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#1
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am I wrong here?
My 2003 VUE went in for inspection, with 50K miles on it. I 25,000
miles/year. I asked the manager to do his best to make sure I didn't see him for the next 25K. I also told him the front brakes felt like the rotors were warped, but only at turnpike speeds. He called and said the rotors were very badly warped. I said, "replace please." He said the tires would pass but they were not going to get another 25K. I said replace them. He said the tranny fluid should be drained and replaced at 50K, with Saturn's special fluid, for $100; I said, "do it." He recommended the alignment, and I didn't argure. Here's the bill: State Inspection $ 81.05 Front Rotors $ 324.36 Front tires $ 271.70 Wheel Alignment $ 105.79 Transmission Fluid Replaced $ 98.44 Rear Wiper refill and nut cap $ 21.67 plus State tax: $54 So I get the nealry $1,000 bill and say, "you replace the front brake pads?" He says, "because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". So now the mechanics are going home for the day, I have just used up a precious personal day to get all this done and won't have a chance to get the car in again for months. And now, I'm ****ed off. So the same pads that have been getting beat up by badly warped rotors are still in my car, even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them to replace anything close to kaput. I never argured or questioned the money. My conclusion is this: SATURN SERVICE IS OVERPRICED, AND NO ONE GIVES A CRAP ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE CUSTOMER'S BEST INTEREST. I'm guessing George Costanza was right, "take my car to a dealer? why don't I just flush my money down the toilet!" Scout |
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#2
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So I get the nearly $1,000 bill and say, "did you replace the front brake
pads?" He says, "no ,because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". |
#3
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Ummm...Yes George was right.
If you can't/won't/don't want to do the repairs yourself, find a good local independent guy and get him to do it. He will find good aftermarket parts, much cheaper than OEM, and his labour rate will probably be 20% lower at least. Just my $0.02 worth. R. "Scout" > wrote in message ... > My 2003 VUE went in for inspection, with 50K miles on it. I 25,000 > miles/year. I asked the manager to do his best to make sure I didn't see him > for the next 25K. I also told him the front brakes felt like the rotors were > warped, but only at turnpike speeds. > He called and said the rotors were very badly warped. I said, "replace > please." > He said the tires would pass but they were not going to get another 25K. I > said replace them. > He said the tranny fluid should be drained and replaced at 50K, with > Saturn's special fluid, for $100; I said, "do it." > He recommended the alignment, and I didn't argure. > Here's the bill: > State Inspection $ 81.05 > Front Rotors $ 324.36 > Front tires $ 271.70 > Wheel Alignment $ 105.79 > Transmission Fluid Replaced $ 98.44 > Rear Wiper refill and nut cap $ 21.67 > plus State tax: $54 > > So I get the nealry $1,000 bill and say, "you replace the front brake pads?" > He says, "because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". > So now the mechanics are going home for the day, I have just used up a > precious personal day to get all this done and won't have a chance to get > the car in again for months. And now, I'm ****ed off. > So the same pads that have been getting beat up by badly warped rotors are > still in my car, even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them to > replace anything close to kaput. I never argured or questioned the money. > My conclusion is this: SATURN SERVICE IS OVERPRICED, AND NO ONE GIVES A CRAP > ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE CUSTOMER'S BEST INTEREST. > > I'm guessing George Costanza was right, "take my car to a dealer? why don't > I just flush my money down the toilet!" > Scout > > > |
#4
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Yeah, you're right. I have the extended warranty though, and didn't want to
do anything to upset it. $1000 dollars for an inspection on a 2 year old - in warranty car seems high, and ironic. Still, I don't even mind paying when I believe the people I'm paying are looking out for me and doing quality work. Plus, since the VUE is being recalled, I had hoped they would do the work then. Of course, that would have been too easy, they don't have the parts they need yet for the recall work. After I picked up the car, and the bill, I realized that the labor charges were about $600 for 3-4 hours of labor, pretty steep. It made me think about the inefficiency of their service dept. When I walked in, 1 woman was sitting and knitting at the billing counter with nothing to do, the service writer was toying with his computer, the parts counter guy was chewing on a pencil. The only guy working was the mechanic, and he wasn't able to imagine new rotors might be a good time to replace brake pads. So 4 people got paid and still couldn't get it right. Scout "WTP07" > wrote in message ... > Ummm...Yes George was right. > > If you can't/won't/don't want to do the repairs yourself, > find a good local independent guy and get him to do it. He will find good > aftermarket parts, much cheaper than OEM, and his labour rate will > probably > be 20% lower at least. > > Just my $0.02 worth. > > R. > > > "Scout" > wrote in message > ... >> My 2003 VUE went in for inspection, with 50K miles on it. I 25,000 >> miles/year. I asked the manager to do his best to make sure I didn't see > him >> for the next 25K. I also