Thanks Ford dealership.....for nothing

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 10:23 AM

wife was in town yesterday, new job, new address to find, GPS stopped working so she was lost basically, rang me and I said probably a fuse, take it to Ford and pay for a new one to be put in.....she did so.

well... no says the lady behind the desk,... you'll have to book it in and a mechanic will look at it, if it is not a fuse and you have done something to make it blow then time will come into it and it will cost you......(what about the warranty that is still remaining?)

wife said she is in a rush so could she buy a fuse and do it herself, not that hard,.....answer again was no....she would have to book the car in.

she rang me again and I told her to go to repco and grab another fuse, better get both sizes mini and micro as I didn't know which size it was, repco bloke was going to replace it for her but couldn't get the fuse out.....bugger of a place up behind the glovebox, 2015 Ford Fiesta

she came home and I replaced the fuse in five minutes.

well done repco......thanks for nothing Ford dealership...once again.

LG17 · 13-09-2016, 11:41 AM

They had a choice of making a definite dollar and blew it trying to up the ante. Businesses really annoy me when they do that.

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LG17

They had a choice of making a definite dollar and blew it trying to up the ante. Businesses really annoy me when they do that.

we have bought two new vehicles through there for the wife, her vehicles are always serviced there......

had to be a better way......Repco got my Kudos but Ford just went down another peg.

I honestly believe they could have said "we will replace the fuse for you at no cost but if the system fails and we have to look into it then we will have to book it in and charge accordingly!".......this I would have understood and would have been a gesture in good faith leaving us feeling a little better toward the dealership.

after the dealings I had with them with my BA and now my wife's Fiesta this dealership is finished in our eyes.....it really messed up her day schedule (in home care provider for the sick and elderly)

Peter B - CV8 · 13-09-2016, 11:58 AM

^^^ Express your displeasure via a letter/email to the dealer principal. They probably won't give a stuff though (but it might make you feel better).....

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 12:12 PM

not worth it, the letter would be ignored anyway....after the annoyances of the transmission saga I think this is the final straw for her and this dealership, probably Fords in general I think.

then to top it off one of the rubber seals on the back door has come loose this morning and is hanging in the breeze, just needs re-glueing.....to say she went to work grumpy this morning is an understatement......good job we're taking a break and nicking off shortly or she would blow a gasket.

I wonder if the door rubber is a warranty issue and whether I should take it back there when she gets home....LOL, I'll do it myself, save the grief

kazawaki · 13-09-2016, 12:21 PM

Been a ford man since i was 16 ,so 39 years after the crap they said to me regarding my pursuit ute and the crap service when i bought my new Ba xr8 back in 2005 no more fords for me ever.If they dont care well neither do i.I found by the time you argue with them and waste your time returning the car multiple times for a simple fix easier to do it yourself or just deal with the cosmetics if it is to do with that.Yes thats what they want you to do and sure its easier for them short term but hows there jobs looking when the customers they have ****ed of over minor items go somewhere else ????

Glen 5150 · 13-09-2016, 12:53 PM

I'll be in the minority for sure, but I think you're being a tad harsh on Ford? Its easy in hindsight, knowing a new fuse fixed the issue, but both you and your wife didn't know that for sure at the time, and neither did Ford.

I'm not sure if you're upset Ford wouldn't sell you a fuse, or a mechanic wasn't readily available to sort out the issue immediately?

Anyway, glad it got sorted for you and it wasn't a major issue.

Tonz · 13-09-2016, 12:58 PM

Poppa Smurf.... are you still outback or living in blAdelaide?

Surely country dealers dont work that way

Mr Brooksy · 13-09-2016, 01:06 PM

Just make a point of gently rubbing their noses in it when you go to buy another car... Something along the lines of...

Go into the dealer get their best price, thank them for their help, say it's a shame they had messed you around so many times before as you'd consider their offer but alas you're off to another dealer to see if they can match or beat their quote. Walk out with a smile.

