Are you kidding me???

[saxart]

Today I called my local dealer to order/buy an engine block heater for my 2011 Suburban. He INSISTED that we use the VIN number to look up the part rather than just doing a year/engine/model search.

After calling him back with the VIN number (truck was out in the parking lot at work) he said, "Nope, you can't put one on that. It doesn't show it as 'available' here in the computer."

"WHAT?" I questioned him...

He went on to explain that on many of these newer trucks, there is an "obstruction" to add a block-heater as an accessory. He couldn't tell me WHAT the obstruction was, but just said, "If it' put on at the factory, then it's fine. If the computer doesn't list it as an accessory, then you can't put one on. I remember hearing about this same thing last week from another customer. Sorry, I don't remember the specifics, but the bottom line is that it's a no-go."

Just before I hung up the phone, he said that perhaps it wasn't an "obstruction" issue, but more of a frost-plug issue, that the frost plugs don't support the install of a block heater. Either way, "you should have bought it as an "option" on the vehicle when it was new because you can't add one now".

Basically he left me with more questions than before I called....

Does anyone here have any input to this?

 

[KMeloney]

I think a couple things are going on here. There's the idea that your VIN shows that you don't have this part, and so he couldn't find it listed with your VIN. And then there's saying that you can't even order the part, which is different, and absurd.

I used my buddy's Escalade's VIN to order my roof rack and side steps. If I had used my Tahoe's VIN, well, those parts wouldn't show up. So, it took the VIN of a vehicle that has those parts in order for the guy to look up and order the correct parts. So, I'd go that route if I were you.

As for the notion that you "can't order" something, that's ridiculous. You should be able to order whatever you want, whether or not it'll fit on your own vehicle (WHY you're buying something shouldn't be his concern). It's very possible that he doesn't want to lead you down the wrong road and have you come back saying that the part doesn't fit. That's understandable. But it sounds like you had that conversation -- so I'd have said that I understand what he's saying, that I know people who retrofitted their trucks, and I want to order it anyway.

 

[saxart]

Thanks for the thoughts KMeloney. I think the guy was just trying to save me some bucks from buying something he thought wouldn't work on my truck.

I have a PM sent to GM Customer service, I'll keep any progress posted here so everyon knows.

By the way, I put that 1" Ready-Lift Level Kit on the front of my Burb, and really love it. It's the perfect set up now! ;-)

 

[soulsea]

I used my buddy's Escalade's VIN to order my roof rack and side steps. If I had used my Tahoe's VIN, well, those parts wouldn't show up. So, it took the VIN of a vehicle that has those parts in order for the guy to look up and order the correct parts. So, I'd go that route if I were you.

This is absolutely correct ... both times I went to order LTZ parts like the side moldings and the door handles I had to go to their new car lot and lift one off of an LTZ.

HOWEVER ... be mindful that there are some parts which may in fact not be available for your truck simply because other like trucks have them. Some trucks may be built differently for different regions, so the dealer could in fact be correct.

Saxart I think you've taken the best approach by contacting a GM cs rep ... I contacted Elizabeth a while back and she was very helpful tracking down some potential modification issues for me and in the process saved me a lot of money and heartburn.

 

[KMeloney]

By the way, I put that 1" Ready-Lift Level Kit on the front of my Burb, and really love it. It's the perfect set up now! ;-)

That's awesome. Good to hear. We'll need pics of that, you know...

 

[yukon2004]

Saxart I think you've taken the best approach by contacting a GM cs rep ... I contacted Elizabeth a while back and she was very helpful tracking down some potential modification issues for me and in the process saved me a lot of money and heartburn.

This is good to know!

 

[sctdixon]

He INSISTED that we use the VIN number to look up the part rather than just doing a year/engine/model search.

....you can't put one on that. It doesn't show it as 'available' here in the computer."

".......If the computer doesn't list it as an accessory, then you can't put one on"

QUOTE]

I've had the same issue when I recently wanted to buy the factory hitch for my truck from my local GM dealer. My VIN doesn't show up in their "System" supposedly because it's a PPV (Cop Vehicle). PPV's don't come with the factory installed hitch or tow package but I wanted to add it to do some light towing (bike trailer). I figured the same year Tahoe hitch should fit and be no problem. I basicially argued with the guy because he said the same thing "according to your VIN, it's not available". He refused to help me any further. WTF??

Now I realize a cop vehicle isn't typically going to pull a trailer and that's why GM doesn't put the hitch on, but come on, it's no different than any other same year Tahoe. I left in frustration needless to say.

I found and bought a used one off CL from a wrecked 'Hoe and guess what? It fit like it was from the factory! Go figure...

 

[KMeloney]

Again, just use the VIN of a truck that comes with the parts you want. Done.

 

[sctdixon]

Again, just use the VIN of a truck that comes with the parts you want. Done.

That would be the logical thing to do but...I didn't have another 2009 VIN handy and the parts guy didn't want to help apparently.

Believe me, going forward, I will have one handy to use.

 

[felixgun]

He INSISTED that we use the VIN number to look up the part rather than just doing a year/engine/model search.

....you can't put one on that. It doesn't show it as 'available' here in the computer."

".......If the computer doesn't list it as an accessory, then you can't put one on"

QUOTE]

I've had the same issue when I recently wanted to buy the factory hitch for my truck from my local GM dealer. My VIN doesn't show up in their "System" supposedly because it's a PPV (Cop Vehicle). PPV's don't come with the factory installed hitch or tow package but I wanted to add it to do some light towing (bike trailer). I figured the same year Tahoe hitch should fit and be no problem. I basicially argued with the guy because he said the same thing "according to your VIN, it's not available". He refused to help me any further. WTF??

Now I realize a cop vehicle isn't typically going to pull a trailer and that's why GM doesn't put the hitch on, but come on, it's no different than any other same year Tahoe. I left in frustration needless to say.

I found and bought a used one off CL from a wrecked 'Hoe and guess what? It fit like it was from the factory! Go figure...

WOW that guy from the dealership is a complete MORON. Yea anything from the 07+ Tahoe's on the GMT900 platform should fit across the board no matter what package it comes with.