PowerFord , Sad Dissapointed Disstasteful - Never Again!

[FlaminFiesta]

Geez Where do i start, its like i was some one never wanted me to buy this car, if you wanna get angry read this , if u want to get frustrated read this, if you want to laugh at me read this as well i guess..

well it all started when i saw the Fiesta and said WOW i want it. So i did some ringing around to get some prices and stuff. And I thought ahh lets go for a test drive at my local car dealer, PowerFord in castle hill so i drove down and was looking at the car and asked a sales man (yes i approached him) and talked about the car with him but he didnt want a bar of me, well i guessed he was busy and i thought ill call up and book an appointment.

so home i went called up and tried to organise a test drive, but i was told NO, i wasnt allowed to have a test drive as i wasnt a serious buyer and had the phone hung up on me,, Literally he Hung up on me ! ? WTF i said, so i rang bankstown and they guy was great and gave me agreat price but i spoke to dad and told him about what happened and said ill go with Bankstown ford (about 1 hour drive from me), and he said that would be bad because if i needed to get it serviced or had issues it would be abit of a drive and try the PowerFord people again and see what would happen..

so i call back really really wanting this car cause i fell in love with it and i got hung up on, and now i didnt know if this guy was a redneck not liking me based on race, whether he was d..head, Ageist or having a bad month.. but i had enough so i talked to the dealer principle who apolgised to me and said sorry and i could come in take it for a drive and get the car..

so i walk in, they kept me waiting 30 mins mind u, and the sales manager walks out, and says lets get the paperwork sorted and hassles me into going into the room and stating i cant testdrive it as its outside of business hours (by 5 minuts) i had enough, i had a job starting in 2 weeks and needed a new car to do the travelling so i organised the cash, did the paper work and was told the Fiesta, actually was GUARANTEED i would get it in 1 week and no more,..

wait wait lets stick to the sales manager, he also stated that i would have to pay extra (after i signed the paper work) for the floor mats, and that he was making $90 on the car and showed me a value on the screen. now heres the bad bit that was a ID not a profit field (i work in IT as a analyst) , like who the f..k is he think hes talking to ?

anway a week went bye and i didnt hear from them and they had my money but no car, so i rang repeadetly asking whats the go ? not once did they return my call, so i called the principle again an he said oh yes it arrived the other day, but we need to work on it, and will get the service people to call me.. guess what no call

finally i get a call , they state it will take another week before i get the car so what do i do now, jobs starting soon, 1.5 weeks later and no car ? so i had to borrow my brothers car luckily and used that for the extra days... oh dont worry there was no rush by powerford to ensure i wasnt stuffed around any more.;.

they got the registration wrong, they got the wrong coloured plates and they even didnt have my name spelt right...

i drove away with the car, for the first time.. and i fell in love with it and thought i knew it was worth it, it was the best car i have drive so fun and thought yeah it was worth it to get my baby oh and it was.. so glad i persisted with incompetence..

but the story continues, i book it in to get it serviced at 12000kms (normally @ 15 i did it early), and they trashed my car inside, grubby marks everywhere and they didnt even adjust the brakes like i paid the $240 to get done !!

and then just now i booked it in to the the Upgrade of software and also the drivers side window was making a noise and asked them to fix it.. GUESS WHAT ?

They left the car messy as again, and the BROKE my drivers side window yes it got worse not better ... the window scratches when u put the window up and down, it clicks and shudders and sounds like something out of a 1980 Honda Civic .. oh yeah they stated that it was "tested" and all working, on my reciept.. BS! i drove out of the drive way as they closed the gates and it wasnt working !! f me dead.. is one way to put it..

so i have to take some time off work AGAIN to drop it in to get it fixed, but no "sorry". no "it will never happen again" // I EVEN asked the manager "if i drop this in will i have to come back" answer " i cant give you a yes " do they know they are incompetent.. ? i think soo.. and Ford's Response, we can lodge a complaint with the dealer manager but there is no code of conduct, and they cant do anything. Fair enough Ford cant enforce knowledge on a group of half wits..

