car dealer charging for fuel system cleaning only three months of having car with only 2000 mi driven.?

Question

My mother went into the dealership where she purchased car three months ago for an oil change. the car had 32700 miles on it, and now has 35180. they recommended getting her fuel induction system cleaned without telling her it was going to be $120, also they did a wheel ailgment for 60 some dollars. her bill came to $268 which she paid. I called up complaining they ripped her off due to she just purchased car three months ago and she's only put on 2000 miles. I told them i'd call the state and they gave back 120 of the money. anyway my question is now that i recieved t he money should I still contact the state? I just feel like if someone purchased a car 3 months and 2000 miles later (from the same dealership) they shouldnt have to be getting any "recommended" stuff done already, I know my mother could have just said no, but i'm sure theres many of older people that just get talked into spending more money . this is a certified used vehicle.

From simple oil change to this:REQUEST THRUST ANGLE ALIGNMENT PERFORMED THRUST ANGLE ALIGNMENT
REQUEST FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM CLEANING PERFORMED 3 PART INDUCTION CLEANING OF SYSTEM USING WYNNS SYSTEM
REQUESTS 6,000 MILE SERVICE (LEVEL A) CHANGED ENG OIL & FILTER, RESET LIGHT, INSPECTED AIR FILTER,

Answer 1

The dealership is trying to build business and increase profits just like any other company. It is more like a "Do you want fries with that???" thing.

The fact is that the service should have been done before the car was sold. And since they did return the money for the cleaning, there was not harm, other than some aggravation.

The wheel alignment is questionable also. The car should still be under warranty and again the wheels should have been done when they sold the car.

If you think they did wrong, then call the BBB and file a complaint. Start with that, then there is your States Attorney General. Good luck.

Answer 2

one thing that you, and everyone who has a car, needs to understand is if you go to a dealer, or even a local shop for that matter, there are VERY few of them who actually care about your car. They are there for the same reason you go to you job, to make money. Yes, they do up-sell some services that are not necessarily needed, but are good for preventative maintenance. I worked at a dealer for a while and I saw how it all went down. There were several times where I tried to tell the customer that they NEEDED work (one guy had a tie rod end that you could literally push off of the spindle!), and they refused saying that they feel like they are being ripped off.

From their side, the induction service will help motor efficiency and reduce emissions, saving you money in gas. Checking/adjusting the alignment could possibly save your tires after slightly hitting that curb that you didnt think anything of. I am NOT defending this dealer since Ive never been there. All I am saying is dont jump to conclusions. If your mom did buy the car from that dealer, then that does seem weird that they didnt have these services done when they had it in as a trade in. Hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 3

Most dealerships now do a complete check list on any vehicle that comes in... and they will recommend service to anything that they find might need some attention. They will also recommend service based on the total mileage on the vehicle. These periodic maintenance suggestions can be found in the owner's manual. Ultimately, the decision to actually do the repairs or service to the vehicle is left up to the owner, and they won't (or shouldn't) perform the service without the owners consent. The Service Advisors can be very convincing that this service is very important and immediately necessary to ensure the car continues to run properly...... remember.... it's their job to SELL SERVICE...... That's where dealers make their money!!! Your mother said yes to the repairs because the Service Advisor convinced her to have them done. Next time ..... ask them to provide a list of their recommended services, and tell them you'll make an appointment at a later date. You can also avoid the dealership's high pressure sales tactics by having her oil changed at a Jiffy Lube, Lube Pros, or some similar outfit that just does oil changes and filter changes. They are generally faster and less expensive, and they aren't equipped to do major repairs..... so they can't pressure her to have them done. They WILL recommend periodic maintenance (trans fluid change, air filters if needed, etc) that is based on the vehicles mileage and what they find when they check them. The decision to do them is still hers.

Answer 4

If your mother sign off the work before it is done, there is not much you can do about it.

If your mother had not sign off the work, then you have an argument against the dealer.

Otherwise, just put this as lesson learned: "Read before you sign."

Plus, the car has 35,180 miles on it, so the fuel system might be a little dirty, so a cleaning is not that bad. Pricey though, but not that bad.

If you are not really happy with the dealer, just move on and don't go back to them anymore.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

You said this car was certified? in what way ? and was there a warranty with this car? She shouldn't have had to pay for anything if there was and I would go to the state and anywhere else that could help you and demand the other $148 back from the dealer and run an article in your local newspaper stating to the fact that they rip off unsuspecting people for things that should have been done or don't need doing at all.

Answer 6

Normally, when you take a car to a dealership for service and they start tacking extra "services" onto routine stuff, they make you SIGN something and there is normally a full disclosure of costs on what you're signing. If your mother didn't pay attention to the "fine print", she's lucky she's getting anything back at all.
I've take my car to the dealership AND quick lube places for oil changes and I always say "all I want is an oil change and lube", even when they say 'we recommend blah blah blah'. The service technicians never fail to tell me what something costs UP FRONT.
I'm 49, female and I pay attention.

Answer 7

Yes. Blow these crooks in and also file a complaint with the manufacturer. It must be an American brand dealer because all the Big 3 Dealers are crooks. Next time, you take the car in because dealers think that they can get away with cheating a woman. Good luck.

Answer 8

yeah contact the state, they did work without permission,

a certified used vehicle HAHA,, that means it can be driven, read the fine print, car has no warranties on the unless they are kind and give 30 days,, bunch of mumbo jumbo dealer BS<,,

Answer 9

When I was little we had one of those totally 70's vans with carpet and drapes... We used to take road trips and I remember my dad asking me to bring him up beers from the back cooler as he was driving, with little kids in the car and staying up for over 48 hours on end to get where we were going on time! Nice! Really nice!

Answer 10

Micheal H is a poser.
On this question he is a Audio/Electronic Repair Tech.(36yrs.) Owner of SoundCheck Inc.

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