I took an elderly friend's Matrix for service at North Hollywood Toyota last week, and later noticed a charge of $3.99 for "shredding documents that might contribute to identity theft" (or words to that effect.) This was on top of a $49+ charge for an oil (non-synthetic) and filter change. Included with the invoice was a coupon for $10 off the next oil change. This is for a car purchased new from their dealership! They already charge for "disposal of hazardous materials" etc. When do these things become a part of the cost of doing business, and not added to the customer's bill? It seems to me that the dealership ought to be responsible for protecting credit card numbers and other private info of their customers, period. What were they doing before they started charging for shredding? Were they giving away the info? We won't be going back to that dealership in the future, that's for sure.
When times get tough… And as long as people pay it without complaint… I can't even understand dealers charging "recycling fees", but they do it. Here are some other possible ways they could start charging: Wi-fi while you wait fee: $6.99 Donut and Coffee fee in the wait area: $4.99 Service Write-up fee: $4.99 Parts look-up fee: $2.99 Key return fee: $4.99 Appointment fee: $3.99 If it can happen, it will happen.
Sad thing is the tech's that do the work don't see any of that money, it all goes into the dealer owners pocket and the service writers bonus.