so monday i go to power ford and i pray that they fix it properly, i cant afford any more time off during the busiest time of the company (oh yeah i asked if they could stay back or open 10 mins earlier so i dont have to take time off. they said NO)...


its like i cant win, im just so saddened by the experience i had, i should have got it from bankstown // lessons learned i guess.. once they have ur $$ they dont care...they dont understand im a customer not someone that is there to be stuffed around.. or taken for granted..

great car, love it lol ill tell you how i go on monday

just a warning guys and gals, take it or not please please think lots of dealers around, dont let the emotions get the best of u like i did

cheers

flaminfiesta..

[Kryton]

just because you bought it there, doesnt mean you have to service it there. if you arent happy with them, then take the hour long drive to the other dealer.
honestly i dont know why you went back after they hung up on you twice. did you really think they would get better if you gave them money.
write out an official complaint as well and send it to head office. outline everything in detail they have done wrong and also their rudeness towards you.
hopefully they can pick up their game a little.

[FlaminFiesta]

hey davway


yeah ur right shouldnt have given them a second chance, but the principle was apologetic and said sorry so i thought okay, needed a car and thought it cant get any worse...

the only reason i took it back because i thought..simple software upgrade, noisy window what could go wrong,, dont worry im headin to another dealer from now on.

sent a letter off and was told by Ford CR they cant do anything...

live and learn i guess, thought i would do the learning for some of the ppl here ;)

[HLC]

go to Brad Garlick Ford at Top Ryde.

[FlaminFiesta]

oh yeah the complimentary Ford key ring they gave me fell apart the second day ...

Originally Posted by FlaminFiesta

oh yeah the complimentary Ford key ring they gave me fell apart the second day ...

Mine did too.

Then again, my whole ing car died right about the 2 month mark.

In the time it was there

-Sikaflexed the seatbelt cover back in
- Scuffed my front bar
- 3 inch scratch on front guard
- Returned car with rubber under guards
- Claimed that it leaking brake fluid was normal
- Claimed the 3L of oil leaking out of the sump bolts was normal
- Never fixed anything properly
- Stained my roof with greasy oily handprints.
- Gave me a VT commodore that died and left me on a steep gradient with no vacuum assist, hellooo handbrake
- Rocked up in their shiney XR8 to replace VT Commo's ed battery and start it again, without a spanner

Don't bother with Steve McLaughlan, he's a ing ********. He won't do anything about it. When I went through all the with my car, he said "What do you want me to do about it, take it up with Ford" and hung up on me.

Ring Ford CR. Tell them It's not acceptable, you've written to the MTA, the NRMA, The papers and anyone else who will listen. Actively tell your mates not to buy from power ford.

They're a bunch of wits there.
Moved to winford, Much better service.

[xurbanx]

wow thats some dodgey dealer -.=;;
even coffey ford puts a plastic covering on the seat and floormat when they get in o.O;;

[Danny]

Its disgusting the way some dealers treat you...... Dont they understand that if they do a good job you'll come back and back when you need cars??????

[Bucknaked]

Talk to Ratt, he seems to be one of the few dealers on the planet who will put right what other dealers won't. If I was you, i'd start getting my car serviced at Peter Warren Smithfield. No idea how far that is from you, but from what i hear, they are tops at what they do and the customer comes first. Get everything fixed under warranty while its covered.

[drcook]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

If I was you, i'd start getting my car serviced at Peter Warren Smithfield. .

your joking.

i went to peter warren for a warranty claim on my rear tailshaft (clunking) and rattling exhaust.
they didnt fix the clunk, didnt fix my exhaust rattle and overtightened my handbrake to the extent that when i got home there was smoke coming from the rear brakes.
had to get peter warren to send a flatbed tow truck to my house the next morning to pick the car up, apon re-inspection they realised what they did, said the diff will get fixed and the exhaust and they will now fix this too.
To their credit they did (on the second go) fix the diff & exhaust and they said the handbrake was now fixed. I said to them "do not let the monkey who 'fixed' my car yesterday touch my car again" and they replied "we have our most senior mechanic working on your car today".
So what happened, after i got my car back i had a mate (who used to be the service manager at winford) look at it. Verdict: handbrake overtightened, still rubbing (just not as bad) and the brake disks had been put on wrong which meant the adjustment hole to adjust the brakes didnt line up, so you couldn't adjust the brakes unless you took the disk off first (which is ******* hard when the handbrake mechanism is locked to the brake disk).

brilliant work. never been there since.

