John McGrath Belconnen ACThas to be the worst Ford dealer I have ever dealt with

[genebaby]

Wow, that was a classy PM. Someone has some issues.

[Mark^^]

I was very restrained, I did not return the PM, just though I would be open in my communication and reply here.

I suspect his comment about why he quite his job at Ford, and became a "Bunnings boy" as per his user info, may be something to do with his capacity to be a mechanic.

[AUXRVIII]

I'd say he was given the flick for draggin' his , HIM replacement takes easily less than 2 1/2 hrs. i've fitted a whole A/C system to a BA in 4hrs and the heater box needs to come out to do that.

[genebaby]

Originally Posted by AUXRVIII

I'd say he was given the flick for draggin' his , HIM replacement takes easily less than 2 1/2 hrs. i've fitted a whole A/C system to a BA in 4hrs and the heater box needs to come out to do that.

No no, you forget, he's one of the fastest. The fastest.

[normxb]

This is Very Off Topic But Also ON Topic ........

I'll probably get "flamed" a bit for this , but I don't think it's "this Ford Dealer" or "that GMH Dealer" or what ever . I think it's "society today in general" ! .

It can be a car , house , lounge suite , or what ever , once you've handed over your $$$ , Most , (not All) people in any trade , service , retail , or the bloke on the corner selling Hot Dog's , don't want to see you again .

I bought a '72 XLE Cortina from Thompson Ford Parramatta , 18 month's I bought another one there , 1 Week later , my Dad bought his '74 XB (which is the one I own now ), then 12 months later my sister bought her Escort there . Service had the same priority as the sale .

Now when we took any of these car's in for a Service/Warranty work to be done , it was done , no questions asked , because that was all part of the business not because we'd bought a few car's in a short time .

In 1980 , I bought an XD 4.1 , 4 sp S-Pac Wagon from Peter Warren , Fairfield , No problems , They even pointed out a couple of small items I'd missed and fixed them Under Warranty while it was there for Service .

I don't care if it's an Electrician , Plumber , Retailer or Car Dealer , There are Very Few these day's who take "Pride" in their work or service . (I apologise to the ones that do the right thing , you are one of the few)

I bought a business once , the previous owner started the business and ran it for 14 years , I purchased it off him and ran it for 13 years , then the "Rot" started to set in , in business in general , the guy who bought it off me lasted "18 Month's" and went bankrupt . (He bought it, it's his hassle now mentality ) After sales service started to go down hill .

So where is this heading , In a downward spiral , I'm afraid . I can't see it getting any better in the near or distant future . IF you find someone who does his job and does it well , "Stick to Them" , tell your mates , tell everyone , even if you have to travel to get it .

I know I sound like a "real downer" , but can anyone prove me wrong ? Your car will be the second most expensive thing you'll buy , everyone Expects to be "looked after" and so you should , it "just doesn't happen "

"END of Rant" Norm .

[fos408]

I can see after having 4 dunnydores as my everyday cars for the last 10 years ,I have been very fortunate ,only having 3 reasons for warranty repairs ,2 fixed first go without problems ,1 fixed on 2 try without issue at Holden dealers in Adelaide and Sydney and had all the cars regularly serviced at kmart ,plus my 2 kids cars again without issue ,in fact I have used 4 different branches in this time. I have been very fortunate ,but I believe there are businesses that still do the right thing and go out of my way to support those who do ,using business that come recommended especially for when it comes to getting work done on the cars I build. I guess this always reduces the chance of some of these hassels occurring or aleast getting a good outcome when they do

[sarrge2001]

Originally Posted by normxb

..........It can be a car , house , lounge suite , or what ever , once you've handed over your $$$ , Most , (not All) people in any trade , service , retail , or the bloke on the corner selling Hot Dog's , don't want to see you again ..........

True......True......True

The demise of the service industry - in ANY industry.....

[AUXRVIII]

Originally Posted by genebaby

No no, you forget, he's one of the fastest. The fastest.

:

[AUIIISR]

NormXB you nailed it on the head, as for the Ford dealers in canberra theyre all terrible, ill grant Braddon a waver as they have fixed problems under warranty that Belconnen and Woden have failed to.

[NT XR6]

When I did my apprenticship, you were allowed 2 come backs a year. The company covered the cost of the come backs, after that they came out of your pay. You learn real quick to do the job once and do it properly.

