Folger Buick
In, NC Repair Rip Off!

On May 24 th at 9:45 AM I had my 1997 Buick Skylark towed to Folger Buick in Charlotte, NC because of a Antifreeze leak. The car started and ran perfectly, and made no noise, but I was afraid to drive it after I noticed some antifreeze on the garage floor. The fluid level in the reservoir was not low but for safety I added some water anyway.

The service writer, told me that it was more than likely a water pump problem, and that the repair would be $550. Not hearing from him the next day 5/25, I called for the status. He said that it would be repaired by 5 PM and that now that we have to go into the engine you might as well change the timing chain, tensioner, and gear. It would save you labor if you needed to change it later on. He quoted me an additional $375 for the parts only no cost for labor. I personally know that it is very rare for the gear itself to be changed in a vehicle with only 47,000 miles and the tensioner, chain and gasket set do not cost more that $150. Where he got the $375 for parts I don't know, but I clearly asked twicedo I have to have this done? Both times he stated that it would just be a good idea at this time to avoid having to pay additional labor at a later date. Never was I told that I had to change these parts.

When I went to start the car after paying the bill it had a very loud engine noise. It sounded like a bucket of bolts. I called Chris Blalock over and he asked the mechanic to listen to it. The mechanic (Mike) revved the engine a few times and the noise went away. He said that the engine had a noise the service writer responded not like that! But he offered a paltry explanation, but because of the volume and modulation of his voice it was unintelligible.By his statement Chris showed an honesty that is the ONLY saving grace in this situation. Clearly and unequivocally there was no engine noise like this that ever came from this vehicle prior to Folger servicing it.

The bottom line is that I brought my car in for a water pump repair and picked it up after service with a timing chain tensioner problem. I refused to take the car and left it at the dealership.

When I called the service manager he just said that I was out of luck and that if I wanted the new noise fixed it would be an additional $900. He would not even let me speak witht he General Manager.
The GM Customer Service Mangers help person said that they have no authority and that they take the word of the service manager whatever that may be and that YES I WAS OUT OF LUCK!

I never knew how dishonest a dealership could be!

Company: Folger Buick
Country: USA
State: North Carolina
City: Charlotte
Address: 5701 E Independence Blvd
Phone: 7045369635

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