Customer Service makes a huge difference

[M29since14]

I'm not expecting much but do let us know if your protest to the corporate people does you any good. At the consumer level, it's a bust for both you and them. The path they took doesn't help either of you. They knew about the codes to begin with, lied about it, didn't want to or couldn't fix the problems, and it seems did more or less everything but be straight with you. No CS here.

 

[Tyrod]

The best customer service is the one you never have to use. Even S&W could take a lesson from that.

 

[Rastoff]

The third shop called Monday morning and needed to do more testing. That's another $140 I have to pay. Today they called and said they think they've found it and the repair is going to be very expensive. They are a dealer and I figured it would be pricey from them. Not going to get it repaired there.

I received a call this morning from the service manager at Carmax. The short version is that he's going to pay for something, but not all. By the end of this week I'll know exactly what needs to be done and what will be done.

This is all very frustrating.

 

[Abbynormal]

Jesus! Talk about a universal shock! Never, ever trust the Dealers finance manager's word for anything.

 

[Ron M.]

I bought, back in the day, a 1983 Olds Cutlass sedan, and it came with a written warranty...it became difficult to start, so I took it back to the dealership. The service manager quoted me a new carburetor was needed, $900 bucks. Told him it was under warranty, he said no, that was never covered for used cars. Brought them the warranty, said all fuel system components...an hour later, they said nothing was wrong and handed me back the keys...never went back, dumped the car ASAP. They went out of business within two years of my "service".

 

[Rastoff]

Just an update...

Carmax paid for the $280 check up a the dealer. They have promised to call me with their own estimate for the repair. That was Friday, today is Monday and no call. I will call tomorrow to see what's up.

The service manager also told me that I could just sell them my car back. I didn't bite, but I'd bet they wouldn't give me even half what I paid for it.

I honestly expect nothing more from them and will probably end up fixing this myself.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I haven't kept up with this thread. First you said their service was great and now it's not? And the car isn't fixed yet? Man that bites. Sorry buddy. Keep rattling their cage. Sic the state attorney general on them!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

30 day warranty...

A year and 30,000 miles later that they would give you $280 for diagnostics work at another shop is surprising.

 

[LoadedRound]

Rastoff

What make / model is your car?

 

[LVSteve]

So what actually broke?

 

[Rastoff]

I don't think I've said their service was good or bad. This is an on-going situation. I've put some miles on this car. The problem I'm having now has been there since I got the car. Even so, I have some responsibility in that I didn't pursue this tenaciously from the start. I accept that.

Let me sum up:

• I've had the car a year and put about 27K on it.
• The problem I'm having has been there since I got it.
• It started intermittent and has become more persistent.
• They could have washed their hands of the problem, but didn't.
• They haven't fixed anything yet either.
• On their direction, I took it to another place for diagnostics and they paid for it. (I didn't know they were going to pay for this until I picked the car up from the other place.) Yes, surprising to me too and they didn't have to do that.
• I'm currently waiting on a call from the service manager. He is supposed to be working up a repair estimate. The estimate from the other place was about $4,400.

The open question is; did they see the problem initially and try to avoid it or did they really not see it?

The issue is the waste gate on the turbo sticking open. When this happens the turbo can't build pressure. There is a sensor that sees this lack of pressure and puts the car into a "limp" mode. The car is OK to drive, just at reduced power and performance.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

For $4,400 I'd be tempted to put a piece of tape over the CE light and drive on.

 

[Muss Muggins]

For $4,400 I'd be tempted to put a piece of tape over the CE light and drive on.

Well, I'd have to have my hillbilly mechanic bypass that sensor first. I'm willing to bet that in California a car might not pass inspection with the Check Engine light on . . .

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Well, I'd have to have my hillbilly mechanic bypass that sensor first.

If he's ever driving through Chattanooga I've got a fasten seat belt light that's been flashing for 17 years and a quarter million miles that I'd like him to fix.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If he's ever driving through Chattanooga I've got a fasten seat belt light that's been flashing for 17 years and a quarter million miles that I'd like him to fix.

I'll let him know . . .

 

[Rastoff]

If he's ever driving through Chattanooga I've got a fasten seat belt light that's been flashing for 17 years and a quarter million miles that I'd like him to fix.

Of course you should always wear your seat belt, but have you ever tried one of these?

Seat Belt Buckle Alarm Stopper

These are great when you have something in the passenger seat and it's heavy enough that the seat thinks there's a person there.

Of course you could just short the two wires at the seat belt latch as well.

 

[Rastoff]

Well, I'd have to have my hillbilly mechanic bypass that sensor first.

Just bypass the sensor? Why didn't I think of that. I'll write the manufacturer and tell them that your hillbilly mechanic said they've added numerous useless sensors.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Just bypass the sensor? Why didn't I think of that. I'll write the manufacturer and tell them that your hillbilly mechanic said they've added numerous useless sensors.

There are a lot of them. It all started with the catalytic converter. Been downhill ever since . . .