Dealing with dealership over transmission issues

[G.I.Choe]

I'm honestly not one for complaints, but if it helps someone else not get screwed, I suppose it's my duty to do so.


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[Ganthrithor]

Take it to another dealer and call Toyota / Scion and bitch up a storm about Bob Smith, because fuck Bob Smith.

I don't even get why they'd want to give you a hard time: dealers love warranty work...

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

I don't even get why they'd want to give you a hard time: dealers love warranty work...

Because it's a business, and warranty work is paid AFTER the fact, not before.

Examples are:
1) Dealer got burned by previous warranty claims to corporate, because of aftermarket mods.
2) Dealer got burned by previous warranty claims to corporate, because of not properly writing up/diagnosing problem.
3) Dealer has insufficient training to service staff.
4) Owner/management has a "no service for modded cars" policy, from #1 or #2 above.

In the end, the key difference is that the dealer is paid after work is completed, often weeks or months. They cannot come to the customer to get the service cost back.

Each scenario is different, but in the end it's about building a good relationship with a dealer willing to provide you reasonable warranty service. Once you reason with business sense, they'll "see the light".

-alex

[DoomsdayJesus]

I had problems getting mine taken care of too, there's a whole thread about Subaru fucking me sideways on my tranny replacement calling it a one-time courtesy replacement and blaming it on abuse or modification despite there being zero evidence of either on my car (I haven't modified anything performance wise, just aesthetic crap). After a lot of time on the phone with SOA they set me straight, but dealing with the dealer and their "could not reproduce" nonsense I took their service rep for a drive and for the 3rd gear to grind every time.

Sometimes you just have to out-asshole the dealer. It's not pleasant, but cars are a BIG investment and they owe you a fix for this. I hope Longo takes care of you, growing up in the area I know they have a great reputation.

[SirBrass]

I really don't see why in an area with a crap ton of dealerships why one would decide to be shady. That only means that people who know they're getting screwed will talk and your reputation will go down the drain and all that lovely business will go to your competitors.

Yet, they still do it. Idiots.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Yet, they still do it. Idiots.

Two words:

Poor management.

-alex

[Basket Case]

Originally Posted by way too fast motorsports

here was the link i forgot to send you Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles...ne-maintenance

This...

[Bad Habits]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Two words:

Poor management.

-alex

This x 11 billion. Some dealers are just straight up ass hats. This shit of someone in the service department acting like his words carry weight is a direct representation of how the entire dealership operates. If the owners are shady it is more likely than not how the entire place is from top to bottom. Good dealers don't let morons like that stick around for long. I had a good friend in Massachusetts that their family owned a couple of dealerships, chevy, gmc, caddy etc. I grew up with the kid, best friends for years but would never consider buying from his family because they were shit bags when it came to running their business.

To the op, there is no way in hell a fluid change will "void" a warranty and it MOST CERTAINLY is your duty to call this place out on it. Think of how you felt getting ****ed around, save someone else the headache of this bs down the road. Good karma for you.

[G.I.Choe]

Just wanted to post a quick update.

Took my car to Longo Toyota. Was taken care of immediately. The service manager knew of this issue, and the mechanic told me "yeah, we don't need to take it for a test drive, we know what's going on". They gave me a free rental car, and a few hours later, called me to inform me that they're going to replace the transmission, all in warranty of course.

God, it's like night and day compared to Bob Smith Toyota. Longo's an hour away, but you know what? Fuck it, the drive is worth it for this kinda service.

Also helps that the rental they gave me is a Fiat 500 haha

[dave77]

sweet man, I was surprised you didn't go to a different dealership sooner but yea it was prob just out of the way.

Feels so good when the dealer provides good and legit service.