Dealership Throws Late Night Pizza Party! Wait What?

"Jonathon Klein" (jonathon-klein)
09/23/2014 at 14:05 • Filed to: Stealerships, GM Recalls

Apparently, the consistent stream of GM recalls has pushed dealerships to go to new heights to keep customers coming back. In this instance, one of my local GM dealerships, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is introducing a special "Recall Night." Doesn't that sound fun!

This "Recall Night" includes a pizza party and most likely a song and dance show featuring the porters strictly regimented by the Parts Department Boss who always loved theater but couldn't work up enough courage to pursue his dreams and tell his dad that all he wanted to do was Jazz Hands! Dammit Dad, I LOVE MUSICAL THEATER!

Essentially, Sunrise Chevy is putting on your 4 th grade birthday party, but instead of being on a Saturday and you getting presents while your mom rushes around trying to wrangle all the children. It's on a Wednesday, after work, and will most likely go on entirely too long and you will wake up the next day after having only 4hrs of sleep because GM can't get their shit together.

While the entire event seems extremely childish especially when the dealership is fixing what could be a dangerous car, it does show that most of the people that are being affected by this recall aren't those in charge, but rather the local dealerships that employ most of the work force. And even though I'm not a fan at the entire current dealership model, I do feel bad for them having been stuck with the blunt end of this massive cock up.

But hey, if you're in the Glendale Heights area of Illinois tomorrow, and you have a recalled GM product, you should stop on by and get some pizza!

Hat tip to Anthony from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

You can follow me here on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (61)

Jonathan Harper > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 14:12

Fuck it. I love pizza.

Jonathon Klein > Jonathan Harper
09/23/2014 at 14:16

Are you in the Illinois area at the moment or still in NYC? If near here, come get pizza.

treesmakewater > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 14:19

Does the party include complimentary towing to the dealer?

Jonathon Klein > treesmakewater
09/23/2014 at 14:20

I can't imagine it not.

Jonathan Harper > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 14:27

Nope, NYC.

McMike > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 14:30

Ha, I actually think that's kind of clever.

As a dealer it must be tough to work in all these recalls with all the other service tickets. Schedule a time that's after hours, pay your techs overtime, and knock as many similar-type repairs out as you can in one night.

Hell, make it a movie night, too. Rent a big screen, popcorn machine, etc..

Kinja'd!!!

Bob > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 14:42

The Pizza part is them being nice, the big thing is that they have an extended hour opportunity to get it fixed. The biggest problem for most people is finding time to drop off the car to get fixed because then they won't have a car. So you drop it off, grab something to eat while they fix it so you don't even have to worry about dinner.

crowmolly > Bob
09/23/2014 at 14:47

Yeah, while calling it a "Pizza Party" may seem childish it's a dealership trying to be a bit more human while a legion of customers deals with recall issues.

Also, if the "Pizza Party" is set up to have entertainment and things to do for kids while Mom and/or Dad wait for the car to get done, all the more power to them. Having to entertain a young kid while your car is being worked on can be tough to do.

Jonathon Klein > Bob
09/23/2014 at 14:49

exactly.

Jonathon Klein > Jonathan Harper
09/23/2014 at 14:49

Boo

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 15:40

And this is how you build a loyal customer base.

SOCdriver > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 19:48

Sales guys will be working late too, you know just to help you get out of that dangerous car that is getting fixed. Do you want to kill your family? No? Then buy a new Malibu.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 19:52

Why would you feel bad for the dealers? The recalls have been a massive boon for their service departments since GM is footing the bill for all the repairs.

RichardNixon72 > treesmakewater
09/23/2014 at 19:52

Why would you need your car towed if the recall doesn't affect drivability?

Bobsmith30 > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 19:54

its actually a good idea. Customers are grumpy and not happy with the brand. They will take it out on the dealership. ANYTHING that can calm down a customer and make the situation easier, is better for the dealership.

RichardNixon72 > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 19:55

Not really sure about what's behind to mocking tone of this. Clearly, this dealer is interested in long-term customer satisfaction by taking care of existing customer and treating potential future customers kindly.

nappingatdesk > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:00

By appointment only, please don't crash the party.

