Chevy Dealers - Your opinions...?

[doyoulikeithere]

Hi There.
I was just reading what I felt was a horror story, here in the forum about a fellow who took his Astro to Wheaton GM.
It really sounded like Wheaton GM was trying to talk him into thinking he needed a whole new engine instead of a new distributor and an oil change. (6500 vs 450).

Recently, I was mailed a card from Baljet GM saying I needed to schedule a campain 94001 repair to my 87 Astro, at thier service centre.
I looked it up and its a recall for a faulty bolt in the reclining seat.
I was impressed that they recalled me after only just recently getting my VIN, So I called them up and scheduled a time for the recall work the next weekend.
The next W/E, I showed up and had to wait about a half hour to finish signing the van in with the guy, and then was told to come back in about an hour and a half.
I came back after about an hour to check up on it. I saw that it was only just getting pulled into the shop now!
Then the guy who signed it in spoke up and called me over to tell me that they did not have the bolt in stock, and that as soon as they were done washing the van I could leave.
It would have been nice if they could have checked on that before I wasted a few hours of my Saturday, but....Now I have to go back again and waste another Saturday morning.

As a rule I avoid the dealer at all cost, unless its free or someone else's insurance!

What sort of experiences have y'all had with the Chevy dealers in your neighborhood ?

[ihatemybike]

No dealer service lays a wrench on my vans, but Al Piemonte Chevrolet's parts department has seen my face a few times. For the most part, they'll price match.

[astro355]

The only time I go to a dealership is when no one else sells the part. Thank god for my commercial account. Those retail prices are just nuts.

[Mr_Bowtie]

Stealerships don't get my business!

[tedanderson]

^X2 on the stealerships!

My only major problem with those guys is that for what they charge you, they only offer mediocre service. I once went to the stealership to get some keys made. I purposely went there thinking that I was going to get one cut from a factory key blank but instead, they had one of those Ilco setups like you see in the drug store.

What I like about the stealership that is associated with my German made car is that at least they kiss you and give you flowers and candy on your way out the door. But in all seriousness, there is a perception that the dealership provides the best service from factory-trained technicians. But if you could see what was behind the curtain, you would discover that they are just like any other repair shop that wants to turn a profit. I can't begin to tell you how often I see the Advance Auto Parts or the Autozone delivery truck dropping something off at my local neighborhood Chevy dealer.

[ihatemybike]

I purposely went there thinking that I was going to get one cut from a factory key blank but instead, they had one of those Ilco setups like you see in the drug store.

You need to tell them you want a fresh key cut from the VIN. I do this with every used van.

[tedanderson]

Thanks! So if I use those exact words, they'll know what I'm talking about?

[ihatemybike]

Every dealer I've gone to for this did. Most likely will need to bring in your registration and ID.

[astroturf]

Stealerships don't get my business!

[doyoulikeithere]

Thanks for some great response folks.

I do have to go get the recall part installed, and I'm glad the stealership let me know about it.
The got my VIN when some one was kind enough to plow into my rear bumper, and therefore buy me a new one, installed at the dealer of course.
6 months later I got the recall notice in the mail.

I must say as I wandered around wasting my saturday morning, expecting installation of a part they didnt have in stock, I noticed the price tags on some new vehicles and almost had a coronary!

New Sierra 2500 Duramax diesels are virtually seventy grand before tax !
Stealership, I love it. And we all bailed them out !!

[astroturf]

Thinking more about this. I wonder why you would let them touch your van. I mean it has only been twenty three years since they built that seat. I would not waste any more time with them. Obtain a copy of the recall, the bolt, and do it yourself. I suspect that in the process of replacing a bolt that they may discover that your headlight fluid is low. Good Luck. Jim

[tedanderson]

I must say as I wandered around wasting my saturday morning, expecting installation of a part they didnt have in stock

The mission of the service department is to keep you in there long enough to have you browsing for a new vehicle. They knew that they didn't have the part. They just needed to get you in there at any cost.

[rev_les]

When I worked for Cadillac/Hummer, we were expected to properly diagnose and fix problems and provide excellent service to the customer. We were also encouraged to find legitimate problems the customer was unaware of that needed to be addressed. I deal with all makes of dealerships daily, and I can say, some are good,with a totally professional group of auto techs, and some I wonder how they stay in business. A service department IS there to make money, otherwise there wouldn't BE a service department, parts and service are the backbone of a dealership, new car sales just feed the service department warranty and service work.

[astroturf]

doyoulikeithere, How did this turn out for you? Thanks, Jim

[Jasen]

I took mine in a few years back. It kept making an odd noise in the front end and I couldn't find it. I left it for a couple hours and they couldn't find it either. I did get a wash out of it. I ended up spraying WD40 around and haven't heard the noise sense.

As far as Key's. all I got when I bought it was one el cheapo spare key which kind of cut into your fingers when starting the van.. I took it to a real lock smith and had a GM key cut for it, with the plastic GM logo.

[01safari]

I got one of those recall notices for the turn signal switch overloading with additional trailer lighting. I tow maybe twice a year to home depot. But I got tired of all mail coming, so I took it in. The recall was to inspect and replace as neccesary. They replaced the switch and now about 1 on every 20 turns, the signal will not cancel. No, I'm not going back to leave my van there only to be disappointed again.

[doyoulikeithere]

I was and still am pissed that they sent me the "Invite", then took my appointment, and then waited for me to arrive, 50 kilometers round trip and all they could say to me for basically wasting and messing up my entire Saturday morning, is : sorry but we aren't allowed to check stock on recalls beforehand until we know what we will need.
The whole time I was there I felt like i did at an overpriced eye doctor's office once. They tried to sell me glasses for 1250 bucks!! GM wants seventy grand for a pickup!
The waiting room carpet cost more than my van. The big screen tv in there was way nicer than any of my friends own. Anyways, I haven't gone or called back yet. I' F'n tempted to make the appointment and then not show a couple of times though. The ONLY thing that would make me really go get it done is the sticky ICBC insurance adjusters that would love to blame my van that didnt do the recall on something unrelated, and gouch me with a bad claim at some point. Better to be able to say, no that was not the cause! Maybe I will book an appointment for next weekend. lol.

[astroturf]

Sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to a happy ending. Hope you get it worked out. Jim

[doyoulikeithere]

i will let you know ho they do next round.

[doyoulikeithere]

Well, I have been in to have this done now to my 2 oldest vans.
They were friendly and gave me a ride anywhere, and a ride back when they were done. The coffee was good too.

When I made the appointment to get the second van done, I questioned the guy about if the parts would be in stock, and good thing too, or I would been sent home again.
Seems on recal jobs, they dont check stock until the vehicle arrives and they look at it. GM Policy I was told.