Pleasently surprised with local Ford Dealer

[redhat]

Recently visited my local Ford dealer, Basil Ford on Walden Ave. in Cheektowaga, NY. My driver-side puddle light was coming out of my mirror. A service writer looked over the car and generated a RO to get the light swapped out.

I went over to the parts counter and inquired about some new wiper blades. I know that I can get plenty of blades online, at the parts store, etc. I ended up leaving with two Motorcraft Premium blades -- they look almost like a Bosch icon for about $13.50 a piece. I was pleased with the price. Also grabbed a gallon of Motorcraft Orange coolant 50/50 pre-mix. That was also about $13-14. I've bought pre-mix all-makes all-models at Advance/Autozone for the same if not more.

After installing the blades, I am pleased with their performance. I know from previous vehicles years back, a set of Bosch Icons can be much more expensive without any rebates or deals.

Also worth noting, the parts counter was BUSY with 3-4 guys on the phone with what I would expect were other dealers, indy shops, customers, etc. Must mean this place does some business. It was very convenient and a pleasant experience having the right parts, available upon walk-in, competitive pricing and nice, knowledgeable and FRIENDLY parts folks.

So perhaps don't forget to check your local dealer for maintenance items. This is definitely a YMMV thing, but I think I'll start inquiring about other maintenance items -- if the prices are good, my time is worth more than searching high and low for the extra $.50 off.

 

[SirTanon]

My local Ford dealer (Jones Ford, Buckeye AZ) also has a very nice parts counter with good prices.

 

[dogememe]

The auto parts store I work for just added two new wipers to the lineup available in store... Bosch Focus and Trico Titan. You know what's hilarious? THEY'RE ALMOST $30 APIECE! Yes, that's about $50-60 for a set of wipers. I haven't had the best luck with Bosch wipers in the past but I'll probably try the Trico Titan just because they are made in the USA... but I'm gonna have to save up for them, even at my discounted price. LOL!

But seriously, people come in, "I want the absolute best ones you have!" "Um, ok, they're $28 each..." "Great, can you install them for me?" "Sure..." I have that conversation every day. It's shocking to me. I've personally run Trico Rainguards in the past which cost like $4 to shops and cost me even less and they work fine. I can't imagine spending that much on a set of wipers!

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted by dogememe
The auto parts store I work for just added two new wipers to the lineup available in store... Bosch Focus and Trico Titan. You know what's hilarious? THEY'RE ALMOST $30 APIECE! Yes, that's about $50-60 for a set of wipers. I haven't had the best luck with Bosch wipers in the past but I'll probably try the Trico Titan just because they are made in the USA... but I'm gonna have to save up for them, even at my discounted price. LOL!

But seriously, people come in, "I want the absolute best ones you have!" "Um, ok, they're $28 each..." "Great, can you install them for me?" "Sure..." I have that conversation every day. It's shocking to me. I've personally run Trico Rainguards in the past which cost like $4 to shops and cost me even less and they work fine. I can't imagine spending that much on a set of wipers!


Couldn't agree more. I used to religiously use the Honda OE wiper refills at about $13 for a set of rubbers. Walmart's cheap $4 wipers don't do too bad either. I've put them on a lot of GMs.

I have to be selective with my wipers as I have the Push-tab style (thanks Ford!). FWIW, the Motorcraft Premium ones I bought did have multi-adapters to install on just about any vehicle.

 

[dave1251]

I am happy to hear about your satisfaction. It is refreshing to read about a good story here.

 

[SevenBizzos]

YMMV indeed. The dealer closest to me is a disaster and are a bunch of holes. The one just 2 miles farther away (in another direction) are some of the nicest and professional people in the business (I know, the bar is overall low). It's night and day difference.

 

[JC1]

$30 for one wiper?? Talk about wiping your wallet clean. I'll stick with the Michelin's from Costco under $10 each.

 

[Food Scientist]

Originally Posted by JC1
$30 for one wiper?? Talk about wiping your wallet clean. I'll stick with the Michelin's from Costco under $10 each.

His post said $13.50 each, not $30.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted by SVTCobra
Originally Posted by JC1
$30 for one wiper?? Talk about wiping your wallet clean. I'll stick with the Michelin's from Costco under $10 each.

His post said $13.50 each, not $30.


Originally Posted by dogememe
The auto parts store I work for just added two new wipers to the lineup available in store... Bosch Focus and Trico Titan. You know what's hilarious? THEY'RE ALMOST $30 APIECE! Yes, that's about $50-60 for a set of wipers. I haven't had the best luck with Bosch wipers in the past but I'll probably try the Trico Titan just because they are made in the USA... but I'm gonna have to save up for them, even at my discounted price. LOL!

But seriously, people come in, "I want the absolute best ones you have!" "Um, ok, they're $28 each..." "Great, can you install them for me?" "Sure..." I have that conversation every day. It's shocking to me. I've personally run Trico Rainguards in the past which cost like $4 to shops and cost me even less and they work fine. I can't imagine spending that much on a set of wipers!



I was referring to this post....