told him the front brakes felt like the rotors > were >> warped, but only at turnpike speeds. >> He called and said the rotors were very badly warped. I said, "replace >> please." >> He said the tires would pass but they were not going to get another 25K. >> I >> said replace them. >> He said the tranny fluid should be drained and replaced at 50K, with >> Saturn's special fluid, for $100; I said, "do it." >> He recommended the alignment, and I didn't argure. >> Here's the bill: >> State Inspection $ 81.05 >> Front Rotors $ 324.36 >> Front tires $ 271.70 >> Wheel Alignment $ 105.79 >> Transmission Fluid Replaced $ 98.44 >> Rear Wiper refill and nut cap $ 21.67 >> plus State tax: $54 >> >> So I get the nealry $1,000 bill and say, "you replace the front brake > pads?" >> He says, "because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". >> So now the mechanics are going home for the day, I have just used up a >> precious personal day to get all this done and won't have a chance to get >> the car in again for months. And now, I'm ****ed off. >> So the same pads that have been getting beat up by badly warped rotors >> are >> still in my car, even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them to >> replace anything close to kaput. I never argured or questioned the money. >> My conclusion is this: SATURN SERVICE IS OVERPRICED, AND NO ONE GIVES A > CRAP >> ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE CUSTOMER'S BEST INTEREST. >> >> I'm guessing George Costanza was right, "take my car to a dealer? why > don't >> I just flush my money down the toilet!" >> Scout >> >> >> > > |
#5
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Sorry about your experience. It (the hassle) would have probably been
lessened if your schedule wasn't so tight. I have to use personal time too to get errands done and it's a bummer when something goes wrong. I'm in a large city and nothing is too far, it's just the time I'm always short of. And I used to do the same thing; get whatever the car needed and just pay the price. Honestly I think the service at my Saturn dealer was better than today. Today they seem a little leaner in their efforts - still nice folks, but nothing that says they're going 110%. Maybe it's just perception on my part. Since labor rates are about the same at the dealer and at a private shop, parts can be an area for savings. I did experiment with some aftermarket parts on my 97 SL2 with some good results. When I just now looked at some sport rotors for your Vue, they were only $219 pair - and about half that price for vanilla rotors from something like carparts.com. It was my experience if I just told the dealer "Ok" it felt like they didn't think I knew anything, and my visit there was just adding to their revenue stream. So I had to shift from passive mode to assertive mode and put in my two cents. I didn't have to argue, I just had to get involved (exactly the opposite of what I initially expected or wanted to do - now I sorta like it). I also took in parts purchased elsewhere and had them installed when I didn't want the OEM. It wasn't uncommon for me to have 4 new tires I bought from tirerack.com in the back seat, and then drive to the dealer for installation. Personally I always do pad/rotors together and I have warped my fair share. I don't care how much pad is left, they're cheap and I liked to try new or different formulations too. Typically you can swap or turn rotors and use the old pads, or get new pads and not turn or swap the rotors. Sorry for the long thread - basically no service type experience (from car repairs to vacation cruises) will get it right, the first time, all the time and every time. And all of them require specific input from the customer if you want specific results. You may even have to ask they repeat back to you what they think they heard you say or request. And if your radar goes up, start asking questions. "Scout" > wrote in message ... > My 2003 VUE went in for inspection, with 50K miles on it. I 25,000 > miles/year. I asked the manager to do his best to make sure I didn't see > him > for the next 25K. I also told him the front brakes felt like the rotors > were > warped, but only at turnpike speeds. > He called and said the rotors were very badly warped. I said, "replace > please." > He said the tires would pass but they were not going to get another 25K. I > said replace them. > He said the tranny fluid should be drained and replaced at 50K, with > Saturn's special fluid, for $100; I said, "do it." > He recommended the alignment, and I didn't argure. > Here's the bill: > State Inspection $ 81.05 > Front Rotors $ 324.36 > Front tires $ 271.70 > Wheel Alignment $ 105.79 > Transmission Fluid Replaced $ 98.44 > Rear Wiper refill and nut cap $ 21.67 > plus State tax: $54 > > So I get the nealry $1,000 bill and say, "you replace the front brake > pads?" > He says, "because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". > So now the mechanics are going home for the day, I have just used up a > precious personal day to get all this done and won't have a chance to get > the car in again for months. And now, I'm ****ed off. > So the same pads that have been getting beat up by badly warped rotors are > still in my car, even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them to > replace anything close to kaput. I never argured or questioned the money. > My conclusion is this: SATURN SERVICE IS OVERPRICED, AND NO ONE GIVES A > CRAP > ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE CUSTOMER'S BEST INTEREST. > > I'm guessing George Costanza was right, "take my car to a dealer? why > don't > I just flush my money down the toilet!" > Scout > > > |
#6
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Thanks for your input. All good points. I guess it's a learning experience.
