Capped Service Pricing!

[bionicxr6t05]

A dealership is never going to win the price battle in servicing. Performance workshops and general mechanical shops dont have the same overeads we do like training 10 apprentices and putting techs through years of master tech training. Warranty and all the other crap we simply cannot afford to compete in price. Which is why customer service and after sales/warranty support has to be spot on. Some dealers fail dismally in these areas.

Great example, customer had lower arms replaced (turbo terry) under the r1101 recall 18 months ago (parts warranty is 12 months 20000ks) the ball joints failed. We covered the cost of parts and labour completely. Customer = happy.

[tab]

Dealers do cop a lot of undeserved grief. I myself have had a few troubles but that was mostly isolated to one particular dealership, have had far less drama with the current dealer than I have with any other business out there.

Recently any issues have been either been delays in approving warranty repairs due to Ford's procedures or down to the attitude of one particular staff member. For the later I made a complaint and received freebies and discounts to apologise, and the f'wit is no longer there so all is well.

Would happily use a reputable workshop for servicing but finding one of those that is easily accessible is much harder than finding a decent dealer.

And fatz, I think you have unrealistic expectations to be honest. Most workshops like to have the vehicle for an entire day and probably more so when you're getting capped price servicing, better to do that than have you waiting there for hours and potentially being stuffed around if there are delays.

[fatz_f6_typhoon]

Yes you are correct there tab a Lil over zealous but still being new to this whole thing

That's why I ask to see what other people's views are

[PookeyMaster]

is that with synthetic oil or mineral?

Does it include checking the turbo bolts?

Does it cover coolant and brake fluid when they are required?

Is that a fixed price for every service whether or not the air filter, fuel filter require replacement?

Like like to know how the others operate

That was with synthetic oil, they did check the turbo bolts (mentioned during the brief on what they'd done, anything wrong, etc), topped up the windscreen washer (not that it costs anything but it surprised me that they checked). I did mine at 7,500km with the dealer and asked them to replace the air filter at the 15,000 service and when it came time to pay, they said not to worry about the air filter cost (it was cheap anyway from memory).

And of course I got the attempted up sell to the 'Gold Service' with injector cleaning along with a few other things, the normal rubbish. I said "if it needs doing then why didn't Ford include it in the standard service schedule" and they stopped the charade then.

They also offer to wash the car, its just a basic hand wash, but for the non-motoring enthusiast people it's a bonus that they probably like.

Dealers do cop a lot of undeserved grief. I myself have had a few troubles but that was mostly isolated to one particular dealership, have had far less drama with the current dealer than I have with any other business out there.

Recently any issues have been either been delays in approving warranty repairs due to Ford's procedures or down to the attitude of one particular staff member. For the later I made a complaint and received freebies and discounts to apologise, and the f'wit is no longer there so all is well.

Would happily use a reputable workshop for servicing but finding one of those that is easily accessible is much harder than finding a decent dealer.

And fatz, I think you have unrealistic expectations to be honest. Most workshops like to have the vehicle for an entire day and probably more so when you're getting capped price servicing, better to do that than have you waiting there for hours and potentially being stuffed around if there are delays.

[Pazzo]

David nutter also offer a courtesy car.... They said I needed rear tyres in which I do, but told them not to worry as get them cheap elsewhere.. Guys did not try the hard sell, they said fine no probs

Guys at New Oak Ford are a bunch of Khunts!!!

Edited 22/03/13 04:05 AM by Pazzo XR6T

[Spinning]

Pazzo - Are you allowed to say why the service guys at New Oak Ford are _ _ _ ts ?

[Pazzo]

Why spinning you work there? Not so much the work but the 2 blokes at the service desk.

[Spinning]

Pazzo - no I don't work there . However, I was considering allowing them to do the Ford service , but from the feedback I've read , I may take it to Pit Lane or ??? . I was interested to know what sort of experience you've had at New Oak . I understand that the a experience with the sales team - be good or bad, may not be duplicated by the experience had with the service team .

I had that experience with Etheridge Ford - excellent service experience - yet very sad sales experience . I was pleased to read above that David Nutter in Berwick offer good service - I had found them especially good in the sales - and it was so close in deciding whether to go with them on a new car or stay with New Oak - who really did move almost Oakleigh to get the deal done !! I could n't walk away after that effort!!

So - now , I need to decided whether the car goes back to New Oak or else where. Any feedback would be most welcomed .

[Pazzo]

If you want a Ford dealer to do it, either David Nutter or Freeway Ford...it Pitlane might be the go.

Edited 04/04/13 07:54 PM by Pazzo XR6T

[bunna]

After trying a few I'm very pleased to say Pitlane get my business.

With my 08 XR6T

3k @ Knox Ford (didn't have an issue with them but not much done and at no cost so hard to tell)

15k @ Nizpro (got the feeling they thought they had enough customers, also it cost over $400)

30k @ David Nutter (knew the service manager after recognising his name after a customer complaint came through to us in the factory, small world. Good service)

Around 45k and on to 90k at Pitlane, including mods. (The Pitlane experience is well documented. Be sure to allow a few hours for chatting with the guys/petting...the dogs)

With my F6

3k didn't bother (#causebullsh*t)

15k @ Central Ford (I bought it there and I thought it was close enough to work (Ford) to get it there and still go to work, nice group but too far away really. Much better than the alternative for Ford employees - Bayford - shudder)

30k due now - will be booking @ Pitlane

My family/friends have had terrible experiences with the following (admittedly going back up to 20 years but I've heard recent stories to suggest nothing has changed)

Coffee Ford

New Oak Ford (left a heap of bolts loose (including the sump plug) after the 3k peace of mind inspection on a mates FG, luckily he had a mech friend look at it the next day)

Etheridge

Bayford (lol - either one, both are terrible)