Honda of Ocala - bait and cram
 

Received my invitation in the mail to save on service. 15% off for Saturday service.

Got a verbal phone quote from 'service writer' and made an appointment, and mentioned my coupon.

When I got there, the reception "ticket writer" said sign here. I told her that is twice as much as guy on the phone told me, but I also noticed it was for "diagnostics" no mention of the single issue I went in for.

Oh, and by the way I told the original guy I had a 15% off coupon.
Received a smirk* - not worth the postcard it is written on.

Q. So will the diagnostics include fixing the problem?
ans: "No!"
Q. So how much more to fix the problem?
ans: "We can't tell you that until after the diagnostics."

So you want a blank check?
I walked in a huff. First and last trip there. Two gallons of gas, and three hours round-trip.
One strike and you are out ! Maybe my last Honda.

* smirk Non-verbal language translation:
"You are stupid, stupid, stupid."
from the movie Rain Man - Oscar for Dustin Hoffman, another award for Tom Cruise.

I don’t go to dealers...for anything except free ice cream in the lounge/waiting area! If it’s under warranty, different story. I would patronize a local mechanic and build a relationship there. Guarantee the shop rate is cheaper and most times they are more knowledgeable.

Agreed completely

Don't you just love that, 15% off this, 20% of that?

% off on WHAT?

The Toyota dealerships pulls the same shlt.
Once they got you in the door...:boom:

I miss the days when you got to talk to the wrench that worked on your ride
about what was repaired and why.

Another one is walking up to some young slick service writer behind a desk,
takes your keys, drives your car behind close doors for a hour or so. :cry:

Most franchise stealerships do that. They are legalized dens of thieves.

About 10 years ago I went into a Toyota dealership for a recall. Walked out with a $3000 estimate for repairs. I worked in garages years ago and know my basic mechanics. Not one of the items estimated needed repair. Not one! They even told me my gas tank was gonna fall off because the straps were corroded. I went under the car and they were shiny new stainless. Never been to a dealer for anything but a recall since then.

///

I get that crap all time also from them I just trash it, especially from that place that couldn’t even change oil correctly in my Honda so I do it myself.

IMO salespeople are worst. :shocked:

Dealerships (most) have multi-million dollar buildings to pay for so they “up charge” as much as possible to pay for their brick and mortar properties. That said, others in the automotive service business do the same. What can you do? Educate yourself and be specific with these businesses exactly what you want done on your vehicle. Otherwise, expect to pay for automotive service that at “best”not needed. Finally, many pay for expensive warranty polices that are just short of scams. Best to avoid those too.

Thanks for the condolences, maybe someone can direct me to help.
One TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor died (battery powered).
Bought 4 new Genuine Honda sensors on-line from a Honda dealer (12-year-old car - just a matter of time before more sensors die).
Had them installed at Tires Plus in Leesburg. Good Job !
They tested and found one bad sensor, but all the new ones were transmitting. Read them, but could not program the new sensor numbers into the Control Unit thru the OBD port.

Called 6 independent shops in the area. Three said - not us. Three said - DEALER.
Since bent over in Ocala, researched a Honda manual, says the programming is done with a ATEC VT65.
While this is not a Honda only item, it is quite expensive. Not worth it for most shops.

Any referrals or ideas would be greatly appreciated.


misc: on these genuine Honda sensors, the old sensor numbers cannot be cloned onto the new ones.
(too bad I didn't learn that earlier - aftermarket ones can) Thanks Honda. Then voila, no programming of the control unit.

Sounds like Honda should not be your next choice in vehicles ;)

This is my 8th Honda, and I've had several Toyotas and Mazdas.
Probably love this one the most.

Yes, I avoid dealers and I've been very lucky to need them very little.
But this dealer? A disgrace to Honda.

They don't change....but you know they read this stuff so kudos to you for the consumer call out

I love my CRV, but not the local dealers. I understand Honda Headquarters in Clermont is the best place.

Check tire pressure every two weeks until you see pattern if you have slow leaking tire. Then you can maybe do it once month like suppose to. Put piece tape over the lite idiot light on dash. :faint: