Tags
bait and switch tatics, being taken for a fool, false and misleading advertisement, Honda HRV, Mulberry Honda HRV, overworked and underpaid, Scheduled oil changes
“Some people stand and move as if they have no right to the space they occupy. They wonder why others often fail to treat them with respect–not realizing that they have signaled others that it is not necessary to treat them with respect.” ― Nathaniel Branden, Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
This week I thought I would have more time to write and to take care of some things I had planned, but, you know what they say about plans…
My co-worker had a family emergency, so I had to add her functions to my list of things to do. I canceled most of what I had scheduled for this week, but I kept a car appointment and a quick coffee date tonight.
My car appointment yesterday left me thinking that I was being taken for a fool. I hate that feeling. The feeling that you can never let your guard down.
I went in for an oil change and was offered all kinds of extras, that I may or may not need. I said no to $1,340.00 worth of services. I said I just wanted to do the oil change and would decide on the extras the next time, which I think is what I said last time.
They send me coupons all the time, but normally when I am about to get the oil changed, I never find them. This time a coupon had just arrived the day before. I showed him the coupon and said I would like to use it. He said that the coupon was for a specific oil that it was not what my car takes. But there was another coupon with it, that it would get me a discount and instead of $1,340.00 I would have to pay only $1,072.00.
I tried to argue and ask why was I sent something that I was not going to be able to use. The coupon specifically mentioned my car. He said that it said so in some small print.
He said that he would still give me a promotional fee of $59.95. The coupon was for $39.95. Not wanting to argue and needing to get to work, I just said ok, go ahead.
Still feeling annoyed, I added, can I have my coupon back? As he handed it to me, I said: “I want to make a few phone calls and give Honda a piece of my mind. This is false advertisement, or some type of bait-and-switch scam, but whatever it is, it is not right.”
He then said. “Don’t worry about it, I am going to talk to my manager and we can give you that price”.
Stuff like that makes me mad. The upselling, the misleading, anyone trying to get one over the next guy. Does this happen to me because I am a woman, or perhaps I just look like an unsuspecting fool?
As a side note, do you know what type of services is really necessary for a 5-year-old Honda HRV with only 13,000 miles?
Thank you for visiting today 😊 May your day be blessed! ♥
I will come back tomorrow and report on my quick coffee date tonight.
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
I can’t stand it. I was in Town Faire tire once, and wanted the price for two tires they had advertised. Then they added on mounting, and balancing and it was a hundred dollars more. I turned my back and started to leave. When the man asked why I decided against the tires, I called him an effen liar and it was like clickbait to get me into the store. The manager came out and gave me the additional, but necessary services. I’ll never go back again after their deceitful practices.
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I don’t get it, why do that? I guess a lot people fall for that. I always go to Honda for service because I bought the car there, but that turned me off. But I feel there is nowhere to run. I think the upselling of services comes with the territory; but I draw the line at the false advertisement.
Then, when they agreed to give me the lower price I always wonder if will I be getting a good job, or they will cut corners and give me bad oil.
And here was I thinking of inviting you to my next oil change…
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I can threaten them with my bobblehead.
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perfect! That is exactly what I had in mind when I thought of bringing you along lol
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See? Sympatico.
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always 🙂
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❤️
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Blessings to you and Coda ♥♥
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You are right, I still think it is a woman going to car dealers, or sevices, as they do think we don’t know anything. Well I don’t really but I have learnt a bit. I did haggle with the price last time too and I won, I felt rather good. 🙂
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Hi Ute,
I am getting better, but I am still a long way from informing myself about cars, and other areas.
Good for you! I am going to try to be more assertive going forward.
It does feel good 🙂
Blessings to you! ♥
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Deceitful is the word. I am paranoid about going to mechanics, my wallet bleeds a lot of the times.
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Same here! There is nothing simple or cheap about dealing with them 😦
Blessings to you Cassa! ♥
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My current mechanic seems reasonable on pricing. But my car seems to make funny break noises. I can’t win. 😅
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ha! when you think you got it made, there comes those weird noises lol
Good luck, and do look at the breaks. I am always afraid of losing my breaks at the top of a hill.
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Will do…
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Oh, my Lord. I can’t believe those prices!!! That’s not upselling? Was he riding a black horse, wearing a mask and holding a pistol?
At 15,000 miles it should have an oil change (I would recommend changing the oil filter and the air filter) plus a system check. That probably means plugging it into laptop. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with it. They are very reliable cars.
From my research I’d say the average cost for that service is around $300. But if you look around you might get it cheaper. Hva you tried FB for garage recommendations? Or, do you have a college nearby that teaches motor vehicle technology? They are usually looking for cars for their students to work on. They can’t go wrong on a basic service and it gives the kids some ‘real’ experience. My college has saved me £1000 pounds recently with a couple of things they’ve done.
At $39 I guess all they did was change the oil? I like to change the filter too. If I lived nearby I could have done it in half an hour lol.
Sorry, I tend to go on a bit haha.
