I just came back from Meadowlands Nissan where I went to get an OIL CHANGE. The brake light was broken, I needed a new key, and an oil change. Nothing more.
I came away with a bill for $603.
I know I should have been suspicious that it was taking 3 1/2 hours for an oil change, and I know I should have reviewed the service sheet they gave me to sign more carefully, but I had been very specific that I wanted the oil change and no other service.
When I got the final bill I was shocked to see they had performed the 15K service on my car supposedly "at customer's request". If they had reviewed the past service records, they would have seen that I have already had the 5K, 10K, 15K all the way up to 50K services on this car that has less than 12,000 miles on it! I DID NOT NEED THE SERVICES they foisted on me. I just cannot believe they ripped me off for that much money. I never spent this much servicing my 17 year old Grand Am, and at least that had more than 12,000 miles on it.
These people are obviously predators who are building up their bottom line by selling services that are not needed by any deceptive means they can.
WissNX01
Indiana,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, December 01, 2010
I can agree that some dealers are shadier than others. However, I own two brand new cars, a Nissan and a Subaru. I make it explicitly clear what I want, and nothing more. The last time I had time with the Subaru in the dealer for an oil change, I explicitly asked for my tires to be rotated and authorized the air filter to be changed. Thats it. Also, I made it clear to come to me if it should need anything else.
So I mind my business and out comes the service manager, who also is a real jerk and isnt very friendly with my wife, the reason why I take it now. He wanted to authorize another 80 dollar cabin filter. Only had the car a few months, shoudnt need it. I told him no, and he said it was recommended. I made it clear if he brought it up again, I would be talking to the General Manager, and that was my decision.
My Nissan dealer is pretty good to us. My inlaws bought their van there, and I took my old Nissan there for service. I never have a problem. In your dealers defense, I can see where things went wrong.
You asked for a key and an oil change. You bring up the fact that a light was broken, but you dont elaborate. Key generally is around 150 for programming, and yes they need both keys. I had this done last month myself. Oil change is around 30 bucks or so.You should have been out of there for about 200. Now, if you said that the brake light was out, that may have been enough authorization legally for them. If the light was physically broken, the assemblies can be expensive even for a base Versa. I priced some for my car, and they came to around 250 for just the assembly, not counting install. I think you could provide more information, and I would suggest uploading the service invoice.
I must point out that I have a relationship with both dealers, as we are a small town, and my inlaws are fairly well known. I jumped on that wagon and it has been great. If this is a auto mall situation or something run by a large auto group, there is less reason for them to work with you.
Hope I can help.
Mary Ann
Lodi,#3Author of original report
Tue, November 30, 2010
Here's the real kicker though. Last week, I used that overpriced key for the first time. It screwed up my car so bad that it wouldn't start. I had to have the car towed to another Nissan dealer who told me that the key hadn't been programmed properly. They had to reprogram both keys and the car, and the charge was $125 - not covered by warranty, of course. So the damage to date from dealing with Meadowlands Nissan was $728 for the "bait & switch" service, the useless key, and repairs to fix the problems caused by the useless key. If this is the best they can do, they shouldn't even be in business.
Karl
Highlands Ranch,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, November 02, 2010
the related articles on the web, okay?