The Joys of Vehicle Ownership

A few months ago I received a notice from my car manufacturer telling me that there was a recall on my car. Nothing major--seems there is a problem with the heated seats (or booty warmers as I like to call them). Apparently, some people's booties have been getting too warm so VW decided to install something to keep that from happening. I thought the idea of someone getting a booty burn from their vehicle's seat was pretty funny, but I digress...


I received a "2nd notice" that I needed to take action to correct this ASAP so I went ahead and made an appointment--1 week in advance--to have the recall work done and to also have one of my brake light bulbs replaced.


So the big day comes. My appointment was at 9:30 am. I arrived to drop my car off around 8:50. I checked in, everything was great. I noticed that the estimate for the work was $55. The recall work was free, of course. They were charging me $55 to replace the light bulb. Yes. One light bulb.


So I asked the dude about it. My car is still under warranty so naturally I assumed that a break light bulb would be covered. Naturally, I was wrong. Needless to say, the brake light remains out. I will have to have a vehicularly-inclined man friend replace it.

Before I leave, I ask how long it should take for them to finish. Two or three hours. I'm thinking that's great, I can go pick the car up during lunch and not miss any work.

I call them at 12:15 (three hours later)...Apparently they've JUST started working on my car...

But it should be ready in another two or three hours (?!?).

OK, fine I still have someone who can take me to get the car at that time.

So I call again at 3:00 (another three hours later). Again, they've JUST started working...car should be ready in an hour or two.

I'm not happy. I tell them "Hey, I had an appointment and you told me 2-3 hours SIX hours ago!"

Car Dude: Well the appointment is just so we know when to expect people but as the day progresses some jobs take more time, yada, yada, yada."

I let him know that I am not pleased and that I have things to do and my ride was not going to be available for longer. He places me on hold for a couple of minutes. I suppose that was to calm me down. I was ready to speak to the manager.

So car dude comes back and tells me that someone will call me in 10 minutes with a specific time that the car will be ready. OK.

Ten minutes later I get a call...my car is finished.

?!?!

So we go from another couple of hours to finished car in 10 minutes??? Something sounds a little off here.

Why do service shops have to play games??? They know they could've had my car finished 10 minutes after I dropped it off. And I know in a couple of days someone will call me to get my opinion of the service I received. Wonder what I should tell them...