DEALER **** STORY

[TRIPEVANS]

I have a 2003 Tahoe 4x4 Z71 with 107,000 on it. The "right rear door ajar" message was on so I performed a thorough electronic diagnostic workup on the circuitry external to the BCM. Everything checked out normal including the switch at the door. I knew my BCM was out so I took my car to a dealer in the North Tampa area off I75. After 3 hours, they called and told me the ajar message was from the solenoid and had been fixed. Puzzled, I went to pick up the car and upon putting it in gear, the ajar message displayed again. They took the car back in to the service bay and said "aw shucks." 3 hours later I called them and was told the tech was checking each wire individually. I told them the problem was the BCM, and that's why I brought the car to them. One hour later I get a call..."it's the BCM"

Additionally, I requested that the 4 wheels be road force balanced.

Any guesses on the total for a new BCM with the reprogramming, and road-force balancing on 4 wheels??

$1000

That's right, one thousand dollars. $200 for the road force....$380 for the BCM....$270 for BCM install labor.

Before I expose this dealer's service practices in a more public fashion, I would like your feedback on this quote, specifically how it compares to other dealer's prices. I'm typing this message standing up, as I'm still unable to sit after my recent experience

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I have a 2003 Tahoe 4x4 Z71 with 107,000 on it. The "right rear door ajar" message was on so I performed a thorough electronic diagnostic workup on the circuitry external to the BCM. Everything checked out normal including the switch at the door. I knew my BCM was out so I took my car to a dealer in the North Tampa area off I75. After 3 hours, they called and told me the ajar message was from the solenoid and had been fixed. Puzzled, I went to pick up the car and upon putting it in gear, the ajar message displayed again. They took the car back in to the service bay and said "aw shucks." 3 hours later I called them and was told the tech was checking each wire individually. I told them the problem was the BCM, and that's why I brought the car to them. One hour later I get a call..."it's the BCM"

Additionally, I requested that the 4 wheels be road force balanced.

Any guesses on the total for a new BCM with the reprogramming, and road-force balancing on 4 wheels??

$1000

That's right, one thousand dollars. $200 for the road force....$380 for the BCM....$270 for BCM install labor.

Before I expose this dealer's service practices in a more public fashion, I would like your feedback on this quote, specifically how it compares to other dealer's prices. I'm typing this message standing up, as I'm still unable to sit after my recent experience

Just curious, but your numbers only make 850.

 

[TRIPEVANS]

150 labor

 

[PG01]

And hence.....stealership

 

[08HoeCD]

Pricing on parts and labor can vary wildly, and so I never approve or permit work without an estimate or firm quote in advance.

That being said, the price is very high.

 

[adventurenali92]

It doesn't surprise me. Which is why I avoid going to the dealership like the dealership is the plague. Lol. But I also have a client that's now a close fsmily friend thst owns a custom jeep shop up here where I live. I do tons of detail work for them. And they have extremely capable mechanics plus alot of the really expensive diagnostics systems. So he can always tell me what's wrong with my truck at any given time. And not everyone has that readily available to them. Good honest mechanics, that know what they are doing are hard to come by these days.

 

[drowssap]

I had to bring my Ram in last week for a couple of big issues. While in the waiting area I had a bunch of laughs listening to the service writers blow smoke up customers arses. One of my items needing repairs were my trailer lights. Fuse kept blowing. When picking up the truck I asked the writer if the problem was figured out and he informed me the tech probed the light system and he got good power. I screamed PRAISE JESUS....IT'S A MIRACLE! Of course he looked at me and I said I would love to meet this miracle man because the F^&@ing fuse for the trailer lights was in my pocket! Without a word he took my key back and brought the truck back into the service dept.

 

[TRIPEVANS]

LMAO....sounds like we need a local news expose on these scum

 

[2011SSVHOE]

A few years ago I took my Impala to my local stealership for a state inspection. I get a call from the wallet cleaner
( aka Service advisor) saying that my horn wasn't working I asked what it might be he said might be a fuse , be about 30 or 40 bucks to fix. I declined . well I screwed up the mechanics plan, he thought what guy is gonna say no, heck you need a horn to pass inspection. I took the car home checked the fuse it was ok. took the headlamp out to get to the horn, and the sob had cut the wire. I spliced it back together and went over there and reamed the service manager new *******. All mechanics have their little scams to increase their take home pay, I could go on and on cuz I used to write service in my prior life.

