We had a problem getting our 1997 Pontiac Sunfire to start. We brought it to Gold Key Pontiac, the dealership where we purchased the vehicle, to have it serviced (thinking that they would be familiar with the car/problem). The first service cost almost $900 to diagnose and replace the car's computer. When we got the car back, the same starting problem was still happening. We brought it back to Gold Key and explained that the problem had not been fixed.
On the second service they removed the new computer and put our original one back in, then went ahead and replaced the ignition lock cylinder (the actual problem). We were given a discount for the amount of the new computer, but not the labour charges incurred on the original visit. They claim that this labour was necessary to diagnose the problem. Too bad for us that the diagnosis was to replace a part that wasn't broken (and would be uninstalled on the second visit). The real problem wasn't found until the second service and they added another $300 for labour to find it...
The tech we dealt with said he was doing us a favour by calling it even and not charging us more for the repair. We were told that any other mechanic would have left the new computer in and charged us more for the second repair. I have since gotten other quotes for this repair from other GM dealers, most around the $500 range. We were overbilled around $350 for what was eventually done to our car. Their technicians are either a little slow or their dianosis equipment is faulty.
Either way, anyone needing car repairs - stay away from Gold Key - they're gonna rip you off! I also complained to GM... who said they were glad to have my comments, but there was nothing they could do. Nice to know they stand behind their products and services.
Mona
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada
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