think these were necessary and even if they were the charges are out of line.
Am I wrong? When I called to complain they told me that Acura recommends this service and it needed to be done. I told him if it needs that much maintenance I'll go back to a Toyota.
I would appreciate any opinions.
Thanks
I think that's called "rip off" by Stealer!!!!
Never heard of injector cleaner at "6000" miles!!! & differential oil change that early!!!
:( :( |
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| Chiefton |
| I do think that was too much. I have a new '05 and mine called for the first service at 7,500 miles and it was $127 for most of the above items, plus a free rental car for the day. |
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| frostyra |
quote:
Originally posted by richkuan
I totally agree that since the car is an important part of our daily life, the more you know the better. I feel pretty comfortable today taking care any problems my cars have. I had done stuff from simple like change oil and brake pads to complicated tasks such as rebuild the engine, replace the rear main seal, replace the timing belt, etc. As time pass by, I got more and more usful experience.
Me, too -- I have been working on cars since the early '50s, but time takes its toll, and I can't twist and bend into the required positions anymore in order to do some of the required jobs (especially under-dashboard work!). Since 1978, I haven't bought any car without buying the Service and Electrical manuals as well -- they are extremely helpful (and educational). |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by frostyra
Me, too -- I have been working on cars since the early '50s, but time takes its toll, and I can't twist and bend into the required positions anymore in order to do some of the required jobs (especially under-dashboard work!). Since 1978, I haven't bought any car without buying the Service and Electrical manuals as well -- they are extremely helpful (and educational).
How is everything in Raleigh these days. I did 4 years "time" there from 54 to 58. I was out at that leading basketball school. Had one of those overcharge experiences witht he Chevy dealer there. Had a 48 chevy that Dad said needed some front end work. He sent me the part numbers of the items to be replaced. I took the car in and went with a friend for Thanksgiving. When I went to get the car I had a much larger bill than I tought it should be. They had done extra work. Talked to Service Manager and told him that I had given exact instructions including part numbers and they corrected the charges.
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| BaldEagle |
| $200 for a free oil change???.:wtf: Next time just have them change oil and go elsewhere for paid service. |
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| ScoobyT |
| While I think the service writer was a d**k, what was the wife thinking? I mean, how hard was it to read the damn manual? What if she was told that the proverbial Brooklyn Bridge was for sale?Stop blaming everyone else for your own lack of common sense. |
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| ilovetocamp |
quote:
Originally posted by ScoobyT
how hard was it to read the damn manual? What if she was told that the proverbial Brooklyn Bridge was for sale?Stop blaming everyone else for your own lack of common sense.
What a stupid statement! She trusted someone because we are used to dealing with honest people and it has nothing to do with common sense. I have always found dishonest people are the ones that never trust anyone else so I guess you fall into that category and maybe it is different in other parts of the country but around here most people are trustworthy.
I am sure my wife could outsmart you any day of the week.:mad:
If you can't say anything constructive why say anything at all? |
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| ScoobyT |
@ilovetocamp
Not once did I call you or your wife stupid. But why would she trust a stranger whom she sees for the first time? And how hard IS it to read about service requirements for your own car? By the way, when shopping for the X, did you buy the car after the first quote and trusted the salesman's words "This is the best I can do "? If yes, then boy not only I`m I sorry for you, but there`s also a beautiful bridge in downtown New York for sale. |
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| ilovetocamp |
quote:
Originally posted by ScoobyT
@ilovetocamp
Not once did I call you or your wife stupid. But why would she trust a stranger whom she sees for the first time? And how hard IS it to read about service requirements for your own car? By the way, when shopping for the X, did you buy the car after the first quote and trusted the salesman's words "This is the best I can do "? If yes, then boy not only I`m I sorry for you, but there`s also a beautiful bridge in downtown New York for sale.
How much for the bridge? I've always wanted my own bridge.
The truth is we spent several months deciding on the MDX and the dealer we bought it from. Part of that decision was based on the service department. Once we made the decision we felt comfortable with the choice and had met the service manager so she felt no need to mis-trust the service department. They justify it by saying the manual DOES show 7,500 for adverse service and most of their customers fall into that category. So you see even if she would have read the manual it wouldn't have proved anything. It would have still gotten back to believing him or not.
My origional post was not intended to verify the competence of my wife. It was intended to see if this is what others were paying and opinions on rather it was necessary or not. In the future I will use my common sense and not bother you. I just hate that some people always seem to feel better by belittling others. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by ScoobyT
While I think the service writer was a d**k, what was the wife thinking? I mean, how hard was it to read the damn manual? What if she was told that the proverbial Brooklyn Bridge was for sale?Stop blaming everyone else for your own lack of common sense.
Ilovetocamp - Sorry about your misadventure. Not that my wife is any less intelligent than anyone else, but same thing could have happened. There's something about women in general and automobile maintennance that somehow doesn't connect.
ScoobyT - Lighten up, sir or ma'am! Your comments are appreciated but even though you are correct that you did not call camp's wife stupid, you did imply at the very least that she was gullible by alluding to the old Brooklyn bridge sale. How would you like it if somebody insulted your spouse or relative on a public forum? |
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| ScoobyT |
@ DJ
That`s a very sexist thing to say( although I agree 100%) ;)
@ `CAMP
It wasn`t my intention to insult you or the missus, but with the wealth of information available(owners manual, this forum,word of mouth), the " Gosh, I`m gullible " excuse is rather lame. BTW, how would you like to pay for that bridge ? :) |
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| ilovetocamp |
Just as a follow up on this story.
I spoke to the service manager today at St.Louis Acura and he said they wanted us to be happy and gave me a credit for the full amount we paid for the service. I feel under the circumstances it was a good gesture and he assured me any time I am not happy to contact him immediatley. Seemed like a really nice guy. |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by ilovetocamp
Just as a follow up on this story.
I spoke to the service manager today at St.Louis Acura and he said they wanted us to be happy and gave me a credit for the full amount we paid for the service. I feel under the circumstances it was a good gesture and he assured me any time I am not happy to contact him immediatley. Seemed like a really nice guy.
Glad to hear it - that is how customer service is supposed to work. :29:
Considering his effort to make it right and as long as they are a convenient location I'd give them another chance - but I would be upfront about services wanted and pricing and I'd watch very carefully :cool: :1: |
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| JTM |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
Glad to hear it - that is how customer service is supposed to work. :29:
Considering his effort to make it right and as long as they are a convenient location I'd give them another chance - but I would be upfront about services wanted and pricing and I'd watch very carefully :cool: :1:
Totally agree with msu.
:D :2: |
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