30,000km Service.

[Guest memphis]

mcinerntys are ususally quite good, I got my service done for $440 but that included 2 new front brake pads.

[Guest ASH225]

Hey Houndie,

I get my servicing done at Peter Warren Smithfield. They bring your car into a showroom and go through any issues you have with the car before you leave. An estimate is given for non warranty jobs and detailed explanations are given for the work they carry out.

They do completely check the car for warranty issues and repair or re-work as required. The car is then road tested and made sure it is good to go before you pick it up.

If a problem is found during the time they have it, you get a courtesy call to let you know if there will be a delay. I had this happen last week due to my instrument cluster having to be replaced and parts to be shipped up from Melbourne. The diff also needed some work that I did not ask them about but apparently it was leaking, so out it came to be re-sealed. All this was explained so I gave the go ahead to keep the car over night.

The extra time they spend identifying these problems and rectifying them does cost money, and it is good to see that the dealer is prepared to put the customer first and not the directors pocket.

They may not be the cheapest, but the service is excellent.....A big thumbs up!

Hope this helps.

[markxr6t]

Well - I got my response.

Apparently they specifically ordered in Magnatec because my windscreen sticker said I used it. 1 unit was 5 litres, so 2 units was 10 litres. The reply email informed me that there was 3 litres of Magnatec in my boot (and there was). Nobody could tell me any of this when I picked the car up.

Here's a couple of the more interesting quotes from the reply email:

"Thankyou for the e-mail, your feed back is important to us ."

"Our Labour Rate per hour is at $80.90 plus GST, one off the cheapest within the Ford dealer network"

"With regards to the charges incurred for adjusting the handbrake, charges will only be accepted by Ford if a failure or malfunction had occurred, otherwise adjustments are considered maintenance."

"In closing I found the invoice to be costed correctly with the exception of the misunderstanding with the pyroil additives.

I hope this explanation clarifies the issues you have raised.

Please be assured that you are a valued customer of McInerney Ford and we do strive to provide you with Premium Service."

So there we go. I got done.

I just replied (and provided a link to this thread) saying that I feel like I've paid the highest price ever for a 30000km service.

Next time - I'll get quotes beforehand and specify that other than service items, they only touch warranty items.

Thanks for your replies (and the constant reminder of how badly I've been toasted - and yes Hypnodoc - McInerney Ford it is)

Mark

[cikas]

Typical Ford Response..

Those guys are useless sometimes...

Ahh well mark at least you now know where not to take your car ..

cikas

[Kato]

Coming up for my 30K service, best price $240, worst price $348 and nothing but hand book service requirements. Bloody unreal that there could be such a difference for exactly the same work? And have been told that brake fluid should also be flushed and renewed at 30k CHA CHING there goes another $45 :nugget: Just about had a gut full of ridiculous dealership service costs, is there anything that they can really do better than a good local mechanic who'll do it for a third of the cost maybe there is don't know

Edited 20/04/05 12:03 PM by Kato

[Guest ASH225]

They also say that an injector service is required...another $90 or so. What gets me is how to justify $130 to swing a tension wrench off the exhaust manifold bolts. That is what Parramatta ford wanted... Smithfield told me injectors are fine and to wait till next service...also the manifold retension is a standard no charge service procedure.

Just be careful guys!!!!!!!!

[RK2707]

If you're in Sydney and live in the Shire DON'T go to Dominelli Ford. Expensive, poor service and generally useless.

Theres my 2 cents worth !

Rob

[Guest ASH225]

Noted RK

[Lightning]

  markxr6t said:

Next time - I'll get quotes beforehand and specify that other than service items, they only touch warranty items.

Thanks for your replies (and the constant reminder of how badly I've been toasted - and yes Hypnodoc - McInerney Ford it is)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mark, don't give up. Don't accept the handbrake charge. The 2nd last time I took my T in, after listing all the items that needed attention (including squealing handbrake) I was asked ".. and how will Sir be paying for this?". I replied to the effect that "Sir wasn't expecting to be paying as they were in my opinion all faults and rectifiable under warranty". End of story. The handbrake was 'adjusted' for the 3rd time (and it still bloody squeaks) under warranty. If they tried to charge me, I wouldn't leave the dealership.

When I collect my car yesterday after complaining of an apparent coolant leak and other low fluids, I paid $50 and they'd replaced the radiator, an O-ring, added coolant, cleaned up under the bonnet and all under warranty. I paid for an oil top-up (they're performing an oil consumption test) and brake fluid. I was happy.

As you have stated, you got screwed, but you don't have to accept it. Contact the Service Manager and tell him or her that you're still not happy. Tell him what would make you happy and ask him if he can assist in making you happy and therefore a repeat customer. If that doesn't work, ask for the Dealer Principal. Did you purchase the vehicle from them? If so, added weight.

I am a nice guy, easy going and usually get railroaded by this sort of thing, but I'm a quiet bas*ard these days when it comes to vehicle services Oh, and I always ask roughly how much it will cost when I drop it off.

Cheers,

Lightning....

[markxr6t]

Yeah thanks Lightning. I actually addressed my email to the General Manager and Operations Manager (the Service Manager's Boss). The Operations Manager replied. I think they're quite happy to risk losing me as a customer as opposed to satisfy me.

They've got a diff and axle on order under warranty so I will be seeing them again soon. In my email I said I would happily take reimbursement or credit (so they can rip me off again) for my next service of $200 as I always like to offer the solution which will make me happy. But to no avail.

What have I learnt?

1. If you really want the Ford Dealer stamp in your log book, supply your own oil, get quotes and demand they stick to it.

2. Instruct them to only fix or maintain warranty items (ie no cost). Under no circumstance are they to touch or charge extra for anything without your permission.

3. If things need fixing, go to your trusted local mechanic where you can talk to the guy who does the work.

Given I've paid double what everyone else has, its a $200 lesson - but that's a cheap lesson for the caution I'll now show for all future dealer servicing.

Mark