Took my car to the dealer...

[Echo419]

the radio's Bluetooth and voice recognition went out so they ordered me a new one and I went in to get it replaced yesterday.

so I'm chilling in the waiting area when I hear them crank up the car(Greddy Evo catback thank you) and I see the guy pull it out of the garage then drive off the lot...... now correct me if I'm wrong but after a factory radio install a test drive is not necessary.

so after several minutes I see him return to the lot, park the car, get out and go inspect the left rear wheel/tire. so I'm thinking, "I wonder if he Initial D'd my shit into a curb." and "I wonder if I went out and beat him to death with this complementary juice box will I be able to plea temporary insanity?". so instead of going up front and losing my mind I stay seated and try to calm down. deep breaths and trying to relax. so the service writer comes up to me so we can check out. I sign the papers and before I hand them back I say, "let me ask you something(in typical Walking Dead Shane fashion). is it normal or necessary to test drive a car after replacing a radio?". he looked at me like I asked him to divide 42.3 by tree and said, "No. why do you ask?". I explained that I saw the tech take my car off the lot and stay gone for several minutes and I wanted some answers. So he gets the manager of the dealership and goes back to the shop. they come back and he said, "the tech said he was checking the GPS.". I just looked at him with haughty derision and said, "We both know that's bullshit.". he agrees and said that the tech was being written up and disciplined. then after a bunch of apologizing on their part I left.

Frankly I'm thoroughly impressed with my ability to remain calm and not go outside and wait by the entrance for the little shit to get back from what was likely beating the shit out of my car and chewing thousands of miles off my tires. but I'm feeling unsatisfied and lacking something. I still have free maintance for about another year so it's not like they can give me free oil changes or something. should I go back and ask for anything or something. it's almost like I need to actually get it out by screaming and yelling at someone. I mean could you imagine if that prick had wrecked or damaged my car?

[j2k4]

I can imagine it, yeah.

I can also imagine you with a new car.

Or two.

With free maintenance forever.


See, I'm not all het up to sue people, but if there's ever a reason for a gratuitous and heavy-handed legal smiting, that would be a good example, Bobby.

[Uniuno]

One of the shops I used to work at had a policy of test driving ALL cars that had the wheels taken off. This was due to a lube tech that forgot to tighten lugs correctly (or at all) and the wheel fell off as the owner drove away. So one time the lube techs replaced a tire or removed a tire to inspect brakes on a G35 (it was fairly new at the time) that warranted a test drive. The service manager asked me (I was a tech) to perform the test drive rather than the dirty lube tech in this guy's G35. I took it for a quick spin up the road and back, maybe 3/4 a mile to the next turn around. The service manager must not have explained the policy to the customer because he was waiting for me as I backed the car into the spot out front. I got the dirtiest look from him and we never saw him again. I'm sure he wasn't pleased with his car being driven.

[Echo419]

like I get needing to drive it if that warrants it but this was a radio. the dealer is so small and the entrance to the shop is right by the waiting area. there's literally no way with that exhaust for him to sneak out. it's complete bullshit. the ONLY reason he could have had to take it out was to joyride. it's so obvious and I let them know that. I wonder if I just had a stock STI that they drive everyday anyways would he even have thought about it? but you see a BRZ with nice wheels and a loud exhaust and think, "I wonder what else he's gotten done.".

[anyonebutme]

I set the rev limiter to 4K RPM and boost controller off everytime my car had to go to a shop, juuuust in case.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

It's bullshit for sure, but not worth getting spun up any further over. The guy got in trouble; your car is unharmed; I'd just move on.

Jeremy

[Echo419]

It's bullshit for sure, but not worth getting spun up any further over. The guy got in trouble; your car is unharmed; I'd just move on.

Jeremy

I know. I keep telling myself that but I just can't let it go. Dad says I get that from mom.

[steve]

If you are going to use that dealership going forward, make an appointment with the service manager and sit down with him.
Let him know that you would prefer if they have to take the car out to check anything that they take you with. Then remind the service writers each time you visit.

I'm not so sure that checking the GPS function on a replacement radio/Nav is 100% BS. Perhaps the duration was excessive but I wasn't there.

Most of their customers could likely care less as long as the car is returned working but since you do, calmly explain what you expect to the man in charge and build a relationship with him. It could mean the difference between some free TSB or out of warranty work and paying for it in the future.

[j2k4]

If you are going to use that dealership going forward, make an appointment with the service manager and sit down with him.
Let him know that you would prefer if they have to take the car out to check anything that they take you with. Then remind the service writers each time you visit.

I'm not so sure that checking the GPS function on a replacement radio/Nav is 100% BS. Perhaps the duration was excessive but I wasn't there.

Most of their customers could likely care less as long as the car is returned working but since you do, calmly explain what you expect to the man in charge and build a relationship with him. It could mean the difference between some free TSB or out of warranty work and paying for it in the future.

Best strategy, troo story.

Include the tech, if you can.

Just gotta leave your wise-ass at home, Bobbeh.

[CoopKill]

I would have went one step further after the manager fed you the bullshit lie, and asked for his boss without sying anything. Explained the incident to him, and then let him know the manager tried to fluff the snow as well....