Ford Dealer & the Wrath of Yooper Dave

[yooperdave]

I bought a new 2008 F150 4x4 from one of the local Ford dealers in Green Bay last December.

It took 5-6 months of pestering to finally get my registration. I paid in full when purchased. The salesman was eventually taken out of service - as he made many people mad. The manager finally made it happen.

Since then, the low tire pressure warning light kept coming on so I took the truck back to the dealer to get it serviced yesterday. I was supposed to get a free oil change as a good will offering from the (lack of) registration. The follow up phone call from the mechanic earlier in the day indicated that the dealer even washed the truck for me.

When I went to pick up the truck, the dealer tried to charge me for everything. I took out the manager's business card and told them to make the bill go away - which they then did. I then noticed all the dead bugs in the front of the truck - they did not do as they said they had already done. When I started up the truck, I noticed the radio was turned up to 11, and the A/C maxed out.

What got me mad is that the mileage was 80-90 miles higher than when I dropped it off yesterday - and the before/after mileage recorded on the work order. The work order showed the same mileage before and after - similar to the mileage I thought I had the day before. I am assuming someone went for a significant joy ride with the A/C and radio both blasting after the truck was checked out as finished.

I can only imagine the conversation I will again be having with the manager tomorrow.

Any suggestions?

How high up on the food chain would you go?

Yooper Dave

 

[thatguy]

I would approach it by telling them your observations, and ask was there any reason the mileage was put on the truck.. Giving them a chance to save face.. I generally dont like confrontation, but can quickly change my mind if they start making excuses that dont hold water..

IF they deny that, then i would start working my way up to the owner.. I bet one of the mechanics took it out without authorization..

keep us posted


Brian

 

[gerard]

In NY that would qualify for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle 3rd if you had some way to prove the mileage. (Say you always practiced writing down the mileage on drop off and did so this time). They can drive your vehicle to correct a problem or verify it's running well ie say they put on new tires and want to confirm the balancing is right. No problem to take it out for a short spin. No way they can justify an 80-90 mile ride. Not to mention they effectively stole about 7 gallons of gas by doing this?? Might give you some leverage with the dealer. Someone needs to be fired.

 

[BungeeII]

Since this isn't a "service effecting issue" or a repair problem that requires immediate attention, I'd just send letters to the service manager, cc'ing the sales manager and the owner. I guess I'd expect nothing in return, just letting them know that they're chasing me away with their shoddy work. I certainly wouldn't go into it with any expectations, as that would likely just cause more frustration when they fall short. Of course, if you don't hear back from them, then fire them.

 

[Builder]

I'm surprised it doesn't smell like cigarette smoke, too.

I would tell them you'll be calling Ford customer service with your complaint tomorrow unless they're willing to comp you something that makes you feel satisfied for the 80 miles your truck was driven. I would suggest another free oil changes/tire rotation, state inspection, etc.)

I've spent hours on the phone with Ford C/S and they're un-nerving to deal with. Most of the time I got someone with a foreign accent that just wore me down until I gave up.

The threat might wake them up a little, though. 80 miles is ridiculous.

 

[Bird]

Always start very politely with facts only and no threats. At least with my dealer, that's worked very well. The first time I let them change oil in my Ranger, I checked it after I got home, and found it was nearly a quart low. I went right back and told the service writer. Instead of taking the little truck back into the service department, he got on the phone and a young man promptly came, carrying a can of oil, and put most of it in the truck without even looking at the dipstick. I sent an e-mail to the service manager and told him that kinda indicated to me that they knew they had not filled the crankcase properly.

I got a letter of apology and a coupon for a free oil & filter change and they've never failed to do it right since.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Always start very politely with facts only and no threats. At least with my dealer, that's worked very well. The first time I let them change oil in my Ranger, I checked it after I got home, and found it was nearly a quart low. I went right back and told the service writer. Instead of taking the little truck back into the service department, he got on the phone and a young man promptly came, carrying a can of oil, and put most of it in the truck without even looking at the dipstick. I sent an e-mail to the service manager and told him that kinda indicated to me that they knew they had not filled the crankcase properly.


I got a letter of apology and a coupon for a free oil & filter change and they've never failed to do it right since.

I have a customer who owns a Penzoil Oil Change place and I always tease him about "SHORT STICKING". Sounds like that is what happened to you.

Chris

 

[jwstewar]

Imagine how much money they could save if every car went out of the shop a quart low. That cuts 20% (for a typical 5 quart car) off their oil bill and most people won't bother to check it for a few weeks (if at all) and say, Hmm, she is starting to use a bit of oil. Guess I'll have changed more often so I don't have to worry about adding in. Don't wanna get my hands dirty.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Imagine how much money they could save if every car went out of the shop a quart low. That cuts 20% (for a typical 5 quart car) off their oil bill and most people won't bother to check it for a few weeks (if at all) and say, Hmm, she is starting to use a bit of oil. Guess I'll have changed more often so I don't have to worry about adding in. Don't wanna get my hands dirty.

Or maybe I need to trade on a new car since it is using oil.

 

[jwstewar]

Or maybe I need to trade on a new car since it is using oil.

I was thinking of the QuickLubes, but that is even better for reason for the dealership. Amazing the little games that some businesses will play isn't it.