[Walkinshaw]

Sounds like this dealer shouldn't be selling piles of mud let alone cars. Unfortunatly this would not be the only dealer horror story arround. It pays to shop arround.

Good luck geting your problems sorted.

[Ride]

Sounds all too familiar with Ben Nurmi's BA wagon and the trouble he had with Castle Hill Ford. Might want to PM him since I think he said he found a decent dealer.

[FlaminFiesta]

hey thanks guys should have gone others as you say and will do in the future

umm yeah that castle hill ford is the power ford looks like im not the first one.. should have expected that hehe

aw well its like i just hope ppl learn from my experiences..

[Bluehoon]

I know the DP quite well...

This is most unusual, as i know people who drive across Sydney to have their sales experience.

I know numerous people, who couldn't be happier with them...

But there is always BOTH sides...

Heck I was 21, and went in there to get my car, an XR6T.
No fuss, no questions, 2nd visit, quote with over 4 grand discounted, and offered a test drive of a BRAND NEW CAR!!!! Not a demo, and brand spanker....

So age is not the issue.

I don't think they care as much about cutomers getting Fietsa / Focuses as they do the Falcons.... Sad, as they both affect each other really.

When it comes to the service department, sorry, you don't have patch on me with them.

Rob and Fernando couldn't organize a **** up in a brewary if god helped them!
Their parts manager is also a rumour mill.

Rob and Fernando have told numerous bull and i have caught them out

Their head mechanic doesn't know the difference beween transmission oil, and engine oil. I kid you not.

Ring CRC and abuse the crap out of them about power ford service.

Lodge a complaint to Ford (in writing), as they WILL act on it, and have to reply.

Lodge a complaint to Fair Trading (as this is within breach of fair trading acts).

If you have photos, send them in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Power ford are also MTA approved, so i would send a letter of disgust off to them whilst you are at it.

Start there and let me know how you go, want to more people to join, heck i know enough to make a class action against that service department.

They ballsed up 3 out of 5 of my transmissions, yes thats right, 5 autos i have had....

Next time it goes back, drag Steve (The Dp) down there to see the car, and take a photo of it when you drop it off, and make sure Power ford service area is in the back ground.....

Go for gullet and put their balls in a mincer.

Will make you feel better, and get the results.

Do it once, and they wont F&rk you round again.....
Shouldn't have to drive 1 hr to get a service......

Hope this helps

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by filthy_monkey

Heck I was 21, and went in there to get my car, an XR6T.No fuss, no questions, 2nd visit, quote with over 4 grand discounted, and offered a test drive of a BRAND NEW CAR!!!! Not a demo, and brand spanker....

I wouldn't say thats a positive. How would you like someone thrashing the crap out of your brand new car before taking delivery.

[Bluehoon]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

I wouldn't say thats a positive. How would you like someone thrashing the crap out of your brand new car before taking delivery.

Who said anyting about giving it a bootfull??? :

They didn't let me take it over 3 grand, and i sat on the speed limit!!!!
That was enough for me to fall in love with it...

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by filthy_monkey

Who said anyting about giving it a bootfull??? : They didn't let me take it over 3 grand, and i sat on the speed limit!!!!That was enough for me to fall in love with it...

Fair enough, I didn't mean you directly, I just mean that if I had a brand new xr6t to pick up then I would certainly hope they wouldn't be letting people test drive it.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by filthy_monkey

I know the DP quite well...
Lodge a complaint to Ford (in writing), as they WILL act on it, and have to reply.
Hope this helps

Well it was a different dealer, but I lodged a written complaint after I had called them with the story about the treatment I got from Grant McCarroll Ford and got a quick call back, with a less than satisfactory answer. No action taken as far as I can tell to straighten the dealer out and certainly did not receive a thing back in writing. My neighbour also complained to Ford in writing over the same incident and received no reply of any kind.

