My wife took her 99 GS400 into the Lexus dealer here today to get a wood steering wheel installed. She noticed that one of the fogs had gone out so asked them to change bulb.

Well I had switched her car to different bulbs the last time one went out so they replaced both of them with stock Lexus bulbs.

They did not have any in stock so they took them out of some fog lights they had in the parts department. Come on they don't stock bulbs?

Here is what blew me away, they charged $27.17 for each bulb $54.34 for the both of them and then charged $47.50 to put them in. You gotta be kidding me. Over $100 for two bulbs and getting them put in.

I know dealers charge more and I know the two lights should look the same but I really feel like this is a bit much


Should I let it go? Is that a fair price for a dealer?
I'm real inclined to call up and gripe about the cost.


Ivan
3dog

 

I wouldn't let it go... i would get my money back and order some bulbs online and get them for ahalf price if not cheaper... I can't beleive the nerve to charge such ridiculous prices.. YEa there still making money but come on..it doesn't have to be a 200% mark up... I would call and say something.... Good Luck....

 

hey Ivan,they probably charge people that all day, doesn't mean it's reasonable, but I'm not surprised.

you should've known better than to let them do the bulbs. I understand them doing the steering wheel. it may be worth a call to b#tch, what do you have to lose?

so tell me about the steering wheel. did you have them install an American Stiches wheel or what?

 

no way would i let it go

first of all, stock bulbs they are like 13 bucks each AT THE VERY MOST, period. i don't see how they make some even better bulbs

second, even if i change the fogs it will take at most 5 mins to change BOTH fogs. if that cost 47.50 to change it, that means i am at a labor rate of $570/hr. are they insane or what? nothing less than ridiculous on their side

tell them to either make everything right or ask them to take back everything, and tell them you will be changing the fogs YOURSELF right at the service desk

 

hhee yeah, ivan, why not tell us more about it

 

Unacceptable. Talk to them immediately.

 

I'd go in and talk to the service writer in person. That seems like highway robbery for the amount of effort they put into it. A good dealer will work with you.
Every time I go to a dealer I ask them to call me and tell me exactly what it will cost before they do any work. Might try that in the future.

 

Romini pointed out a used steering wheel in the classified.

I picked it up for $125. Had the guy send it to Am Stitches. They were supposed to do an ergonomic thumb grip on the wheel and the gal forgot to put that on the order form. Then when the wheel showed up here I realized that the plastic part around the center was biege and they had put tan leather on. On top of that the stitching was coming undone in one spot. So I called them up and they said they could change the plastic part to grey and redo the leather for $95.
Since I felt to blame for that it seemed reasonable. ( I had never actually had the wheel so did not know it was beige ) They would not take off the wood and redo and add the thumb grips unless i paid them another $450. Since my wife said the thumb grips were not a deal breaker I let it slide. I kind of think they should have done the wood over as part of the deal since I told them I wanted the thumb grips.

Wife is happy with her new steering wheel. Lexus charged $147 to put it on. Seems like when I had the one I bought thru Romini from Neo that they said they were only going to charge for one hr. Well I looked at that bill tonight and I had the tie rods and ball joints replaced at the same time and they don't break it down as to what labor was on each item. But it seems like I got charged or at least an hr and a half labor this time so I guess I'll ***** about that too when I call them up tomorrow.


Henry I would love to see you change those bulbs in 5 minutes. I had a lot of trouble getting my fat hands back inside to unscrew stuff. Took me at least a half hour but I am not very good at such things. I would expect a tech at the dealer to be really fast though.

I know that when I used to have a Camry the dealer would change bulbs for free.


Ivan
3dog

 

I agree with the others. That simply is not acceptable. Those fog lamp assemblies come out in no time (they are held in by 2 screws). I've never swapped the bulbs, but it can't possibly take 1/2 hour unless the guy takes a 20 minute nap somewhere in between. Moreover, you paid them $150 to put on your steering wheel. How about a little good will here? It's not enough that they charged you $27 per bulb, but then to tack on another $25 per to install each one is outrageous. If you're a good customer of the service department (and I would assume that you would be with 2 GS's), they need to make this right for you. Just my .02.

e

 

I think you bought Synergy's steering wheel.

In any case, I think that is pretty excessive for changing fog bulbs. Also, I am not sure what you mean by reaching back. Don't you just take the fog housings out, replace the bulbs, and put the housing back?

 

ivan, not from the back!!!!!!! unscrew the two little black screws on the side of the foglight housing, and then the housing will come out!!!!!! just change the bulb that way, much easier!!!!

man if you are local here i would have done it free even. i can't believe they actually had the guts to charge you

 

You are right it was Synergy's old steering wheel.

Ya I was trying to do it from the back.

Ivan
3dog

 

Did they use gold screwdrivers? That is why when it comes to minor things, like oil changes,bulbs, I go elsewher or do it myself. Major service or electrical repair (if necessary), I will go to the dealer.

 

steal-er-ship...man..this is one of the easiest things to do..buy your 9006 bulb of choice and remove two philips screws per side and your done.

 

OUCH...yeah....you can have the fogs out in a few turns of a screwdriver.....i'm glad i know how to work on cars....