Dealership Really Did It Wrong

[mike weyman]

g.m. colmplaints department really work sometimes.
a few years back (95) my friend's truck paint peeled in the first year (new truck).
The dealer only sanded and painted the hood, he told them it should all be painted.they refused.
a few months later the paint peeled off the fenders, he contacted g.m. and they told him that g.m. had hand stripped and sanded the entire truck.he told them what he actually recieved ,they told him to stay near the phone for a short while.within twenty minutes the dealer calls and tells him to have the truck in the next morning.he brought it in and told them he wanted to see the truck in bare steel before anything else was done. the dealer said we're too busy for that. he said 1-800 ### ####. mystically , they called him to see it.
betcha his truck got a beating when he left the lot. mike

 

[Ken]

I live in Southern California, specifically in S. Orange County. If anybody here knows a good, reputable mechanic that works on Corvettes, PULEEZE tell me and will go there from now on!

You don't specify where in OC you are located, but have you checked out Corvettes of Southern California in Huntington Beach for suggestions? How about

• Corvette Super Sports in Fullerton
• Corvettes West in Colton
• Orange County Vettes in Tustin, or
• Pacific Coast Corvettes which is also in Tustin.

Check them out and maybe someone can recommend a shop in Orange County.

My personal web site has links for every Corvette club in California, those that have web sites that is. We also have a complete listing, with addresses for those without web sites, here at the Corvette Action Center in our Portal database.

 

[Black Bear]

Are you sure you didn't...
Oh, the hell with it.

Seriously, you can document and write GM about your experiences. Customer satisfaction/complaints has its own budget and staff. I'd be surprised if you were snubbed.
Welcome, Canuck!

Well sir, you certainly must know someone in high places. GM has totally ignored the problem. NO CUSTOMER SERVICE WHATSOEVER. I have written so many letters, it hurts. THE DEALERSHIP DAMAGED MY VETTE!!!!ad ad IT AIN'T THE SAME ANYMORE AND IT AIN'T EVER GOING TO BE THE SAME.

Having a sour taste in my mouth doesn't even begin to define the wrath of a scorned woman.

 

[RedRagTop]

Oops! Sorry, but you may have to use the "L" word (lawyer) but I'm surprised at your troubles. Mind you, I have never really used dealers for much...
What car do you have?
What damage are you referring to?
Remember, us Canadians have a reputation here as polite, reasonable intellectuals...

 

[Black Bear]

I own a 2000 triple black convertible; brought it to the dealership to repair a faulty fuel gauge; while "someone" was backing it out of a spot, they scraped/scratched the rear quarter panel; tried to paint it four times; cannot match up paint...

I'm in for the fight of my life...no one wants to help or do anything about this situation. It does look like I'll have to sue.

BTW - I worked for "L" and have worked for them for 24 years.

Thanks for your advice...GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!

 

[Edmond]

My belief is that the only mechanic you can trust to work on your Vette' is yourself. The only thing that I will let someone else do are tires and transmission issues. Anything else, I'll do it myself.

I refuse to even bring my Toyota in for an oil change. I pondered doing the Firestone coupon thing for $10, but decided to do it myself. I ended up spending $21 on Mobil 1 synthetic blend and a Purolator Pure One Filter because I don't want inferior parts going into my cars.

 

[Rogue]

You don't specify where in OC you are located, but have you checked out Corvettes of Southern California in Huntington Beach for suggestions? How about

• Corvette Super Sports in Fullerton
• Corvettes West in Colton
• Orange County Vettes in Tustin, or
• Pacific Coast Corvettes which is also in Tustin.

Check them out and maybe someone can recommend a shop in Orange County.

My personal web site has links for every Corvette club in California, those that have web sites that is. We also have a complete listing, with addresses for those without web sites, here at the Corvette Action Center in our Portal database.

Ken, THANK YOU, thank you, thank you!

 

[86PACER]

I think I've finally found a mechanic that I trust, but at the rates they're charging these days I'd rather do it myself if I can. Besides, that way I know the job is done right!

Exactly. I had a bad experience with a Chevy Dealership in the past before I knew better. I do all the repairs, maintenance, mods, and everything else myself.

 

[1Bad86]

Hey man I live in Hot Springs. Do you mind sharing your mechanic's name and Shop name with me? Thanks

 

[Bonnell]

I sure will. I thought I had his card in my wallet but it must be in my car. I'll get it up soon. They even work some on Saturdays.

 

[Evolution1980]

Personal Mechanics & Dealer Service Depts.

The service writers and managers will usually only hear from the complainers and that's just the way it is. They won't hear from the customers that are satisfied because that's what we all expect. Excellent service should be the norm, not the surprise!
Chuck

Exactly!!! Since when did getting anything except perfect service become an exception?

