[jetcapt]

Went to Goodyear Tire on 441 for an oil change on a 2 year old vehicle. After about 45 minutes, I went to see what was taking so long. I saw they had removed all the wheels from the car and appeared to be doing work on the vehicle's rear suspension. I asked why they removed the tires to do an oil change, and what was the service man doing under the rear of the car. I was told they perform a 'vehicle inspection' on all the car's systems. I said I only wanted an oil change, not a dis-assembly of the car, and an oil change should 10-20 minutes, not over an hour. After an hour and 10 minutes the 'service man' came and out and in a dire voice stated that my front tires were 'almost' worn out and 'maybe' I should have an alignment (the car has 22000 miles). I said I only wanted an oil change.

Oh, and while I was waiting in the customer area, EVERY customer waiting was approached and told they should have work done that they did not come in for, ie. air filters, windshield wipers, etc..

What a scam they are running! Imagine elderly customers who may be scared into spending money for unnecessary work. Beware if you go there. You now know what to expect.

[BogeyBoy]

Seems like this goes on everywhere these days.

Typical work they recommend:

New air filter.

New fuel filter.

Transmission flush and service.

Cooling system flush.

Differential needs service.

Seems like every time they will come up with something you need. Pull your service manual out of your glove box and review it before the next oil change. When they recommend a transmission flush at 30,000 miles, ask them why the manual recommends it at 60,000, 75,000, or whatever.

[paulandjean]

I agree, had same problems at these stations.you have to be very careful.I also caught once auto service repair for $2000,00 that was not covered under warranty, guess what,it was. they tried to double dip me.Stay away,beware of Ocala Ford of Bellview.Took ford dealership in michigan to prove my case.I still had michigan plates on my car when this happened, and I think they look for this. again Ford of Ocala in bellview,beware.

[zcaveman]

I went to Bill Bryan Dodge in Leesburg for my normal oil change service and asked them to do the radiator flush. They said that they do that at the 30,000 mark. I said okay. At the 30,000 mark they presented me with a $1500 estimated bill for all the services that said I needed. I said I cannot afford that and to tell me which were the five most important. I picked two of them and scheduled the rest of the ones that I thought important at my convenience.

Never let them pressure you into something you do not want. Then check the warranty book for a guide to what you really need.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by BogeyBoy

Seems like this goes on everywhere these days.

Typical work they recommend:

New air filter.

New fuel filter.

Transmission flush and service.

Cooling system flush.

Differential needs service.

Seems like every time they will come up with something you need. Pull your service manual out of your glove box and review it before the next oil change. When they recommend a transmission flush at 30,000 miles, ask them why the manual recommends it at 60,000, 75,000, or whatever.

They'd have a tough time flushing the transmission on our Prius. It's a sealed unit and from what I have been told, never needs servicing.

[l2ridehd]

They must train this in their management classes. The same thing happens at two of their stores in VA. Go there for one thing and they want to do 5 things and make you think they are the good guys for checking your car for everything. It's a calculated rip off. I stopped going there for that reason.

[bluedog103]

I took my company car to a Jiffy Lube in Rockland County, NY for an oil change. The car had just over 8000 miles on it. The guy came out of the work area and told me I needed a new PCV valve. I asked if he had actually checked the valve. He assured me he had. I then asked him to show me the defective valve. We walked back to the car it was almost comical to watch. He had no idea where the PCV valve was located. This was, of course, the same valve he'd just checked and found to be defective.
Never be afraid to ask questions.

[BlueHeronFan]

Back in the early 90's I went to a Goodyear service for a Pennsylvania yearly inspection on my Fiero GT. They told me I needed a new emergency brake cable.

I told them, that's funny, because I just had it replaced (true) last week. While he was studdering for an answer, I told them to take the car off the rack, and I would take it elsewhere for service. They lost a customer, and later, I read that they had been busted during an undercover service check.

[batman911]

I believe the best solution to all this is to change the oil in the vehicle yourself. Total cost for good quality oil and filter is about $20. Higher quality synthetic oil and filter maybe $35 depending on the size of the engine. I simply will not allow a bunch of high schoold drop outs to monkey around with my vehicles. The mechanics at the dealer are better trained.

What they give you is called the up sell. It's the same pitch you get at the fast food place. "Would you like fries and a drink with that burger?"

[yorkmaine]

I had a similar situation at the local Subaru (highway robbers) dealer. They all just can't give you what you want. Just want to empty your pockets. I get good service at Walmart.

[BogeyBoy]

I do want to add that Goodyear Tire in Lady Lake put new tires on my RV. They had to order the tires, then we arranged a time when the RV would cause the least hassle with other customers. I was please with the job the did. No "upselling" on that visit - but did you know that each tire takes $83 of air?

[K9-Lovers]

That's some expensive air.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by K9-Lovers

That's some expensive air.

Imported, he didn't say where from, I'd like to think the Swiss Alps.

He's selling me some muffler bearings next week, chrome plated.

[redwitch]

Nice to hear GoodYear practices are same on the East Coast as the West. Went to them once for an oil change -- they told me I needed an alignment and a new muffler and had an oil leak starting, so probably needed a new head gasket. Um, no. I refused to pay for the oil change since they had dismantled my car. It took the police department to get my car released to me (I called, not them). So, guess it is a GoodYear policy to try to get people to pay for more services than needed. What a shame because they do make a decent tire.

[hanger1]

take your car to sumter tire. in wildwood .see larry very honest man...