I am pretty well stuck with the focus for awhile. The dealership that messed it up only has 1 record of it being in the shop instead of 5. So its not covered by lemon law. My wife took the car in most the time since i was at work and they told it she didnt need a receipt because its all saved in the system. That got me thinking ive only ever dealt with ford and its dealers. Ive bought parts from a chevy dealer before but thats it. So out of curiosity are they all this terrible? Or are some dealerships really top notch and is it random or does certain manufacturers have a similar dealership experience regardless. Also dealing with ford about all this has been terrible they are absolutely useless and really don't seem to care. How do other brands approach difficult situations? Just curious on other peoples experience.
who has given you the best service?
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
They are all terrible and they are all excellent, it just depends on the dealer.
On a positive note, if you buy a BMW (or Mercedes) the dealerships are gorgeous inside, so at least you get great coffee and plush seating while you get screwed, LOL!
On a positive note, if you buy a BMW (or Mercedes) the dealerships are gorgeous inside, so at least you get great coffee and plush seating while you get screwed, LOL!
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
On a positive note, if you buy a BMW (or Mercedes) the dealerships are gorgeous inside, so at least you get great coffee and plush seating while you get screwed, LOL!
Quoted for truth. LOL!
Actually, their coffee isn't all that great, but I'm a coffee snob, so I'm hard to please.
The nice thing about the dealership my wife uses is that they come out to her work place, pick up the car, get it serviced, and then return it back to her before she's ready to go home.
On a positive note, if you buy a BMW (or Mercedes) the dealerships are gorgeous inside, so at least you get great coffee and plush seating while you get screwed, LOL!
Quoted for truth. LOL!
Actually, their coffee isn't all that great, but I'm a coffee snob, so I'm hard to please.
The nice thing about the dealership my wife uses is that they come out to her work place, pick up the car, get it serviced, and then return it back to her before she's ready to go home.
The one I went to had several racks of refrigerators that had all kinds of soda, juice, teas, energy drinks etc. It also had a free breakfast/lunch counter. Their rate isn't that bad, about $125/hr. Only been there once so far though. A free lunch/drink is probably cheaper than giving you a rental for the day. Oh yeah and they had leather chairs to sit in while waiting.
I usually get pretty good service (even excluding my friends at the dealer I worked at in a past life).
I've been in GM dealers all over and they and usually decent, sometimes excellent. To be fair though I usually just want an oil change and a tire rotation and maybe some wiper blades and/or an air filter. The couple of times I've had something more in depth they have come through, even if it involved talking to the upfitter.
IMO at least in part you get what you give, it is OK to get a reputation for "particular" or even "peculiar", but you don't want to be the unreasonable/unpleaseable customer. I've even been known to say "look I'm particular about it".
I've been in GM dealers all over and they and usually decent, sometimes excellent. To be fair though I usually just want an oil change and a tire rotation and maybe some wiper blades and/or an air filter. The couple of times I've had something more in depth they have come through, even if it involved talking to the upfitter.
IMO at least in part you get what you give, it is OK to get a reputation for "particular" or even "peculiar", but you don't want to be the unreasonable/unpleaseable customer. I've even been known to say "look I'm particular about it".
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Dyusik
Lexus of Portland. At one point a loaner vehicle was given (pay for gas and nothing else) for a day to do an oil change. All for $50, 7qts filter wash and vacuum, some brand name chocolate they throw at the kids.
That's the norm at BMW, you get a loaner. They'll also pick up your car and drop off the loaner too, IIRC.
Lexus of Portland. At one point a loaner vehicle was given (pay for gas and nothing else) for a day to do an oil change. All for $50, 7qts filter wash and vacuum, some brand name chocolate they throw at the kids.
That's the norm at BMW, you get a loaner. They'll also pick up your car and drop off the loaner too, IIRC.
