Only Greens???
Discussion
ARE GREENS OF RAINHAM THE ONLY VAUXHALL DEALER WHO KNOW WHAT A MONARO IS?
I had the letter through last week informing me of the long awaited recall for the Monaro airbag fault.
Decided to ring my closest (2hrs drive!!) Vauxhall Monaro service centre. I arranged an appointment for a weeks time (today). I also asked them how much an oil/Filter change would be. They said they didn't know and they'd ring me back. Three days later, still no price, so I rang them again. No notes and they still didn't know how much it was going to be - said they'd ring me later that day (Friday)..... NOTHING
I set off today at 0730hrs and drove the 2 hours to the Dealer. On arriving at the service desk, they took my keys away and I watched the Monaro trained Specialist 'Technician' sit in the car for 15 minutes trying to start it. In the end, the 'Technician' came in and asked me where the immobiliser was located..... The knobber didn't know you had to turn the key with the clutch depressed - some 'Technician'.... and they still couldn't tell me how much a oil/filter change was going to be. Alarm bells started to ring.
A few minutes later, the service receptionist came over and offered me a cup of coffee. The bells are clanging like Big Ben at this stage.
Apparently, they need to order some parts in order to fix the recall.... and they didn't. So a whole day taken off work for nothing and 4hrs of petrol wasted.
Not all bad news...... They finally came up with a price for the oil change - I managed to get them to do it for cost only.... even so, still cost me £48.
I think I'll combine a trip to see the relatives in Kent next time I need any work doing.
Anyone else having problems with supposed 'Monaro Specialists'????????
.
I had the letter through last week informing me of the long awaited recall for the Monaro airbag fault.
Decided to ring my closest (2hrs drive!!) Vauxhall Monaro service centre. I arranged an appointment for a weeks time (today). I also asked them how much an oil/Filter change would be. They said they didn't know and they'd ring me back. Three days later, still no price, so I rang them again. No notes and they still didn't know how much it was going to be - said they'd ring me later that day (Friday)..... NOTHING
I set off today at 0730hrs and drove the 2 hours to the Dealer. On arriving at the service desk, they took my keys away and I watched the Monaro trained Specialist 'Technician' sit in the car for 15 minutes trying to start it. In the end, the 'Technician' came in and asked me where the immobiliser was located..... The knobber didn't know you had to turn the key with the clutch depressed - some 'Technician'.... and they still couldn't tell me how much a oil/filter change was going to be. Alarm bells started to ring.
A few minutes later, the service receptionist came over and offered me a cup of coffee. The bells are clanging like Big Ben at this stage.
Apparently, they need to order some parts in order to fix the recall.... and they didn't. So a whole day taken off work for nothing and 4hrs of petrol wasted.
Not all bad news...... They finally came up with a price for the oil change - I managed to get them to do it for cost only.... even so, still cost me £48.
I think I'll combine a trip to see the relatives in Kent next time I need any work doing.
Anyone else having problems with supposed 'Monaro Specialists'????????
.
Yes, don't get me started 
I had a problem a while back with my local dealer. Having been booked in for a wheel bearing fault and memory seat fix, I arrived after a ferry journey and 300 miles and left the car. I was at a meeting and was told to pick up the car for my drive north at 1500. They phoned during my meeting and said they have to order the parts and car will be ready on Monday. Bear in mind this was Thursday! Apparently they hadn't ordered the parts although they had checked the car a fortnight before and knew what the problem was. Customer care on hearing this offered a tank of petrol and valet ..............
Speechless $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ later I got the job done but ........ you've guessed, no valet and no petrol. More calls to customer care and finally got the petrol and clean after my 20k service. I wish Greens was nearer !!!! Plenty of praise for them and that's the places you will go back to. Can a Vauxhall dealer nearer me ask to become a Monaro specialist I wonder if they are keen to look after the marque?
Jeff.
I had a problem a while back with my local dealer. Having been booked in for a wheel bearing fault and memory seat fix, I arrived after a ferry journey and 300 miles and left the car. I was at a meeting and was told to pick up the car for my drive north at 1500. They phoned during my meeting and said they have to order the parts and car will be ready on Monday. Bear in mind this was Thursday! Apparently they hadn't ordered the parts although they had checked the car a fortnight before and knew what the problem was. Customer care on hearing this offered a tank of petrol and valet ..............
Speechless $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ later I got the job done but ........ you've guessed, no valet and no petrol. More calls to customer care and finally got the petrol and clean after my 20k service. I wish Greens was nearer !!!! Plenty of praise for them and that's the places you will go back to. Can a Vauxhall dealer nearer me ask to become a Monaro specialist I wonder if they are keen to look after the marque?
Jeff.
Demolition Man said:
Anyone else having problems with supposed 'Monaro Specialists'????????
Your not the only one.
Ive had problems for the last month while the Monaro was away for so work (Paint work)
The bodyshop guy was great & I couldn't have asked for any more help from him
Shame he doesn't read this forum but he will know who he is if he does.....a Mike
But the warrenty guy is useless as I had no calls after he had promised to ring, Plus the person I even bought the car from just over a year ago was no help either as he didn't seem to want to call me back..... I will not name names........ although I feel I should.
I just wish Greens were able to sell the Monaro when I bought mine as they are only 15 mins up the road not 130 miles away.......
I had a rocky start with Greens but I can't fault them as they know what they are doing & are always there to help.
