Class action against Volvo? False advertising

[StupidS80]

This is on my local dealers site and Volvos site. No where does it mention that's only for cars under the manufactures warranty. $145 for diagnostics and $200 for any needed software update, which he tells me my car won't need cuz it's only for newer cars, wtf?
They should at least specifically say cars have to be under warranty. I was all excited for nothing

What is Service by Volvo?

Our mission is to make your life less complicated and guarantee an outstanding combination of quality, reassurance and expertise.



Free Software Updates:

At Volvo, we're constantly improving the software for our cars. This means that your Volvo can potentially improve at every service visit. If your Volvo needs the latest software update, we'll make sure it happens at no cost.


Complimentary Diagnostics:

Is your Check Engine or other warning light lit? If so, we'll perform a preliminary computer diagnosis for up to one hour, and give you a written estimate of what's needed at no charge and without obligation.

[jimmy57]

Everything like this is ultimately up to the individual dealer. Not every McDonald's has dollar value menu and there are other exceptions. Volvo or any car manufacturer can only enforce warranty paid repair things and some limited other standards items like signage and maybe decor. Most compliance to standards for every make is done via incentive programs with money on every unit sold paid at varying levels based on current program. My Ford dealer washed vehicles in for service. Ford took that out of the incentive program for a quarter and they quit washing cars and trucks. Dealers I know of do the complimentary software if service work is performed and the diagnostics is the print out of what Vida shows since they have vehicle connected for the software load. They are not giving free software for driving up and asking for that alone. It is the "we'll clip your pet's toe nails for free with every anesthetic administered dental cleaning" of the car world.
It is something no indy shop can do for you for less than several hundred dollars.

Did you go in for anything or just drive up or call about this software and diag only?

[StupidS80]

I only asked about the software updates after making a service appt for my front end. I have a problem with wheel grinding on turns and thumping with the abs and stc light on, so I took it to a shop that works on volvo's and the bcm is not communicating with their scanner so I called the dealer, made an appt and asked how much would diagnostics be after the first complimentary hour and he said oh we don't do that here and I said your website says you do. I was bummed out because no where on both sites does it exclude older cars. I know the dealer is going to rake me over the coals so I was disappointed to find that out.
https://www.volvoofclevelandoh.com/volv ... antage.htm

[93Regina]

My Ford dealer washed vehicles in for service.

Small town local GMC dealer vacuums with an oil change. And, if you "faithfully" have oil changes with them, a better trade-in value. They know their customers, by their first name. Non serviced vehicles there, when traded-in, tend to go to auto auction.
.

[RickHaleParker]

At least in the United States, there are no Manufacture owned dealerships.

There is a Kansas City Ford dealership that use to have the slogan "All Fords are created equal, its your dealer that makes the difference and thats the truth" .. pretty much sums it up.

If you don't like the way one does business ... do your business with somebody else.

[mrbrian200]

Brand consistency has always been an uphill battle with regard to franchise/consignment agreements, regardless of the industry or product.

[93Regina]

Brand consistency has always been an uphill battle with regard to franchise/consignment agreements, regardless of the industry or product.

McDonalds is fairly consistent...."owners" fall inline with their policies, and QC checks happen.

Higher end motels/hotels in same boat.

Car dealerships, there are the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I believe many small town dealerships are better....they generally don't play high pressure sales games. Each customer is like a VIP...if you burn one, they don't come back. In larger cities, there are "predator" sales people, who stalk the ignorant, especially in used vehicle sales.

[jimmy57]

car brqnd franchise agreements are all over the map. If the dealer has not been sold in a few generations then the agreement from decades before may be in place. When those agreements survive then the new ones can be limited in many states as the amount of difference between different dealers can be defined by the law. Lexus, Acura, Infiniti have the best arrangement as they are all dealers less than 30 years old and those agreements have more bite to the compliance to standards. Most manufacturers dangle money carrots to get what they want. Not all dealers bite. If you need to make $4 million changes and you're selling few units the carrot ain't big enough.