Dealer trying to rip me off?!

psywzrd · #1 09-09-2005, 02:40 PM

I spoke to my local Hummer dealer about getting the GM mudflaps (part ##17800723) installed on my H3. They told me it requires the removal of all 4 wheels and about 2 1/2 hours of labor (approx. $190 in labor alone). Based on everything I've read here (and using common sense), that seems pretty excessive. I'm not adventurous enough to do it myself (there's no way I'm taking a drill to my Hummer), but people here have done all 4 mud flaps in 15 minutes without removing the wheels.

I had a very bad buying experience at this dealership (didn't buy the car there because they wouldn't accept GMID AND they wanted to charge me $2500 over MSRP) and it doesn't seem like the service department is going to be much better. The problem is, they are literally 2 minutes from my house and the closest Hummer dealer after that is about 45 minutes to an hour away. What do you guys think I should do? I really want to get the work done there because it's so close (I'm also going to get the Hummer chrome gas cap installed), but I'm not paying almost $200 to have $79 mud flaps installed (they quoted me $35 in labor for the gas cap installation). Should I ask to speak with the service manager and try to negotiate the price down or am I wasting my time? I know dealerships can charge whatever they want for this type of work, but this seems ridiculous. Thanks for any help guys.

psywzrd · #2 09-09-2005, 02:40 PM

I spoke to my local Hummer dealer about getting the GM mudflaps (part ##17800723) installed on my H3. They told me it requires the removal of all 4 wheels and about 2 1/2 hours of labor (approx. $190 in labor alone). Based on everything I've read here (and using common sense), that seems pretty excessive. I'm not adventurous enough to do it myself (there's no way I'm taking a drill to my Hummer), but people here have done all 4 mud flaps in 15 minutes without removing the wheels.

I had a very bad buying experience at this dealership (didn't buy the car there because they wouldn't accept GMID AND they wanted to charge me $2500 over MSRP) and it doesn't seem like the service department is going to be much better. The problem is, they are literally 2 minutes from my house and the closest Hummer dealer after that is about 45 minutes to an hour away. What do you guys think I should do? I really want to get the work done there because it's so close (I'm also going to get the Hummer chrome gas cap installed), but I'm not paying almost $200 to have $79 mud flaps installed (they quoted me $35 in labor for the gas cap installation). Should I ask to speak with the service manager and try to negotiate the price down or am I wasting my time? I know dealerships can charge whatever they want for this type of work, but this seems ridiculous. Thanks for any help guys.

HummerNewbie · #3 09-09-2005, 03:07 PM

I would tell them to go pound sand but that's me. $190 for labor is highway robbery in my opinion. I can understand not wanting to drill into your H3 yourself but I tell then no way. If you do talk to the service manager, tell him you know for a fact that all four wheels don't have to come off and the install should not even take an hour for a shade tree mechanic to do. This dealership sounds to me like they are more than willing to screw thier customers anyway they can

h3\'er · #4 09-09-2005, 03:07 PM

Well, Since they know you didn't buy it there im sure they are not inclined to give you any deals.

Im not sure how hard these are to install. Flaps I have installed in the past do require wheel removal at least on the rear ones. You can usuall fudge on the fronts by turning the steering wheel to give you enough clearance or by using a right angle drill.

Vincent · #5 09-09-2005, 03:38 PM

I brought my H3 in for an oil change, and had them install the mud flaps at the same time. The job was completed within 1 hour and they did not need to remove the wheels (that I am aware of). Anyways, how long does it really take to remove 5 lugs with an air ratchet? Maybe 1 or 2 minutes per wheel!

The service guy told me it would take awhile because they had to remove the plastic wheel flares/fenders (not sure what they are called), but the job was still done within an hour, including the oil change..

HummerNewbie · #6 09-09-2005, 03:59 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Vincent:
The service guy told me it would take awhile because they had to remove the plastic wheel flares/fenders (not sure what they are called),...QUOTE]

No reason to do that. I am guessing since it was done in an hour that they didn't. May have just said that to justify the labor cost whatever it was.

richk · #7 09-09-2005, 04:29 PM

The install is very easy, I did it myself in about 30 min. I did not need to remove any wheels. The drilling is no big deal, you are only drilling into plastic and the mud flaps have pre-drilled holes that act as a guide so you really can't make a mistake.

psywzrd · #8 09-09-2005, 04:48 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h3'er:
Well, Since they know you didn't buy it there im sure they are not inclined to give you any deals.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They actually didn't know I bought my H3 elsewehere. When I spoke with the service department I didn't tell them who I was or give them my VIN # or anything like that - all I did was ask them what the labor cost would be for the mud flaps. I kind of got the impression that they haven't installed mud flaps on an H3 yet and I would have to be the guinea pig.

