Dodgy Tactics??

[Blitzen]

I rang up about getting my Polo GTI in for a 30,000km service today.
Asked about the price...$545+GST...
I then proceed to ask her about the price breakdown for the service which is an inspection, engine oil and filter change, and pollen filter replaced...
"No..." she said"...we also do a brake fluid flush and replacement, and replace the air filter as well.
I said "But the air filter and brake fluid flush are only part of the 60,000km service"
"Ah no, its part of the 30,000km service we carry out here..."
This dealer servicer is also charging $132 an hour
Needless to say I went elsewhere and got the job done properly.
I rang a second time to confirm these details, and was told the same thing.

I'll put this into perspective. My car is 12 onths old, and has clicked over 28,800km, and will be knocking over the 30,000km during my trip back up to Townsville. I have replaced the oil 4 times since new, and although I have lived in humid climates for the past 12 months, the brake fluid was tested at work before my trip, and found to be fine. I have never had any signs of excessive brake fade or problems with braking.

What I don't understand is why a dealer servicer would blatanly do this to mark up the price for un necesary work to be carried out at the wrong point of the vehicles life.

Maybe it is because this particular Penrith dealer is currently in a very large amount of debt, and is currently held in Receivership by the banks...Just a thought...
People, I really suggest you steer clear of this particular dealer.

[DaveMack]

I think you'll find (in these troubled financial times) that the "Rip-off" mentality is alive and well. I asked a place in the city how much to fix my rim-rash ... $165/rim. I said I could just about buy new rims for that price ... young chap behind the counter looked embarrassed ... maybe he just thought "This old fart will pay anything" ... FAIL!!!!!

Dave

[gpk_gti]

as I always say,dealer = stealer...... going to a vw delearship means your car get thrashed,worked on by a 2nd year apprentice and at the end,get ripped on the price as well...pm me and ill tell you details when I hung around vw delearships.........

[s1831559]

got a friend work in vw dealer too.

they trush ur ride and charge u top money

i can never understand how they get away with it.

if we dun get our ride serviced with them, the warranty is voided.

imo, a specialised mechanic can do a better job.

well, big company win!

[Grant]

penrith for the win!! haha.

if we dun get our ride serviced with them, the warranty is voided.

i don't think that is true.

my car will be up for its one year service soon and its stories like these that make me want to go to a vw specialist. only thing stopping me is loosing the mcgrath liverpool extended warranty. but with the mods i'm doing i'm probably going to void that anyway.

[madglf3]

got a friend work in vw dealer too.

they trush ur ride and charge u top money

i can never understand how they get away with it.

if we dun get our ride serviced with them, the warranty is voided.

imo, a specialised mechanic can do a better job.

well, big company win!

I agree that a specialised mechanic could do just as good a job.

OT, but do you go to Griffith Uni by any chance?

[gerhard]

Let's not be too harsh about the brake flush.

That's part of the 2 year/30,000k service. The fact that you have run up 30,000 in 1 year is unusual, for most people 15,000 a year is usual.

I find this quite weird - you change the oil twice as often as specified willingly, but the thought of changing your brake fluid twice as often as necessary brings forth outrage????

You have tested the brake fluid and found it OK to continue using, which is fine - but do you test your motor oil before each change to see if you could continue using it?

[Jmac]

Agreed, she has taken for granted its a 2yr. 2yr is correct for the Brake fluid flush minimum. If you are using SRF or Martini GS610 then it will req a flush annually as its heaps more hygroscopic. Still all said and done the dollar value wasnt just hiked by the brake fluid flush to be fair. Lets say it was a 2yr with the OEM fluid and a Pollen filter which is 30k/2yr. Still seems way dear.
Jmac

[Petrina Polo]

i know someone who got charged $399 for a key at Peugeot. thats robbery..

Maybe not a bad thing to get your brakes done..

A girl I know has a honda jazz. they charged her some ridiculous price to change her tyres. She quoted up the exact same tyre at another tyre shop almost half price. She told honda and they immediately backpedalled and matched the price..

Just say Ultra tun will do it for XX price and see them run for the door.. tll them my warranty is still covered if ultra tune perform the service.

[Preen59]

Just say Ultra tun will do it for XX price and see them run for the door.. tll them my warranty is still covered if ultra tune perform the service.

Ultra Tune aren't the only company outside of the dealers that can do logbook services.

if we dun get our ride serviced with them, the warranty is voided.

This is an EXTREMELY untrue misconception. As long as a qualified mechanic does the service, does it to VW specification and fills in the service book, your warranty is not voided.

imo, a specialised mechanic can do a better job.

In a lot of cases, you are very right. Take Jmac/Andrew (gtimk5) etc. Independant mechanics that are more than likely far better than the mechanics you will find at a dealer.

I am not saying all dealer mechanics aren't any good (i know a few that are very good!), but if you are running your own business, it's your name on the line and if you are doing dodgy stuff and ripping people off, you won't last long.

[leasaunce]

do it some other mechanic! you'll probably pay $250 for the lot.

will not void the warranty, as long as you use the recommended grade oil & parts.

plus if you're not comfortable going to a non-VW dealer service, try calling around, they all charge differently...

[s1831559]

OT, but do you go to Griffith Uni by any chance?

not now, i did study there many yrs back.

u might saw me driving ard sometimes though

[Sharkie]

I'd have the brake fluid done every year. In fact Jimmy did just that for me on Saturday at my annual service. Also did Redline Gbox oil, its great.

Thanks again Jimmy for a great job. Go specialist, you get great service and your car gets the attention it deserves.

[s1831559]

any specialist on the coast? anyone can recomment?

[DaveMack]

any specialist on the coast? anyone can recomment?

Bring it up to Jimmy ... but book first ... he's very busy.

Dave