dealerships are sheisty

794 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Mizold, Feb 16, 2002

wordbrian

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2002

i take my beetle to get an oil change so i figure i might as well ask them to fix my grill and air conditioning knob since its under warranty and the customer service dood said its no problem he will fix it and plus he'll throw in the car wash. 2 hours roll by i get my car back and what do i see....same broken grill, same broken knob, and same dirty car. makes me think if he even gave me an oil change as well. anyone think they are sheisty or is it just me?

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

VeeDubMcDave

· #2 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (wordbrian)

Dude, don't take out your frustrations on all dealers. You guys who bitch about dealer services have no concept of the crap that can go on. Keep looking for a dealership who can get the job done. I'm fortunate to work at a dealership that's service dept. is killer! (That's why I started working here in the first place.)

Horrido Beetle

· #3 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (wordbrian)

Here are my recommendations for your stay at your local VW dealer:
I had to take my ECU out to do the chip upgrade on a Neuspeed supercharger. I also put in an after market stereo. I did not unhook the battery for any of this and have had no problems. Again, to prove a point, VW dealers suck! They are the worst and customer service is horrible unless you live across the street from one. This is to allow you to walk home when they don't supply you with a loaner, or there's a 7 hour wait to change a battery or use the GoshDarn Vag tool.
Or you can be entertained watching all the vultures circle the lot for their next victims. Make sure you take every new model brochure from Golf to Eurovan - take 2 or 3 of each. The salesmen love that. Sit in every car and tell them your just looking and going to buy a Honda anyway. Make sure you put your hand prints all over the glass and kick each tire. Stay n each car at least 10 minutes pulling on everything that looks like it could be pulled or turned for that matter. Open the engine lid and check the oil level. Ask stupid questions , like is this a straight 6 or V8 -- believe me - you'll know a hell of alot more about the car than the salesman.
Make sure you climb inside the MV Eurovan and Open the top 3 to 4 times and climb upstairs and take a nap. It's even better if you have 3 or 4 small children with you - let them have full access to the show room. Tell them it's the new McDonald's HabitHuman Trail -- but you don't have to remove your shoes.
Then demand to test drive every model and run some errands while your waiting for your service to be done. It also helps to get a state sales tax number and make up a fictious name like ...BIG Larry's paint and Body.. You'll get the wholesale price on parts and no sales tax.
Just some ideas for your stay at your local VW dealer - and not even a cup of coffee or donut. Not even a T.V. to check what's on Jerry Springer or Maury..
One more thing, ask them to see the $15,400 dollar beetle they so eagerly advertise in the Sunday paper. I bet you'll never find it.
P.S. Don't you just love the fact that they only do oil changes on Saturday's - no other service available - thats it - we change oil - We are VW Jiffy Lube!
No wonder half the country is on Prozac.
Your dealer is feeding you rabbit pellets - go back and kick some ass!
Take your car to that guy in OHIO.

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dhk

· #4 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (VeeDubMcDave)

Glad you work for a great dealership, but it's a long way from here. Some of us don't have a choice for dealer service, unless we want to drive 100 miles or more.
I agree VW dealerships vary a lot, but the point is, they shouldn't. They've got great products to sell now, but I believe some of the dealers still have the loser mentality from the 70/80's, when they were doing VWOA a favor to peddle their product. VWOA needs to set up some standards for the dealers and enforce them....the consumer shouldn't have to shop around or drive long distances to find decent service, or wait weeks for parts. Copying Honda/Toyota wouldn't be bad.
Dan 00nbglx

Littlebluebug

· #5 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (wordbrian)

When my dealership lowered my car for me on the Eibach springs they sell. I drove off and my wheel fell off when I was pulling into Wendy's. They for some reason had unbolted my caliper and it fell off and ripped apart my rim and I lost control. Luckily I was able to stop. Randy- The service manager was nice enough to tell me "haven't you ever made a mistake?" I responded with" Not anything that could kill someone". Thank god I wasn't on the expressway- I wouldn't have been able to control the car. Autobarn of Countryside, IL SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Horrido Beetle

· #6 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (Littlebluebug)

