Transmission Maintenance

Hello Group,

I recently had the 60K mile maintenance done on my 2001 Accord. The
maintenance schedule calls for replacing the transmission filter and fluid,
which was done. My question to the dealer afterward was why? The
transmission had been replaced (one of those with a 'manufacturing defect)
at about 37,000 miles. Seems to me THIS transmission only had around 13,000
miles on it and wouldn't need the maintenance until round 97,000 miles (when
the transmission had 60K on it!). He says no, it needed it now.

Anyone else think I got ripped for the cost of this maintenance? The Dealer
had the records on the transmission replacement and should have known it was
newer than the rest of the car.

Any thoughts??

Thanks!

Mark

 

And you think he is going to tell you it doesn't need it.... Right, you got
took..

 

: Hello Group,
:
: I recently had the 60K mile maintenance done on my 2001 Accord. The
: maintenance schedule calls for replacing the transmission filter and
fluid,
: which was done. My question to the dealer afterward was why? The
: transmission had been replaced (one of those with a 'manufacturing defect)
: at about 37,000 miles. Seems to me THIS transmission only had around
13,000
: miles on it and wouldn't need the maintenance until round 97,000 miles
(when
: the transmission had 60K on it!). He says no, it needed it now.
:
: Anyone else think I got ripped for the cost of this maintenance? The
Dealer
: had the records on the transmission replacement and should have known it
was
: newer than the rest of the car.
:
: Any thoughts??
:
: Thanks!
:
: Mark
:
You didn't ask or approve what was going to be done beforehand? Did you tell
the dealer the transmission was much newer than the car, or did you just
assume he knew?

Not to be too nitpicky, but if you got the transmission at 37K and had the
work done at 60K, it had about 23,000 miles on it, not 13,000.

Paul

 

Honda trans filters are internal to the trans, not servicable during
maintenance, only on overhaul. Changing the fluid at 13K won't hurt
anything, but it could have waited.

 

I have a 2001 Accord too. What signs were there that the transmission was
defective and had to be replaced?

 

===================

Doing the math, or thinking outside the box are not high on your
dealer's list of priorities. It's you money, not his. He'll spend it as
he sees fit :-(

'Curly'

===================

 

Thats what you get for trusting Honda... sorry, no offence, but i think
Honda Canada and Honda Dealers in general leave A LOT to be dessired! As
far as I am concerned, when I get rid of my 04 civic it will not be soon
enough

 

Sorry bud, but yes you got ripped. I'd escalate through their
management, especialy if its a dealer. Honda Corporate pays attention
to these complaints, and their ratings get effected.

 

We received a notice from honda that there had been some failures and they
were extending the Warranty on the transmission. I don't recall the exact
details, but it's my wife's car and I don't drive it all that often. I
noticed one time when I did that it seemed to be making a low grinding kind
of noise. Still shifted OK, just a noise. We took it in and they agreed it
sounded like it was going bad, but didn't want to replace it at that point
since it was behaving OK, and we weren't getting the 'check engine' light
that was supposed to be the indication of a problem.

A few months passed and we suddenly started getting a blinking check engine
light, Took it in and the replaced it.

 

Thanks everybody, I agree - I was lax in not ensuring I understood exactly
what they would be doing. I let my guard down some since the dealer had
always been pretty much on the up-and-up with me to this point! I'll give
them another call and complain to the manager. Maybe I can get a free oil
change out of them!

 

I recently had the 60K mile maintenance done on my 2001 Accord. The
maintenance schedule calls for replacing the transmission filter and
fluid,which was done. My question to the dealer afterward was why?
The transmission had been replaced (one of those with a 'manufacturing
defect) at about 37,000 miles. Seems to me THIS transmission only had
around 13,000 miles on it and wouldn't need the maintenance until
round 97,000 miles (when the transmission had 60K on it!). He says
no, it needed it now. Anyone else think I got ripped for the cost of
this maintenance? The Dealer had the records on the transmission
replacement and should have known it was newer than the rest of the
car. Any thoughts??

I change my oil every 6k miles and pull the plug on the auto tranny at
every change thereby changing 3 of the 6-7 quarts in the trans. Cheap
insurance against a very expensive repair.

 

You should make enough stink due to you paid a ridiculous amount for
maintenance that they knew you didn't need and was done WAY before it was
scheduled.