So I would have to say from my and my neighbours experience that Ford Customer Care WILL NOT take action on a complaint.

Sorry, but not all of us have had a good enough answer from them. :(

Daniel

[Bluehoon]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Well it was a different dealer, but I lodged a written complaint after I had called them with the story about the treatment I got from Grant McCarroll Ford and got a quick call back, with a less than satisfactory answer. No action taken as far as I can tell to straighten the dealer out and certainly did not receive a thing back in writing. My neighbour also complained to Ford in writing over the same incident and received no reply of any kind.

So I would have to say from my and my neighbours experience that Ford Customer Care WILL NOT take action on a complaint.

Sorry, but not all of us have had a good enough answer from them. :(

Daniel

I see your point..

However, you have to start at the basic stuff, build up your case, and then take them to the cleaners.

If you still are not happy with the handling of the matter,
F%^K 'em.
Lodge a complaint to dept fair trading! The threat alone works wonders, gaurantee you!

I did it, never looked back, best thing i ever did to get my car sorted.

When i get my next car, i will say this
Stuff the dealer, stuff the warranty (bar stereo), go aftermarket!
bad experiences and problems solved....

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Well it was a different dealer, but I lodged a written complaint after I had called them with the story about the treatment I got from Grant McCarroll Ford and got a quick call back, with a less than satisfactory answer. No action taken as far as I can tell to straighten the dealer out and certainly did not receive a thing back in writing. My neighbour also complained to Ford in writing over the same incident and received no reply of any kind.

So I would have to say from my and my neighbours experience that Ford Customer Care WILL NOT take action on a complaint.

Sorry, but not all of us have had a good enough answer from them. :(

Daniel

Ditto here in Perth WA Customer Care phoned back two weeks after I e-mailed them and said they had spoken to service department at Titan Ford Melville so I phoned the service advisor they told me to phone and he denied they had spoken to him. He was rude and said he thought the matter was over. I hung up and emailed CC again and so far no response - 6 weeks and waiting - really do not expect a reply. FoMoCo, if you read these forums I own a 03 Ford Focus Zetec, 03 AU2 LTD , 05BA2XRA ute , love the product , hate the dealers servicing/repairing/warrantee/honesty (lack of), been waiting for the 6 speed auto to go into a new LTD and have finally decieded to look at the european alternatives for the LTD's replacement. might be the end of Fords for my family and the company. (currently three BA utes and an BAXT) Buy at least one brand new Ford a year. Unfortunatly cant get new fords without dealing with Ford dealers.

[whippet_zetec]

hi flamin,

funny you should mention PowerFord at Castle Hill, as I too last weekend didnt get the most favourable impression from the salesmen and parts/service sections when I visited there. I actually caught out one of the salesmen on the LR Focus/LS Focus when he lied about some data on them, and also found grabbing a salesmans attention quite diffuclt (they were all too busy having a gas bag on the railing). The service/parts guys, WOW talk about over priced genuine Ford parts........other dealers are cheaper by about 10% than their quoted prices ! From this experience I will give them a wide wide berth......

In my opinion if you are travelling to PowerFord for service then another dealer which is only 10km away and I have never had any issues with and found the service team fantastic are at Blacktown "CUMBERLAND FORD". When I was taking my Falcon into them they fixed every fault I had and even found numerous other things that I didnt detect myself on the last service before warranty ran out....so in my book they were great (note: I am not promising that your experience will be as great as mine, just that I was more than happy to keep going back to them for service & parts). I also have been and am currently taking my Focus into WINFORD at McGraths Hill. My Focus has not had any issues other than a clutch blow out at 4,000km so cant really comment on their service other than they just did my 15,000 (@12,500) and the Foci feels like it has just been serviced and tightended up nicely

Will see and meet you on the next EuroCruise hopefully and feel free to chat to the other guys there with Fiesta's about there they go.