May not be a good thing for them but, I will always be going there from now on as you also get a Monaro when yours is being fixed
Rob
>> Edited by rob_78 on Tuesday 30th May 19:18
Oh my! I haven't had to visit a dealer for a service yet as I only bought the car a year ago. It's going in on Friday for it's 2nd annual service and the warranty work. I hope I don't end up with a horror story like this. At least it's only a 2 hour round trip and I know they've ordered the parts.
BTW what's this about having to start the car with the clutch depressed. I know it's mentioned in the handbook, but mine starts with or without the clutch depressed. I thought it was to do with giving the starter motor an easier life. Am I missing something?
BTW what's this about having to start the car with the clutch depressed. I know it's mentioned in the handbook, but mine starts with or without the clutch depressed. I thought it was to do with giving the starter motor an easier life. Am I missing something?
jimb0 said:
BTW what's this about having to start the car with the clutch depressed. I know it's mentioned in the handbook, but mine starts with or without the clutch depressed. I thought it was to do with giving the starter motor an easier life. Am I missing something?
I think this is a VXR thing....
jimb0 said:
BTW what's this about having to start the car with the clutch depressed. I know it's mentioned in the handbook, but mine starts with or without the clutch depressed. I thought it was to do with giving the starter motor an easier life. Am I missing something?
Only applies to 6.0ltr cars.........
) from the north Midlands, great day out... golf course near by just time to squeeze in 18 holes. Got the call leaving the 18th green that the car was ready.... hows that for service. So why can't they all be like that??
It says something when a customer will drive past 4 (yes 4!!) Monaro dealers to go to a Garage that looks after you, even if it is an extra 150 miles.
The garage today, just couldn't give a monkeys. Yes, mistakes happen, but if that had happened in my business, the customer would have been straight in to see the Service Manager with a humble apology and a 'can do' attitude. I might as well have been talking to their Indian call centre!
.
It says something when a customer will drive past 4 (yes 4!!) Monaro dealers to go to a Garage that looks after you, even if it is an extra 150 miles.
The garage today, just couldn't give a monkeys. Yes, mistakes happen, but if that had happened in my business, the customer would have been straight in to see the Service Manager with a humble apology and a 'can do' attitude. I might as well have been talking to their Indian call centre!
.
Am less than happy with my main dealer here where I live. I have asked for a replacement locking wheel nut gizmo since owning the car and have not yet got it, although they swear blinf they gave it to me at hand over. Hmmmm, so how come I dont have it. Also a dent on the bonnett on delivery and it ends up getting resprayed two different colours of black NOT HAPPY and the original graze on the rear spoiler is still ther, although they told me they removed it and replaced it. I'm also tired of leaving them messages an nobody bothers getting back in touch with you.
>> Edited by mose on Tuesday 30th May 22:35
>> Edited by mose on Tuesday 30th May 22:35
My brother worked for a well known local Vauxhall dealer and he got to see first hand what it was like. Needless to say the menu pricing that they offer and work to does not encourage the use of torque wrenches. They were a 'specialist' for VX220's but didn't have a clue. There is no time or energy spent on training / best practice. There is a very strict time allocations to each job, some of which are a joke. He got booted out after a month because he worked too slowly, read: did a proper job.
I dare say it is not limited to the Vauxhall marques.
IMHO either DIY or take it to a trusted dealer or independent.
I understand these days the manufacturers can’t invalidate your warranty if you don’t use main dealers for your services. Am I correct?
Regards,
Richard.
I dare say it is not limited to the Vauxhall marques.
IMHO either DIY or take it to a trusted dealer or independent.
I understand these days the manufacturers can’t invalidate your warranty if you don’t use main dealers for your services. Am I correct?
Regards,
Richard.
rthurbin said:
I understand these days the manufacturers can’t invalidate your warranty if you don’t use main dealers for your services. Am I correct?
Yes, that is correct.... as long as the service centre is a proper vehicle mechanic shop (not Jack & Jo in next door's lockup) and that the service is carried out according to the manufacturers recommendations and procedures
While I was sat there waiting for them to change the oil/filter I was listening to the service guys on the phones to the customers.
Nearly every call involved the service desk asking the customer about 'extras' such as brake fluid replacement, pads etc... It's all about money these days.
I always go by the old saying;
"It's the sales team that sell a car, but it's the service department who sell the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc"
Nearly every call involved the service desk asking the customer about 'extras' such as brake fluid replacement, pads etc... It's all about money these days.
I always go by the old saying;
"It's the sales team that sell a car, but it's the service department who sell the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc"
BO55 VXR said:
Yes, that is correct.... as long as the service centre is a proper vehicle mechanic shop (not Jack & Jo in next door's lockup) and that the service is carried out according to the manufacturers recommendations and procedures
Good. I was going to take it to Monkfish or LSV as I regularly need to commute to Birmingham and it is on the way (sort of!).
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Richard.
from what I had heard it seems that as far as servicing Monaro's goes the "specialist" dealers trained by Vauxhall had to send 1 mechanic for a 2 day course on the cars. Not very encouraging to think that's the level of experience most of them have had with working on the V8 engine. Just how much do you reckon a mechanic learns on a 2 day residential course, especially after a few beers the night before. Personally I'd rather get my local Vauxhall dealership to do the work because I know they'll do a decent job for me. Its like this recall notice - why the hell do I have to drive a 120 mile round trip to have it fitted when I have a dealership less than 1 mile from my front door. Surely Vauxhall trust their dealers to be able to attach an earth wire?
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