musicalmerlin Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 (edited) I have an '03 Mustang convertible and an '05 Freestyle FWD. Nothing super exciting about either. Based on the experiences I have had and my Father has had with the local Ford dealerships with respect to servicing our cars, I do not believe I will ever take any of my Ford vehicles back to a Ford OR Lincoln/Mercury dealership ever again. It should not take 4 tries to fix a car such that it pisses all the power steering fluid on the ground, nor should it take 3 racks to do it (original + 2 replacements). And I'm not talking recently, I'm talking first month of ownership. My wife's first new Ford product was very close to being sold back as a lemon AND her last new Ford product. It should not take the regional service manager 1 month to locate 2 O-Rings such that the CVT transmission can be repaired, just because "we don't want to break open a kit." The car was a year old by that point, and had been on sale longer than that - supply chain could be a bit better, to say the least. Oh, and it was 3 business days away from having to file a Lemon law on this one too. I should not have to wonder which components got broken when I took the car in for something else. A caliper freezing only after I took the Freestyle in to get the rear brake pads serviced? The door handle breaking only after the recall on doors popping open was applied? Oh, and having techs that actually take the time to diagnose instead of guess and throw new components would be nice. We actually take all of our stuff now to a tech at his home shop who we KNOW does good work, takes the time to figure things out and shows us what he's found. My wife will never buy a new Ford product again. Nor would I let her after some of the things that have happened to the two new Ford cars that were hers (both the above). Thankfully the door never popped open WHILE she was driving. And, if management truly is paying close attention here, you really ought to send out the investigators more often. Dealerships around here are doing unneccessary work to cars and charging it on the warranty and extended service plans. My dad just had to have the rear differential in is '00 Expedition replaced at ~170K miles, after it was "replaced" at 100K miles by the dealership when it didn't need it. Seeing as he was a regional service manager in the late 70s/early 80s, I think he knows what he's talking about. Edited April 8, 2007 by musicalmerlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGallun Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I have an '03 Mustang convertible and an '05 Freestyle FWD. Nothing super exciting about either. Based on the experiences I have had and my Father has had with the local Ford dealerships with respect to servicing our cars, I do not believe I will ever take any of my Ford vehicles back to a Ford OR Lincoln/Mercury dealership ever again. It should not take 4 tries to fix a car such that it pisses all the power steering fluid on the ground, nor should it take 3 racks to do it (original + 2 replacements). And I'm not talking recently, I'm talking first month of ownership. My wife's first new Ford product was very close to being sold back as a lemon AND her last new Ford product. It should not take the regional service manager 1 month to locate 2 O-Rings such that the CVT transmission can be repaired, just because "we don't want to break open a kit." The car was a year old by that point, and had been on sale longer than that - supply chain could be a bit better, to say the least. Oh, and it was 3 business days away from having to file a Lemon law on this one too. I should not have to wonder which components got broken when I took the car in for something else. A caliper freezing only after I took the Freestyle in to get the rear brake pads serviced? The door handle breaking only after the recall on doors popping open was applied? Oh, and having techs that actually take the time to diagnose instead of guess and throw new components would be nice. We actually take all of our stuff now to a tech at his home shop who we KNOW does good work, takes the time to figure things out and shows us what he's found. My wife will never buy a new Ford product again. Nor would I let her after some of the things that have happened to the two new Ford cars that were hers (both the above). Thankfully the door never popped open WHILE she was driving. And, if management truly is paying close attention here, you really ought to send out the investigators more often. Dealerships around here are doing unneccessary work to cars and charging it on the warranty and extended service plans. My dad just had to have the rear differential in is '00 Expedition replaced at ~170K miles, after it was "replaced" at 100K miles by the dealership when it didn't need it. Seeing as he was a regional service manager in the late 70s/early 80s, I think he knows what he's talking about. This sounds like one of them reviews on the Edge on yahoo, where some yahoo who has never driven it comes in and gives it 0's and says bad things.