Til then I would do as "filthy monkey" suggests, get onto the pc, type out a few letters and call up Ford Head Office CS and let them know whats going on...

[Bluehoon]

Winford are pretty good.

Went in there for zorst problems.

1 day later, dump pipe back all new and replaced...

Also fixed a few suspension issues there too. Didn't even know....
Cumberland i haven't been to yet.

Think we may need to "poll" this thread...... Go on POLL IT!!!!!

Oh, and if you reeeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyyyyy want to make power ford jump and get the car sorted, contact the Hills News, and Hills Shire times.....

But write those letters..............

I think what we have here is possibly the "Falcon car company" attitude. If you're not buying a Falcon you're not as important. Atleast that's the impression I have. It shouldn't happen and the story is by far the worst record of a sequence of bad events from the same company I have seen. But on the same token Power Ford are also know to be quite good so this is a surprise.

It's always a good idea to get the DP involved and as far as I know Steve is a decent bloke and will listen.

Good luck.

[Bluehoon]

Originally Posted by RATT

It's always a good idea to get the DP involved and as far as I know Steve is a decent bloke and will listen.

Ratt, that i second.

He is a top bloke, he will listen and make sure it's all fixed.
But it all falls over when it comes to the service department.
As for their parts prices, i have found them cheaper than elsewhere.....

Yes it's strange for powerford sales to be this way, first time i have heard a bad thing from their sales team....

Take the service department to the cleaners and start over, and it will be a damn good dealership.

I would of sacked half of them by now.... Especially when they can't tell the difference between their oils.........

[RED_EL_XR8]

I can't make out the angle you are coming from FM, sales, service, finance its all part of what you are buying, rather than just a lump on 4 tyres.

Likewhise you commend the dealer principal, and in the same suggest muckraking in local media. If the guy is genuine he doesn't need this kind of attention. likewhise if he is genuine he will want to have control on all aspects of his business not just new car sales.

I have a car from Power Ford, I cant say I was either happy or unhappy with the service offered.
The usual oh we have had to adjust our figures the day I picked the car up, but a quick reminder about signed contracts and all was as it should be. I should add that with the exception of Strapp Ford in Victoria every dealer I ever bought from has tried this.

Me experience suggest Power Ford (it was still Sydney RJV at that time) have lots to improve on.
Lets just keep it factual not emotive.

[Bluehoon]

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

I can't make out the angle you are coming from FM, sales, service, finance its all part of what you are buying, rather than just a lump on 4 tyres.

Likewhise you commend the dealer principal, and in the same suggest muckraking in local media. If the guy is genuine he doesn't need this kind of attention. likewhise if he is genuine he will want to have control on all aspects of his business not just new car sales.

I have a car from Power Ford, I cant say I was either happy or unhappy with the service offered.
The usual oh we have had to adjust our figures the day I picked the car up, but a quick reminder about signed contracts and all was as it should be. I should add that with the exception of Strapp Ford in Victoria every dealer I ever bought from has tried this.

Me experience suggest Power Ford (it was still Sydney RJV at that time) have lots to improve on.
Lets just keep it factual not emotive.

Here is the facts:

Sales
Management
Finance

All top people and have no issues with.

Parts - ok.

Service, Pathetic. whatever it takes...... Whatever it takes. As i have said, go for the gullet with them only. Bear in mind it is not muck raking if you present an agruement on first hand experience and fact....
You are talking about servicing and not the sales, two diferent areas...
The DP would have to know, and it's his fault is he does nothing about it....
Yes he is good, but pressure can breed results.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by filthy_monkey

Here is the facts:

Sales
Management
Finance

All top people and have no issues with.

Parts - ok.

Service, Pathetic. whatever it takes...... Whatever it takes. As i have said, go for the gullet with them only. Bear in mind it is not muck raking if you present an agruement on first hand experience and fact....
You are talking about servicing and not the sales, two diferent areas...
The DP would have to know, and it's his fault is he does nothing about it....
Yes he is good, but pressure can breed results.

