Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Paramus

If you want to grossly overpay for a routine service, this is the place to go. If you want to have completely unnecessary service, this is also the place to go. We had a bad experience the first time we went, and I can’t believe we actually gave them a second chance. We did not purchase the Jeep from this dealership because it only recently started selling Jeeps, but we were quite happy when they opened near our home so we didn’t have to travel as far for service. Episode One in April 2011: We brought in our new Jeep Wrangler for its first oil change, and I followed in our 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser to pick up my husband. The Toyota’s battery died in the Jeep dealer’s parking lot. The sales department told us the service department could replace the Toyota’s battery, so we left it there overnight instead of the Jeep. The next day, the service department called and quoted us a price for the battery, but also told us the Toyota needed a “system flush” – I believe the cost they quoted was several hundred dollars. I was skeptical because the Toyota had a routine service visit not even a month before at the Toyota dealership. I asked the Jeep dealer to simply replace the battery, nothing else. I called the Toyota dealer – which has cared for this 12-year-old vehicle for many years - to question them about this, and they told me they would never recommend a system flush on a vehicle this old unless there were serious engine issues. Since the Toyota is still running beautifully, I have to believe that the Jeep dealer was looking to make some quick bucks. Episode Two in August 2011: The Jeep now has 14,000 miles, so we left it for an oil change and tire rotation, and I marked on the drop envelope “15,000 mile service” in case it needed anything else. That was the biggest mistake ever; it opened the door for them to do a hugely expensive service. Ralph from the service department called us around 7:30 a.m. the next morning and quoted a price for the 15,000 mile service. My husband heard “$49” – asked Ralph to repeat the amount because it seemed high for an oil change – and approved the service. Later that morning, Ralph called me at work and I asked for the total due. He told me it was $497.94, and I almost laughed. I asked him to repeat the amount, and when I realized what he said, I asked him what kind of service they did to the Jeep?! He gave me a laundry list of things that take place during a 15,000 mile service, most of which a mechanic would offer gratis during an oil change. My husband and I immediately left work and went to speak in person to the service manager, Steve Bradt, giving him the opportunity to do the right thing for a customer. In sum, Steve was dismissive and at times quite arrogant. He called in Ralph, who said he told my husband that the $49 he quoted that morning was the 10 percent discount they offered off the total cost. When my husband insisted he would NEVER have approved a service that cost almost $500, Ralph became extremely defensive. Steve defended Ralph, and repeatedly told us Ralph has been a loyal long-time employee. I’ll bet they love him, because he is a master at ripping customers off. Three hours of work was needed on a one-year-old vehicle? Are they joking!?! Ultimately, we were forced to pay the total amount to reclaim our Jeep. Ironically, we had met with a sales rep the night before to talk about buying a vehicle for our daughter. We went into the showroom and told them that under the circumstances, we would never, ever again patronize Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Paramus. We should have learned our lesson the first time. In addition, before you think this is just one bad experience, visit dealer websites such as dealerrater.com or allpar.com and look at the service department reviews.