This appiles to our cars and should be made illegal immediately. This is ant-trust if I have ever seen it but because our government representative are paid by these people— they do nothing and we get screwed!! I had to change a head light and it was $490. That is robbery and needs to be quickly addressed as FRAUD!!
I have a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer. Several years ago the driver's side window switch went out. I discovered that it wasn't a set of switches, but instead was an electronic control module with switches on it. I was informed that I could buy a used one, but it wouldn't work because all these products are serial numbered, and if it wasn't programed to send the correct serial number to the car's computer, the car's computer would reject it.
I was told that the Dealer would charge $500.00 to program it, and I would also have to pay for the new module.
I never did get it fixed. I simply made up my mind that I was not going to buy a newer vehicle for the rest of my life.
In fact, I want to find myself some 1940 or 1950 era vehicle to restore and I plan to drive that.
9-year-old Ford Focus. Bought new. Muffler needed replacing. Dealer cost: $1k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mechanics at the dealer took pity on us and recommended an indie mechanic about 20 minutes away. Turned out to just need a new tailpipe. $40 total!!! At the dealer, it’s the entire assembly or nothing.
Had other issues, finally took it to a mechanic friend: we paid wholesale for parts, his work was cheap enough we tipped him $50 and we still saved about another $800.