Ridiculous price quotes at dealerships

[stevieb92]

Not really... there's a lot more responsibility that falls on a doctor's shoulders than an RV tech. If your RV tech makes a mistake you could be stranded on the side of the road. If a doctor makes a mistake, you could be dead. Been there and almost done that.

Depending on what the tech repairs on your vehicle or trailer, it could also result in your (and possibly others) death(s).

 

[mikeru]

Before you do that there is a recall on the lug nuts on most ram series trucks because of stretching from over torquing the lug nuts.

There are currently no recalls on our 2020 Limited for lug nuts. I actually just checked yesterday. Do you have any information for this recall?

 

[Sherman Bird]

Every time I've been quoted for anything. Never bothered with a dealer, but even local mechanics will do it too.

Had a tire shop insist on quoting me for an alignment and inspection when I told him all I needed was 2 tires. After three tries, I had to very slowly and clearly tell him that I'm only bringing two wheels, I'm not bringing the car so quit trying to upsell the alignment, then he finally give up and told me what I needed to know.

Was quoted $1k for transmission fluid change and spark plugs, that was a couple years ago. In bidenflation numbers I'm sure that's easily $1200-1500 by now. Did them both myself for a total of $200.

Bully for you! You saved 800.00 dollars! I have never pressured anyone to do a car or truck repair when I've quoted them. I tell them what I found, take the time to formulate an estimate, then tell the customer the TRUTH about the situation.... Does the repair need to be done right away? Can the wait to have it done? Can they do it themselves? Let them be in control of IF they want to do the repair, When, and by whom! I respect their choice.

As I've told MANY folks here and elsewhere; Find a mechanic when you don't NEED one.

As to the guy trying to upsell you an alignment, was his shop busy? What was his motivation? Did he have a brand new Hunter alignment machine costing north of 70 grand? Hard to say.

 

[nlambert182]

Depending on what the tech repairs on your vehicle or trailer, it could also result in your (and possibly others) death(s).

You have additional protections in vehicles that reduce the risk. (Airbags, traction control, brakes, seatbelts, physical structure, etc..) You have zero protections with a doctor aside from their knowledge and experience.

It's an apples/football comparison.

 

[Sherman Bird]

You have additional protections in vehicles that reduce the risk. (Airbags, traction control, brakes, seatbelts, physical structure, etc..) You have zero protections with a doctor aside from their knowledge and experience.

It's an apples/football comparison.

Now that's a stretch! The team that did my heart surgery consisted of 9 professionals. Before they knocked me out, I could hear them communicate among themselves, sometimes correcting each other. IOW, they were a team who depended on one another to get things right.

 

[Jerrybob]

I am just thankful that I am filty rich and all the politicians are looking out for my welfare.....it's comforting......knowing all is well.

 

[nlambert182]

Now that's a stretch! The team that did my heart surgery consisted of 9 professionals. Before they knocked me out, I could hear them communicate among themselves, sometimes correcting each other. IOW, they were a team who depended on one another to get things right.

I think that's pretty much confirming what I said. I don't mean that doctors are on their own. They just don't have safety features besides their minds. Not like a car.

 

[Sherman Bird]

My ex wife was a forensic photographer for a local fire and police department. She has a strong constitution and can look at mangled/ burned human remains and never wince. She told me once that automotive safety items such as seat belts and airbags are pretty much useless overall at higher speeds such as the 85+ MPH folks do around Houston's freeways.

 

[Arsinek]

Swelling lug nuts, who would have thought?

They turn blue when this happens. BAZING!!!

 

[turkeybird56]

I am just thankful that I am filty rich and all the politicians are looking out for my welfare.....it's comforting......knowing all is well.

IF U R "filthy" in the $$$ category, I can give you a bank name and account number to alleviate you of that precarious predicament!!!

 

[turkeybird56]

My ex wife was a forensic photographer for a local fire and police department. She has a strong constitution and can look at mangled/ burned human remains and never wince. She told me once that automotive safety items such as seat belts and airbags are pretty much useless overall at higher speeds such as the 85+ MPH folks do around Houston's freeways.

