Chevy Ripped Me Off: Undercover Investigation [TRUTH REVEALED]

I hid cameras before going to the Chevrolet Dealership. It was shocking to find out what happened during 1 hour of labor! Don't get ripped off - save on your spare key here: tomskey.com/?YouTu... has them for a fair price with easy do-it-yourself programming. And the Key By Photo is amazing to have your spare cut before it arrives.
Tom's Key Company believes a spare key or remote fob should be affordable and easy to get for your vehicle! It's important you have at least one working key in order to make a spare.
The Chevy dealer may not want this investigation to come to the world, but it's important to see what "1 hour of labor" really involved!
.530
#Chevy #HiddenCamera #investigation

[@TomsKeyCompany]

Don't get ripped off! Order your spare from Tom's Key: tomskey.com/?KZbin&Chevy+Ripped+Me+Off

[@stuwest3653]

The dealer did not rip you off. Just because someone charges more than someone else does not mean they ripped you off. The time it takes to do the service is 100% irrelevant.

[@RonnieGreher]

@@stuwest3653they quoted about 2 hours when he made the appointment, then doubled that when he arrived. That’s a bit much imo.

[@kurtvanluven9351]

Another ares is re-programming a compatible stock stereo. Dealer wants $200+ Independent shops want $150. If I had the Chevrolet Service scanner, it would take all of 2 MINUTES!

[@johnparkhurst1141]

I wanted to see you call out the thieves

[@shvrdavid]

So in the end, they didn't rip you off. You went there after price checking elsewhere, and why? What you didn't see, was most of what happened. The key didn't code itself, or cut itself. For as many people as were involved, you didn't pay 10 min a piece for any of them. Which is why what you recorded, which is a small part of it. In the end you made the choice to go there, and have little understanding on what actually happens off screen. Paperwork had to happened at 4 places, at a minimum.... Someone had to look the fob and the key up, pull the parts, look up the key code, cut and deburr the key, etc. All of which, you saw none of that happen. They even had to verify you had a right to even get a key and fob replaced, at every step...... All of which is required by law to be documented to death at a dealership, and at GM, which is why your truck was connected to a GM server during the replacement of the fob..... Some of this started before you ever showed up, right after you made the appointment, verifying ownership, etc....... If they violate these laws, they will be prosected heavily... They could loose their dealership..... If an independent violates these laws, basically nothing will happen to them. Which is something you will never mention, because you don't have to do the vast majority of what is required to be done by the OEM......

[@sillysausage72]

You should send this to the news station. $500 for a freakin fob and key is totally ridiculous.

[@ThorOdinson-zc2kq]

390 is the average key replacement in any dealership of any brand

[@marksmith8698]

My 2019 Audi A5 replacement "smart" key is $750, and about $85 to reprogram. Ridiculous

[@hatedar683]

@@marksmith8698really depends, ofc a 2019 audi is going to be expensive

[@constantinvaldor3742]

Totally American to be fair

[@jacobsiegfried1498]

Considering the equipment cost to that technician. Plus, a laser cut key with a proximity chip. You aren't paying for the amount of time it takes you are paying for the experience for the technician do do it that quick.

[@williamzimmerman4405]

It's not just Chevy. It's every dealership

[@anthonythorp7291]

Yep, 4-5 yrs ago well into the 300's for a new one. No 4hr wait though. In and out real quick. Ram truck / Eau Claire WI

[@MP72792]

Yea it is.

[@QueerdoLoc]

Toyota told me I needed a new transmission when it was my oil making the noise. They didn't wven check the oil in their diagnostic

[@b58hustler71]

It's the organized criminal unions creating all of the extra costs. Then the technicians rip you off in so many ways and the dealership doesn't care.

[@user-pl6ph8mo1j]

Not dealership, stealership

[@randydevoli8346]

I used to work as a service advisor for Chevy and Cadillac. I would tell my customers to go to the parts dept and buy the key and fob and I would program them myself for free. Built a huge clientele by being upfront and honest.

[@Fullsendfilosophy]

I’ve screwed myself on so many rigs trying to program them in the parking lot for customers cause the customer forgets to tell me some weird security issue they were having and it locks the security system down and suddenly I’m messing with a car for hours for free. We only charge $60 for key cut + programming

[@kevanhollidge164]

Then Chevy Stealership found out, fired you on the spot, you lost your house, the wife divorced you, you're now homeless and living on handouts from your huge clientele. Only joking my friend, it's my English sense of humour, have a great day ❤

[@ShaneDatzman-pq7sr]

Give this stuff to your local news... This is crap, if they are really treating people like this..Jail time for all those Chevy employees... I'm a U.S. Marine Veteran and this is shameful...

[@Fullsendfilosophy]

@@ShaneDatzman-pq7sr I’m a US Marine Corps and Army Veteran and don’t think people should be jailed because they ask to be paid a price you believe is abundant

[@jamesdean7756]

@@Fullsendfilosophywho cares if you were military zombie

[@jamesticknor1134]

This is the best kind of ad you could do for your business/service.

[@DrMidnight-oz1rk]

Also let people know that it's 30k to 50k rent there per month and the space your car takes up cost money.

[@TimKristmann]

i

[@nelsonvanvickle8862]

I’m surprised they didn’t add on the mandatory $800 dollar phone consultation fee, in addition to the $500 dollar “inconvenience” fee for having to answer your call..

[@lawrencebraun7616]

Don't give them ideas

[@dthemosthated]

Too late we are implementing this policy effective immediately

[@karl-ford]

Plus $5000 service charge, and another $2000 for buying the necessary cat food.

[@moparlyfe5689]

And then $500 for breathing there air at the dealership

[@bernard2799]

Ace hardware, key coded and cut 100

[@nz7476]

And this is why I’ve never nor will I ever deal with a stealership

[@leedaniels7196]

Me neither.The heck with them 🤬

[@stealthmanx2]

Don't buy a new vehicle then. Car manufacturers are incorporating everything into the computer. There are some makes/models that you cannot change out the pads because you need to reprogram. If the mom and pop shop doesn't have the program/computer, you have to go to stealership. Read where a lady paid $500 just for front brake pads!!!!