When I was helping the organisation I work for with their fleet of company cars we would always go into dealers that the driver's had services done including those that had treated us (mainly the driver's of the cars) like rubbish before, get a quote and let them know that because of their previous poor service they will not get this chance to supply us with our allotted state wide fleet needs. If of cause they wish to prove that they can look after us, then we will consider them again in the next run in about 3-6 months depending on their service to the driver's if the cars in question experience with them.

We realised there was no point in being blown off by a dealer and never go back, because a) we needed a lot of cars regularly b) they won't change unless they get hit in the pocket. So we always politely let them know their shortcomings and what that cost them and why, and let them know we were keeping tabs on them for the future.

Only the Ford dealer in Newcastle was a serial offender in all of NSW at that time.

Magna · 13-09-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Just make a point of gently rubbing their noses in it when you go to buy another car... Something along the lines of...

Go into the dealer get their best price, thank them for their help, say it's a shame they had messed you around so many times before as you'd consider their offer but alas you're off to another dealer to see if they can match or beat their quote. Walk out with a smile.

why? the salesperson didn't have anything to do with the service, and you've just stuffed them around when they could be working on a genuine sale to earn their commission?

I'd write a letter to the dealer principle stating that you've bought cars there before and may not consider them in future.

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen 5150

I'll be in the minority for sure, but I think you're being a tad harsh on Ford? Its easy in hindsight, knowing a new fuse fixed the issue, but both you and your wife didn't know that for sure at the time, and neither did Ford.

I'm not sure if you're upset Ford wouldn't sell you a fuse, or a mechanic wasn't readily available to sort out the issue immediately?

Anyway, glad it got sorted for you and it wasn't a major issue.

not being harsh on Ford at all, the dealership, once again, is the problem, I like the little car,

no-one knew what the problem was but it all has to start somewhere, if the fuse blew again then it would have to be escalated but it has to be replaced first....wouldnt have taken a mechanic to do that.

wife also just wanted to buy a fuse from them so she could do it herself......they wouldn't even sell her a fuse???

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

Poppa Smurf.... are you still outback or living in blAdelaide?

Surely country dealers don't work that way

outback mate, nearest dealership is a couple hundred K's down the track, used to be a good lot when it was private but now northpoint own it.....used to know the owner and service manager very well.....thats all changed.

we have actually got better service from the city dealerships

Mr Brooksy · 13-09-2016, 01:54 PM

Why? Simple, a letter hardly ever works. And yes a salesperson has been stuffed around and is separate to the service dept, but at the end of the day they still work for the one company. Not to mention that most negotiations end up in the ear of a head manager anyway. In my experience, that is the only level of management that will take any notice. A letter from a name with no face, with a statement that you won't be going back anyway gives very little reason to make any change. Why, because that person with that issue won't be giving their business anyway.

Glen 5150 · 13-09-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

not being harsh on Ford at all, the dealership, once again, is the problem, I like the little car,

no-one knew what the problem was but it all has to start somewhere, if the fuse blew again then it would have to be escalated but it has to be replaced first....wouldnt have taken a mechanic to do that.

wife also just wanted to buy a fuse from them so she could do it herself......they wouldn't even sell her a fuse???

Yet you keep going back there? So if a mechanic wasn't available, who did you expect to check the fuse? The lady behind the desk? The bloke at Repco had no luck? If your wife went to the parts department, I can't understand or explain why they wouldn't sell her a fuse, but if they did, she still would of had to come home for you to fit the new fuse anyway?

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen 5150

Yet you keep going back there? So if a mechanic wasn't available, who did you expect to check the fuse? The lady behind the desk? The bloke at Repco had no luck? If your wife went to the parts department, I can't understand or explain why they wouldn't sell her a fuse, but if they did, she still would of had to come home for you to fit the new fuse anyway?

who said a mechanic wasn't available?.....where did you get that from....again I repeat, wouldn't have taken a mechanic, anyone of the lads out the back could do it.

my wife is a very independent woman, she would have fit the fuse herself......does far harder things in her working day.

the dealership is the closest to us.. hence why we continued (note "continued" not continue) to return, the next is a fair jaunt but one we will be making henceforth.