I've done my own brakes and rotors in the past, but my situation these days doesn't lend itself well to tearing my car apart. I put both rotors and pads on my 97 SL2 for $155 (my labor). When he quoted me $324, I figured pads were an automatic. I paid $75 for both rotors 2 years ago, and even if I figure their cost at $100, that still leaves $224 for about an hours worth of labor. Ah well, I hope they spend the $$ well, it's the last they'll get from me. Scout "Jonnie Santos" > wrote in message news:L%g5d.297318$Lj.279128@fed1read03... > Sorry about your experience. It (the hassle) would have probably been > lessened if your schedule wasn't so tight. I have to use personal time > too to get errands done and it's a bummer when something goes wrong. I'm > in a large city and nothing is too far, it's just the time I'm always > short of. > > And I used to do the same thing; get whatever the car needed and just pay > the price. Honestly I think the service at my Saturn dealer was better > than today. Today they seem a little leaner in their efforts - still nice > folks, but nothing that says they're going 110%. Maybe it's just > perception on my part. > > Since labor rates are about the same at the dealer and at a private shop, > parts can be an area for savings. I did experiment with some aftermarket > parts on my 97 SL2 with some good results. When I just now looked at some > sport rotors for your Vue, they were only $219 pair - and about half that > price for vanilla rotors from something like carparts.com. > > It was my experience if I just told the dealer "Ok" it felt like they > didn't think I knew anything, and my visit there was just adding to their > revenue stream. So I had to shift from passive mode to assertive mode and > put in my two cents. I didn't have to argue, I just had to get involved > (exactly the opposite of what I initially expected or wanted to do - now I > sorta like it). I also took in parts purchased elsewhere and had them > installed when I didn't want the OEM. It wasn't uncommon for me to have 4 > new tires I bought from tirerack.com in the back seat, and then drive to > the dealer for installation. > > Personally I always do pad/rotors together and I have warped my fair > share. I don't care how much pad is left, they're cheap and I liked to try > new or different formulations too. Typically you can swap or turn rotors > and use the old pads, or get new pads and not turn or swap the rotors. > > Sorry for the long thread - basically no service type experience (from car > repairs to vacation cruises) will get it right, the first time, all the > time and every time. And all of them require specific input from the > customer if you want specific results. You may even have to ask they > repeat back to you what they think they heard you say or request. And if > your radar goes up, start asking questions. > > > > > "Scout" > wrote in message > ... >> My 2003 VUE went in for inspection, with 50K miles on it. I 25,000 >> miles/year. I asked the manager to do his best to make sure I didn't see >> him >> for the next 25K. I also told him the front brakes felt like the rotors >> were >> warped, but only at turnpike speeds. >> He called and said the rotors were very badly warped. I said, "replace >> please." >> He said the tires would pass but they were not going to get another 25K. >> I >> said replace them. >> He said the tranny fluid should be drained and replaced at 50K, with >> Saturn's special fluid, for $100; I said, "do it." >> He recommended the alignment, and I didn't argure. >> Here's the bill: >> State Inspection $ 81.05 >> Front Rotors $ 324.36 >> Front tires $ 271.70 >> Wheel Alignment $ 105.79 >> Transmission Fluid Replaced $ 98.44 >> Rear Wiper refill and nut cap $ 21.67 >> plus State tax: $54 >> >> So I get the nealry $1,000 bill and say, "you replace the front brake >> pads?" >> He says, "because they had 5/32" left, and passed inspection". >> So now the mechanics are going home for the day, I have just used up a >> precious personal day to get all this done and won't have a chance to get >> the car in again for months. And now, I'm ****ed off. >> So the same pads that have been getting beat up by badly warped rotors >> are >> still in my car, even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them to >> replace anything close to kaput. I never argured or questioned the money. >> My conclusion is this: SATURN SERVICE IS OVERPRICED, AND NO ONE GIVES A >> CRAP >> ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE CUSTOMER'S BEST INTEREST. >> >> I'm guessing George Costanza was right, "take my car to a dealer? why >> don't >> I just flush my money down the toilet!" >> Scout >> >> >> > > |
#8
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....yes, I priced them (front rotors) for his VUE. $219 a PAIR for the
