Dealer service appointments..why ??

[fast95pony]

My Focus had developed an exhaust rattle. I took it in to get fixed and they had to order a new bracket.I made an another appointment for 09:30 am for a week later.
I arrive at the dealer,and told them I'll wait for the car. They told me they wouldn't be able to look at the car until 12:30 pm . So why make an appointment for 09:30 am ?? So I decided to take public transport home. One and a half hours later , I'm home
They call me at 3:45 pm . My car is ready . I get there to find they ordered the wrong bracket,and I have to make a THIRD appointment !!
Another annoying thing is it's an SVT Focus. According to all the propaganda they sell you, I'm supposed to get Premium Service. This includes a loaner car at no cost . The first time I did get a car , but I had to pay a $15 "admin" cost. The second time , I didn't think I'd need a car and they didn't have a loaner car available,so I had to take the bus.
They are also supposed to wash and vacuum the car . I'm still waiting for this one,but I'm not holding my breath...

So , next Thursday the car goes in again for a 30 minute fix.They can't guarantee a loaner car. So I will have wasted 3 days off trying to get a clamp put on .
I should have gone to the local exhaust shop across the road .

There is a closer Ford Dealer. They used the wrong oil and wrong oil filter at the last oil change.They did actually wash the car.. using a squeegee !! It looked horrible..

[Mattracer]

At least they rang you. I always had to ring them.

I bet they scratch the paint too when they have it for the day. That ****s me to tears. I usually have to wash and detail my car after a service because of the careless treatment it gets. But not nowadays.

My local mechanical repair place doesn't seem at all like this. They are extremely good and do what is needed and no more. I try and fix most small annoyances such as you describe myself. It ends up cheaper and even somewhat more satisfying knowing you have saved yourself the hassle.

[Mattracer]

I knew someone who picked up their fleet hack after a routine service and upon arriving home, lifted the bonnet to find oil sprayed everywhere inside the engine bay because someone forgot to put the dipstick back in.

[blackx]

I work for an Iveco/Ford dealership and I can understand fast95pony's frustration there are however circumstances which have arisen within the dealership I work for which could explain some of this..........

An appointment is ok but jobs started previous to yours can and often do run over.....ALL jobs undertaken at main agents have a book time....i.e...there is a set time for a set job.....these book times are issued by the manufacturers and do not allow for complecations such as siezed bolts or a stud snaps off and needs extracting and re-threading etc.



Also it could just be down to the fact that someonhas just mot turned in for work that day for any number of reasons....All the work allocated to that technician must then be divided amongst the remaining technicians....

The phone call to say your car was ready was something which CANNOT be excused.....You should have been told the vehicle had not been repaired and would require a repeat visit...

Ordering the wrong bracket is far easier than you would imagine...

All parts are loaded onto computers and are subject to constant updates issued by the manufacturer....

These can be a change of part number or a modified part has been isuued because of concerns over the durability of a certain part....
These catalogues are shown in picture form but at best some of the drawings are sketchy and there may be 3 or 4 different parts for your particular vehicle....Depending on chassis number or model of vehicle as some cars with sporty engines for instance have slightly heavier duty parts to cope with greater power etc...

If you cant get a loaner or have to pay for a loaner then your first port of call should be the Service Managers office......complain like your life depended on it and in most cases it will work.....If not get in touch with your head office for your particular country.....If you dont complain nothing will get sorted.....

I cant comment on the washing of the car but again I suggest you make a complaint about that........

[RTH]

Makes the Ford Dealers in the UK seem wonderful !

[davemorganfan]

This thing about dealers washing and hoovering the car as part of the service should be stopped. I can do this myself, and I don't charge myself some exorbitant rate for the privelege.

[gringottsdirect]

I fear taking my car to a dealer, often they scratch it, dent it or break something. Last time I picked it up my rear view mirror was on the passenger seat and an alloy wheel had been kerbed.
I always insist they DON'T wash my car or " valet " it.
My local Ford dealer, ( gone now they sold the land to ASDA ) used to take cars through a drive through washer.
It's also a good idea to wait for it to be " serviced " if you can arrange the time. That way nobody gets to thrash your car for fun.
Why does it cost £175 to change oil & filter, put in a screen wash thing and rubber stamp your service history for the warranty ?

[ALFA ALFA]

Call Ford Motor Company direct (800-565-3673 in Canada) and complain. I had an experience with a Ford dealer where I returned my Escort 5 times to fix a bad fuel pump. They fixed everything that they could, except for the fuel pump, and charged me out the ying-yang. No more Fords for me.

[fast95pony]

Well , My Focus is fixed.No more rattles.And it washed too.After a recent snow fall,it was very dirty.They left it inside to dry,which was nice.