Ford Service sucks
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Pearland Texas
My experience with the dealership (Sugar land TX) Has been very good, every time I took it in with no appointment. Like a small engine miss, they took it in right away, gave me a car, had it fix the next day, (replaced coil packs). Then there was the time when I blew the plug; they replaced the head, no issues. Now the warranty is over, so I doubt I will take it in. (High Prices) However the mechanic was an old head (55 +) this guy took a ride with me so I could duplicate my noisy rotor, Scared the Hel* out of him, and found out, it was only my ABS activating… Anyway I think southern folks are friendlier
Anyway, I might have slammed the door on my way out too, if I had been treated as such…
Money is hard to come by, and when you invest a small fortune on a vehicle and it do’s not work just right, tension is the first emotion, then anger.. Therefore, the dealership needs to be educated on how to treat us SVT folks!!
Anyway, I might have slammed the door on my way out too, if I had been treated as such…
Money is hard to come by, and when you invest a small fortune on a vehicle and it do’s not work just right, tension is the first emotion, then anger.. Therefore, the dealership needs to be educated on how to treat us SVT folks!!
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 0
From: NY
Well I have to believe from my experience that ALL I mean ALL Ford dealerships in NY suck(Well at least 6 of them). Of coarse I am speaking from experience. I feel that I am a self proclaimed mechanic (force to become one at gun point from Ford) and I am 100% more competent than any mechanic at Ford.
My first experience with this truck took 8 (that is right I said 8) trips to get the problem fixed (3 dealerships, 8 trips) the 1st week I had the truck(6 to the top SVT dealer in NY). This was for a simple leaky windshield. They claimed EVERY TIME that they gave it back to me it was fixed 100%, once it rained my left leg would be soaked and so would the headliner. I finally gave up and had my mechanic remove the windshield and reseal it. Fixed 100% and not by Ford.
Since then I have not gone to them for anything, The way I figure if they could not fix a leaky windshield how the hell are they going to fix a head gasket? I rather figure it out on my own. I simple went to the dealer today because it is 1/2 mile from my job and AutoZone is a little bit of a drive. I thought they would be able to accommodate me for such a simple request just for plain good customer service, I guess I was wrong.
My first experience with this truck took 8 (that is right I said 8) trips to get the problem fixed (3 dealerships, 8 trips) the 1st week I had the truck(6 to the top SVT dealer in NY). This was for a simple leaky windshield. They claimed EVERY TIME that they gave it back to me it was fixed 100%, once it rained my left leg would be soaked and so would the headliner. I finally gave up and had my mechanic remove the windshield and reseal it. Fixed 100% and not by Ford.
Since then I have not gone to them for anything, The way I figure if they could not fix a leaky windshield how the hell are they going to fix a head gasket? I rather figure it out on my own. I simple went to the dealer today because it is 1/2 mile from my job and AutoZone is a little bit of a drive. I thought they would be able to accommodate me for such a simple request just for plain good customer service, I guess I was wrong.
Last edited by halflife; Mar 29, 2004 at 04:49 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
After quite a few bad experiences with the dealership I bought mine from, I will not go back there for anything. Theres plenty of placed to buy Ford parts online...and the service department, I think their class on customer service was cut a little to short...
The first day I bought my truck (on my b-day last year), the alternator went out. I managed to get it back to the dealership and told them exactly what happened (wouldnt start just loud clicking...jumped off with a battery charger, then on the way back to the dealership the doors locked and unlocked, radio turned on and off and ac didnt work at low RPM's...pretty obvious its a charging problem). The service manager still insisted on charging my battery for 3 hours! (still on my b-day and what was a great day because I just bought my dream turck!!!), then he comes out after the 3 hours and says "Welllllll, I think that your alternator might be bad."
"Really" I said, "Isn't that what I said 3 hours ago?"
Long story short, they gave me a 2 yeard old RS mustang to drive because they didnt have an alternator. Spend 30,000 on a truck, get a 14,000 trade down that day!!!
ok, vent over....ahhhhhh
-dennis
The first day I bought my truck (on my b-day last year), the alternator went out. I managed to get it back to the dealership and told them exactly what happened (wouldnt start just loud clicking...jumped off with a battery charger, then on the way back to the dealership the doors locked and unlocked, radio turned on and off and ac didnt work at low RPM's...pretty obvious its a charging problem). The service manager still insisted on charging my battery for 3 hours! (still on my b-day and what was a great day because I just bought my dream turck!!!), then he comes out after the 3 hours and says "Welllllll, I think that your alternator might be bad."
