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How to communicate with a dealer for car service/repair?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Isaac Zachary, Aug 15, 2024 at 3:51 PM.

  1. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Maybe I just don't know how to communicate, but the few times I've gone to a dealership for some sort of service, repair or recall I always seem to have a hard time getting across what I need done to my vehicle.

    It always seems like I call saying "I need such and such thing done to it" and the operator seems most interested in what day and time. Like, I don't think they even listen to what I need done.

    So I bring it in and I'm trying to explain why I'm bringing them the car, but again I don't ever feel like they're listening. And after they have it in for a while I'll get a call saying that they found I need "A, B, C and D done to the car, and we need your permission."

    And I'll reply that "I didn't bring it in for A or B, but that this whole time I've been saying I need them to do C, but D is ok if they do that. And what about this other E I've also been asking for you to do and you keep ignoring me?"

    So how do I make it clear that I need to bring my car in for X thing to be done and that's why I'm going to travel the 200 miles from my house to the dealership, perhaps towing the car in some cases, so please have all the parts and stuff ready to do X thing, otherwise I'm going to feel rather ignored.
     
    #1 Isaac Zachary, Aug 15, 2024 at 3:51 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I’ve never had to travel that far, so I usually wait until I get there and talk to a service advisor face to face.
    Have you asked to speak to an advisor on the phone?
    Are you going to drive 800 miles for a repair, or hope they can fix it while you’re there?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 15, 2024 at 4:18 PM
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  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Yep; It might be because I'm older - but I've noticed that too. People just don't listen anymore, they just want to recite the script they were taught.
    I do most of my communications through email or text and send a follow-up email or text, on important stuff, to the individual on verbal communications, so there's no misunderstanding. It's unfortunate, but that's what this world has come to. My last few years before I retired - that saved my bacon on numerous occasions, when middle management has it out for you and tried to cover for their buddies. The second time this happened, HR wrote-up my manager - I've never, ever seen that happen - they usually cover for management.
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Aug 15, 2024 at 4:35 PM
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  4. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    No, I didn't know that whom I was supposed to ask for. Thanks!
     
    #4 Isaac Zachary, Aug 15, 2024 at 4:46 PM
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