Calling all Chevrolet Colorado owners – am I being conned?

[Mobi]

I bought a Chevrolet Colorado High Country 2.8  last November, and this week my wife booked it in for its 30,000km service.

 

The local Pattaya dealer told her the service will cost in the region of 8,000 Baht.

 

This came as quite a surprise as it 's basically only an oil change, and when I checked Chevrolet's published maintenance schedule  and costs for this vehicle (pdf) see below, it states that the cost should be 4,447 Baht – still quite high but much less than 8K Baht.

 

When we asked the dealer why the difference in cost, they told us that they do more work than is listed in the published  maintenance schedule.

 

This doesn't make sense. Why would they want to do more than is recommended by Chevrolet, unless they just want to milk the customer for more money?

 

It sounds like a con to me.

 

Any Chevrolet owners out there who have had similar issues, or can advise what I can do?

 

I have complained by email to Chevrolet in Bkk but not hopeful that I will get a reply.

 

Thanks

 

 

[JaseTheBass]

Ask them what it is they do extra and say either yes or no.

[Mobi]

1 hour ago, JaseTheBass said:

Ask them what it is they do extra and say either yes or no.

 

Yes, it seems pretty obvious, but I'm not sure it's quite that simple. I can forsee quite an argument and maybe suggestions of invalidating the warranty of we don't comply with their service schedule etc....

 

 

Anyway, I was wrong about Chevrolet BKK, as they have already responded to my email, say they understand my concerns and are taking it up with their dealer in Pattaya who may be contacting me.

 

 

It's too early to say which way this may go, as TIT and pressure can always be brought from unexpected places, but let's see.  

They might just back down and do the service cheaper for me because I have complained to BKK but continue to shaft all their other customers. I'm convinced it is a con to make some extra money.

[Anthony5]

Chevrolet Pattaya?

 

Been there, got the t-shirt

[pieeyed]

The dealer in Pattaya is a rip off artist. Sometime back they changed a pipe and piece of hose on my Captiva. The cost was 20,000 baht. They said there was a hole in it. I could not find a hole. Complained to GM customer service. They said that the Pattaya dealer would contact us by phone. Never ever got the phone call.

[fullcave]

Oh boy, I'll add it to my no buy list.. next.

[jacko45k]

If it is basically only an oil change do it yourself or go to another garage.

8000 seems overly expensive even including some parts like an oil and air filter.

[ClutchClark]

On November 17, 2016 at 5:36 AM, Mobi said:

Yes, it seems pretty obvious, but I'm not sure it's quite that simple. I can forsee quite an argument and maybe suggestions of invalidating the warranty of we don't comply with their service schedule etc....

 

I was thinking this as well.

 

According to the Chevrolet service schedule the 30,000-km does not even require an oil change unless "needed"; but an inspection of the oil may be considered sufficient.

 

https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2015/chevrolet/colorado/2015 Chevrolet Colorado.pdf

[Rob13]

On 11/17/2016 at 5:31 PM, Mobi said:

When we asked the dealer why the difference in cost, they told us that they do more work than is listed in the published  maintenance schedule.

 

 

 If he were being up front about things he would have told you what extra things he was going to do and give you a simple breakdown of the costs. Overcharging and vague answers, time to walk away.

 

[Gashead]

Just had my Colorado serviced in the Korat Dealership.  Oli change, filter, fuel filter, wiper blades, AC filter.  Just over 4K.  So, yes you are being ripped off.  Is there another Chev dealer in the area?  

[1FinickyOne]

I have a Chevy Captiva - - probably about same size - - upcountry dealers... my oil change prices are  nearly always just a little over 4,000 baht.. I have been amazed that when there is some extra work, it has been pretty reasonable... I am sure that telling them - "no extra work" won't really help but I would bet that Chevy top management would want to know.... in the meantime, it is worth it to find another Chevy dealership... 

 

good luck.

[thesetat2013]

Take it to another dealership for service. Any Chevy shop will do it for you. 

[1FinickyOne]

ps - - any "extra work" should be covered under your warranty... I never had problems with Chevy honoring the warranty. The few times I did have problems when under warranty, it was definitely no questions asked. They were very good about that. 

 

your first question should be  - - what work was done and why is it not covered under warranty... 

[Kabula]

Thank you for reminding me why I sold my last vehicle 20 years ago along with everything else to avoid crooked dealers, repair persons, maintance costs, depreciation, sales tax, traffic citations, registration fees, sleezy Insurance Agents, gasoline rip offs, road rage and parking fees.