Stillen's and $100 a PAIR for the Bendix. "Blah Blah" > wrote in message ... > You're 2003 Vue (A SUV) is not going to have the same rotors as your 97 > SL2 (A small car). OEM rotors for a Vue are around a $150 bucks EACH. > Saturn dealers do not buy aftermarket rotors. Pads should have been > replaced with rotors yes. Why in the world would they think that is an > acceptable practise is beyond me. Improper wear on brake pads means > improper wear on a new rotors. > You can buy aftermarket rotors for $20-$25 bucks each and American made > semi-metalic brake pads for about $30 from Wearever. Anymore OEM rotors > arent worth the hassle. Just buy china made ones and pitch them when you > need new brakes again. Dealerships have to much overhead to price things > fairly anymore. Middle men are the ones killing this country IMO. They > want to get rich selling parts, not making parts. I know OEM brake pads > from Delphi are sold at 4 dollars a pair to GM. Where they get the $80 > dollar price tag from stupefies me... > > In article >, > says... >> Thanks for your input. All good points. I guess it's a learning >> experience. >> I've done my own brakes and rotors in the past, but my situation these >> days >> doesn't lend itself well to tearing my car apart. I put both rotors and >> pads >> on my 97 SL2 for $155 (my labor). When he quoted me $324, I figured pads >> were an automatic. I paid $75 for both rotors 2 years ago, and even if I >> figure their cost at $100, that still leaves $224 for about an hours >> worth >> of labor. >> Ah well, I hope they spend the $$ well, it's the last they'll get from >> me. >> Scout >> >> >> "Jonnie Santos" > wrote in message >> news:L%g5d.297318$Lj.279128@fed1read03... >> > Sorry about your experience. It (the hassle) would have probably been >> > lessened if your schedule wasn't so tight. I have to use personal time >> > too to get errands done and it's a bummer when something goes wrong. >> > I'm >> > in a large city and nothing is too far, it's just the time I'm always >> > short of. >> > >> > And I used to do the same thing; get whatever the car needed and just >> > pay >> > the price. Honestly I think the service at my Saturn dealer was better >> > than today. Today they seem a little leaner in their efforts - still >> > nice >> > folks, but nothing that says they're going 110%. Maybe it's just >> > perception on my part. >> > >> > Since labor rates are about the same at the dealer and at a private >> > shop, >> > parts can be an area for savings. I did experiment with some >> > aftermarket >> > parts on my 97 SL2 with some good results. When I just now looked at >> > some >> > sport rotors for your Vue, they were only $219 pair - and about half >> > that >> > price for vanilla rotors from something like carparts.com. >> > >> > It was my experience if I just told the dealer "Ok" it felt like they >> > didn't think I knew anything, and my visit there was just adding to >> > their >> > revenue stream. So I had to shift from passive mode to assertive mode >> > and >> > put in my two cents. I didn't have to argue, I just had to get >> > involved >> > (exactly the opposite of what I initially expected or wanted to do - >> > now I >> > sorta like it). I also took in parts purchased elsewhere and had them >> > installed when I didn't want the OEM. It wasn't uncommon for me to >> > have 4 >> > new tires I bought from tirerack.com in the back seat, and then drive >> > to >> > the dealer for installation. >> > >> > Personally I always do pad/rotors together and I have warped my fair >> > share. I don't care how much pad is left, they're cheap and I liked to >> > try >> > new or different formulations too. Typically you can swap or turn >> > rotors >> > and use the old pads, or get new pads and not turn or swap the rotors. >> > >> > Sorry for the long thread - basically no service type experience (from >> > car >> > repairs to vacation cruises) will get it right, the first time, all the >> > time and every time. And all of them require specific input from the >> > customer if you want specific results. You may even have to ask they |
#9
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wow, that's an eye opener (parts prices).~
