Nibbler
12-07-2007, 03:37 PM
I’m a new Honda owner and had my first experience with dealer service recently.
All my previous cars have been looked after by the local mechanical workshop, not affiliated to any brand. Service has been great, price OK and I get to talk to the guy that actually works on the car which is a big help when looking out for future problems.
I thought I’d do the right thing and use the Honda dealer for the new car. Booked her in to have some accessories fitted, get the squeaky clutch fixed, and some new wiper blades (OEM only, no aftermarket available)
Got to say I was hugely disappointed. As I live in country NSW the nearest dealer is in the next town, a 50km trip away. This means taking a day of work then spending the whole day waiting for the work to be done.
The dealership is one of these multi-franchise arrangements (Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki). The service workshop is tucked around the back of the dealership. The car park is way too small, cars everywhere, pot holes full of water and mud. The service reception is a small hole in the wall.
Put it this way, the first impressions were not good.
Anyway, after about 4 or 5 hours I got the call to pick her up. Had to take out a mortgage to pay the bill, went and hopped in the car only to find some aerosol residue all over the door trim, seat and dashboard. Not too happy about that but I thought it’s probably not worth complaining about.
Got her home then noticed the real problem. There was a big scratch on the rear guard above the wheel. I couldn’t believe it, could it get any worse ?
Rang them the next morning to complain and they are trying to duck shuffle out if it. “It didn’t happen here”, “we didn’t inspect the car when it arrived to see if it was already scratched etc”
Need les to say I wasn’t going to let it rest at that. So I had to leave work early and drive the 50km each way again so they could inspect it.
Luckily, the scratch was buffed out and they wiped down the interior, but no apologies or the like.
Got to say it way not the experience I had been hoping for.
Very tempted to give dealer service the flick and use my local mechanic in the future. Only problem is if there are any warranty issues that may come up.
Has anyone had any problems getting warranty problems dealt with when they don’t use dealer service ?
Are my expectations too high ? I don’t expect a pretty receptionist serving coffee and service technicians in white lab coats, but it’s got to be better than this !
All my previous cars have been looked after by the local mechanical workshop, not affiliated to any brand. Service has been great, price OK and I get to talk to the guy that actually works on the car which is a big help when looking out for future problems.
I thought I’d do the right thing and use the Honda dealer for the new car. Booked her in to have some accessories fitted, get the squeaky clutch fixed, and some new wiper blades (OEM only, no aftermarket available)
Got to say I was hugely disappointed. As I live in country NSW the nearest dealer is in the next town, a 50km trip away. This means taking a day of work then spending the whole day waiting for the work to be done.
The dealership is one of these multi-franchise arrangements (Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki). The service workshop is tucked around the back of the dealership. The car park is way too small, cars everywhere, pot holes full of water and mud. The service reception is a small hole in the wall.
Put it this way, the first impressions were not good.
Anyway, after about 4 or 5 hours I got the call to pick her up. Had to take out a mortgage to pay the bill, went and hopped in the car only to find some aerosol residue all over the door trim, seat and dashboard. Not too happy about that but I thought it’s probably not worth complaining about.
Got her home then noticed the real problem. There was a big scratch on the rear guard above the wheel. I couldn’t believe it, could it get any worse ?
Rang them the next morning to complain and they are trying to duck shuffle out if it. “It didn’t happen here”, “we didn’t inspect the car when it arrived to see if it was already scratched etc”
Need les to say I wasn’t going to let it rest at that. So I had to leave work early and drive the 50km each way again so they could inspect it.
Luckily, the scratch was buffed out and they wiped down the interior, but no apologies or the like.
Got to say it way not the experience I had been hoping for.
Very tempted to give dealer service the flick and use my local mechanic in the future. Only problem is if there are any warranty issues that may come up.
Has anyone had any problems getting warranty problems dealt with when they don’t use dealer service ?
Are my expectations too high ? I don’t expect a pretty receptionist serving coffee and service technicians in white lab coats, but it’s got to be better than this !