Pressure applied incorrectly can also result in the customer distrust we all experience with every warrantee claim. A phone call a day to the dealer principal is pressure. A whine in the local rag in just letting off steam.

[MISTA FIESTA]

Hey Flamin,

I too bought my fez from Power ford, but didnt have any problems with em whats so ever, maybe because my mum has been in retail for 30years and knows when she is told bull etcc, but the guy called Brett was a top bloke, i even got to chat with Robert the service manager for 30mins about the car and other stuff, they gave me 6 schooner glasses, free petrol, key ring.

The only problem i did have tho was i go to pick up the fez and no spoiler on it which i got for free. so had to go on a saturday to get it installed, but they are like "no u are not booked in" there is a 2 weeks wait come back then, but i told the wa"""ker to cheak his paper and he did.

Tho my service is gonna get done by Brad Garlick ford which is a 2 min walk from my house. The reason i got it at Power was because of how much my mum bargained with em

[Teki04]

Hey FlaminFiesta.... So where abouts in Sydney are you???

I had the same problems with City Ford (Rockdale)... once they had my money they F'ed me around. Car came wrong (with nothing on it) etc.... also did cost cutting with my tyres. I went there after not liking the sales man at Jubilee... But after i got my car, its only been serviced at Jubilee Ford.... Love their service so far. Had a few issues, which have always been looked after (by Xintas... think thats spelt right). I actually like their service. Usually good with bookings as well. Ive also been to the new car sales as well.... and was approached by so many ppl (was looking at new focus)... one guy in particular was really good to talk to.... He was islander appearance... think his name was Steven.

But yea... i had issues with City Ford sales AFTER the deposit. Before that, they were great! Had about 4 test drives, went through everything in detail, called me all the time on updates etc. They were great (although with a poor pre-delivery inspection). Great service... but since i bought it... ive been to the local dealer (Jubilee). I like their service, pretty good. Its a small dealer though, so the service department isnt too big.

[FlaminFiesta]

hey guys wow i didnt know this was a common problem with the dealer, and we even have names well ill sort of address a couple of issues at a time hehe thats easy..

oh yeah i got wet in the rain cause the window dont sit right..

Filthy_Monkey

I know theres both sides but yet i still have to hear it... too late now i guess.. even though i asked them why ? they said just cause pretty much.. lol

I rang FOrd CRC and they said they couldnt do anything, and I spoke to the DP and he said talk to the sales manager who screwed me around then the service manager about the lastest incident, which his response was, well bring it in for the third time and i still cant promise anything,.. Like i can understnad if they have the car and when they give it to me it works then brakes down, fair enough s..t happens but when i pick the car up it doesnt work ? sounds like they did NOT test it though the paper work said they had.. wonder if my oil filter did get changed.... he couldnt even guarantee that it would work when i pick it up next time..

im going to do what you said, i wrote a letter about 3 monhts ago no response from ford.. but im going to look at some paper work and see what happens... but im fed up and i will egt my hands dirty..

Whippy_Zetec

thanks mate i will do ill look into those dealers, im glad u sustained and didnt get the stuff from them, i thought local busines gotta look after the locals.. not lol

RATT

I would doubt that, STEVE palmed this issue off instead of helping me. hes porbably a top bloke outside of work..but he said let me transfer to the Service Manager instead "Oh no, i said it was a once of about 10 times ago but i will personally sort it out and organise antoher car in teh mean time, so when it rains like it did today .. water wont get in the car..."

RED_EL_XR8

hey mate i was in the same ipmression but he isnt honest, like what else can i do ? honestly i just want to some1 to luv my fiesta when they service it.. teh DP knows... but he doesnt want to get his hands dirty..

MISTA_FIESTA

i couldnt get a free anything! im glad u got a good service, it makes the experience better i wish i got a free spoiler .


---

Guys i do thank you for the input sort of made my concerns valid, i just wanted to make sure any1 reading this was careful..

ill post on the paperwork soon...