"Blah Blah" > wrote in message ... > You're 2003 Vue (A SUV) is not going to have the same rotors as your 97 > SL2 (A small car). OEM rotors for a Vue are around a $150 bucks EACH. > Saturn dealers do not buy aftermarket rotors. Pads should have been > replaced with rotors yes. Why in the world would they think that is an > acceptable practise is beyond me. Improper wear on brake pads means > improper wear on a new rotors. > You can buy aftermarket rotors for $20-$25 bucks each and American made > semi-metalic brake pads for about $30 from Wearever. Anymore OEM rotors > arent worth the hassle. Just buy china made ones and pitch them when you > need new brakes again. Dealerships have to much overhead to price things > fairly anymore. Middle men are the ones killing this country IMO. They > want to get rich selling parts, not making parts. I know OEM brake pads > from Delphi are sold at 4 dollars a pair to GM. Where they get the $80 > dollar price tag from stupefies me... > > In article >, > says... >> Thanks for your input. All good points. I guess it's a learning >> experience. >> I've done my own brakes and rotors in the past, but my situation these >> days >> doesn't lend itself well to tearing my car apart. I put both rotors and >> pads >> on my 97 SL2 for $155 (my labor). When he quoted me $324, I figured pads >> were an automatic. I paid $75 for both rotors 2 years ago, and even if I >> figure their cost at $100, that still leaves $224 for about an hours >> worth >> of labor. >> Ah well, I hope they spend the $$ well, it's the last they'll get from >> me. >> Scout >> >> >> "Jonnie Santos" > wrote in message >> news:L%g5d.297318$Lj.279128@fed1read03... >> > Sorry about your experience. It (the hassle) would have probably been >> > lessened if your schedule wasn't so tight. I have to use personal time >> > too to get errands done and it's a bummer when something goes wrong. >> > I'm >> > in a large city and nothing is too far, it's just the time I'm always >> > short of. >> > >> > And I used to do the same thing; get whatever the car needed and just >> > pay >> > the price. Honestly I think the service at my Saturn dealer was better >> > than today. Today they seem a little leaner in their efforts - still >> > nice >> > folks, but nothing that says they're going 110%. Maybe it's just >> > perception on my part. >> > >> > Since labor rates are about the same at the dealer and at a private >> > shop, >> > parts can be an area for savings. I did experiment with some >> > aftermarket >> > parts on my 97 SL2 with some good results. When I just now looked at >> > some >> > sport rotors for your Vue, they were only $219 pair - and about half >> > that >> > price for vanilla rotors from something like carparts.com. >> > >> > It was my experience if I just told the dealer "Ok" it felt like they >> > didn't think I knew anything, and my visit there was just adding to >> > their >> > revenue stream. So I had to shift from passive mode to assertive mode >> > and >> > put in my two cents. I didn't have to argue, I just had to get >> > involved >> > (exactly the opposite of what I initially expected or wanted to do - >> > now I >> > sorta like it). I also took in parts purchased elsewhere and had them >> > installed when I didn't want the OEM. It wasn't uncommon for me to >> > have 4 >> > new tires I bought from tirerack.com in the back seat, and then drive >> > to >> > the dealer for installation. >> > >> > Personally I always do pad/rotors together and I have warped my fair >> > share. I don't care how much pad is left, they're cheap and I liked to >> > try >> > new or different formulations too. Typically you can swap or turn >> > rotors >> > and use the old pads, or get new pads and not turn or swap the rotors. >> > >> > Sorry for the long thread - basically no service type experience (from >> > car >> > repairs to vacation cruises) will get it right, the first time, all the >> > time and every time. And all of them require specific input from the >> > customer if you want specific results. You may even have to ask they |
#10
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No since in spending so much on a wear item. Check rockauto.com
I cant find anyone else with Vue brakes yet. In article <2hp5d.297463$Lj.228997@fed1read03>, says... > ...yes, I priced them (front rotors) for his VUE. $219 a PAIR for the > Stillen's and $100 a PAIR for the Bendix. > > > "Blah Blah" > wrote in message > ... > > You're 2003 Vue (A SUV) is not going to have the same rotors as your 97 > > SL2 (A small car). OEM rotors for a Vue are around a $150 bucks EACH. > > Saturn dealers do not buy aftermarket rotors. Pads should have been > > replaced with rotors yes. Why in the world would they think that is an > > acceptable practise is beyond me. Improper wear on brake pads means > > improper wear on a new rotors. > > You can buy aftermarket rotors for $20-$25 bucks each and American made > > semi-metalic brake pads for about $30 from Wearever. Anymore OEM rotors > > arent worth the hassle. Just buy china made ones and pitch them when you > > need new brakes again. Dealerships have to much overhead to price things > > fairly anymore. Middle men are the ones killing this country IMO. They > > want to get rich selling parts, not making parts. I know OEM brake pads > > from Delphi are sold at 4 dollars a pair to GM. Where they get the $80 > > dollar price tag from stupefies me... > > |
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