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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 147
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Originally posted by mmilner:
I'd ask - is there something about your experience that is prompting them to do this? Were you rude? Do you come across as somebody trying to get something for free? Is there any history with you fighting/arguing with them about something else? Or is this particular Service Manager that much of a weasel that they have to screw you out of $60?
Hmmm, about the bulb for the clock. I had zero problems buying a replacement bulb for the clock on a 95 MTX SE a couple years ago from a Dealership. For such a tiny item it was expensive ($5?).
Mike
It wasn't so much as the dealer was scamming me out of $60, but more of that their computer systems listed the parts as installed. So from their viewpoint everything was taken care of. Plus you have the manager asking the mechanic if he did something a week ago, so who's to say that he would remember doing something like that? They just kind of took the attitude that I was trying to get free parts off of them b/c as far as they could tell, they had done the work for the car. As far as the bulb... that was no problem finding a new one and replacing it. The person on the phone saying I have to replace the entire clock b/c it's broken just shows that the person at the Ford Dealer didn't have the knowledge of the product, and that the mechanic department isn't all that organized for screwing it up with my parts. I wasn't going to get into a battle over $60, they've just lost my business for repairs and buying new vehicles. This happened over 2 years ago and I haven't gone there since. (If this post seems to ramble it's b/c I'm busy at work and typing it out quickly, sorry)
2005 S/C Monte Carlo SS
1995 Contour SE
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Update. Decided to try Peninsula Ford of San Bruno (on El Camino Real). They are almost as bad as Souty City Ford.
As I said before, my coolant light is coming on, and I don't spot a puddle on the ground somehow, so I took it in. My appt was for 8:15. I got there a LITTLE late. They didn't even TOUCH my car until 1130AM! If you can't touch the car for 3 hours what's the point of having an appointment?
About 1130AM, the junior tech jacked it up and did a pressure test. I see drips coming out the bottom. Looks like time for a new pump as the leak's around there some where. Checked the computer... $115 for a PLAIN pump. Hello! The one with METAL impeller is only $65! When I asked the parts guy, he didn't even KNOW the impeller is made of plastic!
Then the service advisor came along. I don't know what he ate in the morning, but he sounds as if he's still asleep, and has the "see if I care" attitude. No pleasantries at all. Then he dropped the bomb: you need a new pump, and we don't have time to do it today. We'll give you a shuttle ride within 10 miles, you can come back tomorrow.
I told him I need the car today, he basically reinterated the whole thing. He even went as far as claiming the car was already disassembled when all the guy did was removed that "Duratec" cover to look for the leak.
Then I dropped the bomb on him: I asked him to close the car up and fill it up with coolant so I can keep driving it for a day or two. He looked as if I hit him with a sledgehammer. He tried to tell me I'm wasting time and money... I insisted. Then he just said "If that's what you want to do, that's what we'll do." Then he turned around and went to close the ticket without another word.
I STILL ended up paying $100 "diagnostic fee" for that pressure test when they're not even 100% sure it's the pump that's leaking!
As a "gesture" they put a gallon of premixed coolant in my trunk "just in case". That deserves an extra point.
This dealer experience is about 2 out of 10. Pretty abysmal.
I need a shop recommendation for my plain "Jane" LX/V6 in San Francisco please... No more than 15 miles out would be preferred.
Just a plain jane '96 LX V-6 here...
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i knew the light for the clock was gonna be expensive..i had one for the door panel lock(it was i think the same size but green), cost me $6.00 well i went to a local auto parts place and got one for 50 cents and it worked fine...
if i ever need the colored bulbs i would just go to radio shack and buy some paint for bulbs.. comes in small bottles if they still sell it, if not then another electronics store might stock it......
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 328
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Originally posted by Kasey Chang:
As I said before, my coolant light is coming on, and I don't spot a puddle on the ground somehow, so I took it in.
About 1130AM, the junior tech jacked it up and did a pressure test. I see drips coming out the bottom. Looks like time for a new pump as the leak's around there some where. Checked the computer... $115 for a PLAIN pump. Hello! The one with METAL impeller is only $65! When I asked the parts guy, he didn't even KNOW the impeller is made of plastic!
I STILL ended up paying $100 "diagnostic fee" for that pressure test when they're not even 100% sure it's the pump that's leaking!
Whhhhhaaaa...cry me a friggen river. If anybody is an idiot here, its you! Stop taking your car to the dealer for every single minor little problem you have. Everybody knows the dealership charges the most for repair and parts service. Everybody also knows the dealership is ten times busier than your local auto repair shops. Dealerships usually have a ton of warrenty work being done all the time, which means they are swamped. Don't want to pay $115 for a waterpump from Ford, then go to a local autostore and get one for cheeper MORON. If you have any ability at all, which it sounds like you dont, you could put it on yourself. But if not, why take it to a dealer instead of the local garage? I guess people working the parts counter at Ford are suppose to know every single part made for every different model car, and also know if the components are metal or plastic, GET REAL! Sure a lot of dealerships have less than average service, not to make any excuses but they are the most busy, JUST GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET YOUR CAR FIXED AND STOP WHINNING! Just like how the Ford dealership doesnt want to listen to you whine, neither do I!
1999 CSVT-Black 15.8@89mph
Driver for hire. PM me.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
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I have no life
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You do know this right? Coolant light FAQ
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
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if you don't mind can you tell me where you found the bulb for the clock and what it is? thank you
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Originally posted by todras:
You do know this right?
Coolant light FAQ
Intimately. I overfill the overflow reservoir to EXCESS of 1 inch above the max line. The car is on LEVEL ground. The light is still on.
Just a plain jane '96 LX V-6 here...
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Originally posted by BURNTU2:
I guess people working the parts counter at Ford are suppose to know every single part made for every different model car, and also know if the components are metal or plastic, GET REAL!
Exactly! I work a parts counter at a motorcycle dealership. We carry 5 different brands spanning 30 years. Worse yet, the microfiche is in B&W. How am I supposed to tell the difference between plastic and metal? You're going to know your particular car (usually) better that someone who has to keep up with many different cars. I can't know everything about everything we sell. Funny part is, I usually still know more about a particular bike that my customer does (and he/she owns it).
Ken
PackRat is my hero!
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Originally posted by klavender:
Originally posted by BURNTU2:
I guess people working the parts counter at Ford are suppose to know every single part made for every different model car, and also know if the components are metal or plastic, GET REAL!
Exactly! I work a parts counter at a motorcycle dealership. We carry 5 different brands spanning 30 years. Worse yet, the microfiche is in B&W. How am I supposed to tell the difference between plastic and metal? You're going to know your particular car (usually) better that someone who has to keep up with many different cars. I can't know everything about everything we sell. Funny part is, I usually still know more about a particular bike that my customer does (and he/she owns it).
What motorcycle dealership do you work at? I live in Lugoff and come to Columbia more than often. I may know where you are located. Is it the one on Two Notch Road?
-Bishop
*Invisible Hero*
1999 SVT Contour/Amazon Green
Keep It Real.
Beware the fury of the silent man.
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