 

[Danny3737]

I like the way try to charge $50+ to replace a cabin air filter

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

As long as people cater to them, it will go on forever. Most of the problems start with slick tongue management with little to no experience especially @ hiring qualified mechanics, s/writers are wimps. JMHO
and .
David g........

 

[MrBalll]

Can't remember last time I went to a dealership.
Especially with a Tahoe. Such a simple vehicle to work on. And anything that could go wrong is covered and explained how to fix on this site.

 

[Maximus1]

You should have argued and refused to pay the diagnostic charge since you told them that you had already completed the diagnostic and told them that you needed your BCM replaced and programmed and that your not going to pay for the solenoid and labor to install the solenoid. The only charge you should get is the cost of the BCM and shop labor to install and program which should be at max 1 hour. On average around the country the shop labor costs per hour is about $100 per hour.

 

[Maximus1]

As long as people cater to them, it will go on forever. Most of the problems start with slick tongue management with little to no experience especially @ hiring qualified mechanics, s/writers are wimps. JMHO
and .
David g........

Totally agreed #stealership

 

[Maximus1]

I had to bring my Ram in last week for a couple of big issues. While in the waiting area I had a bunch of laughs listening to the service writers blow smoke up customers arses. One of my items needing repairs were my trailer lights. Fuse kept blowing. When picking up the truck I asked the writer if the problem was figured out and he informed me the tech probed the light system and he got good power. I screamed PRAISE JESUS....IT'S A MIRACLE! Of course he looked at me and I said I would love to meet this miracle man because the F^&@ing fuse for the trailer lights was in my pocket! Without a word he took my key back and brought the truck back into the service dept.

That's awesome. That just goes to show how shady they are. Stupid asses!!!!

 

[Maximus1]

It doesn't surprise me. Which is why I avoid going to the dealership like the dealership is the plague. Lol. But I also have a client that's now a close fsmily friend thst owns a custom jeep shop up here where I live. I do tons of detail work for them. And they have extremely capable mechanics plus alot of the really expensive diagnostics systems. So he can always tell me what's wrong with my truck at any given time. And not everyone has that readily available to them. Good honest mechanics, that know what they are doing are hard to come by these days.

I've been a mechanic for over 25 years. My dad and grandfather were both mechanics and one thing that they taught me that was really important to them is to be HONEST and don't fix anything that isn't broken and always explain to the customer what you believe is the problem BEFORE you replace it and tell them the total cost for the repair. And also if I make a mistake and misdiagnosed the problem that I would have to pay for the part and not charge for the labor on that part. They said "do this and your reputation will lead to success" and they are right

 

[adventurenali92]

I've been a mechanic for over 25 years. My dad and grandfather were both mechanics and one thing that they taught me that was really important to them is to be HONEST and don't fix anything that isn't broken and always explain to the customer what you believe is the problem BEFORE you replace it and tell them the total cost for the repair. And also if I make a mistake and misdiagnosed the problem that I would have to pay for the part and not charge for the labor on that part. They said "do this and your reputation will lead to success" and they are right

solid advice right there! It'd hard to find mechanics like you who know what they are actually doing, and are honest with customers like that!

 

[Maximus1]

solid advice right there! It'd hard to find mechanics like you who know what they are actually doing, and are honest with customers like that!

Thanks, it really irritates me when I hear about shady mechanics being dishonest and trying to cheat someone out of their hard earned money. I've even went to the extent of getting one of my customers a refund from a shop that tried to do the same repair before me and failed but still charged for labor and parts. I threatened them with a big lawsuit for my customer and they would loose a lot more money if they didn't. They knew I would have won and decided on a refund. Hindsight they are now out of business.

 

[Maximus1]

I am a veteran and every time I have a customer who is also a veteran they are never charged for labor, just the part. I also don't believe in marking up the price of parts. The auto parts store delivers the part anyways so there is no loss for time on my part. This is another shady thing that some stealerships and mechanics do.

The day after Mother's Day and Father's Day (since they are always on Sunday) are free labor as well. This helps me with my tax write offs.

 

[rockola1971]

Stealerships make their money on auto parts, labor and scheduled maintenance. Not on profits from brand new vehicle sales.