Maintenance Ripoff

[mazdadude]

This is exactly why I don't go to the dealer. I have an independent local shop that I trust do anything that I can't handle myself. They know me and sometimes I have to talk THEM into doing something that I want done saying "It's really not necessary...". LOL

Nice to find a shop like this!

 

[Dee0121]

It was Heritage Mazda in Catonsville. I had asked my son to bring in the car because my schedule has been busy.

That's concerning to hear. I bought my Mazda @ Heritage Mazda Towson (Lutherville-Timonium) and drive almost 2 hours to get service there as well, when needed. They have been great and I have never felt gouged or taken advantage of. They have never done any work on my car that I have not approved.

I would be as angry as you - I hope you get some resolution on this.

 

[finch204]

Most of these guys are on some sort of commission/incentive compensation package.
It's in their best interest to jack up the bill as much as possible. Just say no.
It's the same with these fast lube joints. They are just one long continuous sales pitch while your oil gets changed.

Exactly, just say no. Oil change and tire rotation, that's it. They can try to sell you more work to be done, but if you know what the car needs, that's all you need to let them work on. It is always good practice to check the maintenance schedule on the manual, prior to visiting the dealership service department.

 

[ceric]

I have services done at dealers for years.
You just need to be firm and arm yourself with coupons (available on mazdausa.com).
I had oil change done (synthetic) at $49. Could be a pricing mistake on their end, but I do not care.
They do push for this and that, but just ignore them. Be firm about what you want done. Nothing more.
I bought wipers and air filters online and DIY. Easy jobs, really.

Oil change and tire rotation only, most of the times.
On every 30K, I order transmission fluid change (for $128, they extract the fluid from torque converter).
For AWD, diff fluid change is optional on 30K also.
Everything else is .... not needed I would say, but your money, your call.

 

[onerpm]

I just cracked 30k on my 2014, and took it to the dealer for an oil change (because they gave me a dozen free ones when I bought the car).
Was amazed that they didn't try to push some kind of 30k service on me. It was a Saturday, when they tend to be light on mechanics.
Without fail, though, at every oil change, some salesman will find me and tell me they 'really' want to buy my car from me because they have 'so many' people looking for used CX-5s.
Yeah, right.

 

[GoFrogs]

Without fail, though, at every oil change, some salesman will find me and tell me they 'really' want to buy my car from me because they have 'so many' people looking for used CX-5s. Yeah, right.

The next time a salesman does this, tell them that you want DOUBLE book value, nothing less, and they can buy the car, as it wasn't for sale at that time, but going double book might make you change your mind. That will show you if they are serious or not if there is such a high demand for 'used' CX-5s.

 

[AllezDada]

OK, spoke with the service manager today about the situation, seemed like a reasonable guy. He agreed that the alignment was unnecessary, especially with me needing new tires in the near future. He said the differential/transfer case fluid changes were recommended although not required. He stated he did not want me to feel that the shop was piling things on to build up the charges; as it is he offered to refund the cost of the alignment, and did offer to refund the cost of the fluid changes (although he felt there was some benefit from the latter). He seemed sincere, so I took him up on the refund for the alignment but not for the the fluid changes.

 

[Anchorman]

OK, spoke with the service manager today about the situation, seemed like a reasonable guy. He agreed that the alignment was unnecessary, especially with me needing new tires in the near future. He said the differential/transfer case fluid changes were recommended although not required. He stated he did not want me to feel that the shop was piling things on to build up the charges; as it is he offered to refund the cost of the alignment, and did offer to refund the cost of the fluid changes (although he felt there was some benefit from the latter). He seemed sincere, so I took him up on the refund for the alignment but not for the the fluid changes.

I would say that is fair. Although there is no scheduled requirement for the gear oils unless they get contaminated, I would feel better with them done periodically. I’ll probably do mine very 2 or 3 years depending on mileage.

 

[Supercrewbear]

This is a good example of why dealerships offer "free oil changes for life" when they sell a new vehicle. It's simply a ploy to get you in the shop so they can try to sell you as many other services as possible. A friend bought a new pickup a couple years ago - he got the "free oil changes for life". During one of "free" oil changes (maybe even the first, I can't remember) when the truck was only a few months old, they tried to convince him he needed a brake job... He hasn't been back for any more "free" oil changes.

 

[Puyapim]

It sounds like a reasonable solution for you. Good to hear it worked out that way.

 

[yrwei52]

I have services done at dealers for years.
You just need to be firm and arm yourself with coupons (available on mazdausa.com).
I had oil change done (synthetic) at $49. Could be a pricing mistake on their end, but I do not care.
They do push for this and that, but just ignore them. Be firm about what you want done. Nothing more.
I bought wipers and air filters online and DIY. Easy jobs, really.

Oil change and tire rotation only, most of the times.
On every 30K, I order transmission fluid change (for $128, they extract the fluid from torque converter).
For AWD, diff fluid change is optional on 30K also.
Everything else is .... not needed I would say, but your money, your call.

Really would like to know how this can be done on the CX-5? (uhm)

 

[mazdadude]

Kudo's to a mutually beneficial outcome between reasonable and intelligent adults. (wiggle) (too bad it can't always be this way)