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I would rather attempt a vasectomy on myself than trust these incompetent idiots to work on a vehicle of mine. First, let me say that AFTER I dropped off my vehicle 4 different friends of mine told me that they NEVER take their trucks to Varsity for service. They live in B/CS but drive or tow their trucks to Brenham for service. (That says a lot!)
My son's F150 had a factory recall for some fire hazard on the cruise control. I dropped the truck off on a Wednesday morning not thinking there was a chance of not getting it back for the weekend, the service guy sure didn't tell me. On top of the recall, while it was there I wanted them to look at a leaky back window, Rotate and balance the tires, Check on a windshield washer fluid nozzle that didn't work, The outside temperature and compass display had also stopped working, and Finally, check a service engine light that was coming on intermittently.
First, you should know that they had the truck for one week. AND ALL THEY DID was fix the Nozzle on the windshield washer sprayer and the recall on the cruise control. And that cost $297.00, and the recall was for free. Next, you should know that after the recall service, the cruise control no longer works on my son's truck! So, I paid them $297.00 for a WINDSHIELD washer nozzle! YEAH! Turns out the recall was just an inline fuse that plugs in under the hood (about a 10 minute install)
After a week of phone calls, and hearing excuses about being short handed, I gave up on getting TIRES ROTATED!!! UNREAL!
Let me see, the service guy (Lance) told me that Ford had changed the design of the rear window seal and that the window would have to be pulled, and it would cost $500!!! Well, I called David's Auto Glass (highly recommend him, have used many times over the years) and he quoted me $100 to pull the glass and replace the seal. $400 difference.
Next the overhead temp display / compass. Was told that it was a computer module, $300 to replace. Seriously, I could get a computer that would run NASA for $300, it's temperature and direction? You know it’s a chip that cost about $3.00
Had the truck 1 week and couldn't rotate the tires!
And lastly, The Check Engine light. A gasket on the air intake. Was quoted $607 dollars to change a gasket! A gasket to keep AIR from leaking into the AIR INTAKE! OMG LOL!
At this point, told them to get my truck ready in two hours I was picking it up. Will take it ANYWHERE else. I have had good luck and good service from Rodriguez Wheel Alignment, and Olympic Automotive in town for you college kids reading this!
I spent $297 to get a Nozzle for the washer fluid fixed, and to have the cruise control not work anymore. And they kept the truck for a week to do that!
Also, I was told on Saturday that Lance my service guy would call me back by 10am one way or the other if my truck was ready. Never heard from them!
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Let's see, the washer nozzle (in reality the entire lower windshield cowling) cost $297. Poor design by ford, but that's the only way to get it. The rear glass, being devils advocate, was quoted at $500 due to the fact most dealerships quote the rear glass, as well as the seal, in the event the glass breaks (CYA). Mirror/compass...really...sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Get a dash compass. Air leak may have been the throttle body and gasket and you perhaps just heard gasket? Did you get a quote before any work was performed? No suprise charges I suppose? Call them, talk to the service manager and give them a chance to make it right before slamming them online without their knowledge. Times are tough, everybody is hurting, most places would really appreciate the business or an opportunity to make it right.
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ALWAYS double down on eleven
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Ditto gonzo.
I don't know what the OP has already done with regard to contacting Varsity management, but this board needs to be the first place you heap praise on a place and the LAST option for blasting them (i.e. when all contact/resolution has broken down). Unfortunately most everyone has this backwards.
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Wow... you may have SOME valid concerns in here but you are going way, way, overboard. Call the service manager and lay out your concerns one at a time without freaking out. Ask where the estimates come from (there is a nice little book that TELLS them how much they are allowed to charge depending on labor and materials). And... have a beer. Or something.
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Why is it that any time anyone relates an experience on this board the first posters on here attack the op and basically suggest he/she is an idiot for expecting any more or for not talking to the management? I read where this person went through NUMEROUS phone calls to the place, am I the only one? quote:
After a week of phone calls
Let me guess. Explorer sport trac? or 4 liter engine made in early 2000's The intake leak is actually from a FUBAR design in the bolts that hold down the intake. The kit costs about $100 to buy the bolts with new seals on them that can actually withstand oil getting on them. Who knew... oil is in there... The service writer writes down what you need, puts it on a ticket and the service team does the job. Sounds like he didnt understand what you wanted, didn't write it or they just didn't do it. I can't agree with you on the pricing. If you didn't like the price for the job, why not take it elsewhere in the first place? The only reason I have EVER used a dealership for service was warranty work. [This message has been edited by SparkyDClown (edited 11/19/2009 9:36a).]
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Sparky, it's the ALL CAPS EXCLAMATION!!! and run-on frothing that bugs me.
Ok, they messed up. He went back in and talked to someone, they explained everything, he decided to take it somewhere else.
