Dealership Service Dept - Good or Bad?

There is so much dealer bashing on this forum that I wanted to quantify it with a poll. My dealer’s service dept has been great, and I am not concerned about taking my truck there for work or warranty. Others seem to be preparing for a fight at the very mention of taking their truck in.

So is the network of Toyota dealership shops mostly a good thing full of good people, or a bunch of unhelpful assholes looking to screw you outta your warranty?

 

I wish you had a few more choices in your poll. They don't make my life miserable but I don't trust the one that did my first complimentary 5K service. See my post below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/first-service-visit-to-the-dealer.554816/#post-18078079

 

There is such a gray area here. I generally trust the dealership that I take my truck to as well as I can (I worked at one for awhile and know too many common practices to be completely trusting in them). They are fast and I enjoy using their "True Appointments" gets me in and out in under 30 minutes. However, I do NOT trust the one I bought my truck from or several others here in Houston. That being said, they are still too time consuming and a hassle so when my service plan is out, I will be self servicing or taking it someplace more convenient for routine service.

 

I've been consistently disappointed with every dealership I've ever been to. Regardless of manufacturer. I avoid them for everything but the most extreme even if I have to pay out of pocket.

 

The service department in the town I live it sucks donkey balls.

If I drive 35 minutes to the south, there is a dealer who's service department is fantastic.

I guess it just all depends.

 

Non-committal option added.

 

I've been very happy with my dealer service department. I've used them for five different Toyota's over the last 15 years. Yes, there are cheaper places to go but there are also a lot of hacks out there.

 

My servicing dealer is also where I bought mine. Other than a one time issue there, it’s been pretty good. I deal solely with the big boss, he’s over ALL service, including the managers, so my 4runner is well taken care of. I bring my other car too and he makes sure my car gets taken care of too. So, I’m very happy with the service I get, I’m not lied to and I know the boss makes sure things are done right. I’m always confident in services performed on my vehicles.

 

Including in dealerships. If only paying the dealership premium actually got you premium work. I'd be all for that but unfortunately that's not how it goes.

 

I get premium service at my dealer and I'm willing to pay for it. I haven't found an independent mechanic that comes anywhere close.

 

Lucky you, don't take it for granted. Most (all in my experience) are garbage.

 

Need another (s)

Cant answer, as I've never used one

Only used for recalls, was fine

Only used for recalls, was problematic


(Keep in mind not all of us buy vehicles with warranty. And some of us do most of our own work, or have a quality independant when we are over our heads.)

 

I've been extremely happy with the service dept & the dealership as a whole at Michael's Toyota of Bellevue @TheToyotaGarage . It's where I bought my truck and where I take it for routine services and bigger issues (leak in the cab, needle bearing, etc). Gus always takes care of it, the free loaner vehicle makes it easy to leave it and not have to change my schedule, and they have bomb cookies. I think having them active on here and seeing their builds on IG let's me know they understand what I'm looking for and can offer a service at a competitive per/hr rate to the local market.

 

I researched the dealership service reputation as much as I researched their sales dept before I decided where to go (8 different locations in a 50 mile radius where I live). Have not been disappointed in the dealership service center I chose.

 

The question is very difficult to answer effectively. The dealer I go to may be horrible or awesome, but that will have absolutely no impact on your experience one way or another.

You question may as well ask Wynn Dixie meat department great or just a bunch of idiots ? This is a very subjective question and is VERY much influenced on the management of the particular establishment.

The dealerships I dealt with in Oklahoma (NOT Toyota) I would not trust to check the oil level on ANY vehicle. The dealership I deal with for my Taco and the previous Taco is very good, expensive but good. I have friends that are not driving Toyotas that will use the Toyota dealership for servicing Fords and Jeeps when possible because they are better than the vehicle brand dealerships in the area.

Are there morons at the dealership I use? Hell YES. but they also have a few great techs and service writers. You learn answer they question "Who is your service rep?" with "IF _____ is not in anyone but _____ or ______".

I know if my Taco has trouble to ask for a certain tech because he is insanely knowledgeable specifically about Tacomas. He found a warranty issue on my '04 that at least 4 other mechanics were not able to find or diagnose. It took him talking to me less than 5 minutes and he had an idea of what to check, found confirmation of the problem no one else could even diagnose and fixed it under my warranty. Two other dealerships, one had the truck for the same trouble 3 times, were not even able to ID the problem.

Edit: In answer to the poll: I am happy to take all 4 Toyota vehicles in my driveway to ONE particular dealership in my area.

 

This is the 3rd gen section Bill. Most buy new... right now.

@Stocklocker your poll is perfect. Your dealer's service is either good, bad or indifferent. That's it.

What is hilarious are the responses so far. If you throw away the poll and just read the posts, you would think that 90% of the dealers suck when it comes to service! But the poll says 2/3's of the owners think their dealer is just fine! How can this be???

Simple. The internet gives the minority of people (in this case, those who think dealers cannot provide good service) a disproportionate voice to express their opinion. Basically, people who are unhappy with something post a lot more than people who are happy about the same topic! LEARN FROM THIS POLL NEW GUYS! Just because you read it does not make it true!

 

This is big picture stuff, not individual dealers. Right now, you have a 66% chance (probably 90% since we are much more critical because we are enthusiasts) of going to a dealer who does a good job with service.

 

i have to say that so far my Toyota dealership (langway toyota nissan of newport) has been nothing but professional from buying to servicing, and i have friends that have also bought and service from them and have nothing but good things to say! The company that owned the dealership before was only looking to make the sale and i almost didn't buy from the current owner because of this! as a former tow truck operator i've heard and seen some horror stories.

 

The service department at the dealer closest to me is hella sketchy. Not very professional either. I've been trying to get a transmission TSB done for quite some time now and they always have an excuse. Its like pulling teeth. On top of that they're not very professional. They never follow up on calls. I get the feeling that once you buy the car they are done with you. Unless you're out of warranty and there is money to be made.

 

I understand, and stand corrected. Somewhat.

Speaking for myself........

I had a new Ford once upon a time, with extended warranty. Dealer did fine with extended warranty work. No recalls.

My Highlander was bought new. No warranty work, couple of recalls. Dealer was fine on recalls. Same dealer was fine for recall on my used Tacoma.

Several Hondas, dealers were fine on recalls.

300ZX-t well used with recall on injectors and fuel rails/regulator etc due to leaks/fires. Dealer did a great job.

None have been to dealer for routine service.

Not for fear of skill as much as for avoidance of cost.