MLW2233 10 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Had a major 60K mile service on my Gen 2 prius recently and I thought the service list said replace key fob batteries. It actually said replace key fob Battery. One letter - one Battery. So I thought why not get both done if it is free and included in the service. The cost was £9.48P!I did both of them last November with 4 for a pound batteries at a £1 shop. Took about 2 minutes to do, and worked perectly. My fault I know, but they could have said when I took them in, 'Do you know these are nearly a tenner each to do'. As usual they also overfilled the Oil. Why do Toyota always do that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FROSTYBALLS 3,317 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Had a major 60K mile service on my Gen 2 prius recently and I thought the service list said replace key fob batteries. It actually said replace key fob battery. One letter - one battery. So I thought why not get both done if it is free and included in the service. The cost was £9.48P!On a par, or in some instances cheaper, with changing batteries in watches, depending on the Battery. One doesn't expect to take a watch into a jewellers and have the Battery changed free of charge, so why expect the same for a second car key?For example: to get the Battery changed in one of my (five) Animal watches and have the case re-sealed costs £14.50: most jewellers won't touch Rotary waterproof watches, and you have to get them sent back to Rotary - cost around £50.I take my Rotary watches into Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, where one can get the Battery changed, case re-sealed and pressure tested for £12-17, depending on Battery type.Alternatively, rather than buying pound store batteries, one can get branded ones (eg Panasonic CR2032) from places like Amazon from £1.01 for two with free delivery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MLW2233 10 Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Can't argue with that, but does this approach make customers warm to a dealer.I watched my local independent do an MOT on the car infront of me. It failed on a brake light bulb. 'One sec', the guy said. Popped out and got a new one which he fitted it in one minute. Just 50p he said, and a pass.Why do I always go back there? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FROSTYBALLS 3,317 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 With our cars, I take each key in on alternative services - so the batteries in both fobs get changed, at the latest, every two years. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MEP's Yaris GS 173 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 With our cars, I take each key in on alternative services - so the batteries in both fobs get changed, at the latest, every two years.Likewise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cyker 388 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Well if it makes you feel any better, my nearest dealer listed the £10 for the Battery on my bill and didn't even change it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IanIanIanIan 21 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I have used:http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/for many years for all of my small batteries.Easy to deal with, the right price, huge stock, and delivery by return of post. Never a problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy Cabbie 421 Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 You could always negotiate with your dealer. "Hey guys, you can service my car but I want the Battery changing for free". Will they lose a customer over a £1 part? Nah.And as Frosty says, I alternate my fobs when taking the car in to ensure both have a working Battery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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