Hello Everybody

Just called the local stealership to make my first appt to service the The King Ranch. I think I knew the answer before I even asked the question but I asked anyway. You see, I think when one spends a lot of jack for a vehicle with a $44,000 sticker price, it should include a certain (high) level of service. Not the case here. I would think that this level of vehicle should come with a loaner car when dropped off for service. No such luck. A courtesy van is all you get and even then only at a specific time of the day.

I don't think it's a whole lot to ask for, I know several of my co-workers with Lexus' and/or Acura's etc. which cost about the same or less and they have this luxury every time they visit service, it certainly eases the pain of being without your own vehicle for a day (or days).

What are my fellow forum members thoughts on this? Have any of you been treated with good service at the level of cash which we shell out for these KR's?

Regards,
Tom (TheKR)

 

I think it really depends on the dealership. My dealership up in Ohio where I ordered Tomas from are absolutely fantastic and always gave me a loaner car or if I didn't need the car would drive me home (which at the time was in Michigan about a 45 minute drive away)

Now here in Houston I don't get that level of service, but I do recieve a rental car and I have to pay the taxes, but that is better then nothing.

My suggestion is to shop around for a good dealership and use them exclusively. They will eventually get to know you and will start treating you better.

 

My dealer always gives me a loaner free of charge if I need it. the only thing I pay for is gas if I use much of it. I've been dealing with them for 15 years now tho. That always helps.

 

My stealership is pretty good about a loaner -- although, I've only utilized such a service twice. My sales guy has given me his demo both times I've been in there.

-RP-

 

I've only had a loaner one time out of the 4 times mine was at the dealership for warranty work. I believe it depends on who you deal with. I've ALWAYS been offered a ride back to the office, but had to beg for a loaner the time I needed (and got) one. For some reason, they laughed at me when I asked if I could "borrow" a F-350 KR Dually.

 

I have had rentals given to me before when I have had to leave my truck, but also there have been times when one is not available. Also you are simply taking it in for service, not a repair. When I have taken it in for service I never asked for one or was offered, I was offered a ride back to my house or work if I needed it. If you think about it let's say they have 10 cars in for service/repair....can you honestly expect a dealership to keep a fleet of cars just for those customers? Talk about overhead. They also wouldn't be able to keep just a few cars for loaners for those "special" few that bought above the X dollar amount. So someone with a F-150 XL asked for a loaner and be told I'm sorry you bought the cheap version you can walk. These are just my thoughts on it.

 

I was given a loaner car only when they repaired my sunroof for 4 days. However, my wife gets a loaner everytime she brings her Jeep Cherokee in for a simple oil change. And evev the oil changes are free of charge.

 

It's the dealer Tom. That's the key. It's a matter of personal style. They all pay roughly the same price to Ford to acquire the trucks. How they deal them out and support their customers is widely variable. My Ford dealer has been just terrific. On the very rare occasion when the truck has needed service, they have always put a car under me. Maybe it wasn't a King Ranch, but it always got me where I needed to be.
Personally, my approach is to discuss matters such as this with the dealer's representative at the time of negotaition, so that after the sale, when these matters arise, there are no surprises or misunderstandings.
My advice to you in this situation is to ask your dealer for clarification regarding their policy on loaner vehicles. I would suggest, for what it is woth, that your inquiries be made in a non-judgemental fashion, so that the dealer is not placed on the defensive. If their policy does not meet with your expectations, then tell them so, but tell them why as well. Explain to them that your situation may be a little different than generic, and that you may need a higher level of service than their garden variety. They may very well come back at that point and tell you that they were not aware of your situation and that they will try to help you any way they can.
You know the old business addage: Do right by a customer and he will tell five people, Do wrong and he will tell five hundred people!
I'm not a dealer, or an industry insider. I am a business man however. If I know a customer needs help, they're gonna' get that help. Just talk to your dealer and give the guy a chance to work it out with you.
Anyway, best of luck and congratulations on owning the nicest truck on the road!

 

Just call on a price for a new Mustang GT the day before taking in your truck for service and you will get a loaner everytime. Something about the perception of sales makes dealers much more accomidating.

 

I can get a loaner because I have been buying from them since the first year the dealership opened. But most people don't get a loaner.

