Local Ford Dealer = Depressed

1Tunnah · 12-09-2008, 12:16 AM

Gidday to everyone here at the forums.
Well, this is my rant..I had the old problem of the bonnet release lever breaking the base of the fuse box in my BA 1 tonner. Anyway I booked into the Ford dealer for a 40,000km service and repairs. On picking up vehicle, was given bill for $360 and told to re-book for fuse box repairs. Also told that the hand-brake needed adjusting & brake fluid needed changing. I thought that this would have been done in the service, but no. On returning for the fuse box repairs, the technician said the handbrake didn't need adjusting, just the bolts needed tightening. Upon receiving the $630 bill, noticed that they charged $110 for adjusting handbrake. When I queried it, they said after I left in the morning, they had to adjust it, not tighten bolts. They charged me $55 for brake fluid plus labour. Charged me $55 for new wiper blades ( which I didn't ask for ). After spending nearly $1000 in two weeks, I asked what warranty I had, as I purchased the car as part of Ford's 04 run-out sale, which offerred 5yr warranty's as standard. Was informed I only had a 3yr warranty, and the salesman that sold me the car left months ago. I know this is a long whinge, but my opinion of Ford has taken a beating...

mcnews · 12-09-2008, 12:24 AM

Sounds like crap service to me. Document your beef and take it to the dealer principal.

zetec · 12-09-2008, 12:46 AM

If your contract states a 5 year warranty, you have a 5 year warranty. Take that one to the DP, failing that call 13 FORD to take it further.

kinggee · 12-09-2008, 02:40 AM

I bought my car there too, I ordered it in November/December to be delivered in Jan/Feb 05 (car 05 plate) so I missed out on the extended warranty deal.

They were supposed to fix my fuse box as well but they didn't replace it like they told me they would. They fixed the bonnet release (under warranty) and left where it attaches to the fuse panel busted. The release still works now and I didn't want to leave the car with them to replace the entire panel so I didn't bother.

As for the salesman leaving, I personally reckon you make a deal with the dealership, not an individual, and a salesman leaving the company should not make any difference to the deal made. Ford Australia may have info on your remaining warranty, especially if you can prove you purchased the car during the time of the offer.

Yellow_Festiva · 12-09-2008, 06:25 AM

Oh... and I would have kindly asked them to remove the gold plated wiper blades and remove that from the bill.

This happens all the time, and they count on you not putting up a stink.

When servicing SHOP ARROUND, and be an informed customer. Ask what EXACTLY you are paying for, and clearly state that ANYTHING that 'needs' to be done on top of that will need your OK...

In the paper last week they took a car to several Sydney service centres, got a major service, and front brakes.

The price ranged from around $305 to $607 for the exact same work done...

MNM96 · 12-09-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Tunnah

but my opinion of Ford has taken a beating...

My opinion is you took a beating!

**buggerlugs** · 12-09-2008, 06:56 AM

That is shocking, disgracefull actually.........

XR6_661 · 12-09-2008, 07:10 AM

Had the same kinda things happen to me at the Local Fraud Service center.

Never again will I go to any.

IF you can get warrenty services done elsewhere, do it!!

89.SVO · 12-09-2008, 07:18 AM

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

Rodp · 12-09-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEB

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

So you wouldn't be peeved if you a service department took it upon themselves to change your wiper blades and charge you premium price for them without your knowledge? Also, last time I checked, service intervals had fluid changes as part of the service charge, not an additional cost (unless you want the super duper oil). Handbrakes hard to adjust? So I should then have to pay premium price for a Ford service centre to adjust a *Ford* handbrake because they're unreliable?

I'd be hopping mad.

alecrain · 12-09-2008, 09:08 AM

I think I'm the only one happy with my Ford service.
My guys (I know them by their first names now) are cool and their boss even got me some things done for free. Besides they always call me to accept any additional stuff (quoting the price) and pick me up from work on time when the car's done.
The prices are what you'd expect form a dealer's mechanic but while under warranty it's worth.

BTW, I'm with New Oak Ford in Springvale, Vic.

**Elks** · 12-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecrain

BTW, I'm with New Oak Ford in Springvale, Vic.

I used these guys ^^^ with the TS for years and always great.

elusiverunner · 12-09-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

Sounds like WILDEB maybe a Ford employee :evil3:

89.SVO · 14-09-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elusiverunner

Sounds like WILDEB maybe a Ford employee :evil3:

no actually. Mazda actually

S3SR · 17-09-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecrain

I think I'm the only one happy with my Ford service.

i love my ford service, i even travel 300kms to get there when theres one 10kms away from me....

i can understand why you would be angry that they would just replace stuff and charge you without even hinting about it

but when i worked for a holden dealership

in the service department we were instructed to just replace certain things at certain intervals... if it was half worn it was replaced, imagine going in for a service then 1 week later your wipers are stuffed, or after the handbrake was adjusted it was worse than before.... wouldnt you rather the things fixed when you have time or on the side of the road waiting for RACQ or a tow truck? im sure it would cost more than the difference in time and lost productivity

have a chat to the dealer principal and return the things you did not need

just remember blowing up and shouting and swearing doesnt solve anything, and i hope they dont return it if you do, but by being one of them i know what they have to do, and its actually a service rather than a rip off with its exceptions

tell them if you dont want it, hell if Ford have all these stories of ripping people off why are they in financial trouble???