As was mentioned in the last "are all dealers terrible?" thread, dealers are independent franchises, not a part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer does have a lot of say in things like the design and layout of the facilities, but they do not get involved in the day to day operations of the location. Things will be mandated or suggested by the manufacturer to varying degrees depending on the brand and its status, but your immediate interaction is with the dealer, not the manufacturer. Unfortunately for you, it sounds like all the Ford dealers in your area are bad, and maybe the Dodge dealer is too.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
As was mentioned in the last "are all dealers terrible?" thread, dealers are independent franchises, not a part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer does have a lot of say in things like the design and layout of the facilities, but they do not get involved in the day to day operations of the location. Things will be mandated or suggested by the manufacturer to varying degrees depending on the brand and its status, but your immediate interaction is with the dealer, not the manufacturer. Unfortunately for you, it sounds like all the Ford dealers in your area are bad, and maybe the Dodge dealer is too.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Believe me my next car purchase ill definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
As was mentioned in the last "are all dealers terrible?" thread, dealers are independent franchises, not a part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer does have a lot of say in things like the design and layout of the facilities, but they do not get involved in the day to day operations of the location. Things will be mandated or suggested by the manufacturer to varying degrees depending on the brand and its status, but your immediate interaction is with the dealer, not the manufacturer. Unfortunately for you, it sounds like all the Ford dealers in your area are bad, and maybe the Dodge dealer is too.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Believe me my next car purchase ill definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Believe me my next car purchase i'll definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
You don't know which dealer of the same brand in your area is better than others. You may want to choose a brand is known for reliability, this way you have less chance to get a lemon.
Believe me my next car purchase i'll definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
You don't know which dealer of the same brand in your area is better than others. You may want to choose a brand is known for reliability, this way you have less chance to get a lemon.
I have found that your best bet is a good independent mechanic.
However, in my experience, I have found that I have the best luck at Ford dealerships. Throughout the years, I have owned more Ford products than any other manufacturer. Not all of them have been great cars, but Ford is the only manufacturer that I have dealt with that has worked to rectify problems. I have also found the dealers that I have worked with have provided good service.
I have also had good luck with Honda dealerships as well. While I fortunately have never had serious issues with any Honda that I have owned, I have found the Honda dealerships that I have purchased from to be competent.
Going down the list, I have owned three Chevrolets and the only dealer that ever provided good service went down in the mass closings during the bankruptcy. I have owned three Chryslers, and never found anything that even came close to a good dealer.
Point is, there are good and bad dealers in any make. Best that you can do is to vet them thoughtfully during the purchasing process. If they are sleazy in the front of the building, odds are it will only get progressively worse as you head towards the back.
However, in my experience, I have found that I have the best luck at Ford dealerships. Throughout the years, I have owned more Ford products than any other manufacturer. Not all of them have been great cars, but Ford is the only manufacturer that I have dealt with that has worked to rectify problems. I have also found the dealers that I have worked with have provided good service.
I have also had good luck with Honda dealerships as well. While I fortunately have never had serious issues with any Honda that I have owned, I have found the Honda dealerships that I have purchased from to be competent.
Going down the list, I have owned three Chevrolets and the only dealer that ever provided good service went down in the mass closings during the bankruptcy. I have owned three Chryslers, and never found anything that even came close to a good dealer.
Point is, there are good and bad dealers in any make. Best that you can do is to vet them thoughtfully during the purchasing process. If they are sleazy in the front of the building, odds are it will only get progressively worse as you head towards the back.
JHZR2
Staff member
Receipts/records for the sake of keeping records is essential for car ownership. If you go to sell the car at some point, the savvy buyer will want to see receipts. Recalls and repairs arent necessarily something to hide...
As they say, document, document, document...
As they say, document, document, document...
If all the OP wants is which dealer by brand is the best or worst, isn't this all numerically summarized numerically by Customer Service Ranking surveys/awards?
e.g.: http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/20...aguar/24963619/
e.g.: http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/20...aguar/24963619/
Saturn dealership was best experience 10 years ago. More like being part of a family.
Lexus waiting room was plush, but required significant coin each time SUV was brought in for the service recommended in the manual.
I have been taken advantage of by many chain shops. I suspect you may have gotten a different response if you took the car in instead of your wife.
Now I know my car when service is needed so I am not taken advantage of. Internet and Forums for specific models can be your friend. Maybe a Focus forum could guide you in dealerships.
Lexus waiting room was plush, but required significant coin each time SUV was brought in for the service recommended in the manual.
I have been taken advantage of by many chain shops. I suspect you may have gotten a different response if you took the car in instead of your wife.
Now I know my car when service is needed so I am not taken advantage of. Internet and Forums for specific models can be your friend. Maybe a Focus forum could guide you in dealerships.
It may not be covered under lemon law as you know it but it may still qualify for something.. Call a good lemon law attorney and discuss this for Free.. Also Always get a receipt for all visits to the stealer, always!
