by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 06/16/2017 at 12:23
by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 06/16/2017 at 12:23
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STARS: 0
C5 Corvette needs AC compressor replaced. I penciled in to do it myself. Started reading instruction manual. Seemed straight forward till oil parts got involved. I wasn’t sure how much oil needed to be added if the compressor was already full of oil.
Anyway, I booked an appointment at a local GM dealership for Saturday. All week, no word from them. Today they finally call me and tell me they don’t do that kind of work on Saturday. They are booked on Monday, but if I wanted to come on Wednesday around late afternoon, then maybe they would take it.
Mind you, I also have a Lexus GX470 and a Mini Cooper S. Any sort of work I need on those cars, I bring to those dealerships. They give me a loaner, a pastry and a cappuccino. If I want to wait, they have fancy wait area. If I need to go, loaner is a nice clean new car. Have it for as long as it takes to fix my car.
The GM dealership on the other hand, wants me to come back when its convenient to them.
I really hope GM goes by way of DODO BIRD. Be gone already, relic of a car maker.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
06/16/2017 at 12:25, STARS: 0
I wonder if it’s because of the Freon. As in they have a single person certified to work on A/C systems and he/she is not in the other days.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 12:27, STARS: 7
the dealer (by law) is not in any way, shape, or form “GM.” They are an independently-owned franchise who happens to sell and service that brand of vehicle.
but yeah, a shitty dealer is totally reason to throw 200,000+ people out of work.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:27, STARS: 0
Then what you do is you offer me a loaner if I need one and tell me it will be worked on during the week. Don’t tell me you can’t take it.
Tell me you will take it, but have no loaner to offer me and it will be worked on during the week.
Bottom line is - don’t turn away a paying customer.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:29, STARS: 0
Well, they don’t work on Saturday anyway... while lexus and Mini do. So yeah. those 200,000 people can find a job at other dealerships.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/16/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 5
Why would you pay dealership labor rates for a relatively simple repair on 10+ year old car? This is what independent mechanics are for.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
06/16/2017 at 12:30, STARS: 1
Booking you and then moving the start date is a great way to lose customers, no doubt.
GM service depts are certainly not equivalent to Lexus or Mini. Don’t be surprised if they don’t give free loaners for non-warranty work.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 0
I am going to do it myself. If I fuck it up, it’s on me.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 1
you said :
I really hope GM goes by way of DODO BIRD. Be gone already, relic of a car maker.
You didn’t say “GM dealers,” you said “GM” and “relic of a car maker.” GM does not own any dealerships. they can’t, every state has laws preventing them from doing so.
So telling an entire car company to die because your local dealer is owned by incompetent/lazy meatsacks is just a shitty thing to say.
"random001" (random001)
06/16/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
They do work, but certain jobs, like AC, require certain people with certain certifications, and THOSE people probably work M-F.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
That’s fine. I didn’t need a loaner anyway. I wanted to drop it off. Have it worked on. Pick it up when ready. But now... now they lost me.
"random001" (random001)
06/16/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
Did you ask the lexus or MINI dealer if they could do it on the ‘Vette? Completely serious. I mean, a car is a car, and a C5 is as simple as they get these days.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
06/16/2017 at 12:33, STARS: 0
You are probably better off going to an independent mechanic anyway, TBH.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 0
I think you are right, but I think I will also benefit from working on it myself.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0
I could, but then I am better off going to a gas station mechanic for that. No sense in paying dealer rates.
If you don’t stand by your product, go play in traffic.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0
fair enough. I shall clarify myself. GM should go belly up. All of it. All Mary Barras and all faulty ignition switches and all dealerships who sell their crappy cars. All of them should just close up shop and go home and watch netflix.
Yup. I am angry. It maybe be a bit overblown, but when you compare to other car manufacturers and dealerships and CEOs, GM is an outdated dinosaur.
Sorry.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
the Ford dealers I’ve dealt with offer loaners for warranty work if you bought the vehicle from that dealer.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
When the rep called, they should have said we will take your car, but this requires a certified mechanic who only works m-f. I would make my decision then. Don’t tell me to come back thursday after next in hopes that one person was not hit by a bus earlier that morning.
Perhaps that person only works m-f... what happens if that person is sick or decides to go for greener pastures. That is not how a business works.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/16/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 1
BMW of Catonsville has a loaner ready for me, and complimentary coffee and small snacks in their fancy waiting area. Brown’s Honda tells me when they can work on my car, and when I can expect to have it back. I expect BMW-level customer care at the BMW dealer, and Honda-level customer care and the Honda dealer. Why would you expect Lexus customer care at the GM dealer? Chevrolet is a working person vehicle. Always have been, and always will be. GMC is for people that want to pay more for a Chevy. Buick is for people that want a new car but pay with social security benefit money. I have no idea who Cadillac is for.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
06/16/2017 at 12:46, STARS: 3
The GM dealership I work at does that type of work on Saturdays. Its just that your local dealer sucks. I have a good job and do a great job at it. I even help people on here when the random person like OC the Tork Dorque requests info. Why are you wishing me out of a job? What have I done to you to deserve that? I’m not wishing your employer to go belly up. Lighten up, have a beer this evening and have a nice weekend. I’m sure if you look around you can find an independent shop that is honest and can fix your a/c.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 2
I have no idea who Cadillac is for.
