This is why, after my Honda, I won't buy a car from a brand / dealer that doesn't offer loaner cars.
timing delay of dealer service appointment
- Thread starter Mtnbiker
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I have NEVER had a problem like that with the two VW dealers I have used in central PA (State College and Altoona). Both are courteous, well managed, professional, and get things done on time. Parts are ordered for what I want done so that they are there for the appointment. They replace batteries in my key fobs free of charge when I need them (could do it myself but I stop in while driving by) and have handled some small things for me free of charge. I could not ask for better dealer service.
The description in post 22 sounds like a good way to grow a business.
Is Facebook etc. good for tradesmen/dealership reviews....or is it just filled with nastiness and gossip?
Is Facebook etc. good for tradesmen/dealership reviews....or is it just filled with nastiness and gossip?
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Every sigle dealership and repair shop I deal with only works by appointment and estimated time it takes. Normally by end of day unless something major. An emergency that needs to be addressed (such as a reefer going down) gets taken and repaired immediately.
They could have given me the parts and I could have done it that afternoon in a couple of hours.
Depends on who you are. My 05 GMC Sierra had a recall on power steering hose. I simply picked up the hose and installed it myself. As an ASE certified mechanic (since 1983) I only had to give dealer a POC certificate. Only reason I did it myself is I could not afford to have the truck down at the time. Same with my motorcycle that had a brake switch recall. Picked up the switch and installed it myself. Depending on the severity recall I would almost always do it myself. Now being retired I hardly even do much more than easy service job.
Never ever in my lifetime have I been at the counter anywhere and been interrupted with a phone call other than "can you please hold". That would be just plain rude and those employees are not going to last long.
Wish Crosby was closer-I’ve been to EVERY Ford dealer in 100 mile radius here-they ALL suck! John Nolan Ford was the only halfway decent one-of course they closed!
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What manufacturer does not offer loaner cars? This sounds like a specific dealer/shop issue. Every single Honda, Toyota and GM dealership as well as independent shops have always had a loaner vehicle when a repair takes more than a few hours.
All this doom and gloom stuff is nonsense. I find it hard to believe customers are treated this way. I attribute my good fortune to my positive attitude and kindness toward companies who are bending over backwards to make sure my dealership experience is a positive one.
Only the high-line dealers in this area offer loaners. Even then, there must be substantial work for the visit to be eligible.
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My local Honda and GMC dealer offer very nice loaner vehicles for anything that takes more than a few hours.
That's horrible. I would not accept that at all.
I don't know where you live but hardly any dealerships or independent shops have loaner vehicles here in SW MO. Some dealerships have a vehicle that will take you home if you don't live too far.
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That is a bummer for sure. I could not deal with a place that does not offer a vehicle or do a /service repair in a timely manner.
As long as you have an appointment and know what the labor and parts availability is then there is hardly ever a problem unless some unforeseen breakage during the repair. I use Mitchell Pro Demand to determine labor cost. It lines up pretty close to the manufactures labor book.
An example was my 94 Chevy Silverado purchased new. I had a transmission fail during the warranty period. Even way back then they had dedicated transmission service bays and technicians who were able to swap out my transmission just over a day. I dropped it off late morning, was given another truck to drive and picked up after lunch next day.
Even the modern L5P engine swap is less than a 3 day cab off job if you have done a few. Heater core is an easy one day job even with dash removal. For modern vehicles my local dealers have 2 techs working together for difficult jobs that require trim removal. There is a dedicated trim tech in both GMC and Honda dealers. Very well oiled operations.
I had a Ford dealer in my area do the same thing, show up for my appointment and they tell me the tech will not be able to look at it for at least 4 weeks.
I say so I need to bring it back in 4 weeks, what good is an appointment? (the Seinfeld episode about taking the reservation pops into my head) then he says no you have to leave it.
I left alright, went to another dealer in town and they took care of it the next week.
I say so I need to bring it back in 4 weeks, what good is an appointment? (the Seinfeld episode about taking the reservation pops into my head) then he says no you have to leave it.
I left alright, went to another dealer in town and they took care of it the next week.
DMV is my area also. Everything sucks around here. I’ve had close to positive experiences at Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, but they are not Ford, and is far from you.
The problem is with so many vehicles needing to be fixed and a lot of them are for longer than a day, they just wouldn't have enough loaner vehicles for everyone. I have had loaner vehicles in the past on my 2014 Mustang GT that I bought new that needed some warranty work but one of the jobs that required some paint work that took several days, they did not give me a loaner. I have several other vehicles so it's not a big deal to me but for some people, they would have to rent a car.
The two closest Ford dealerships to my location have a week lead time on even looking at the vehicle. I loved having my car sit out in some back lot unprotected in Texas weather for a week.
Turns out my Mazda dealership is the exact same way. My brand new CX50 sat in their lot under a tree for a week while waiting to be looked at for a noise in the front end (spindle nut loose from the factory). I really appreciated getting it back with leaves and twigs filling the cowl and bird poop scars in the clear coat.
None of my dealerships were like this pre-Covid. I think they're all short-handed in the Dallas area, but I certainly can't speak for all dealerships. It would be nice to find one that doesn't have a week backlog.
Turns out my Mazda dealership is the exact same way. My brand new CX50 sat in their lot under a tree for a week while waiting to be looked at for a noise in the front end (spindle nut loose from the factory). I really appreciated getting it back with leaves and twigs filling the cowl and bird poop scars in the clear coat.
None of my dealerships were like this pre-Covid. I think they're all short-handed in the Dallas area, but I certainly can't speak for all dealerships. It would be nice to find one that doesn't have a week backlog.
It seems that Ford's business model is based on have at least one rude arrogant and uncaring service department in any market, large or small. I made the mistake of owning several Fords in the 70's which caused the "never again" syndrome. Transitioned to Hondas/Acura in the early 80's and never looked back.
Have had several decent dealers over the years but the one I've been doing business with for the last 4-5 years is truly excellent and very professional. If your vehicle requires over 3 hours of work, or a warranty recall, you get a loaner. I make appointments with one specific technician, usually about a week out, and always wait, it's never been a problem. They know I'm service pro-active and never upsell. Just cannot say enough good things about their whole operation. If it's permissible to identify them, Bobby Rahal Honda in Mechanicsburg PA. 5 Stars!
Have had several decent dealers over the years but the one I've been doing business with for the last 4-5 years is truly excellent and very professional. If your vehicle requires over 3 hours of work, or a warranty recall, you get a loaner. I make appointments with one specific technician, usually about a week out, and always wait, it's never been a problem. They know I'm service pro-active and never upsell. Just cannot say enough good things about their whole operation. If it's permissible to identify them, Bobby Rahal Honda in Mechanicsburg PA. 5 Stars!
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