[@hectorsilva4595]

It’s highway robbery. Thank you for sharing this video. If I ever need a key done. I would definitely go with Tom.

[@TomsKeyCompany]

Hi there! If you have queries, reach out to us at [e-mail], we're glad to help. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

[@TimKristmann]

i

[@Nctbgs]

I brought mine in for airbag recall and a couple other recalls . It was in the shop 7 hours . My dash cam shows them pulling it in and raising the hood and then closing the hood 5 minutes later . The car just sits inside all day long without anyone touching it. They then pulled it out and drove it around to customer pick up right at 5 pm and said they did all the recalls . Zero work was done and I sat in the waiting room 7 hours !!! i will never go to a dealer again !!

[@mycowboyways915]

You can bet they filed for payment from GM for recall work preformed. GM would love to see your video.

[@deaddegenerategeneration7441]

What did you do?, sue them?

[@michelfortier9563]

Someone hit the rear of my 2023 Camaro, creating a small dimple. Dealer price to repair: $1,462.28. A local, large, reputable body shop charged me a straight $575. I walk into a dealership and my derriere puckers up. And they wonder why the public hates dealerships so much.

[@wanaraz]

Trust me for any body shop $575 is cheap cheap cheap!

[@rhoodj]

Even for a cheap China made Keychain they want you to pay $25. That should be a free courtesy gift😢😢😢. They are suckering our blood much they can.😢😢😢😢

[@michelfortier9563]

@@wanaraz Didn't mention the body shop owner lives in my neighborhood and though we're not friend friends, he offered to help me out; out of the clear blue. He's retired but his son runs the shop. It's literally a square city block.

[@Scriptorsilentum]

lowlifes probably don't have the decency to kiss you after they're done

[@SamuelGonzalez-pn8yn]

Lots of dealerships send the car some else to be repaired and charge you $$

[@g.k.1669]

Years ago I purchased a new 2014 Silverado and it came with 4 free oil changes. When I took it in for my first oil change I arrived home to see a trail of motor oil. The filter was barely finger tight. I knew a guy that worked there (who quit a few weeks later) and he told me that there was a disgruntled worker that did that to a couple of vehicles that day. That worker was fired. So I had to snug up the filter and add oil. The dealership was apologetic, but I was still upset as I was cleaning up the oil from my driveway. A few months later there was a seatbelt recall. I took it in and the "repair" was them using a box cutter or similar tool to hack away the plastic where the seatbelt enters the retractor mechanism. I was furious and made them replace it with a new one. More recalls then came in the mail for the steering and brakes, after the last 2 adventures I refused to return not know what kind of damage that they would do next. After about 2 years the manager called me to ask why I did not bring my truck in for safety recalls, I told him that I no longer trust them. He then tried to bribe me to come in by offering a free oil change, I said no. They had already lost my trust.

[@Paramount531]

Years ago I had a Toyota Sequoia that had a recall on the oil pressure sender. I bought and installed my own for $50, but saved all of that dealer bullshit, to me it was well worth it.

[@anthonymakley1530]

Smart never ever trust a stealership you are lucky they even changed the oil and filter

[@ISOSWFCHRISTIAN]

Never Chevy again!

[@thompson63]

I had problems like this with a new a jeep I bought. Now I'm on my 2nd Mazda but I dont trust the Mazda dealer

[@pureblood6310]

A new car is the worst investment ! By pre owned !

[@DJPLAST2]

You should have paid for the key with a check, a company check, slid it across the counter and asked for the service manager and the owner of the dealership, then have a sit down meeting to hear the justification for the rip off. Just for some expensive entertainment. Definitely call them out on it!

[@robertsmith3518]

They don’t care ,you were just wasting your time

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

​@@robertsmith3518 Of course, but he said it was for fun, not to actually get anything/anywhere.

[@johngreen8693]

2.5m views, 3.6k comments. Tom has made plenty with this video...

[@michaelwhitaker3591]

I see you have no idea what you are talking about.

[@johngreen8693]

@@michaelwhitaker3591 Yup!

[@deanfarrell5255]

I own a plumbing company in Texas and we install the plumbing for new auto dealerships quite often. I’m always amazed at the elaborate buildings and the high dollar plumbing and electrical fixtures they require. I guess thats why a key is $500.

[@gkk2001]

That is exactly what I was thinking reading the comments. Without knowing anything about a dealership, I can see they are usually enormous buildings with many staff employed, large lots with lots of inventory to pay for, etc etc. There is bound to be a hefty markup in every product and service they offer.

[@marc_aussie]

@@gkk2001exactly. You’re paying for all of that. They don’t want to break down all of those behind the scene costs, so it just gets called ‘labor’ or whatever. Just like when I hired an electrician this week, there is a labor charge and a bunch of marked up parts, but I know they also have a truck to maintain, gas, health care, retirement, the time they spent driving to get parts, an office manager to pay, liability insurance, training, maintaining certifications etc etc and after all that the owner actually has to make a profit.

[@johnp139]

Right, there are a lot of overhead costs.

[@JoseLopez-oj2ni]

If the dealership charges regular prices, they'll loose money on paychecks and maintenance. Charging tripled will cover the paychecks and maintenance

[@aldoinfanzon]

Well the issue is that you should be out in no more than 30 min. Not only the price is ridiculous but also all the bs they do to make you believe they’re doing something complicated so they need to charge you 500. So dishonest from them

[@jamisonlynch6437]

This is why I don’t go to the dealership for anything hardly. I always try to find someone else that can do the work, or figure it out myself.

[@johncoll4456]

End of story!

[@ironworkerfxr7105]

Sounds great till you HAVE TO GO TO THEM because of proprietary software........

