Main dealers desparate for servicing work?

[davido140]

Just had a call from a VW main dealer about a car I havent had for over 8 years being due for a service!!

I had to think hard to even remember owning a passat it was so long ago!

I'm guessing they are dusting off all the old records and seeing if they can drum up some business.

Anyone else getting random calls about cars from ancient history?

[Dr G]

The service side is fiercely competitive so yes, a lot of dealers are trying to drum up more business.

[Skrambles]

Shame that the desperation doesn't usually result in good service.

Edited by Skrambles on Wednesday 26th May 09:33

[skyslimit]

davido140 said:

Just had a call from a VW main dealer about a car I havent had for over 8 years being due for a service!!

I had to think hard to even remember owning a passat it was so long ago!

I'm guessing they are dusting off all the old records and seeing if they can drum up some business.

Anyone else getting random calls about cars from ancient history?

Might be a VW thing. I got rid of my hatefull Passat 3 years ago, but they still send me postcards telling me it needs serviced, checked etc.

With that in might, with the sheer unreliability of that car, I'm surprised they need to tout for work.

[TonyHetherington]

I had a service reminder only last month for a Lexus that I sold in 2004 !

First one from them too - it's not like I get it every year.

Are people more willing to go to independents and/or local garages now, and main dealer servicing is not as revered as perhaps it once was?

[skyslimit]

TonyHetherington said:

I had a service reminder only last month for a Lexus that I sold in 2004 !

First one from them too - it's not like I get it every year.

Are people more willing to go to independents and/or local garages now, and main dealer servicing is not as revered as perhaps it once was?

I don't think it is. To give an example, my local mercedes dealer has a rather chequered reputation. I know a few people that have been less than happy with the service there.

My local mercedes independant however, is a bloody wizard.

I do think a lot of the shine has been lost from main dealers of late.

[paoloh]

skyslimit said:

TonyHetherington said:

I had a service reminder only last month for a Lexus that I sold in 2004 !

First one from them too - it's not like I get it every year.

Are people more willing to go to independents and/or local garages now, and main dealer servicing is not as revered as perhaps it once was?

I don't think it is. To give an example, my local mercedes dealer has a rather chequered reputation. I know a few people that have been less than happy with the service there.

My local mercedes independant however, is a bloody wizard.

I do think a lot of the shine has been lost from main dealers of late.

Err, you are making the same point!?

[The Wookie]

Our Land Rover dealer must have been desperate... quoted about 3 grands worth of work when it went in for warranty fixes

The service manager knew he was in trouble when I said "explain exactly what you mean by 'dirty brake fluid', and choose your words carefully"

[skyslimit]

paoloh said:

skyslimit said:

TonyHetherington said:

I had a service reminder only last month for a Lexus that I sold in 2004 !

First one from them too - it's not like I get it every year.

Are people more willing to go to independents and/or local garages now, and main dealer servicing is not as revered as perhaps it once was?

I don't think it is. To give an example, my local mercedes dealer has a rather chequered reputation. I know a few people that have been less than happy with the service there.

My local mercedes independant however, is a bloody wizard.

I do think a lot of the shine has been lost from main dealers of late.

Err, you are making the same point!?

I was backing up the part I have highlighted in bold. Sorry for any confusion.

[TonyHetherington]

I had to double read that I must admit - "I don't think it (servicing) is (as revered as it once was) ". I got there in the end

With less than glowing reputations and no obvious value in the higher main dealer prices, perhaps the private market is not as drawn to main dealers? Fleet servicing, I imagine, holds a huge part of a lot of marques' servicing?

[skyslimit]

TonyHetherington said:

I had to double read that I must admit - "I don't think it (servicing) is (as revered as it once was) ". I got there in the end

With less than glowing reputations and no obvious value in the higher main dealer prices, perhaps the private market is not as drawn to main dealers? Fleet servicing, I imagine, holds a huge part of a lot of marques' servicing?

My apolgies. Late night, delays, and long finish at work. Hence not as sharp this morning before I turn in as I could be.

To clarify, I was agreeing, and speaking as a bit of a BMW fan I would take more notice of my local specialist independant in a service book than I do my local, albeit pretty decent, main dealer.

[Harry Flashman]

Skrambles said:

Shame that the desperation doesn't usually result in good service.

Edited by Skrambles on Wednesday 26th May 09:33

Indeed.

See my thread about the frankly horrific conduct of a Volvo main dealer.

