Dwayne Lane's Dodge Chrysler Jeep Suzuki

I Question Their Honesty And Knowledge — My sweet dependable 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 131,000 miles entered Dwayne Lane's Everett Chrysler Jeep this morning to have a new spare key programmed. (Lost the original spare last week and was forced to use a dealer because there is a computer chip in the key). I paid the $127.60 to the nice check out girl and proceeded to my Jeep. Inserted new key, lock wouldn’t turn. Inserted the original key, lock wouldn’t turn. Returned to the Service Department, where the Assistant Service Manger, K, said “Gee, I hope this isn’t another failed ignition cylinder – that’s over 3 this month – good thing it failed here!”). Huh? So, I was told they would have to replace the cylinder and would most likely have to insert the key and use a sledge hammer on it to unlock the steering column – or they’d have to break the column all together What? Now into 2 hours of a 1 hour job – I asked how much this was going to cost. K said $112 for the part and 1.5 hours for the labor (which is $110/hour) – but he’d only charge me for 1 hour. What a great guy! How long – “come back in an hour”. Well, I waited patiently and looked longingly across the parking lot at my trusted old Sahara for about 30 minutes waiting for anyone to start the work. I turned away briefly thinking I should start looking for a new Jeep. Then heard the decade long familiar “whine” of the starter of my Jeep and saw him rapidly moving towards the service bays. So, they didn’t have to ram the key with a sledge hammer into the ignition after all… How convenient. I hurled myself back at K's desk where he told me KB had gotten the lock to work and all that might be needed is a good cylinder cleaning. “Have a seat” he told me, “about an hour”… 2 hours later saw that my Jeep had been moved to the “all good” side of the parking lot and waited for Kelly to come get me ASAP to proceed to checkout. After about ½ an hour, he emerged saying “I was good to go”. I said “Thanks so much” as I reiterated that I was already late for work. The cute check out girl took my Visa and charged $127.60 for the pleasure of having my “cylinder” cleaned. She said “Have a nice day” – I told her “that’s not remotely possible any longer”. Proceeded to my Jeep, “Duncan” (because he was purchased at the Duncan Auto Mall) and inserted the key, turned the ignition and – Voila! The engine started. But wait, what’s that flashing key symbol doing on, and then, Duncan died. I inserted the new spare key and, Voila! Same deal. I trudged back to K's desk and told him of the new events of the day. Shortly thereafter, KB returned and took apart the column and fiddled with it (I think they have an auto service certification in that category because KB likes to “fiddle” a lot which gives me total assurance that once fiddled, any problem is fixed for good!). After a little fiddle time, I asked KB “wuz up?” Hey said that the little antennae ring around the cylinder was pushed too far in so the key wasn’t registering with the little chip thing. KB said “hope your day goes better” – well same words of “not even remotely possible” pursed from my lips. As I turned the key and my Jeep started I felt everything now appeared in order, except for the low fuel light warning… I said “To hell with it!”, as I peeled out of Dwayne Lanes, never to return again. Funny thing, I was earlier admiring the new 2013 Red Sahara with leather and thought maybe it’s getting time to put less stress on my beloved Duncan. My theory is that there were metal chards on the new key that gummed up the mechanism… This is the worst dealership experience I have ever had – avoid Dwayne Lane’s at all cost. I don't recommend them and will never vist them again.