be careful of Dealerships charging Haz Mat Disp Fee!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BethlehemPrius, Jun 5, 2007.

  1. BethlehemPrius

    BethlehemPrius New Member

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    Thought I would share my experience with everyone.

    Took my other Toyota in for service today, and all I had done was state inspection. Upon reviewing the bill once I got home there is a $3.20 charge for a Haz Mat Disp fee. So I called up the shop and asked what this was since I had nothing that was disposed of during this visit?????

    They informed me that it is on every bill for EVERY car that comes into their shop! That one kinda made me laugh, so basically they are overbilling everyone and charging everyone for this item even if it wasn't needed.

    Overcharging customers for who knows how long for something that isn't done? That adds up to a ALOT of cash!

    Ended up getting my money back, not that 3 bucks will break me, but it is the principal of the matter and good business ethics that drove me to approach this, as it is completely incorrect and probably illegal billing.

    Just another reason to check over your bill with a fine tooth comb!

    I should note, that other than this experience everyone at the dealership has been really good to me, so no other complaints so far
     
    #1 BethlehemPrius, Jun 5, 2007
  2. Tom6850

    Tom6850 Retired

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BethlehemPrius @ Jun 5 2007, 12:40 PM) [snapback]455741[/snapback]</div>
    Was this a local Toyota dealer in the ABE area? If it is, who is the dealer so that I can avoid them?
     
    #2 Tom6850, Jun 5, 2007
  3. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Every dealership I know has that charge or some sort of materials charge. Do you think haz mat materials get hauled away for free?
     
    #3 malorn, Jun 5, 2007
  4. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malorn @ Jun 5 2007, 02:07 PM) [snapback]455835[/snapback]</div>
    Are there any hazardous materials used during a saftey and emissions inspection that need to be hauled away?
     
    #4 Marlin, Jun 5, 2007
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malorn @ Jun 5 2007, 02:07 PM) [snapback]455835[/snapback]</div>
    I don't think he was quibbling with a charge for hazardous material disposal, only in this case there was no material. The dealer is probably spreading the cost over every bill, much like a tax for 911 service, but they probably don't do a good job explaining it.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Jun 5, 2007
  6. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jun 5 2007, 01:14 PM) [snapback]455839[/snapback]</div>
    Exactly, it is usually a percentage of the labor charge of each bill.
     
    #6 malorn, Jun 5, 2007
  7. BethlehemPrius

    BethlehemPrius New Member

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    I have no issues paying a fee if I had an appointment that actually involved of getting rid of oil, etc.

    But given the fact that there was no fluids of any kind, it isn't ethical business practices to bill every customer for it.
     
    #7 BethlehemPrius, Jun 5, 2007
  8. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    You might consider contacting the regulatory agency that oversees the inspectors and the program to see if it's legal. In Virginia, what state inspection stations may charge is regulated. They do not charge this fee if the only service is the inspection.
     
    #8 JimboK, Jun 5, 2007
  9. BethlehemPrius

    BethlehemPrius New Member

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    Thanks for the tip, I would pursue it further if they refused to give me the money back. I think they need to be careful with the billing or they could end up in a situation of a class action suit.

    thx
     
    #9 BethlehemPrius, Jun 5, 2007
  10. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malorn @ Jun 5 2007, 01:07 PM) [snapback]455835[/snapback]</div>
    One of the reasons Barlow Chevy in Delran, NJ pi$$ed me off is that they added a "paperwork fee". Charging the customer seperately for your overhead is a sure sign the dealer is a sleazebag. :angry:
     
    #10 JimN, Jun 5, 2007
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