- Joined
- Jul 31, 2021
- Messages
- 1,068
- City
- NW Florida
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- Total Drop
- 1.5” till I get these springs replaced
- Tire Size
- 225-70-R14
Skip to paragraph 2 for the question. This is just the story:
My wife recently took her Mazda in for an oil change. Being that it's 1 year old, we take it to a (possibly formerly) trusted dealer. She knows to only get an oil change and avoid the $90 filters and other BS. She asked for "only a basic oil change." The advisor showed her the 3 options, the cheapest being $300. It was fairly clear: Plan, list of things, price. She hates cars so much that I think she actively forgets all car related terminology. She saw "basic" and "$300" and thought that's what an oil change must cost now. She asked if that's just an oil change and nothing else. Dude said yes. The services are (they claim) automatically populated by mileage. Basic included an $100 MAF cleaning and $75 cabin filter (per lifetime warranty requirement they claim. will have to check contract). I went in, not for my money back, but to see if I still like them. The service manager basically said that she picked that plan and that's that.
So what are they required to give the customer? In the past I've signed forms that said things like 'received/waived written estimate' and "max price authorized." Did the number on the screen constitute receiving a quote? Is small service different than big repairs? I'm pretty ticked and don't want to go back, but then there's the question of voiding warranties by using 3rd party shops (issues with documentation, certification?).
Edit: Not a $90 air filter... that'd be ridiculous.
My wife recently took her Mazda in for an oil change. Being that it's 1 year old, we take it to a (possibly formerly) trusted dealer. She knows to only get an oil change and avoid the $90 filters and other BS. She asked for "only a basic oil change." The advisor showed her the 3 options, the cheapest being $300. It was fairly clear: Plan, list of things, price. She hates cars so much that I think she actively forgets all car related terminology. She saw "basic" and "$300" and thought that's what an oil change must cost now. She asked if that's just an oil change and nothing else. Dude said yes. The services are (they claim) automatically populated by mileage. Basic included an $100 MAF cleaning and $75 cabin filter (per lifetime warranty requirement they claim. will have to check contract). I went in, not for my money back, but to see if I still like them. The service manager basically said that she picked that plan and that's that.
So what are they required to give the customer? In the past I've signed forms that said things like 'received/waived written estimate' and "max price authorized." Did the number on the screen constitute receiving a quote? Is small service different than big repairs? I'm pretty ticked and don't want to go back, but then there's the question of voiding warranties by using 3rd party shops (issues with documentation, certification?).
Edit: Not a $90 air filter... that'd be ridiculous.
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