Dealership service *opps*
11-10-2010, 12:38 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Dealership service *opps*
Got a call from the dealership that has my 03 Z and they let me know they made a major "uh oh".
Dropped it off yesterday for a look over, oil change, etc. Found that the steering rack was leaking like crazy and needed to be replaced. They went over the numbers to be $675 installed so I said lets get it done. I also gave the go ahead for an axle seal, the oil change, tranny fluid, rear end fluid, and new pads all around with resurface the rotors.
Got a call this morning. Apparently they quoted the steering rack wrong, put it as a $150 part when it should have been $1500 plus install!!! Its already been installed on the car.
The sercie writer said it was an honest mistake (I'm sure it was) but he never caught the problem. Parts said they can do $1050 for the part and 10% off the entire ticket. I'm trying to picture all of this but I think I'm still several hundred over where I was and thought to be picking it up later tonight.
They also said they would decrease the labor rate on the steering rack install.
Waiting for a call back to see what other things were already done to the car and trying to picture these numbers and the end result.
Dropped it off yesterday for a look over, oil change, etc. Found that the steering rack was leaking like crazy and needed to be replaced. They went over the numbers to be $675 installed so I said lets get it done. I also gave the go ahead for an axle seal, the oil change, tranny fluid, rear end fluid, and new pads all around with resurface the rotors.
Got a call this morning. Apparently they quoted the steering rack wrong, put it as a $150 part when it should have been $1500 plus install!!! Its already been installed on the car.
The sercie writer said it was an honest mistake (I'm sure it was) but he never caught the problem. Parts said they can do $1050 for the part and 10% off the entire ticket. I'm trying to picture all of this but I think I'm still several hundred over where I was and thought to be picking it up later tonight.
They also said they would decrease the labor rate on the steering rack install.
Waiting for a call back to see what other things were already done to the car and trying to picture these numbers and the end result.
11-10-2010, 01:03 PM
#3
Safety Car
I'd pay the discounted price and be happy you got a deal.
You need a new one anyway. This way at least you get a deal on it.
It's partially your fault for not asking why it was so cheap. $675 for a new rack installed is way too cheap.
You need a new one anyway. This way at least you get a deal on it.
It's partially your fault for not asking why it was so cheap. $675 for a new rack installed is way too cheap.
11-10-2010, 01:06 PM
#5
Check your state laws. In most places the final bill can't be more than a certain percentage over what you pre-approved.
$675 would be an awesome price for a new steering rack.
$675 would be an awesome price for a new steering rack.
11-10-2010, 01:28 PM
#7
The reman racks are certainly good for leaks and such, but you never know if it's still tight. I got an otherwise good rack from a reputable rebuilder but it has slack in the center that can't be completely dialed out with the adjustment nut.
11-10-2010, 01:39 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The price was for a reman...I did not know what racks cost, first time I had one that needed to be replaced.
11-10-2010, 01:51 PM
#10
I did this a little over a month ago myself and I am still waiting for my deposit from corvette central. The rack itself was $205 and a $400 deposit. The labor to do all of this will be a lot!! it was quite a pain.
11-10-2010, 01:52 PM
#11
Race Director
11-10-2010, 01:55 PM
#12
Safety Car
If it's a good dealership, and there are a few, I would re-consider and try to come to terms with them, it's an honest mistake, and we all make them... perhaps you can get the rack at jobber price, and a bit more off the labour rate.....negotiate the price a bit more and see what happens....
11-10-2010, 02:03 PM
#13
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2006
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Lots of things to think of here..
Do you ever plan to do business with this dealer again?
Is this a small town?
Were they honest about what happened?
Would you have been willing to do this repair yourself at either estimate?
Yes, they made a mistake but... Have you ever made a mistake and hoped the customer is willing to compromise or work with you?
This is tough but, if this part is prone to fail again, who would you take it to for the repair.
Are they willing to do an extended a warranty on the repair?
If so, I would do what is right and pay the bill. People make honest mistakes and this one COULD come out of HIS paycheck or worse yet, if it goes wrong, it COULD cost him his job..
You might want to discuss this with the dealer owner. You could come out ok and be the hero for doing the right thing, plus save someone their job in this economy.
Several years ago, I had the "rack" fail on my Lincoln. I was lucky to have it replaced under the factory warranty. But, it failed 2 more times. Another while it was warrantied, but the 3rd one, it was 10K past, yet the dealer did the right thing and did a "courtesy" repair at NO charge to me, I feel for being a good customer..
Sometimes, it will pay big time to take a lump or 2 and do what you feel is the right thing to do...
Just a few things to think about..
Do you ever plan to do business with this dealer again?
Is this a small town?
Were they honest about what happened?
Would you have been willing to do this repair yourself at either estimate?
Yes, they made a mistake but... Have you ever made a mistake and hoped the customer is willing to compromise or work with you?
This is tough but, if this part is prone to fail again, who would you take it to for the repair.
Are they willing to do an extended a warranty on the repair?
If so, I would do what is right and pay the bill. People make honest mistakes and this one COULD come out of HIS paycheck or worse yet, if it goes wrong, it COULD cost him his job..
You might want to discuss this with the dealer owner. You could come out ok and be the hero for doing the right thing, plus save someone their job in this economy.
Several years ago, I had the "rack" fail on my Lincoln. I was lucky to have it replaced under the factory warranty. But, it failed 2 more times. Another while it was warrantied, but the 3rd one, it was 10K past, yet the dealer did the right thing and did a "courtesy" repair at NO charge to me, I feel for being a good customer..
Sometimes, it will pay big time to take a lump or 2 and do what you feel is the right thing to do...
Just a few things to think about..
Last edited by 3rd_Vette; 11-10-2010 at 02:08 PM.
11-10-2010, 02:05 PM
#14
Team Owner
Member Since: May 1999
Location: Columbus Ohio
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CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
$1,500 for a re-manufactured steering rack? 
GM Parts House has new for $975.
Steering gear, corvette, all - power - 02-04
MSRP: $1,500.00 Core Charge: $50.00 GM Parts House: $975.00
GM Parts House has new for $975.
Steering gear, corvette, all - power - 02-04
MSRP: $1,500.00 Core Charge: $50.00 GM Parts House: $975.00
11-10-2010, 02:13 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I have not heard anything back yet, from the shop.
11-10-2010, 02:29 PM
#17
Team Owner
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11-10-2010, 02:47 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
If they go $925 for the part, a discounted labor rate on the install of the rack and 10% off everything then I think we will get this done.
I think the mechanic wrote the numbers down by hand and that is part of the problem.
I think the mechanic wrote the numbers down by hand and that is part of the problem.
unless u have a warrenty...