You have saved this page | See all saved pages
better to buy where you intend to get it serviced?
180 messages, Last post on Sep 18, 2008 at 10:59 AM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum.- Your Host is kirstie_h
What is this discussion about? Auto Repair
#131 of 180 The service advisor simply refers by zueslewis
May 23, 2003 (5:58 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
the customer to the owner, who tells 'em how it is - you don't even want to give me a crack at business, but you want me to take a tech off of one of MY customer's jobs to handle yours? More warranty work? No thanks - take it to Houston where you bought it. That's his attitude and his right - none of us are in a place to argue with him.
Each technician does a certain amount of low-paying warranty work in exchange for some better-paying customer pay work. If the tech is swamped with warranty work, especially nitnoid dash rattle stuff, you'll have a tech who'll go somewhere else - major problem. You have to keep techs happy to keep them, and if turning away extra warranty work is what you have to do, then you do it.
Bear in mind there's the issue of dealing with the type of person who would drive to Houston to save $50 - that's not the type of person you WANT in your service drive - overly picky, grinding for time and place in line, etc.
massspector - 20th v 21st...you're not telling the auditors anything. They make IRS folks look like wimps.
#132 of 180 by rivertown
May 23, 2003 (6:01 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
I know for a fact that's not the story at all dealers. I can't say it couldn't happen, though.
#134 of 180 Never said it happened at all dealers - by zueslewis
May 23, 2003 (6:09 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
I was giving an example of ONE dealer I know personally. Many larger dealers don't care at all - this dealer only has 5-6 technicians, but gets a flood of requests from local buyers who bought in Houston. When you have 40 techs, and you're handling 200 jobs a day, 5-6 extra (non-dealership) customers a day make no real difference. With 5-6 techs, you're only handling 25-30 jobs a day - 5-6 extra customers make a huge difference.
The San Antonio area is unique, too that there are 4 major Air Force bases and 2 Army bases in twon. Lots of military folks (military guys HAVE to have those new cars) with newer cars, coming in from all over the nation. Maybe the "you didn't buy it here" issue isn't an issue there.
#135 of 180 by rivertown
May 23, 2003 (6:15 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
Good thing there's hope for Brady!
#136 of 180 zeus by thel
May 23, 2003 (6:36 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
Maybe it's pie in the sky and I'm no businessman but if the Lake Jackson dealer is swamped, why not hire more techs. The more cars he fixes, the more customers he exposes to his store, the more likely they will come back the next time they need a new ride. I personally have never needed warranty work, but I really like the service department at my local Honda dealer. I take my two Accords and even my 02 Miata there for oil changes, etc. If their service department were a bunch of jerks or they turned my away b/c I bought a Miata instead of an s2000, I would be far less likely to buy a car from them.
#137 of 180 brady bunch by audia8q
May 23, 2003 (7:00 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
How much of a savings are we talking about??? What is the service reputation of the dealer you intend to service your new car? What kind of grief do you have to go through to save some $$$ at the other dealers to buy the car?? How long do you plan on keeping your car? Please let us know these things to better answer your questions.
#138 of 180 thel - by zueslewis
May 23, 2003 (7:06 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
they've got a nice facility, but only 6 (very modern) bays - the new hires wouldn't have a place to work.
#139 of 180 gotcha Zeus by thel
May 23, 2003 (7:12 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
that's too bad. If he had the ability to expand, does my idea sound reasonable? Like I said, I'm no businessman.
#140 of 180 zueslewis by dglozman
May 23, 2003 (7:19 am)
Replying to: hiwaysanity (Oct 22, 2001 12:17 pm)
I bought my CR-V from not the closest dealer to me. Reason? They simply didn't have it in stock, and I would have to wait, as they said, 4 to 6 week (at least) if they order. So I called all Honda dealers in my area (New York city) and finally was able to locate my car at the dealership 40+ min. away from my house (in Queens) and I'm in Brooklyn. It's not very convenient to me to service my car at that dealership. usually even a simple oil change requires an appointment in advance and you have to leave there your car for a least 4+ Hrs. (again its New York city). so if I would go to that dealership basically I forced to wait there those 4+ hrs. until the service is done. The closest dealer is 10 min walking distance from my house, so I can do something else with my time then just sitting at the waiting area. So yes I'm servicing my car at the closest dealer and not the one I bought my car from. Am I treated good there? you bet! Should I consider myself inconsiderate? hell no!
To POST a message, please
Sign In.
Advertisement
Most Popular in Forums
Search Forums
Enter Keyword(s):
Learn More, Do More
Edmunds Community
Advertisement