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 (edited) Yep, same problems with me - dealer issues killer my loyalty to buying another Ford. It truly saddens me that this past weekend that I replaced my work truck with a Toyota, as I am just plain disgusted with the local dealers here in Southern California. They would rather have me go elsewhere, rather then fix a $500 radio in my Escape. So I did, and I'm not proud of the fact. But this isn't the first issue with not getting things fixed right the first time, or getting things fixed right under warranty. But if they can not get their act together and take care of their customers, the customer will go to someone who can. living proof here Edited April 25, 2007 by LB Escape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) Yep, same problems with me - dealer issues killer my loyalty to buying another Ford.It truly saddens me that this past weekend that I replaced my work truck with a Toyota, as I am just plain disgusted with the local dealers here in Southern California. They would rather have me go elsewhere, rather then fix a $500 radio in my Escape. So I did, and I'm not proud of the fact. But this isn't the first issue with not getting things fixed right the first time, or getting things fixed right under warranty. But if they can not get their act together and take care of their customers, the customer will go to someone who can. living proof here was your car still under warranty or not? Because if it was there is no way a dealer would tell you to pound sand....if it in fact was still under warranty.... whole story please before you do the norm post here and cuss up the dealers and tell everyone you will never buy another Ford....usually a cop out by somone trying to sabotage a thread.............. Edited April 25, 2007 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 was your car still under warranty or not? Because if it was there is no way a dealer would tell you to pound sand....if it in fact was still under warranty.... whole story please before you do the norm post here and cuss up the dealers and tell everyone you will never buy another Ford....usually a cop out by somone trying to sabotage a thread.............. yes, car was still under warranty. not now, and the warranty was close to expiring due to mileage. yes, the service manager flat out yelled at me in front of several other customers, and that's when I went to the GM, who asked that I go speak with the service manager again. When I replied that the service manager was not willing to replace the radio for the fourth time, the GM stated clearly that he was firmly behind service manager and to give him another chance, I clearly stated this is the third radio that's gone bad in 18 months, and that he refuses to replace it. Was told to replace it out of my pocket, take it to Ford directly if I was not happy, as they only sell them, the do not built them. I love it when others say that can not happen. Would you like to send me your address? I'll mail you copies of the services orders and the email between me and the GM of this dealership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 yes, car was still under warranty. not now, and the warranty was close to expiring due to mileage. yes, the service manager flat out yelled at me in front of several other customers, and that's when I went to the GM, who asked that I go speak with the service manager again. When I replied that the service manager was not willing to replace the radio for the fourth time, the GM stated clearly that he was firmly behind service manager and to give him another chance, I clearly stated this is the third radio that's gone bad in 18 months, and that he refuses to replace it. Was told to replace it out of my pocket, take it to Ford directly if I was not happy, as they only sell them, the do not built them. I love it when others say that can not happen. Would you like to send me your address? I'll mail you copies of the services orders and the email between me and the GM of this dealership. I have a great deal of trouble beleiving this...I would say that you are not telling us the entire story...the way your putting it makes no sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davew Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Problems occur with every brand of vehicle. Before the Lemon Law, I had a brand new Supra that had a knock in the front end from day one. It took one of the company VP's (working with engineering) years to find a solution to the defect in the electronically controlled struts. By then, I was selling the car. During my ownership (4 yrs) the leather on the drivers seat wore to a point that looked and felt like sandpaper. At first, the regional rep said it wasn't there fault, it was the pants I was wearing! Ya, like I wore the same pants for 4 years...dumbass. The VP I dealt with regarding the strut problem got that resolved in a day. With the targa top off of the car, it exhibited cowl shake so bad, I never took the top off again. Great job there Toyota. I've had great experience with Ford products over the years. However, I'll never return to the dealer where I bought my last Explorer. I took my wifes L/M product to them for some work. When I picked up the car, there were still problems. To make a long story short, if the bratty service dork were brave enought to come out from behind the counter, I would have dragged him to the men's room and washed his mouth out with soap. So, rather than going back to that dealer and paying them money to be their punching bag, I went to another dealer and have been receiving top notch service. Bottom line, no vehicle, part, dealer, or person is perfect. So, don't patronize a dealer who doesn't perform to your satisfaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebritt Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Don't worry. One big earthquake, and mother nature will take care of all those nasty California dealerships. Can we start one?