 

When you add up all the savings, taxis, periodic rental cars, the BTS and MRT are the only way to go for retired folks in Bangkok.

[ClutchClark]

23 minutes ago, Kabula said:

Thank you for reminding me why I sold my last vehicle 20 years ago along with everything else to avoid crooked dealers, repair persons, maintance costs, depreciation, sales tax, traffic citations, registration fees, sleezy Insurance Agents, gasoline rip offs, road rage and parking fees.

 

When you add up all the savings, taxis, periodic rental cars, the BTS and MRT are the only way to go for retired folks in Bangkok.

 

Or you could have just learned to fix it yourself  

 

I love to drive But if I lived in BKK I would follow your lead.

[Grubster]

On November 17, 2016 at 6:36 PM, Mobi said:

 

Yes, it seems pretty obvious, but I'm not sure it's quite that simple. I can forsee quite an argument and maybe suggestions of invalidating the warranty of we don't comply with their service schedule etc....

 

 

Anyway, I was wrong about Chevrolet BKK, as they have already responded to my email, say they understand my concerns and are taking it up with their dealer in Pattaya who may be contacting me.

 

 

It's too early to say which way this may go, as TIT and pressure can always be brought from unexpected places, but let's see.  

They might just back down and do the service cheaper for me because I have complained to BKK but continue to shaft all their other customers. I'm convinced it is a con to make some extra money.

Well whatever you do don't let them do it, you just showed them up. There are many mechanic shops here that can do this work and put it in the maintenance record for you online. You do not have to use the dealer and you will save half from their lower price.

[irwinfc]

Chevrolet is scam here in LOS! i told my wife not to touch a rebadged korean car (daewoo lacetti = chevy optra), but she insisted. not only is it a gas-guzzler, maintenance-wise it's also a money pit! nearly 50,000 baht for the front suspension. 3,000 baht for a timing belt. <deleted>!? burned 750 baht just to reset the onboard computer. a few mouse clicks and button presses on the keyboard - voila 750 gone! jeez!

 

unlike chevy, mitsubishi has a huge board posted near the customers' lounge that shows a table of services, vehicle models, maintenance schedule, and prices. within 4 years of owning my mirage, i have NEVER paid more than what's posted on the matrix.

 

my suggestion to the OP is to bring a Thai friend with you to help explain things to you.

[ClutchClark]

2 minutes ago, irwinfc said:

Chevrolet is scam here in LOS! i told my wife not to touch a rebadged korean car (daewoo lacetti = chevy optra), but she insisted. not only is it a gas-guzzler, maintenance-wise it's also a money pit! nearly 50,000 baht for the front suspension. 3,000 baht for a timing belt. <deleted>!? burned 750 baht just to reset the onboard computer. a few mouse clicks and button presses on the keyboard - voila 750 gone! jeez!

 

unlike chevy, mitsubishi has a huge board posted near the customers' lounge that shows a table of services, vehicle models, maintenance schedule, and prices. within 4 years of owning my mirage, i have NEVER paid more than what's posted on the matrix.

 

In the US the Korean made vehicles have performed very well and have a great reputation for dependability.

 

 

[PJPom]

Do not , I repeat, do not take your car to this dealer otherwise at the next service you might find a few unexpected problems not covered by warranty. 

You may have won this battle, BUT !!!  You will never win the war. 

Negotiation is always preferable to confrontation, find another dealer.

[kiniyow]

I stopped getting ripped off by Dealerships and started using Shell Gas Stations at Half Price..They do More them most Dealerships as you watch

[stevenl]

40 minutes ago, PJPom said:

Do not , I repeat, do not take your car to this dealer otherwise at the next service you might find a few unexpected problems not covered by warranty. 

You may have won this battle, BUT !!!  You will never win the war. 

Negotiation is always preferable to confrontation, find another dealer.

Nonsense. You may be that vindictive, others are not.

[Mobi]

Here's where we are.

After 2 rounds of email correspondence with Chevrolet HO in BKK, my wife was called by the Pattaya dealer and also by someone in Bangkok.  

The Pattaya dealer still says it will cost around 8K and whoever called her from Bangkok said it would cost around 7K.

I told her to call the dealer in Sri Racha and they told her 6.6K.

Someone on FBook wrote that they were charged 12K for the 30k service in Pattaya.

Seems like they make it up as they go along.

