Windscreen wash 'forced' purchase at car service time

[johnao]

357RS said:

Last year I took my car to the local main dealer for service - the screen wash reservoir was full.
On collection there was a bottle of screen wash on the invoice for about £3. I said nowt and paid up.

This happened to me at a BMW dealer, once. I was charged for filling the screen wash bottle. I was sure that the screen washer bottle was full before I took the car in but couldn't be certain. So, at the next service I made certain that the washer bottle was full before I took the car to the dealer. Surprise, surprise, when I collected the car there on the invoice was a charge for screen wash. I said to the lady on service reception... "That's strange. The washer bottle was full when I brought the car in, so unless they emptied it in the workshop and then refilled it I can't see how they put any washer fluid in". Without demure she said... " That's OK I'll knock it off the bill".

It's never happened again.

[Collectingbrass]

The thing is, if the garage gets away with this on 99% of cars they're on a nice earner. If each mechanic / bay does say 6 cars a day, each service bay is "earning" over £4,500 additional profit a year. If you've got 10, or even 5 bays "earnng" that much each you're fairly soon making your cost centre look pretty healthy. And if you're anything like most service centres you've built up a healthy contingency for the next service monkey's fk up and not impacting your planned profit forecast...

[Glassman]

They like to charge for brake cleaner too, and if they're saying they have to open a new can/bottle for each vehicle, that's fine (well it isn't really) but if they're going to charge me between 12 and 18-quid for the privilege, I'd like the rest of it, please. Ta.

[Adrian E]

I got overcharged 55% for brake fluid change and air-con service - that took 2 weeks to rectify over the phone before they admitted an error at their call centre when taking the booking meant they priced the job up wrong at their end. Service girl was entirely unrepentant or apologetic (I was clearly wrong in her opinion) and got both barrels when the expected e-mail 'customer service' feedback turned up.

They also charged for PAG oil for the air-con even though it's an oil free system, so there's another £4.50 for something they've not put in (although as above if it's priced at what they quoted and I'm happy the final bill is right I'm not bothered about what they charge to parts and labour)

[andygo]

Glassman said:

They like to charge for brake cleaner too, and if they're saying they have to open a new can/bottle for each vehicle, that's fine (well it isn't really) but if they're going to charge me between 12 and 18-quid for the privilege, I'd like the rest of it, please. Ta.

Brake cleaner aerosol (not far behind cable ties in the useful things to have charts) is £2.25 a can.

[itannum990]

Standard practice in main dealers (certainly the ones I've worked in) to charge for fluids, workshop sundry consumerables etc on every service. Needless to say it's pure profit for them. If the customer complains, give them some bullst explanation and if they try to escalate, a refund. They rarely complained though. Horrible practice.