[@Uwilldyeeventually2]

​@@ironworkerfxr7105sadly , yep

[@bravohomie]

​@@ironworkerfxr7105what people ain't getting yet

[@austinhuggins1582]

That’s why I do due diligence and make sure I don’t buy anything with proprietary software

[@pierreklee8032]

I had service done at my dealership and when I was on the phone, I told them to NOT change the cabin filter. Well, they did and charged me $54. When paying, I told them I said not to do this on the phone and was told by the tech, "I guess I didn't hear that part." They gave me a coupon for my next oil change. I never went back there. They are called STEALERSHIPS for a reason.

[@bobbipson8906]

They tried to rotate my tires without permission twice. I just told them that I'd be happy to pay for the tire rotation if I had asked for it. They deleted the charge both times and must have noted my account to not try it again. Service is where a dealer makes most of their money. Believe it.

[@Theoriginalmaverick23]

The dealer want to charge me $60 for cabin filter and $100 for air filter. I told them no. I bought bought at Auto Zone for $30.

[@gregggorypecs2370]

I wouldn't of paid them..seems like all mechanics are crooks

[@MarkJones-n]

@@bobbipson8906what was the reason to bring it in?

[@MarkJones-n]

Some cabin air filters are very difficult to get at. What kind of vehicle?​@@Theoriginalmaverick23

[@yiucycle]

Same thing happen when I dropped my car to a dealer for recall repair. I have a live feed webcam that I can see in real time and the work took 30min and sat in the dealer parking lot for another 4 hour. I called a few times and every time the service person told me they are still working on it.

[@loungydoc]

You should of said I’m here next to my car where it’s parked and no one’s working on it, oh well, I’m gonna drive off , thanks

[@mrmatthewpaul]

300+ is what smart keys usually cost but to charge more for cutting key and programming is nuts.

[@mrbill8542]

NEVER use a dealer for anything other than warranty work ,unless you like getting ripped off !!!

[@marmars1081]

Be careful even with warranty work & recalls. I took my car to the dealer for a door latch recall and the guy who did it broke the door panel and glued it on with RTV. Once I discovered it, the service manager basically told me I was SOL. Once I started the process of taking them to small claims I got everything fixed for free. How? I recorded the conversation between me and the manager. RECORD!!! Just do it!

[@reckless3008]

Exactly I do all my own Maintenance I got free oil changes and everything but it worth it to me just to do it myself so I know it right. But I will use my warranty if something happens. And that would mean transmission ecu or engine damage. I don't sweat the small stuff I don't plan on trading in my ram I'll keep it till the wheels fall off lol

[@AllJSeries]

Not all dealerships

[@mrbill8542]

Only 99%!!@@AllJSeries

[@billjenkins3699]

Even then they steal you blind... you won't leave there without being charged for something!

[@bigbean78]

I went through something similar years ago. I went to a Ford dealer to get a fob for my car. They didn’t have one in stock but told me how much it would cost plus programming. Another dealer nearby had one so they sent me there. I bought the fob from the parts desk and went to the service area to ask about programming. The guy had me get in the car and push buttons on the remote while he held a button in the trunk. He confirmed it worked and shut the trunk and said have a good day and didn’t charge me a penny. It’s amazing the difference between dealers and people from one to another.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

I called around for a fob, and they are all pretty much on back order. 1 place told me to ask the other Toyota dealer. I did & they had 1 & told me price for part & labor. When I went they said it was probably hours to do. Looking back I think they were lazy. I bought the fob and said I would come back, which I didn't. I went to another that took 20 minutes of time.

[@JGG1701]

That "multi point" inspection was phenomenal!🤬

[@Partysize2]

I had a brand new 1996 Chevy and had it back to the dealership 22 times. I drove my family around in this car. One day, exiting a freeway, the brakes totally failed, the pedal just went to the floor. The vehicle rolled uncontrolled to within inches of another vehicle. Got it to the dealer who said nothing was wrong with the brakes. Six months later I got a letter from General Motors saying, don't drive that car, the brakes could fail unexpectedly at any time. So, no, I will never need a new key made for a Chevy.

[@artemc329]

Chevy dealer where I used to live wanted to charge an 80 year old man $20 to reset a “change oil soon” message. All that they had to do was hold the check mark button on the dashboard for 3 seconds. There’s no more common courtesy in dealerships these days.

[@AngryJT]

Only $20? These days that'd be more like $75.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

@@AngryJT That's what I thought! And 10 dollars more for every year over 65!

[@billg7205]

They wanted to charge my 90 year old friend top dollar for both a door lock actuator and labor, when they were known to drop like flies when under the 3 year warranty. I told him to tell them what I thought of that, and not buy another GM product. He did that. Best price I got was from a GM dealer all the way across the country that sells parts online, and installed it in 45 minutes. Bit of a pain installing the lock actuator/clip in a 2013 Malibu, but I was always known as a go to person for the most inaccessible jobs. The dealer would be lucky if they had 1 or 2 guys capable of doing it. Most of the service people are kids who can only do the simplest stuff.

[@BSills-fe8ze]

I charge .5 for simply diagnosing (hooking a computer up) because that’s standard in the industry… If you want some silly kid from autozone they do it for free you get what you pay for Of course I’m a private shop so I can choose to not charge anything, dealerships cannot because the manager isn’t the one scanning your car and people don’t work for free. Imagine advertising free diagnostics.. you would be working 50% for free and maybe 10% of those people actually intended to have a repair made. Nope sorry not gonna happen. Their lucky we don’t charge for estimates tbh.

[@thatcarlifeR8]

I didn’t realize that someone’s age altered the overhead cost.

[@myazstar]

Consumer Protection have been failing Americans for years. Thank you for showing Chevy and their true colors and doing the work of a state agency.

[@FishSauc]

Republican successfully decreased the size of federal government 😂

[@Ricky_Spanishh]

​@@FishSaucbigger government doesn't mean better. An efficient government would run well with a small amount of people.

[@rileypup5959]

@@FishSaucHow does bigger government make you more safe or protect you ?

