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Report: #1357603

Complaint Review: Mazda of Escondido - Escondido California

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Allen P. — Escondido California USA
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
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  • Mazda of Escondido 1560 Auto Park Way Escondido, California USA

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CAR BUYERS - BEWARE OF THIS HACK It's unfortunate that what was the most pleasurable vehicle purchase from any dealership in my 56 years has turned subdued. The sales staff was great - appeared honest and knowledgable - the vehicle seems well built and my wife loves it. So what's the problem you ask? The Penske Auto Group employee that made the decision to violate every single vehicle on this and other brand lots with an aftermarket security system. Cut factory wiring to install a system that will not be covered by your factory warranty. Which in turn will render a portion of this warranty useless. A reason to deny a claim and become a customer pay repair, tow or another un reimbursable expense. Then they have the nerve to charge you for the system at well over a 200% markup. This system is more of a convenience for them (programmable for universal vehicle access) and a profit center. But then they will tell you that the system comes with a 3 year/36,000 parts and labor warranty. This aftermarket warranty won't pay for a tow, lodging, transportation or the other benefits your new vehicle warranty may allow. You now have to deal with a second company for reimbursement and that is "if" you sent in your registration card for the system. If you purchased extended warranty to cover bumper to bumper for additional years - too bad so sad. Even if you don't purchase the system, the damage is done - the system remains in the vehicle inactive but still there. The security you feel with a factory warranty is now compromised. I bought a new vehicle with the comfort of a warranty - If I want to jeopardize the coverage, it should be my choice. One indication is if the sales associate has to pound on the window to open the vehicle. The shock sensor allows access and the systems are pre-installed. There will also be a small box screwed/wired in the dash below the dash/steering column. You are better off looking for a dealership that must retrieve the keys from the office or one that uses the old fashioned lock boxes. Also, if they tell you your vehicle doesn't come stock with a car alarm - this is a play on words (I have to admit is pretty ingenious). The manufacturer of the system they install & sell is KARR. Please read this link with comments for more info. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/08/never-buy-car-alarm-dealership

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 02/22/2017 08:34 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/mazda-of-escondido/escondido-california-92029/mazda-of-escondido-penske-auto-group-escondido-california-1357603. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
6Author
3Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#9 Author of original report

Owners Manual (page 3-37

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

 Security system  Modification and Add-On Equipment Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer and anti-deterrent systems' operation if the systems have been modified or if any add-on equipment has been installed. CAUTION - To avoid damage to your vehicle, do not modify the system or install any add-on equipment to the immobilizer and the theft-deterrent systems or the vehicle.

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#8 Author of original report

Some dealers charge for unwanted items or nothing at all

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

 To answer your question: "When you worked in the "industry" you were well aware and apparently had no issues with dealers denying warranty claims for invalid reasons." I'm still in the industry - let's see the year was 1978 - so it's been 39 years +/-. I quit working for dealerships and started my own repair service in 1992 because of such deceitful practices (Boy do I have stories). The last was an RV dealership still here in San Diego. Long story short - busted a tech stealing fuel (55 gal. every 2 weeks) and charging for labor never done. Me being a service writer with a mechanic background, I checked that work was completed before the customer picked it up. Took the proof to the owner and sales manager who then told me to leave Gary alone he was a high producing tech - in other words $$ - screw customer satisfaction.

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#7 Author of original report

So what's your issue?

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

It doesn't appear that the Ripoff Report Website lets the dealer manipulate posts as Yelp does. Is this what really upsets you?  

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#6 Author of original report

Robert, Ringo, Paul (whatever your car dealers names are - or should I say KARR)

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

My daughter drives my old (I bought new) 2008 Dodge Caliber which has a similar system that I refused to purchase. Periodically the vehicle will not start - when this happens she knows she has to push on the face of the bypass chip (internal bad connection). I figured this out because ?? I'm a mechanic. If I wasn't, these would be periodic no starts that may or may not have acted up after a tow to the dealership while under warranty. Usually the term they would use on a repair order is - Could not duplicate customer complaint. She has about 120 K miles and she pushes on it about 2>6 times a year. It's been a good car with minor issues otherwise - I just haven't had a reason to pull the dash apart. Your comments don't transfer to my reply page, so I may miss a response. But BTW - it's kind of hard to scan and send something that's not here - the wife has the car at work.

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#5 Consumer Comment

So

AUTHOR: Robert - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

This entire "Your Warranty claim will be denied" is nothing more than an ASSUMPTION on your part.

You have done nothing that shows the alarm is currently or will give you issues.   You have done nothing that shows they would deny any claims.  In fact the only thing you have shown is that when you worked in the "industry" you were well aware and apparently had no issues with dealers denying warranty claims for invalid reasons.

Ironically, if you actually did have issues and were denied warranty service because of the after market alarm you would probably have a very valid claim.  But that is NOT the case here.

By the way I am still waiting on the scan of the warranty that shows they provide lodging.

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#4 Author of original report

Buying a new vehicle that has been altered by wash bay Billy

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

 The vehicle isn't going anywhere - My wife loves it and I'm fine with it - Put 15K down w/0% thru Mazda = $300 something a month - I have 3 other vehicles with no payments - Life is Good. I'm actually doing myself a disservice because now I won't go to my local Mazda dealer. All because buyers should be made aware of this BS. FYI - I have worked for 3 dealerships in light and heavy line as well as doing some time as a service writer. I've owned my own truck repair business sinse 1992. So I know how warranty reimbursement works and how a tech or warranty clerk would rather shift a claim from factory to customer pay because it flags at a better rate. Penske Auto Group has given them a reason to deny claims. It's not like the pre-80's when things were solid state - You wouldn't let wash bay Billy that probably installs these splicing into your home computer or entertainment systems?

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#3 Consumer Comment

And?

AUTHOR: Robert - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

You bought a car with an Aftermarket alarm and if we take what you are hinting at, this alarm has basically made your car a piece of junk worth about $10 and you might as well sell it for scrap....that's it right?

So since this is such a big issue for you, have you actually ever been denied a warranty claim because of this alarm?  Or is this all just a "theoretical - the sky is falling" and really a case of buyer's remorse? 

As for the warranty.  I don't recall ever having a FACTORY warranty that included towing, lodging, and a rental car.  I've had dealers offer rental cars and towing but that was as a dealer provided service not something I was entitled to in the warranty.  So can you please scan and post the speific area of the Factory Warranty that states you are entilted to all of these items, as that may come in handy some day.

Oh and no I do not now or have I ever worked for this or any Car Dealer.

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#2 Author of original report

You must sell cars

AUTHOR: - ()

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

 Sure after hours on the lot while the wife tries to decide. Dealership closes at 7 pm and it's 7:10 pm - final paperwork while they're pushing this system on us. I'm arguing with him - come on, this new vehicle doesn't come with a car alarm. Oh No they say, doesn't come stock with a KARR alarm (play on words - verbally - not in writing - my mistake). But after I thought about it and the part that really gets me is - They cut/hack factory wiring on all the new cars - You have no choice even if you don't purchase the system. This is a Failure to Disclose Material Facts about a vehicle before you sign. When I informed Mazda customer relations, they were even unaware that the dealer is cutting factory wiring which could void portions of their warranty and have a negative effect on their systems.

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#1 Consumer Comment

Why Did You Agree To It?

AUTHOR: Jim - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, February 22, 2017

 Since you seem to indicate this system was to be paid for by you...it must have been in the bill of sale. You would have seen it as a line item. My question to you is why did you agree to buy the car if this was part of the deal? Did you even bother to read what you were signing? I think we know the answer!

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