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Who is the dealer? An alignment charge for that price is outrageous. I would steer clear of them and never go back.
Empire Chevrolet in Huntington, NY
i knew the sales dept was bad going in. Had trouble with a Silverado there a few years ago. Went to them for a C8 last year and they wanted $45k over sticker. I originally called another dealer for service (Arnold Chevy) but they won’t service cars they didn’t sell (they also has an ADM and an estimated long wait for C8s). Since it was only a State inspection, I figured I’d give Empire a try. Now it looks like I’ll be contacting a dealer that’s much further away.
it is very difficult to find a dealership in this area (any brand) where you don’t need to bring your own jar of Vaseline.
Checked the 2022 Owner's Manual and it read like mine. No mention of alignment or wipers covered. You're misreading what that warranty statement says, IMO.
Maintenance: All vehicles require periodic maintenance. Maintenance services, such as those detailed in the owner manual are the owner's expense. Vehicle lubrication, cleaning, or polishing are not covered. Failure of or damage to components requiring replacement or repair due to vehicle use, wear, exposure, or lack of maintenance is not covered. Items such as: . Audio System Cleaning . Brake Pads/Linings . Clutch Linings . Coolants and Fluids . Filters . Limited Slip Rear Axle Service . Tire Rotation . Wheel Alignment/Balance . Wiper Inserts are covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 7,500 miles; any replacement after 7,500 miles is considered maintenance and is not covered
IMO that means IF there is a defect in the wiper blades, brake linings, clutch linings, air filter etc it's covered up to 7500 and not after that! It doesn't say you get a free air filter, alignment or wiper blades by asking!
Now like sales literature the wording is a bit slippery so can understand it can be misinterpreted. My C8 will be close to 7500 miles this August when I bring it in for its 2nd 12 month engine oil change. Nope I won't get new wiper's unless "perhaps" the rubber is ripped!
let’s agree to disagree.
The “covered” items are specifically named as separate from the excluded items. I’d argue that if the listed items fail short of 7500 miles they are, by the warranty’s definition, defects. It says right there they are not considered “maintenance” items when under 7500 miles, even if the problem is due to “wear and tear.”
Abuse/neglect ARE excluded (I.e. pothole). However, how can one prove it was due to a pothole, or the car simply fell out of alignment through normal use? It could have been delivered that way. Impossible to prove one way or the other.
I think my idea is supported by others who seem to have received a “free” alignment while under 7500 miles. I’d be surprised if these dealers are not getting reimbursed from GM.
It’s all academic at this point. It’s not going to be an issue for me until I bring the car in for service prior to 7500 miles. Hopefully there won’t be any other issue that require service before then. It will be a different dealer and I will mention a “pulling to the right” to be safe. Not even sure the will find an alignment issue. If they do, I’ll see if they consider it a warranty item, and if not, why.
Not sure about the dealer and running a cheat on someone, but there are some dealers around here installing drive thru alignment assessment machines. I don't know anything about them or how accurate they are, but they are a thing now.
^^^
Yep, like the large Chevy/BMW/Mercedes dealer in town (who just bought the Nissen dealership) has one. They also put Nitrogen in tires and have valve stream caps that say Nitrogen! That is what is on the wife's BMW SUV. I figure the 78% Nitrogen I put in from my air compressor is just fine! BTW they don't bring her BMW over that device. Of their ~25 service bays, the 3 for BMW are separate and walled off from the others.
From the pic shown, they don't have to be accurate as it's just a check box to get you to have them put on an alignment machine. As I mentioned, my 1st car in 1959 had to pass state inspection. That included a toe check. You drove over two plates that were on bearings and could move sideways. If they moved together a large dial with pointer showed Toe-Out and you were rejected and had to bring it to be repaired!
Here is the list of items that "are covered" for the first 7500 miles according to the "Warranty Booklet" I received with my C8. As I read it, it would include alignment if needed, wiper inserts if defective, as well as the other items. It even says tire rotation - not sure what condition would make that necessary, unless you think maybe its included with the first free service.
All 4 of my tires were wearing slightly more on the inside than the outside when I brought my C8 in for its for its first service at 4600 miles. I asked if they could check the alignment and it was out. They aligned it and it was charged back to GM under warranty. It's well know that new bushings can settle and cause the alignment to drift. The bad part is now my steering wheel is slightly of center.
I took mine to my dealer with 2500 miles +/- for unrelated warranty repair and their Hunter Drive-Through Alignment Checker showed my car to be out of spec….. I mentioned to my Service Writer and he said; “we don’t automatically do alignments just because the “checker” flags a car, you have to tell me it pulling to one side or the other…..” I said, it pulls like a Mother to the right.