[@uncaboat2399]

@@rileypup5959 Especially considering that the bigger government would just mean the bribes would be bigger as well, so in the end you'd just be more thoroughly screwed.

[@davepowder4020]

@@rileypup5959 That sounds like the question that corporate asks when they cut IT depts. "IT can be done with less people, just have 2 people do the work that 10 people were doing before!" And then they wonder why nobody was aware of a hacker getting into the system.

[@hondaman6918]

I think every “stealership”is the same…. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, see you coming a mile away. Great video. Thanks

[@Big_Raf_TV]

This is crazy! Glad i found out about you all and saved myself so much money!

[@maxpain7197]

I ordered 2 FOB's on Amazon for my dodge for i think 20 bucks. I took them down to my lock Smith he programed both and cut the keys for 50 bucks. Dealerships are snakes.

[@michaelmichael7958]

$50 ? Nah that’s gotta be bullshit no offence

[@maxpain7197]

@michaelmichael7958 Umm... Nah. Maybe you just been getting ripped off. Probably seen you coming and charged you twice as much.

[@j1n8135]

No bull it's true I paid $55 for fob programming and key cut ford f250.

[@IhaveaDoghouse]

Depending on which dodge you can program dodge keys yourself if you have both the original keys (or keys with those two codes) You can also read engine codes right off the dash on some dodges. Both without any external equipment just the ignition.

[@Theirishscott1177]

Some vehicles you can program with just the key. Some take a scanner those that do about 60% can be programmed by someone who knownwhat they are doing the rest and most newer models have to go to the dealership. Agian..this video is highly misleading. I could make a video that blows this guy's assertions out of the water.

[@AwosAtis]

I never ever use a dealership except for warranty work. My motto is, when you find a doctor or mechanic that you have faith and confidence in, hang on to him. I also use a local key shop for the one keyfob/key that I lost.

[@stownplayer]

this is the way

[@bigjay6743]

I don't like to take them in to the dealer for warranty work see how sketchy some of these kids are that work on your vehicles. Sometimes I think they break more than they fix.

[@johnd4270]

It’s best to use a deal if oil changes until the warranty expires

[@Chainsnsprockets402]

100% Dealers are crooks!

[@AnAZPatriot]

Why would you take it to them for even warranty work if you've already got a reputable mechanic that is already doing all of your maintenance?

[@ThaStonedGardner]

Glad i watched this, as i need a new key for my used subi. Been meaning to stop at the local subi dealership to have a 2nd key made. I'll check with a local locksmith first. Thanks!

[@johnmayerislovee]

And this is why if it's not covered under the extended warranty for free, I WILL NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP !

[@spearfish]

I recently went to a Mercedes dealership to change my oil. They recommended changing my 2 engine air filters for $298 because mine were "filthy". I literally put new ones in a week before. When I called them out on it, they claimed the mechanic meant to put it on another vehicle's paperwork...

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

I had a local mechanic do an oil change. Which I would do myself if I had a lift, but I don't. Some things I will do myself, like the cabin air filter changes. After the oil change he said they changed the cabin air filter, and I said I had did it myself. So he took that off the bill. I didn't at the time think he was a crook, but later I had issues with the place.

[@paulhunter9613]

I have had a garage tell me I needed a new air filter, he had a dirty one in his hand like it was just taken out of my vehicle . I looked at it and agreed with him it was dirty and that he should leave the new one in the car that I had just replaced 4 days prior. He didn’t say a word, he just turned around and walked away. I watched him walk to his service bay, toss the old filter on his bench, he closed my hood and pulled the car out. Apparently I was sposed to believe that old filter was mine..

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

@@paulhunter9613 Looking back I really wonder was that guy tying to rip me off? I just don't know. I'm just glad to drive a Toyota and not worry about many things. But I'm highly considering getting ramps and doing my own oil changes and tire rotations.

[@paulreichelt1259]

So it's nothing then and you just wanted to share the story.

[@somenygaard]

I went to UTI to learn auto mechanics and after completing the year long course the one thing I was certain of was that I wanted nothing to do with the dealership service department.

[@calirninet2195]

lol that makes no sense, so your saying if you went to a dealership you would automatically be a crook?

[@somenygaard]

@@calirninet2195 I am saying that I wasn’t willing to compromise my integrity by suggesting unnecessary repairs and upselling customers things I would never buy myself. So, yes.

[@dieseldabz7104]

I absolutely refuse to ever work at a dealership and I could fairly easily with my background and resume

[@SMGPERFORMANCE16]

Same here! NTI for me in mooosville! Wad up fam! Haha

[@demonplay21]

@@calirninet2195 would you fit in well there with other crooks?

[@Ill06Taco]

1hr for programming a key is wild

[@doboyle1955]

EXCELLENT journalistic report and great consumer information. THANK YOU!

[@eddiestanley135]

An hour and half, two hours to program??!!? Now I know why dealerships still have their lube service!😮

[@alwiddowson382]

Excellent sense of humor my friend, LOL

[@detonationpyrotechnics4156]

Have you ever bid a job that took less time but still was already paid for and the customer was happy? How would you expect shops to stay in business

[@jbranche8024]

Well the Shop Manual says to bill an hour. My mechanic could usually do any task in max 60 to 70% of the time. I guess they need Federal Laws that you can only bill for actual time, but then they would leave it sitting in the shop With hood up but not working on it to meet time requirements.

[@KreatorStudios]

The service rep is a commissioned sales person who has quotas to be able to bring home stepped bonuses. Because of this, anyone able to be screwed, is screwed. It creates a horrible culture within most departments and brings out the worst in everyone.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

The mechanics are paid basically the same way. It's called flat rate. They must upsell jobs to make a paycheck.

[@LONEWOLF-rq5tl]

That sounds like his pathetic problem and he should get another job,what goes around comes around.

[@KreatorStudios]

@@LONEWOLF-rq5tl I agree with you. I certainly wasn't justifying it. Only outlining the root cause.