OH MY GOD! That is a dangerous mistake or overlook. Almost sounds like they were trying to pay you back for wasting their time changing their German engineered car. Any modifications like springs should be done by those suspension (Monster truck/ Honda civic racer) shops that work with them every day. Raising and lowering a vehicle takes about the same dance steps. But that dealership put you in serious jeopardy. And you were even nice enough to by them from the dealership (WOW!) Glad you were not hurt.
This proves my point once again. I think if everyone would chime in on an experience they have had at their so-called local VW dealership, maybe someone at VW will take notice. Take the average from good to bad and see what the average is.
But you could say that about Daimler Chrysler as well - would you believe my local dealership didn't even have a fuel rail for a 1996 -2001-fuel rail for a 3.8-liter engine on a freaking Caravan. Took them over 2 weeks to find one. If you consider how many Caravans are on the road -you would think they would stock parts that commonly wear out. But they don't... lucky for this dealer they had a loaner and free shuttle and pick-up.
But VW is more interested in making cute commercials for the Winter Olympics and flooding the print and airways to get as many new buyers as they can. Hope these new buyers get service that will want them to continue buying VW..... we fanatics are already hooked and it doesn't matter.
It is probably just a big waste of time sounding off - But it's a real problem!
By the way, how many days did it take to put the springs on and what was the total down time without your beloved beetle? Cost?

HB http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif

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Littlebluebug

· #7 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (wordbrian)

Cost me $200 for the springs and $150 to install. Takes about 2 hours to do, and settles to a 2 inch drop. Too bad they Funked it up.

dhk

· #8 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (Littlebluebug)

The dealer's response to this negligent act was pretty sad, clearly tells you they don't really care about the quality of their service. If the springs really give you a 2" drop, does that mean you've now only got 2.5" ground clearance under your oil pan? If so, have you scrapped your oilpan yet? I can't imagine trying to run with reduced clearance from stock, at least not on some of the backroad dips/bumps we have around here.
Dan 00nbglx

Littlebluebug

· #9 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (dhk)

Yes. The dealership Sucks. And Yes, I do only have a two to three inch clearence on my car --------- depending on what I had for lunch. HEHEHE. Anyway, I fully recommend the Eibach Pro Kit. It rides like the factory ride but a little stiffer, and is lower. Keep in mind I have $6000 worth of audio/visual, and install in this car. I had Vw install them because they warrenty these springs.

shaolinmastr

· #10 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (Littlebluebug)

i work at the local dealership here. i thought the same way you guys did, until i started working here. now it's a different picture. not all dealerships are crap!!

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Littlebluebug

· #11 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (shaolinmastr)

This is true. Not all dealerships suck. I'll love VW's products, but my dealership has disgusted me to the cars and make me want to get rid of it. I will be getting rid of it in 6 months, after the show season. Haven't decided yet what I want.

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secretwatersTTurbo

· #12 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (wordbrian)

Sheisty isn't the word...Down right low down scum sh*t if you ask me. Although I've never had a problem I've heard horror stories...The best thing to do would be to physically watch the shop work on the car. F*#k 'em, they're milking you, you might as well do the same back...

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VeeDubMcDave

· #13 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (dhk)

Here's some good news, hopefully...
There are rumblings from within of new "Brand Standards". Y'know how Ford is doing this thing with "Blue Oval" dealerships? Supposedly, VW is doing the same type thing. My impression, from what I hear, is that VW is concerned about dealerships (finally) compared to the upward swing of quality/product/etc. The goal is for the dealerships to finally catch up to the level the cars are at. Make sense? There will be heavy incentives for dealerships to be in "compliance" with Brand Standards. Let's all hope this solves some of our big problems

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20vNB

· #14 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (Horrido Beetle)

"Glad you work for a great dealership, but it's a long way from here. Some of us don't have a choice for dealer service, unless we want to drive 100 miles or more.
"

I have I think 7 in a 20 mile radius.

But you could say that about Daimler Chrysler as well - would you believe my local dealership didn't even have a fuel rail for a 1996 -2001-fuel rail for a 3.8-liter engine on a freaking Caravan. Took them over 2 weeks to find one. If you consider how many Caravans are on the road -you would think they would stock parts that commonly wear out. But they don't... lucky for this dealer they had a loaner and free shuttle and pick-up.

My 2001 Caravan, with 7000KMs died in the middle of no where due to a failed fuel pump. That was 3 weeks ago. Just got it back yesterday...
They originally told me it'd take a month to find that fuel pump!

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Mizold

· #15 · Feb 16, 2002

Re: dealerships are sheisty (20vNB)

our dealerships service is incredible, always reeeaaaal busy because everyone who buys cars at other vw dealerships in tha area has them serviced at ours...
and...
as far as sales consultants, you prob won't know too much more about vw's than me
but i agree with you, i'd say it's def. alot easier to find a bad salesman and/or salestaff and a bad service department then good ones...
sad but true...

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