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 yes, car was still under warranty. not now, and the warranty was close to expiring due to mileage. yes, the service manager flat out yelled at me in front of several other customers, and that's when I went to the GM, who asked that I go speak with the service manager again. When I replied that the service manager was not willing to replace the radio for the fourth time, the GM stated clearly that he was firmly behind service manager and to give him another chance, I clearly stated this is the third radio that's gone bad in 18 months, and that he refuses to replace it. Was told to replace it out of my pocket, take it to Ford directly if I was not happy, as they only sell them, the do not built them. I love it when others say that can not happen. Would you like to send me your address? I'll mail you copies of the services orders and the email between me and the GM of this dealership. then the fact is they were out of line...however it is SO out of line that I find it hard to beleive a dealer would be this ignorant, that and the fact is you could have gone to ANY Ford dealership.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Can we start one?? Jealous ba$tards...75 degrees here..sun out it is beautiful, i rode the Motorcycle in....in shorts and a mesh tank top.....LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueS Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) I've had great experience with Ford products over the years. However, I'll never return to the dealer where I bought my last Explorer. I took my wifes L/M product to them for some work. When I picked up the car, there were still problems. To make a long story short, if the bratty service dork were brave enought to come out from behind the counter, I would have dragged him to the men's room and washed his mouth out with soap. So, rather than going back to that dealer and paying them money to be their punching bag, I went to another dealer and have been receiving top notch service. Bottom line, no vehicle, part, dealer, or person is perfect. So, don't patronize a dealer who doesn't perform to your satisfaction. Unfortunately, so often it is the "bratty service dork" and the system that is the problem . My boyfriend has been a Ford Senior Master Tech for over 30 years and continues to get screwed by the system. Although he is one of the honest ones, he has worked with many who are only out to sell as much work as they can to naive customers. This of course gives all tech's a bad name. Then there is the time constraints they are constantly put under, like a job that pays 1 hour that can't possibly be done in less then 3 or 4. Sometimes the system is so screwed up! So then you have them busting their asses and making mistakes because there is no way in hell they can finish in an hour. (musicalmerlin @ Apr 8 2007, 04:52 PM) "Oh, and having techs that actually take the time to diagnose instead of guess and throw new components would be nice. We actually take all of our stuff now to a tech at his home shop who we KNOW does good work, takes the time to figure things out and shows us what he's found." The tech needs realistic times so they can diagnose a problem correctly. Do they all just throw on new components, no, there are some who actually care about the work they do and the customer they are servicing. These are the ones who spend thousands of dollars of their own money each year to get the best tools and most up to date equipment to service their customers. The ones who know their Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles like no one else. But they continue to get thrown in with the scum who only care about how much he can take home at the end of the week! Thanks for listening.......time to step off of my soap box..... Edited April 25, 2007 by SueS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) then the fact is they were out of line...however it is SO out of line that I find it hard to beleive a dealer would be this ignorant, that and the fact is you could have gone to ANY Ford dealership.... true, however the only two Ford dealerships that I like and are good, one is 45 minutes away, the other is just over an hour. Time for me, like most people, is money. I can either chase down good Ford service, wasting my time, which steals money from my poctket (that is used to buy things like new cars/trucks) or I can try their competition, trying to save my time/money/sanity. After only purchasing Ford's since I started driving in 1980, the poor service pushed me to try the competition. Ford needs loyal customer more then ever at this point in time, and could have saved a customer here. Maybe the tacoma will have problems, but word of mouth says this dealer I bought it from is wonderful for service. Why can't Ford hold it's dealers to the same level? I know the Toyota dealer is the same as a Ford dealer - not owned by the company. Edited April 25, 2007 by LB Escape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Why can't Ford hold it's dealers to the same level? They're called State Franchise Laws and every time Ford tries to improve the dealer experience the dealers sue them and win. Look up the original Blue Oval Certified program. Ford tried to reward good dealers and punish bad ones with monetary incentives. The dealers sued and won and the program was revamped and lost all it's usefulness. Ford would be much better off if it could start from scratch with new dealers and new franchise agreements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 true, however the only two Ford dealerships that I like and are good, one is 45 minutes away, the other is just over an hour. Time for me, like most people, is money. I can either chase down good Ford service, wasting my time, which steals money from my poctket (that is used to buy things like new cars/trucks) or I can try their competition, trying to save my time/money/sanity. After only purchasing Ford's since I started driving in 1980, the poor service pushed me to try the competition. Ford needs loyal customer more then ever at this point in time, and could have saved a customer here. Maybe the tacoma will have problems, but word of mouth says this dealer I bought it from is wonderful for service. Why can't Ford hold it's dealers to the same level? I know the Toyota dealer is the same as a Ford dealer - not owned by the company. that is a hassle...shame is you based your next buying decision predicated on a POS Sanyo head unit not handled correctly by a dealership....maybe they lost a sale...but unfortunately you ultimately lost more......buying an inferior product due to emotional anguish is NOT particularly smart and acheives NOTHING...and I have read it here numerous times.....save the whales comes to mind...LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Can we start one?? Where's Lex Luthor when you need him?