BUT also those things should be brought up when you pay for it or ASAP

price of those wipers you could get the Bosch Aero twin, and they actually work no more crappy metal with refills that break + they look cool and if they dont work as described bosch give you more

RG · 12-09-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEB

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

Granted they can be but never to the extent where that amount is justified, half that at the very most is fair. There is no such thing as wiper blades worth $55 and last I checked they still used Trico, about $10 for the pair.

He was ripped and is right to be peeved about it.

MNM96 · 12-09-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Granted they can be but never to the extent where that amount is justified, half that at the very most is fair. There is no such thing as wiper blades worth $55 and last I checked they still used Trico, about $10 for the pair.

He was ripped and is right to be peeved about it.

Unless they replaced the insert and holder, not just the rubber??

RG · 12-09-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNM96

Unless they replaced the insert and holder, not just the rubber??

Still not that expensive to do, Trico charge the general public $10-15 a side so Ford would get them substantially cheaper than that and they take a whole 5 minutes to fit.

OLDFORDNUT · 12-09-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEB

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

You cant be serious

:

loltastic · 12-09-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEB

if you wanna complain about pricing think of where Ford is coming from. handbrakes can be hard to adjust sometimes. due to parts seizing etc etc. and if Fords supplier sells them good quality wiper blades for a high price it gets passed on to you. to bad it happens.

if you wanna complain do the service yourself. and then see how long it takes you. then work out the labour cost. $55 for brake fluid is cheap. 500mL of the stuff costs $10. might have used 2-3 depending on how big the caliper resevoirs are and master cyl, lines, ABS pump etc etc

LOL. You can do a handbrake adjustment on the rear hub yourself in about 30 minutes, so how does Ford justify $110? Premium labour rate is about $110/h, so it should be $55 MAX, and that's doing it yourself with a tyre iron and a jack.

Ford wonder why the Falcon is selling poorly. Look at the utter rubbish the poor customers have to put up with. You can imagine an elderly couple taking their car back to Ford and copping this rubbish can't you? Their next car will be a Holden.

mr smith · 12-09-2008, 05:22 PM

You can imagine an elderly couple taking their car back to Ford and copping this rubbish can't you? Their next car will be a Holden.[/QUOTE]

Close, but next car will be a Toyota. They will never be back.

Fev · 12-09-2008, 09:11 AM

that is horrible service. i think i would have walked out to the car, removed the wiper blades and told him where to shove them!

sgt_doofey · 12-09-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Tunnah

Charged me $55 for new wiper blades

Just be thankful you don't own a Peugeot in Adelaide. The dealer here wants $60 a side for blades. That's $120 for 2 front wipers.
Damn European cars and damn Bosch not selling the replacements for them here in Australia.

Fev · 12-09-2008, 09:37 AM

ebay! :P

azaxr8 · 12-09-2008, 09:56 AM

i paid $82 for two new locking nuts that lock the brake bearings in place... $41 each for 4 nuts and a washer with that clip thingo on top...... work that out?

eb2fairmont · 12-09-2008, 10:40 AM

And this is why Ford can't sell falcons. Stupid dealers and stupid marketing.

Supercharged · 12-09-2008, 11:26 AM

I own 5 Falcons with 2 in warranty and I never use the Dealer these days for servicing, have done in the past and been ripped off.
The mechanic I use now has a detailing business as well so for around $250.00 I get a full service including hand brake adjustments with the car washed and interior cleaned (not fully detailed), he is accredited so no warranty issues.

AWD Chaser · 12-09-2008, 01:39 PM

I also got the blunt end of the stick from many dealer, both Ford and others.

After having my new(ish) Kia have some issues, I took it to the Kia dealer where I used to live. They were shocking. I had it booked in for warranty work for brake shudder, and they had it all day then gave it back and said they can't do anything until I replace a worn front tyre. I was very pi55ed because I told them before I handed over they keys I was moving to Newcastle in a few days. When they gave the keys back at the end of the day they asked which day the following week I would want to book it in for!!!!!

After moving to Newcastle, I had some warranty work done for the same thing plus others. The lady at the desk said it probably just needed to be machined and would cost me $150 for 4 discs which I was happy to pay for. When they handed the keys back, they said they had replaced 2 rotors and 4 brake pads for more revised parts UNDER WARRANTY! They also fixed an ongoing issue with the car pulling to the left, did a wheel alignment, and also had a curtosy bus to take me home, and pick me up again to pick up the car! They even had Tea, Coffee and Street Machine mags in the waiting room!

I still am blown away with the quality of customer service of this joint as opposed to others. I guess it just comes down to who wants to provide customer service and EARN a good reputation, and who is just there to fix manufacture warranty issues and nothing else.

FalconXR6 · 12-09-2008, 01:54 PM

Good luck with DP and / or 13 FORD.
We had HUGE troubles a while ago with the wifes Focus.
The dealer was an absolute and refused to rectify the issues (won't go into detail) and 13 FORD were just as bad. Nearly worse.

We ended up selling both our cars and purchased an XR6T !!!

So it worked out well in the end...

All I will say is that if Jackson's Ford in Devonport weren't in Tas I would never again buy a new Ford. Jackson's are brilliant!

LTDterri · 12-09-2008, 03:58 PM

It's sad to see the dealerships being so friendly and helpful when you buy the thing but treat you like c%$p when you need some work done. Over priced and under achieving I do not use dealerships any more unless its under warrantee even then it's hold your breath and hang on for the ride. I owned a VX for a few years and took it to the dealer for service, these fools would always charge me $1.25 to top up washer bottle, on one occassion it was filled by me that morning......