Both my husband and I bought our 2019 VW GTI's from this Emich dealership, and the sales experience was great. The service experiences we've had there have been less than great, sometimes awful.
I responded to their survey with this review, and following is their response:
"Katie K. 02/25/2024
TYPE: Service MODEL: Golf GTI MODEL YEAR: 2019
My appointment was for the 20k service (~$130 ) and the ignition switch recall repair. I told Jered at the outset that I will be getting a new set of tires when our tax refund comes in, either next week or the following week. Then Jered says I need the cabin air filter replacement; total now ~$220. When I get the text estimate, suddenly it's over $2200, including a set of tires, alignment, etc. I removed those items but there was still an additional "brake fluid exchange" listed at $247. Basically, the total went from the expected ~$130, to $220, to ~$350, then to well over $500! I said no to the brake fluid exchange after Jered said "we don't test for it, it's just called for in the maintenance schedule." If so, then why isn't it part of the 20k service? My car is a 2019 GTI with ~20200 miles, rarely driven due to the plandemic and a foot injury that keeps me mostly at home. I happen to know brake fluid should be replaced *only* when a test shows it needs it -- not going by mileage, or a "schedule," or a mechanic judging by the color. Once my car was done, I got in and started it and suddenly a warning light came on: "Please check starter system!" That error was NOT there before they replaced the ignition switch for the recall. I went back in and told Jered, who came out and saw the warning himself. After checking on it, he came back to say neither he nor SIX OTHER MECHANICS HE SPOKE TO had "ever seen that warning." Excuse me? You're a VW Authorized Service Center! So the car had to go back into the bay; fortunately it turned out that for some reason "the code hadn't taken" when the ignition switch was replaced, but it cost me extra time, hassle, and frustration, which is difficult for me as an autistic. Also, my husband and I have repeatedly insisted that I CANNOT have anyone in/near the vehicle wearing fragrance of any kind due to severe allergies. Jered told me, "I went to extra lengths to make sure [my request was followed]. I told [the mechanic] to ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW before getting in and only ROLL IT UP when he gets out." That is NOT the same as making sure no one gets in the car wearing fragrance/scents! Clearly they did not put the plastic over my seats this time, because when I got in the car, it smelled of laundry detergent (Tide or similar), or perhaps fabric softener, which had obviously rubbed off the mechanic's clothes onto my CLOTH seats. I had to drive home -- on the highway -- in 40-degree weather with all the windows down (had to do this once before after a service appt with this same Emich VW as well), and still I was sick for two days from being exposed to the fragrance. I was not at all happy with my visit to Emich VW Service.
02/28/2024
Hi Katie- I am sorry that you feel that way about your recent service. Our recommendations are just that, recommendations. Jered sat with you in the lobby and explained the recommendations while you approved them. He didn't feel that you were upset or hesitant, in any way. I can assure you that there was a seat cover in your car, and I personally picked the technician that worked on it. I questioned him about his deodorant, fabric softener, and any colognes or scents to be sure that I picked the proper person for your needs. I am not sure that there was much else that we could do to accommodate you. "
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First, Jered NEVER sat with me in the lobby. Second, I made it clear to him several times that I was upset and hesitant about the ever-increasing charges: I came in expecting $130 and was texted a bill for $2,257.53 -- after stating up front that I would be getting a new set of tires in the next week or so, once our tax refund came in. The *only* additional charge I approved was a cabin filter replacement, in addition to the oil change & recall repair.
Third, if they used a seat cover, why did my seats smell so strongly I had to drive home with the windows down?
Fourth, Emich insisted I needed brake fluid exchange. I asked Jered point-blank did they test the brake fluid, and he said, "No, we don't test, we go by the schedule." That is NOT how to determine if it needs changing: it must be TESTED. Yesterday my husband took my car to Firestone, who tested the fluid and (1) said it was an 8 on a scale of 20, and (2) they recommend it be exchanged at 30k -- my car is at 20300.
We went to Discount Tire and got a wonderful set of Falkan tires mounted & balanced for $766.34. Got the Firestone Lifetime warranty alignment $209.99. In the end, we saved almost $900 over Emich's quote by NOT using their services. read more