Hi all,

I just wanted to give you an update on what has happened with
my complaint to Acura about Metro Acura in Philadelphia PA using
aftermarket belts and charging OEM prices for them. I spoke with
someone at the complaint center about my issue and he wanted to know
what action I wanted to be taken, as I had asked on my lette rto them.
He first told me the basic franchise stuff about how
dealerships are not obligated to use OEM parts for anything. He is
going to have a regional rep look into the issue about Metro stating
on my invoice that they used OEM part numbers when in the car they
actually didn't. I told him my main concern was that customers are in
a false sense that when they come into a Acura/Honda dealership they
expect that OEM parts will be used. When this is not done the customer
should be notified in writing and verbally that aftermarket parts were
used. I can imagine that the majority of people are willing to wait
for the OEM part to be ordered rather than chancing an aftermarket
part. He said to me that nowhere in their contract are they required
to tell the customer this which strikes me hard to believe.
I raised the question that the customer would then need to
toughly investigate the car and ensure that all parts were OEM (but
how would someone know that they are or not) before paying and he had
agreed to this. I had left it at this is a little deceiving and that
going to a Acura/Honda dealership is no better than going to anyone
else as at least you know that most other places are using aftermarket
parts. I also asked to be called from their regional manager to
discuss what action will be taken to ensure that this does not happen.
What damage is done is done...I just wanted something to be done so no
one else goes through what I had gone through. Very disappointing to
say the least.

Nick