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconman13 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Jealous ba$tards...75 degrees here..sun out it is beautiful, i rode the Motorcycle in....in shorts and a mesh tank top.....LOL! A mesh tank top! Dean, you are, in a word, Gay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 A mesh tank top! Dean, you are, in a word, Gay Or he plays professional football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 A mesh tank top! Dean, you are, in a word, Gay shhhhhhhhh, I have her fooled.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Or he plays professional football. Rugby....pads are for................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 that is a hassle...shame is you based your next buying decision predicated on a POS Sanyo head unit not handled correctly by a dealership....maybe they lost a sale...but unfortunately you ultimately lost more......buying an inferior product due to emotional anguish is NOT particularly smart and acheives NOTHING...and I have read it here numerous times.....save the whales comes to mind...LOL! See there in your reply is the reasoning for the Toyota purchase. I already bought something that had an inferior product placed in it. Like I said, maybe the Toyota will prove to be a bad buy. Should I have been toying with the idea of buying non-Ford? Had either the dealer or Ford (who directed me back to the dealer) stepped up, and did something to correct the issue, I would have been back in said dealership for the replacing of the pickup. And they knew it. And they didn't care about the future purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 See there in your reply is the reasoning for the Toyota purchase. I already bought something that had an inferior product placed in it. Like I said, maybe the Toyota will prove to be a bad buy. Should I have been toying with the idea of buying non-Ford? Had either the dealer or Ford (who directed me back to the dealer) stepped up, and did something to correct the issue, I would have been back in said dealership for the replacing of the pickup. And they knew it. And they didn't care about the future purchase. which is why this story is so hard to comprehend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 which is why this story is so hard to comprehend. have to agree...something isn't right....the LB in his signoff I'm guessing stands for Long Beach which is Pacific Ford....I could make a call.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 have to agree...something isn't right....the LB in his signoff I'm guessing stands for Long Beach which is Pacific Ford....I could make a call.... Not Pacific. After dealing with "Cal", I switched to the one Jim Varney was pushing for the collective auto mall up the 605.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Not Pacific. After dealing with "Cal", I switched to the one Jim Varney was pushing for the collective auto mall up the 605.... Cal Worthington....THAT explains EVERYTHING!....talk about a "blast from the past".....store is pretty much a Dinosaur with a rep for raping people with credit issues.....and the Varney store couldn't fix it either??????? Here-in lies one of my issues with dealersips that become overly corporate....stick with smaller mum and Pop's...FAR better customer care because they haven't become victims of corporate umbrellas and being so wrapped up in micro management as to lose sight of customer care.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB Escape Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) Cal Worthington....THAT explains EVERYTHING!....talk about a "blast from the past".....store is pretty much a Dinosaur with a rep for raping people with credit issues.....and the Varney store couldn't fix it either??????? Here-in lies one of my issues with dealersips that become overly corporate....stick with smaller mum and Pop's...FAR better customer care because they haven't become victims of corporate umbrellas and being so wrapped up in micro management as to lose sight of customer care.... yea, but I'm not a credit issue kinda guy. 745 Fico, own house, own business, replace cars/trucks on average every two years, just because I get bored sitting behind the wheel so much. The toyota dealer I wandered into this past weekend made me feel good, and maybe the first impression is wrong, but I could not find one neighbor with a bad word about them. They got my sale this past weekend. Simply because I was out for a walk, and I stopped in there, got to talking, and presto! They talked me into a sale, and I didn't feel dirty afterwards. And I hope that holds true for the servicing of the truck too. If not, I would not go back and spend more money there. Edited April 25, 2007 by LB Escape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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