"Really" I said, "Isn't that what I said 3 hours ago?"
Long story short, they gave me a 2 yeard old RS mustang to drive because they didnt have an alternator. Spend 30,000 on a truck, get a 14,000 trade down that day!!!
ok, vent over....ahhhhhh
-dennis
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: New Hampton, N.Y.
WOE WOE WOE!!! Easy on HALFLIFE guys. He`s a nice easy going guy. Sometimes these service manager guys talk to you like you know nothing when infact you might know more.
Hey HALFLIFE! Auto-Zone not only scans for free, they sell the scan tool itself for over a hundred bucks. It even erases the codes too. It`s that little orarge gameboy looking thing.
Hey HALFLIFE! Auto-Zone not only scans for free, they sell the scan tool itself for over a hundred bucks. It even erases the codes too. It`s that little orarge gameboy looking thing.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Re: Ford Service sucks
Originally posted by halflife
Just went to 2 dealerships to get my truck scanned to read the SES code.
Dealership # 1: 7 lifts only 2 cars a lifts, 8 mechanics jerking off in the corner. "Sorry you need to make an appointment, we are too busy today" Me: I buy all my parts from here and you are too busy to send someone out to my car and scan it for 2 seconds. "Yes". So I slam the door exiting the parts department, break the window, and the manager chases me out to pay for the window and gets a nice chunck of rubber from my rear tires in his face.
Dealership #2: "usually you need to make and appointment in advance, bring the car and leave it and by the end of the day we will scan it and let you know what is wrong" YOu got to be kidding me?? " Well we are not busy today so we can do it, but you are going to have to wait around for a few hours.
30 second job, 3 miles of red tape, and I still have to go to auto zone to get my truck scanned. So glad I paid the 2k for the extended warranty.
Just went to 2 dealerships to get my truck scanned to read the SES code.
Dealership # 1: 7 lifts only 2 cars a lifts, 8 mechanics jerking off in the corner. "Sorry you need to make an appointment, we are too busy today" Me: I buy all my parts from here and you are too busy to send someone out to my car and scan it for 2 seconds. "Yes". So I slam the door exiting the parts department, break the window, and the manager chases me out to pay for the window and gets a nice chunck of rubber from my rear tires in his face.
Dealership #2: "usually you need to make and appointment in advance, bring the car and leave it and by the end of the day we will scan it and let you know what is wrong" YOu got to be kidding me?? " Well we are not busy today so we can do it, but you are going to have to wait around for a few hours.
30 second job, 3 miles of red tape, and I still have to go to auto zone to get my truck scanned. So glad I paid the 2k for the extended warranty.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,081
Likes: 0
From: Dyer, IN
Re: Ford Service sucks
Originally posted by halflife
So I slam the door exiting the parts department, break the window, and the manager chases me out to pay for the window and gets a nice chunck of rubber from my rear tires in his face.
So I slam the door exiting the parts department, break the window, and the manager chases me out to pay for the window and gets a nice chunck of rubber from my rear tires in his face.
Thats sum funny chit right there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,519
Likes: 0
From: Greater Boston
wow
I can be an ******* with the best of them, but if you slammed the door of my shop and broke the window, i guarentee the seats of your truck would be wet the next morning if it was raining that night.
Good move beause they were just looking to get you to come down so they can get your for breaking their window. Probably had the cops waiting. 
You have to remember something, how many people walk into a dealer a day and just need them to do something small.......it adds up all day long and nothing gets accomplished. 30 seconds of their time................... ok. They are working on a car, chances are they are dirty so they have to get cleaned up. Go over to your truck, pull the code, then you are gonna ask what's wrong and they are gonna explain it to you. Then he's gonna tell you to go set up an appointment. Someone isn't at the counter so now the tech is chasing him down. Now he has to go back to his project and start again........quick way to kill 20 minutes@$55-85 an hour depending on where you live. Think about it, I deal with it every day.
I just got a call from the head manager at the dealership, he apologized to me. The parts manager was there(guy I buy all my parts from) and witnessed the whole thing and told him the story. He said the service manager was out of line, had an attitude, and was not helpful at all. He was very apologetic and even admitted that the parts manager wanted to choke him for dealing with me like that. The parts manager was very pissed because I priced out a 03 block and crank from him just last week. He offered me to come down immediately for the scan and even a free oil change. I was shocked by the call. I told him thanks for that apology but I am going to take my business elsewhere.