After I got my car...only three places/people have ever worked on it. The first two did "OK" work, but not exactly to my satisfaction. My mechanic that I have now is the ONLY mechanic that touches my car. Period. Everything that's ever been done to my car (except the paint) has been done by him. He's even done all the custom fab work that's been required. I told him he should autograph the engine block! The car almost seems as much his as it is mine! :L He treats it like his own car.

As for dealers, even warranty repairs I've had trouble with. If it's not a warranty repair, I take it to my own mechanic. Good mechanics at dealers are hard to find because all the good ones work for themselves! Among other things, the ace mechanics don't like the politics (policies?) that take place within dealerships.

Having a mechanic you trust 100% is so critical to owning a car you love. And yes, I almost always give my mechanic more than he asks. Why? Because it's worth it to me!

MaineLaker can probably chime in here, but I was told this about how the service dept works:
You take your car in for a problem (and the dealer agrees with the diagnosis). They look in their book and it says that it's a 4.5 hour job + parts.
The dealer gives you the estimate based on 4.5 hours labor and necessary parts.
He then gives the job to either the lowest guy on the totem pole capable of doing that job, or to someone close to that.
Now, this mechanic has 4.5 hours to get this job done. If he gets it done in less than 4.5, he gets a break and you still pay for 4.5 hours of labor (typically). If he goes over 4.5 hours, he's still only going to get paid for a 4.5 hour job, but now he's behind and needs to rush to finish your car.
Either way, the mechanic has some degree of incentive to finish your car as soon as possible. Either he gets to take a break (and a pat on the back from the service manager), or he has to rush the detail work in order to play catch-up with the clock. That's when and why things get busted up and little details of fit and finish (or replacing things where they go) get overlooked.

 

[Bonnell]

1Bad86 - Here is the info:
Charlie's Classic Cars - Specializing In Corvettes
M-F 9-6
Sat. 10-3 (he said to call about Saturdays)

Charlie or Bryan 501-329-1088

 

[1Bad86]

1Bad86 - Here is the info:
Charlie's Classic Cars - Specializing In Corvettes
M-F 9-6
Sat. 10-3 (he said to call about Saturdays)

Charlie or Bryan 501-329-1088

Thanks a lot I really appreciate the info

 

[Bonnell]

Elvolution1980 - That is a beautiful car! I love my '88 but I hope to someday have an '80 or '81 that has been rehabed with a ZZ4.

 

[Evolution1980]

Elvolution1980 - That is a beautiful car! I love my '88 but I hope to someday have an '80 or '81 that has been rehabed with a ZZ4.

Thanks...I'm kinda partial to it as well! :L

 

[WhalePirot]

there is no mystery as to why my '84 improved so much when the warranty expired. McPherson Chevy no longer worked on it! Back then, I also got to know Ed, the service manager at the dealer in Ken's area. That was just before I was introduced to Cheri Soper, the once-Zone Manager for Chevy, who ofered a low-ball number to buy it back. Things have not changed, it seems. Wanna see my large stack of ROs?

I may not always do a repair properly the first time either, but the drive to the complaint desk is much shorter. Such service also gives me an opp to look things over and spot 'coming events'.

I bought a new BMW from a dealer (Crevier BMW) based upon their excellent service on our old ones. Don't tell me that good service doesn't pay.

In SoCal, I will only allow Gary at Leonhardt Automotive touch my Vette. He is slowing down his biz, tho. Gary Leonhardt, (714)630-4510, vettedoc@aol.com
2950 E.Coronado #C, Anaheim, CA

The 'never' list is a lot longer. Mike

 

[Edmond]

Elvolution1980 - That is a beautiful car! I love my '88 but I hope to someday have an '80 or '81 that has been rehabed with a ZZ4.

Have you read about the ZZ383/425? OMG: 460 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm and 425 hp @ 5,400 rpm.

 

[Bonnell]

Wow! That would move you down the road. I guess that would require a new transmission?

 

[coop]

Sorry to hear you had a problem at the dealer but in all fairness a fuel filter is NOT part of a tune up.

 

[militant_x]

Im pretty afraid of the dealer. I dont think they remember how to work on a c4, maybe a c5, but no more c4s. Mainly though... I dont believe they care. My friend took his 2002 camaro SS SLP in once.... They drove his car around to get lunch... throwing tons of black smoke out the back. They drove it hard. A friend spotted his car being driven around. No suprise when he gets it back there is a biggie sized wendys cup in it... and the work not done right. The car dies on him the very next day.

Pretty sad, the reason he bought a new car was for realiability....

Later,

-Chris