I didn’t ask if it would be warranty work/free but he gave me every indication that it would.
Sure enough, I picked it up, alignment necessary and performed at no charge/warranty
**Funny thing is I have aftermarket wheels, FE collars and am lowered all around .75”… none of which ever came up.
^^^^ Interesting he told you what to say! Reinforces GM does not give FREE Alignments!
Before my 2017 Grand Sport and C8 I used the large Chevy/BMW/Mercedes Dealer in town for my prior4 Vettes.. Had a great Chevy Service Writer (no longer there.) She would look up any bulletin I got from the Forum and mention with #, like one re dif noise. She would use the exact words it mentions, like in that case IF CUSTOMER MENTIONS XYZ have the dif fluid changed. She'd put in the GM paperwork the exact words and I got a fee dif fluid change. Recall getting roof squeaks repaired with new front lever clamps etc.
I definitely need an alignment for sure ( hit some pot holes and steer wheel is now off center) , and had just called Empire Chevrolet this morning to ask how much an alignment costs.
I was also told the same bull crap that it costs $730 plus tax AND..... if I pay with credit card its an additional 3% surcharge.
I could not hang up the phone fast enough.
I made an appointment with Sunrise Chevy who told me an alignment is $189.
$189 is still a bit high since I can go to a local tire shop and probably get it done for $125 but I figure for a bit more I will just have it done at the dealer since I need an oil change also.
I highly recommend EMPIRE in Huntington for any WARRANTY repair work with no hesitation, but for out of pocket maintenance I can't bad mouth Empire enough.
BTW, my local Nissan dealer also installed the drive thru alignment reader and I watched as every car that drove thru needed an alignment. Nice money making machine.
I made an appointment with Sunrise Chevy who told me an alignment is $189.
$189 is still a bit high since I can go to a local tire shop and probably get it done for $125 but I figure for a bit more I will just have it done at the dealer since I need an oil change also.
I highly recommend EMPIRE in Huntington for any WARRANTY repair work with no hesitation, but for out of pocket maintenance I can't bad mouth Empire enough.
Is that Sunrise Chevrolet in Forest Hills? If so, it's a bit further than I would prefer. Queens and back is always a traffic nightmare.
Empire was already on my short list of places to avoid. The auto group is owned by an ex-Atlantic Auto group person, and their ethics (lack thereof) seems to be about that same. FYI - Empire was selling C8s at $45k over list. That's the highest markup I found in the area. I only went there to get a state inspection because they were the closest available dealer. The $730 quote for what was likely a bogus alignment scan was over the top. Empire strikes me as the kind of dealer that would make sure to find expensive non-warranty problems on every visit, even if they have to create the problem themselves.
I'm looking ahead to my first service. Arnold is supposed to be good, but will not service cars they didn't sell. I'll look at Robert (Hicksville) and if that doesn't work out, I hear the Chevy dealer on Rt 122 (Suffolk County) is supposed to have a good C8 tech.
^^^^ Interesting he told you what to say! Reinforces GM does not give FREE Alignments!
Not to belabor the point, but the two posts directly above yours (and what I surmise the ^^^^ references) contradict your claim. In both cases, the owners received an alignment under warranty (i.e. "Free").
Is that Sunrise Chevrolet in Forest Hills? If so, it's a bit further than I would prefer. Queens and back is always a traffic nightmare.
Empire was already on my short list of places to avoid. The auto group is owned by an ex-Atlantic Auto group person, and their ethics (lack thereof) seems to be about that same. FYI - Empire was selling C8s at $45k over list. That's the highest markup I found in the area. I only went there to get a state inspection because they were the closest available dealer. The $730 quote for what was likely a bogus alignment scan was over the top. Empire strikes me as the kind of dealer that would make sure to find expensive non-warranty problems on every visit, even if they have to create the problem themselves.
I'm looking ahead to my first service. Arnold is supposed to be good, but will not service cars they didn't sell. I'll look at Robert (Hicksville) and if that doesn't work out, I hear the Chevy dealer on Rt 122 (Suffolk County) is supposed to have a good C8 tech.
Yes, Sunrise in Forest Hills. I live in Queens.
And yes Empire and Atlantic are the same, they are owned by Staluppi who is known to INSANELY over charge for everything out of pocket. I have used EMPIRE for warranty work because they have full time corvette tech that is truly awesome. I will continue to use Empire for warranty work where I am NOT paying out of pocket.
Be aware that Robert Chevrolet in Hickville is now owned by EMPIRE/Atlantic/Staluppi so the prices will be the same INSANE amount.
