tanked_darren

You think that is insane I work with a guy who takes his vehicle to the dealer for brake jobs... I think he paid north of 500$ for the last time.

This is not a Ford problem this is dealer problem.

Tothemax

Dont deal with them again, lesson learned. Not really Fords fault.

Greywalls

The sad thing is that our collective lot here probably amounts to a couple tenths of a percentage of the overall market using dealership service. I've experienced very good service and pricing from three particular Ford dealerships (FWIW, Universal Ford in Richmond, VA, Fairway Ford in Canfield, OH, and Solomon Ford in Brownsville, PA). By the same token, I've witnessed nothing less than highway robbery from a couple other dealers. 9.5 times outta 10, I think, the regular patron is either too busy or too uneducated to appreciate the fact that they are getting absolutely gouged, with respect to certain work.

Now that my 4yr old truck, with only 8,100 miles, is unfortunately out of base warranty, I feel that forming a relationship with a quality-focused independent master tech would be the much, much better option for the long haul (excepting recall and covered powertrain matters).

I will have to say, as an aside... Career-wise, if I had a chance to do things differently, instead of investing in law school, I would have trained to earn the highest mechanic/tech designation, and eventually opened my own shop. IMO, quite a bit more interesting, quite a bit more lucrative, and definitely an in-demand career path for the foreseeable future... Hope some of you young bucks heed my advice.

shortride

iTrader: (1)

Until recently I have bought my last 10 Ford vehicles from a one and only local Ford dealership. The last time I was there to trade my 2010 XLT for a new 2014 Lariat I sat in the salesman's office for over an hour waiting on the Sales manager. I mention to the salesman I was working with that if it took that long to make a decision I was going to leave and go some place else. The Sales Manager overheard me and said for me to "Get after it." I certainly accommodated his request. I have always tried to keep my business local but that was the straw that broke the Camels back so to speak.

Ricktwuhk

Most issues with retail establishments, such as car dealers, restaurants, stores, etc. have nothing to do with the brand and everything to do with the local management.

My 1998 Explorer got a bad spark plug wire because the design of that 5 liter put the wire against the manifold (as I recall) and Ford didn't shield it properly. Dealer charge me diagnosis fee like yours, and then offered to replace all the wires and plug for a large $$ amount. I declined, had them replace only the bad wire. Years later same issue. My independent mechanic bought non-Ford wires that had better shielding for the heat and never had another issue.

Every dealer I've ever dealt with on repairs has charged me more than I thought it was worth, which is why if I can I do my own work, and if I have to use the dealer I endeavor to get every possible discount. When we had a Dodge, they gave 10% off to alumni of the local university. When I buy parts, I go online and see if a dealer is smart enough to sell parts online for a savings.

jeremyha

yeah, I have never taken my truck to the dealer for any kind of work, I do all the work myself and a Dealer will never touch my vehicles unless its for body work

Ssls6

I feel for you OP....this is why I have a $30 code reader/wifi module in my glovebox and an app on my phone to read the full diagnostic codes. I already helped a guy at work who had an evap code related to his wife not putting the gas cap back on (it was under the flap).

pfbz

I hear ya... I have a few code readers and usually keep a simple one in the center console. I had the truck detailed last week, pulled everything out of the truck and the reader didn't make it back in.

I probably should have just gone to an auto parts store and borrowed their code reader... A bit crazy that what virtually any auto parts store will do for free in a few minutes, Ford dealers want $100+ for.

As an aside, I love the Tesla model. No independent dealers. No price games. No factory incentives. Price is the same for everybody without having an artificially high msrp with 10% discounts. Service is all factory fixed price as well, but they need almost no service anyway... Yes, the prices need to come down, but with them coming down a bit and eg. F150 pricing going through the roof, they have almost met in the middle.

Scrappy Doo

iTrader: (1)

Time for a new dealer.

My local dealer is great. But I get new trucks every 2-3 years so I never worry about service.

RLXXI

Small town dealers are where you will usually get the best treatment. I know this for a fact due to my working at 1 for 11 years as well as being on the road away from my tools so I had to take my car in for a wheel bearing hub failure.

We treated people how we expect to be treated.