Software charge for Phone

[San Diego BMW Enthusiast]

I recently purchased a 2005 4.8is. I couldn't get the phone to work with my razr after repeated attempts and ended up taking it to the dealer. They fixed it all right, $330 later after loading some new software!

I was floored, how can BMW sell a car with bluetooth capability that doesn't work with one of their approved phones??? I pointed out that the s/w wasn't an option if I had purchased the car new. What if they hadn't loaded the ignition software?? The service manager agreed with me but wouldn't waive the charge as I didn't buy the car at this dealer (nor would he consider the other compromises I reluctantly offered). I ended up having to pay to get my car and am pursuing reimbursment from the dealer I bought it from. Has anyone else run into this? I must be missing something (which wouldn't be the first time)!

[UCrewX5]

I agree, BMW should cover this since Bluetooth is a standard feature on the X5 with Premium Package (which the 4.8is certainly has)

[X5Strap]

I agree with you my dealer (Sterling Newport Beach) has been great....However what it might have been is the car needed to be programed for the Razr, that they will charge for, I would still raise hell, these are not the cheapest cars in the world......

Jac

[Quicksilver]

If you paid by credit card dispute the charge thru the credit card company. They will halt the payment and then it will get hashed out.
Yes Iv'e done it ,yes it works

Originally Posted by San Diego BMW Enthusiast

I recently purchased a 2005 4.8is. I couldn't get the phone to work with my razr after repeated attempts and ended up taking it to the dealer. They fixed it all right, $330 later after loading some new software!

I was floored, how can BMW sell a car with bluetooth capability that doesn't work with one of their approved phones??? I pointed out that the s/w wasn't an option if I had purchased the car new. What if they hadn't loaded the ignition software?? The service manager agreed with me but wouldn't waive the charge as I didn't buy the car at this dealer (nor would he consider the other compromises I reluctantly offered). I ended up having to pay to get my car and am pursuing reimbursment from the dealer I bought it from. Has anyone else run into this? I must be missing something (which wouldn't be the first time)!

[Guss]

I can see this charge for an '04 car but not an '05 - STANDARD.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

If you paid by credit card dispute the charge thru the credit card company. They will halt the payment and then it will get hashed out.
Yes Iv'e done it ,yes it works

But do you consider it to be ethical? If you have agreed to pay a charge by credit card, what is your basis for disputing it? If anyone did this at my business, I would simply mark them down in my customer files as not being eligible to use a credit card at my store in the future.

PS: I think the claim should be against the dealer who sold the car, not the dealer who performed the service.

[Quicksilver]

Actually that's what the credit card company encourages you to do if you have been charged for services that are unethical, improper or unjust.

In todays society many people get ripped off for services they did not ask for or for services not rendered. A persons rights are listed under The Fair Credit Billing Act. If you are Billed for services you feel are not warrented a consumer has the right to dispute the charge.

For honest folks like you that shouldn't be a problem. But if in fact someone is wrongly charged for a service the credit card companies will assist people in getting a fair shake and that is ethical. It would also seem to me that if it was going to cost XX amount of dollars the owner of the vehicle should have been informed as to the cost before doing the service. Did that happen??

Originally Posted by JCL

But do you consider it to be ethical? If you have agreed to pay a charge by credit card, what is your basis for disputing it? If anyone did this at my business, I would simply mark them down in my customer files as not being eligible to use a credit card at my store in the future.

PS: I think the claim should be against the dealer who sold the car, not the dealer who performed the service.

[JCL]

Well, we are going a little off topic, but it appears to me that the servicing dealer was asked to perform a service, and charged the going rate for that service. I don't know for sure in this case, but there is usually a work order involved, and it is usually signed, so as to permit a mechanic's lien to be placed on the vehicle if payment is not made. Cancelling payment (in my province) would allow the shop to place a lien on the vehicle, if they have the work order signed. It is usually more hassle than it is worth, for both the customer and the shop, but it is how the shop is protected from people promising to pay, and then not doing so.

Taking it out on the servicing dealer is really what I was wondering about here. I fully understand taking the dispute up with the dealer that sold the vehicle. Getting BMWNA involved might not be a bad idea. But promising to pay the servicing dealer (by signing the credit card slip) and then cancelling that payment once a person has left the premises just seems shady.

I agree that it is good practice to inform the customer of the charges before performing the service. It makes for good relations all around. If that wasn't done, however, I would first read the repair order, including the fine print. It likely has standard boilerplate language that doesn't require the shop to give a price first. If a consumer wants to protect themselves from this practice, it is a good idea to ensure that the repair order includes the notation "contact customer with quote and obtain authorization prior to performing service" or something to this effect.

I just think that the Fair Credit Act is more about you being able to protest charges that you didn't agree to, not charges that you did agree to when the vehicle was picked up.

[San Diego BMW Enthusiast]

Sorry not to have replied to this post earlier. It turns out, logic does prevail (I know this is an important concept to those who can afford these cars)! My escalation to the dealer I purchased the car from (Sterling, Newport Beach) worked. Within a couple of weeks, I received a refund from the servicing dealer. My confidence in humanity has been restored! Thanks to all who have responded to my post! My next crusade is to get the replacement cup holders on 5 series sedans within $25 of the cost of the plastic!