So here is the nice letter I emailed to GM and the stealer Cole Chevrolet":
General Manager at Cole Chevrolet
Pocatello, Idaho
I brought my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche into your Service department on 2/12/2002; to have a faulty tailgate latch looked at. After waiting about 15 minutes, the service manager informed me that my tailgate handle was bent and the rod to the latch was not moving and the whole assembly needed to be replaced. He then explained that this would cost $275.00 to repair.
So I brought my Avalanche home and went online to, www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com, and looked up this problem. I found a forum that explained to remove the bezel, spray with WD40. Then unhook the green clamp. Lock the latch manually using a screwdriver. Then unlatch using a screwdriver. Hook the green clamp back on close the tailgate. If this does not work try adjusting the location of the latch. So I did all that and adjusted the latch upwards about 1/8th of an inch. Now my tailgate works perfectly.
What I am writing you about is how upset I am that your GM Certified Technician could not spend the 2 minutes it took me to verify his diagnoses. I feel that the service department was jut trying to take advantage of me. I do not see how they can justify telling me that I needed to spend $275.00 of my money for a 2 minute repair. I am not a automotive technician, I am a disabled Carpenter.
I am going to forward this to whoever I feel with do what is right with the information. You do as you see fit as well.
Sincerely;
Shane Morton
Smorton213@cableone.net