A story about dealers

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
07/17/2018 at 12:27 • Filed to: dealership, cruiser

A lovely Apache for yer time.

So I realized the other day it had been a LONG time since I had my transmission in the cruiser serviced..Too long, so to remedy this I called my usual mechanic and asked what it would run so I could decide if it would be worth it to do it myself or have him do it. He quoted me $150 for a flush but recommended I do a pan off and clean the screen for good measure...I’m at 302,000 miles after all...and that would run about $400. hmm. I called up the dealer just to see because frankly I think my regular guy is starting to charge dealer prices for not dealer service. I know some of his guys really know cruisers inside and out but I know they also hire quick lube types who’ve completely jacked up my brakes necessitating a complete brake system replacement...even when it is the good guys some of their work is a little sloppy too.

I called up the dealer and asked for a transmission service and they said $175 + tax. Then they added, “that includes a filter as well.”

“oh, thats a pan off with a filter?” I asked.

“Yes, or I guess in your case its not a filter its actually a screen.”

Thats actually correct, I thought, and a hell of a deal.

“So $175 plus tax for a pan off service plus screen?”

“thats correct.”

“okay, sign me up.”

I got there at my appointment time this morning and when they checked me in they asked what i was here for

“I have an appointment for a transmission service.”

“Okay, just so you know its going to be $175 plus tax”

“and thats pan off with the screen, correct?”

“I believe so, yes.”

“great!”

* 2 hours later *

“all done, I had to make an adjustment to the bill because it takes so much fluid but I got it back down to $175 + tax”

Thats thoughtful I think to myself

*flipping through the invoice, sees “flush” but no pan service*

“so they didn’t take the pan off.”

“thats correct, with this service we don’t take the pan off.”

...long story short, many hard stares and explanations of what was promised vs what was delivered...

“...let me check with my service manager.”

*5 minutes later*

“sorry about the confusion, thats partly my fault (it was, he was the one who checked me in). Let me take care of that for you.”

“take care of?”

“no charge.”

I explained that I would be happy to pay them something. They DID do work and used material. He said it was on them.

On the one hand I think I knew deep down that $175 for a pan off was a little too cheap and that I kinda knew it was only priced for a flush.

On the other hand i gave them EVERY opportunity to correct this oversight on their part.

I don’t like to take advantage of people even when they make a mistake...but...at least now I can buy a replacement seatbelt I need because I didn’t spend ~$200 on a transmission service. So thats nice.

DISCUSSION (31)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > HammerheadFistpunch
07/17/2018 at 12:30

Sounds like a quality place to do business. Hard to find sometimes.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
07/17/2018 at 12:41

In the socialist revolution, dealerships will be the first industry to be collectivized.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > For Sweden
07/17/2018 at 12:48

I collectivized your mother, Trebek. She really seized the means of production.

DipodomysDeserti > For Sweden
07/17/2018 at 12:57

+1 Argentinian auto worker

Tekamul > HammerheadFistpunch
07/17/2018 at 13:56

Honestly, that’s probably the best possible interaction you were going to get from a dealer. There’s no way they were going to actually do the screen.

It’s great they gave you the flush free, but you still need to service the screen. Maybe at 604k

I had a dealer give me a free set of brakes once (rotor and pads) , because they recommended it while I was getting a new torque converter. Even though I firmly said no, the tech did it anyways. $600+ . I still go back there even when I don’t need to, just because I fee l bad.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tekamul
07/17/2018 at 14:00

I agree, it was a good deal and certainly didn’t leave feeling sore.

functionoverfashion > HammerheadFistpunch
07/17/2018 at 14:14

“I believe so, yes.”

Translation: “I either have no idea, or I think the answer is no, but I’m giving a non committal answer that kind of sounds like yes, but isn’t yes .”

But I’m glad they made it right, in the end.

HammerheadFistpunch > functionoverfashion
07/17/2018 at 14:16

I was surprised they have it to me... I honestly didn’t know what my options were going to be. Happy about it.

Unlike dealing with rock auto... Which is an exercise in futility

HammerheadFistpunch > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/17/2018 at 14:17

Yeah it worked it well. This is one of the few dealers I feel good working with. The owner’s son is the guy who runs and owns the cruiser museum

LOREM IPSUM > HammerheadFistpunch
07/17/2018 at 15:21

Now that you have fresh fluid, if you’re feeling adventurous you can drain it, diy the screen , and refill. All for the cost of an afternoon, a screen, and a gasket.