Kinja'd!!!

tinyman392 > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:00

Me *See's Sunrise Chevrolet...*: Is that the one that is on North...
*while scrolling down*: Yes it is.

Too bad I'm an hour away at school :/ My parents bought a car right next door though... Half a decade ago.

True > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:04

So the dealership, generally thought of poorly by consumers, is doing their best to manage a situation completely not of their doing and out of their control and take care of their customers by extending hours and making it suck less than it has to w/o breaking the bank.

That's a bad thing?

scotten > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:04

Ahhh... I'm in the Chicago area but just traded in my Chevy... horrible timing.

F50F60 > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:05

If it is papa johns, round table or domino's...it's like eating a dirty anus with ketchup on it....

padilha > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:05

And there I was, laughing about the fact that almost every single one of american GM cars had to be recalled and thinking: "well, I pay twice the price for a car here in Brazil but at least I won't be bothered by this massive recall" and then I open a brazilian car website and see that 2 of my cars have to be recalled for the same reason - and for me there's no pizza :(

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:06

This isn't the first time it's happened, or even the first time GM dealers have done it. In the early days of Saturn, when their little plastic shitbox cars needed all sorts of recalls, Saturn dealers would have "recall parties" for their customers, to make them cheerfully forget that their shiny, happy cars had as many defects as they did. From what I heard, lots of Kool-Aid was consumed.

Maxaxle > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:07

I can think of worse deals.

Napom Killz > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:17

I finally received a recall notice tied to my Vin #. I have been bitching about it online for what seems like years now. POS 2002 Malibu. I kid, other then randomly not starting or hitting a bump and coasting to safety, it has ran great. Still under 100k miles. Just about 120 to go. I may spend that rollover trip at the dealership in my area having free pizza, if the becomes a trend for Chevy.

ChickenMcBooty > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:44

"all he wanted to do was Jazz Hands!"

As an habitual masturbator, all I wanted to do was Jizz Hands

mad.anthony > Bob
09/23/2014 at 20:52

word. They make it easier to get your car fixed and you get some free food out of it. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

Captain_Spadaro > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 20:59

The real question is, where are they going to get the pizza from? If they're smart, they won't go with the national chains.

Also_Ran > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 21:13

Childish? I think you mean AWESOME!

(Publish and be damned)

Kinja'd!!!

ZweiDeutschesAutos > crowmolly
09/23/2014 at 21:19

Maybe I'm really strange, but when I was a little kid I loved going to the dealer with my dad for service. I got to see all the new cars, collect the brochures, and sit in that driver's seat and dream.

Granted I don't think I'd have as much fun in a GM dealership as a 90's Honda/Acura place...

ToastedTires > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 21:27

sounds like a ploy by the Shredder to get them to bring in the Turtle Wagon... But I that that was a VW

Kinja'd!!!

Donna L. Williamson > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 21:31

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

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shop-teacher > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 21:45

Damnit! Now I'm pissed that my recall has already been fixed. I live fairly close to that dealership, and I love pizza.

05STi > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 22:12

You really filed this to "stealerships"? Calling out GM for recalls is one thing, trying to spin a dealership going above and beyond to make sure everyone gets their car repaired in a timely fashion while giving them pizza them is being petulant.

jazzypaul > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 22:12

I live across the street from Sunrise. Strange place, that place. The sales side seemed pretty shady, but their mechanics always took really good care of my Blazer. So good on 'em.

Have Jeep, will travel. > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 22:50

So let me get this straight. You are trying to portray a dealership in a bad light, who has to deal with the consequences of the actions of its parent company, for extending their service hours to accommodate customers who may not be able to miss time from their jobs during normal business hours to get service work done, and they are nice enough to provide free food? Thats how it looks to me.

Daisy M. Merchant > Jonathon Klein
09/23/2014 at 23:58

———————————> www.jobs700.com

FriskyDingo > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 01:00

I bet it's exactly like you describe but I wonder if the pizza is any good and if theres just pepncheese and combo or some better stuff.

treesmakewater > RichardNixon72
09/24/2014 at 02:17

some recalls do. I would not drive a vehicle that turns itself off while driving.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > ZweiDeutschesAutos
09/24/2014 at 03:28

I'm with you, I loved going to the dealerships as a kid, I fondly remember seeing a blue Toyota Tacoma X-Runner and thinking it was the coolest thing in the world.

