Dealership Woes: Am I right to be angry?

thunderstruck

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Little backstory here: I don't know if any of you can recall, but I began having torque converter issues with my Avalanche well over a year ago. Long story short: did some diagnostics, decided to keep driving it as is. Fast forward to about three weeks ago, start losing 1st and 2nd when transmission gets warm.

Brought the truck to a local dealership, decide to go with reman trans and new torque converter. They had the truck for just a little over two weeks. Had a minor misstep with their customer service during this time. No biggie, it was taken care of in the end.

So today on my lunchbreak, I stop by to pay for the transmission. They went almost $300 over the estimate. Whatever, I wasn't upset... it's an estimate, not a guarantee. I paid and took the keys, leaving the Avalanche there so I can drop my other truck off at home first after work. But in my rush to get back to work, I didn't pay much attention to the invoice. Once I got home, I realized that I was charged $255 for a manifold. Then I noticed charges for a couple of gaskets, three studs, etc.

WTF? Did they break one of my exhaust manifolds? Also, 9.5 hours for a transmission swap?

I go pick up the truck and sure enough, driver's side exhaust manifold is brand new. I am now official pissed, lucky for them they were already closed by then. I do work in a shop too, I understand that things will get broken, but I feel the way they went about was totally fWONked up. First, I can understand broken exhaust studs, but how the hell can you be so ham-handed that you break the entire manifold? Then charge me full price for the parts and labor fixing your screw up? Worst of all, NEVER mention to me that anything happened?

This shit would never fly in the shop I work at. I'm kinda excited for this Monday, because I'm ready to tear someone a new asshole at that dealership.
 

daddy

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I'd go in with a level head but you have every right to inquire. I would.
 

OldCracker29

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It's sad, but stuff does break. I think it is very wrong that they didn't inform you about the manifold. I try not to get sticker shock if I have to have someone else fix my ride. Of course, I'll usually tell them if they find something else wrong to go ahead and fix it as well. A buddy of mine who usually gets my dirty work so to speak, will split the cost if he breaks something. Normally, I'll buy what broke, and he does the labor for free.
 

daddy

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Id be real pissed, it would be really hard to go in Monday and be calm about it.

^^^^THIS.

Why? You guys are old enough to hold your emotions in check, aren't you? Walking in the door yelling rarely gets things accomplished. You think the dealership hasn't dealt with irate people before? You're not going to "show them what's up" anywhere but in your own head.

Always be nice first.
 

txab

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I've had a couple of manifolds broken om the GMT800 line. One broke on the webbing between cylinders while mounted. The other broke in the webbing while it was sitting on the bench.

A nice calm well thought out discussion is in order. They should have called you about the manifold, just to give you a heads up.

What was the total bill if you don't mind me asking? Your trans should have 3 year warranty right?
 

Boilerup15

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Id be real pissed, it would be really hard to go in Monday and be calm about it.

^^^^THIS.

Why? You guys are old enough to hold your emotions in check, aren't you? Walking in the door yelling rarely gets things accomplished. You think the dealership hasn't dealt with irate people before? You're not going to "show them what's up" anywhere but in your own head.

Always be nice first.
I didn't say I would go in yelling. I know it usually doesn't get you anywhere. However, I would go in and explain that I wasn't happy with what had happened, and hopefully they would take care of it, if not then I would probably begin to show my anger more.
 

txab

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WHAT NOT TO DO




photo-19.jpg
 

Black02Silverado

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Going in with a level head and being calm will get you more than if you go in all fired up. Just put yourself in their shoes. Sounds stupid but would you want a fired up customer coming in, or one that seems to want some questions answered and a compromise on the repair cost due to the nature of the repair?
 

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