And Yet Another Way
Corporations SCREW The People!
Tom Hyland - (C) - 8/17/15
Last June of 2014 I bought a New Car.
It is a Silver HONDA Civic ...
I LOVE IT !
However ...
I was lead to believe, by the Salesman that ...
I had Free Service for Two Years ...
Oil Changes, Tire Rotation, Fluid Checks, Car Washes ...
This was True for the first Three visits ...
On the Fourth Service, I was advised that the Policy was ...
OR ... 20,000 Miles ... Whichever was First !
Between Work and Personal driving, I average 2,000 Miles/Mo.
So, the Oil Change was Not Free ... and ...
Another "service" was Recommended ...
The "adjustment" of the Parking Brake ...
Which, I have Never Ever Used ...
After asking about Cost, it seemed this little "Zinger"
Would have been Over $100 ... I Forewent That Pleasure ...
Thus, the Oil Change Alone was about $64 !
So, last Tuesday, the 11th of August ...
My new Civic was 14 Months Old, and ...
Had just Turned 28,000 Miles ...
I did Complain to the Service Adviser that ...
The "Check Tire Pressure" Warning Notice ...
Had Come On ... Every Damned Time I Started the Car ...
Ever since the Last Service Check!
About 20 minutes later, I was outside ...
Having a "smoke" and my Name was Paged ...
Over the P.A. system ...
Inside, the Service Adviser showed me a Color Schematic ...
Of my Four Tires, stating 'only 3 mm' in Both Front Tires ...
That's about 1/8 0f an Inch Tread Depth Left ...
And 'only 5 mm' in both Rear Tires !
"Mr. Hyland, you are going to Need New Tires Soon!"
Needless to say ... I was PISSED !
"You mean I spent over $17,000 for a New Car ...
and Honda put the Cheapest Friggin' Tires on it?"
Maybe 30,000 Mile Warranty ... if That?
I learned on my last 3 vehicles to Only buy tires with ...
60-70- or 80,000 Mile Warranties ...
AND ... always to include Hazard Insurance ...
For an Extra $15 or $16 ...
Usually a "Buck & a Quarter" to $130 INSTALLED !
Told him I wanted the Address of Honda Headquarters ...
They would get a Complaint Letter from me!
Next, there were 2 other 'recommended' services ...
A "Battery Service" whereby a 'Gel' and a little 'Ring' ...
Would be applied to each Terminal ...
To Prevent Corrosion ... Cost - $24.95.
I said: "Well, if that was so effective ...
Why was IT Not Done at the Factory originally?"
The other 'recommended' service was to ...
Check and/or Replace Two Filters ...
The 'Engine' one, and the 'Pollen' one in the Cabin ...
Cost - $147.00 !!!
SAY WHAT ???
Told him I would go for the Battery one Only ...
Then I asked what my Total would be ...
He said about $99.00 ...
I returned to the waiting area, then ...
After some thought it dawned on me ...
That's about $74.00 ... for just an Oil Change?
Back out to the service area ...
But Carl wasn't there ...
Questioned another adviser who said ...
There was a coupon online for $59.95 ...
He'd make sure I got the deal !
I pondered the situation awhile more ...
Then went to see the Service Manager, Fred ...
After complaining about the Cheap Tires to him ...
It was patently obvious that he was ...
"A Typical Company Man "
"All Dealerships Do It!" ... was his response!
My Tab was $84 and Change ...
Carl gave me a Print-out with Honda's Address ...
Paid and Left ... End of Story.
SO ...
If you ever buy a New Car, I Suggest ...
That you Check on the Tire Warranty First ...
Unless You Want to Replace Them in Just Two Years!
Thanks for the warning, Tom. Hard to invest in something (e.g., the stock market) which keeps taking more than it gives - employment for the glib of tongue.
It's always been that way. The good, simple oldies required frequent servicing and if you bought new cars, salesman always tricked you and the dealer always charged more and upsold unnecessary service perks. When I inquired about a new Mercedes in 1968, I was told that a service technician would drive the 20 miles to my home or work every month, take my new car back to San Francisco, service it, and then return it to me. They didn't mention what that would cost me. BMW recently started providing 10 years (I think) of free service after their sales declined because of a bad reputation for outrageous service costs. Car companies buy huge lots of cheap tires for their new cars. My 1966 Toronado had special factory rayon tires because the ride was so harsh with front torsion bars. Those tires were so soft sharp rocks would puncture them. I made the mistake of buying some and then having nearly 20 flat tires in 2 years. I had to switch to used Cadillac tires I tore them up so fast.
Your Honda will probably run 200,000 miles with very little maintenance. My father wouldn't keep a car after it had 50,000 miles, because, "the maintenance will cost too much, more than the car is worth."
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