[@azjohn520]

The entire auto sales and service industry is this way. I’ve always fought for a scenario where everyone in parts and service were paid fairly based on hours worked rather than commission or flat rate only. It would solve a lot of the underhanded things that happen at dealerships.

[@jacobbirlew175]

@@maxwellcrazycat9204 this is false

[@hellshade2]

i was a mechanic for 32 years and the shop i worked at had lifetime warranty on certain parts and i used to see local dealers trying to literally rip people off by trying to sell them things they did not need at three times the cost. had a customer come back from the dealer one time and they told him his struts and shocks needed to be replaced. he had they replaced at my shop 3 months earlier and there was nothing wrong with them.

[@NoNonsense316]

I needed a new key & fob for a car several years ago. Like you, the dealer quoted almost $500. I bought the fob from Amazon for about $10. I bought a chip-key and had it cloned and cut at Ace Hardware. I was able to "pair" the remote fob to the car with a series of door, locks, and ignition actions that made it look like I was having some sort of mental breakdown. But, I got it done in under a minute. Total cost was about $25 instead of $500.

[@NoSpam1891]

My fobs were well used. I got replacement cases and buttons and switched over the electronics. Like new for a few dollars.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

Cool, but just note what you have might be a vallet key, not a full access key. Depending on how your key works. A non chipped key can just be cut to the mold. A vallet key just has slightly different notches so the trunk & glove box recognizes and denies access.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Just another example of what POS’s these dealerships are, it’s disgustingly blatant the crap they pull.

[@ralpholiver8512]

Ain't that the truth man. I'll never trust Mechanics at car dealerships after I got burned November of 2022

[@theprof73]

They don't call them stealerships for nothing

[@adin954]

cost of OEM to program key : $3500.00 time of service tech paid per hour: $75.00 cost of shipping and manufacturing key: $7.50 Cost of 2 keys when purchasing vehicle: $0 Customer irresponsibility and thinking everything should be free: $ Priceless

[@easterlake]

I've only returned to a dealership once in my life. It was for a free replacent part that was recalled. While I was waiting, they told me that my cabin filter needed to be replaced for $79. When I told them I'd just replaced it 2 days ago, I was told that he must have misunderstood the technician. I walked straight into the head of the dealership and informed him that I would never return and would tell everyone I knew.

[@douglastaylor8039]

These automobile companies & corporations have always operated like mobsters and crooks. The problem today with all these computers and sensors and all these different components that are hooked one after another that are built to go out of sync with each other we are at the mercy of the dealership and repair shops to rip us off.

[@idontknow2293]

I bought 2 key fobs for my 2010 Camaro online. Took them to my local hardware store and had the keys cut. Then went out to the parking lot and programmed the fobs per instructions that came with the fobs..ten seconds later it was programmed. The amazing thing was that the second fob was programmed just because it was in the vicinity. Total cost was $85 for the fobs and $40 for cutting the keys 🔑 😊

[@ndspeedster]

I used to work for a Chevy dealership About 20 years ago and one thing they would try to sell car Buyers was a remote start on the key fob, which involed switching out the starter relay for a different relay and including the key fob, but not the key. Their total cost minus labor which took 5 seconds, was about $60 for the relay and the key fob, and they would charge the customer $600.

[@javierrusso375]

You didn't agree with their price, which is always higher at a dealership, but they didn't rip you off. Title is a little misleading. And you can get this done at Home Depot for $109 for this make and model. I wouldn't say you are ripping people off by charging them $185.

[@moremoola]

Never, Ever deal with any dealership period! That was absolutely scandalous!

[@dazealex]

I only go to them for brakes, nothing else, until it's a recall... Bunch of liars, all of 'em... Every single brand.

[@SegoMan]

You spelled it wrong. the correct spelling is StealerShip

[@dazealex]

LOL - Spot on@@SegoMan

[@calirninet2195]

That’s ok 👍 I still make 6 figures without your car. And I fix them right and do video inspections on every car for the customers. The independent shops are struggling more the dealers, there’s no shortage of cars going to dealers and never will be

[@mrsmith6532]

​@@calirninet2195and dealers wonder why manufacturers are trying to get rid of them

[@backcountyrpilot]

As a Yamaha mechanic in the 80’s, I think we charged about $6 bucks to cut a key. Every lock had the 4-digit code stamped on top of the lock and it took about 10 minutes of training to learn how to use the machine.

[@sickofgovwaste]

Love hidden camera investigations. Great work exposing the scam. Nissan tried to tell me that they were THE ONLY RELIABLE WAY to get a fob reprogrammed. WRONG. I did it online for about 1/4 the cost!

[@rockinws6567]

I went through a similar situation but the dealer I went to was very honest and treated us well. Total cost was 143 but they had to reprogram because my car refused to accept any new keys.

[@alpha2turbo]

Same thing happened to my dad. Dealership wanted over $500. I got him the key online and a locksmith programed it for $50. Total cost was just over $150.

[@moparlyfe5689]

I’m surprised they didn’t charge you $500 for breathing their air at the dealership and $1000 for window shopping

[@robertshields2066]

Don't give them ideas or at least charge them for them. LOL

[@moparlyfe5689]

@@robertshields2066 lol 🤫

[@jj49er]

They should have pointed out the $1500 savings he got, just to prove how altruistic they are.

[@brushben22]

This is exactly why it pays to acquire useful information. I am an Engineer 3 which requires knowing HVAC , Electrical , Plumbing , building code , ADA , Residential repair , Commercial / Industrial repair and semi skilled mechanic. Every one of the mentioned trades will cost way more than you’d expect for service and labor/parts. A typical HVAC install is about 10K here in California and I just installed our unit for parts and material cost ( 4,200 ) Learn things and you won’t get taken advantage of!!

[@James-qq2vq]

This is not new information but still a great video. For those that don't understand this. It gives them an opportunity to see for themselves. What most people should also see is what actually happens during a lease maintenance program visit.

[@James-eg3nf]

Dealers love to make you wait for anything and everything. It’s a tactic to wear the customer down and make them feel that everything is more important, costly, or time consuming than it really is. It must work because they keep doing it. But for some customers, it’s obvious and does nothing but destroy trust. I avoid dealers like the plague.

