Wow, blown away at Acura dealership service price

[John105]

Huge lesson learned. I will start another post on how this dealership found me, I didn't find them.

When I picked up the car yesterday, the $1890 was not an "all in" price. They added another $120 in other fees and taxes. Funny as I know they do these jobs often, and could have easily quoted an all-in price, but that would have been over $2k. Probably a number they don't want to speak out loud.

They have a sales "stand" next to the service stand. An older couple were looking for the car, and the salesman was giving the big hard sell sales pitch. I interrupted him and shared my thoughts of the dealership with the older couple, and closed with I think they can easily find another dealership that has processes that don't exploit a customer's expectation of a reasonable, non exploitive transaction. The couple looked shocked.

I haven't lost my cool in this century, almost nothing bothers me. More went on at the dealership yesterday, about all the things the car needed like a air filter (I replaced it less than 3k miles ago), brake fluid flush, blah blah blah. A salesman chased me down in the parking lot and said the GM wanted to speak with me and make it "right". I said I will make it right with a full review on the internet, along with prices from their competition within 50 miles. My guess is this place has "good" reviews, because when the get caught exploiting a customer, they make the customer "whole", thus avoiding a accurate review. The service manager called me after I left, I suspect they are worried about the analytical review I will compose. People need to know that one expects to pay a premium for a Acura, Lexus, etc service. But not to the point of being exploited.

I stopped in the Hinda dealer less than four miles from this Acura dealership. They said they would have done the job out the door at $1100, before any coupons on the service that I may be able to find online.

Here in PA, a $29.95 state safety and emissions inspection, is $43 out the door....shop fees, sticker fees, sales tax, etc. BMW dealer is $37 last year, $38 this year. I looked at the invoice to see why. It's because the free car wash was $0.95--says it's a township fee applied to every washed car.

Yeah, don't lose your cool. imho old school folks believe in delivering honest value, not making up charges. I truly believe that's changed. Bogus is the way now.

Here's an example though...when I went to the BMW dealer last week, it did have a yellow service warning/reminder. My car is not with iDrive, and 2007. So it's an icon of a car on a one-post lift. Dealer suggested I do that service, for $180. It's an inspection of things. I politely declined, but in my head, said, AH, OK, that's why a few years ago, it was not reset, so I reset it. I thought the dealer forgot. Because the annual state inspection is also in the car's computer, a totally separate service and warning. but here's the thing--when I got my car back, it's been reset to 2026. So is it really a service, or just a $180 upcharge? Again, they'd say, hate the game, not the playa....

 

[Hall]

Batteries + said they would redo the job adding the 3rd key/fob back. It is "not" free to them, the software is licensed and they have to pay every time they use it.

I didn't think about it much at the time, but they did tell me even if the programming fails, they still have to charge for it. I saw it two ways: 1) I brought my own key fob (they said they run into issues with off-brands but mine was OEM) and 2) they're still spending the same amount of time whether it is successful or it fails.

 

[John105]

I didn't think about it much at the time, but they did tell me even if the programming fails, they still have to charge for it. I saw it two ways: 1) I brought my own key fob (they said they run into issues with off-brands but mine was OEM) and 2) they're still spending the same amount of time whether it is successful or it fails.

I watched both times, there is a laptop with the licensed software, a box that takes the ethernet from the laptop, then has an OBDII. Without this device it would be very slow--I know as I run software through a USB to OBDII on one of my cars.

Then, interestingly, the software counted down 5 min before putting the change through. I thought in my head, this is so you can't simply use the software to steal a vehicle, you'd be there at least 5 min doing nothing...

Oh and on our GM car they had the wrong key so it had to be reordered, ours has a + sign on it. I think this is why <=2010 it can be done at home by the owner. 2011+ no.

 

[Pelican]

Dropped the wifes 2014 rdx at the fife WA Acura dealership this morning for the 100k timing belt service. $1890. Last time I had this done at an Acura it was 790. I also need a key for the acura. The key was in backorder at last dealer at 260. This dealer quoted 589. I am blown away at the prices.

I know Acura gets a little bit more, but this place seems crazy high.

I think this dealer is doing ALL the things that ought to be done when changing a timing belt (Tensioner & water pump) + a bit more for the Acura name. The other dealer may have just quoted for the timing belt.

 

[GON]

I think this dealer is doing ALL the things that ought to be done when changing a timing belt (Tensioner & water pump) + a bit more for the Acura name. The other dealer may have just quoted for the timing belt.

The quote I received from Honda was for the complete service, not just the belt. I have had this service quoted and done before, and both the service writer and I were fully informed.

 

[dishdude]

A salesman chased me down in the parking lot and said the GM wanted to speak with me and make it "right". I said I will make it right with a full review on the internet, along with prices from their competition within 50 miles. My guess is this place has "good" reviews, because when the get caught exploiting a customer, they make the customer "whole", thus avoiding a accurate review.

