Original Junior

Well between work, moving the girl in with me and trying to recruit members for a NC chapter of the DTR I haven't had much time for anything. I dropped my truck off at the dealer to get an oil change, fuel filter change and tires rotated. Tire rotation, BAD IDEA!!! As I read before the dealer screwed someone elses rotation up by placing the tires on backwards. That is, black side out where it reads; "This side faces inward". Well I told the dealer yesterday they were wrong and after 15 minutes of discusssion and 2 shop formans telling me I knew nothing, a tire rep stepped in and said I was right. They tried to tell me I put aftermarket tires on. They even commented on my dual exhaust system. Like that has anything to do with the rotation of tires??? They were trying to get at the fact that I mess with my truck too much. They didn't even place the valve stem extenders on the rears so I could check pressure. No attention to detail! I went back today and told them to put the tires back where they were before and give me a refund. They charged me $44 for a rotation that was dorked up'd. I was told I would have to go back Monday to talk to the Service Manager to get my refund. I know I should have done this myself, and will from now on but the lack of attention on behalf of the mechanic is unacceptable. The service rep I deal with is a good guy. He agreed with me and is going to talk to the manager Monday with me. I just can't believe a mechanic would overlook the writing on the factory Goodyear tires and not replace the valve stem extenders so as I could check tire pressure when needed. And the kicker, they told me they don't deal with alot of duallies. Ignorance is not an excuse. I know some of you guys will give me the "I told you so" but I just needed to vent. For those who are taking their truck to the dealer in the future, check the work before you pay. Because of my rush to get out of there last night and take the girl on a date, I'm paying for it now in a lack of sleep (once again on a day off I had to get up early) and in the hassle that I have to go back and try to get my refund Monday.

Sweeper54

I went in for my "Heater Cord" installation, when I got the bill there wer two parts listed. I questioned the Service Manager, he said one was the cord and the other the HEATER. I told him I had already brought in the truck and told the heater was there. He babbled something about they had put it in then, at that point the mechcanic who worked on the truck walked in. He Babbled about not being able to find the hole the heater went in and having to "Research the procedure". I was fuming at this point, and asked them how many '04s with CTD they had sold this year and this is the FIRST one that they were putting a heater/cord on?" They looked at each other and before I let them babble anymore I told them either they had just ripped me off OR you are just incompetent, either way I won't be back to confirm which one was true. I walked over to the cashier who's first words out of her mouth were "You were supposed to be escorted out here" (Five Star thing I guess) I assured her it wouldn't happen again. Just as I openned my wallet my salesman walked up, "How's it going Kevin?"
"Chris JUST the person I want to see", I said, "Here are your business cards, I won't be reffering anyone to this dealership and that Sebering Convertable we were talk about for my wife, forget it!" He started to question me and I stopped him and told him to talk with the Service Manager. I walked out started the truck and as I drove off he came running out the door trying to stop me, most likely the first time this individual has run in many years.
I'm buying the Chiltons manual and except for warrentee work, and the free State Inspections, I won't be going back.

MedicShawn

I've got a pretty good service story. I was driving home and heard a hissing sound. I pulled over to find that it was my tire leaking air at a pretty substantial rate. So I took it to a nearby tire store. I don't remeber which one it was, but it was a Firestone Goodyear etc. I told they guy I needed to have my tire plugged and began the wait. Luckily I was stuck there so I had nothing better to do but wait and watch the "workers".

First they can't find their portable air tank to refill the tire that is now completely flat. THey order another one that will be here any minute.

The worker decides he'll just go out and drive my truck into the bay. My tire is now completely flat, and resting on the rim. I make the manager run out to the parking lot and stop him before he can go anywhere.

I walk out to my truck to find that it's still in Reverse (it's an auto). With they keys still in the ignition and the door open. So I lock my truck back up and take my keys back to the manager.

Well the worker goes to just jack up the truck and remove the tire but his boss tells him to wait for another portable tank to get there. After another 45 minutes or so pass they decide to jack it up and remove the tire.

So I watch the guy plug the tire and go to balace it. I have oversized wheels and aftermarket tires, so which side does he put the weights on? Exactly the outside, so I have to make the manager tell him to put the weights on the inside.

Finally the worker brings my key and the ticket it, but the manager is now out in thew bay with his pretty white shirt on messing around in the bay. So I almost walked out with my keys and left, but that would have put me in the wrong so I wait.

Well the owner strolls through, so I ask him can he get his manager so I can pay and leave. He just hands me my keys and tells me to have a good day. He said he didn't want anyone being all angry with him so I left.

How could a tire place screw up that bad plugging a tire. At least the plug actually held.............

