jcttraveler
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I took my car in for some recall work (related to the powertrain control module. NHTSA recall 22V382).
After some time, the service rep found me to say the tech had "suggested" some additional service. The first item was a cabin air filter (check out the price!). I told the guy (truthfully) I had just changed that (had the tech opened the glove box he would have seen the message I left for myself to remind me of when I last changed it). That seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the service rep because when he then recommended a brake fluid flush, he quickly accepted my "no thanks." Not long after my encounter with the service rep, the car was pulled around. I got my invoice (free) and I drove off.
Later in the day, I had some time to review the invoice (attached). In addition to the filter and flush, the tech had also identified several other high-margin services. The shotgun nature of the recommendations (which have no empirical basis to support the recommendation) really ticks me off. I may flush the brake fluid at some point, but will do it as part of a larger brake job. The car's running great, getting good gas mileage so the "BG induction" and injector service doesn't make sense to me. Alignment/tire balance? Take a look at the tires. They are 9 months old and wearing evenly. and what exactly is a "mist service"? (looks to be a way to control odors coming from the HVAC.)
I'm fairly handy. "Back in the day" when I had more time than money (and when cars were simpler), I did much of my own work. Now, I don't flinch at paying to have my oil changed. I consider myself a believer in preventative maintenance, but get pissed off when I think I'm being taken advantage of. Hopefully, I still know enough to tell the difference, but I know others don't know the difference and are paying for stuff they don't need (or never would need in some cases).
After some time, the service rep found me to say the tech had "suggested" some additional service. The first item was a cabin air filter (check out the price!). I told the guy (truthfully) I had just changed that (had the tech opened the glove box he would have seen the message I left for myself to remind me of when I last changed it). That seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the service rep because when he then recommended a brake fluid flush, he quickly accepted my "no thanks." Not long after my encounter with the service rep, the car was pulled around. I got my invoice (free) and I drove off.
Later in the day, I had some time to review the invoice (attached). In addition to the filter and flush, the tech had also identified several other high-margin services. The shotgun nature of the recommendations (which have no empirical basis to support the recommendation) really ticks me off. I may flush the brake fluid at some point, but will do it as part of a larger brake job. The car's running great, getting good gas mileage so the "BG induction" and injector service doesn't make sense to me. Alignment/tire balance? Take a look at the tires. They are 9 months old and wearing evenly. and what exactly is a "mist service"? (looks to be a way to control odors coming from the HVAC.)
I'm fairly handy. "Back in the day" when I had more time than money (and when cars were simpler), I did much of my own work. Now, I don't flinch at paying to have my oil changed. I consider myself a believer in preventative maintenance, but get pissed off when I think I'm being taken advantage of. Hopefully, I still know enough to tell the difference, but I know others don't know the difference and are paying for stuff they don't need (or never would need in some cases).
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