3/27/2003

Warning: Car Dealer Service Can Be a Rip-Off

I brought my car to the dealer for the 7500 mile scheduled maintenance. I knew it was time because the dashboard display said: "Time for Scheduled Maintenance". This message was annoying so I gave in and took it for service. All it really consisted of was an oil change and then they checked about 12 other things, but didn't actually do anything to them--just checked them. The bill was $200! I could have taken it to Jiffy Lube or a service station for about $50. The itemized bill should have read:

Oil Change $25
Tire Rotation $25
Check a bunch of stuff $0
Turn off the Annoying Message $150