Let me guess, they have thousands of review online? They pay a company to post positive reviews to bury the negative ones.

 

[Hall]

I think this dealer is doing ALL the things that ought to be done when changing a timing belt (Tensioner & water pump) + a bit more for the Acura name. The other dealer may have just quoted for the timing belt.

A timing belt only job won't be $1100. The labor is almost the same, at least the hard part of getting access to the belt, water pump, etc, so it's the add'l parts cost that increase it so much. An OEM Honda belt should be $80-100. It's the water pump, tensioner, idler pulley, etc that add $400-500 more to the overall cost.

 

[PimTac]

I stopped in the Hinda dealer less than four miles from this Acura dealership. They said they would have done the job out the door at $1100, before any coupons on the service that I may be able to find online.

I have a friend who spent several hundred dollars at that Honda dealership just to get her air conditioning diagnosed. She had just had the car serviced and discovered the AC wasn’t working afterwards. She went right back and they spent a few hours on it to come back and tell her she needed a new compressor and other things. They charged her for the labor of diagnosis. She became suspicious and took it to an independent garage where they found an electrical connection had broke.

It’s like playing the lottery these days getting a vehicle serviced.

I think that Acura dealer is the only one in Tacoma which gives them an edge. Auburn has a dealership but it’s the same owner if I remember rightly.

 

[demarpaint]

A timing belt only job won't be $1100. The labor is almost the same, at least the hard part of getting access to the belt, water pump, etc, so it's the add'l parts cost that increase it so much. An OEM Honda belt should be $80-100. It's the water pump, tensioner, idler pulley, etc that add $400-500 more to the overall cost.

Yes. Here's what some shops try and pull, when calculating a job by book time to unsuspecting customers. Lets say a timing belt has to be replaced, and they suggest a water pump, belt tensioner etc, based on the age of the vehicle, all of which have to be removed and reinstalled to do the job anyway. They look at book time for the timing belt, then book time for the water pump, then book time for the tensioner, etc. and add it all up. Or they'll do book time for the timing belt, and book time for the water pump and use that number. Either way they can easily double the hourly rate. Oh and lets not forget doubling the price on all the parts, which BTW I do understand, that's business. It's the fugazi math they use to calculate the labor that bothers me.

 

[John105]

I watched both times, there is a laptop with the licensed software, a box that takes the ethernet from the laptop, then has an OBDII. Without this device it would be very slow--I know as I run software through a USB to OBDII on one of my cars.

Then, interestingly, the software counted down 5 min before putting the change through. I thought in my head, this is so you can't simply use the software to steal a vehicle, you'd be there at least 5 min doing nothing...

I think this dealer is doing ALL the things that ought to be done when changing a timing belt (Tensioner & water pump) + a bit more for the Acura name. The other dealer may have just quoted for the timing belt.

The part I will respectfully disagree with, is a job that lacks the pump and tensioner.

What point is there, of replacing the belt, only to have the tensioner fail or water pump seize, causing the engine to be ruined (assuming the valve clearance is tight/interference motor)? there's no "cheaper" authorized service to leave out parts of the job. every $300 kit online includes those parts. They even include cam seals on the Lexus, which isn't part of a 90k service.

 

[GON]

I have a friend who spent several hundred dollars at that Honda dealership just to get her air conditioning diagnosed. She had just had the car serviced and discovered the AC wasn’t working afterwards. She went right back and they spent a few hours on it to come back and tell her she needed a new compressor and other things. They charged her for the labor of diagnosis. She became suspicious and took it to an independent garage where they found an electrical connection had broke.

It’s like playing the lottery these days getting a vehicle serviced.

I think that Acura dealer is the only one in Tacoma which gives them an edge. Auburn has a dealership but it’s the same owner if I remember rightly.

PT,

Bottom line- this was my fault, own doing. I didn't shop around, was willing to pay some extra. I wrongly assumed on a straight forward job the cost would be at a premium, which I was willing to pay, but not the exploitive process. Of all things, the key was the trigger. Over double what the Columbia, SC Acura dealer quoted me.

I assume the desire to change the air filter, would not only have resulted in a unneeded air filter part, but they would have charged me a separate labor line for its replacement. Who knows what that labor might have been 1/2 hour, hour..... who knows, but I got a great refresher on being at full guard at new car dealerships in areas with a transient and/ or growing population. They don't need to have repeat customers, as much as a small-town dealership in let's say Iowa needs to.

 

[Passport1]

We are approaching the point where a routine maintenance item like a timing belt/water pump replacement on a nine year old car makes no economic sense. Might be just cheaper to trade it for a new vehicle. For example my 2014 Mitsubishi needs new shocks soon and also a timing belt service in another 20K miles. The shocks are Mitsu proprietary and pricey. I'll be sinking $2K into a car worth maybe $10K. Won't be worth $12K after all that.

