- Jul 23, 2008
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So I recently bought a used car and decided to take it to the relevant dealership to have it looked at (I guess that was my first mistake!). My main concern is the rear shock absorbers which I knew at the time of buying, needed to be replaced. That's why I got the car a little cheap.
This morning I drive it to the local dealership in the hope that the "experts" at the dealership would be able to identify the exact problem and suggest the best solution as dealership mechanics supposedly have specialized knowledge/training w.r.t. to the particular manufacturer's vehicles. I was also thinking of asking them for an overall checkup just to see if everything is ok with the car. So I mention to the guy that I got the car used and that other than the shocks, it would be nice to have the entire car looked at. He shows me this form with a big checklist of items that they can check for as part of their standard "32-point" inspection or whatever the hell they call it. It includes a free oil/filter change. Guess what the price tag is? $400!!! Remember, this is just an inspection of the car with a free oil change. No thanks! You can take the filter and shove it up your greasy behind!
Of course I decline the full inspection and ask him to check the shocks only. I told him earlier that the shocks are a bit noisy and the car feels bouncy for a while after going over a bump (telltale sign of failed shock absorbers). The douchebags puts this down as two separate items on the bill! Yes, that's right, checking for noise is one item AND checking for bounce is another! I noticed this douchebaggery just when I was about to sign the work-order. After some arguing, he agreed to combine the two and treat them as one billable item.
I ended up agreeing to pay an amount for which an average mechanic would be willing to do the entire inspection, including shocks: $70.
*Sigh* The auto-repair scumbags have never disappointed me....
Should have taken the car to a regular garage. I can't send your car there, but I can send this thread to The Garage. -Anandtech Moderator DrPizza
This morning I drive it to the local dealership in the hope that the "experts" at the dealership would be able to identify the exact problem and suggest the best solution as dealership mechanics supposedly have specialized knowledge/training w.r.t. to the particular manufacturer's vehicles. I was also thinking of asking them for an overall checkup just to see if everything is ok with the car. So I mention to the guy that I got the car used and that other than the shocks, it would be nice to have the entire car looked at. He shows me this form with a big checklist of items that they can check for as part of their standard "32-point" inspection or whatever the hell they call it. It includes a free oil/filter change. Guess what the price tag is? $400!!! Remember, this is just an inspection of the car with a free oil change. No thanks! You can take the filter and shove it up your greasy behind!
Of course I decline the full inspection and ask him to check the shocks only. I told him earlier that the shocks are a bit noisy and the car feels bouncy for a while after going over a bump (telltale sign of failed shock absorbers). The douchebags puts this down as two separate items on the bill! Yes, that's right, checking for noise is one item AND checking for bounce is another! I noticed this douchebaggery just when I was about to sign the work-order. After some arguing, he agreed to combine the two and treat them as one billable item.
I ended up agreeing to pay an amount for which an average mechanic would be willing to do the entire inspection, including shocks: $70.
*Sigh* The auto-repair scumbags have never disappointed me....
Should have taken the car to a regular garage. I can't send your car there, but I can send this thread to The Garage. -Anandtech Moderator DrPizza
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