XTOAK

Sweeper54, best thing I ever did was purchase the Ram service manual on CD from my dealer. He said the truck was too technical for a shade tree mechanic to maintain...I told him I'd take my chances. Best money ever spent and it's saved me money time and time again. Last week I changed the tranny and transfer case fluid...cost me $89 for fluid and tranny filter...the dealer wanted $299 for the exact same procedure. Plus, I don't have the aggrevation of them screwing something up and having tranny fluid dripping all over the driveway.

jarmar

These stories are enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck.

There is a Goodyear dealer in Placerville who, over the past fifteen years, has always treated me with competence and respect. When I come in the service manager, Bill, always calls me by my first name. The Cooper dealer is the same story. I guess I have just been lucky.

I recently ordered a new Dodge and we plan to hit the road in a few months. Is there a list somewhere of dealerships to avoid?

jr

doomgaze

http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Dealers.htm

welder27

Wow. Scary stuff. Ya know what I don't like? When they look at your truck, hook up their computers to your truck, and then tell you they don't know what's wrong w/ it...oh, but wait, I ONLY hear the noise when I'm going down the road at 40 mph. Did they take it for a drive? NO. Idiots. I understand the insurance problems concerning driving somebody else's truck, but please. I can only describe what something sounds like in so many words!

Jonesey

Is it just me or are there more frowns than smiles at the above link? I don't even want to get started on my luck with service departments. I am waiting now for a radiator to come in. It was broken at my last visit to the service department. Search on some of my recent posts if you want to see some doozies. I give up. UNCLE!

Dieseldude4x4

OK guys, I understand you are upset but I've edited two of the posts already. Name calling or dealer bashing will not be tolerated on this site.
You can relay your experiences all you want good or bad, but please refrain from name calling and cuss words or the thread will be locked and moved.
Thanks
Joel

doomgaze

Definitely. However, I just looked over and notice you were from Ohio. I can vouch for Jackson's service department in Celina (One of the few smiles on that page). I'm not sure how close you are to Celina, but it's worth a drive.

I was impressed just looking at the building! They do heavy truck repair, so they have about 6 HUGE garage doors leading to one of the most cleanly shops I've ever seen.

I think they may be a tad pricey for service, but you know the work will be done right. And I know they cannot be beat when buying a truck from them. A dealer up here in Findlay wanted $10,000 more for an 03 2500 than Jacksons wanted for an 03 3500 with similar miles!

welder27

I just checked out that link to the surveys. The 3 big dealers here in Anchorage aren't doing so well. Makes ya wonder how they stay in business w/ a reputation like that.

Jonesey

doomgaze,
Thanks for the tip. It would be a pretty good drive and would require me to miss some work. That's why I have had warranty work done locally. My selling dealer is appx. 165 miles away. Luckily I have only had two warranty issues with the truck. The sad thing is it now will have been in the shop for two warranty repairs and two times to have the things repaired that were damaged when in for the warranty work. I do believe in giving them every chance to make it right. The service manager is very understanding and is doing his best to make it right. I haven't even ruled them out for my next one if they treat me right. Stuff happens. No bashing here just sharing my experiences. Still calm, cool and collected for now.

XTOAK

Welder27, the best warranty work I've found anywhere in the state of Alaska are Gene's in Fairbanks and Kenai Chrysler Dodge here in Kenai. I bought my rig from Anchorage Chrysler Dodge and they did great by me but when it came to the warranty work, oh Lord, it was a little ugly. I've never had a problem with Kenai Chrysler Dodge and found them to go that extra mile you'd expect from a service department. Bob Favretto, the owner of the dealership, works and lives right there in his office and routinely comes out to meet his "guests". A very personably fellow who treats people like customers and not liabilities. The other three dealerships in Anchorage, as well as many nationwide, could take a few lessons from him on competent customer service. I highly recommend them...granted, it would mean a 150 mile drive but in the summer at least the fishing's great!!

welder27

Maybe it's the small town attitude they have! Most of the dealerships here haggle the crap outta you. Me and my girl have both had great experiences on separate occasions w/ Lyberger's. The owner is always there hangin out w/ the customers, the sales people don't harass you and push you into a corner, etc. My girl says when she got her car there the owner even ran out to give her a big paper bag full of corn on the cob for free! Excellent place for business!

AK RAM

welder27 and XTOAK, I have talked to both of the Dodge dealerships in Anchorage many times to get their feelings on boxes and such (worried about warranty). The service manager at Anchorage Chrysler (Roy) is the man. I was truly amazed at some of the things he told me....and I was able to verify he has kept his word in the past. PM me if you want details.