Hope your well and stuff the facilitation of life… Write!! Lol x
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Hi Charlie,
Indeed, I thought he would say around $300 and I would have done, but $1,300 seemed way too excessive.
Interesting the college idea, I am going to check it out.
If only you lived nearby… Why do all my knights in shining armor live so far?
Write I will 🙂
Blessings to you! ♥
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Good, I hope you have success with the college.
I’m probably more of a Peaky Blinder than knight in shining armour lol.
Write a novel about a beautiful woman who always seems to be attracted to the wrong man and after years of misfortune she realises that her childhood sweetheart has never really left her mind. She searches him out only to find that he is married and there…. the plot thickens. I like that format, it’s a best seller already 😉
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ha, I can see that (you as a Peaky Blinder)
Perhaps that the idea for that book that I long to write…
Blessings this weekend! ♥
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You obviously saw clearly what was happening there. They thought you would just quietly pay extra and forget about it. Bravo for planning to advocate for honest advertising and I still think you should make those calls. I wouldn’t trust these folks at all. Unfortunately many businesses take the short view – and just scam and lose sight of the benefit of regular customers and positive word of mouth. I don’t know what all these extras are but your car sounds really new. Most oils now are so well made that 10,000 km between oil changes is not a problem. I used to do every 5000 but that was a habit from when I used to do it myself.
I assume you have choices where to get your work done, try to find a family owned business if you can. Plus order the cheesecake on your coffee date – you deserve it. Hugs.
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Hi David,
I agree. So many business, and people, are very short sighted.
I am going to do my research and shop around next time.
I ordered the scone and it was not good 😦
Blessing to you this weekend! ♥
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I have a Honda, mine is 12 years old. I always go to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. Of course, they try to add some extras, but most I would pay is $120-150… oil change, new filter, extra fluids (breaks, windshield wiper), etc. I would only go to Honda if you need to have a Service check and you are under warranty for that.
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Hi Monica,
I did expect to be offered some extras, but $1,300 was shocking. I am changing places next time.
Wishing you a blessed weekend! ♥
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I would suggest it is time to find a new place to service your car. Ask around for a trustworthy mechanic (AAA has a list of mechanics/garages).
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Thank you Madeline! Checking AAA is a great idea.
Wishing you a blessed weekend! ♥
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so sorry Ana. that’s the worst!! Especially when it’s out of our league. I think we’ve all been there at one point or another.. staying tuned for the coffee date.. heading there now.. 💖💖
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I will be better prepared next time 🙂
Thank you Cindy! Blessings!
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Thank you for sharing!!… only the hearts will know where this might lead… perhaps just think of it as a day with a friend… “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)… 🙂
Have a wonderful and safe ski trip, a even better Valentines day filled with love and happiness and until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
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Thank you Larry for the great advice!!
Blessings to you! ♥♥
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Thank you for sharing!!… there are a lot of people that would not question like you did and businesses try to take advantage of it… 🙂
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Thank you for sharing!!… most people will not question the issue and businesses take advantage of that, kind of like going to the dentist… 🙂
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oh, don’t even get me started on dental issues. I am going to dentist on Friday and it is always bad news. Fingers crossed this time is different.
Thank you Larry, wishing you a blessed week!
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Oh, that makes me so mad! I wish I had been with you. My time in Cairo has given me special skills with men who try to upsell at car places. Once I was in a similar position but I told them to stop the work and had it checked at another garage who told me there was nothing wrong with my 70,000 miles Honda Accord.
The same first rotten mechanic let someone leave without securing the wheel nuts. This car was in front of me when the tire went flying off. Another guy rescued the tire and I went off to lambast the mechanics who came in a recovery truck to rescue him.
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HI Kerry,
oh wow, what a crazy story, I always have nightmares about mechanics messing up my breaks, now I will worry about the tires also 😦
I am definitely going to educate myself on what I really need next time and the prices. I will also look for a different place.
Wishing you a blessed week!
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It all ended well, Ana! I ask friends for personal reviews, Google the business and then go with my gut. To be honest, I think my Scottish accent scares most straight!!
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haha, now I am trying to picture what you sound like. I think I would love it. 🙂
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Your wish is my command, Ana!
https://chattykerry.wordpress.com/2021/02/07/naughty-kerry-with-clippers/
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Thank you Kerry,
I cannot believe I had forgotten that I already knew your voice. I saw that video and loved it, the hair and the voice. 🙂
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Thank you, Ana!!!
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I had the same problem with the service for my Honda Jazz, 3 times they reduced the price so I left them. They told me my warranty wouldn’t cover certain things if I had it serviced elsewhere but I figured I’d still be better off over a few years so I found a small local garage who did it for about a quarter of what they were asking – and collected and delivered the car back after service!
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Hi, that has been my fear exactly – that if I take it someplace else, then it invalidates the warranty. I need to look into it and see if it is true or not.
I really want to take it to another place next time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. A blessed weekend to you! (I am already in the weekend mood 🙂
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