What do you want from your BMW dealership?

[PhatBimmer]

I know alot of you guys say bad things about dealerships but what is the reason for the hate? I know there really expensive but are they really that bad or have you had bad experiences with them? I have had awfull experiences 2x in a Chevy dealer and 1x in a Ford one. I once went to a BMW dealership and looked at cars and they were very friendly even though it was obvious I wasn't going to buy one. I guess I could say that I wish dealerships were more friendlier and had faster service but I don't think that will be possible because techs work off book time so I guess thats up to the companies or who ever manages their time and pay. Oh and before I learned about tech stuff they would always just hand me the stub of what they did but never really explain it very well and if they did it was jibberish to me and couldn't understand it. Also I wish they weren't so expensive




What do you want out of your dealerships?

Less expensive?
Better(friendlier) service?
Better technicians that know what there doing?
Faster service?
To be told what they have done to your car in Layman's terms so you know exactly what they did?
Or other?

 

[midtownkoi]

The two most important things to me is to be treated fairly and with respect. I went to my local BMW dealer one day after work to look at cars. I guess they judged me by my work uniform, and thought that I couldn't afford to buy a BMW. I ended up buying a car 65 miles from where I live. I do hope the closest dealerships service department is better than their sales department, as I don't want to travel 65 miles each way if I need warranty work done on the car.

 

[gpoints]

I would like to request competent service techs. Thanks for asking.

 

[PhatBimmer]

If I'm not correct I think BMW is really pushing BMW trained techs from the start and PC's in every bay but who knows when that will come about.

My teacher had a similar story but with his Audi, he went in with his dirty uniform from work and was looking to buy his new Audi with the cash in hand (I think he said) but nobody paid attention to him so he left and has never bought an Audi since. He's German too so he bought instead a Porsche not sure which one though.

 

[epj3]

My dealership is freakin awesome. The parts department is perfect IMO.

My parents have had horrible experiences with 2 chevy and 3 pontiac dealers, and I myself have had 2 bad experiences at one of the 3 pontiac dealers (both with the a dealer belitteling me, and the parts department guy having a bad attitude).

And, by the way, All service managers are fu*king dolts, they have no automotive experience and no people skills, yet they have to deal with customers automotive questions and concerns! Drr!!

 

[gpoints]

And, by the way, All service managers are fu*king dolts, they have no automotive experience and no people skills, yet they have to deal with customers automotive questions and concerns! Drr!!

Same could be said about most who work at auto part stores.

 

[PhatBimmer]

My dealership is freakin awesome. The parts department is perfect IMO.

My parents have had horrible experiences with 2 chevy and 3 pontiac dealers, and I myself have had 2 bad experiences at one of the 3 pontiac dealers (both with the a dealer belitteling me, and the parts department guy having a bad attitude).

And, by the way, All service managers are fu*king dolts, they have no automotive experience and no people skills, yet they have to deal with customers automotive questions and concerns! Drr!!

First off most parts guys are assholes in general in dealerships, but a smart person buys parts guy lunch and keeps him happy and you'll be sure to get that part on time instead of him lying about it and saying he's out lol!

Service Managers deal with alot of crap from customers and I think when you have to deal with all that stuff it just gets old and tidious, besides that they also have to take home stacks of paper of warranties and etc.. to do at night. LOL

 

[DRWWE]

If I am buying a car I want to be treated with respect and I want to get what I want. If the dealer doesn't have what I want then they should be willing and able to get it for me. I had an experience at a very small (BMW/Mercedes/Volvo) dealer in a college town in northern California that will forever make be go farther away to buy my cars. I wanted a 530. 2002 or 2003. I told them what I wanted during the summer of 2002. They hemmed and hawed and said something about alotments but I told them I wanted to purchase this $50,000 car from them. We were even repeat customers--we bought our 3 series from them six months previously. A couple of months went by with no call. We called them and more hemming and hawing. A few weeks after that we were in the Bay Area and drove by Concord BMW. Asked them if they had any 530's and they showed us exactly what I wanted in a 2002 and even gave me a price incentive for that versus ordering a 2003. I do not believe the first dealer would not try to find me a car. All they had to do what pick up the phone and find a 2002, or order a 2003. They lost out on a $50,000+ purchase and my business forever. We now drive to Concord or Roseville (they ordered our X3 for us the way we wanted it...we like them too), which are both 2-3 hours away but they treated us with respect, were knowlegable, and were able and willing to do whatever it takes to get us what we wanted.

For service I want courtesy, convenience, competence, easy appointment availability, and good follow-up in case we have a problem.

For cars in BMW's price range, all of that should be a given.

 

[epj3]

First off most parts guys are assholes in general in dealerships, but a smart person buys parts guy lunch and keeps him happy and you'll be sure to get that part on time instead of him lying about it and saying he's out lol!

Service Managers deal with alot of crap from customers and I think when you have to deal with all that stuff it just gets old and tidious, besides that they also have to take home stacks of paper of warranties and etc.. to do at night. LOL

Well, the parts department at my dealer is absolutely great. I don't care if the pontiac dealer was out of stock, It would've given me a reason to buy it wholesale.

And about the service managers, they are PAID TO DO A JOB, not to be shit heads. You think an airline pilot who gets bored of his job will just start not caring? NO, becuase he still has to do his job.

 

[PhatBimmer]

Well, the parts department at my dealer is absolutely great. I don't care if the pontiac dealer was out of stock, It would've given me a reason to buy it wholesale.

And about the service managers, they are PAID TO DO A JOB, not to be shit heads. You think an airline pilot who gets bored of his job will just start not caring? NO, becuase he still has to do his job.

Not defending the service manager merely pointing out his life. Besides alot of people work at jobs because they need or want the money but fail to realise that money really doesn't make up for a shitty job.

 

[andreyiv]

There are three dealerships sort of close by and I like one of them the most, ironically it is in a very poor neighberhood. The girl at the front desk always says hi while smiling and when I leave she always smiles and says have a nice day, while people at the parts department are very knowledgable. The one a bit closer to me is the one I go to most and don't like as much just because sometimes they tell me a part just does not exsist, period. For example; once I was told that all the coolant is drained through the radiator and there is no drain plug in the engine block and of course no washer to replace.

 

[Stitch]

Confessions of a Car Salesman

Confessions of a Car Salesman

Guys,

Ever since you walk in the dealer, the psychological, manipulative game begins! Be prepare next time! The salesperson would never be a friend! Here is a link for you to learn more.

Stitch