TBH neither does Cadillac
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
Agreed. But I am not bringing them a Chevy van. I am bringing their flagship car - frigging corvette.
Lexus and Mini are both 12 years old. Those dealership can care less if they are 400 years old. They will gladly take it. Rub my back and take my money.
You would think that when someone who buys a flagship product, you give them a bit of a better experience than someone who buys their cheapest product.
Even if you treat everyone equally no matter what they buy... they bought your product. You should honor it. Respect the customer. Treat them like your job depends on it.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
Sorry Dave. I did blow a gasket. I don’t want you to lose your job. I just want you to work for a company that respects their customers. You wouldn’t normally pick up a phone and call a customer to tell them you cant take my car. You fix actual cars and I bet you are great at it.
It’s the douche in the office who can’t put two sentences together and turns customers away.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/16/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 0
GM service centers suck. They don’t care. Hell they’ll probably take it for a joy ride.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
Agreed. Which is why I will be doing the work myself now. When it breaks down to a point where my skills won’t be enough to fix it, I will set it on fire.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/16/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 0
Also for the oil. You just need to know much oil was in the old one, pour it out and measure it on a scale, match that up and maybe add a pinch more, then you’re good to go.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
06/16/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 1
Thanks for the apology. I know you needed to blow off steam, it happens. I myself have run into the same thing just trying to schedule our used cars at other make dealerships for warranty or work only they have shop tools for. Its always a pain in the rear. There are bad ones out there of many makes. Believe me I know many GM dealers still have issues. I’m just fortunate to be at one of the good ones. I had a different career before this and had the same type of repair scheduling problems at Ford, Saab and Honda dealerships years ago that you are experiencing. The entire industry is trying to improve customer service but there are many out there who still just don’t get it. My suggestion is start asking around among your friends for an independent shop who is good. Watch out because some of the tire and lube shops can also be a nightmare. You’ll find someplace that you can trust and hopefully have a long relationship with them for future services. A decent shop can be hard to find. I used to live in an area that I had to take my car 55 miles to be at a trusted shop.
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
06/16/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
No good independent shop near you? I’ve gotten the BMW dealer to do BMW-specific work (VANOS stuff, etc), but I have an independent that performs general service when I don’t want to (transmission flushes).
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 1
no one I know. Recently moved. Don’t really want to experiment. Plus I want to wrench and learn.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 13:18, STARS: 1
I moved here about a year ago. Lexus and mini dealership and brilliant no matter where I take them to their dealerships.
I had a suburban few years ago. Dealership in that area had all the right mechanics, but the phone answering people are just terrible. Awful. I think their job requirement includes things like be rude and inflexible with customers. They have no choice but to keep coming back.
Anyway. Replacing AC compressor isn’t hard. I’ll figure out how much oil the damn thing needs. I just had a really really cheap lesson on which GM dealership to not attend. Thanks for that.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 13:19, STARS: 0
How do I know how much oil leaked out before I got to it?
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
06/16/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 1
I had similar experiences with Chrysler. I have a used BMW and they give me a free loaner, have appointments available the same day, and have my car fixed in a day or two. It might just be a local dealer thing. My BMW dealer is Penske and they are top notch. I’m only buying from Penske dealerships from here on out.
"random001" (random001)
06/16/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
I agree, GM service leaves a lot to be desired. The BMW and Lexus companies regulate that crap a lot harder.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/16/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 1
Not sure, that’s why you add a pinch more to account for that. If I understand it correctly, you can over oil the system and it won’t be as efficient, but it will function okay, but if you underfill you run the risk of burning up the new compressor. So err on the side of overfill by a small margin.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
06/16/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 0
Why don’t you just buy a new compressor with the oil in it already?
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1114063&cc=1353170&jsn=507
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
06/16/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 1
Yeah your local dealer sucks balls. Never those kind of issues with mine dealer.
I have other issues, but not terrible ones
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/16/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 1
So you had one bad experience at one *independently owned and operated* GM dealer of literally thousands in the country and wish to put hundreds of thousands of people out of a job, myself included. Sound logic there dude. Try a different dealership, they aren’t all shitty.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
not one experience. My experience says they are mostly shitty. I’ll be the first one to post here when i find a good one
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 0
That’s what I am going to do. However, instructions still call for some oil adding.... very vague
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/16/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 0
Yup. That is how to do things right.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
06/16/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0
Huh, I assumed where it said oil in compressor-yes. It meant they filled it.
Did you read this thread http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153172
He’s got some oil qtys listed near the end.
"Moltenburn" (ryanroland)
06/16/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 0
So you thought a GM dealer would work with you on a repair? Good luck. Most American car dealers and brands could give two shits about loaners and or people’s time. Also Why did you take the Car into a actual dealership? We are talking about a 10 year old C5 vette. Prepare for the price gouging your about to receive. Most other shops would install, touch up said compressor oil, for a fraction of what the stealership is about to charge you. SMH.