Main dealer servicing

bullfist63

I recently had my Honda car serviced at a Honda dealer (whom I have remained faithful to over eight years from new). A few days later, 20 miles into a 120 mile journey on the motorway, the car broke down - a fault with new brakes that the dealer had fitted.
I rang the dealer.
Me: Your repair has caused me to break down.
Dealer: OK, bring the car to us and we'll have a look.
After 6 hours (it was Monday morning), the AA got me back to the garage (that's another story).
I had to leave the car with the dealer and get my wife to pick me up.
The dealer fixed the car the next day (no cost, faulty part supplied by Honda-UK), but as I am self-employed and work away from home during the week, I used my wife's car to get me to destination (so she was without a car until she walked to the dealer to collect mine).
In my opinion the dealer was as unhelpful as possible, which after years of loyalty, is a bit of a smack in the face.
If I had gone to an (cheaper) independent back-street garage, this is the sort of service I would have expected. This is not the level of service that I would expect for paying premium service prices.
Any attempt to get redress has so far failed, there has been hint of a free service, but nothing has happened (so I guess it's not going to happen).
Contractually, I should not expect anything more.
Should I let the matter lie, or should I pursue for more - I am certainly not very happy, and have financially lost out (day's work + costs).
Thanks,
-steve

Netwizard

bullfist63 wrote: »

If I had gone to an (cheaper) independent back-street garage, this is the sort of service I would have expected.

I find the opposite nowadays. Go to a main dealer, pay main dealer prices, and expect sub standard work.

Find a good independent that you can trust, and the workmanship is spot on (and much cheaper!)

The dealers have to pay for those shiny dealerships with free coffee somehow.

For what its worth, my experience of Honda dealers is poor too, especially when 2 out of 3 local(ish) dealers confirmed that I needed a cambelt change on my Honda S2000 (Its chain driven!)

Needless to say, I found a trusted independent and never went back to the dealers for servicing!

What was the fault on your brakes? I'm assuming as it was brakes, potentially it could have been quite dangerous? I would push for more and don't be fobbed off. Go higher if need be, but that said, would you really want a free service from a main dealer that provides such shoddy service?!

tykesi

would you really want a free service from a main dealer that provides such shoddy service?!

Yes because he's very loyal, you see.

Why people have any sort of loyalty to a brand or any sort of corporate entity completely baffles me.

ariba10

Someone has to pay the wages of all the "Suits" walking around in the showroom.

Hintza

Not much you can do. I would ask them once more if they are willing to give a bit of goodwill and if not then I just wouldn't go back.

AdrianC

I fail to see the problem.

A problem arose after a service, due to a faulty part.
You phoned the dealer.
The dealer took the vehicle back in.
The dealer have fixed the problem at zero cost.
The dealer have offered you a goodwill gesture.

Yes, and...? What else do you want?

Should they have offered you a courtesy car? Probably. If they had one available.
If your income is that dependent on having a vehicle available, is there not some responsibility on you? Was your "days work + costs" worth more to you than the cost of a day's car hire?

TokyoMaru

I had a Honda and I found the service to be quite good, but I was never afraid to tell them I was dissatisfied. Tell them you're unhappy with the way you have been dealt with, you've been a customer there for 8 years so it should hit home.

LandyAndy

AdrianC wrote: »

I fail to see the problem.

A problem arose after a service, due to a faulty part.
You phoned the dealer.
The dealer took the vehicle back in.
The dealer have fixed the problem at zero cost.
The dealer have offered you a goodwill gesture.

Yes, and...? What else do you want?

Should they have offered you a courtesy car? Probably. If they had one available.
If your income is that dependent on having a vehicle available, is there not some responsibility on you? Was your "days work + costs" worth more to you than the cost of a day's car hire?

Well, to be fair, the OP does say it took the AA 6 hours to get him back to the dealer so the opportunity to work had probably gone for that day. Maybe the AA will cough up some compensation?;)


I do think the OP has been treated fairly by the dealer though.

AdrianC

LandyAndy wrote: »

Well, to be fair, the OP does say it took the AA 6 hours to get him back to the dealer so the opportunity to work had probably gone for that day. Maybe the AA will cough up some compensation?;)

If the OP's AA cover included the onward travel option, then he'd have had a hire car from them...