I scheduled an online appointment for 7:30 AM. On the day before the appointment, I got a call from an service rep to confirm my appointment at 7:45 AM. This was fine since it was only a 15 minute difference from the time I scheduled online. I was expecting to receive a loaner vehicle so that I could continue on to work, however my service advisor told me that because of the duration of the service, he could not offer me a loaner vehicle. This should have been more clearly spell out in the on-line appointment system. After my 85,000 service was completed, my service advisor told me that my battery had failed the test and offered to replace my battery...for $400. I asked why it costs so much to replace a battery, and my service advisor responded that it would take an hour of shop time to install and "program" the vehicle for the new battery (rip-off #1). This sounded fishy to me so I declined that service. After researching the battery issue, I found that mt model of audi (an 8P A3) does not even have a battery management module, so does not actually require programming on battery installation. Even if it did, I have the equipment to perform adaptations myself, so I decided I would replace the battery on my own, and that I would purchase the battery from Jim Ellis Audi Marietta. I called the parts department at Jim Ellis Audi and spoke to Bo, who quoted me about $190,00 including tax for a new battery. To double check this, I looked on line at the online parts store and found that a new battery was listed at $132 (rip-off #2). I called back Bo at the parts desk and and told him what I had found, and without any explanation, told me he would honor the $132 price for the battery. I then decided to more carefully look over the invoice for the 85,000 mile service I had just received to see if I had been overcharged (robbed) on any of the parts involved with that service. I found that I was indeed. I was charged over $18.00 for the oil pan drain screw (rip-off #3). This same drain screw is listed in the audi usa online parts store for about $3.50, and can be purchased aftermarket for about $1. I called my service advisor for an explanation of this, and his advice was to talk to the parts manager because "we do not have any control over how much the parts department bills us." I picked up my $132 battery and installed it into my A3 (which does not require programming) in about 15 minutes (not an hour). The experience I am describing here is not the first time I have experienced massive overbilling (or attempt to overbill) at this audi dealership. The first time involved a bad front wheel bearing, which I was quoted $932 (rip off #4) to have replaced. I ended up buying two aftermarket wheel bearings for $250 (genuine audi parts are about $250 each), and replacing them both in under 3 hours (1.5 hours each), by myself. So why the quote of $932? Even if a genuine audi wheel bearing was used, that would only account for $250. Remember, I did this job myself in 1.5 hours, and I find it hard to believe that I am a better mechanic than a fully qualified audi technician (trust me, i'm not). and yes, after I replaced the bearings I got an alignment (firestone for $110). So, needless to say, I am very disappointed by the billing practices of this dealership. In fact, I find them morally reprehensible. These experiences have greatly eroded my trust in the Jim Ellis and Audi names.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Everything was great and Tim took great care of us.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Very efficient and completed my repair in a timely manner.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Great friendly, courteous and timely staff.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Kevin and Artee were both very pleasant and helpful.
I scheduled an online appointment for 7:30 AM. On the day before the appointment, I got a call from an service rep to confirm my appointment at 7:45 AM. This was fine since it was only a 15 minute difference from the time I scheduled online. I was expecting to receive a loaner vehicle so that I could continue on to work, however my service advisor told me that because of the duration of the service, he could not offer me a loaner vehicle. This should have been more clearly spell out in the on-line appointment system. After my 85,000 service was completed, my service advisor told me that my battery had failed the test and offered to replace my battery...for $400. I asked why it costs so much to replace a battery, and my service advisor responded that it would take an hour of shop time to install and "program" the vehicle for the new battery (rip-off #1). This sounded fishy to me so I declined that service. After researching the battery issue, I found that mt model of audi (an 8P A3) does not even have a battery management module, so does not actually require programming on battery installation. Even if it did, I have the equipment to perform adaptations myself, so I decided I would replace the battery on my own, and that I would purchase the battery from Jim Ellis Audi Marietta. I called the parts department at Jim Ellis Audi and spoke to Bo, who quoted me about $190,00 including tax for a new battery. To double check this, I looked on line at the online parts store and found that a new battery was listed at $132 (rip-off #2). I called back Bo at the parts desk and and told him what I had found, and without any explanation, told me he would honor the $132 price for the battery. I then decided to more carefully look over the invoice for the 85,000 mile service I had just received to see if I had been overcharged (robbed) on any of the parts involved with that service. I found that I was indeed. I was charged over $18.00 for the oil pan drain screw (rip-off #3). This same drain screw is listed in the audi usa online parts store for about $3.50, and can be purchased aftermarket for about $1. I called my service advisor for an explanation of this, and his advice was to talk to the parts manager because "we do not have any control over how much the parts department bills us." I picked up my $132 battery and installed it into my A3 (which does not require programming) in about 15 minutes (not an hour). The experience I am describing here is not the first time I have experienced massive overbilling (or attempt to overbill) at this audi dealership. The first time involved a bad front wheel bearing, which I was quoted $932 (rip off #4) to have replaced. I ended up buying two aftermarket wheel bearings for $250 (genuine audi parts are about $250 each), and replacing them both in under 3 hours (1.5 hours each), by myself. So why the quote of $932? Even if a genuine audi wheel bearing was used, that would only account for $250. Remember, I did this job myself in 1.5 hours, and I find it hard to believe that I am a better mechanic than a fully qualified audi technician (trust me, i'm not). and yes, after I replaced the bearings I got an alignment (firestone for $110). So, needless to say, I am very disappointed by the billing practices of this dealership. In fact, I find them morally reprehensible. These experiences have greatly eroded my trust in the Jim Ellis and Audi names.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Everything was great and Tim took great care of us.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Very efficient and completed my repair in a timely manner.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Great friendly, courteous and timely staff.
Verified User
•
Jun 7, 2016
5.0/5
5.0/5
Kevin and Artee were both very pleasant and helpful.