Dealership Charging $199 for Air Strake Install

[GoldenHand]

Took my Dark Horse in for its first service and asked them to install the Air Strakes underneath the car. They told me I would have to pay $199 for the labor hour. I'm probably going to do this myself if that's the case, but why is Ford charging me money for parts they provided on the car they didn't install? Shouldn't they be obligated to install this part for all Dark Horse owners?

I bought this used with 2,300 miles and the Air Strakes we're still packaged in the trunk.

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[GrabThatBlue]

That's why dealers are known as stealers.
Dealers in general have a bad reputation.
- deny warranty claims for stupid reasons
- deny warranty claims even when there is no reason
- change parts without letting you know and after pick up charging you for
- try to charge you money for something they should do for free

They will try their best to make you pay. Even when they know they should have fixed it.

I always say, your warranty is out the door when you drive your car out of their showroom.

No hard feeling for people here who sell vehicles, but many act so fake, I'm allergic to that kind of communication. You already know from the start that he's only their to get his bonus.

Threatening them for posting bad reviews sometimes help. In my case it helped, 14 years ago when I bought a brand new car. But make sure you find another dealer or garage after winning your first fight.

 

[VTX CHF]

I thought the strakes where a dealer installed item per the delivery checklist for all of us, I know the air/oil separator is your cost.

 

[sdsteele2]

To be fair, you bought it used. To me that generally implies as-is plus any factory warranty. The person who has a valid complaint is the original owner and it’s with the original selling dealer. That dealer was compensated for the pre-delivery inspection and should have done it.

A descent dealership should take care of it for you as a courtesy , but I don’t see any actual obligation. No way it takes an hour. It really takes about 10 minutes. If they said 1/2 hour minimum shop time, I could see that.

You may be better off asking the sales manager to cover it. Sales and service are usually run like two independent businesses. Service does deserve to get compensated but it should come from the sales side not you.

 

[GoldenHand]

To be fair, you bought it used. To me that generally implies as-is plus any factory warranty. The person who has a valid complaint is the original owner and it’s with the original selling dealer. That dealer was compensated for the pre-delivery inspection and should have done it.

A descent dealership should take care of it for you as a courtesy , but I don’t see any actual obligation. No way it takes an hour. It really takes about 10 minutes. If they said 1/2 hour minimum shop time, I could see that.

You may be better off asking the sales manager to cover it. Sales and service are usually run like two independent businesses. Service does deserve to get compensated but it should come from the sales side not you.

Makes sense. They were already getting underneath the car for the service which is why I asked if they could go ahead and put the strakes in considering it's 10 screws and washers. I have no problem doing this myself as I have a jack and the screws, but I was a bit confused as to the whole charge for a dealer-installed part from the factory that comes standard.

 

[roadpilot]

.. but why is Ford charging me money for parts they provided on the car they didn't install?

Ford isn't charging you anything.

These are dealer installed parts, not factory installed parts.

You didn't buy this new, you bought it used, as is.

 

[MAT1955]

The strakes should have been installed by the selling dealership as part of their PDI. They are the ones who dropped the ball or maybe the original owner didn't want them installed. Yes, $199.00 is a bit steep but a service order has to be generated, a tech has to put the car on/off a lift and install them. A friend of mine owned a dealership I can attest that what sometimes appears to be an overcharge may have another side to the story - not always but sometimes.

 

[Decio]

My strakes were installed on my GT in minutes with the car on the ground. Dealers make money on return service appointments. Make it clear your willing to drive over to the next dealer for routine maintenance, and follow through if they don't come through for you.

 

[FrostyOne]

Took my Dark Horse in for its first service and asked them to install the Air Strakes underneath the car. They told me I would have to pay $199 for the labor hour. I'm probably going to do this myself if that's the case, but why is Ford charging me money for parts they provided on the car they didn't install? Shouldn't they be obligated to install this part for all Dark Horse owners?

I bought this used with 2,300 miles and the Air Strakes we're still packaged in the trunk.

I have an appointment to take my car on for it's first oil change next week. I also noticed these parts in the area next to the Tire inflator. Thought it was a front license plate mount when I first looked in there when I took delivery.

I have requested that they be installed when I take it in for service, I don't plan on paying for these parts to be installed as they are clearly part of the vehicle and should have been installed during the PDI and prep stage of the original sales transaction.

Will post how I make out.

 

[IFFV68]

That's why dealers are known as stealers.
Dealers in general have a bad reputation.
- deny warranty claims for stupid reasons
- deny warranty claims even when there is no reason
- change parts without letting you know and after pick up charging you for
- try to charge you money for something they should do for free

They will try their best to make you pay. Even when they know they should have fixed it.

I always say, your warranty is out the door when you drive your car out of their showroom.

No hard feeling for people here who sell vehicles, but many act so fake, I'm allergic to that kind of communication. You already know from the start that he's only their to get his bonus.

Threatening them for posting bad reviews sometimes help. In my case it helped, 14 years ago when I bought a brand new car. But make sure you find another dealer or garage after winning your first fight.

Amen to the above.
I would go to another Ford dealer and have them install it
I believe Ford Motor Company needs to be aware of this Shady Dealer!
Good Luck.
Sin Loy

 

[8LAKK8UNSHINE]

I don't want the dealership touching my cars. The strakes are very easy to install. There are Youtube videos out there. Easiest time to do it is when you change the oil. To me it's not just to make sure it's done right; it's a chance to look over the car and check to make sure everything looks proper.

 

[GoldenHand]

Ford isn't charging you anything.

These are dealer installed parts, not factory installed parts.

You didn't buy this new, you bought it used, as is.

Sorry, should have added the "dealership" part that wanted to charge me $200 for a part they should install. Good thing the dealership came to their senses and installed it for free while changing my tires today.

 

[GoldenHand]

I don't want the dealership touching my cars. The strakes are very easy to install. There are Youtube videos out there. Easiest time to do it is when you change the oil. To me it's not just to make sure it's done right; it's a chance to look over the car and check to make sure everything looks proper.

Funny thing about your post is they were changing my tires and as I went underneath to see the Air Strakes, I looked over the tires and they ended up damaging my right rear wheel. Once I pointed it out they immediately offered to fix it. The bad news is the repair takes 2-3 days and I don't have a spare to throw on while it's in the shop. On top of that, I have my first track day 9 days from now so I hope it doesn't take more than 3 days to fix.

If anyone lives in Dallas and has a reputable, independent mechanic they go to service their Mustang then please let a fellow owner know.

 

[GoldenHand]

Amen to the above.
I would go to another Ford dealer and have them install it
I believe Ford Motor Company needs to be aware of this Shady Dealer!
Good Luck.
Sin Loy

I asked another dealer I worked with in the past and told me to bring it by for a free install. I was going to take up on that offer until the dealership installing my tires realized how simple it was to install them so they ended up putting the strakes on free of charge. Smart decision.

 

[GoldenHand]

I have an appointment to take my car on for it's first oil change next week. I also noticed these parts in the area next to the Tire inflator. Thought it was a front license plate mount when I first looked in there when I took delivery.

I have requested that they be installed when I take it in for service, I don't plan on paying for these parts to be installed as they are clearly part of the vehicle and should have been installed during the PDI and prep stage of the original sales transaction.

Will post how I make out.

Let me know how it goes. Regardless of where you got your car from, I believe any dealership can easily install Strakes during any service that requires them to get underneath. The good ones, at least.

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