Dealer applied leather detailing?

[gassy]

My business partner just bought a 2012 VW Touareg. Part of the price included a re-conditioning of the leather seats (which to him are just fine.) He knows I'm a member here and wanted me to ask if any of you have ever had this done at a VW dealer or any other dealer. He doesn't want the seats to come out all shiny after the process, etc.. He's scheduled to have it done tomorrow so I told him I'd ask you guys. He asked about it at the dealer when he bought the car but was curious if anyone has had this type of thing done before at a dealer. Thanks dudes.

[masraum]

I had a spot on one of my bolsters that was beginning to look a little worn and cracked, not bad, but not as good as the rest of the seat. The dealer had their guy come in and touch it up. You couldn't tell that it had been touched up, but it looked better. IE, it looked as good as new, no cracks, and no evidence that anything had been done.

[asphaltgambler]

Depends on what they mean by reconditioning. Wash/ prep dept may just spray some product on, wipe and charge sales 4 times what they normally get. Then sales marks it up again. OR sales says this, doesn't involve the wash / prep dept , gets the lot kid to spray some product for a $20 spot from the sales person.

If the seat are rough / old which they are not as you've indicated, an outside vendor comes in and works their magic.

Sounds like BS 'pak' to me on the front end. See my other post......

[wildthing]

Add-on with dealer mark-up.

Buy an $8 bottle of leather cleaner and another $8 bottle of leather conditioner. Follow instructions on bottle. Done.

Especially if there's nothing wrong with the leather.

[masraum]

Ah, yes, if it's just supposed to be a cleaner/conditioner, then I definitely wouldn't bother.

[KNS]

Most new car leather these days is treated or coated leather. This is for stain resistance. It keeps the leather looking cleaner/nicer a little longer but it doesn't respond to traditional leather creams and conditioners.

Spill a little water on new leather seats and it beads up, the creams and conditioners that have been used for so long aren't really doing anything. What sucks about this new car leather is it doesn't breathe either, one of the best things about having leather in the first place.

Some premium brands (Porsche, etc) offer "natural" leather as an option that may not be treated/coated but it is usually a pricier option.

What I've been using on this new leather is 303 Protectant, it's for treated leather (look at the label on the 303 bottle), but don't use it on old style leather, of course.

If you purchased a car with leather seats in the last 5-10 years you've mostly likely got treated or coated leather.

[Por_sha911]

Sounds like they want to charge you for detailing the car to make it presentable to sell.

Just as legit as the ripoff "documentary fee". Nothing but added profit margin.