 

[John105]

Yes. Here's what some shops try and pull, when calculating a job by book time to unsuspecting customers. Lets say a timing belt has to be replaced, and they suggest a water pump, belt tensioner etc, based on the age of the vehicle, all of which have to be removed and reinstalled to do the job anyway. They look at book time for the timing belt, then book time for the water pump, then book time for the tensioner, etc. and add it all up. Or they'll do book time for the timing belt, and book time for the water pump and use that number. Either way they can easily double the hourly rate. Oh and lets not forget doubling the price on all the parts, which BTW I do understand, that's business. It's the fugazi math they use to calculate the labor that bothers me.

I'm not sure exactly what we're debating, but I can tell you that in 2017, Lexus got $1,800 for a timing belt job on a 3UZ engine. They in no way work backwards, from their price, to the $300 it costs to order the parts online. There is no reconciliation at all--either pay that price, or go to a Toyota specialist and get it done for $750-$900. Some people feel better at the dealership, and are willing to pay.

The entire job is on YouTube, for anyone who wants to attempt it themselves, most shade trees leave the weekend open so they don't have to rush. A dealer is always in a rush--flat rate system. Indies, not so much, they have to bank on their reputation.

 

[supton]

We are approaching the point where a routine maintenance item like a timing belt/water pump replacement on a nine year old car makes no economic sense. Might be just cheaper to trade it for a new vehicle. For example my 2014 Mitsubishi needs new shocks soon and also a timing belt service in another 20K miles. The shocks are Mitsu proprietary and pricey. I'll be sinking $2K into a car worth maybe $10K. Won't be worth $12K after all that.

No, but what will $10k let alone $12k get you today in today’s market?

That and really, these days a $1k repair isn’t that much money. It sure sounds like it, I think most of us remember when $100 for something was “expensive”. But inflation has crept in, and I think most of us like to remember something from 5-10 years ago as happening “just the other day”. I know I sure do! (but don’t ask me what I did yesterday)

 

[Passport1]

(but don’t ask me what I did yesterday)

ok I'll take the bait.

 

[supton]

ok I'll take the bait.

uh… i think i woke up at some point, the rest is a blur now. must have gone to sleep at some point, ‘cuz it’s today now.

Is it tomorrow yet?

 

[CKN]

Next time I need a repair/maintenance on my vehicle, a service on my home (plumber, electrician, garage door repair, etc.) and didn't at least get a ballpark estimate beforehand-then I am surprised at the bill, I'm going to come on BITOG and complain. Then I am threatening to get quotes AFTER THE FACT to burn the dealer-(if indeed the quotes are cheaper elsewhere).

Think about it............

 

[zzyzzx]

Same thing with key fobs. Honda can program Acura fobs.

Wouldn't a locksmith be cheaper than a dealer?

 

[Hall]

Yes. Here's what some shops try and pull, when calculating a job by book time to unsuspecting customers.

No doubt that happens and that's just a shady, scammy shop that does it. I'm not anti-auto-repair shop either - there are plenty of repairs that I can't do or don't want to do.

I have to wonder, and maybe a tech/mechanic can answer this, does "the book" have a rate for a full TB, WP, etc job in addition to the individual pieces jobs ? I'd think it would.

Oh and lets not forget doubling the price on all the parts

Shops should mark up the cost of parts. How much ? That's not for me to say.... When I've had work done, sometimes I look up the part numbers and how much they cost and sometimes I shrug my shoulders (price looks reasonable) and other times I sigh. One time I had to have a camshaft oil seal (??) replaced on an old Accord. Shop charged about $25 for the part and I could buy it for less than $10. I didn't care though 'cause that $25 was a tiny % of the total cost.

Those Honda parts prices I mentioned were ballpark numbers for Honda OEM parts using MSRP, by the way. So even there, the dealer will make a mark-up.

 

[Exhaustgases]

I don't think 2k to do a Honda V-6 timing belt is out of reason. A shop no matter if it is a Dealer or an independent has to warranty the job for a certain amount of time. Even if the job goes good, and the tech does it perfectly, then a manufacture defect in the timing belt causes it to take a dump before you get home from the shop, who has to eat that? Working on these unnecessarily complicated transverse mounted engines can be a nightmare of tight spaces. Then if you a quoted x amount for the job, and some nasty bolt breaks and to fix it the whole engine needs to come out then what?
See there is stuff no one ever even thinks about. Doing mechanic work is sometimes not as easy as some videos may depict, there can be many unknown problems that can happen. So what do you think it takes to do a valve adjustment on these? To do it correct it takes huge time.
And almost no one does so.