Scam?

[fbhjr]

The service people at the Toyota dealership where I bought my car have not
impressed me.
They have been very hard to get appointments, have a broken web site and
have often times tried to “upsell” me services.
(One time I called for service and they told me they were totally booked
for the nest 5 days, even though their broken web site said they had
openings. When I complained about that, the head of service wrote to me
and said “I told my people to tell folks we were full as it is a holiday
weekend coming up and I didn’t want them to be over busy before it.”
He told the service people to lie about available appointments? I
forwarded that to Toyota corporate. They sent me an apology.)

But, I’ve been going there because they included the service for the first
25,000 miles with the cost of the car.
Now I’m at 30,000 and I decided to try them again to see what they are like
when you actually pay them.

So far, still not impressed.

The good news is, when I called I got through right away. This is a change.
“I’d like to make an appointment for my 30,000 mile service,” I told the
woman who answered.
“How many miles does it have on it?” she asked.
“Somewhere around 30,000,” I said. “I think it was 29,600 this morning.”
“The caller id on your phone call says this belongs to a Toyota Avalon with
much more than 30,000 miles on it.”
“I’m calling you from work on my lunch break. It is very possible one of
the 60 people who works here has an Avalon with more miles than my Prius.
But, I’m not interested in paying to have their car serviced.”
“Oh, I see. What is your personal number?”
I gave her my cellphone number, and she agreed it is listed as an owner of
a Prius.

“Do you want the Toyota recommended maintenance, or the dealership
recommended maintenance?” she asked.
“What’s the difference?”
“The dealership one has everything the Toyota recommended one has, plus we
fix your tires for potholes.”
“What is the difference in cost?”
“The Toyota recommended one is $189.95. The dealership one is $555.95.”

“And for three times the money, what do they do about potholes?”
“That’s not really clear on the sheet they gave me,” she said. “Something
about undercarriage work.”
“I’ll take the Toyota recommended one,” I said.

I’m sure when I bring it in tomorrow morning they are going to try to get
me to get the expensive one again. But, they would have to make a very
compelling argument.
I just reread the maintenance schedule for my car and there is nothing out
of the ordinary suggested for my mileage. And, it is all highways and
major secondary roads that I drive. No harsh conditions or anything like
that.

As far as I can tell, the dealership is just looking for money for
Christmas.

Comments

[malterre.livejournal.com]

Time for Meineke! :)

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Derp

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

The toyota dealer up here is also pricey, but they don't go to such lengths as yours to make it super-expensive and difficult to get in. Grrrr!

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

“The caller id on your phone call says this belongs to a Toyota Avalon with
much more than 30,000 miles on it.”
“I’m calling you from work on my lunch break. It is very possible one of
the 60 people who works here has an Avalon with more miles than my Prius.
But, I’m not interested in paying to have their car serviced.”
“Oh, I see. What is your personal number?”
I gave her my cellphone number, and she agreed it is listed as an owner of
a Prius.

this is CREEPY. omg.

“The dealership one has everything the Toyota recommended one has, plus we
fix your tires for potholes.”
“What is the difference in cost?”
“The Toyota recommended one is $189.95. The dealership one is $555.95.”

yeah, you need a new Toyota dealership, and if you want to report this one - AGAIN - for what they're doing, i would. christ.

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

Car dealerships have software that not only runs caller ID but spits out your credit rating before they even answer the phone.

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Car dealerships are notorious for charging huge money for car services but not doing a super great job. I only go for my free services and then I use a local, more honest mechanic after that. They do a much better job, only do what you need and charge you a fair price.

[blue-eye.livejournal.com]

Depends on the dealership. Our Jeep dealership is really good for service.

[blue-eye.livejournal.com]

LOL!!!

That was so good, I shared it with Brown.

For some reason, a lot of the Toyota dealerships are unimpressive. My parents' dealership was a mess, but the one out by my brother's was ok.

I have a RAV4 that used to be my parents' but I have been shying away from going to a Toyota dealership for service.

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

I don't think I have ever been impressed or overjoyed with dealership mechanics.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

We've been pretty happy with WCD here in N'boro for car service. They do a good job for a fair price.