Should a Dealer do this? What would you do?

I just had my '07 Gen2 in the local Toyota dealership last week for two outstanding recall items. No hassle and done within the alotted time, while I waited. Very happy with the service.
Yesterday, when I went to open the hatch, I noticed the license plate frame had been changed to one with the dealer name/logo. I had just previously installed new plates so I knew that it was different and this was the first time this car had been to this local dealership.
I'm not really upset since the old frame had no meaning to me since I had just purchased the car in another city and since they were very nice and attentive. However, if my service had been less than satifactory I might have raised this as an issue.

If I were to discuss this with the dealer, I might suggest that they offer to detail the the exterior in exchange for "allowing" the shop to change the frame. Some dealers do detail and it is a great service. At this visit, my car was already detailed since I had just purchased it.

If the frame they removed had been a personal or custom frame I would have to complain. Otherwise, good service is often the exception and this case may not be an issue.

Opinions??

Steve

 

I wonder what their reaction would be if I pulled into their service bay with a frame or bumper sticker that said "XYZ Toyota $uck$" ?? Freedom of Opinion if it is on my own car.
However, from that "Point On" I wouldn't expect or trust their service.
I'm not going to let this bother me, however, the only reason I have gone to the dealer is for Recall work and they welcome me for that. "Easy money for them" and my main concern is that they seem clueless on most hybrid problems the fall outside the norm.

Steve

 

Well I kinda agree with you there and that was my intial reaction, but then if they want to or have put it on my car, then I want to ask them "What is in it for ME". ie.. detail my car each time I come in for recall or other service. Like I said, in my experience, some dealer do a nice job in detailing while your car is waiting to be picked up. (I think that is when the plate frame gets changed)

Also, it is seldom that I drive a car that a dealer would be proud to have their logo on. Maybe this was their way of complimenting me on my car and the fact that it wasn't an eye sore.

Just my opinion FWIW

steve

 

I purchased it from a private party. I get better deals that way. Seldom any problems and avoid the dealer markup.
I have only purchased three new cars in my 60 years of car ownership. And of the 8 used cars I have purchased from dealers, I can't say that I was ever totally happy with the deals (always in hind-site, of course). Probably half of those ended up with hidden problems that I couldn't get them to correct. Only one time, when the tranny went out in less than 24hrs, did I at least get a choice of a replacement car. Private party or auction sales are my preferred way for shopping and purchasing a car. Sometime I get a good deal on a trade-in. Most of the time, tradins end up being lossers or part cars. Two of my Gen2s are "road kill" and the truth be known, I can make more on parting them out than fixing them up. However, I have a soft heart for them and most of the time I can see the potential to repair them in my good time (or failing that, still good for parts).

Steve

 

I should also have pointed out that I got the VIN before I went to make and offer. With that I looked it up on TIS and found the two outstanding recalls.
That was one of a couple issues that I pointed out the the sell as a safety issue (who was clueless). After walk around and 'clucking' about all the scratches in the paint, bumper dings, floor mats and one missing SKS fob,etc, I pulled out my print out of the Kelly BB Seller Price range and offered at just below the Fair price. She called her husband and he told her it was up to her. (I wouldn't suggest that type of inspection approach would work on all sellers. This one was to sell because her husband left it up to her to sell this car if she wanted to get a different one.)
The Deal Was Done as I gave her a deposit, with a promise if the balance in 5 working days.

Steve

 

Yes, I (will) LIKE that analogy!

Steve