Hwy 8 or the 610 loop? lol.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Hwy 8 or the 610 loop? lol.

99 and Sam Houston Toll Road... and 290. We live near 290/1960

 

[Jerrybob]

IF U R "filthy" in the $$$ category, I can give you a bank name and account number to alleviate you of that precarious predicament!!!

Have your secretary call my secretary.....maybe we can "do" lunch! LOL!

 

[turkeybird56]

99 and Sam Houston Toll Road... and 290. We live near 290/1960

Wife (deceased) used to live off of Aldine Mail Rte North side, and worked South side by Apache Auto. I have gone into Houston off of 290, but usually just cut over East to I45 North of Huntsville and drove South. But alas many many moons ago. I have no reason to go to Houston unless for an unknown reason needed to go to Airport.

 

[turkeybird56]

Have your secretary call my secretary.....maybe we can "do" lunch! LOL!

Heck of a ride fer lunch, U talking ZOOM call with bologna sandwiches? lol.

(Secretary, closest thing I got pictured below).

 

[stormcom]

Go to Discount tire and get Chrome lug nuts without the caps. Cheaper and you will never have the problem again.

 

[ConqueringFools]

These companies nowadays are so pathetic. None of them seem to be able to make a profit selling a valuable product at a valuable price with great service. They all have to nickel and dime the consumer with all these gimmicky add ons. Discount Tire is a perfect example. No they can't just sell tires. They have to now jump in on the wiper bandwagon, the lug nut bandwagon etc. Gee I wonder why? Because all the slim marginal profit these companies make get siphoned up to the top CEO, charimans, execs and stockholders.

 

[mikeru]

These companies nowadays are so pathetic. None of them seem to be able to make a profit selling a valuable product at a valuable price with great service. They all have to nickel and dime the consumer with all these gimmicky add ons. Discount Tire is a perfect example. No they can't just sell tires. They have to now jump in on the wiper bandwagon, the lug nut bandwagon etc. Gee I wonder why? Because all the slim marginal profit these companies make get siphoned up to the top CEO, charimans, execs and stockholders.

Are you saying that Discount Tire shouldn't sell lug nuts or wiper blades? I'm just trying to wrap my head around what you're complaining about with this post because I'm not seeing a problem with them selling those items.

 

[Dusty]

Bully for you! You saved 800.00 dollars! I have never pressured anyone to do a car or truck repair when I've quoted them. I tell them what I found, take the time to formulate an estimate, then tell the customer the TRUTH about the situation.... Does the repair need to be done right away? Can the wait to have it done? Can they do it themselves? Let them be in control of IF they want to do the repair, When, and by whom! I respect their choice.

As I've told MANY folks here and elsewhere; Find a mechanic when you don't NEED one.

As to the guy trying to upsell you an alignment, was his shop busy? What was his motivation? Did he have a brand new Hunter alignment machine costing north of 70 grand? Hard to say.

As in here, I often hear the term "rip off" when referring to a dealer or independent auto repair business based on the price. Same for appliance, plumber, or electrical repair businesses. But it's only a rip-off if the competitor is you and you're doing the work yourself.

When you do the work yourself you are not charging yourself any labor, hence the comparison is not valid. You also probably haven't paid for specialized training, experience, tools that a driveway mechanic wouldn't necessarily have, a dedicated facility, insurance, etc.

If you have all those things and still think it's a quick and dishonest way to make money, I suggest opening your own shop and getting on the gravy train.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121577 miles.

 

[Guitar Guy]

YES! The dealer that sold me my 2023 Ram (Morganton NC) among many other rip-offs quoted me $750+ to program a key fob that should have been already included with my new truck. I spent $150 on programmers and software only to find out that the programming can only be done by a dealership due to a new 12-hour rolling pin required. The dealership in Spartanburg did it for $60 in ten minutes. Not all Ram dealers are rip-off artists, but some sure are!