I drove to the grocery store and noticed the oil light was on. That was weird because I had an oil change and service two months before. I called my husband and he told me to check the oil and add a quart if needed.
I called the dealership to get an oil change and have them check the oil light. Why would I get the car serviced at the dealership? When we moved to Arizona, the car was still under warranty and service was free. Not so anymore, but that’s where I’m used to going.
The appointment was 10 days out.
In the meantime, I decided to drive our other car. First time I drove it, the oil light went on. I called for an appointment at a local small mechanic, not a dealership. I had an appointment the next day at 8 a.m. I sat and waited until 12:30 p.m. for an oil change! They tried to upsell me and told me I needed a new battery and tire alignment.
While I sat and waited, I noticed every single customer was told they needed something more. One woman came in with low tire pressure. After she left, her husband called and asked why she was charged more than $100 for air in her tires. It turns out they upsold her, plus found a nail in her tire. They charged $50 to plug the tire.
I remember when that used to be free or up to $10.
Ten days later I went to my appointment at the dealership.
I also needed new tires. I could have gone to Costco and saved some money, but I was already going to be sitting at the dealership, so I opted to get it all done at once.
I chose to wait for my car that Tuesday because we live 30 minutes away. I brought my laptop and a book. They said they’d drive me home in their shuttle because it was going to be a long wait.
I got a call at 5 p.m. Tuesday that my car hadn’t been serviced. I got a call Wednesday evening that my car hadn’t been looked at. I asked how that was possible when I had an appointment 10 days out. I was told that it was because I asked for alignment of my new tires.
Thursday, my car was ready in the afternoon. As I drove home, I noticed the tire pressure was off. Two tires were at 40 psi, the other two at 29. They were supposed to be at 35. I called the dealership and they told me to bring the car back and they’d fix it.
Oh yes, the oil light? They said it was a bad sensor and it would cost $2,700 to fix it!
No thanks.
Hubby got the tire air pressure where it was supposed to be after driving to three gas stations to find working air.
Saturday we were driving to Costco and a warning light came on the dashboard. One tire was at 17 psi. We stopped for air and drove to the dealership. I think I was hyperventilating watching the dashboard and the tire pressure dropping as we drove there. My husband asked for a loaner car.
The snippy customer service rep said, “I can’t give you a loaner, sir.”
My husband blew up and said “You had our car for three days. We will go to Costco while you fix our tire pressure.”
The manager came out and gave us a loaner. We did our Costco run and came back for our car. It turns out that not only did they not check the tire pressure, a valve was loose and air was leaking.
I asked the manager what was going on, because I have had decent service before.
He said, “We don’t have technicians. Nobody wants this job.”
I guess that was the problem at the local mechanic I went to also.
Where do you notice a lack of service? What jobs do people no longer want to do?
How does that affect our future?
I’ve always hated taking a car in for service and it seems to get worse every time I do
Twice for me in a short time was awful for me. Worst service I’ve experienced.
Don’t get me started on this….
At least you don’t have to worry about auto mechanics.
I would have been livid. I could feel my blood pressure climbing as I read this post EA! I’ve also experienced various forms of this non-service throughout the years and that makes me dread taking my car anywhere for service even when it’s just routine.
I was beside myself. For both cars. Unbelievable. I don’t know why my service rep didn’t tell me the truth that they didn’t have mechanics. He kept making excuses and keeping my car.
Well what company would want to admit to a situation like that? Even if the rep felt guilty he was probably simply doing what was directed so he didn’t lose his job as well. I think this sort of thing goes on all the time, in many industries and companies honestly. I saw it in healthcare as well.
That’s exactly what my daughter said when I ranted to her over the phone. The customer rep was probably instructed on what to say. If he told me they didn’t have mechanics and my car would take three days, I would have left and gone somewhere else. Next time tires at Costco!
I see terrible service just everywhere I go. The exceptions are places that treat their employees well (e.g., Costco) and mom & pop shops that rely on good service to get repeat customers (e.g., farmer’s market vendors). It’s really unfortunate.
It’s a bit out of the ways for you, but if you’re looking for a trustworthy mechanic, check out TGK Automotive Specialists of Chandler. My parents have been working with them since the 70s (owner sold ~5 years ago, but the new owner retained all the techs/procedures, so it changed only in name). They’re honest (no up-selling), professional, and treat their employees well (most of the techs have worked there for 10-30+ years). I’ve tried a few closer to home and keep being disappointed, so it’s been worth the drive for me.
