Quote:
Originally Posted by dieseldiehard
yup I didn't fall for that.
The key I got for $250 was already programmed, the dealers all use one source in Houston.
I am no dummie, I knew the buyer at a dealership and before he retired I usually got 15% off everything.
I will keep looking and report here.
I may have to stoop so low as to use my local dealer or I should say STEALer, They got caught selling non OEM parts. everyone got a pittance back after a class action lawsuit nailed them on it.. I'd rather not give them a dime, thats why I am willing to drive 30, 50, even 90 miles to get a key.
If I save a buck it will pay for the diesel fuel, if not then at least I won't feel I am supporting my local STEALER!  |
OK, I broke down today and decided to drop in to the local Stealership for a price check.
I had a hard time finding parking, they seem to block all the spaces for Service, people with reservations get to park nearby, and all service bays are closed with a vertical entry door opened only to those willing participants who have a car under warranty or a fat pocketbook if not!
I fond a spot way down at the end for New Car sales. And I noticed the lines between parking spaces miserably close, so that toe S bodied cars would bang each others doors for certain. Might be they hope everyone drives Smart cars or something? beat the heck outta me why they painted the stripes closer together than what the City uses downtown.
OK, I go in and find a small parts counter "Retail Parts" it says. I wondered if they have a wholesale counter?
I presented my pink slip and stated I needed a second key and asked how much it would cost.
The gal poked my VIN# into a computer and after some delay said it would cost $215. I was beginning to think I had come to the right place
BUT things went downhill when she said I had to leave the car for 2 days with the service dept., and I had to pay an additional $35(or was it $75?) for cutting the small key that folds into the fob. I was still lukewarm to the sale and asked if I could get the Vintage Club discount I used to get before Sonic bought the dealership. Her reply was ok, they could do a 10% discount for senior members.
But
THEN EVERYTHING WENT TO THE TOILET (to use a friend's way of commenting)
She said there would be an added
$231 PROGRAMMING FEE!
I said that was a rip off! because another dealer recently quoted me $75 for a programming fee (even if they don't have to program the fob!).
I informed her the last key I bought from a dealer had NO programming fee, and asked what the reason for this was in the first place since the keys are coded from a place in Houston, or they used to be.
She just shrugged and said thats what it would cost me, $482 Net.
I just walked out. NEVER going back to that STEALERSHIP!
I'm thinking I will just forget buying a second fob.