 

[Hall]

A local Ford dealer normally has a coupon available for the Motorcraft premium blades. I replaced the blades on our Fusion with them and it was around $11/each. Just looking, they have a coupon up currently - $19.95 for the pair. They are excellent blades too.

 

[Colt45ws]

Yeah, my local Ford dealer was great until they got bought by a localish congolmeration that has been buying every dealership in the area. Then their parts prices went up 50-75% making it not worth it when before they were competitive with online Ford parts offerings once you counted shipping. Ive talked to a few people in the area who have also come to the same conclusion.

 

[mclasser]

Glad you had a nice experience

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted by JC1
$30 for one wiper?? Talk about wiping your wallet clean. I'll stick with the Michelin's from Costco under $10 each.


Check this out, they claim to be so special and amazing with Clearmax 365 blah blah blah: https://www.boschautoparts.com/en/auto/wiper-blades/focus-windshield-wipers

Well the Icons have had the same thing for years... so it just seems like a money grab.

That said, I find Michelin and Goodyear wipers to SUCK.

 

[earlyre]

our local ford quoted my uncle $25/ea for wipers on his MKX. it was the straw that broke him. the last couple times he's taken it in for "the works" oil change package($39.99)they stretched it out to a full hour, and it ended up charging him over $100.
he's going back to the local Valvoline Instant place for oil changes, and local indie for other stuff.
he's not even going to take his '17 continental back to them. if it needs warranty work, he's got another ford dealer picked out with a great reputation.

now this is second hand info, i've not seen the invoices, etc, but...

btw: Raabe Ford, Delphos Ohio.

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted by earlyre
our local ford quoted my uncle $25/ea for wipers on his MKX. it was the straw that broke him. the last couple times he's taken it in for "the works" oil change package($39.99)they stretched it out to a full hour, and it ended up charging him over $100.
he's going back to the local Valvoline Instant place for oil changes, and local indie for other stuff.
he's not even going to take his '17 continental back to them. if it needs warranty work, he's got another ford dealer picked out with a great reputation.

now this is second hand info, i've not seen the invoices, etc, but...

btw: Raabe Ford, Delphos Ohio.


I have nothing against Valvoline Instant Oil Change but their prices are nuts. $50 for conventional, $70 for synthetic blend, and $100 for full synthetic. And that's assuming it only takes five quarts...

 

[GrtArtiste]

My experience with Ford is this: If you have a good dealer, you will probably have an above-average experience with the car and with corporate. If you have a bad dealer...nothing will help you and you'd be better off with something that is not a Ford product. It's up to you if you choose to roll the dice.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted by Colt45ws
Yeah, my local Ford dealer was great until they got bought by a localish congolmeration that has been buying every dealership in the area. Then their parts prices went up 50-75% making it not worth it when before they were competitive with online Ford parts offerings once you counted shipping. Ive talked to a few people in the area who have also come to the same conclusion.

That's the trend for mega dealerships like AutoNation.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted by dogememe
Originally Posted by earlyre
our local ford quoted my uncle $25/ea for wipers on his MKX. it was the straw that broke him. the last couple times he's taken it in for "the works" oil change package($39.99)they stretched it out to a full hour, and it ended up charging him over $100.
he's going back to the local Valvoline Instant place for oil changes, and local indie for other stuff.
he's not even going to take his '17 continental back to them. if it needs warranty work, he's got another ford dealer picked out with a great reputation.

now this is second hand info, i've not seen the invoices, etc, but...

btw: Raabe Ford, Delphos Ohio.


I have nothing against Valvoline Instant Oil Change but their prices are nuts. $50 for conventional, $70 for synthetic blend, and $100 for full synthetic. And that's assuming it only takes five quarts...



The price quote at the GM dealership were I bought my Silverado is 124 dollars plus tax for a 5 quart A.C. Delco synthetic blend l with conditioner, filter, tire roation, and inspection. Managers special.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by earlyre
btw: Raabe Ford, Delphos Ohio.
Is Raabe the good dealer or the one he's had bad experiences with ? If they're bad, so much for that "small town" aspect but then again, Delphos has always been a strange place to me. They don't like outsiders, that's for sure. What are the options, Reineke, which is part of a big, multi-dealer conglomerate or what used to be Lima Lincoln-Mercury on Cable ?

 

[Greggy_D]

Originally Posted by GrtArtiste
you'd be better off with something that is not a Ford product. It's up to you if you choose to roll the dice.


I think I have bought my last Ford product after buying them my entire adult life.

I have some warranty work and recall that I need done. I used the internet form on my dealer's service website to meticulously detail the issues I'm having. I was expecting a call or e-mail from the dealer with my appointment time. What do I receive from them instead? An e-mail instructing me to call Service to make an appointment. Why did I just spend 20 minutes typing up my issues on YOUR [censored] form when you want me to call service and have to verbally describe each issue all over again? Why even have the form on your website???

So I do call and guess when the first available appointment is? 22 [censored] days from now!!!!!

This is NOT acceptable customer service and it's time to go to a different manufacturer.