I have today written to Chevrolet in Bangkok and told them I am not at all happy with the situation. I have also asked them why aren't any additional parts that may be required, covered by the warranty? I'll see what they say.

Nobody has explained in detail why they will charge more than the price shown in the maintenance brochure – they just waffle on and my wife cannot follow what they are saying. I doubt if it is anything substantial as they don't have a leg to stand on.

There is no other dealer within several hundred kms of Pattaya except Rayong whose reputation is even worse than Pattaya's.

Clutchclark, your service schedule was in miles not kilometres, so the 22,500 miles service would be closer to 30000kms, but I take your point.

Anyway, I will send the pickup for service at Pattaya tomorrow and look at the invoice see what is itemised and  how much they charge. If it is not under 5K I will take it up with Bangkok.

If I am still not happy I will complain to Chevrolet in USA and ask them if they are aware that their car owners in Thailand are being ripped off by unscrupulous dealers.

 

[gdgbb]

On 17/11/2016 at 6:36 PM, Mobi said:

 

Yes, it seems pretty obvious, but I'm not sure it's quite that simple. I can forsee quite an argument and maybe suggestions of invalidating the warranty of we don't comply with their service schedule etc....

 

 

Anyway, I was wrong about Chevrolet BKK, as they have already responded to my email, say they understand my concerns and are taking it up with their dealer in Pattaya who may be contacting me.

 

It's too early to say which way this may go, as TIT and pressure can always be brought from unexpected places, but let's see.  

 

They might just back down and do the service cheaper for me because I have complained to BKK but continue to shaft all their other customers. I'm convinced it is a con to make some extra money.

Give the dealer the opportunity to do the right thing before you do anything else and, even if the charge and service is adjusted back to what it should be, make sure you go to another dealer.   The last thing that you need is a humiliated service department working on your car.

[superdome]

I had a similar "rip off" from chevy dealer on Samui...needed a new tailgate latch/lock for my colorado....they wanted 5500 to supply & fit...[a 5 minute job]..but a very nice chevy mec told me to go to another jap car dealer who had the same part...i did...1200 to supply & fit [took them 5 mins]...i complained to chevy head office...it fell on deaf ears...the colorado is a fine car..but chevy sucks..will NEVER go there again....thats the only Chevy dealer on SAMUI...so beware...keep clear of them...ok

[smccolley]

I have had my Colorado for 11 years now and really hate bringing it to the Pattaya dealer. I always feel like I am getting the shaft there, but for more serious maintenance intervals I don't know where else to take it...

 

Any suggestions?

[Kabula]

13 hours ago, ClutchClark said:

 

Or you could have just learned to fix it yourself  

 

I love to drive But if I lived in BKK I would follow your lead.

I never had to fix new Infinities.  Just had to change the oil up to 100,000 miles. Great warranty services with identical loaner vehicles.

 

Repair costs are generally minuscule compared to depreciation and other expenses.

[sgtsabai]

Fix it yourself usually is not worth the effort here. Labor prices are too cheap. The Udon Chevy dealership has never ripped me off for an oil change, in fact less, not much, than 4,000 baht and I have way too many miles/kilometers (thank you wife-NOT-she is banned from using truck now). I always did the oil change, filters and some "other" work, that I could do, on my 2002 SS Camaro back in the states and souped up 4X4 Chevy, pain in the ass but Chevy dealers there are all rip-off artists and I damn well told them so. At that rip off price, I'd just do myself. They are lying to you.

[KhunBENQ]

On 22.11.2016 at 7:45 AM, jacko45k said:

If it is basically only an oil change do it yourself or go to another garage.

8000 seems overly expensive even including some parts like an oil and air filter.

At least it's a bit more than oil change.

For example there is work on the breaks.

But I am too lazy now to go through the complete list.

 

Also I am not sure whether the list contains only cost for materials or includes the labor cost.

[Mobi]

Here's the unsatisfactory conclusion.

 

Chevrolet in Bangkok did not reply to my last two emails, advising them that I was still not happy, and asking them to explain why the service costs varied so widely around the country, etc.

 

We put the car in for service and the bill was 5860 Baht before VAT. Less than the 8K they had previously quoted but more than the published cost of 4,400 Bhat. The items on the invoice were in Thai and I have lost the will to get them translated, and take the matter any further.

 

I am not sure the extra 1500 odd Baht is worth the hassle and stress at my age.

 

In other words... they won... as they usually do.