"Service Horror Stories and Ripoffs!"

[chief]

I had my car came back from rust repairs about 2 months ago and found an ants nest in the rear drivers door jam.

Robbo yobbo. I checked under my rear seats because I am changing an interior and found nothing, not even dirt. It was spotless, nothing. I was hoping to find a couple of bucks but nope.

[robbo_yobbo]

Originally Posted by chief

I had my car came back from rust repairs about 2 months ago and found an ants nest in the rear drivers door jam.

Robbo yobbo. I checked under my rear seats because I am changing an interior and found nothing, not even dirt. It was spotless, nothing. I was hoping to find a couple of bucks but nope.

If the repairer cleared out under your seats while it was being repaired - then maybe that ants nest wasnt really free of charge after all!!

[chief]

The rust was around the rear boot struts. Common problem with wagons. He didn't need to open the rear door, but must of for some reason and ended up with an ants nest.

[XR6Stu]

Originally Posted by GK

I think you are allowed to name them Stu. That's indeed a shocking story. But sadly, we all have one or two like this to tell, or at least know of a mate who has.

Name them if you want, if it's not Kosher to do so, Casper or another moderator will blot it out.

Do it Stu, you know you want to! LOL!

GK

Its Brian Dunn Ford in Bendigo. My foreman's wife works as a receptionist there, and tell people not to go. Its just that bad.

On this arument about helping out mates, I work in the trade, and will gladly help a mate out as much as I can, on the proviso that it can be done when I have the time, and that (this is my decision), its done at cost price. I know what goes around comes around, and so I only chage people what its costs me. Otherwise when you need their help, its gonna cost you. Fair's fair after all right? Whats a favour bwtween friends? ........ Guys???? Can I get a hug here?

[GK]

Originally Posted by XR6Stu

Its Brian Dunn Ford in Bendigo. My foreman's wife works as a receptionist there, and tell people not to go. Its just that bad.

On this arument about helping out mates, I work in the trade, and will gladly help a mate out as much as I can, on the proviso that it can be done when I have the time, and that (this is my decision), its done at cost price. I know what goes around comes around, and so I only chage people what its costs me. Otherwise when you need their help, its gonna cost you. Fair's fair after all right? Whats a favour bwtween friends? ........ Guys???? Can I get a hug here?

Hug sent via PM Stu! LOL!

GK

[XR6Stu]

YEAH! HUG FOR ME! WOO HOO!!!! Thanks GK!

[sednwol]

XR6-VCT-2000 wrote

Im just wondering , because the price varys so much from ford service to other ford service centres / are the ford service centres actually franchises ? , or are they soley 100% owned by Ford ?

Hey this is a great question does anyone know the answer?

[autickfordfairmont]

Im under the beliefe that they are franshises, each one independantly owned & operated. Thats why different places have different prices, up here the local ford was recently bought by the company who owns Toyota down the road.

[chief]

The reason prices vary so much is because of the RJV. Retail Joint Venture. Some Ford dealerships are owned by a company in South Africa and others are privatly owned.

[sednwol]

Come to think about it, I think Knox Ford is part of the Stillwell group

[GK]

Forgot to mention one.

Bought the SR in December last year, and had warranty claims to make, but was mostly fobbed off by the salesman. Got some but not enough satisfaction from the owner of the company, but after thinking about some of the stories on this thread, I've decided to go ahead with a complaint to Consumer Affairs to recoup some money for a tailshaft the buggers didn't replace as agreed. I got it replaced myself!

I wonder if this is not just my experience?

In any case, I feel better for taking this action, even if I get no compensation. I have taken Papa Smurf's advice, and written a letter to the owner of the company to give him one last chance to pay up. If they don't pay, I don't withdraw the complaint! Simple!

I had forgotten about it, but this thread brought it all back up again, and I knew I had to take action!

I'll let you know how it goes!

GK

[Rosscoe]

Try City Ford in Melbourne if you want to get stung.
Charged me $80 yes.. $80 for radiator coolant!!!
I went back and queried it, as I thought they had made a mistake, no that is correct I was told, I said to the guy "what is it liquid gold or something", just laughs he does, and says it not the same as the stuff you buy at Kmart etc you know, which is just water with food dye in it, ours is the one Ford recommends!!
Well my regular mechanic doesn't use Kmart stuff and he only charges me about $20!!
Haven't been back to City Ford since, and never will.
Cheers Rosscoe

[GK]

Originally Posted by Rosscoe

Try City Ford in Melbourne if you want to get stung.
Charged me $80 yes.. $80 for radiator coolant!!!
I went back and queried it, as I thought they had made a mistake, no that is correct I was told, I said to the guy "what is it liquid gold or something", just laughs he does, and says it not the same as the stuff you buy at Kmart etc you know, which is just water with food dye in it, ours is the one Ford recommends!!
Well my regular mechanic doesn't use Kmart stuff and he only charges me about $20!!
Haven't been back to City Ford since, and never will.
Cheers Rosscoe

There's a difference between markup and mark through the roof!

GK

[sednwol]

You have to be brain dead to treat customers like this, why not just post a sign outside and say "Please go to our competitors"

[GK]

Well the complaint to Consumer Affairs is in the mail, as is the request for $143 to the dodgy car dealer has been sent via registered post! It cost me $13 for the postage, I should have added that to the figure I requested! LOL!

There were a lot of documents sent, lots of photocopying, but hopefully this will result in a favourable outcome for my family. If not, then at least I have the satisfaction of knowing that I made a complaint, didn't take dodgy service and have served notice on a shonky operator!

I'll keep you posted!