Glen 5150 · 13-09-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

who said a mechanic wasn't available?.....where did you get that from....again I repeat, wouldn't have taken a mechanic, anyone of the lads out the back could do it.

my wife is a very independent woman, she would have fit the fuse herself......does far harder things in her working day.

the dealership is the closest to us.. hence why we continued (note "continued" not continue) to return, the next is a fair jaunt but one we will be making henceforth.

My point is, if a mechanic was available, then someone would of looked at it immediately rather than being suggested to book a time. Again hindsight, knowing it was the fuse, and its easy to say anybody could of fixed it including lads out the back? Nobody knew what the issue was at the time.

Perhaps your wife should of changed the fuse at the Repco car park herself if it was that easy?

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 03:01 PM

as a matter of fact a mechanic was available.....not knowing what the issue was is a matter of deduction, starting with the replacement fuse......

bottom line they were trying to get money out of a little job.

Glen 5150 · 13-09-2016, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

bottom line they were trying to get money out of a little job.

Or your wife was in a bit of a panic with lack of GPS with work commitments, and she got upset when she didn't get immediate service.

We'll agree to disagree, but I think you are overreacting, and its unnecessary Ford bashing.

As I said, glad it got sorted and it wasn't a major issue.

BENT_8 · 13-09-2016, 03:19 PM

Which 'lads' out the back, if its a country dealer there wouldnt be that many 'lads' standing around doing nothing.

Northpoint you say, Pt Pirie i assume, small Dealer servicing a large rural area.

Most service dept's overbook and flog the guts out of what staff they have, perhaps they just didnt have time at that moment to pull a TA off a service to change a fuse.
So i dont see it as a Ford issue, nor a dealership issue, it comes down to the service advisor and they made a choice based on the info they had on hand, not the first, wont be the last.

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen 5150

Or your wife was in a bit of a panic with lack of GPS with work commitments, and she got upset when she didn't get immediate service.

We'll agree to disagree, but I think you are overreacting, and its unnecessary Ford bashing.

As I said, glad it got sorted and it wasn't a major issue.

you see once again you have the story wrong......I am not "Ford bashing"

read the original post PROPERLY and if you still don't understand what is being said then get an adult to explain it to you,.

gcg2503 · 13-09-2016, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen 5150

Or your wife was in a bit of a panic with lack of GPS with work commitments, and she got upset when she didn't get immediate service.

We'll agree to disagree, but I think you are overreacting, and its unnecessary Ford bashing.

As I said, glad it got sorted and it wasn't a major issue.

Glen.

100% correct.

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Which 'lads' out the back, if its a country dealer there wouldnt be that many 'lads' standing around doing nothing.

Northpoint you say, Pt Pirie i assume, small Dealer servicing a large rural area.

Most service dept's overbook and flog the guts out of what staff they have, perhaps they just didnt have time at that moment to pull a TA off a service to change a fuse.
So i dont see it as a Ford issue, nor a dealership issue, it comes down to the service advisor and they made a choice based on the info they had on hand, not the first, wont be the last.

so why not just sell her a fuse and leave it at that......any problems after that would be dealt with as they arise......

Magna · 13-09-2016, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Why? Simple, a letter hardly ever works. And yes a salesperson has been stuffed around and is separate to the service dept, but at the end of the day they still work for the one company. Not to mention that most negotiations end up in the ear of a head manager anyway. In my experience, that is the only level of management that will take any notice. A letter from a name with no face, with a statement that you won't be going back anyway gives very little reason to make any change. Why, because that person with that issue won't be giving their business anyway.

so you're suggesting to string the guy along, then sink the boot in when he's just trying to make a living and can't influence anything. nice

Smoke Pursuit · 13-09-2016, 03:50 PM

Ford service don't sell spare parts. You should have told her to go to Ford Spare parts they would have sold her a fuse, and most likely fitted it too if they are like the guys I know at Ford spares!