I was going to write that our Costco trip was a breath of fresh air. We were asked several times if we needed help. Thanks for the referral, but Chandler is a trek. We’re probably 30 minutes further away than you. If I can’t find someone in the Cave Creek area, I may make the drive.
Costco is one of the few places that consistently has decent (and often exceptional) customer service. Good luck finding someplace! I’ll ask around to see if any friends in the north valley can offer a referral… it’s so hard to find a good mechanic, isn’t it?
We love Costco! I was cleaning out my desk and found two rewards checks. I looked it up online and they never expire! I was so excited. Please let me know if you hear of anyone good for cars nearer to us. We have the best handyman, pool man and cleaning lady. They are all from personal referrals.
Oh I could down a path of a long rant regarding: “Oh yes, the oil light? They said it was a bad sensor and it would cost $2,700 to fix it!” But I won’t.
Instead I’ll say I understand your frustration having experienced similar last summer with [of all companies] Honda and eventually sold the car back to the dealership that could not [would not?] repair it for us. It seemed like a scam was going on, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
They said they had to tear apart the engine to get to the sensor. I had to ask three times for a diagnostic test. My thoughts now are they didn’t have anyone to do the diagnostic or repair the oil light! I am with you about selling the car to the dealership. I was almost there this past week,
Exact same story. And I/we said okay tear the engine apart, they did so, and on the way home the sensor light was back on. So much for a repair.
This is really bad service. I don’t look after the cars as that’s my husband’s domain but the rest of the chores I do look after. And when the service is bad, I don’t go there again.
I’m with you on never going back again to the car dealership or the local mechanic. Both had bad service.
When you post good money, you should be given good service too. Over here a puncture in a tubeless tyre can cost $1 to fix. And most workshops will change the oil for free if you buy it from them.
I have never heard of $50 to patch a tire. I was surprised that oil changes now cost around $60. Prices have gone up so quickly, while service has gone down.
Too expensive and on top of other expenses. This is too much
It is. It’s scary if things don’t turn around soon.
I think it means we need to get back to learning skills like changing oil and tires for ourselves. When my parents were young, everyone- girls and boys were taught stuff like that. Not so much anymore. Eventually, the trades are going to be in demand, so people won’t need those high priced liberal degrees anymore to be sought by employers. But we’re also going to have to face reality. Kids outta high school can make more flipping burgers as people who are trained, like mechanics. Did you know fast food workers in CA now make $20 per hour? My son worked at a tire shop for a bit in CA and he was making $18. Who would leave their cushy burger job to go learn a new skill for less money?
My dad taught me how to change a tire the first time I got a flat. My friend in Santa Barbara changes her own oil. I know I wouldn’t have the ability, strength or knowledge wise to put on new set of tires though and balance them. I know they raised minimum wage to $20 in CA. I’m so glad we moved. The first thing that happened was Pizza Hut fired thousands of delivery drivers. They can use Uber Eats or similar services, why pay a delivery person $20 per hour?
The world – she’s a changin’!
It sure is!
Yikes on top of yikes and more yikes! I felt my blood pressure rising as a I read. I don’t know that I have wisdom or insight as to the why. Wow. 😲
When I pulled in for my 10 a.m. appointment on day one, I noticed a dozen cars waiting in front of me. They open at 8 a.m., so at that point they hadn’t gotten one car into service. We had days of high blood pressure over this. The last straw was the loose valve and the air flowing out of our brand new tire while driving. Many people have left working in trades. I don’t know for what? Prices have gone up and service down.
Service industries broadly are struggling…retail, trades. I hope the situation improves because all of this nonsense prompts me to scale down life, have less and crawl into my mud hut (joking…not joking!). 😜
So true. It does make me want to hide in my home, also. 🥲
Let’s make a retreat space for a few of we girlfriends to gather. Sounds so restorative! A grown-up hideout or bunker! 🥰😜🥰
What a great idea! We can hide from the world and commiserate 😀
🥰❤️🥰 Right!
💕
We are so fortunate to have a friend who owns an auto shop. We take everything to him and trust that he will not overcharge or upsale. I’ve been leasing my current Honda, and am about ready to refinance to keep it. It will be interesting to see if they try to get me to lease/buy a new one.
You are so lucky! We had a friend in Palm Springs with a shop. We trusted him 100%. That’s what we do with our cars. Lease then buy.