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
As was mentioned in the last "are all dealers terrible?" thread, dealers are independent franchises, not a part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer does have a lot of say in things like the design and layout of the facilities, but they do not get involved in the day to day operations of the location. Things will be mandated or suggested by the manufacturer to varying degrees depending on the brand and its status, but your immediate interaction is with the dealer, not the manufacturer. Unfortunately for you, it sounds like all the Ford dealers in your area are bad, and maybe the Dodge dealer is too.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Believe me my next car purchase ill definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
That can make or break a purchase. My dad has had more than his fair share of issues from his Civic Hybrid, but the dealer has been stellar every step of the way, even with the car now a decade old. He plans to replace it with another Honda, in large part because of how well the dealer has treated him. He is not a Honda loyalist either...the Civic Hybrid was his first Honda. Prior to the Civic, my dad had been set on a Prius, but didn't like the Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer told him he would just have to get on a waiting list for a Prius and tried to show him some SUV instead. He had to wait on the Civic too, but their attitude was better (we will get what you want). Toyota lost a prospect, and Honda gained one for the long term because of dealer interaction.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
As was mentioned in the last "are all dealers terrible?" thread, dealers are independent franchises, not a part of the manufacturer. The manufacturer does have a lot of say in things like the design and layout of the facilities, but they do not get involved in the day to day operations of the location. Things will be mandated or suggested by the manufacturer to varying degrees depending on the brand and its status, but your immediate interaction is with the dealer, not the manufacturer. Unfortunately for you, it sounds like all the Ford dealers in your area are bad, and maybe the Dodge dealer is too.
Maybe you need to shop for an accommodating dealer first and the make/model of car second.
Believe me my next car purchase ill definitely buy from the place with the best service. I cant explain how much sense that makes! Hind sight is 20/20 though.
That can make or break a purchase. My dad has had more than his fair share of issues from his Civic Hybrid, but the dealer has been stellar every step of the way, even with the car now a decade old. He plans to replace it with another Honda, in large part because of how well the dealer has treated him. He is not a Honda loyalist either...the Civic Hybrid was his first Honda. Prior to the Civic, my dad had been set on a Prius, but didn't like the Toyota dealer. The Toyota dealer told him he would just have to get on a waiting list for a Prius and tried to show him some SUV instead. He had to wait on the Civic too, but their attitude was better (we will get what you want). Toyota lost a prospect, and Honda gained one for the long term because of dealer interaction.
In terms of customer satisfaction with buying experience and follow on service buying a car from Lexus cannot be beat. Both Lexus dealers in my area that we have used for service are excellent. Obviously Lexus requires a larger budget but it is worth every penny and more if you can afford it.
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I've only used dealership service departments for warranty/TSB work, but I've had outstanding service from a combination Ford/Dodge dealership in a smaller town that I've done business with for decades. Whenever there has been a warranty issue they fixed it and fixed it right, and if I needed a loaner vehicle one was made available. When I had the fuel filler TSB done on our Durango shortly after we purchased it (used, not from them) they were very accommodating, scheduled the appointment when it worked best for me, and had it done in about 20 minutes.
I recently purchased a new (to me) Cadillac from a GM dealership that I've never dealt with before. The sales process was extremely smooth, they had it waiting when I arrived to take a test drive, they accommodated my schedule, and the salesman was very good to work with.
On a side note, both dealerships have employees that have worked there 30 or 40 years. The salesman that I worked with at the Ford/Dodge dealership was there 35 years until he retired, and the salesman that I worked with at the GM dealership had been there 28 years. He was telling me about another salesman that worked there for 42 years.
I recently purchased a new (to me) Cadillac from a GM dealership that I've never dealt with before. The sales process was extremely smooth, they had it waiting when I arrived to take a test drive, they accommodated my schedule, and the salesman was very good to work with.
On a side note, both dealerships have employees that have worked there 30 or 40 years. The salesman that I worked with at the Ford/Dodge dealership was there 35 years until he retired, and the salesman that I worked with at the GM dealership had been there 28 years. He was telling me about another salesman that worked there for 42 years.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
People shop the lowest price and everything else is second. Do we really thing the lowest price and best service are going to be at the same place? People will only buy in their town, will only buy GM, Ford, Toyota, etc, will drive far and wide for the lowest price but I don't know anyone who bought a car based on dealer service first.
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