$100 license plate bulb
 

I just got screwed with a $100 charge at Ralph Schomp BMW in Littleton, Colorado. They told me that there was an after market bulb in there and they wouldn't cover it under warranty! BS!! They didn't even bother to call and let me know the situation before they decided to replace it! They said they would have covered it if it was oem.

I took it in about 3 weeks ago because the license plate brakets were hanging down and since then, the error poped up every time I turned on the X.

They ended up giving me a vocher for a free interior or exterior detail but I don't need it. I don't need a hand out! The X is in mint condition!


What does everyone think?

I'm confused...why did you pay $100? Did you or did you not agree to be charged?

When you drop off a car, you sign a word order/estimate... What did it say?

Finally, when you looked at the bulb they replaced (aren't they required by law to give you replaced parts upon request?) was it "aftermarket"?

A

I asked the advisor why he didn't call me and he said the job was done before he could call! BS!! I should have asked to see the old lights but I didn't! Stupid move on my part!! If I would have got the call about the charge, I would have done it myself!!

You are not answering my question.

You do not have to pay for work that was not authorized, simple as that! "didn't have time" and "work was already done" are all fine reasons for the dealer to eat the charge... they are NOT reasons for YOU to pay.

Again, WHY did you pay?!?!

A

PS I always write "no telephone authorizations" when I sign work order that has a chance of turning into a charge...they can fax whatever they need.

The answer is I'm an idiot!! Bottom line! I should have refused to pay!
Is BMW supposed to call me before work is done?

"BMW" doesn't actually work on any cars.

The dealership is a company that is independent of BMW... I only stress this issue so folks can wrap their heads around the whole "3 way" relationship... (owner, manufacturer, dealer)

Once again, it all depends on what was on the paperwork you signed when you dropped it off. In most states the mechanic must get prior approval to make repairs, period.

The 'mechanic' is the dealer or Joe Blow at the shop down the street.... When you drop off a car, you sign a work order. Read it. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED - they are asking you to enter a legal agreement, read it. (Actually read the one now, then you'll know what it says for next time.)

If there is anything other that $0, you want to know precisely what they are doing. Many an SA will say "The warranty will cover it, but just in case I put down $100". Red Flag. You are absolutely on the hook for $100.

There is often a area on the work order where they can enter telephone authorizations for increases- date, time, initials and amount. I cross this out as mentioned above.

If when you pick up a car, the bill is more than was authorized, simply decline to pay more. If they insisted, pay with your best credit card, note at each signature and on the copy of the work order they ask you to sign, something to the effect "Disputed amount, not authorized"

Was it an aftermarket LED style bulb?

I have owned MANY BMWs...when did the license plate brackets become monitored, so an error could pop up every time you turned the X on? Do you mean license plate lights? Brackets are just pieces of metal, that would have no electrical connection or warning system. Quite confused

I took that to mean the brakcet was hanging and he took it in..and after they fixed that it started having the bulb issue.

I'm more confused than both of you. I certainly wouldn't have paid anything. Ard just described to the letter, how to deal with Automobile repairs. Good point reminding folks that BMW does not = your Service Dept

I've been to Schomp for all my 335 work and never had an issue with them. Always under warranty for everything so far but I'm not much of a modder other than wheels. He didn't indicate whether he did put an aftermarket bulb in so I guess I am confused as well. He sounds pretty ticked though.

I ordered my new x5 from Murray this time around because I didn't like Schomps no haggling mindset.

I know BMW isn't the dealer! I Didn't know people wanted to get really technical on this topic. I have never upgraded my light bulbs above my plates.

I have purchased 5 BMW's from Ralph Schomp and have never had a problem there. They usually call me with repair work.

Anyhow, I got screwed and I know for next time! Might just start taking all my cars to Murray!

Difficult to follow the plot here...
Eurogreek: you had an oe or stock license plate bulb go out, and the dlr said it was 'non-stock', and charged you a $Ben to 'fix' that lic plate light?

I give up.

This post just makes NO sense. An error was showing each time you started your X5 up..for a license bracket? Kloogy thinks it was for the bulb, but the OP has not clarified.

I give up too!!

It's "Bulbgate" 2011 . . .

This worse than the Soap Operas women watch duringthe day. " As my Bulb Turns " ...

:rofl: :thumbup: :D

Thanks. I think we all collectively got dumber from reading this thread.. :rolleyes:

I just think that he had problem of license bracket. After dealership fixed that, he got error messages of Lic plate bulb.

Agreed. Stupid is as stupid does

seriously, wow! How could you not follow what I'm saying.

1. The bulb above my plates triped the computer!
2. Took it in!
3. Dealer stated that it was an aftermarket bulb and charged me $100 for a replacement oem bulb. Since I have purchased the X, I have never changed any lights on the X.
4. Dealer never notified me about the work being done. Not sure why because they always call me when work needs to be done that is not covered under warranty.
5. I didn't ask to see the old bulbs! (that was my fault, I should have!)
6. Case closed! I should have denied the charge but didn't. Now I know
for next time!

I think I get it, now...
but why would you or anyone put up with a $100 charge for a license plate bulb, regardless of what bulb was in there before, or what fancy brand of bulb they installed?

I doubt the Roller dlr gets a Ben for a license plate bulb replacement. ;)

This may be a 'repair' for the RackIt! Classic List...

Now that I kind of get it, you have reinforced that you are not too smart. How do you pay for something you didn't authorize ?

Man, I don't know...

I'm pretty much a world class dick here, but that is uncalled for especially since the said "It is my own damn fault"... I mean he copped to it, why the continued abuse??

Cruel comment.

If the OP signed a work order when he left the vehicle, he likely did authorize it. Standard practice, unless you note otherwise on a work order.

Well, I was being brutally honest. My apologies if I offended him or any of you. But if I did something like that, I'd be the first one smacking myself around.

ard is getting slightly softer, and more sentimental in his middle years. ;)

I agree it was piling on; I guess I did some myself. If it were my car it's not the $100 rip price, it is sort of the principle of the 'cost' for a bulb.

All are equally chagrined, I suspect.

ard is a straight shooter--I appreciate that--he is like Simon Cowell ha.

:rofl::rofl:

I prefer people like that, over bullshit artists. :thumbup:

A $100 light bulb...he didn't even get a chance to pull the pants down....