So I get my shiny new chrome exchange rims from West Coast Corvettes and I call the dealer and ask about getting my tires moved from the silver stock to the chrome stock rims. They say, "Oh, we can't do Corvette wheels." To which I reply, "huh?" And they add, "We don't have the equipment; we'll just mess up your wheels." So I ask, "Do you sell Corvettes?" And they respond, "Yes." So I follow with, "And you sell tires, right?" And they respond, "Sure." So naturally I'm confused. They sell Corvettes and tires but they can't service the car with the part they sell. But from a previous post, they'll sell me DRL bulbs for $11.00 that they buy at Auto Zone for less than $5.

Incidentally this is the SAME dealership where a service tech took a CUSTOMER's Corvette out for a "test drive" and crashed it, killing himself and injuring his passenger (another person at the dealership along for the ride.)

I know... why am I even bothering with them? . . . (they're 3 miles from my house and it's convenient... that's IT.)

This is the ONLY GM product I will ever own (any 'vette.) The rest of my money goes to Ford (for now.)

I did end up going to a nice little independent tire/wheel/tuner shop to get the wheels replaced. Quality Tire at Potomac Mills. Nice guys, speedy service, fair-ish prices.

 

Now I'm confused as to why your confused...

 

I made the CRAZY assumption (don't go there) that the CHEVROLET dealer would be able to service my CHEVROLET. WTF was I thinkin'???

God forbid I bring an SSR back to them for service... they'll ask me if it's a C1500 or C2500...

 

Not unusual at all. Most dealers farm out jobs they don't have the equipment for, and very few specialty tire shops ~much less Chevy dealers~ have the proper equipment and/or knowledge to deal with runflats and sensors.
While you'd like to think they can personally handle any repair of any type on your car just because they sell them, that isn't true, and isn't true of any dealer of any make of car.

Need an interior or convertible top fix? Chances are almost certain your car will be handled by a trim shop and not the dealer.
Need a window replaced? You guessed it, dealer will call in a glass shop.

There is very little that seperates a dealer service bay from the mom and pop garage down the street...the only difference is the easy access to tech bulletins, manuals, up to date scanning equipment, instant warranty reimbursement, and perhaps some factory-trained techs.

Even the factory that built your car couldn't help you with your tire issue.

 

Glass -- glass shop. Check.
Convertible top -- Trim shop. Check.
Transmission rebuild -- transmission shop. Check.

A freakin' wheel/tire? NO CHECK.

I had a problem with a CD changer in a Ford Escort ZX2 and the dealer kept saying, "the audio guy comes in on Tuesday between 12:00 and 1:00." Um, yeah. Eventually I just had them leave it there and I came and picked it up and showed the service writer how to unscrew six screws and disconnect and reconnect a cable. Dumba$$.

Someone please tell me why we would patronize the dealers? We all know they make most of their money on service but if they can't really DO the service, why go there?

I know. . . I'm ranting. . . sorry. . . but I was just shocked and confused by this turn of events. It was my regular independent mechanic (who couldn't do it either) that referred me to Quality Tire.

 

And what did you expect from the dealership-sounds pretty standard

 

 

This sounds about right!

 

Ding, ding, ding, WE HAVE A WINNER! Yes, why go there? If it's not for warranty work, why would you subject yourself to overpriced service...some dealers are good, but if you need a tire change, take it to a tire shop...

Specialization of trade means you'll get more competent work done...