Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Christopher Dodge Service Rip-off ?

[bkendall5651]

I checked with the previous owner and he tells me that he only had the front brake rotars turned once so it seems very unlikely to me that turning them one more time would have put them out of tolerance, but in my mind, it shows a pretty consistent pattern of deceitful service practices on the part of Christopher Dodge.



I"m going to continue my research to see if I can get enough evidence or testimony to nail these crooks but wanted to warn the rest of you and ask you to pass the word along so other people don't fall victim to their fraudulent service practices.

 

[mlockner]

I do not think you can trust any dealer. I took my truck to the dealer you are talking about for the first oil change and the moron they had doing oil changes forgot to put the oil fill cap back on when he was done. Needless to say this was a giant mess that I had to fight and argue with the dealer over to get cleaned up and resolved. Luckily I found it soon after the oil change. I also made them note on paperwork in writing that if I have any problems in the future that could possibly be related to this that they would be responsible. This was a real PITA. Be cautious of any dealer or shop you do not have any experience with. CYA in all instances.



Mike L.

 

[JohnS]

WOW! I've had these people do a variety of things for my truck and have had nothing but good things to report... same goes for a number of my friends. On the other hand I have a good friend working there as a technician, so I'm sure I avoid (as well as my friends) a ton of the rif-raf that would normally result. I sure hate to hear horror stories like this, particularly those that hit so close to home.



Good luck

 

[bkendall5651]

I'm sure they have some method of picking their victims and I seem to fit the profile because they are not the first. Obvioulsy, they would get caught if they cheated everybody who came in. I think they wait for things that are pretty technical and that can easily turn into a technical debate so they can avoid obvious exposure.



If all the customer has is suspicions and circumstantial evidence, they know it's difficult if not impossible to hold then accountable and most people won't even try for that reason.



They didn't know how stubborn and dertermined I can be.

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by bkendall5651

I'm sure they have some method of picking their victims and I seem to fit the profile because they are not the first. Obvioulsy, they would get caught if they cheated everybody who came in. I think they wait for things that are pretty technical and that can easily turn into a technical debate so they can avoid obvious exposure.



If all the customer has is suspicions and circumstantial evidence, they know it's difficult if not impossible to hold then accountable and most people won't even try for that reason.



They didn't know how stubborn and dertermined I can be.

Have you read the thread entitled " I WON!!!!!" in the 24v section? Dewdo got screwed by a stealer and he took them to small claims court and got his money back. Unfortunatly his warranty is still voided by DC (thanks to the kind and thoughtful service manager), but at least the stealer has to refund the money they ripped him off for on BS repairs + court costs.



Read his story and the thread "I won!!!!" it may be an inspiration for taking matters to court and get retribution from the crooks at Christopher's Dodge. I feel if more truck owners did this in justified instances it would send a message to all the unscrupulous dealers.



PS: Don't back down!!! They are gambling you will get discouraged or whatever and drop the whole matter. Which just sends a re-enforcing message to them that they can hose vehicle owners.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Did you pay by credit card? Dispute the charges - it will cause them enough grief that they will probably 'settle' with you.



Brian

 

[PSInt]

Dealers

Several years ago I was a Service Manager at a Chrysler Plymouth Dealer in Ohio..... and at a Toyota Dealer in Jacksonville, Fl. Both States have very similar laws and I would imagine the laws there are pretty close to the same thing. If a job is going to be over $25. the dealer is required to give you a written estimate. If upon inspection the cost is going to be more than 10% over the estimate, they must call you with a revised estimate. It is the responsibility of the dealer to save the old parts for you. That's the law ! Most Service Orders have a block to initial if you don't want an estimate or if you don't want your old parts. I'd call the BBB and maybe one of those TV guys that go around screwing with crooks like that. As far as changing the fuel sender, I did mine in about 1/2 hour without pulling the tank. Remove the bolts from the bed except for the two in the back. Loosen them quite a bit. Remove the ground strap on the right side of the bed. I hooked a strap between the tie-downs in the front of the bed and used a cherry picker to jack the bed up like a dump truck. The sender will be right in front of you with no obstructions. The rear bolts will keep the bed positioned so that when you lower it, it goes right back where it should.

Can't imagine how they could have screwed up the tank. It's a very easy thing to change the sender... ... If the truth were known, Chrysler should be paying for all these senders. They know they have a problem and they're making a fortune selling the sending units ! I'm really not impressed with their ethics... or lack of.....



P. S. The Credit Card dispute is a GREAT idea !!

 

[1tuffram]

Curious if there have been any new developments.

 

[PSInt]

Sorry, sounds like you were hosed. Dodge vehicles are like boats and airplanes. If you don't learn to work on them yourself it's gonna be expensive. The dealers don't seem to know much about the diesels. Most dealers charge full list price too... . roughly twice what they pay for them, sometimes more. The aftermarket doesn't make near as much for Dodge as they do Chevy and Fords. That keeps Dodge parts prices in outer space. If you're gonna keep that thing I suggest you do some reading. I changed my fuel sender in about an hour. Barely got dirty. I took all the bolts out that hold the bed on except the last two. I backed the nuts off until it was flush with the end of the bolts. Then I attached a cargo strap to the tie downs in the front of the bed and used an engine hoist to pick the front up like a dump truck. The fuel sender was right there. :-laf Easy to change... no special tools and there are no close tolerance critical dimensions around the sender, and unless they screwed the tank up taking it out it should be just fine. Can't imagine why they would replace the tank. I'd call Chrysler and file a complaint. #@$%! May not do much good because they kind of have an attitude too. can't hurt though... :-{}

 

[JFlagg]

I don't have any experience with this dealer, being from STL, but I did have to go to John Elway once to have a TPS replaced on my way to go hunting several years ago and they fit me right in after I told them my situation. And believe me, I was in a hurry to get to the mts! Think I was there about an hour, they even washed my truck! Which was funny 'cause it was snowing like a b%*#h and was going to get dirty again. Would recommend them, though that was back in about 03 I think. Just my 2 cents... .

 

[arthr31]

how does an issue from 2002 resurface again today? and not from the original poster putting up an update? weird... . There's a couple of good dodge dealers in MA if anyone needs a reference

 

[GHarman]

Sorry about your misfortune. I, too had a very negative experience with Christopher Dodge ( at their old Lakewood location ) and my 1st Gen. truck. I havent purchased anything from C. D. since my experience with them in 1995. It is interesting that they have a large contingency of muscle available to deal with irate customers. That means that irate customers are not a rarity for that particular dealer. GregH