GK

[sednwol]

GK did you let the dealer know that if he didn't refund you the $ that you would go to consumer affairs?

[GK]

Originally Posted by sednwol

GK did you let the dealer know that if he didn't refund you the $ that you would go to consumer affairs?

Yep, he's received the letter registered post, detailing my complaint, the required response ($143) and the time frame to respond, ie 7 working days.

If he doesn't take this final opportunity to come good, then the complaint process (which has already begun) will continue!

GK

[sednwol]

Please let us all know you you get on.

[GK]

Originally Posted by sednwol

Please let us all know you you get on.

Will do!

GK

[blue terra]

Heres a nice one for ya's.
June long weekend the oil pump shags itself see you later motor. HaVe extended warranty on it. Get it towed to ford straight after the long weekend. Comes back needs a new motor. That was 2 weeks ago. motor turned up yesterday. Am now told may not get my car back till maybe next thursday. That is nearly 5 weeks off the road. :
Meanwhile i was getting told as soon as the motor turns up it will be straight into the workshop and put in. Now this has frustrated me majorly. absolute joke.

[GK]

Originally Posted by blue terra

Heres a nice one for ya's.
June long weekend the oil pump shags itself see you later motor. HaVe extended warranty on it. Get it towed to ford straight after the long weekend. Comes back needs a new motor. That was 2 weeks ago. motor turned up yesterday. Am now told may not get my car back till maybe next thursday. That is nearly 5 weeks off the road. :
Meanwhile i was getting told as soon as the motor turns up it will be straight into the workshop and put in. Now this has frustrated me majorly. absolute joke.

What reasons did they give you for such a time delay?

GK

[blue terra]

The service leader put the order in for the motor but because it was end of financial year he closed off all the work. Thus cancelling the motor order. Now i've been told it is in a que and will be done when they have time. It doesnt help when you need your car for your work as well.

[Abacus]

Ford dealer quoted me $80 for an hours labour to train a new door remote!!!!!!!!

And no, I didn't go to Ford just to get this done - the car needed some other work and one of my remotes was busted, so I bought a replacement while I was there. Needless to say, I trained it myself - must have taken a good 45 seconds...

[GK]

Originally Posted by blue terra

The service leader put the order in for the motor but because it was end of financial year he closed off all the work. Thus cancelling the motor order. Now i've been told it is in a que and will be done when they have time. It doesnt help when you need your car for your work as well.

What a shocker!

GK

[GK]

Originally Posted by Abacus

Ford dealer quoted me $80 for an hours labour to train a new door remote!!!!!!!!

And no, I didn't go to Ford just to get this done - the car needed some other work and one of my remotes was busted, so I bought a replacement while I was there. Needless to say, I trained it myself - must have taken a good 45 seconds...

What an utter disgrace! I'm surprised that people would be so silly as to believe that we'd actually pay! I guess some people must get sucked in, otherwise they wouldn't quote such a ridiculous amount!

GK

[GK]

Originally Posted by sednwol

Please let us all know you you get on.

I received the card back from Aussie Post confirming that the dealer got the letter via Registered Post.

So far, no check yet. I was home from work today though, maybe it came in today and is waiting for me! That would be the ideal, but I'm not holding my breath.

Even if the mongrel doesn't pay, Consumer Affairs is now involved so at least I've not let him get away with it!

In any case, the large lady isn't singing yet! LOL!

GK

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by blue terra

The service leader put the order in for the motor but because it was end of financial year he closed off all the work. Thus cancelling the motor order. Now i've been told it is in a que and will be done when they have time. It doesnt help when you need your car for your work as well.

They are using this sad tale. The order would go to the Spare Parts section and closing off the Repair Order would NOT stop the process. These people are using this for some reason and you need to get onto the Dealer Principal and detail your story to him. While you are at it, phone Ford Customer Service (I dont have the number sorry) and tell them what has been going on.

It is a sad state of affairs this and needs to be stamped OUT. It is giving ALL dealers a Bad name. :

I wish you success.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by GK

I received the card back from Aussie Post confirming that the dealer got the letter via Registered Post.

So far, no check yet. I was home from work today though, maybe it came in today and is waiting for me! That would be the ideal, but I'm not holding my breath.

Even if the mongrel doesn't pay, Consumer Affairs is now involved so at least I've not let him get away with it!

In any case, the large lady isn't singing yet! LOL!

GK

GK, I am glad you took it further. They NEED to be put in check and get their act together and STOP ripping people off. Is giving the WHOLE trade a bad name. Like you have said before, no one needs to be treated like SH** or ripped off. I wish for it to be settled properly. Maybe the dealer will stop this kind of act :monkes:

[GK]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

GK, I am glad you took it further. They NEED to be put in check and get their act together and STOP ripping people off. Is giving the WHOLE trade a bad name. Like you have said before, no one needs to be treated like SH** or ripped off. I wish for it to be settled properly. Maybe the dealer will stop this kind of act :monkes:

I'm glad I took it further also. In fact this thread, the sad stories of many and in no small part, your input helped me take the action.

In my case though, I was dealing with the actual owner of the business in the first place! Talk about shark or what? Anyway, he's got until end of business Monday to get that cheque to me, or the complaint stands!

Cheers, and thanks again for your inside info!

GK

[GK]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

They are using this sad tale. The order would go to the Spare Parts section and closing off the Repair Order would NOT stop the process. These people are using this for some reason and you need to get onto the Dealer Principal and detail your story to him. While you are at it, phone Ford Customer Service (I dont have the number sorry) and tell them what has been going on.

It is a sad state of affairs this and needs to be stamped OUT. It is giving ALL dealers a Bad name. :

I wish you success.

Good advice!

GK