Hi there, I am a new member of Maxima.org. I discovered this Web site a few days ago after more than 6 years of driving a 97 Max. (WHAT A SHAME!!! ) I used to trust the services done by Nissan dealerships since they presumably know my car more than other auto repair stores even though it is more expensive. I believe in that every penny I spent in dealerships is worth. Well, everything has been changed in my mind after a BIG bill comes.

I bought my 97 Max with 22k in 99. (87k now) Since then, it runs perfectly. It never had major problems until last Thursday (01/07). I couldn't turn on the engine. At that moment, I was 90% sure that my starter needs to be replaced. (since I have replaced the battery in Fall 2003.) I towed my Max to the nearest dealership in Newark. (I just moved to Fremont 5 months ago. I used to bring my car to the dealership in Millbrae, CA or in San Diego, CA if I am in school. I finished school in Spring 2004) I received a phone call from the service manager at 8 am in the morning the day after. He said that the starter and spark plugs need to be replaced. The charge for replacing the starter is 419 dollars including the labor and 240 something for replacing the spark plugs. (I couldn't recall the exact price for replacing spark plugs) The grand total in my mind is around 700 dollars. I said "OK".

The service manager called me at around 1:20 pm in the early afternoon. He said that the car will be done by 2:30 pm. When I went to the cashier, the grand total came out to be 995 dollars. The service manager claimed that he saw the engine is dirty; therefore, he did some extra services and gave me favor by waiving the diagnoses fee (135 dollars). I was in a hurry to get my car back since I was in lunch break. I didn't argue with him. When my Max brought out from the garage, they don't even put plastic cover on the driving seat to protect the dirt. (Well, what else I can expect if the simplest thing was not done.)

I came back to the dealership on the following Monday (01/10). The service manager was not there. One of the service advisors told to me that the reason it came out to be so expensive was because it took *4.1 hours* to replace my air filter based on the notes recorded in the computer. (What a nice reason!) I said I need to talk to the higher manager.

The higher manager is a 40-ish lady. She is more helpful and willing to come out an agreement to my case. In the end, I got 323 dollars of reimbursement on the services that I didn't authorize. (The reimbursement hasn't posted in my account yet >.<)

I should have asked the service manager the *GRAND* total of the services before I hung up the phone. It is my fault, but I don't like his attitude. He should have explained clearly every single service that has done on my car.

I am just wondering is there any good dealership or good auto repair store in the Bay Area, CA that I can trust. After experiencing this bad service from the dealership, I have made up my mind to gain more knowledge of my Max and start to do simple maintenance on my own such as oil filter and brake pads replacements.

In the end, I have realized that *Knowledge is power*.

 

They are thieves. A new starter from online Nissan parts stores are $185. The dealer probably charged you $250 for the part alone. So they charged you $169 (est 2hrs labor) for essentially removing 2 easily accessible bolts and unplugging a socket? It doesn't take that long to remove the stock intake system for more work space, remove those 2 bolts, slide the starter out and replace w/ a new one and return everything back to place.

$240 for replacing 6 spark plugs?! 6 platinum spark plugs are probably $60 at the dealer. The Dealer shouldn't charge no more than 1hr labor. So it should be around $140 or so.

You need to go back and re-re negotiate your bill. You should get an additional refund for the 2 extra hours they charged. That is thievery on their part! C'mon! They tried to charge you 4 hours for undoing 4 clips and lifting the airbox cover up?!?!?!? Call Dateline or your local news media about this!

 

Get the Better Business Bureau involved too.

 

You could of had this done for $350 or so for all services.... Get the BBB involved, 4.1 hours to do an air filter

 

I stay away from the dealer as much as I can. Then again my car hasn't had any real problems.

 

*Follow up of My Story*

First, I really appreciate for your replies and invaluable information. VeeQueue, you are right. The dealership charged me 246 dollars for the starter alone and 172 dollars for the labor, which added up to 419.

Actually, I called Nissan Consumer Affair before I preceded the negotiation with the dealer on 01/10. One of the Nissan Consumer Affair reprehensive told me that each dealer is an independent business. The Nissan dealerships have no standard prices on their services. I figured out I would be weaker to argue the prices on labor than the services that I didn't authorized. (Actually, they charged me a Tune-up (304 dollars) for installing spark plugs and a basic level B service (188 dollars) for motor oil, filter oil, element AS, etc. I didn't mention in detail previously.) Therefore, when I talked to the higher manager, I just want those charges back even though I knew I could have got more back.

I called other dealerships in the same area (area code 510) afterwards. They have manual price which is 132 dollars for installing starter. (Uhm, I am an electrical engineer. I know how to calculate percent difference.) The labor cost I had, 172 dollars, is 30% higher than other dealerships. I KNEW the services done by dealerships are more expensive; I am willing to pay; however, I desire better services. At this point, I already lost the trust to the dealerships and their services. Next time, if I have time, I will try to do the maintenance that I can on my own. If I don't, I will compare the prices between different stores and dealerships.

I just checked my credit card account. The reimbursement has already posted to my account. It takes me more than 6 years to discover this Web site and myths of the dealerships. I won't get ripped off again. Well, it is hard to say that I won't get ripped off again. But I can ensure that I won't get ripped off by the SAME dealership.

Lastly, a special thank to the people who create and maintain this spectacular Web site and all the supporters who has the passion on their Nissan Maxima.

 

Stay away from the stealerships. People get so comfy believing that the dealership is the best and know what they'r doing because they are the manufact. of our cars. pick up a haynes manual and find the info here.

Never ever go back

 

Hey thats why i love working on my car. If you really wana save your self money, time and a headache do your self a favor and get a Nissan book and follow the step by step instruction. If you have any other questions feel free to read the FAQ and then ask, someone on the org should help. I hate deallerships. Its not hard to work on a car. My first time replacing the starter took about 1 hour to do. Good luck and welcome to the org.

 

sorry to hear they raped u like that...stick to DIY if u can help it, this site will prove invaluable

 

i agree this site they are so many people that know so much about these cars its great. i knew little about them till i came on here. now i do all the work that needs to be done on my car myself. i went a bought a haynes book best thing i ever bought for the car..i will never go back to the dealership again.. except to buy another car

 

Agreed. I just bought a used maxima and finding a forum like this was the first thing i did. Already learned a lot... now if only i could get 15 posts down so I can start a thread.

 

Was this at fremont magnussons? I hate that place - they are a total ripoff. Plus the manager, george yohana or something is a total ****. Definitely avoid them. Hayward does an okay job, but id recommend you go to Matthels shop in SSF.

 

Your a smart man, and thank you for indirectly thanking me.

 

you could have done this your self for about more then half less of the price you payed , It takes me 2 mins just to take out my whole air box , filter , Every thing , And spark plugs take you a few mins to install also , the starter could take up to an hour depending on how much a hurry your in .. I found out this stuff , By the same way you are now finding out people jipp you off in the automobile biss because they know you need your car , And you mostly wont argue , If you dont know much about cars..

 

True, I think almost everyone has been ripped off on something to do with their car. I know I have...

 

yup they tired to charge me 132 bucks when my check engine light game on. Then they told me that i needed to replace my oxygen sensors which a kit cost at least 350 bucks when my car only had 35k on it. Plus they put a hole in my dash which i still want to learn how to fix. I only go to them and ***** then the cows come home. They do stuff free for me now