CaseyUmadLanken > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 06:36

Dealership stays open late, offers food to people to make lives easier. People are shit, still find things to bitch about.

Celeste J. Brinton > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 06:44

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KSEGGFTW > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 07:31

So if you're driving along and the steering wheel comes off, do you get a "You Survived!" beer and wings party?

Mattbob > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 07:46

this is awesome. If I needed the recall I would totally go there.

Jonathon Klein > KSEGGFTW
09/24/2014 at 08:04

I believe that'll be the next party

Jonathon Klein > CaseyUmadLanken
09/24/2014 at 08:05

But staying late only this day, and it being a wednesday isn't exactly convenient for 99% of the population. Why not stay open late on a Saturday or even come in on Sunday?

Jonathon Klein > FriskyDingo
09/24/2014 at 08:05

It's going to definitely be the former.

Jonathon Klein > Have Jeep, will travel.
09/24/2014 at 08:06

I'm more mocking the fact that rather than just deal with people at a human level, they are pulling this stunt? Staying late only this day, and it being a wednesday isn't exactly convenient for 99% of the population.

Jonathon Klein > jazzypaul
09/24/2014 at 08:07

That's usually how it goes. I used to work on both sides. Loved the parts and mechanics guys, loathed the sales people.

Jonathon Klein > shop-teacher
09/24/2014 at 08:08

Ha ha, you could always just pretend it's still broken?

Jonathon Klein > Napom Killz
09/24/2014 at 08:09

Well it now definitely should

Jonathon Klein > padilha
09/24/2014 at 08:12

Don't you guys have Caipirinha? AND MY FAVORITE BOLINHO DE CHUVA!

Jonathon Klein > tinyman392
09/24/2014 at 08:13

Chicago Jalops Represent!

Malforus > Bob
09/24/2014 at 09:19

Totally agree, they are making lemonade out of lemons. Something that should be lauded not made fun of.

Have Jeep, will travel. > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 09:20

Human level? Most of us work all day. Nothing wrong with extending service hours a bit so people can come in and get their cars fixed and have some food. That its pretty damn human. I fail to see this as a childish stunt, more like them just trying to be helpful and nice. They don't have too be this accommodating for a test run to see if people actually come in. You come across as an ass with a giant chip on your shoulder towards dealers for no reason. Like They shot your puppy. Come on guy.

Jonathon Klein > Have Jeep, will travel.
09/24/2014 at 10:05

I used to work for multiple dealerships, they would pull these stupid stunts all the damn time. It never worked.

And my problem is more how they are phrasing it, like they are doing you a favor, when in reality they should being doing this every single day till all of their cars are fixed. It's not the consumers problem, it's the company's problem. Why not extend your service hours every day so that if this does actually work, they aren't inundated with more cars than they can see?

ataraxia > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 10:39

I bought a used car from this dealership about 7 years ago and the experience was very pleasant. Several friends have bought new cars from them and reported the same experience. I'm not surprised they're doing this-they tended to find ways to work with customers to make things less of a pain in the ass.

n54 & s38 > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 11:38

Every night is Recall Night at GM!

mrmcderm > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 11:53

LOL! I bought my first car from those clowns (a 1997 Cavalier. Don't judge).

Good luck getting your recalls fixed, folks. It took them 4 tries to get my coolant system fixed, and they could never do it. It took a dealership outside Ft. Campbell (after a catastrophic overheat just outside the main gate) to finally fix it.

Coty > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 12:09

They have no obligation to stay open late. They didn't fuck up, GM did. GM isn't giving them any extra money to stay open late or to pay their employees overtime.

blackjack666 > Jonathon Klein
09/24/2014 at 16:41

It's 99% more convenient than on a weekend night where 99% of the population are out to the clubs or maybe cinema if they have kids or on Sunday when you're out to see grandma and grandpa.

I think this is awesome. I totally wish my Mercedes dealer would do that :)