Main Dealers - Still As Useless As Ever
Discussion
carlove said:
Maybe I incorrectly interpreted the sudden change in price as an attempted rip off. I've only had prices matched on a lower priced service like this of about £50, never has £150 knocked off, hence thought it was an attempted rip off.
To be honest, they're the best main dealer I've used, no upselling at my last service, and can book in with a courtesy car included within a week. Just felt a bit off that £150 would be dropped off so quickly.
I was of course polite and didnt moan at them about the costs, but started thinking about the oddness once I got home.
Was the £480 for genuine Kia parts and did they state the £330 would be for the same parts? I would wonder if the £330 was them doing what your trusted mechanic would do i.e get the aftermarket parts in from ECP/GSF/local motor factors. Cynical, I know.....To be honest, they're the best main dealer I've used, no upselling at my last service, and can book in with a courtesy car included within a week. Just felt a bit off that £150 would be dropped off so quickly.
I was of course polite and didnt moan at them about the costs, but started thinking about the oddness once I got home.
Of course there's nothing wrong with this if they're upfront about it all.
carlove said:
Maybe I incorrectly interpreted the sudden change in price as an attempted rip off. I've only had prices matched on a lower priced service like this of about £50, never has £150 knocked off, hence thought it was an attempted rip off.
To be honest, they're the best main dealer I've used, no upselling at my last service, and can book in with a courtesy car included within a week. Just felt a bit off that £150 would be dropped off so quickly.
I was of course polite and didnt moan at them about the costs, but started thinking about the oddness once I got home.
If you can get to someone who gives a toss, you can get very good rates from dealers - I used to call the service manager of the local Merc dealer and had some extremely good pricing from him. But then he moved on, the new guy didn't take customer calls, and any enquiry was referred to the dealer group call centre. I switched to an indie at that point.To be honest, they're the best main dealer I've used, no upselling at my last service, and can book in with a courtesy car included within a week. Just felt a bit off that £150 would be dropped off so quickly.
I was of course polite and didnt moan at them about the costs, but started thinking about the oddness once I got home.
Not had great experiences with 3 dealers near me.
The other half has a Focus, purchased from a Ford dealer and she got a good deal on "all inclusive" servicing.. which somehow didn't include the water pump which is replaced when the belt is done under the service plan. She wasn't impressed with a bill for nearly £500. Oh and they took a day longer than promised because they forgot to order the part.
Mazda dealer had been very good for several years, until I noticed my MX5 wasn't getting up to temperature quickly - thermostat had failed. Asked them to replace it at the next service (when they were due to change the coolant).
They didn't and insisted there wasn't a problem, until I asked them to plug in their diagnostic tool and check the temperature.
They agreed it was faulty, so would need a new thermostat and new coolant... Quoted me a price and booked it in.
When I picked the car up, was presented with a bill for twice the quoted figure - the excuse was they'd quoted me the price for a diesel engine thermostat replacement?? Only after I showed the service manager the emailed quote did they agree to charge the right amount.
Needed to get a replacement metal key for my C30 - emailed 2 local dealers for a price. One still hasn't responded, but the other got back to me within 10 minutes.
Had to order in person, with the V5 and proof of identity and was told 2 weeks as it needed to be cut.
Got a phone call a week later saying the key was ready - turned up to be told they'd noticed it was blank, so had ordered another, but had forgotten to tell me..
That was after I'd spent a few minutes trying to find the parts desk - they don't have any signs for parts or service, you just grab a passing salesperson.
The other half has a Focus, purchased from a Ford dealer and she got a good deal on "all inclusive" servicing.. which somehow didn't include the water pump which is replaced when the belt is done under the service plan. She wasn't impressed with a bill for nearly £500. Oh and they took a day longer than promised because they forgot to order the part.
Mazda dealer had been very good for several years, until I noticed my MX5 wasn't getting up to temperature quickly - thermostat had failed. Asked them to replace it at the next service (when they were due to change the coolant).
They didn't and insisted there wasn't a problem, until I asked them to plug in their diagnostic tool and check the temperature.
They agreed it was faulty, so would need a new thermostat and new coolant... Quoted me a price and booked it in.
When I picked the car up, was presented with a bill for twice the quoted figure - the excuse was they'd quoted me the price for a diesel engine thermostat replacement?? Only after I showed the service manager the emailed quote did they agree to charge the right amount.
Needed to get a replacement metal key for my C30 - emailed 2 local dealers for a price. One still hasn't responded, but the other got back to me within 10 minutes.
Had to order in person, with the V5 and proof of identity and was told 2 weeks as it needed to be cut.
Got a phone call a week later saying the key was ready - turned up to be told they'd noticed it was blank, so had ordered another, but had forgotten to tell me..
That was after I'd spent a few minutes trying to find the parts desk - they don't have any signs for parts or service, you just grab a passing salesperson.