I’m with the other commenters, I felt my blood pressure rising with each new paragraph. Ugh. I’m so sorry for you EA. It definitely must be something with the industry, we’ve had some so-so car mechanic issues too. And it’s such a shame, because I want to find someone that we like and can go back to again. I especially lose patience on the upselling. Give me a heads-up on what will need replaced or looked at in future months, but don’t try to scare me. That’s the worst. Hang in there. Fingers crossed for better service in the coming months.
Thanks for the empathy. We left SoCal where we had a long time mechanic who was a good friend. I do think the problem is lack of people who want to do “dirty” jobs. I would have appreciated the truth when I made the appointment that it wouldn’t be the turn around time I am used to, but would be three days — and terrible service — that I’d have to come back to get fixed!
Ugh. I am so happy to be done with oil changes and stinky visits to gas stations. I hope your horrible experience was an anomaly and not what will become the norm. I trusted mechanic – or in any trade for that matter – is worth their weight in gold.
I’m hoping it was an anomaly, too. But with two different cars, two locations and not great service, I think we’re in for a rough time with trades.
I regularly go the the pharmacy to find it closed because the pharmacist didnt show up for work that day. IO was going tos witch but our daughter said don’t bother. The other pharmacy is mobbed because of the poor service everywhere else.
Yes! That’s the other area we don’t get service. The pharmacy has limited hours. My husband changed RX to a different pharmacy and it’s been four months that it hasn’t been changed by the doctor. An issue every single month.
I don’t notice this where we are in Florida. I do notice a shortage of professionals in teaching. My husband takes care of my car as he has more time than me. I am grateful as with service people he speaks their language and they rarely get over on him.
My husband works full time and I deal with the cars. I’m sure if he was in charge he wouldn’t let any of this get started. I’m happy for you, your husband deals with it!
He is retired. Yes, I learn how to deal with other things at work. Work is sure not getting easier. Thanks.
We each have our own things to deal with. Wishing you the best.
Actually now in our area it is more difficult to find jobs as more relocate.
I thought it would be like that in Arizona too, but there are jobs people don’t want.
I have to get two Sensors since my low tire light is staying on but that’s not a big priority at the moment. I think it costs about $300 for both.
I have had three cars with the low tire sensor on and never replaced them. It’s easier to check your tire pressure with the little handheld gauge. Not giving professional advice or for you to follow it. Just saying what we did.
Oh no – two cars with oil lights on? How frustrating, Elizabeth! The last oil change I got, I bundled my kids in the car, we packed a picnic and had a great time. Next time you do yours, I’ll lend you my kids for good luck! 🙂
What a great idea! Normally, I’m content waiting with a book or my laptop, but they insisted on driving me home. Three days would have been a long wait!
This is incredible! How bad are things going to get before there’s a consumer rebellion and massive boycotts? People used to do this, but I can’t remember the last time I heard of a consumer boycott. (Maybe it was when LGBTQ people boycotted Colorado for anti-gay Amendment 2.)
I complained yesterday about the local ski area bragging about all their fresh new snow, when the reality is that they haven’t been grooming and most of it blows away. The slopes are still brown and icy – dangerous, even! Like with the car dealers – no one wants the jobs.
I fell skiing on slopes like that and tore my ACL. I loved your book! I can’t believe how much work you put into it. Reading the handwriting must have been difficult. In didn’t realize until the end that you were related to some of the characters.
I know that poor ski slopes are a “first world problem,” but as you point out, it can cause injuries.
So glad you enjoyed the book! I worked on it for 8 years. I didn’t have to transcribe the Jenkins letters, but there were 155 pages of bad photocopies for the lawsuit that were awful to transcribe! Some others were bad, too. Yes, of the five families listed in the beginning, I’m related to four of them. All but the Liestenfeltzes.
Wow! I’m so impressed with eight years working on this project. You are so inspiring to me! Those letters reminded me of my mom’s handwriting. I’m glad you didn’t have to transcribe them. I went to maybe Sutter’s creek with my son’s 6th grade class for a field trip. That’s when I first had any knowledge of the area.
I think this kind of scenario is going to be more and more common. I noticed most of our favorite restaurants are struggling to find help, my daughter and I were returning things after Christmas and we found it hard to find a clerk to help us, and yesterday we heard that Kelly Moore Paint Stores are all going out of business. We’ve never bought paint from any other source. I’m so sorry about the tire thing, what a nightmare, and lots of wasted time. Hugs, C
I have noticed the same at restaurants. Many restaurants, including fast food, and even our grocery stores have huge signs for help wanted. I didn’t hear that about Kelly Moore Paint Stores. I hope things improve. Where did all the workers go?