[S3_Graham]

Harry Flashman said:

Skrambles said:

Shame that the desperation doesn't usually result in good service.

Edited by Skrambles on Wednesday 26th May 09:33

Indeed.

See my thread about the frankly horrific conduct of a Volvo main dealer.

I wont be going to bmw again for anything, not impressed with the service or prices. Even less impressed that they used acid based wheel cleaner on my polished rim wheels, Cue me spending and hour polishing it out!

[TonyHetherington]

skyslimit said:

To clarify, I was agreeing, and speaking as a bit of a BMW fan I would take more notice of my local specialist independant in a service book than I do my local, albeit pretty decent, main dealer.

I'm the same. I have an Audi S4 (the V8 one), and I use a local indie who is frankly brilliant. I've only been to my local Audi for parts.

On the flip side, I used Lipscombs Lotus for my Elise and then Exige (a main dealer) and they were absolutely superb - really did rate them, though they are somewhat of a specialist marque of course which certainly helps.

[Mr Whippy]

skyslimit said:

TonyHetherington said:

I had a service reminder only last month for a Lexus that I sold in 2004 !

First one from them too - it's not like I get it every year.

Are people more willing to go to independents and/or local garages now, and main dealer servicing is not as revered as perhaps it once was?

I don't think it is. To give an example, my local mercedes dealer has a rather chequered reputation. I know a few people that have been less than happy with the service there.

My local mercedes independant however, is a bloody wizard.

I do think a lot of the shine has been lost from main dealers of late.

When I went to my local independent place they offered me a cup of tea, spoke to me like a normal person, the owners knew my name at only my second visit, instant service when I arrived, and good prices.

BMW, I walked in, spoke to two women at door desk to say I wanted a quote for an oil change, then went to sit down, waited TEN minutes so a service man could talk me through an oil change and give me a bloody price (another TEN mins of printing paper and silly stuff), all the while tons of people just walking around talking and looking to do not much.

So I can see where my extra money goes at BMW, for jobsworths, probably there to make people buying the cars new feel well looked after...


Personally I feel really conflicted using BMW to keep the FBMWSH, rather than keeping a good independent going. I think I get better work, better service AND better value for money at the independent, and help keep them going in the process.


Lets hope consumer perceptions change. The internet probably helps that, as they can read-up and review specialists/independents much more easily, contact them about stamps in the book etc, and assure themselves the servicing has been done well.

Hmmm

Dave

[Ozzie Osmond]

Oh good another dealer bashing thread.

Yet where does everyone go for those hard-to-get parts or a more difficult fix?

Yes, there's a big recession on and many businesses are struggling to survive, dealers and indy's alike. Shop carefully though, because there are at least as many dodgy people under the railway arches as there are at the main dealer.

Oz 27

[TonyHetherington]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Oh good another dealer bashing thread.

This one's a dealer discussion thread.

[jamieboy]

My wife keeps getting a reminder from our local Fiat dealer because they reckon her Punto is due a service. She's never had a Punto. In fact she's never bought a Fiat from them, nor had one serviced by them.


As for main dealers vs indies, it depends. The new cars go to a main dealer, because rightly or wrongly I reckon they'll make sure it's up to date with any campaigns or official checks or anything that an indie might not know about. The older car goes to a brilliant indie who stopped working at a main dealer around the time the car was new, so has far more knowledge of that era of car than the main dealer mechanics.

[Mr Whippy]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Yet where does everyone go for those hard-to-get parts or a more difficult fix?

My local BMW garage, and their parts department are FANTASTIC. Great prices too. Quick straight talking service.

A shame the service department wasn't more like it. It seems a world apart. I just get pissed off thinking about going to BMW for the service. Will some spotty oik dint the car, will they try bleed the brakes with the wheels on and get brake fluid on my freshly reconditioned wheel inners. I know the independent won't if I ask, but I have no idea if my concerns will be translated to the people doing the work down a heirachy of about 5 layers at BMW!

That is the problem for me. My BMW service guys might be fantastic, but I won't ever know because of the layers of crap between me and them.
A good independent removes that layer, so you can find the good ones and stick with them!

Dave

[Hitch78]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Oh good another dealer bashing thread.

Shop carefully though, because there are at least as many dodgy people under the railway arches as there are at the main dealer.

Oz 27

The issue is that there shouldn't be any 'dodgy people' at the main dealer.