If I was the manager and you asked for a simple no-brainer oil change, I'd
agree, no problem and laugh al the way to the bank with your cash. My guess
is that you paid in the hundreds of dollars for that maintenance, you should
recoup a good portion of that, or what they may like more, is ask for a
large amount back in the form of a credit to be used on your following
visits. It shows that you still like them and wish to continue business
with them. Plus the dealership will know that you will be coming back.

If you get shafted by the service manager, walk out front and ask to speak
with the dealership manager. If still not satisfied, give Honda corporate a
call/letter. If it comes to a letter, you might want to say that you will
be contacting the local TV news crew on how they scr#wed you. Bad publicity
is really unwanted. A lot of dealerships change names, have you noticed?
But the same people still work there. Probably they have so many complaints
or legal action against them, hence the name change. It shows a new
attitude to the public, but with the same old workers.

good luck!
Keith

 

Hey all,
I was recently screwed when purchasing a Honda Civic. I live in Central
Canada where it is often -30 C, and the car I purchased didn't have an
engine block heater.
Following is an excerpt of a letter I wrote to complain about how I was
treated, and the dealers response (just received yesterday). The Dealer
Principal's displeasure with how I was treated means a lot to me.
My advice is if you draft up a well-written letter & direct it to the Dealer
Principal, you'll get a response- if the place is worth their salt. I'll let
you all know how it turns out.
Here's the story; names have been changed, of course:

Dear Mr. Dealer:

By way of introduction, my name is Mr. John Doe, a loyal customer of yours
who has purchased two vehicles from your organization within the last ten
months, and four overall. You may recall an e-mail I sent you back in 2003
regarding the favourable sales transactions we had with one of your sales &
leasing consultants- Steve Doe.
As you may have noticed from my correspondence at that time, I believe in
making a note of positive business transactions whenever possible to
encourage those involved; I also believe we have a responsibility in
shedding light upon any short-comings that may arise, so that areas of
concern may be addressed & hopefully corrected.

I wish I had another good-news story to bring to your attention, but
unfortunately this is not the reason for my correspondence today. Instead, I
am writing to advise you about some grave concerns I have regarding what
transpired shortly after we purchased our second vehicle from your
establishment in 2003. I once again want to remind you that these concerns
come from a loyal customer who is concerned that the excellence with which I
was treated in the past might not continue into the future.

I purchased a red 2000 Civic Hatchback (earlier in 2003 we purchased an
Odyssey). As I mentioned, the sales transaction with Steve Doe when
purchasing the car went well, and I was satisfied with the price of the car,
as well as what I received on my trade-in.

A short time later, I noticed that there was no block heater on the Civic.
I considered this to be an oversight, and upon calling Steve, I trusted that
the matter would be promptly taken care of. During our conversation, Steve
said he would talk to his "manager" (Rick Doe?) to see what could be done.
Steve's response was, "John, we can put one in for you at 'cost.'" I asked
what cost was, and Steve replied, "About $75."

While I wasn't overly happy with this solution, I agreed- realizing that I
did purchase a used car and the responsibility ultimately lies with me to
ensure the car is equipped as expected (although in our climate I can't
imagine selling a vehicle without a block heater).

At any rate, having made this agreement I proceeded to make an appointment
with your Service Dept. to have a block heater installed.

Upon picking up the Civic following the installation, I was- to say the
least, shocked at what I was being asked to pay. Here are the details of the
transaction (copy of invoice attached):



· Block Heater- $73.90

· Install Block Heater- $142.40 <=

· Tax- $30.28

· Total- $246.58



Mr. Dealer, I don't believe that any reasonable person would consider what
I paid for this transaction to be the generally accepted definition of "at
cost." Furthermore I was quoted "about $75," there was no mention of an
additional $142 in labour. When I was presented with the invoice I expressed
my surprise to the service advisor, but as I was running late for a business
appointment, I paid the invoice, planning to follow up with Steve later.

The next day before contacting Steve, I decided I would place a "cold"
call to your service dept. to inquire what it would cost to have a block
heater installed on a 2000 Civic HB; I was quoted exactly what I had paid!

Irate, I immediately called Steve to tell him about the fiasco, and after
talking to his "manager" (Rick Doe?), Steve said all he could offer me as
compensation was four "complimentary" oil changes, instead of my money- MY
MONEY! (quotations added because they really aren't complimentary- I paid
for them!).

