Challenger Ford car service deal

LLKB on 03/11/2011 - 13:19

Hey all..

I purchased a car service off a group buying site for $39 for a full car service & safety inspection from Challenger Ford etc back in August, which was supposedly valued at $279.
Only, this didnt include oil.
Which was fine I would pay for it..
I still thought it was a great deal - $39 for a car service and I needed one anyway.
Redeemed it in September, and got told I had to pay an extra $100 for oil and coolant (which is just water anyway).
So I payed it. Which turned out to be an average deal seeing as my mechanic would charge just over $100 for a car service.
(Don't know if anyone would actually pay the RRP of $279 + $100 for oil as a regular car service place but anyway!!)

On the coupon it says "while you wait", waited 3 hours for them to finish..
I asked them if they recommended anything be done to my car etc.. they said no..

Yesterday, my car broke down. Had to get it towed, took it to my mechanic, they say it needed a new fuel filter and the fuel pump is gone.
Shouldnt a fuel filter be included in a FULL car service that is supposed to be valued at $279?!
Also, my mechanic asked me when I last got it serviced, I told them September & they said "Really? They should have picked that up.."

Obviously they couldn't tell it had just been serviced which means Challenger Ford did a poor job.

Don't want to mention the group buying site because I don't think I'm entitled to a refund and don't feel it's really their fault?, I'm more pissed off at Challenger Ford and wanted to warn you all against them & was just wondering if anyone else bought this same deal and had any troubles or if it was just me?

Thanks :)

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  • h4lcyon on 03/11/2011 - 13:38
    +1

    $100 is steep for Oil and Coolant, although if it was fully synthetic that wouldn't be too bad.

    The Coolant is glycol mix that contains water, but is not just water (unless they were really lazy and just topped it up with water).

    Fuel filters are normally replaced at regular intervals, if it's a clear one then it's easy to tell if it's dirty, if it's a metal unit then the only way to tell is disconnect it.

    If the filter was clogged and your pump was shot you would most likely had other symptoms that they should have picked up.

    If your car has done a few k's they probably aren't servicing by the log book, and just to a basic check and sent you on your way, if your car is newer and they signed your log book you could try hitting them up.

  • LKB on 03/11/2011 - 14:01

    Oh thank you :)
    As you can see I'm not a total expert..!!

    Given that it was a full car service though I would have thought fuel filter would be included, or they would at least check it to see if it needed replacing..

    Its done less than 80,000k's.. is that considered new or not really?

    I didnt think they would be doing it by log book as they probably thought that with a voucher I would be a one off customer?
    Or is that not how it works?

    Thanks :)

    • voteoften on 07/11/2011 - 01:15
      +1

      For $379 (100+279), you would reckon they would check that stuff. Avoid these car deals. They all seem dodgy. Also avoid cleaners, carpet cleaners, car detailing, multi-hour beauty packages.

    • h4lcyon on 07/11/2011 - 12:57

      What voteoften said, I've tried a few of them and most are borderline OK, I always come away feeling like I should have done it myself, but I need the stamp in the log book.

      Good mechanics who look after their customers have plenty of work, unless they are just starting out.

      I understand the need to save money, but if you finding a good mechanic is akin to finding a good doctor after a while you know each other well and there should be no surprises! ;)

      • LKB on 07/11/2011 - 15:06

        Yes I agree.. Its hard because I'm young so I don't have a really stable relationship with my mechanic yet, as I haven't needed one many times.
        But I think I will stick with the one mechanic from now on!

  • LKB on 07/11/2011 - 12:13

    My mechanic got back to me and said my fan belt was gone too and would need to be replaced as it is squeaking, another thing a full car service should have at least noticed & notified me of!
    & I would have paid the $14 to change it or whatever :|

    So appauled… I am completely turned off by group deal websites and I have bought MANY before!

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