Bogus service policy?

Question

Took my 03 PT in for a state inspection, plus evaluation of the proverbial "funnyt noise" that it only makes first thing in the morning when I start to drive. I left the car overnight so they could hear it themselves. They actually did find the cause: low power steering fluid caused by a leaking rack. This is on warantee, so they will replace the rack free. However, they told me that this repair entails dismantling a sizeable part of the front suspension and that Chrysler will only authorize a toe alignment, not a full front end alignment which the dealer said really should be done. After several calls to the servuce dept, they agreed to do the whole thing free.

Is this policy of Chrysler's to only pay for the toe alignment reasonable? Seems to me if I need a total alignment due to the failure of their part, it should be covered, no questions asked.

****************************** Got wood? Check out my exotic hardwood pennywhistles at fair prices...

formatting link

mic canic · Accepted Answer

unless the car been wrecked a toe adjustment is all thats neededBREWERPAUL wrote:

Geoff · Answer

I'd tend to agree that a covered repair ought to pay for all the labor involved, however I think you have to remember something: ultimately it's YOUR part, and YOUR car. The warranty is an insurance policy. Nothing more, nothing less. It covers certain things, and it doesn't cover anything else. If they managed to find another way to get the full alignment paid for, it was probably not because they found a way around the warranty restriction. They probably tapped into a 'customer satisfaction' claim bank that allowed them to do it.

I'm not posting this to beat on you, it's just something I think isn't well understood. As far as the dealership is concerned, it's just another customer's car, not theirs. As far as DC is concerned, it's just another vehicle that was built and sold at wholesale to a dealer, not theirs. The parts don't belong to the warranty guarantor, either. It belongs to the person whose name is on the title. Lucky you!

FWIW,

--Geoff

BREWERPAUL · Answer

I'm a repeat customer who bought 2 PTs from them, so I'm thinking that they just decided to eat the cost difference between just doing the toe alignment and the full alignment. What does that actually cost them? A little mechanic's time is all, no parts. They end up with a happy customer instead of one who feels he was ripped off (although I would feel less ripped off since people here have told me that all I really need is the toe setting). Sometimes, a business has to give a little to get a lot.I've been pretty happy with this dealership, and this is an example of why.

****************************** Got wood? Check out my exotic hardwood pennywhistles at fair prices...

formatting link

Bogus service policy?

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?