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Jayco-noslide's avatar
Oct 16, 2015

Outrageous wipers-Chevy Sonic

Yesterday, had my 2012 Chevy Sonic (great toad) serviced at my favorite Chevy dealer and said to replace wipers. Got the bill-$72 for the pair of wipers and $8 to install. The service guy said I could not return them for a refund if I found cheaper "because they are already on". I found a good pair at an auto parts store and they would install free- total cost $32. Still, Chevy said, sorry, no return but we will give you a free oil change. I said, that's it, won't be back. Comments?

40 Replies

  • they keep wanting to replace my PCV valve for about $80. I buy one at the Toyota parts counter for $7.95 IIRC.
    speaking of Sears, I remember a few years back where they were supposedly doing alignment or some thing like that and were caught just fake billing for it and they had their staff take sledge hammers to the equipment as it showed the actual number of tests done which was a lot less compared to those billed.
    bumpy
  • I think that they set prices high on wipers because they really don't want to be in the business of replacing wipers, but if they have to, it's gonna cost you. Changing wipers does not put the car on the lift to sell you other services. Oil change does on the other hand. They get the car on the lift, do a quick inspection and come at you with a list of work that needs to be done. The amount of business a dealer can get off oil changes can be significant.

    We did this at Sears in the late 70s, early 80s. We would run an oil change special to get cars in the shop and then sell them thousands of dollars of additional services. It was very good business.
  • N-Trouble wrote:
    gbopp wrote:
    I don't mind giving a dealer a few extra dollars for parts. They are running a business.
    But, that was robbery.


    I don't get that statement. Anywhere else you buy wipers/parts from is ALSO trying to run a business... No different. And it's never a "few extra dollars" with these guys. More like 2-3X


    I'm talking about the convenience, getting the wipers while at the dealer. IF, they were a few extra dollars.
    In this case they were a lot more, which is why I said it was robbery.
  • Costco sells nice blades for cheap, especially if you stock up when they're on sale.
  • gbopp wrote:
    I don't mind giving a dealer a few extra dollars for parts. They are running a business.
    But, that was robbery.


    I don't get that statement. Anywhere else you buy wipers/parts from is ALSO trying to run a business... No different. And it's never a "few extra dollars" with these guys. More like 2-3X
  • GM will be sending you a survey. If there was warranty work, will be a 20+ survey that severly impacts the dealer and service advisor.

    If no warranty work, it will be a brief 3 question survey. Go ahead and tell them what you think.

    Did you ask about the cost?
  • I don't mind giving a dealer a few extra dollars for parts. They are running a business.
    But, that was robbery.
  • N-Trouble wrote:
    I don't use stealerships for ANYTHING other than warranty work.

    x2 What gets me is that there is no price set by GM for those wipers and the dealerships can charge what they want for them.
  • That's what you get for not asking and agreeing on a price beforehand. My thoughts...you have no gripe.