Lexus - called the parts department and tried to order a part I needed. I was told I would have to attend in person to pay for it before they would order it as they were no longer allowed to take payment over the phone. I used eBay instead.
Kia - two recalls. First one, they said my brake pads needed to be replaced (they didn't) and the car was low on engine oil (it wasn't). By the second recall, my pads had magically regenerated and the oil had returned to the correct level despite not having added any to it.
BMW - tedious, repeated arguments over extended warranty cover. I won in the end but so annoying when dealers try to wriggle out of their obligations.
Audi - I needed a new Haldex control unit but they tried to tell me I needed an entire four wheel drive system! Also, a phone call from the service department telling me my cambelt change was overdue and it was vital I booked it in as soon as possible. When I pointed out that the engine was chain driven they said it wasn't and it was definitely belt. Muppets.
Countless other run ins with inept staff over the years just like everyone else on here. Thankfully now I have a brilliant independent who takes care of all the stuff I can't do.
Kia - two recalls. First one, they said my brake pads needed to be replaced (they didn't) and the car was low on engine oil (it wasn't). By the second recall, my pads had magically regenerated and the oil had returned to the correct level despite not having added any to it.
BMW - tedious, repeated arguments over extended warranty cover. I won in the end but so annoying when dealers try to wriggle out of their obligations.
Audi - I needed a new Haldex control unit but they tried to tell me I needed an entire four wheel drive system! Also, a phone call from the service department telling me my cambelt change was overdue and it was vital I booked it in as soon as possible. When I pointed out that the engine was chain driven they said it wasn't and it was definitely belt. Muppets.
Countless other run ins with inept staff over the years just like everyone else on here. Thankfully now I have a brilliant independent who takes care of all the stuff I can't do.
Edited by jamesson on Wednesday 8th May 10:02
rscott said:
That was after I'd spent a few minutes trying to find the parts desk - they don't have any signs for parts or service, you just grab a passing salesperson.
Most glass palace main dealers seem to have done away with the shabby, not fitting in with their image, parts counters. At the most you get a bell to press and wait for someone to appear. Then when you sort out the transaction, they have to faff around finding a card machine from service or sales to process payment.My trusted Romanian mechanic said my Mums car needed a Crankshaft Position Sensor, but I had to get it myself, because the local Honda dealer never answers the phone. To illustrate my mechanic dialled the parts "hotline", left it on speakerphone ringing as we chatted about other things and sorted out payment. 10-15 minutes later no answer.
Then when i went to Honda to buy the part I was abruptly told that the parts advisors were busy dealing with workshop jobs and they had no-one to serve me. But I could book the car in and they could supply and fit. And I wonder why Honda sales have tanked in the UK.
One more to add to this. Rang a franchised dealer on Monday morning to check if they were open on the bank holiday as we were interested in a car on their website.
Answer - yes, we are and I know the car you're talking about. It's still available.
Drive 50 miles to the dealer (taking over an hour as it's deepest East Anglia!), wait 10 minutes for him to try to find the keys before they realize it went away on the Saturday for some cosmetic touchups..
At least they had a lower spec model we could try, but looks like another round trip this weekend.
Answer - yes, we are and I know the car you're talking about. It's still available.
Drive 50 miles to the dealer (taking over an hour as it's deepest East Anglia!), wait 10 minutes for him to try to find the keys before they realize it went away on the Saturday for some cosmetic touchups..
At least they had a lower spec model we could try, but looks like another round trip this weekend.
R8 V10, smokes for a few mins when up to temp from the engine bay when not driven for a few days/week. Clearly oil dripping on the exhaust somewhere when parked up.
Audi dealership. "Found the oil leak". £2400 later, "fixed". Still smokes. Took it back.
"found another leak sir".
"so why didn't you find that the first time round with your super thorough £240 inspection?".
"new leak sir. Rocker cover. Engine needs to come out, it's going to cost" ...... wait for it....
£10,000. I laughed. I actually laughed and said, "that's not going to happen".
Indy found the leak - a perished rubber oring between two pipes that feed the oil cooler. 4 Hours, plus sundries. £512
I will never, ever , set foot in a dealership again.
Audi dealership. "Found the oil leak". £2400 later, "fixed". Still smokes. Took it back.
"found another leak sir".
"so why didn't you find that the first time round with your super thorough £240 inspection?".
"new leak sir. Rocker cover. Engine needs to come out, it's going to cost" ...... wait for it....
£10,000. I laughed. I actually laughed and said, "that's not going to happen".
Indy found the leak - a perished rubber oring between two pipes that feed the oil cooler. 4 Hours, plus sundries. £512
I will never, ever , set foot in a dealership again.
I've had mixed experiences, my current Mazda dealer is very good, no complaints there, but an experience I had at Volvo was unbeliveable.
I had a C30, at about 6 months old it developed an intermittent noise somewhere under the bonnet, no problem I think, just pop off to Volvo.
