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30th
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I've recently purchased a new-ish car, and am now forced to deal with dealerships, once more. Back in my early days of car ownership, I was a loyal dealership-goer.
My first cars were Mazdas and, at the time, I thought I had a good thing going with a well-established local garage. In fact, my first car, a 1985 626 coupe, was purchased new by my parents at that very establishment and subsequent used Mazda acquisitions were all serviced there, including my beloved grey 1989 MX-6 GT coupe, aka the “Whore.” Long story...
The bottom line is, that from 1985 to 1999, my father and I spent serious amounts of money at this garage. In 1998, I signed up for Automotive Technician classes and by mid-1999 was doing all the work on our Mazda cars (dad had a white 1991 MX-6 GT coupe). My MX was promptly traded for my first of many MKII Volkswagen Jettas. There are very good reasons for this...
By the time I graduated, I realized how we'd been taken for many a ride by the Service Department of this dealership, and could scarcely begin to imagine the value of the countless unnecessary repairs that were performed on our cars.
Needless to say that from that point on, I developed a serious disdain and distrust for dealerships. In the following years, while working at the APA, I actually participated in a few undercover probes and I hated them all the more. Never did I go to “that” dealer, but I had suggested it as a candidate.
And then, in late 2012, I purchased a “gently” used car, and am am already a few trips deep to the dealer for maintenance and a warranty issue. Admittedly, every time the service advisor makes a comment or a suggestion, I immediately want to jump down their throats and argue whatever it is they've said, including asking me if I want the car washed.
I've calmed down since I've taken delivery of my 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan as, so far, they've managed to not get me to climb up on my high horse. I'm not yet convinced that they're looking out for me and my Tigger's best interests, and I can pretty much surmise that they'll never fully win me over.
“Once bitten; twice shy,” as they say. I've been bitten way too often when I knew no better...
For the average consumer, though, it's best to keep a level head when dealing with dealership. They are clearly out to make money, but they're not all crooks. Don't quote me on that...
My first cars were Mazdas and, at the time, I thought I had a good thing going with a well-established local garage. In fact, my first car, a 1985 626 coupe, was purchased new by my parents at that very establishment and subsequent used Mazda acquisitions were all serviced there, including my beloved grey 1989 MX-6 GT coupe, aka the “Whore.” Long story...
The bottom line is, that from 1985 to 1999, my father and I spent serious amounts of money at this garage. In 1998, I signed up for Automotive Technician classes and by mid-1999 was doing all the work on our Mazda cars (dad had a white 1991 MX-6 GT coupe). My MX was promptly traded for my first of many MKII Volkswagen Jettas. There are very good reasons for this...
By the time I graduated, I realized how we'd been taken for many a ride by the Service Department of this dealership, and could scarcely begin to imagine the value of the countless unnecessary repairs that were performed on our cars.
Needless to say that from that point on, I developed a serious disdain and distrust for dealerships. In the following years, while working at the APA, I actually participated in a few undercover probes and I hated them all the more. Never did I go to “that” dealer, but I had suggested it as a candidate.
And then, in late 2012, I purchased a “gently” used car, and am am already a few trips deep to the dealer for maintenance and a warranty issue. Admittedly, every time the service advisor makes a comment or a suggestion, I immediately want to jump down their throats and argue whatever it is they've said, including asking me if I want the car washed.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
I've calmed down since I've taken delivery of my 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan as, so far, they've managed to not get me to climb up on my high horse. I'm not yet convinced that they're looking out for me and my Tigger's best interests, and I can pretty much surmise that they'll never fully win me over.
“Once bitten; twice shy,” as they say. I've been bitten way too often when I knew no better...
For the average consumer, though, it's best to keep a level head when dealing with dealership. They are clearly out to make money, but they're not all crooks. Don't quote me on that...