Or maybe your indy can cut you a better deal now that h e doesn’t need to provide the erl.

HammerheadFistpunch > LOREM IPSUM
07/17/2018 at 15:23

eh, im fine with the flush for now, in 30k i’ll go back in and do the screen.

jkm7680 > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2018 at 02:24

Hey, can I return please? I was told to leave for a week for dismissing Yamahog’s comment and it's been more than that. I'll apologize to those offended. Thanks.

jkm7680 > HammerheadFistpunch
07/22/2018 at 13:04

Please just give me an update if anything, if you guys just don’t want me around anymore that’s fine.

nermal > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:25

Kinja'd!!!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > HammerheadFistpunch
08/02/2018 at 11:25

Hey. On behalf of jkm7680 I ask when you all plan on bringing him back. He didn’t deserve the ban for this long as much as others during that shitstorm did, and he expressed regret. Apart from the occasional political argument he is a good part of the community who posts about his truck that many people like. People fuck up and at least he apologized about it. Thanks.

PartyPooper2012 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/02/2018 at 11:26

I don’t believe anything dealership tells me. The guys in service... (service guys don’t actually service anything) they push the car to mechanics and viola. Done. So service guys may not know how things are done. They have to confirm and reconfirm. And usually they just yes you to death because they have no idea what the words you are saying actually are.

Hi, I would like to have my transmission serviced. How much would it be. 175. OK and what is the process? We flush fluids and give you new fluids. AHA. NO PAN REMOVAL! What would it cost to replace transmission filter?

MonkeePuzzle > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:26

huh? wah now?

also, why does this comment not show up unless directly linked to? I am so deeply lost in kinja now

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:28

i never had a problem with you (yet anyway).. and i missed all the hubbub

im also not a mod

so hey sure mate you good far as im concerned

everyones good far as im concerned (cept maybe borsuq.... his fixes will make me stroke out one of these days)

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:28

i never had a problem with you (yet anyway).. and i missed all the hubbub

im also not a mod

so hey sure mate you good far as im concerned

everyones good far as im concerned (cept maybe borsuq.... his fixes will make me stroke out one of these days)

HammerheadFistpunch > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
08/02/2018 at 11:28

to be honest, I was completely absent from that mess, though I will bring it up to the group.

HammerheadFistpunch > PartyPooper2012
08/02/2018 at 11:29

See that was going to be my next question but THEY offered up that its a pan off with filter...and then I confirmed it with them AND one other tech. I gave them every opportunity .

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > HammerheadFistpunch
08/02/2018 at 11:31

Ok, thanks again.

Tripper > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:38

I want JKM around

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
08/02/2018 at 11:40

I saw his post shared, what happened?

CalzoneGolem > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:51

I guess I’d take the lack of reply here as a reply.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
08/02/2018 at 11:52

There was a political shitstorm where there were unfriendly arguments and all that. jkm showed up late to the party and said a couple things that weren’t the best things to say but not nearly as bad as the others’ words. Yamahog also hopped in the argument with him and them two started going at it, which made jkm just want to end the whole thread by dismissing yamahogs comment. Yamahog and Arch Duke took offense to that even though according to jkm it was only to stop the thread from going even more out of control and banned him along with the others involved in that overall argument. Not trying to offend the other ones banned but I believe personally that jkm didn't deserve it as much as the others. He doesn't argue about politics as heavily and as offensively as the others did (they will remain unnamed). So I'm advocating for his return. Also if you look at his recent comment history you'll find that he apologized. All the more reason to let him back. Disclaimer: I haven't checked the profiles of the other offenders post-argument yet.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
08/02/2018 at 11:54

Good for them for owning up to it and not being dicks. I do feel sorry for the lube tech who probably just ate the 30 minutes of his day on your cruiser.

Svend > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 11:56

I don’t think I’ve ever had any run-ins with you.

You seem okay to me, I don’t have any issues with you at all.

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/02/2018 at 11:59

I also felt bad about that, truly . I was happy to pay them something, but I do feel I was due a little compensation for not getting what I asked for.

interstate366, now In The Industry > jkm7680
08/02/2018 at 12:19

#freejkm2018

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
08/02/2018 at 12:23

Their ability to understand the work and communicate effectively is their fault for sure .