[@WillHal1000]

​@@islander1260the secretly recorded video disagrees with you

[@calvintruckerdog3363]

​@islander1260 I think we just watched them rip off a customer. Had same thing happen last year with my Ford truck. $500 for new key.

[@RandomStuff-zt6qf]

also gives the sales guys a chance to attack you

[@reconrc1787]

It's also a tactic to sell more cars. While you're there waiting, they want you out looking around the lot. It's truly amazing how many cars get sold this way.

[@FoamyTv2023]

that's why you never go to the dealership for anything unless it's under warranty

[@SonicBlueGSR]

You think independent shops don't rip people off either? They're actually the worst when it comes to integrity.

[@smiller9308]

​@SonicBlueGSR this is why my cousin fixes my car. He's a mechanic.

[@longdonpaul]

Read the fine print on the average new car warranty and you'll find out that you can void the whole warranty by not using the dealership for unwarranted work. It's a catch 21.

[@geekfistpro]

Thanks so much for sharing this video. I will never let the Chevy dealership touch my car again, for anything. Rip off crooks my other service people tell me. They are certainly NOT customer centric. I got a 2013 Malibu LTZ. I need new FOBs, two of them. They told me, when I asked about getting new FOBs, it would be about 600 dollars. This is before I found Tom's Key. I told the Chevy service guys to forget it and that I will go elsewhere for the key FOBs. They'll never see my car again.

[@michaelvanpelt1765]

My Mercedes e350 had a recall from 4 years ago... I brought it in to Mercedes.. They said they checked the Vin or did a test on the sunroof.. I get a notice every year since... When I went in last week the service manager says there is no record of my car ever being in their shop.. It tells me they are not doing the work or they lied to me..

[@17forever64]

Boy times change, I lost a key in key west on a brand and new Chevy Tahoe in 1994, I was on vacation there. The dealer in Key west gave me a key and fob , no charge! I didn’t even buy my car from them !

[@budcunningham6732]

I asked the dealer about undercoating and rust protection. They gave me the quote of around $1800. I found out who they used for undercoating, called them for an estimate and they quoted me a price of just under $800.

[@KY4K-10]

Rip off!

[@stephenspain9167]

4 cans of undercoating at Walmart $37.48

[@squidikka]

This is hilarious because you still got ripped off, lol.

[@618thrift]

Dealerships will outsource stuff all the time so they don’t have to do it

[@budcunningham6732]

@@KY4K-10 as it turned out, I didn't buy the suv anyway .

[@toddramer9844]

I never trust dealerships!!!!! When giving a chance to do the right thing I have never experienced any dealership doing the right thing.

[@draileduncommon]

Now that is the best advertising i have seen. And service/product i might actually use if necessary

[@ridethepace6005]

A friend once took his relatively new truck to the dealer for an oil change. While he was waiting, one of the owners sons came in and didnt see him , he began berating the service mngr for not finding other things to charge my friend for. He was serious. Needless to say , i never buy from them, and i assume every dealer operates this way.

[@user-oe1mb9hu9i]

They do. EVEN "friendly" ones. I took a car in to a friend of mine who owns a garage for a cam belt change oil etc. I was expecting a 1500 bill. The dealer asked for 2000 and I figured the friend could do with the business more than the dealership. Result ? Same price 2000 EVEN though he gave me a 20% "Friendly" rebate. He moans about how difficult it is to make a liviong and pay his bills with dealerships breathing down his neck, and yet even though he says he's at least 10% heaper and gives 20% to friends and family he charges the same as a main dealer ..... He even forgot to put parts bak onto my car - it has a large plastic tray underneath the engine - I noticed this and went back to ask him to put it back on. It was nowhere to be found. I found it in the recycling bin behind his garage !!!! He didn't want to waste time putting it back on apparently and clients NEVER look underneath their cars.

[@Daniel-bk8ec]

​@@user-oe1mb9hu9ibro he ain't your friend if that's how he acts sounds dodgy as I would leave a bad review and dump him

[@btcbob11392]

There are many mobile locksmiths all over the country that will come to your house and make you a fob and key right in your driveway for 100-150 bucks.

[@beaviskornholio2754]

But make sure you are getting an oem fob. The generics work for a while. Your best bet is to buy oem from the supplier and have a locksmith cut and program. Locksmiths make a killing on selling generic remotes which I don't really trust.

[@jrin12]

I just watched a commercial and didn't realize until the end 😂

[@jesus18peace]

If you got ripped off why didn’t you confront them with the evidence?

[@razzyjr12345]

Cause he paid them to make it look that way would be my guess

[@thenonimportantonev2]

The Buick dealership wanted to charge me $400 to replace the outside thermostat for the ambient temp in the car. I told them no and bought the parts I needed for $23 dollars and had it fixed myself in about 15 minutes. Dealerships wanna rip you off all the time

[@thegonz7833]

Great job showing how the customer gets to wait.And of course the costs

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

You're being charged to use their waiting room lounge area.

[@matthewbrundage2582]

Cool!! thanks so much for posting this. I bought a truck that only had one key, and I will be reaching out shortly to get another key and fob not from the dealer!😂thanks!!!

[@TomsKeyCompany]

Feel free to reach out whenever you're ready for another key. Visit our website, tomskey.com or email us at [e-mail] -we're here to help!

[@russellwilson902]

I'm having this exact problem with my my car!! The kicker is that there is a factory recall for a security system update. Which is not going to allow the car to be unlocked using the key. Can only be unlocked using the keyless entity which the buttons have fallen out after 10 years of usage. Was quoted almost 500 a key!!! F'N CRAZY!!!

[@unti419]

On my Caddy, I bought a fob on Amazon for about $15. It came with a blank key that inserts into the fob. Took me 5 minutes to program it myself and $4 that have the key cut at a key shop.