SO- Varsity is understaffed/doesn't work long enough hours
AND
They have poor communication and price things high.
Why not just say, "Varsity did not repair my car in a timely manner, they have poor communication and price things higher than the competition." Instead of that HUGE crazy rant?
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Laur,
You were typing/posting while I was. I didn't even see your post when I responded.
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When I owned a Ford, I took it to Navasota, because these guys here are idiots. /thread
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that's what you get for buying a Ford 
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I know the service manager at Varsity personally. The man is one of the most ethical, forthright individuals I have ever known. Say the word and I will e-mail this thread to him. If he does not bend over backwards to make things right, I will eat my hat.
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And do it with a smile on my face.
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we've done business with Varsity the last 10 years - 3 vehicles and very good treatment from the service dept. sorry the OP had problems, but our experiences have been much better.
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And Mr. Bergstrom has a sizable hat indeed!
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I drive a Ford and have never had anything but fast and friendly service at Varsity.
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aggiegonzo01 ... Nope, just a nozzle... not the whole cowling... the extra charges were for looking at window, and looking at compass...
SparkyDClown... Yes, thank you... numerous phone calls... And it's a f150 sport, v6, 2003
Laurentum05... Huge crazy rant... Just wanted to give more details of the ordeal. nobody forced you to read it.
Mr. Bergstrom ...Service manager... forthright? LOL, squared up to me like HE wanted to fight me. Maybe I should be more understanding of the stress he has to go through ripping people off?
Well...csagyo.... I paid for my sons truck, was upset, and I WAS WAITING by the door for my truck to be pulled up so I could get the heck out of there. BUT I guess you and others kept trying to justify the charges to me! As far as threatening anyone, that is a lie. I never threatened a soul. Is my size threatening, sure. Was I angry, sure. But I did not threaten anyone. Was even more angry when five minutes after driving off the lot my son calls me to tell me that his cruise control doesn't work anymore... So, try as you may to make me the bad guy here. I think most will read between the lines. Have a good day.
rhoswen ... "that's what you get for buying a Ford" ... AMEN! First and last!
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LOL I do not work there, nor do I have my vehicles serviced there nor do I have any affiliation with them at all.
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CS.....But did you stay at a holiday in express last night?
Snapper,
What I was getting at was a 4.0 liter engine early 2000's model. They FU**** up and won't fix it for free. The seals on the rubber bolts that hold down the intake swell when they get exposed to oil and then let air leak in around them and you get a "too lean" MIL set on 1 or both banks its a 400 something code. Good luck with it.
[This message has been edited by SparkyDClown (edited 11/19/2009 3:27p).]
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...I smell a troll... His name is csagyo....
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A troll huh.....No I just know people. Apparently at least half was true by his own admission.
[This message has been edited by csagyo (edited 11/19/2009 3:32p).]
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Yes that is and was a common issue on the air intake gaskets/bolts on that engine size.
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My only complaint with the service dept is the lack of communication. You have to keep calling them to check up.
I have had my truck serviced there since day one. They have always helped me out and been honest. If I was looking for a bargain, I wouldn't be taking it to a dealership.
Your complaints seem pretty overblown. If I dropped my truck off with that many issues on a Wednesday, I would not be expecting it back before the weekend.
Nothing in your rant really seems outrageous pricewise either.
Your complaint should be about not fixing you CC and the lack of communication
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i've only ever had bad experiences with varsity ford, as have a couple of friends of mine. I would not use them.
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Slocum on a mobile.... I might know you? Shawn? BHS ?
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I can relate to this at Varsity Ford. I had a similar bad experience several years ago. I even wrote to the head honcho at Varsity. Did no good. The guy treated me like dirt. Needless to say, I take my truck to Navasota now. Great bunch of guys and I have never had to pay for a rental - they have it ready for me. Never have to wait when they say it is ready - it is. Have never had to take it back because of problems with the repairs, etc. Just can't rave about them enough. They also did the replacement for the same recall as yours. Never had any further problems.
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I have been taking my truck there for 3 years without any problems..
And I am sure every dealership across America has at least one or more stories similiar to this one..
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I'm sorry your experience sucked, I can only say positive things about Varsity. My insurance preferred I take my vehicle to Varsity when I was in a hit-and-run accident and they performed about $7,000 worth of body work and finished ahead of schedule. My car came back looking immaculate.
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aggiegonzo... lick a part of my body? HECK NO! That is nasty!
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Fundamentally
Opposed to
Repairing
Damage
They circle the problem with the tuck and the problem with the dealerships on the front of every vehicle they make. Can't say you didn't expect this, you bought a FORD.
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I was very disappointed with the service department last week. So... I took my truck to Appel Ford in Brenham. I refuse to go back to Varsity.
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