Would you trust a VW Dealer to...?

[SeanyK]

Hey folks,

As mentioned on another thread my car's going into VW dealer for a Cam belt / water pump / DSG oil & filter / CC retrofit soon.

I was thinking, I have a brand new fuel filter in it's packet (Original part) and a brand new oil filter (again original part).

IF I bought some oil as well, do you think if I left it in the car and asked them to just change it (obviously with prior notice) whilst they are working on my car they WOULD they actually do it?

By that, I mean, would you TRUST them to do it? I just have this vision of them taking the new filters for themselves without changing them, and not even changing the oil - don't ask me why, but im paranoid like that, if I had a flat driveway i'd do these jobs myself!

It's not just VW dealers, it goes for all independant mechanics, it stems really from being ripped off a while back, by a local mechanic who I thought I could trust, but totally ripped me off and never did half the stuff he said he did.

A cynical viewpoint...

[Deako]

I paid a local mechanic to replace 2x rear wheel bearings back in about 2001 when i was incapable of doing them. When i found a mechanic i could trust, it turned out they were just my old bearings, packed with grease and nipped up.

Forever a cynic like yourself. Even to the point where i hover when im having a tyre changed. Made sure i got the guy last week to jack my car properly after i had a bolt through my brand new tyre.

[scotta]

I paid a local mechanic to replace 2x rear wheel bearings back in about 2001 when i was incapable of doing them. When i found a mechanic i could trust, it turned out they were just my old bearings, packed with grease and nipped up.

Forever a cynic like yourself. Even to the point where i hover when im having a tyre changed. Made sure i got the guy last week to jack my car properly after i had a bolt through my brand new tyre.

You may think you are being paraniod mate but after having an apprentise misplace an axle stand and punch a hole in the sill of my year old Leon FR at a local tyre place im understandably the same.

[Deako]

You may think you are being paraniod mate but after having an apprentise misplace an axle stand and punch a hole in the sill of my year old Leon FR at a local tyre place im understandably the same.

Ouch. Feel your pain.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Oh dear.. Think Positive!

Would I trust my VW dealer? - Definitely yes. But I realise that some VW dealers are much more trustworthy than others.

[Nasir]

I'd trust them, but I'm an optimistic guy. Just ask what oils going to be used etc, it's a big company and if they try not to do a job at hand VW themselves won't be happy for ruining their name.

[SeanyK]

I mean I could say the same about 'would they do the cam belt change' but I think with that, should anything happen and the engine is checked to find it was never changed... Well, big trouble for the dealer.

Whereas for the oil & fuel filter, it's easier for them to 'pretend' to do it, I'll probably give them the benefit of the doubt, and provide the oil, a 5L bottle, so I should have a tiny bit left when they are done...

I can also check the oil I guess and look to see the colour / condition of the oil, I would expect lightly golden brown after an oil change, sure after a few miles down the road it's not golden anymore, but certainly just after it's been changed it should be...

I think most if not all of us on here are perfectionists, i've often done oil changes myself simply because of the lack of trust, and the satisfaction of doing your own knowing exactly when you have done it, and using the best possible materials - just the lack of flat driveway! And the street outside has become so busy over the years I couldn't jack the car up on the road anymore.

Things like spark plugs, air filter, pollen filter, I will NEVER ask anyone else to do, these are simple jobs and quick to do - took 25 mins to do that lot last weekend - garage would have charged about 2 hours labour probably lol

[nc35]

Glad to read this.

Thought I was the only one to be paranoid and distrusting.

I wouldn't even give them the decent oil. In my mind it will probably end up in the mechanics car not mine.

[no golf clubs at all]

No. In a word. No.

Sorry, it's not that I think they're out to screw you in the garage, it's just the complete level of incompetence that is bound to ensure that the mechanic would not notice your oil, even if emboldened on the job ticket. They don't read rather they go into automatic pilot mode. 1. Oil change, 2. get a bucket, 3. undo sump, 4. get oil (any oil) etc.

I live in a big city, and to be fair to the guys on the shop floor, they are busy and their arsehole management drive corner cutting at the expense of quality as standard,.... And worse.... Safety. This is not mischief making I personally know mechanics who work for a main dealer. Pressures to improve productivity are influencing each job.

So like red, get a mechanic you can trust, build a longer term relationship and enjoy a better experience.