[@ICU-Witness]

Id say the OP was successful at getting his point across. He didnt need to confront anyone or create conflict over what we can see for ourselves. It was helpful enough for my purposes to see what they do so that I know not to trust them for this particular service. Their willingness to stand behind this substandard level of work spoke volumes as to their character.

[@RedEyeLoft]

Wow! Those dealers should be ashamed of themselves. Thank you for this video.

[@AaronHarver-dj4yq]

Bought a spare key/fob for my 09 Dakota just last week. After getting the key cut it only took me two minutes to get it programmed and running with the trucks manual. Total cost was $28

[@christopherkoll2661]

This has been going on for years, as a former locksmith we had to program keys to cars and trucks, at that time it took 45 min to reprogram the computer now it is a lot faster-- but much more expansive. Do not go to a dealer unless it is the last resort. Find another way, and save $$$$$

[@BCNeil]

I feel old. I remember when you could get a second key cut at the hardware store for $1. Now its several hundred from a dealer and cars still get stolen just as often.

[@georgeoh5361]

It's all a scam

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

You can also get a key cut at hardware and locksmiths. What you can't get is fancy chip keys. In actuality, I see locksmiths having more options than they used to. Because my mom lost my fob (long story), I had to use my key...which eventually broke. I got stuck in the door, so I had to use the passenger side to open at that point. I called the dealer and they told me how much but to check with the locksmith nearby. The locksmith took out the broken key for free and made new keys...at a cheaper price than the dealer. $5 vs $30 a key. During the process, the locksmith called the dealer and got a code for the key. I think it also depends on how willing to help others (customer & other businesses) the dealer is.

[@johnrhodes101875]

He'll thats not cheap I went to lowes and had 6 house keys cut and it was $20

[@carlfalk7251]

Keys cut while you wait

[@Mapster2001]

As a ford tech, I always just told the customer to go buy the key from the parts guy, talk to the service manager about paying an hour for labor, and I’d drop everything to make a quick 3/10th of an hour with ease. It’s rigged on all sides for the dealership to suck everyone dry

[@AVB2]

I bought a used Ford Edge but I only got one key. Ford wanted $100.00 for the blank fob/key, $50.00 to program it and $10.00 to cut the metal part. I bought one on Ebay for $50.00, ground the metal part at the hardware store I work at for free and Ford charged me $50.00 to program it.

[@MilePost106]

I miss the days when a GM key cost a few dollars to make.

[@STho205]

75c at Ace hardware. GM used a second key for doors and trunk...so $1.50

[@jsd354]

Those days ended because of all the car thefts.

[@STho205]

@@jsd354 yet the car thefts continue....as well as car jacking for the violent dummies that can't easily overcome the immobilizers. For those that can...a $100 RF scanner, repeater can start the car in your driveway if you hang your keys or fob near the door.

[@STho205]

@@jsd354 the RF scanner can also read your code in a parking lot when you lock your car. Beep beep

[@tanside979]

@@jsd354 Yeah glad car thefts are now a thing of the past... 🙄

[@lonecrusaider]

I went recently to get an oil change and tire rotation on a 2019 Colorado ZR2. 3 hours later the tires still weren't rotated and the oil change wasn't done. I was told they were 1 quart short on my oil because it was "special" oil. I can get that oil literally anywhere and made sure to tell the service manager that when I called them. I've never been back and now use a place closer to me that takes only 20 minutes and I don't even have to get out of the truck. BTW I was charged for a tire rotation I never got. They didn't realize i could see my truck in the service bay the whole time.

[@olallaeddy]

I made an appointment in Feb to have my truck serviced and trouble shoot turbo lag at low RPM. Ford F350 diesel. Waited a month to get it in on the 13th of March. Dropped it off for an estimate on the 13th. They called a week later said their tech was out sick now back and found exhaust leak causing no back pressure. I was able to speak with Tech and he said he was in training not sick. Parts ordered on 20th. 21st parts in and should start as soon as he finishes the truck on the rack. Called me April 5th said they started on my truck. Now its April 8th and still not done. I had a job 200 miles away 9th and had to move it to the 1th. Hope its done. Just sucks this happens

[@TaylorZ2]

A stealership ripped you off? Shocking! It looks like you're missing a cap on the a/c recharge port (I saw this when the hood was open for the multi point inspection)

[@petterdelsett640]

My new Chevrolet was delivered without caps on the ac system

[@skliros9235]

​@@petterdelsett640that's not right.

[@garyp9906]

Once my vehicle is out of warranty, the dealership never sees me again. I brought in my brand new Ram 1500 with 7500 miles on it for its first oil change. Service manager comes into the waiting room and shows me a dirty, filthy air cleaner. He says that it needs to be replaced. I told him to put it back in, that I didn't want to change it. I left and went to Walmart and purchased a new filter. I know that he took some old air filter laying around the shop that they use to trick everyone into buying a new one. The nasty filter he put back in was a Fram air filter! I know the manufacturer doesn't use Fram filters right off the assembly line.

[@lvsluggo007]

Your car may be out of warrantee, but if there's a factory recall on it, you'll have to visit a dealership to get it resolved. No way of getting around that.. Whats really spiffy, is when you receive a notice in the mail of a SAFETY recall of your car, and you call ALL 4 of the manufacturers dealers in your city and NONE of them have ANY record of that recall.. I'm dealing with that with my 2013 Hyundai Elantra. There is a safety recall having to do with brakes/ABS and the letter states "You should park the affected vehicle outside until the recall is completed"... For those of us who cannot park on the street this is kind of a problem.. Again, the four dealers for Hyundai here, when given the recall #, have no idea of it, or when it will have a fix..

[@marcushinton772]

Here in the UK you can get a new key/remote while you get your groceries for around £40 from a firm that fits watch batteries etc. For a dealer rip off 2yrs ago I needed an alternator for my Audi A6 - dealer £2,178 , car parts store £374 both were fitted.

[@kkeller5102]

Glad I watched this video as I need another key and fob.