Not to belabor the point, but the two posts directly above yours (and what I surmise the ^^^^ references) contradict your claim. In both cases, the owners received an alignment under warranty (i.e. "Free").
Yep have seen those comments as well since I started posting in 2007! Some dealers may put whatever on the warranty reimbursement slip but it MUST say customer complained of xxxx. GM does not give free alignments. A number of posts have validated that. Ask your dealer!
Be aware that Robert Chevrolet in Hickville is now owned by EMPIRE/Atlantic/Staluppi so the prices will be the same INSANE amount.
I didn't know that. It looks like an odd connection. They are promoted as "Robert Chevrolet" with Robert Brown being the third generation owner. However, they are also listed as "Empire Chevrolet of Hicksville." Many of the "Empire Auto Group" referencing that location are coming up empty, while some work. Robert/Empire Hicksville is also NOT on the list of Empire Dealerships at https://www.shopempireauto.com
Is the Empire thing new?
I used to take my 2500 to Robert and was always happy with the service department. Last I looked, Robert was "only" charging a $7,500 ADM on C8s, with a 14+ month estimated wait.
I'll look into this further before I use Robert again. Empire and Atlantic are high up on my list of places to avoid. Thanks.
Yep have seen those comments as well since I started posting in 2007! Some dealers may put whatever on the warranty reimbursement slip but it MUST say customer complained of xxxx. GM does not give free alignments. A number of posts have validated that. Ask your dealer!
Semantics aside, we seem to agree.
If someone walks in and asks for a "free alignment" the answer is no.
If someone says the right phrase, or the dealer writes the right words on a form, then GM DOES give a "free" (warranty) alignment.
So you either have to know how to word the request, or have a dealer that will help you word it. If so, the work DOES fall under the warranty as indicated in the warranty booklet. I guess you could say that GM does not give free alignments. But you cannot deny that GM DOES provide alignments under the terms of the warranty.
If someone walks in and asks for a "free alignment" the answer is no.
If someone says the right phrase, or the dealer writes the right words on a form, then GM DOES give a "free" (warranty) alignment.
So you either have to know how to word the request, or have a dealer that will help you word it. If so, the work DOES fall under the warranty as indicated in the warranty booklet. I guess you could say that GM does not give free alignments. But you cannot deny that GM DOES provide alignments under the terms of the warranty.
As mentioned, you could say your pulls to one side or the other. However, if a tech doesn't observe it they may decline the alignment.
As I mentioned, all 4 of my tires were wearing slightly more on the inside. I wouldn't be surprised if people accurately checked their tire wear they would find at least one tire wearing unevenly.
If someone walks in and asks for a "free alignment" the answer is no.
If someone says the right phrase, or the dealer writes the right words on a form, then GM DOES give a "free" (warranty) alignment.
So you either have to know how to word the request, or have a dealer that will help you word it. If so, the work DOES fall under the warranty as indicated in the warranty booklet. I guess you could say that GM does not give free alignments. But you cannot deny that GM DOES provide alignments under the terms of the warranty.
As I have said on many posts, best you tell the "white lie" as dealer could get in trouble with their GM Area Service Manager who visits periodically IF GM calls with a service survey and you say, "OH, I just asked for a free alignment!" Reflects on what else they may be doing!
NOT semantics, it's who is telling a white lie. Have had folks say they will not lie (perhaps distant relatives of Geroge Washington!) In that case I have suggested then drive on a narrow rural road where the road camber is tapered to the edges for rain runoff. Let go on the steering wheel and it will pull slightly to the right!
As I have said on many posts, best you tell the "white lie" as dealer could get in trouble with their GM Area Service Manager who visits periodically IF GM calls with a service survey and you say, "OH, I just asked for a free alignment!" Reflects on what else they may be doing!
NOT semantics, it's who is telling a white lie. Have had folks say they will not lie (perhaps distant relatives of Geroge Washington!) In that case I have suggested then drive on a narrow rural road where the road camber is tapered to the edges for rain runoff. Let go on the steering wheel and it will pull slightly to the right!
I'm not interested in an alignment, free or otherwise, if the car doesn't need it. I don't see the point of telling a "white lite" just to get an unnecessary alignment. As I stated at the start of this thread, I declined a "fix" because I didn't notice any symptoms. I still feel the dealer was trying to pull a fast one.
What if the car DOES pull or exhibit some other symptom and the dealer legitimately determines the car needs an alignment? Then no one is lying, Are you still saying that this would NOT be covered as stated in the warranty docs? If the "white lie" gets the "free" alignment, then why wouldn't legitimate issues also be covered?
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Interesting he told you what to say! Reinforces GM does not give FREE Alignments!
