Car Service Dealer up-selling my Factory Recall

cameldownunder on 19/09/2017 - 15:22
Last edited 22/09/2017 - 13:05

I own a Kia Sportage, and received a letter from KIA that notified me that I need to bring the car to a dealer to get something checked/replaced.
I called the closest dealer, and made an appointment to drop-off the car today ( 19 Sep ).
Today I get up there, park the car, get welcomed, and asked to sign the paperwork.
Now here it becomes interesting, there were these items listed:
Wheel Balance and Rotation check $44
4 Point Wheel Alignment $99
On-Car Fuel Injector Service Clean $120
Power Steering Flush $120
A/C Anti bacteria Treatment $99
Throttle Body Clean $110
Safety Stop $20
Summing this up, I get $612 of work, to be done on the car.
Of course when I asked what this should be, the guy was quick in crossing it out. I did take a picture of it.

I did sign AFTER THE ADDITIONAL WORK WAS CROSSED OUT.

I am not happy on how the dealer tried to trick me in getting this work done, and potentially having to pay a bill of $600+
On top of that, when looking up "up-selling" on the internet, those were the items described most likely to be up-sold as they involved minimum work ( pour some liquid in here and some in there )

I did write to the dealer complaining about and did write to KIA itself too. No response so far.

Is there anything else I can do about, except for not taking my car to that dealer ( which I don't do anyway ), as I feel that the dealer tried to "defraud" me, and I have the strong inclination to report the dealer to some bodies or entities.

[Fraud: wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.]

Automotive

Comments

      • cameldownunder on 22/09/2017 - 12:55
        +1

        It is coherent, maybe not your style. I was not excited, but very very annoyed.

  • debo on 21/09/2017 - 22:38

    Last time I took my car for a service the dealer calls me "We noticed two of the tyres are getting close to safety marker - would you like the tyres replaced while the car is here…" NO like that ain't your core business! Speaking to mates sounds a bit common and a close enough to a scam to take advantage of people. Anyhow my tyres were fine / adequate and still on the car - and I'll deal with a tyre shop when I need a new set thanks.

    • cuppaciano on 21/09/2017 - 23:19

      Well you're assuming the worst here… Yes maybe they could be dodgy but also I believe they need to inspect your tyres as part of the service, which you have paid them to do.
      Calling it a scam is a bit melodramatic.

      • debo on 22/09/2017 - 10:28

        fair enough - checking tyres is part of the service - I have a feeling many may prematurely change tyres at a higher cost than at a tyre shop - ok for those happy to feel safe and pay for the convenience - that's why I'm calling it 'close to' a scam…cheers

        • cameldownunder on 22/09/2017 - 13:02

          I had the other car at another car service centre. The owner called me and said the tyres need replacement, as they are the original ones from 2004.
          Totally agree with it. He gives me a list of 4 possible tyres, and I cross reference them on-line. About the same price from other Tyre places. So I said go ahead.

  • gekiyasu on 22/09/2017 - 00:55
    +2

    Well done on avoiding being conned!
    What was in the original recall notice you received?

  • sleet on 22/09/2017 - 08:10

    Name and shame. Leave reviews on websites and help out the whole community.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 22/09/2017 - 09:00
    +1

    this happened to my mum about a year ago, she struggles with English and basically would agree to anything thats been advised to her at a dealership.

    She had enough sense though to call me first, I arrived at the stealership and ripped the "technician" a new one in front all the other customers.

  • solidussnake on 22/09/2017 - 09:00
    +3

    My mate had to quit Nissan as a Service manager, As he was told to add-in extra labor costs and adding notes saying they replaced this etc. when it didn't happen…

    • King Tightarse on 22/09/2017 - 09:28
      +1

      Back in the day, local garages would often put the old parts in the boot in the boxes of the new replacements to prove the work was done.
      Its a cowboy's paradise these day. All bullshit and theft. Hardly any honest people left in the game.

      • itstuan on 22/09/2017 - 13:50

        You can find honest mechanics in a poor beat down garage.
        I still bring my Mazda 6 to a local vietnamese mechanic and he charge a peanut compare to these dealers.