I booked it in, and explained that as it was intermittent, I would bring it in in the morning, but if it doesn't occur, I would drive it a few times that day and pop back if occurred - no problem says they, so I booked a day off work thinking int should be straightforward.
Come the day of course it behaved perfectly, so I satd I pop back later as agreed. Lunch times rolls around so I head off to Tesco, opposite the dealer - on returning t the car, bingo, there is the noise. Knowning it wouldd disappear if I turned it off, I drove to the dealer and was about to call them when the mechanic I spoke to in the morning spotted me and came over.
A couple of minutes later, as I'm mid-conversation a chap comes over who I'll calll the workshop manager. He states the mechanic has a phone call that he needs to take, I gently point out he is dealer with me at the moment and that he can perhaps call whoever back, but the guy is insistent. The mechanic wanders off and the chap accusses me of 'walking into the workshop' which I did not do. He then states they can't look at the car today and starts walking away as I'm talking to him - I call him back and explain that I've booked the day off for this, and have agreed I would come back during the day as the noise is intermittent, and that they can either take the car in and look, or I'd walk into the dealership and cause a scene such as they had never seen before - you could see the hatred in his eyes as he agreed to look at the car.
Fast forward a few minutes he reappears, we can't find the noise sir, it's probably normal.
Excellent I replied, if it's normal, you'll be able to tell me what it is, and why it hasn't;t done it from new.
Seeing as I'm going to get nowhere, I leave and lodge a complaint with Volvo ...
The dealer principle contacts me, and immediately states that I 'm not allowed to walk into the workshop - I invite him to check the CCTV as that never occurred. By this time, I had disclosed my background (I'm a mechanical engineer who used to work for Ford in design/ development). I don;t normally do this, but thought it might stop any bull****. - it didn't.
The call ended with him stating that they would not be looking at the car as it didn't;t sound like an 'expensive noise'.
I commented that I didn't remember during multiple years of study at Uni, of a expensive yrs cheap noise being a valid diagnostic method.
Volvo lost a customer for life due to that encounter - shame, as I like the cars and would gladly stayed loyal to the brand.
I had a C30, at about 6 months old it developed an intermittent noise somewhere under the bonnet, no problem I think, just pop off to Volvo.
I booked it in, and explained that as it was intermittent, I would bring it in in the morning, but if it doesn't occur, I would drive it a few times that day and pop back if occurred - no problem says they, so I booked a day off work thinking int should be straightforward.
Come the day of course it behaved perfectly, so I satd I pop back later as agreed. Lunch times rolls around so I head off to Tesco, opposite the dealer - on returning t the car, bingo, there is the noise. Knowning it wouldd disappear if I turned it off, I drove to the dealer and was about to call them when the mechanic I spoke to in the morning spotted me and came over.
A couple of minutes later, as I'm mid-conversation a chap comes over who I'll calll the workshop manager. He states the mechanic has a phone call that he needs to take, I gently point out he is dealer with me at the moment and that he can perhaps call whoever back, but the guy is insistent. The mechanic wanders off and the chap accusses me of 'walking into the workshop' which I did not do. He then states they can't look at the car today and starts walking away as I'm talking to him - I call him back and explain that I've booked the day off for this, and have agreed I would come back during the day as the noise is intermittent, and that they can either take the car in and look, or I'd walk into the dealership and cause a scene such as they had never seen before - you could see the hatred in his eyes as he agreed to look at the car.
Fast forward a few minutes he reappears, we can't find the noise sir, it's probably normal.
Excellent I replied, if it's normal, you'll be able to tell me what it is, and why it hasn't;t done it from new.
Seeing as I'm going to get nowhere, I leave and lodge a complaint with Volvo ...
The dealer principle contacts me, and immediately states that I 'm not allowed to walk into the workshop - I invite him to check the CCTV as that never occurred. By this time, I had disclosed my background (I'm a mechanical engineer who used to work for Ford in design/ development). I don;t normally do this, but thought it might stop any bull****. - it didn't.
The call ended with him stating that they would not be looking at the car as it didn't;t sound like an 'expensive noise'.
I commented that I didn't remember during multiple years of study at Uni, of a expensive yrs cheap noise being a valid diagnostic method.
Volvo lost a customer for life due to that encounter - shame, as I like the cars and would gladly stayed loyal to the brand.
honda_exige said:
NelsonM3 said:
chopper602 said:
Bathroom_Security said:
My GR86 can have a 10 year warranty on its engine provided I service via the main dealers.
It's going in for its first service soon with an independent.
Same experiences as others I don't trust them to not damage my car or actually service the car.
Did the same with my GR86 on Friday - the independent was also happy for me to supply the OEM consumables and a whole lot cheaper. VAT registered and therefore the warranty is still intact.It's going in for its first service soon with an independent.
Same experiences as others I don't trust them to not damage my car or actually service the car.
Edited by chopper602 on Tuesday 13th February 11:18
Wait 'til he finds out where most independent specialists were trained...
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