New Toyota LC - the eternal question - where to service it.

After the first rogering, I took my business away for about 3 years.

Most of the things I could do - I did them myself - however, pulling the engine out was not in my books. In hindsight - maybe it should've been.

Then I went about asking for quotes on this new job and they did come in pretty cheap. I thought - well - that was three years ago, maybe things have changed.

I know now that they didn't and they won't.

Here you go... I hope it makes more sense now.

Ino!~

Hi there.
I have to say that, as the owner of an eleven year old Prado which has been serviced by the supplying dealer for all except two services, I am completely happy with the service I have received. After 200,000 km their only mistake was a weeping diff plug requiring a new washer.
Ino, I don't understand you: if the service has been so consistently bad, why did you reward them with the purchase of your LC? With loyal repeat customers like you, they don't need to improve!

Chris (SA)

I still think they are the best vehicles. However, note my comment that I also have had good dealings with Toyota dealers in other states.

Mind you, some customers bring it on themselves: they hang out for a bargain basement price, and then get a surprise when they get a bargain basement service! Also, service managers vary heaps. I'm pretty sure most of these issues are not brand-specific! And, yes, it helps to buy a vehicle that is inherently well made.
Chris (SA)

Tenpounder,

While I think that as a rule - they're all equally as bad as each other, new vehicles sales dept is (somewhat) separate from the service dept.

As to the reason for buying from them - how's approx $11.5K off the price sound to you?

My understanding is that I'm not tied to them for service - hence the the question about a more trustworthy place.

As a matter of fact - they've lost my business, servicing-wise.

Cheers,
Ino!~

Buying a vehicle is just that, a purchase. If they are cheapest then go with them. Then get it serviced at a place that does good work.

And if the buying place was one that botched jobs, I would take it to another dealer to recheck the pre-delivery tasks too.

Most dealers are aware of the buy there service here arrangement.

Ino, fond somewhere in Brissy that can service your Cruiser and forget the duds.

Hi Ino and Bonz.
You both say you don't regard a purchase decision as binding you to the seller for servicing. And, of course, if the dealer trades away most of his margin to get a deal, he's not going to be as keen to 'do the right thing' after the sale. So much for an ongoing relationship!
To say nothing of the 'favourite customer', who buys on price down the road, and then expects 100% service from another dealer.
Don't tell me the sales and service departments are separate!! Just because you don't know the code, don't assume there isn't one!
I could be very wrong, but I work on the basis that loyalty cuts both ways. It is a rule that has served me well. OK, I may have missed out on price sometimes, often knowingly; but I've also won on service many times.
perhaps I'm old and silly, but I don't visit the repair man assuming that I'll have a fight and be short-changed into the bargain.
To each his own!

Chris (SA)

TenPounder,

Look, indeed - to each his own.

I consider the both parts of the business to be two separate entities. For all intents and purposes they are. And look - if they were so keen to acquire business on the service side - they would've done the right thing straight off the bat.

And yes, loyalty does cut both ways - but in order to cut - it has to be earned. I really don't have a problem taking the car to someone consistently - provided they do the right thing *consistently*.

Oh, and just for your information - I'm a rather easy going guy - I've let a lot of excrement go just because to me it's too little to argue over - so I really don't go into shop to argue the mechanic into dropping the price. I'm ok to pay what they ask, as long as the work is of quality. And mind you - I don't want my money back, I don't want a lower price, all I want is *QUALITY* ... Is it really too much to ask?

And I have a hard time believing that other shops don't want my business - it just sounds really a little stretchy. The mechanic world is a little different from the wetware world (re. doctors/vets). They will take any business that comes down the path - especially at times like this.

As to expecting 100% service at any Toyota dealer - let's put it in this perspective - would that mean that I have to drive it back to these guys even when I'm out bush? No - I expect 100% service *anywhere* they proudly display the "Authorized Toyota Service" badge. Period. Otherwise - make a note and say "service applies to area residents only".

Banning one side of the business just because another arm has screwed it up, sounds a little silly. Soon enough you end up with a lot of no-go zones because of that.

Cheers,

Ino!~

Hey Chris,

I have found that service and sales are treated as two separate businesses. Loyalty doesn't cut it if you're getting ripped off through the teeth, but hey if you want to go that way that's fine by me.