Shellworth Chevrolet ripoff mistreated and ripped off Vacaville California
I had a antifreeze leak in my 1997 Chevrolet pickup and having an extended warranty I took it in for service at my local Chevrolet dealer thinking that it would get good service there.
After finding out that my extended warranty with C.A.R.S. extended warranty would only cover 65.00 for labor and that the dealer was charging 91.00 for labor I became a little concerned. I also found out that they will npt pay for diaganostic time or for any sales tax or for any sealants used for the job.
I was to pay out of a 462.00 job they would pay for approx. 150.00 for the repairs after my 100.00 deductible and after two days of waiting for them to okay the claim until the truck could be worked on.
After they o.k.ed the job with me paying the for the majorty of the work I was told by the shop that my intake manifold had several pits in it and had to be replaced to the tune of 631.00 dollars. After waiting another day for the insurance company on the additional repairs I was informed on the fourth day in the shop that C.A.R.S. had only authorized 150.00 for a used intake manifold from a shoip in Texas. Shellworth Chevrolet then informed me that they would not use any used part or any part that did not come from them in the repair of my vehicle.
After checking on prices for an intake manifold I found out that not only was this dealer the highest priced dealer in the area for car repair but his markup on parts was over 50% higher that the same part if purchased by another shop. I was told that they would not use parts from anybody else because they could not warranty them. I told John, the service writer, that he did nopt have to warranty any parts just the labor on the gaskets that he was installing.
I belive that Shellworth Chevrolet does not care about a used part but wants to screw customers after there car has been taken apart and are unable to take the car to another shop[ that does not have a problem with using used parts but they only want to soak people for the most money. I even offered to buy the G.M. part and bring it in and he stated that they would not install it if not bought from them.
Charles
Vacaville, California
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Dave
Napa,California,
U.S.A.
Unfounded criticism .. I can understand the car owners frustration, but I certainly can't fault the dealer
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, July 14, 2003
In some respects I can understand the car owners frustration, but I certainly can't fault the dealer for not installing used parts from Texas or other parts that they don't know about. California is a difficult state in which to do business and even though you agree that there is no warranty, in many cases there is when it comes to cars. I have taken my Oldsmobile to a local dealer many times knowing that I'll recieve only OEM parts and pay more for the priveledge, but I never had to have the same problem repaired twice. You did the right thing, you found someone willing to offer the service you wanted, one of the benchmarks of capitalism.
Charles
Vacaville,California,
U.S.A.
after the factory warranty is over expect to pay dearly
#5Author of original report
Mon, February 03, 2003
I did have a contract with the warranty company and after calling a few GM dealerships in the area I was told that they will use any parts that the customer wants but will not warranty the part, only the labor to install the part.
I have no problem with that and I make sure that the shop that works on my truck has no problem with that policy. If the part was not available from the manufacturer, like a lot of parts are, I guess the dealership would have to either buy a used part or could not fix your vehicle.
There is no policy stated in the dealership that states only parts from THIS dealership can be used to fix your vehicle. If this was true everywhere there would be no aftermarket parts available and the only parts would be oem parts. A lot of car insurance companies also state that used parts must be used whenever possible but I guess that most people don't read there car policies to see what parts will be used on there cars if they get wrecked.
I have even talked to the manager of this business and was told if I don't like the way business is done to go elsewhere.I guess the moral of the story is just because you take your car to a GM dealership after the factory warranty is over expect to pay dearly for it and ask what parts they will use.
I now take my truck to a dealership that is 35 miles away from me and get better service at a better price. And yes, they do use used parts if that is what the customer wants. I will be buying my next car from them even though I have been told that I should buy local I refuse to give any business to this dealer.
Sandi
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Read before you buy
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, January 30, 2003
I have to agree with Joe (and no, I don't work for the dealership or the warranty company). You signed a contract, so you agreed to abide by the terms laid out in the contract. If you didn't understand something, you should have clarified it before signing and paying for the contract. Extended warranties are offered by a lot of different companies, all with varying coverage and policies.
I also have to agree with the dealership for not wanting to install used parts. Very rarely will a dealership install used parts, because if something goes wrong, they'll be expected to fix it.
Joe
Vacaville,California,
U.S.A.
rebuttal
#5UPDATE Employee
Wed, January 29, 2003
mr. charles' real beef is between his warranty company and/or his original selling dealer. we have no relationship with either. to castigate the messenger is inappropriate. any shop has the obligation to install parts that they can guaranty. a "used intake manifold from texas" is not going to happen at a quality repair shop. we will only guaranty a job in which we control the process. make sense?