37 replies to this topic

[adamc260]

The ECU learns your driving style I was told so when the battery is removed from the car and replugged in it can clear the data stored and the car re-learns your driving style which means the MPG can be all over the shop.. Well, so I was told once!

[james132]

Shortly after getting my focus the battery died, I charged it over night so I could get to work in the morning, the car just about started to get me home so poped into the local ford dealership and asked if they would do a quick check to see if it was battery or alternator at fault. Guy on reception said yeah sure il just grab one of the mechanics before they go home at 5, bearing in mind I was there at about 4:30. Waited 5 mins and the mechanic walked into the waiting area so the reception guy asks him to do the quick check etc, explaning my situation to him, he turned round and said, nah im going home!

This anoyed me quite a bit but still took it back several weeks later because my tow bar wouldnt attach properly, the guy who looked at it was more than useless and knew less than I did about the damm thing!

I certianly wont be taking any car there again.

However Im sure, as said by others, there are good dealers out there too.

[adamc260]

explaning my situation to him, he turned round and said, nah im going home!

Oh my word!! I would of made a complaint about that, that's disgusting!!

[james132]

Oh my word!! I would of made a complaint about that, that's disgusting!!

The fact it only just made it there aswell! He had the cheek to tell me to bring it back in the morning for him to have a look at!

[adamc260]

The fact it only just made it there aswell! He had the cheek to tell me to bring it back in the morning for him to have a look at!

I would of told him to stay and look at it.. how dare someone say 'Nah im going home' to a customer who at the end of the day pays his salary!? If he said that to everyone and no one came back... he'd be out of a job!

Christ, dealerships are awful nower days. You'd swear they don't need the business lol

[d2kea]

he turned round and said, nah im going home!

I bet the salesman wouldnt have told you that if you were interested in buying a car from them.

[Jack7]

The attitude of most car dealers is unreal, they ought to remember they wouldnt have a job if they didnt have customers, much like my job!

Rojariggs thats good that your seeing an improvement, hopefully the ford dealer I take my car to next in glasgow will be able to do something for me!

[thornewell]

Rog...sounds like it may have just improved things for you which is good. I may have to go to my dealer and see what they say.

On the note of dealers, I have had a bad experience where I got my car back from warranty work to find my passenger door wouldn't open from outisde, the window motor had pretty much died and the original warranty repairs had not been rectified. Was not happy so took it to another dealer, they fixed all problems and even gave me a free courtesy car. For the problems, I mentioned to Ford relations and managed to wangle a free service, which was handy. So I agree some dealers are good and some bad but mention the grief you have experienced to ford relations and any dealer should hopefully be more willing to help

[TDCiST]

I guess I'm just really luck with the rapport I have with my dealer...

To be fair, me and my parents have always bought cars from them, even when its changed hands... the staff haven't changed however though!

[adamc260]

Dealers don't make their money on car sales, it's on repeat customers coming back for servicing etc

So why is it the sales teams are far better than the service teams!?

[TDCiST]

Because the salesmen are all on commission... the service team arent!!

[adamc260]

Because the salesmen are all on commission... the service team arent!!

I've worked in customer service roles and wasn't on commission, still did my best for the customer! Lazy twonks!

[rojariggs]

I can't fault the service from my dealer, Gates of Hertford:

I complained that there was a rattle from the door mirror sometimes when I closed my door - so they fitted a whole new door mirror.

I found some small stone chips on the door when washing the car a few weeks after getting the car - one of the salesman said to pop down and he touched the chips in for me.

Had another rattle from one of the doors - they had the car in twice without any hassle and sorted it.

Reprogrammed/updated the PCM to help improve fuel consumption and said to book it back in if I'm still not happy.

Everytime I book it in I get the impression it's no hassle for them and I never have to wait more than a couple of days.

Car is just over a year old and has done 17k miles.

Cheers

Rog

[TDCiST]

I found some small stone chips on the door when washing the car a few weeks after getting the car - one of the salesman said to pop down and he touched the chips in for me.

I had this with gates too... but of the Letchworth variety lol. I really cant fault them... A mate of mine had issues with stevenage branch, but he still goes there so it cant be all that bad!

[PumpkinSteve]

Dealers don't make their money on car sales, it's on repeat customers coming back for servicing etc

So why is it the sales teams are far better than the service teams!?

When I used to go to Toyota there would always be something wrong with my car after a service. Once they smashed my lights rear lights, once they scratched my interior, sometimes the car would be manky inside after getting it back, then other times my radio station would be changed...WTF why are they listening to my radio?!

They once told me the tread was down to 5mm on the front tyres and next year when I went back it was 7mm. Magical growing tyres! I don't mind buying cars but I dread having them serviced, most garages are useless.