I hate it when car mechanics try to upsell me

[JEDI]

 

[scorpmatt]

its good thing you caught that early. otherwise it could've been really expensive.

 

[Captante]

Only thing to do about it is make sure you know what the problem is AND about what it should cost to fix BEFORE taking your car to the shop.

 

[MrSquished]

A bunch of oil change places always try to get you to change your transmission oil too to try to scam someone into it. Jackwagons.

 

[Captante]

OTOH MANY people are unaware that automatic transmission-fluid DOES in fact need to be changed at regular intervals since it wears out like any other oil PLUS usually has a filter to change too. (sometimes as high as 100k/10 years between changes to be fair)

By far the most common reason for a slush-box crapping out prematurely is directly related to this oversite. (another common "gotcha" along those lines is failing to change the differential-fluids in AWD vehicles every 30-40k or so)

Bottom line? RTFM.

 

[NutBucket]

What, you don't want this $300 fuel injection service...

I had to start taking my car to shop again...and shockingly the service writer has already figured out I can't be easily upsold so he stopped trying! Smart fella.

EDIT: Wait, you mean my "sealed" transmission with "lifetime" fluid needs service? What a bunch of BS.

 

[Captante]

What, you don't want this $300 fuel injection service...

I had to start taking my car to shop again...and shockingly the service writer has already figured out I can't be easily upsold so he stopped trying! Smart fella.

EDIT: Wait, you mean my "sealed" transmission with "lifetime" fluid needs service? What a bunch of BS.

"Lifetime" transmission fluid ROTFL.

Translation: "Appealing to stupid people who don't understand anything mechanical by claiming lower maintenance costs as a selling-point AND at the same time saving a few $ per vehicle by leaving out a drain-plug and changeable filter"

Sure it's "lifetime" herp-derp .... when the fluid is worn out but you can't change it (or add more) then your tranny blows, it will have reached it's "lifetime" lolol.

THIS level of "knowledge" is why mechanics rip people off all the time.

 

[NutBucket]

Subaru has lifetime fluid but the trans is still easily serviceable. I figure every 40k is about right.

I just had the fluid in my Honda changed about 80k but that's also a conventional automatic.

 

[Captante]

All automatics are "conventional" in the sense that IRL they ALL will wear out their transmission fluid eventually. (Subaru just sucks a bit less then say GM for example)

The point was that when a mechanic tells you that you need to change your transmission fluid they MAY NOT be lying to you even if your car has "lifetime" fluid. (also there's NO excuse for not knowing if you need it done prior to hitting the shop)

OTOH I strongly suggest passing on their "bargain" $60+ air filters if you know what's good for you!

 

[MrSquished]

I never said you don't have to change it. But it's a common upsell no matter what.

I let my mechanic I trust check that stuff

 

[NutBucket]

OTOH I strongly suggest passing on their "bargain" $60+ air filters if you know what's good for you!

So when the service writer called to tell me I should change my cabin air filter, I politely declined and said I would buy on and replace it myself. He offered to get it for me, add it to the invoice and leave it in the car.
When I picked up the car he said oh, we just installed it no charge.
I also give them credit for stating my engine air filter didn't need replacing as it wasn't very dirty.

 

[Captante]

How often does that happen though?

(tough to beat "free" lol but they usually charge over double the retail price at an auto parts store for air filters and takes 30 seconds to change out .... oil changes OTOH do tend to be worth paying somebody else to deal with)

 

[NutBucket]

$30 for an OEM filter. Whatever, I'm already there and they have it in stock.

And you are right, it doesn't happen. But now I will continue to give them business so long as this guy doesn't mess with me. The smart service writer knows who can spot BS...

 

[Captante]

$30 for an OEM filter. Whatever, I'm already there and they have it in stock.

And you are right, it doesn't happen. But now I will continue to give them business so long as this guy doesn't mess with me. The smart service writer knows who can spot BS...

Again.... this is why many mechanics NEVER hesitate to rip people off!
(and likely never will... it frequently works!)

ECOGUARD Honda Engine filter @ $10.24 (Amazon)

ECOGARD Honda XC36080 Premium Cabin Air Filter @ $8.71 (Amazon)

So $18.96 and 3 minutes max of "intensive labor" for BOTH filters vs $30 for just the cabin filter. (hey it's your money.... my grandma took the same approach with her car lol!)

 

[crashtech]

I struggle with whether to tell people about stuff that's wrong with their car just because of this perception problem. Most of the time I actually don't care about extra stuff because we've got plenty to do already, but a lot of things are actually cheaper for the customer if performed concurrently, so it's almost my duty to at least mention it, but I really, really try to undersell it and explain that it's for their benefit. Or, just don't say anything because who needs the hassle.

 

[NutBucket]

Again.... this is why many mechanics NEVER hesitate to rip people off!
(and likely never will... it frequently works!)