[@TomsKeyCompany]

HI there, If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at Tomskey.com or send us an email at [e-mail]

[@johnjones393]

Service departments are the highest profit center in a dealership. I worked at a dealership years ago. I saw techs finish a job in 20 minutes but the book called for over 3 hours of flat rate time. They would leave the vehicle sit inside for 3 hours and then call the customer giving the customer the impression it took that long. Stuff like that happened all day every day.

[@joe1273]

Tech’s don’t write the book time, if the job is done right I don’t see an issue. No tech leaves a car sitting in their bay when on flat rate. You also don’t mention when they get paid book time say 4 hours and the job takes 8. Also techs don’t call customers,

[@paulreichelt1259]

What utter bullshit...20 minutes to do a 3 hour service .

[@user-kw5ze5ky5q]

Amazing. This is why people don’t trust us. I’m glad I’m out of the dealership world. There’s a level of corporate greed that’s becoming the norm. The most labor I’ve seen charged for a key is .5 hours. Honda has the most painstaking programming procedure and that takes about 20 minutes. And where I work now, I’d be having a talking to in the managers office if that was my inspection. We have to take pictures and explain them so the customer understands. This stuff is expensive enough the honest way

[@broncs2794]

I agree. I worked at dealerships for 20 years. Glad I’m out of that business. It truly is dishonest and corrupt on every level. Wasn’t always this bad, but now it’s all greed. Extremely toxic environment.

[@kristenzo16]

Was going to say, this is 100% not the tech's fault, the techs are who get shafted the hardest at dealerships. My husband was a tech at Porsche and now Subaru and that flat rate system is bogus. And he didn't note whether or not the tech recommended anything for the multi-point inspection. I kind of hate how he put a lot of blame on the techs.

[@Flightcontrol96]

When I was 16 the key fob for my Honda Accord broke. The issue was that the soldered connection between the battery cradle and the PCB had broken. I was quoted 300 dollars from the dealership ans 200 from a local keymaker. This is how i learned to solder.

[@solonutiket564]

Great video. thanks for the facts.

[@stevesanderson8360]

This is why dealership technicians work 40 hours a week but Bill for 200. In any other industry this would be illegal

[@SlainteFromFlorida]

*attorney enters the chat*

[@Bulvan123]

That's not so simple.

[@CarlKem]

No surprise. Back when I had a GMC Sierra GMC/Chevy were charging me $700+ to "fix & replace" my EGR valve. Turned out they never replaced it. They only cleaned it, which a friend taught me to do myself. Talk about humiliating to be ripped off!

[@cday7582]

I don’t agree with dishonest dealerships, but one big reason they charge far more than a business like Tom’s Key Co is that dealerships have HUGE overheads, and unfortunately money doesn’t grow on trees.

[@mycowboyways915]

That’s no reason for them to screw customers.

[@Toxie2725]

I think it's super awesome how you show people to steal cars so easily! Nice!

[@jeffho1727]

Multipoint - I taught HS Auto Shop. Wanna know how quick I got the kids to do a 20 point inspection. Grade 10 40 mins, end of grade 11 = 10 mins and by grade 12, they could rattle those off almost as quick as me say 5 mins with brake wear estimated, tire wear estimated and all hood fluids checked. Walmart was calling up my HS shop looking for employees for their summer lube bay.

[@ohguy1991]

I'm a tech at a dealership and it's frustrating that people see us, the techs as crooks, when we just do what we're told. It's the higher ups that decided what to charge, not us

[@DJ7mph]

I was a manager in dealerships for a few years. What this person is saying is true. Now I have seen some shady techs, but for the most part they are just trying to make a living and doing what they are told.

[@gergnotsloh]

That "inspection" by the tech which was just washer fluid was kind of on the tech, wasn't it?

[@DJ7mph]

@@gergnotsloh not necessarily. The reason for the "inspection" is to upsell. If they are already booked up for a week or more they will skip it. The customer print out of the repair invoice is probably set to automatically print that.

[@jeffkowalski3107]

Your fine ,it costs a lot to have a dealership,and yes it cost more to have your car properly fixed,

[@Skipdogg15]

I fix cars properly all the time without screwing people over

[@zacharyjames5313]

Dealers set their parts and labor prices based on cash and warranty. I’ve been an advisor for 25 plus years and I’ve never ripped anyone off. It’s all in the ethics set forth by the dealer and it’s employees. I find when people fix it cheap it comes to a dealer because we have the best factory diesel techs in the business. You get what you pay for.

[@DebbieOnTheSpot]

Thank you for your service against Government Motors

[@SonofHardrada]

Went through a similar experience with a Ford truck (thankfully now sold). Went to a sheduled appointment at a local dealorship for ANOTHER recall fix, as I was part of Fords "Recall of the Month" program, and sat where I could see them working on my truck. Was there for about 2 hours and it took them 10 minutes to update the computer and put new wiper arms on. I have other stories I could add, but it should suffice to say theres a reason why a lot of us call them "Stealorships". They steal your time and money.

[@wickedcoolname399]

I got charged for an hour of diagnostic labor. The tech said he drove my truck for 45 minutes and then spent 15 minutes with his scan tool. What he didn't know is that I had lunch right next door to the dealer and I saw that my truck never moved. Furthermore, I had set the trip odometer and it was still at zero when picked it up. When I pointed all this out to the general manager he waived all charges, including the alleged 15 minutes of scan time.

[@smileage8]

Maybe it was a parking charge ..

[@happydays8171]

Needed a key and programming for my Honda Civic. Took one hour, they also replaced my recalled airbag, updated my software for under $100.

[@JamesStover-gr3hw]

That’s why they call them Stealerships my local Toyota dealship does similar thefts. Basil Toyota in Lockport NY charged me for synthetic oil changes and they put regular oil. They did this twice before I figured it out. The techs were directed to do this by the manager. I stopped dealing with them.

[@Pidcack]

I have used Toms key company for two different vehicle's. The local ford dealership wanted $800 for a new key to my F150. Process was easy and customer service was great. Thank you.