Hi,

I recently took my '02 Honda to a dealership for service because they had sent me a "coupon." I went in to get an oil change and ended up with close to a $700 bill.

I am young, inexperienced, not a car expert and not too familiar with service at dealerships, I will run through what happened in short and maybe you guys can comment so I can (a) confirm that I was indeed screwed and (b) how to handle service at dealerships in the future.

1. I requested the oil change with mutlipoint inspection, the guy said they have a special (it was the same price as the coupon). I said ok, how much would it cost if you put in synthetic oil (Mobil-1 5W-30). He gave me a figure, it was a bit more but I expected that since it's cheaper to buy your own. Problem here is that afterwards when going over the itemized bill, they charged for the synthetic oil PLUS the regular Honda oil they were going to use. This is not a big deal, like 15 bucks, but is this normal practice? It doesn't seem right to charge for something they didn't use, or perhaps it is just part of the special pricing? :confused:

2. The guy later said that it shows my car is due for a tire rotation, balancing, and alignment so the tires don't wear, safety, etc. He said they have a special, it would cost $150. Sounds alright, agreed to it.

I received a phone call several hours later that the car is in excellent condition except my two rear tires need replacing they are way below standard. (This is the first time I am purchasing tires). I asked how much, he said $400.... it was very high, unfortunately I realized that afterwards how cheaper tires are elsewhere, but live and learn....... now the major problem and my total confusion:

They still charged me for the tire rotation, balancing, and alignment. Don't they inspect the tires first before doing any of that, so what's the point of rotation? And doesn't purchasing new tires with installation/labor come with balancing and alignment for new tires?

Basically my oil change was fine, but for two new tires I paid a overpriced amount for Michelin tires, plus rotation, plus balancing, plus alignment.



I look forward to reading comments about this situation before I talk with the dealership.... even when I was asking questions he was talking way too technical, he was good at his job sounding like he knows what's best for me. I understand they are in the business to make money (especially during these times for the auto industry) but this just seems way too wrong.

Thanks in advance!

 

1. The itemized bill should not have included the regular oil they didn't use.
2. Depending on where you get tires, the tires price will generally add mounting and balancing costs. Alignment is usually separate.

The main part where you overpaid is purchasing tires at the dealer when compared to outside like Costco, Big-O, etc.

You should bring the receipt back to the dealer to clarify the pricing on the oil change, and have them explain your concerns.

 

1) No, the oil they didnt use should not be on the list. That list is to show exactly what they did and used.

2) No. Not all tire replacement comes with alignment and balancing. And being a dealer Im not surprised they charged extra for it.

Dealships always overcharge. I never go to them unless I have to. Also, a little surprised as to why he wanted to change just the rear ones. If anything, shouldve been the fronts.

Dont want to sound rude, but some of these minor things you might want to look into and learn about. Simply for this reason and will help you save money in the long run. Deciding if your tires is good or bad literally takes 5 seconds visually, maybe a feel of the inside too. Some people say you can use a penny, but I never do that.

Hope youre able to get some money back. You'll prob have to fight a little for it.

 

you got bent over! you might want to check out the tail pipe!

No the oil not used should not have been charged even if it was only 15$
As far as checking tires before, yes, before an alignment, they should also check out the ball joints, and tierods for play, and of course tire pressure. But 9 out of ten times you will not need an alignment, just look at the tires for uneven wear!
At our shop it would run something like:
Synthetic oil change say 50$
Alignment 60$
balancing comes with new tires.
Tire rotation would only be charged if you replaced the back tires and wanted to put the old tires on the back. 100$ a piece isnt really that bad, dont forget they have to be disposed of, and mounted/ balanced, that does get charged for.

as far as 200$ a piece for two tires, lol

 

You were the victim of a classic after-sell based on getting you in there with a lost leader (the oil change). There is nothing illegal about it since you ultimately had the rights to say no....
As a former service writer, I would have made up an estimate of suggested services (as I do now) and given it to the customer with no pressure attached. Most people I do this for end up cherry-picking what services they need THEN and put off till later that which they can't afford. Most all my customers would return.

P

 

4 tires for my CL-S were only $100 more than what you paid for 2........and those things are speed rated to 150mph mang......and they have 55K mile warranty

ur dealer sucks, find another one.......

 

I do have to agree that the reg. oil should not have been on there if you didn't use it. I work at a dealer as an adviser and this should have been caught.

As for the tires, they will always be more at the dealer for the simple reason that they can't get them as cheap as say Big-o or Discount tire. Being charged for alignment with 2 tires normal. Rotation should not have been charged and you should have only been charged for 2 tire balance sence they replaced 2. This is they way I would have done it. Not say this would have been cheap but I could have saved you $50-75 on the bill.

 

That's wrong,they shouldnt have charged you for anything that wasn't used on your vehicle. Review you receipt carefully, If you do find that they over charged you go back and talk to the manager to square things up.

Tires is one area indeed that a dealership is imho overpriced,I dont know why their prices are so much higher than other places.

When you agree to purchase new tires it included's = mounting/dismounting old and new tires, balancing and disposal fee of old tires. An alignment is a totally different process that is in no way included in mounting new (2 or 4) tires etc.

Im sure that they charged you for a tire rotation because being that they replaced the rear tires, usually the new tires are placed on the front of the vehicle and the older tires on the rear..(at least this is what we always do when replacing only two tires). Nothing is free my friend.

Also being that you're rear tires were worn and not the fronts, means that you arent rotating them as often as you should be, When you rotate tires like your suppose to (every 5-7,500 miles) tires wear equally, meaning when one tire is worn they are all worn evenly...considering you check your air pressure periodically like your suppose to and your vehicle is properly aligned.

Since no one can visually see how much each person's vehicles alignment is off or on without actually placing it on the alignment rack, You're asked by the writer to perform an alignment when you have tires replaced to insure that the new tires aren't unevenly worn due to excessive toe in or out (which will eat up your new investment prematurely) an alignment should be performed after new tires are installed or i recommend every 15-20k miles..Depends on each persons driving habits.