Big Island Toyota

[ishkabibble]

My comment on the service I recieved from Big Island Toyota (BIT)
I would like to take the opportunity to express my deep deep disappointment in this dealership. Once again this dealership has manage to continue to disappoint me for the service I have receive from BIT.I Took my truck to this dealership fo service on 4-21-2011 because the tire pressure and maintains require light would not go off after I put air in the tires.I explain this problem to the service clerk. The service clerk ask me when the last time I had the truck service. I told her I had the oil change at Lex Brodies in Pahoa back in febuary 2011. She stated the the machanic must have forgotten to reset the tire pressure sensor and that their might be a charge to reset the tire pressure sensor. Funny thing is the light was not on at the time of the oil change. What does a oil chang have to do with the tire pressure. This was the lamest excuse I have ever heard. At that moment I new I was in for another dog and pony show just like the first visit to BIT regarding the serge problem with my truck. When I pick up the truck LORD AND BEHOLD THE LOOK ON MY FACE THEN THEY CHARGE ME $29.11 CENT FOR PUTTIING AIR IN 5 TIRES. Service clerk explain the the spare tire was connected to the tire pressure sensor and the spare tire was low and that was the cause for the light to come on. They filled the 4 tires plus the spare tire to 32PSI and the light went and the sensor was reset.Had I filled ALL 5 tires I would have save myself $29.11 cents. The very ideal of charging customers $29.11 too put air in 5 tires is just unbelievable. I have been ripped off before but BIT takes first prize. Just wanted to warn Toyota customes about BIT poor service. And remember if your tire presurre light comes on make sure you check the spare before you go to the toyota dealership for service and save youself $29.11 cents. No longer a toyota customer. Good luck with your Toyota.

[Clayton]

Your lucky. The person I talked to at BIT told me that it would cost me $85 just to put up on a rack to look at the problem. The problem was solved when I took the truck in for a recall on the gas pedal.
I now have a short in the air bag system so the airbag light stays on all the time. Not only that but when I release the handbrake the brake light stays on until I pump the foot brake. I have given up on the computer system in Toyota vehicles. Wish I had bought a Ford

[sandflea]

While I completely understand your frustration with this, I think you may be a little to harsh to the dealership. A dealership's repair dept. bills on time, often with a minimum. Hourly rates can be anywhere from around 90 - 150/hour. They had to first figure out what was wrong with your tires and then fill them to the proper pressure. There was paperwork involved as well. It's not just paying to have the tires filled. Yes, you could have done it yourself, but you didn't know what the problem was. I do think people should be paid for their expertise.

[macuu222]

You think that's bad...I went to Ford last week for my 105,000 service which was suppose to be just an oil change....and left with a $1400.00 bill. They said my tires were below mininum tread and my rear breaks needed a complete overhaul.

[ishkabibble]

sandflea, I don't consider putting air in tires a repair, maitains yes. I'm sure it took maybe 10 minute at the most for an expert to figure out the problem from start to finish including paper work. I think something that minor does not justify a 29.11 bill. Most auto repair shop consider checking and filling the tires with air a complemary service. Not Big Island toyota.

[sandflea]

Ishkabible, I totally understand what you are saying and would 100% agree if you brought you car to a service station and they charged you to put air in the tires (remember when air was free?). It's usually a different story at a dealership. A gas station makes money on the gas they sell but the only real profit center for a dealer ship is the service department. Cars are often sold at 100.00 profit or break even. And, they didn't just fill your tires, they figured out what the problem was. While it does seem like an excessive amount to charge, it was probably done on a pro-rated hourly charge. I'm not saying you are wrong, just saying that there may be another point of view.

[ishkabibble]

sandflea, I did take to a service station, BIT service station. At that rate i could have gotten a half tank of gas. Dealership also make money on intrest rate on car loan which I believe is the main source of there income. Not just over priced services. Don't know when you last you priced car. I have notice a 2 or 3 thousand dollar increase over invoce price if not more. I think the 100.00 or break even is a little off. If you are right about the 100.00 over invoice price please let me know were I can get that kind of deal. If dealership are only making 100.00 on a vehicle I don't think they would be offering rebats of 2000.00 or more off.

[ishkabibble]

If they are only making 100.00 or less on the car they sell they must be selling alot of car to afford a very nice state of the art dealership.

[sandflea]

Ishkabible, The rebates come from the manufacturer and often come before new models come out. They want to clear all of last yeat's inventory. My profit figures came from a friend who used to own a Chrysler dealership. Dealerships almost always cost more byt you get techs trained on your car and hopefully original parts. If I put myself in your shoes, yes, I would be a bit miffed and would probably ask to see the service manager to have the charge lowered.

[ishkabibble]

sandflea, I know a coulpe of auto techs. People go to auto trade school to get trained in a rang of make and models. They pay for their own education and training to quilify for a job as a tech. Most dealerships require you have experiences in the type of auto they sell to cut cost. Sure dealership have some form of training, but I think it more geared to company procedure.