Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

[Sealy]

these people getting pushy?

I recently acquired a 2004 Merlot w/ 20k milles. Took it to my local Ford dealership and told them I would like the oil changed - I had the service records and it was due. I've used the dealer years before (Escape and Ranger service) and had given up on them, but figured they couldn't screw up a simple fluid swap. First they tried to push me into a 15K full service - check the tire air and turn signal fluid for +/-$350. Told them no, I just wanted oil, just bought the car and not sure where or when I would do service. OK, ready in 1/2 hour. At the twenty minute mark I was paged to the service adviser. They recommended a radiator flush, a brake system flush, a transmission flush (apparently, all my fluids are "dirty"), an air filter, and a couple of other things - all for only $550. I declined, got my oil change and went home. So, what do I do - keep going back, tell them exactly what I want and put up with the badgering? Or try another dealer? Are all the Ford shops so desperate for money? It's like constantly being asked if I want to supersize, upgrade my service, extend my warranty, etc, etc, etc. Is anyone else irked?

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Service Writer's are paid on a commission basis for what they sell - upservice. Not uncommon at all, and at all Dealerships, whether it be Ford, GM, Chrysler, or them other thingy's on the road. It is not the Dealership, but the Writer who is pushy. Talk to the Service Manager at your dealership, and let him know of your displeasure. They do NOY want to lose any customer.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

They tried the same crap on my wife with her Chrysler, they even have a little counter display showing new fluids and dirty fluid. They put samples of all her fluids in a partitioned tray to show how dirty they were.

She was smart enough to put the jerk on her cell with me, told him to just take care of the warranty work.

Next week I took the car in for ordered part from previous visit. They brought the same tray of BS to try to sell me but saw the look on my face and said all my fluids looked fine and that I must have had them changed recently.

Then I got loud in front of all the other customers, telling them that all the fluids in the tray were from the factory and demanding they tell me why the tried to rip off my wife to the tune of $750.00

All he could say was that it wasn't him, I said it was some one there and that's why what they will only ever get is warranty work.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

That is exactly why the Ford Dealer I used to work for paid their Service Writers hourly which I was one of. Any Service I tried to upsell was because it was really needed, not because I could make a buck off of it.

Now I buy Maintenance Care for my Fords. Through my Company I get the "X" Plan and can buy the Plans very cheap. They maintain the car as laid out by the Factory. They can't rip off the Factory as they must follow the Maintenance Schedule.

[00mustng]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

....the roadster is now 7 years old...my last visit to the dealership that I have patronized for the past 10 years, was just that, my last....I am very fortunate to have found an independent enthusiast and Thunderbird owner who I will commission from here on in...

[goldent]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Gee I just came back from my dealer for my last oil change of the year. 39.00 dollar coupon for oil change, tire rotation and fluid top offs. No issues at all! General Manager came out to see my bird. He said he has given orders to his people to notify him when birds come in for service. He like to talk to the owners and is a collector. He thought my 2002 had a lot of miles on it at 29K, most he has seen has been 12K. I said they were 29K miles of pure enjoyment! Great dealer!

[Treken]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

I have only been to my dealership a few times but they are great to me.

As far as the sales pitch, that is everywhere you go, and definately not the worst I have seen.

They have even given me deals on the regular prices. They gave me the best price in town to get my Borlas, which I did.

I think the girl in the office likes me, or maybe just my car, lol...

[lmartun]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

That is exactly why the Ford Dealer I used to work for paid their Service Writers hourly which I was one of. Any Service I tried to upsell was because it was really needed, not because I could make a buck off of it.
Now I buy Maintenance Care for my Fords. Through my Company I get the "X" Plan and can buy the Plans very cheap. They maintain the car as laid out by the Factory. They can't rip off the Factory as they must follow the Maintenance Schedule.

Good thoughts and advice yelobird. I have no problem with upsell of needed maintenance. The example of what happened at the start of this thread seems excessive. If, however, it is needed, he better get it done, IMHO.

I work at a Ford dealer as a Finance & Insurance manager. When I buy my own personal cars I put Ford's Premium Maintenance Plan on it. Iron clad records, everything done right and as scheduled, I save money buying it up front.


Lou

[bwlewis]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Michael, if you have any more service issues, take it to a Lincoln dealer if you must use a dealer. They know more about the Birds than most Ford dealerships.

[5bird7]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

...First they tried to push me into a 15K full service - check the tire air and turn signal fluid for +/-$350. Told them no, I just wanted oil, just bought the car and not sure where or when I would do service. OK, ready in 1/2 hour. At the twenty minute mark I was paged to the service adviser. They recommended a radiator flush, a brake system flush, a transmission flush (apparently, all my fluids are "dirty"), an air filter, and a couple of other things - all for only $550....

I was going to post this then decided not to until I read Imartun's post right above mine.

#1 -The transmission is a sealed unit, no dipstick. Flushing it is not recommended until it reachs 150,000 miles in the scheduled maintainence book, However, even the repair manual says the transmission is good to go for life.

#2 - never heard of turn signal fluid - that's a new one on me - not listed in the scheduled maintainence either. maybe he meant windshield washer fluid? - wouldn't pay to have something checked I can do myself but when we bring ours in for an oil change, visual checks are free.

#3 - radiator flush. I assume the 04 has the long term yellow radiator fluid - might possibly need that as it's due to be changed at 5 years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first. Like Lon says, it deteriorates with age. so likewise with the green fluid as it needs flushed oftener.


#4 - brake system flush - I can only see that if there's heavy use on the brakes and calipers need replaced. Highly unlikely with only 20K miles on this car. oh, and it's not in the maintainence schedule either.

#5 - air filter (and fuel filter) - that's a 30K mile change

#6, not mentioned in his list - cabin air filter gets replaced at 15K intervals. May or may not have been changed by previous owner - easy to do change by owner and instructions on how to do it are on this site.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Dot, Turn Signal Fluid better known as "Blinker Fluid" is a Truckers Joke. You see a vehicle motivating down the freeway with the blinker on for miles and miles, you say he's going to run out of "Blinker Fluid" soon if he doesn't turn that off.

[NotU]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

The Ford dealer I used to use (he's out of business) was very good to me. The parts manager offered lots of assistance with locating parts, and the proper name for it so I would know what to ask for, for my old Thunderbirds.
My son is an ASE certified mechanic now, working at Midas. I feel blessed now because he takes care of everything. He checks with me on the mileage and schedules a day to take it in. We trade cars for the day and he drives a Lincoln LS. I do pay for the work, but at least he's trustworthy!
Good Luck.
Randy Mattson

[vsardine]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Blinker Fluid is also used in aviation,except it is known as propwash.

[BADOS]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

Everyone tries to up sell you. Just look at the manual and go by that.

[Ediron]

Re: Dealerships - how do you feel about . . .

My L/M dealer will suggest services .My call for the service. My girlfriends dealer (Accura) tries to sell her the building .When she had her Accord we went to the same dealer ,he owns both and they tried to sell brakes to her with 24K.I told her to wait ,returned the car as it was a lease with 34K same brakes. IMO if you own the vehicle take care of the recommended changes ,if leased they own it not you.