Another rant about dealer service

NOT ALL DEALERS ARE CREEPY...

Let me add a positive report, of potential interest to Dallas Texas area Prius owners.

I have had only positive experiences with Toyota of Richardson (specifically Mickey Hagar, Assistant Service Manager). Mickey is Prius-knowledgable and "does what you ask" as opposed to adding unwanted, unneeded services. I'm near ready for my 20,000-mile service. At the 15,000-mile service, this Dealer did specifically what I requested: (1) Oil change [MY OIL: 3½ qts. Mobil-1 5W30] their filter; (2) Rotate tires [MY PRESSURES 40/38]; (3) State Inspection ~$40; (4) Reset "Maintenance Required" light; (5) Did the SSC-50P computer update; and (6) Returned Prius freshly-washed, battery NOT run down. Total bill ~$85.00.

I just got my SSC-60P steering linkage recall and will have it done with the 20,000-mile service.

This Dealer also installed my body side mouldings at their affiliated body shop in 45 minutes without charge about 18 months ago, updated my Nav DVD last Fall and re-connected an "in-dash" wire to re-enable dash lights.

The point: Not ALL dealers are money-hungry creeps. Look for a good one and be specific about what you want done.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Jun 29 2006, 03:51 PM) [snapback]278838[/snapback]</div>

True, I went to a place further away as I was told they really knew the Prius. They ended up overfilling the oil, rotated the tires without checking the pressure (ended up with 40/42) and set my A/C temp to the amusing (but rude) 69 degrees. I simply went somewhere else.

One thing I've done when I'm dissatisfied with the service. I write letters to the head of the Service Department and the owner of the dealership. Generally I get some sort of result.

 

Service is so important that it's always been a factor when I buy a new car. My last car was a Honda in part because back then, the one Toyota dealer in Fargo had a poor reputation. Here in Spokane there are two Toyota dealers. I drive to the farther one (about double the distance) because of their service reputation -- and I've been pleased.

Click and Clack say, "The stingy man pays the most." In the same vein, I'd say that, from the sound of it, you are losing more time by going to a nearby bad dealer than you would if you went to one farther away.

Good luck in the future. Bad service is the pits, regardless of the product.

 

i agree with Charles-

it all depends on the individal dealership. i'm actually kinda surprised that a dealer in the southeast would get away with that multiple times, since SET is a real stickler for survey ratings.

good service is worth searching for. if you're willing to drive up to the triangle i can recommend a good place.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BrianG @ Jul 2 2006, 03:07 PM) [snapback]280237[/snapback]</div>

Nontheless, having to do your own "patch up" work to your vehicle after their service is unacceptable no matter how you cut it. I think it would be advisable to crack out letters to Corporate, region and the local management. That is just an unacceptable situation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 29 2006, 06:15 PM) [snapback]278849[/snapback]</div>

I had a bad experience at the Toyota dealer doing the SSC 60C recall and wrote to the Service manager and President of the dealership. So far, no response. What kind of response do you usually get?

 

I don't care how convenient they are. It ceases to be convenient when you get repeated bad service. Someday it's going to be something that costs you money and then you'll beat yourself upside the head because you didn't stop going to them even though you knew they were schmucks and morons.

Why do you continue to go to them? You're just ensuring their continued poor service because no matter how much they @#$@#-up you still patronize them. It's like enabling a drunk.

Stop! Stop now!

 

Are there runing threads on PC of dealer service depts that deserve to be avoided and/or be praised? I thought I saw one once, but have searched around and can't find it now. Maybe I'm using the wrong keywords.
I gotta find a new dealer/service dept.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mbarrows @ Jul 4 2006, 05:39 PM) [snapback]281139[/snapback]</div>

Update: Called the "My Toyota" customer experience telephone number; the dealer called the next day! Although they can't reverse time and do the recall over again correctly (I was there three times before it was right!) they did offer me some restitution (free service visit; detailing of car). I advise calling Toyota directly if you don't get results. I may try another dealer after the next free service.

 

I'm about due for my first 5,000 mile check up. Does anybody have a favorite South Orange County (CA) service department that does good work and listens to requests? I'm in San Clemente and would even go south to Carlsbad, if they meet the standard.

(On the bottom of a form from Family Toyota of San Juan Capistrano is printed, "No loaner cars because of insurance concerns." My Lexus dealership, the "Super Toyota," has a whole fleet of them. They must have better insurance, you think?)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Jul 8 2006, 02:39 PM) [snapback]283079[/snapback]</div>

It's an excuse to save them money: No loaners because they are too stingy to buy insurance!