Dealership takes joyride

Eclipse · Postby **Eclipse** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

So, not sure how pissed I am about this.. Id like some input please

I dropped my car off this morning at the dealership to have my right front cv boot/axle fixed. Got there at 7:30, waited for 30 minutes for my ride. There were 2 other cars in front of me inside the service bay, they pulled those cars out and directly into a bay. At about 8a, I hear them start my car up inside the service, and rev it up to redline 2 or 3 times, got the bov going pretty good...and then he left. After being gone 5 minutes, he pulls in the parking lot, and does a WOT pass thru the lot to the service door.

Luckily, my eboost is set to valet mode, which only allows 12psi to the turbo, so Im not worried about damaging it or anything like that, but its the principle... They shouldnt be fuckin hot-rodding their customer's cars.. an who knows how he drove it during his 5 minute joyride.

My dillema is, I love this dealership, they always take care of me, (regardless of mods), and they always get me covered under warranty.. including today. If I talk to some higher being at the dealership, Im worried that I may hurt my good standing with the service manager, and he may come down, have a look at the car, and void my shit all-together... then Ill be stuck with a $500 bill today. I am at 35,350 miles, so my warranty is damn near shit-canned anyways, ..

So, do I rat out the prick who redlined my car thru the parking lot? or do I just let it pass?

MazdaGurl · Postby **MazdaGurl** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

How about talking to the service manager? Instead of saying "This douchebag f'n revved my car," tell him what you saw and heard, and that it's making you feel uncomfortable, and gave the wrong impression. Was there really a need to test drive the car?

Eclipse · Postby **Eclipse** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I guess, to hear the clicking axle... but I told him it was audible at very low rpms, when I first take off...not at 6k rpms at WOT thru the parking lot

tbot · Postby **tbot** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

Talk to Clark dude, I bet he would be willing to do something. Regardless of the car, whether it be yours or mine or say my old 3, they shouldn't be hot rodding anything around like that imho. I would be pissed if it was my car and I would talk to someone about it. I think at that point its almost the principle of the matter in that they're treating customers cars like that.

I know at my work we have "fun" in vehicles, but its nothing that would piss customers off. AND we definitly tone things down when customers are still around to avoid any confrontation. It sounds to me like this guy completely disregarded anything you said and just wanted a "joy ride" because of what your car is, I wouldn't be surprised if it was say my car it would have been completely different!!!

RedRoadster · Postby **RedRoadster** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

Since you were waiting there anyway, I'd ask to be present in the vehicle as a passenger when they 'test' it.

If you're dropping it off, I... I got nothin'.

In this particular case, I'd let it go myself, but Angie's take is pretty good too.

Renesis Rx · Postby **Renesis Rx** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I'd say something. There's no need to be doing that kinda stuff in someone's car. I'd be through the F'n roof!

kingtut · Postby **kingtut** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

Interesting situation. The fact that they've always taken care of you (regardless of mods) says a lot. However, no company should ever behave that way; its completely unprofessional.

Even though your warranty's almost up, I wouldn't suggest climbing the ladder. I would also agree with Angie, to go directly to the service manager. Any manager worth his salary would A.) talk to the guilty party and make sure it never happens again and B.) comp you somehow (for future visits).

With that said, I would be pissed right now.

rmeeker13 · Postby **rmeeker13** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I'd go talk shit to the guy that drove it! I've had to do it myself a few times! Haha. I'm sitting at a dealership in lakewood right now!

Sp|ndem|c · Postby **Sp|ndem|c** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

Unfortunately the situation is already passed, but at the time of the WOT through the parking lot I would have been in the service managers face asking WTF that employee thinks he's doing!!!

Regulator · Postby **Regulator** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I'd be pretty ticked off too, but in that situation with the warranty issue I might just let it slide this one time. Its pretty unprofessional of them to allow it to happen in the first place tho... maybe an anonymous email to the service manager?

bmwzoom · Postby **bmwzoom** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I agree with a lot of what everyone has said. I have a tendancy to act a little too soon, so I can't say exactly what I would have done at that moment... I am sure (knowing me) I would have been fuming and in the Service Manager's face within 30 seconds of seeing that. With everything said, if I was able to take a few minutes (or hours) to cool off, I would go to the Service Manager and express my concerns of the situation and ask that in the future my car be taken car of in a much more professional and RESPECTFUL manner. Also, I love the idea of trying to be present when they test drive. I see NOTHING wrong with staying with your car when service is being preformed. I do however know that it isn't always possible.

Let us know how it goes, with whatever you decide to do Eric!

4doord · Postby **4doord** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

Sorry to hear that Eric, look really good customers are hard to keep nowdays so talking to the service manager would be the first thing I would do. No matter if they hook you up or not, you have a pretty big voice with the croud you hang out with and that dealership would stand to lose buisness because of it. At my shop, good or bad customer, I always listen and take care of the customer (they are always right), because any negative coments affect their buisness. They should at least talk to their tech to let him know that it isnt ok and he could possiblely lose his job over this. I mean nobody accept the dealership would know if this guy has a history of this. Good luck

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

I would have lost it. That is exactly why I don't let anyone else drive my car. If I ever have to I flash it with the AccessPORT with Valet mode that puts the rev limited to 2500rpm lol.

To be completely honest though there isn't much you can say. You're warranty is well voided and the fact that they help out....your hands are kind of tied. I would talk to the tech at least, however, and explain to him you don't want him hot rodding your car and it would be VERY sad if he blew your motor and HE had to buy you a new one LOL.

iani1.1 · Postby **iani1.1** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

noob dealership techs. i hate dealerships, the techs think theyre always the shit but they really arent. ive had bad experiences with dealerships. plus hot rodding a customers car is just plain unprofessional. i would have just completely gone nuts.

MSP SuperStreet · Postby **MSP SuperStreet** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:14

What ever you do don't blow it off. Good customer service and respect is offen lost in the business world today. Many times it is a result of customers not speaking up. You are well within your right to raise your concern with the dealership, my recommendation would be to speak with the Service Manager. Being silent condones that behavior and my lead to other members Rides treated the same way.

Last thing other members need to hear if their Ride was treated the same way is "its no big deal, Eric has a much cooler Ride and he didn't mind."

If they blow you-off, please share the dealeership information, because there is no way I would trust my Ride with them.

Dealership takes joyride

Dealership takes joyride

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