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Ford service don't sell spare parts. You should have told her to go to Ford Spare parts they would have sold her a fuse, and most likely fitted it too if they are like the guys I know at Ford spares!

one and the same in rural areas......Michael (the previous feller at the service desk) would have got one for her then probably fitted the fuse....times have changed.

I've walked in many times to the service desk (which is also reception) in the past and asked for various parts and paid then got them

I'm a bit tempted to go in next week and ask for a fuse myself just to see what happens.

BENT_8 · 13-09-2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

so why not just sell her a fuse and leave it at that......any problems after that would be dealt with as they arise......

Fair question, have you rung and enquired as to why your Wife couldnt buy the fuse, is it possible they feared the system may be damaged if a new fuse is installed without properly diagnosing the issue which saw it blow in the first place.
I think if you're prepared to make such public condemnation you should be prepared to investigate the issue thoroughly and provide the Dealers response first so people can make a more informed opinion.

Someone should give them a call and see if its possible to buy the part over the counter. Get the spares counter, service wont sell parts, they fit them.

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Fair question, have you rung and enquired as to why your Wife couldnt buy the fuse, is it possible they feared the system may be damaged if a new fuse is installed without properly diagnosing the issue which saw it blow in the first place.
I think if you're prepared to make such public condemnation you should be prepared to investigate the issue thoroughly and provide the Dealers response first so people can make a more informed opinion.

Someone should give them a call and see if its possible to buy the part over the counter. Get the spares counter, service wont sell parts, they fit them.

I reckon I'll go in next week and ask for one to see what happens......cant see what difference it would make......doubt it is a female thing.

I just don't understand why she couldn't get one, it's just a bloody fuse, I've bought quite a bit of gear off them exactly the same way in the past.

and I buy a fair bit from other dealers this way as well.

Glen 5150 · 13-09-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

you see once again you have the story wrong......I am not "Ford bashing"

read the original post PROPERLY and if you still don't understand what is being said then get an adult to explain it to you,.

Well use little words and type slowly for me please. If you think I lack intelligence then humour me....please. You are bashing or ranting on someone, is it Ford or the Dealership? Your posts suggest with previous dealings, they are either incompetent, they were only interested in making a quick buck, or both? It seems you didn't get the service and immediate attention you think you and your wife deserved after buying vehicles and having them serviced there over the years? Yes?

If you're upset Ford wouldn't sell a fuse, and if your wife went to the parts counter and was denied, then fair enough, I agree with you. We've established that your wife couldn't fit a new fuse otherwise it would of been rectified at Repco when she had the new fuse, without going home for you to fit it? So that only leaves the Dealer didn't jump when you wanted them to?

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 04:14 PM

as said in previous post.....the parts counter, reception and booking counter are all one and the same, the parts are sold and dispensed from there, bookings are made from there and payments are made from there.

wife was quite willing to pay for the fuse to be replaced......denied without a booking, business not busy

wife wished to buy said fuse......denied without a booking

can't explain it any simpler than that.

I am not upset, just angry, simple request I would have thought.

I just gave northpoint a call just now with a query about some "spare" fuses that I could take with me on a trip......waiting on a response.

BENT_8 · 13-09-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

I reckon I'll go in next week and ask for one to see what happens......cant see what difference it would make......doubt it is a female thing.

I just don't understand why she couldn't get one, it's just a bloody fuse, I've bought quite a bit of gear off them exactly the same way in the past.

and I buy a fair bit from other dealers this way as well.

If they had sold it to her and she had installed it in the carpark as you believe she could have and it fried the unit, would you expect them to replace it under warranty?

poppa smurf · 13-09-2016, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENT_8

If they had sold it to her and she had installed it in the carpark as you believe she could have and it fried the unit, would you expect them to replace it under warranty?

all depends on what caused the problem in the first place......simple answer yes....fuses don't usually blow for no good reason but the replacement fuse has not blown so I'm not sure what the problem was in the first place.

just received an answer from northpoint regarding the purchase of fuses and I was told they don't keep them in stock......I'm to go to an auto electrician to buy them.

don't know what to make of that.