Mr. Dealer, what is going on here? What kind of business transactions are
these? As a businessman in our local community, I would NEVER dream of
treating my customers this way.

Sadly, the saga continues...

About four months went by when I still hadn't received anything from your
dealership stating that I was to receive 4 "complimentary" oil changes.
About ten days ago I called your dealership to ask for Steve Doe, when I was
informed that he was no longer affiliated with your dealership. I then left
a message for Rick Doe, and he returned my call- agreeing to send me
something in the mail for my oil changes. I reminded Rick about what had
transpired and told him that I did not believe that I was treated fairly,
and that any labour charges for the block heater installation should have
been promptly refunded. I told him of what Steve had promised- that I was
going to get a block heater at cost. Rick said that meant "sales cost."

Mr. Dealer, what does that mean? Rick explained that sales cost is what it
costs the company to sell one to a customer. Using this definition, I then
asked Rick if he informs all customers entering your dealership that they
can have any vehicle at cost; nonsense.

Again, I ask you: is this the generally accepted definition of "at cost?"
What is implied when quoting a customer a price "at cost?"

Nonetheless, Rick's explanation was still not consistent with what I had
been quoted: Steve told me that I was to get a block heater at cost, NOT
"sales cost." At this point it was becoming abundantly clear to me that I
had been lied to- pure and simple.

I told Rick about the cold call I made, saying that I paid the same price
as anyone off the street. Hearing this, Rick became very argumentative,
swore at me, and called me a "smart ass." Mr. Dealer, to say the least- Rick
Doe's words shocked me! In all my years as the customer in a business
transaction- professional or personal, I have never been treated this way.
This was certainly not what I had expected as a loyal, repeat customer of
your company, who in the last year has spent $40,000 at your dealership. I'
ve been treated better at a restaurant.

On Friday, Feb 13/04 I finally received my oil change certificates, but I
continue to be most displeased with how I was treated. I would like what I
deserve- my money.

I once again want to remind you Mr. Dealer, that I am informing you of
this as a customer who wants your company to remain the fine
customer-oriented establishment that it has been in the past. I am not
approaching you as some young 18 year-old kid that wants something for
nothing. No, rather I am a 36 year-old husband & father of four children,
and a professional businessman in our city, that wants to be treated fairly
& equitably, just as the customer ought to be.

How will you respond to how I was treated Mr. Dealer? As someone who is
well versed in the strategies of customer service, I see merely refunding my
$142.40 + applicable taxes to be the very bare minimum.

Mr. Dealer, from my observations there appears to be one root problem
here. Is it Steve Doe? Is it your service department? Or is it Rick Doe? As
Dealer Principal, I'll let you answer those probing questions.

Please contact me upon receipt of this e-mail to discuss this further. I
will also send a copy of my correspondence through the mail in hopes that
this reaches your office.



I look forward to hearing from you. Thank-you,

John Doe



=> Here's the Dealer's response:

HI JOHN DOE:

I JUST RETURNED FROM A TWO WEEK VACATION, I AM AS HORRIFIED AS YOU ARE, TO
FIND THAT A CUSTOMER OF OURS COULD BE TREATED SO POORLY.

I WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY IMMEDIATELY, I AGREE THAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM,

I WILL DEAL WITH MY INTERNAL ISSUES AND I WILL FURTHER DECIDE WHAT I MIGHT
DO, TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER DOING BUSINESS WITH US IN THE FUTURE.

I WILL CONTACT YOU NEXT WEEK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LETTER, AND YOUR EXTREME PATIENCE IN THIS
MATTER. I WILL CONTACT YOU NEXT WEEK.

YOURS TRULY,

MR DEALER

 

Gimme the stats; how much you want for it?
-chris

 

Thanks for the suggestion Steve.

By the way, Has anyone else noticed how many dealers are moving their
service and body shops AWAY from the showrooms? Several around here now do
all maintenance at a location away from the new cars. My bet it's so a
perspective customer can't see how many cars are in for repairs, or how bad
a model might have faired in a crash!

 

=====================

Wrong! It's because they need twice as much SPACE to make money
hand-over-fist TWICE as fast. Simple economics.

'Curly'

===================