 

Whether or not you get a loaner is solely dependent on your dealership. Ford says that you aren't obligated to get a loaner vehicle, it's in the paperwork you signed when you bought your truck. The only people who are pretty much guaranteed loaners by Ford are Lincoln and SVT owners. Loaners are also a very expensive proposition for most dealers, they cost a lot to insure and maintain, more than most people think. If you aren't satisfied with the level of service you're getting at your dealer, then by all means, let someone high up on the food chain know. Ultimately, you just might have to try another dealer until you find one that you like.

 

I concur with the previous comments that it all depends on your dealer. Historically I've never thought very highly of any of the multiple dealers I've dealt with over the years. However my current dealer where I purchased the KR back in May is great!

Typically I get a loaner (albeit a lowley Taurus) when dropping off for regular service if I make an appointment ahead of time. Although to be honest this is the first dealer where they actually manage to get an oil change done quick enough that waiting is not a problem.

Some of you may recall that I had a number of transmission issues that plagued the KR back in the fall as well as the rattling headliner issue. In all these warranty cases I was also given a loaner (I racked up about 15 days in that faithful Taurus just between Thanksgiving and Christmas). My dealership was also more than accomodating and worked with their Ford Rep to get me an extended 6/60Kmile Powertrain Warranty becasue of the transmission issues.

Of course the trick is finding a solid dealership to work with but suffice to say a good one can really help you overlook those problems that inevitably pop up.

 

My saga continues....

Thank you all for your input. The consensus is, and I do agree, that it's completely up to the individual dealer. Here in Jax Fl, there are 4 (off the top of my head) ford dealers. The one I bought it from is COMPLETELY on the other side of town. Bought it there 'cause they were the only one with a KR in stock that had the options I wanted. The dealer nearest me (Jacksonville is spread over a huge area) is where I dropped it off this morning. No hope of getting a loaner there, and I'm pretty sure it's the same at all the local Ford dealers. They did tell me if I had purchased an extended warranty and was experiencing a recurring problem, that a loaner MAY be offered. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, although, I'm still not qualified 'cause I didn't get the warranty at purchase time (and still wouldn't).

They did offer a ride though, ( ) and here's where I really had a laugh at the utter CHEAP-ness of autodealer ownership. The "ride" was in a totally abused-and-run-through-the-ringer, 4-year-old, STANK Windstar. We left the dealership and realized it needed gas...URGENTLY. So turned around and headed back so he could get the credit card for the ONE gas station they're allowed to use. Got back, he stepped out to get the card and LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING (can you sense the elevator stopping short of the top floor?). He returned, and we're off to the station. About a 1/4 mile from it, we were dead in the water and coasting in for a fill-er-up. Anyway, we made it and then headed off to drop me and another guy at work. OH YEAH, all this was on tires that sounded like they were about to EXPLODE!

The local Chevy/GMC dealers advertise that they offer loaners with service appt's. Hmmm... Not sure if I'd go that far.

I'm all about that! Unfortunately they're off on the wrong foot. We'll see how good the actual service comes out when I pick it up.

Funny! I should have done that too!

Once again, Thanks for taking the time to read my post(s)!

Regards,
Tom (TheKR)
Jax, FL

 

KR, for what its worth,I agree about the customer service and loaner policies. There are a lot of $40k+ Ford trucks out there, but the service is lumped in with the lower cost vehicles (Focus etc...) This is the same as what I've heard Vette owners say when they are have to wait behind a Cobalt at the service senter. This is NOT a slam on Cobalt/Focus owners at all..... I wish there was some some of middle ground where the higher priced vehicles got special perks, like the Scura, Lexus delaers mentioned above.....

 

service at ford dealers ranges from bad to not worth a *****. the one i bought my current truck from is the best i have found so far but they have a lot to be desired. the one i bought my 04 from is renowned for lousy service. only reason i bought the truck there was i liked the truck and the price i got. but now even that would not get me to go to them. i had a problem and the truck was not driveable, only limpable. i called and they told me they could squeeze me in 2 weeks from then. i called the service manager and yelled he agreed that if i got it there right away then he could get it in. i did went to work and at the end of the day went to pick it up and it was in the same parking spot. never touched it. i dont know if the dealer name can be mentioned but the location is rt 9 south in old bridge nj. its really not an oasis but a mud puddle on the side of the road.