Alternatively ....kick Vw into touch and go to a specialist who have the time to deal with you properly.

[182_blue]

HMM, hard one, best thing to do i stand and watch them, my dealer does a saturday morning where you can wait, thats exactly what i do, i try every coffee and biscuit they do, even cans of coke 

[RedRobin]

.
Mistrust and the resulting paranoia invariably breed more mistrust and paranoia - It's like blanket weed. This isn't restricted to motor mechanics.. Show mistrust to an animal and see what happens.. No relationship and, depending on the species, you could be bitten. Show mistrust to your wifey/gf/partner.. Everything good in your relationship goes rotten.

I guess some people are negative and mistrusting by nature.. I feel very sorry for those who are. Positive breeds Positive and I always trust until I am given reason to do otherwise.

Certainly outside the cities, all businesses rely very strongly on reputation and word of mouth - To survive they simply can't afford not to give customers good service or to pull the wool over their eyes. Sales people tend to be less trustworthy but service managers and mechanics don't usually muck you about unless you muck them about. Showing them your mistrust or being an impatient arsehole acting all superior will get you what you deserve.

As in all businesses, their success is down to the people in them. A caring business gets rid of any rotten apples.

There are systems/mechanisms in place which can be used if you have a complaint. Use them rather than do nothing except bitch about it on the internet - I'm not directing this at anyone in particular on this forum.

And when someone at your VW dealership has done something particularly helpful or good, praise them and show your appreciation and thanks - They're human. Over the last 5 years I have shouted my head off in the showroom (at a sales guy) on one occasion and written two letters of praise. You probably wouldn't believe how well I get looked after. I'm honest with them and they're honest with me and they only set their best most experienced guys to work on my car. If I'm passing my dealership I'll drop by socially.. It's all about trust and long term relationship.

[no golf clubs at all]

^^^^"If I'm passing my dealership I'll drop by socially.. It's all about trust and long term relationship."

lol...they either

a) have a tasty girl on reception or
b) have a well stocked freebie fridge/ handsome supply of coffee and buns.

 

My bets are on a). 

[SeanyK]

I agree with your post Robin, I think the problem is those of us who have been ripped off as such, lose trust, and lose faith in the system.

With me, on my last few cars, I had a local mechanic who was a 'VAG' specialist, we used to work nearby so not only did I use him, I actually got him plenty of business from within my workplace by praising his work.

But what happened was I used to ask for a job to be done , ask how much, i'd get a price, then when I came to collect it later that day , the price was doubled or more, example, fitting a full exhaust system, told £30-35, went back it was £70. It was every time, even my brother said the same.
Yes I could question it but instead I paid and never went back and I know for a fact he's lost a lot of business now, it's a massive shame as the potential was there for him to be a real gem, also there was a time when he said he'd modified the exhaust mounts to stop them rattling - the car was with him all day, when I asked how much, he said "nahhh don't worry about it, free" next day I went out in the car and nothing had been done, I went to a local STS tyre center, they looked under it and let me look to see indeed nothing had been done, yeah he hadn't charged me, but why be dishonest? Why not say "didnt have time to look..." etc.

As it goes, I do have a friend who is a SEAT mechanic, who does jobs on the side which I will probably go to to change the oil, I know he will do it, besides, i'll be there.

Alternatively I was looking at NATIONAL and their oil change offer of £31 for Castrol Edge 5w30, what i'd do though is give them the oil filter to use as i'd rather use genuine than patterned parts - i'd also stand and watch them do it.

That said, I could give this VW dealer the chance, and certainly, if they do the job asked, I will be happy to give praise and recommend them :)



Oh, and yea, im with the above poster, Robin, there's a tasty girl on reception right? 


 

[RedRobin]

^^^^"If I'm passing my dealership I'll drop by socially.. It's all about trust and long term relationship."

lol...they either

a) have a tasty girl on reception or
b) have a well stocked freebie fridge/ handsome supply of coffee and buns.

 

My bets are on a). 

Oh, and yea, im with the above poster, Robin, there's a tasty girl on reception right? 

....You've both lost your bets, guys. This dealership has never had a hot babe receptionist in the last 5 years. Possibly why I always go straight to the Service Manager. I can understand you betting on how I behave though (and you'd be the same!).