Add me to the bad dealership exerience. I had an awesome buying experience, but service has been a nightmare. I have experienced everything from a 2 week wait to even be seen, to having some service done that was in fact, not done. I had their lead mechanic tell me "it is flat out impossible for the spark plugs to loosen in an S2000", a day later I received the "product update" postcard in the mail.

I have always presented myself professionally and politely, but I think they see that as a sign of weakness, someone to take advantage of. I have tried the suck up route and have taken a dozen donuts for the service techs. I will never go back to that dealer again, and they are one of the largest Honda dealers on the east coast. Their service bay is huge and state-of-the-art. Too bad their mechanics and servoce personnel do not match.

 

I think both Allkingz and Secret AP1 have valid points.

Allingz suggests that how the customer interacts with the people at the dealership has an effect on the service the customer gets. Whether you like it or not, this is true. Without question a pleasant customer will have an easier time getting service then a customer who comes in with an attitude. A customer who approaches the sales manager and the service people with the same level of respect that the customer expects to to be treated with will have a better experience. This is true in all business' not only the auto business. It is especially true in business' where there is a great amount of interaction with the general public.

Secret AP1 suggests that this is not how it should be, but rather a professional service organization should treat all customers, both happy and disgruntled, the same. Perhaps in an ideal world and in theory this is true. It certainly is a very appealing idea and goal. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Like it or not, "action reaction" still has a great deal to do with the customers experience at the dealership. "Professional service organization" not withstanding, you are still dealing with human beings.

 

Same here. My 17 year experience with Valley Motor Honda in Sheridan, Wyoming has been perfect. Last week, I took my '93 Prelude in for its 60,000 mile check up, oil change, etc. They even replaced my driver's seatbelt FOR FREE UNDER WARRANTY on this almost eleven year old car. They felt the retractor spring had lost too much of its strength.

I feel pampered.

 

Plenty of crappy BMW service departments as well...

It seems like most Honda dealerships have their service departments up to speed on S2000's. In the early days, it was truly a roll of the dice wether the dealer had a clue.

 

How about a dealership that gives you back 1/2 quart of oil, puts it in the trunk and the lid is not on!
Same dealership put a door ding on the edge of my door where it is hard to get to for paintless repair.
The next time in I complain about the ding and the guy who puts the plastic over the seats takes a rag and rubs waterspots on my paint looking for flaws...By the time I got to him he had done extensive damage to my custom paint job. Scratched the hell out of it!!! They are a bunch of F****** MORONS. And this is the best shop for hundreds of miles!!!

I am afraid to take it back in..............

 

I bought a brand new 1967 fastback Mustang that had a flaw in the number one piston when it was cast. It was using a quart of oil every 200 miles. Since I'm basically an easy going person and the Ford dealership was within walking distance of my house, taking it in numerous times wasn't a big deal. The dealer didn't want to tear the engine down unless they had to, so they were trying the simple things first. They eventually repaired the engine, but I had made so many visits, when I would come in the Service Manager would just tell me to drive it into a service bay and he would take a mechanic off another car and work on mine. Sometimes there may be 10 to 15 people in line ahead of me and he would do the same thing.

One evening (they stayed open until 1AM) I saw a co-worker come in for service and he was very upset and cussing the Service Manager out. When I talked to him the next day at work, I found out that this was his first visit and he gave the Service Manager nothing but trouble from the time he walked through the door until he left, un-repaired. I feel that you will get much better service if you treat the service people in the manner that you wish to be treated.

Bob

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry WY Silver/Black '01
[B]

Same here.

 

what can i say? its a HONDA!!!!