[bingoTE50]

Hi guys ,

I cannot believe Corporate Ford does not investigate these type of complaints. If they want to protect their Brand and create repeat business they have to eliminate these issues. I know that these instances were from Private dealerships ,but there must be certain standards they must maintain to promote the product.
Afterall , I imagine warranty is charged back to the manufacturer .

Just amazes me really !!

[Yaw]

I must say Byrne Ford in brisbane are terrible with thier service too.
I had major issues with them and it is only out of me being and keeping records of everything about the car i was able to prove that they had not done several things that were promised that i found out had not been done 2 years later when they tried to tell me needed replacing.
Most of the stuff they told me that needed doing was supposed to have been done prior to purchasing the vehicle from them.
They did end up fixing these things because I was able to show that they had in fact tried to pass off as having been done, like they stamped my 90,000 service as having been done, (I insisted on the 90,000klm and an Auto service as part of the purchase agreement) At the 90,000 service the spark plugs were to be replaced, and here they were 2 eyars later telling me that it had not been done...anway i got my records together and asked for a copy of what had been done prior to purchase and showed them on thier own paperwork that they lied to me and made them keep thier part of the deal. I have now traded that car and refuse to go back to them. I traded it on a new territory just this month.

[smee323]

I've had issues with McGrath.
Have an ST170, and the compressor shaft had developed a serious oil leak. The car was 2 weeks out of its 3 year warranty and only had 25000k on it. They missed the oil leak when I pointed it out to them, and specifically asked them to check it.
But, they did fight for me with ford HQ to get the work done as warranty. Ford umed and ard, but finally did the whole replacement for $600. New compressor etc.
But, I had moved to SA in the mean time. The fellows at Maughan Theim in Port Adelaide were excellent. The service guy was very helpful. Not sure they see to many ST's

[DoreSlamR]

It's a shame that there are so many businesses that take this attitude, its all around the wrong way. Having said that, and going with what Norm was saying, there are still businesses who give excellent after sales service, I recently had my gearbox rebuilt at Top Quality Transmissions in Perth (cheap plug yes but they deserve it) I rang them up to see of they could check out the oil level and make sure all is well under there, the bloke said yeah bring it in no worries. When i brought it there they happily fitted me between jobs and had a look free of charge.

So don't lose faith entirely, theres still good people out there!

[normxb]

Originally Posted by NT XR6

When I did my apprenticeship, you were allowed 2 come backs a year. The company covered the cost of the come backs, after that they came out of your pay. You learn real quick to do the job once and do it properly.

NT XR8 , I think that's partially where the problem is , you guy's do the best you can , but you're the one that "cops it in the rear end", Bet you didn't hear the good things said about you ? (Although it probably made you a better , more precise mechanic ). But that's what a Supervisor's job is , to "Supervise" .

As "bingo TE50" said , a lot of the problem is at the "Top End" and goes from there down .Amazing , isn't it . They're not in touch with reality . Once again "any trade" .

DoreSlamer & AU111SR , Not a "Cheap Plug " , it's a "Pat on the Back" where it's needed . I'm not losing faith entirely , problem is , there's too few of them . It's good to hear of good things like that . I bet I know where you guy's will go next time you need work done .

Trouble is , the Boss get's the "Pat on the Back" and mostly it doesn't get passed down the line . Being an Employer myself years ago (so I'm not Boss bashing), if a good report came in about a staff member , that staff member was told about it , "it didn't stay in the office" . "Good Staff makes a good business"

[normxb]

Hey Yaw ,

I reckon if you went in to pick up a $45,000 car with a $43,000 cheque , they wouldn't find it funny , but that's basically what they were trying to do to you .

Nothing like keeping Up-to-date paperwork , is there . Score "1" for you mate . :

Norm

[olfella]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Hi guys ,

I cannot believe Corporate Ford does not investigate these type of complaints. If they want to protect their Brand and create repeat business they have to eliminate these issues. I know that these instances were from Private dealerships ,but there must be certain standards they must maintain to promote the product.
Afterall , I imagine warranty is charged back to the manufacturer .

Just amazes me really !!