  • Wampus on 22/09/2017 - 09:28
    +3

    I took my old Santa Fe to Hyundai for a warranty issue, and they serviced it and charged me when I came to pick it up. Had a real battle with them as it had just recently been serviced somewhere else and wasn't due for one. In the end I said "show me where I've signed off on a service" and of course they couldn't so they begrudgingly "as a favour" let me drive away without paying.

    What's the old saying? If you buy a car privately you've got maybe a 50% chance that the seller is trying to rip you off. If you buy from a dealership it's 100% :)

  • itstuan on 22/09/2017 - 12:22

    You could have said no to them. Dealers always pull this trick to get money.
    But since you did agree and sign the paper. There isnt lots of hope to get out. I doubt Kia will issue an apology "sorry we carried out some work on your car, here's the money back"
    Maybe it helps you sleep better at night knowing your A/C is now bacteria free :)

    • ronnknee on 22/09/2017 - 18:23

      It helps to read the post properly before giving out advice.

      • itstuan on 25/09/2017 - 08:35

        How so?

        • ronnknee on 25/09/2017 - 09:22

          I did sign AFTER THE ADDITIONAL WORK WAS CROSSED OUT.

          I am not happy on how the dealer tried to trick me in getting this work done, and potentially having to pay a bill of $600+

          Meaning the work was not carried out and OP was not charged.

          Therefore, this is invalid:

          But since you did agree and sign the paper. There isnt lots of hope to get out. I doubt Kia will issue an apology "sorry we carried out some work on your car, here's the money back"

        • resisting the urge on 01/10/2017 - 14:40

          @ronnknee:Aww. @mcp2kpro you really nee to pay @ronnknee for having to use so much toilet paper.

  • greatlamp on 22/09/2017 - 14:03
    +2

    Name and Shame on google review

    If they can't work out what is an ethical way treat customers, then let the public decide

  • wannagrababargain on 22/09/2017 - 16:27
    +2

    Shocking. Keep up the noise with KIA OP. The dealership probably tries this on with every customer who comes in for the recall. Even at a 20% success rate it is a windfall for them.

    What annoys me also are places that nickle and dime you at time of invoice adding a bunch of $5 little crap like "Environmental Recovery charge", "spare rags", "Disposal"

  • Punda on 22/09/2017 - 20:06

    Actually took my Mazda in for airbag recall yesterday. I was thinking they'd pull something like this but didn't. They were SO busy fixing cars I don't think they had time to scratch themselves haha

  • Yolo LOLZ on 22/09/2017 - 21:17

    Good that u noticed, dealers are too dodgy. $110 for a throttle body clean? Im a mechanic and that job takes me 5 minutes. :/

  • lukeacjm on 27/09/2017 - 22:18

    Yep BMW tried this on my today with an airbag recall:

    Service advisor: "Because you are here already we can change your oil as well for a discounted price of $350"

    Me: "As you can see on your screen when you scanned in my key it was changed a month ago…. so no thanks"

    SA: smirks "yep fair enough"

    • King Tightarse on 28/09/2017 - 09:29

      "change your oil as well for a discounted price of $350"
      Some kind of joke by you? You know the price of 5 litres of oil and a filter, right?

      • lukeacjm on 28/09/2017 - 22:57
        +1

        I changed it a mates place (mechanic) for $90 (7.2l of fully synthetic oil and filter). I don't think I would use this on site and allow BMW to charge me that amount for an oil change

  • sandman87 on 30/09/2017 - 19:27

    What the heck is a safety stop? Do they drive your car, brake hard to see if the brakes work, then charge you $20??

    • resisting the urge on 01/10/2017 - 14:42

      Yes, quite literally. On the way to or from lunch…

  • AlienC on 05/10/2017 - 21:19

    So what was the cost after the cross out?

    I am curious to see how much they tried to pull over you before you called them out.

    • cameldownunder on 05/10/2017 - 22:42

      After I made the stealer cross out the "extras"? Nothing / Zero / nil.
      Was a factory recall.

      • AlienC on 06/10/2017 - 22:34
        +1

        Oh wow so they just tried to foot you with a $600+ bill out of nowhere for no reason? Without your consent.. what oh wow. Damn they really are sometimes immoral or unethical and sneaky.

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