So it's time for my next servicing, and I happen to be cruising past my dealership, so I decide to pop in and make an appointment (and toy with the salesmen).

Services clerk says my next servicing point is the 30k mile (although I'm actually bringing it in on 28k) and she asked me if I wanted to go ahead and do that instead, since it's only 2k miles difference. So I'm like "Yeah, sure, why-not...Got a lot of drivin' coming up." So she explains to me that this is a big one and gives me the cost (since I don't pay the maintenance plan): $570.

Ow.

Lol, well, not paying the maintenance plan paid off until now!

 

So, what do you get for $570?

 

+1. For giggles, I asked the new service rep at my dealership what maintenance was suggested for my vert that had 15,000 miles at the time. He whips out this long sheet of suggested maintenance procedures... flush coolant, flush brakes, flush diff, service a/c, etc. You get the picture. The dealership had just been sold to a known rip-off stealership chain and this guy was from another dealership owned by the same company (GM and Chrysler dealerships). I knew right then not to talk to this guy again and always make sure I see my "old" service rep for any of my needs.

 

Dealer gobbleygook.

Tell them to do the factory service list, and factory service list only. The price will drop quite a bit. Don't let them tell you that is the factory service list, 'cause it just ain't so.

 

Wow. That Service Writer got a nice bonus in their paycheck off of that Sales pitch. Like said above, Just do the Factory stuff only, don't buy into the bull which you can do yourself.

 

By factory service suggestions, you are talking about the sevice guide that came with the manual, right?
My wife just had her SUV in for service last week and ended up getting a transmission fluid change.....recommended at 30,000 miles, because thats what the sevice guy advised her (she didn't consult me). I remember when that was recommended at 100,000....not that I would wait that long. Is this another way the company is making money from us, or what?

 

This sounds like a recent experience I had at my dealer to "upsell" on their dealership recommended additional services. The service writer characterized the driving around my area as "severe duty", which I found interesting since I use my '07 as a daily driver, with a mix of city and highway driving (more of it highway).

After reviewing against the Ford service manual and their menu, the cost went from $390 to $115.

The 30,000 mile service is primarily oil/filter change, fuel filter change, air filter change, tire rotation, and checks.

Unless you are extra cautious or you drive "severe duty"-like, $590 sounds excessive.

 

It's the way the dealership is making money, given the tough climate they operate in today.

 

ha! do you blame them when no one is buying cars and gas is over $4 a gallon.....

I DO! if they would operate honestly and work hard for satisfied customers, they wouldnt have a problem making money

 

For $570 I hope she gave you a free ride in the hummer out back

 

While $570 sounds excessive for a 30K, I paid over $300 for the 30K service for my 03 Mach 1 a couple years ago (and I'm an employee at the dealership that serviced it). Glad I bought Ford's pre-paid maintenance package good at any Ford dealership nationwide when I bought my 07 GT for about $800, so all mainenance is "free" when it's time: oil & filter changes every 3K miles, 15K, 30K service, wiper blades, lights, brakes, etc. Also covers clutches (in manual transmissions), so anyone buying a stick shift should absolutely buy the pre-paid plan if they are going to keep the factory clutch. You're going to pay for this stuff eventually, so why not pre-pay it so that the expense is spread out into your monthly payment?

 

for $570 i hope she would let me ride her and then also give me a hummer.

 

well I was trying to be a little more tactful, but yes

 

^

 

Yep - saw that coming a mile away...

 

Well, it's probably bad of me not to go into full detail with them beforehand, but I will when I pick it up.

I do beat on my 'Stang a bit, so even if something is done that isn't supposed to be done until the next servicing or whatever, might as well go ahead and do it.

The price only really bothers me because I'm getting ready to take a vacation.

 

My dealership never mentioned that to me. I did end up getting the extended warranty, but what you are talking about seems much more practical to have.

 

a ride and a hummer would be taking it to the next step in customer service, I say

ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!

lol

 

I have never really been a big fan of the hummers...

 

Just had my 30k service a few days ago. $248. I doubt you received over twice the "servicing" my car did. That's pretty high.