You have to remember something, how many people walk into a dealer a day and just need them to do something small.......it adds up all day long and nothing gets accomplished. 30 seconds of their time................... ok. They are working on a car, chances are they are dirty so they have to get cleaned up. Go over to your truck, pull the code, then you are gonna ask what's wrong and they are gonna explain it to you. Then he's gonna tell you to go set up an appointment. Someone isn't at the counter so now the tech is chasing him down. Now he has to go back to his project and start again........quick way to kill 20 minutes@$55-85 an hour depending on where you live. Think about it, I deal with it every day.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 0
From: NH
I just know that every time I ever need to take any of the vehicles I owned to the dealer I always find out who the tech is and give him $20 to be “extra nice” with my vehicle. It’s a win-win situation…
Now, when I had my 01 and had to have the head replaced under warranty I gave the guy $40 to make sure it stayed nice and scratch free. Couldn’t even tell anybody had worked on it.
I know some people may think “why give the tech money, don’t he/she make good money?” They might, but from the reading I have done they usually get screwed on warranty work for the time allowed. Giving them a few extra bucks helps make up for Ford screwing them and in turn (I hope, and has been so far) they don’t rush the job…
Now, when I had my 01 and had to have the head replaced under warranty I gave the guy $40 to make sure it stayed nice and scratch free. Couldn’t even tell anybody had worked on it.
I know some people may think “why give the tech money, don’t he/she make good money?” They might, but from the reading I have done they usually get screwed on warranty work for the time allowed. Giving them a few extra bucks helps make up for Ford screwing them and in turn (I hope, and has been so far) they don’t rush the job…
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: At the Gas Pump!
So I slam the door exiting the parts department, break the window, and the manager chases me out to pay for the window and gets a nice chunck of rubber from my rear tires in his face.
Seriously, Ford service sucks unless you know someone. It's pretty sad when a Chebbie owner can hit their On-star button to diagnose a SES light, and a Ford owner has to sit around for hours just to find out what's going on. Ford's effort with the 'Blue Oval' crap was just lip service. Every time I've had my SVT product in for overnight service, I've had to negotiate to get a POS loaner. They've never washed or vacuumed any of my vehicles, but they've managed to scratch them, grease them, and leave a lingering burning oil smell that takes weeks to dispel. I've dealt with numerous service depts over the years (lost count after 20) and only 2 have given me service that met my expectations.
My general opinion is that Ford has a lot of good techs wearing the blue oval, but Ford's policies and the goons in charge somehow manage to always throw sand in the oil. Warranty work gets the lowest paid tech, the least amount of diagnosis, and a minimal amount of customer service. Ford has some serious problems to work out between the corporation and their dealer service departments concerning compensation for warranty work. Unfortunately the customer is the one getting caught in the middle.
Halflife's experience is just another example of a service dept focused on their bottom line rather than the customer.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
just got back from the dealer today to fix a misfire. i knew a coil pack was going bad, but which? when i asked them to scan it, he said it would cost $120 to do a 'complete analysis' on it. ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!
to make a long story short, i payed my deductible on the ext'd service plan i bought with it. they called and asked if i wanted to have my throttle body cleaned for $100 extra. talk about addin' on the options. told the guy no thanks, i'll just look it up on the website and keep my $100.
to make a long story short, i payed my deductible on the ext'd service plan i bought with it. they called and asked if i wanted to have my throttle body cleaned for $100 extra. talk about addin' on the options. told the guy no thanks, i'll just look it up on the website and keep my $100.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Cookeville, TN
Originally posted by halflife
I hear what you are saying but I really think everyone on this board would have done it. With 7 mechanics sitting around doing nothing, a dealership where the parts department knows me on a first name basis, would have done something for me. The window breaking was a pure accident, but I did take pleasure in it. There was a little more detail than what I included in the post and re reading it it does make me look bad(even a mechanic that said he was free and could do it standing right next too me, and the manager still said no--that is why I slammed the door) , but they started it.
I hear what you are saying but I really think everyone on this board would have done it. With 7 mechanics sitting around doing nothing, a dealership where the parts department knows me on a first name basis, would have done something for me. The window breaking was a pure accident, but I did take pleasure in it. There was a little more detail than what I included in the post and re reading it it does make me look bad(even a mechanic that said he was free and could do it standing right next too me, and the manager still said no--that is why I slammed the door) , but they started it.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,519
Likes: 0
From: Greater Boston
haha
the incompetent ford tech in the post above me spreads a large wealth of info to all of us, and for that, i'm gratefull.
Not to mention his super sick truck that his 100% incompetent *** put together himself
Not to mention his super sick truck that his 100% incompetent *** put together himself
