Brought my jeep to the dealer to get the Xfer Case and Manual Tranny fluids changed. I typically do the work myself (I've changed my diff fluids & engine oil a couple times, installed skids, snorkle, etc...), but I don't have a garage, it's cold, and the street has snow, salt, etc...).

On the phone they quoted me a price of 169 for both (which seemed high - considering fluids can be bought for about 75 for both xfer and tranny), but for the "convenience" of not having to do it myself in the cold I went ahead. I should have raised a red flag when service manager 1 stated it will be ~30 to do an oil change (she didn't know the difference between an Xfer/Tranny fluid change vs and Engine fluid change) and then service manager 2 asked, "do you want to do front and rear?" (I clarified that I asked for Xfer and MTranny fluid changes - not diffs)

I get to the dealership, and they re-quoted me a price of 300+! After much arguing, and back and forth with the "manager" they get the price down to ~225.

Lessons learned:
1) I probably should have just wanted 'til spring to change the fluids (probably 6k miles over the suggested interval)
2) If not (1) I should have walked out and gone to a non-dealer garage
3) I figure I paid ~150 lesson... :(

Observations:
a) For parts, they marked up their fluids by close to 100% (eg. Amsoil products ~75 - they charged ~150)
b) For labor, they charged 120/hr (6/10 of an hr for each service - I can see taking that long if they also had to make the socket tool - like I'd have to, to remove the Xfer drain bolt - but otherwise it's alot of money being spent on "waiting for the oil to drain"). I understand they have employees to pay, a shop to upkeep, tools to buy, etc... but charging 120/hr to unscrew, pour, rescrew is robbery to me.

Misc:
* They wanted to charge me 120 (1 hr labor) to adjust my parking brake
* They did mention I needed rear brakes (which I knew was coming)...
* I'll definitely be doing both these things myself in the spring!

Comments & criticisms welcome

 

and this folks is why they are called "stealerships". Hate dealing with these people. Especially if one does not know what you are talking about because they do not understand how the driveline works!!

 

What can one say. I have done the same thing myself. The only time I came out to the good with the dealer was when I had my 2009 regeared. They came in at a great price and warrantied everything. It worked well in my favor. But I, like you, have been taken several times for the sake of convenience. Good luck in the future.

 

I have an 09 Rubicon... I have installed an evap skid and oil pan skid (2x!).

 

Which dealer?

 

And that's hoping the dealer did the job right (I would go under and check everything). A guy that works with me took his 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe to the dealer for an oil change (free oil changes for the first year), the grease monkey left the plug loose and ta da! after some mentions of a lawyer, he got a new engine.

This happened two days ago.

 

I blame it all on Obama! We shoulda let the bastards go under. I will only take mine back for warranty work. I had a customer that owned a dealership and he told me they made way more money in service than they did selling cars. I take my JunK to Valvoline when I am lazy. Tranny service and transfer case $130