Ecoguard Honda Engine filter @ $10.24 (Amazon)

ECOGARD Honda XC36080 Premium Cabin Air Filter @ $8.71 (Amazon)

So $18.96 and 3 minutes of "intensive labor" for BOTH filters vs $30 for just the cabin filter. (hey it's your money.... my grandma took the same approach with her car lol!)

Agree and disagree. Gotta compare apples and apples. That's not to say the OEM one is worth twice or 3x as much though. Just saying it's same price I would have paid at the parts counter.

 

[Captante]

I struggle with whether to tell people about stuff that's wrong with their car just because of this perception problem. Most of the time I actually don't care about extra stuff because we've got plenty to do already, but a lot of things are actually cheaper for the customer if performed concurrently, so it's almost my duty to at least mention it, but I really, really try to undersell it and explain that it's for their benefit. Or, just don't say anything because who needs the hassle.

Especially water-pumps and timing belts!

Seriously I feel your pain .... a good 25% of the people I "assisted" when I last did a helpdesk job got angry/short with me for attempting to show them how to prevent the problem THEY CAUSED from happening again.

It got old really quick!

 

[Captante]

Agree and disagree. Gotta compare apples and apples. That's not to say the OEM one is worth twice or 3x as much though.

For a few $ more than that "deal" you could have bought a K&N reusable filter and never paid for another paper one again.

Also the Honda-branded filter is like $5 more then the Ecoguard at my local NAPA and performs identically. (Ecoguard specifically works just fine having used it on my Honda at least a dozen times with zero fuel-economy change... Wix and Purolator are also very good, just avoid Fram)

It's fine if you have no problem paying more than you should for service but nothing you can add will change the fact that you did just that. (the exotic car guy I know down in Manhattan gets $400+ per hour for BMW service for lazy rich people... which is fine btw)

 

[NutBucket]

I know the aftermarket one is fine. And yes I know the OEM one is overpriced.

My only point was I didn't pay for installation...simply paid OEM retail for the actual part.

 

[Captante]

I didn't realize unsealing a box and opening your hood counted as "labor".

Of course considering how rarely I see people checking their oil @ the gas station it's not really a surprise. (and god-forbid ANYONE EVER check tire pressure!)

Considering how little the oil-change place PAID for that Honda cabin filter in bulk, making it "free" to build customer loyalty was brilliant and almost certainly cost them less than a coupon would have.


EDIT: NOW if you want to discuss paying a mechanic to do the pure nightmare-fuel job of replacing a headlight on my daughters Outback that's a different conversation entirely! (it's done through the dang wheel-well wtf !!!)

 

[scorpmatt]

EDIT: NOW if you want to discuss paying a mechanic to do the pure nightmare-fuel job of replacing a headlight on my daughters Outback that's a different conversation entirely! (it's done through the dang wheel-well wtf !!!)

When I had a 07 Honda Fit I needed to replace the headlights as one had gone out. I bought them at the dealer, $26 for both, which was cheaper than aftermarket at the time plus the service manager had them install at no cost. they also had to go through the wheel well to install them.

 

[Captante]

When I had a 07 Honda Fit I needed to replace the headlights as one had gone out. I bought them at the dealer, $26 for both, which was cheaper than aftermarket at the time plus the service manager had them install at no cost. they also had to go through the wheel well to install them.

My 2012 Fit has more "conventional" headlights that mount in a mostly NON-retarded way at the rear of the light-enclosure thank goodness. (although they were clearly designed for smaller hands than mine!)

That Outback isn't the worst headlight replacement design I've ever seen, that "honor" goes to the 2010's Lincoln MKS which requires the ENTIRE front-end (grill and bumper) to be disassembled! ($500+ for two low-beams!)

Conversely my old 2003 Outback (which I still miss!) not only had about the easiest headlights to change in any car I've owned, they were very cheap to buy and there was PLENTY of room for normal size man-hands to do the job.

 

[NutBucket]

I didn't realize unsealing a box and opening your hood counted as "labor".

Of course considering how rarely I see people checking their oil @ the gas station it's not really a surprise. (and god-forbid ANYONE EVER check tire pressure!)

Considering how little the oil-change place PAID for that Honda cabin filter in bulk, making it "free" to build customer loyalty was brilliant and almost certainly cost them less than a coupon would have.


EDIT: NOW if you want to discuss paying a mechanic to do the pure nightmare-fuel job of replacing a headlight on my daughters Outback that's a different conversation entirely! (it's done through the dang wheel-well wtf !!!)

Ah, there is your mistake. This was at the dealer!

 

[Captante]

Ah, there is your mistake. This was at the dealer!

Wait.... you were having your car serviced at the STEALERSHIP ?!?

Want to buy a bridge? (I accept Paypal)

Unless it's still under warranty (or you have "free" oil changes) that pretty much negates any further discussion on the topic here. Again THIS is why mechanics continue to rip folks off... they go for it hook, line & sinker.

 

[NutBucket]

Eh. $70. I trust them more than a quick lube place.

I do need to find a good indy though.