Do you guys know if there are instructions anywhere on how to install these things? Maybe if I can produce something that shows them they don't have to remove any of the tires to put on the mud flaps, I'll have a little more leverage when I try to negotiate the price. I would imagine the flaps themselves come with some kind of instructions so I'm hoping there's an electronic copy availabe somewhere. Maybe f5fstop has access to something like that?

HumbleAg · #9 09-09-2005, 04:53 PM

I bought my mud flaps a couple of days ago and was going to put them on that night. However, since I don't have a right-angle drill, I'll have to take the rear wheels off. Decided to wait until tomorrow.

Official GM instructions that came with them say 30 minutes to install (each set). If you really want the dealer to do them, I'd point that out to him and tell him you'll pay shop rate for that, nothing more. If he won't do it for that, tell him you'll contact GM to find out why this dealership is so much slower installing parts than they should be.

List price was $47 and change each set, I got them for $39 each. However, this was the dealer I bought the H3 from, so I didn't feel bad asking for a discount.

bparker · #10 09-09-2005, 05:01 PM

Its just my rude opinion: but if you cant install mud flaps then you should pay 200 in labor. /shrug

chasers · #11 09-09-2005, 05:01 PM

I installed these myself just two nights ago. I did take the wheels off simply to insure that I had enough room to drill (which as mentioned earlier is impossible to screw up due to the guides on the splashguards). Including removing the wheels, the total time was less that one hour.

There are two seperate instructions, for the front and rear, and each state an installation time of 30 minutes. I would be happy to scan and email them to you if you would like.

psywzrd · #12 09-09-2005, 05:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasers:
I installed these myself just two nights ago. I did take the wheels off simply to insure that I had enough room to drill (which as mentioned earlier is impossible to screw up due to the guides on the splashguards). Including removing the wheels, the total time was less that one hour.

There are two seperate instructions, for the front and rear, and each state an installation time of 30 minutes. I would be happy to scan and email them to you if you would like. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be awesome!!! I'll PM my email address to you.

bparker: Normally I would try to do something like this myself, but this is a leased vehicle (and one that's almost $40,000 at that). And that still doesn't give a dealership the right to blatantly rip people off.

f5fstop · #13 09-09-2005, 06:30 PM

For that price, you could purchase a 90 degree adapter for a power drill and do it yourself (even though the tires do not need to be removed).

bparker · #14 09-09-2005, 08:00 PM

Ya, I hate myself for making that post but I couldnt resist as this is just a notch above an oil change really. And yes I know many who pay up to 80$ for an oil change just because they dont want to....

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by psywzrd:
bparker: Normally I would try to do something like this myself, but this is a leased vehicle (and one that's almost $40,000 at that). And that still doesn't give a dealership the right to blatantly rip people off. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

flkeysff · #15 09-09-2005, 09:58 PM

Is anyone selling the factory mud flaps other that the dealer? The dealer I purchased my H3 from is almost 300 miles round trip. I would rather purchase online if possible. Thanks
Does anyone have a photo of there Hummer with the mud flaps installed?

Tones H3 · #16 09-09-2005, 10:50 PM

My dealer charged me 20 bucks for install. It takes maybe 30 mins tops, no wheel removal whatsoever.

psywzrd · #17 09-10-2005, 01:13 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by flkeysff:
Is anyone selling the factory mud flaps other that the dealer? The dealer I purchased my H3 from is almost 300 miles round trip. I would rather purchase online if possible. Thanks
Does anyone have a photo of there Hummer with the mud flaps installed? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Try here.

Cedar Butte · #18 09-10-2005, 04:26 AM

You don't need a right angle drill to do the rears. I just put a 6 inch extentio in mine and reached over the wheel. Plenty of clearence.

walc · #19 09-10-2005, 01:20 PM

Bought mine, from Lynch Hummer online, for $87, including shipping to MD. Received them a few days after order.
Super simple installation, without removing wheels and with regular drill. Just turn front wheels for the front installation.
I think they finish/add to the look of the black/gray oem steps, as well as protecting against paint chips.

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