I agree. The reason I kept taking my car to a Dealer was because I figured they were Ford trained and given the right information todo their job properly. When I challenged this Ford CSR said that the training etc had bugger all to do with them. When I challenged the dealership itself, I was told apprentices had to start somwhere. Well sorry, but if I am paying top dollar for a professional job THEN I EXECT TO HAVE THAT WORK CARRIED OUT BY A COMPETANT PERSON.I better stop there because I think you can se whrre I am going.
Cheers - self service Eric

[AWD Chaser]

I have had numerous problems with John Mc-Grab Woden.

One minor, yet annoying thing was when my AU went in for some warrenty things to be fixed, they said, did you want us to have a look at anything else (or something along those lines anyway)...

I had noticed some rust on the welds around the exhaust when I picked up the car for the first time, so I told them to check it out and make sure they weren't cracked...

Went to pick up the car, and they said, we had a look at the exhaust and found nothing wrong... That will be $35...

What? You had the car up on the jack anyway!

Few other bad things there too, just little things (personllay) that added up. I don't live in Canberra any more, I live in Wagga now, and the things I hear about the Ford Dealer (service wise) here in Town (Name and Shame - Hillis Ford), are nothing short of what I am hearing about JM Ford, and others too...

[Redrum]

Ford service I have found is pathetic at multiple dealers, so unless it is warranty work I get my car serviced elsewhere.

[Josh_XC]

Mate let me tell you its not just the service guys at John McGrath that are rude. I went into there dealership on Friday 28/9 inquiring about an BF Mark II XR8 manual if they had one of can track on down for me.
They said direct quote "they have never had an BF XR8 manual in there dealership but could track one down but that i would not be able to afford one even if they did."

Now this comment really really ****ed me off, the fact they said i could not afford a new or ex demo BF XR8 was shocking. OK im a 21 year old looking for a new car but i had a bank cheque for 50000+ in my wallet. When i said i have the money and i could pay real soon or even today if they could track down a manual one for me he said once again " It will be expensive and will be out of your price range".

So i quite simply showed him the cash (bank cheque) walked away while he stood there in shock.

So I took a trip to Wagga Wagga as one of my mates tracked down a BF II XR8 manual for me with a tone of extras. I'm now finalizing the deal on Tuesday and picking up the car for delivery on Wednesday, Hills Ford in Wagga apparently sux also when it comes to customer service but at least they dont try and spit in my face making me feel small, there is no way im going to take from a simple sales man telling me i cannot afford the car when i clearly have the money.

That my rant and problem with John McGrath Ford.

[Mark^^]

Congrats on your new car.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Josh_XC

So I took a trip to Wagga Wagga as one of my mates tracked down a BF II XR8 manual for me with a tone of extras. I'm now finalizing the deal on Tuesday and picking up the car for delivery on Wednesday.

Be sure and show your favourite salesman your new car, I bet he'd love to see it

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Hi guys ,

I cannot believe Corporate Ford does not investigate these type of complaints. If they want to protect their Brand and create repeat business they have to eliminate these issues. I know that these instances were from Private dealerships ,but there must be certain standards they must maintain to promote the product.
Afterall , I imagine warranty is charged back to the manufacturer .

Just amazes me really !!

Sadly they are no better, if they had better QC in the factory and better dealersupport in the first place there would be alot less un happy customers, I won't be buying another one as ive seen enough, the way cars come in damaged from the factory with bodgy repairs is whats turned me off them. Ive always had Fords but this will sadly be the last :

[Bucknaked]

Well I get my cars serviced at McGraths Belconnen and they are by far the best dealership I've ever dealt with.

[jonk]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Hi guys ,

I cannot believe Corporate Ford does not investigate these type of complaints. If they want to protect their Brand and create repeat business they have to eliminate these issues. I know that these instances were from Private dealerships ,but there must be certain standards they must maintain to promote the product.
Afterall , I imagine warranty is charged back to the manufacturer .

Just amazes me really !!

I've written about this on the site before. An 'ex-Ford dealer principal' told me in person that some dealership's across Oz have a cosy relationship with the Ford factory.

That is, they are a part of the 'in crowd' at Ford, and if you are not chummy with the closed circle of DP's who brown nose ford head office, then your stuffed. You can complain all you like to HQ, but it won't make any difference. They're a protected species.

Same thing exists with Holden & Toyota dealers as well. Again, first hand knowledge here, not just 'board spray'...

[Falcon Coupe]

This seems to have run it's course and is no longer going anywhere.