I went in for an oil change and purchased their "special" for oil, filter, tire rotation, and "27-point" vehicle inspection. This inspection is the main reason I wanted to come to a dealership, as a monkey could be trained to change oil, but I want a mechanic with fresh eyes and experience with my specific vehicle make and model to take a look and tell me about any problems with the vehicle I may not have noticed. I generally only go to dealership once every several oil changes or so for this, primarily either changing the oil myself or using a cheaper local guy when I just don't feel like getting dirty. Price was advertised as $39.95.
I scheduled an appointment and was told it would take about 45 minutes. I arrived slightly early and they brought my truck back slightly earlier than the appointed time. I sat around in the clean service area playing on my phone until about 50 minutes later they came and said it was ready. Then the first (admittedly tiny) problem popped up. I went to pay the bill and the woman behind the counter handed me an itemized invoice. The price was $39.95, plus tax (obviously acceptable), plus hazardous waste fee of $1.25(less acceptable), plus "shop supplies" charge of $0.81 (not acceptable, how are "shop supplies" not included in the package?). I asked the woman what that charge was for, and she didn't know but told me I could go back down to the actual service department and ask them. It's 81 cents, so I didn't really care at that point, and didn't press the issue.
She then took my payment and handed me only a receipt and said to have a nice day, indicating that was all there was. Hmm... second issue. I asked about the inspection report and was told she didn't have one, but she caught another employee's attention and asked him to take me down to service and get the report. So, I ended up back in the service department anyway (would have been nice to not have already paid).
Third and most serious issue: we went to the service area and the guy talked to the service employee with me standing there simply watching. She promptly looked up my truck's information on the computer to print it out, then discovered the inspection form hadn't been filled out. Without saying anything to me about it, she got on the phone and spoke with the mechanic who had done my service. She asked about the tire tread depth, "belts and fluids", and "was anything wrong?", and briefly (and incompletely) filled out the inspection report. Then she hung up, turned around, and said to me that everything was fine.
I'm really not confrontational, instead I just move my business and let others know about my experience, so I only asked specifically if the belts were alright because one of them is squeaking. She called the mechanic again and asked specifically if the belts looked alright and mentioned that one squeaked. He apparently said it was fine, just needed to be tightened up a bit, and she hung up again. Then she printed out the "report" and handed it to me. No apology or explanation for the "report", and no further questions or suggestions for the squeaky belt. So, I left $40... no, $44.95 poorer and won't be going back anytime soon.
Like I said, the main reason I went to the dealer is because I wanted an inspection, and what I got was an incomplete, probably made up, recollection by the mechanic that "everything's fine folks, no need to worry", typed in by the service secretary. What happened to "27-Point Vehicle Inspection"? Is my tire tread depth really 5/32" (needs to be replaced) as it says on the report? No, its more like 3/8" (practically new). What was the pressure in the tires? I won't know until I get home and check it myself, because its not on the report. My cracked windshield is magically now perfect as indicated on the report? I'm glad to see there weren't any issues with "belts: engine, accessory, serpentine, and/or V-drive", because that would mean I won't hear squeaking on the way out of the parking lot. I'm also glad you took out the cabin air filter that hasn't been cleaned or replaced in a couple years and said it was fine. And so on, and so forth.
Bottom line: They get two stars because the initial contact and non-service employees were kind and sorta helpful, but the service, and particularly the "report", was complete BS, and my business will go to Fowler-Buick GMC next time I use a dealership. And if they don't provide a decent service, I'll switch to a Chevy dealer, or maybe go to Patty Peck Honda to ask if they'll do it even though the truck's a GMC. I've had excellent service at Patty Peck on my Civic numerous times and would highly recommend them. read more