Listen (read) to this: 3,000 mile oil changes, rotate tires every 6,000 miles,, engine oil flush every 12,000 miles, rotate and balance all tires every 12k miles..., transmission service, spark plugs wiper, cabin air filter, front end alignment every 30,000 miles. All of that with the various inspections.
3,000 mile oil changes with today’s oils and engines is double what has to be done and the manufactures recommended oil change interval bears this out. Rotating tires is something that the owner should want to do to get the best mileage from their tires. I can’t understand why this is a dealer must to maintain a cars warranty. A 12,000 mile engine flush :confuse: this is redundant because if you did oil changes at the 3,000 mile dealer recommended interval, the engine is being flushed quite regularly.
This type of maintenance to maintain a warranty has to be a dealer scare tactic but if it isn’t, an investigation is needed.
To answer your question about the dealer group being evil...I say they are and snake like too.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I think simplest explanation (short term financial consideration for dealer and mfr.), combined with lazyness and incompetence, is the most likely explanation for their resistance. I'm pretty sure there are some back-and-forth requirements for warranty claim and faulty software/electronics may be one of those hardest items to make. The truly startling to me was when GG was able to recreate the problem in front of the service people and they were completely indifferent to it, like "What do you want, you really expected that to work - it's electronics, they never do - what a riot - Hey Frank, did you hear that? The guy comes here and says he thought the electronics will be working"
GG: Congrats on getting that solved. Amazing that you had to go through all of that in the first place. I wonder if your local dealers will have to suffer any consequences.
This is the way this should have gone from the beginning. Kudos to Westmont Audi and Autonation. Stand up people who really do care about customer service
Great news GG. I still don't know why he didn't say we'll go over your car and make it right if you still prefer that one.
Probably by that time you didn't really want the original car anymore and you preferred starting all over.
Sounds like they are a big player and really don't want this kind of story getting around. Sometimes it is easier dealing with good business people, especially if you are reasonable and just present the facts, ....it is hard to argue with facts.
Great ending and I hope you and your GF really enjoy the new car.
first, if it is anything like BMW, the car tells you when change the oil, so they can't scam
Good points dino, I think you are correct. BMW does all the service for 4 years and they don't do it until the light comes on. The salesman did say Audi wanted to make it an option, you can buy a service package or pay as you go, Audi wants to give you the option.
I'll study it more closely when we pick up the car, but I don't think it will work for us because we don't do enough oil changes. We'll be away for about 4 months total and the car only goes about 8K miles a year.
Thanks for reminding me though, I will check it out more carefully before I discount it completely.
Going on vacation in a couple of weeks and will need about 5 books
I was one who was talking about Michael Connolly and I believe Fezo reads them too. I strongly recommend Harlan Coben and I particularly like "Tell No One". A lot of people who like Connolly also like Lee Child (I think mako reads those).
You can also check David Baldacci and though he is British he writes really clever books....Jeffery Archer.
To find books go on amazon.com books. Just put in one of these authors names and check out differnt titles. You can see how people rate the book out of 5 stars, get a brief outline of the story, and see how it sells in the ranking.
Just remembered too, if I ask people what their favorite book is most often I will get "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It is over 1000 pages but is an amazing story.
A lot of people around here seem to really enjoy baseball. I am pretty sure you would have watched Moneyball by now if you are a fan, but if you haven't it is a good, intelligent movie.
The As can't win and can't compete against teams that can pay players with 3X as much funds. The team's manager finds a kid who can work out what players they can get really cheap, but who have good statistics. Not to give away anything, but the plan works and baseball has been changed forever.
Moneyball is a really well made worthwhile movie to see.
One of the nice things about life is when you discover that good things happen to good people. I'm very happy that your meeting was so successful and, to be perfectly honest, I'm surprised. I don't think that we often see a business which is so anxious to please. It may not say as much about Audi as it does the VP with whom you met. So often it is a key personality who makes the real difference. You truly met the right person. It's too bad that Jmonroe didn't have a similar experience. Still, we are all happy for you. You are due quite a bit of credit yourself. You worked your way up the ladder, spent a little time and money, and behaved in an ethical and professional manner. I'm sure that the VP recognized those factors. Your GF is a very fortunate young lady. She has a new car and a super BF. Enjoy.
Your GF is a very fortunate young lady. She has a new car and a super BF.
GG, Richard's comments made me think, I didn't mention, you did a great job of going in there and getting the problem resolved. I don't think that would have happened in every case. I think you stated the problem very well, and they knew they had a problem that they had to contain.
They are a big company and don't want the word to get out to consumers, or even jeopardize their franchises. I hope Audi puts their foot down on those other dealers, they should have more control over those franchises if they want to sell cars nationally.
I have to give that dealer credit. I was once in retail and I was being taught by an excellent store manager. He said, and I always think of this, "Every one can make a mistake, but if you can correct the mistake and make it right, it doesn't count as a mistake anymore.
I guess the only way to avoid all scams is to deal in cash (which has it's own problems) or go to the buyer's bank and watch him get the check from own account.
We went to our bank, got a certified check, then had the bank notary help us with the title exchange.
I did jokingly tell my wife to write seller a personal check after we agreed to buy the car, while seller standing and listening. Seller thought it was pretty funny... I think. :P
Richard....you're very kind. Thank you for the kind words.
I consider just about everyone here at Edmunds a friend (and occasional malcontent will wander in here from time-to-time). And, that's what friends do....listen to their friends [non-permissible content removed], moan, complain, and even advise when it's required. All of you do that for me. Hopefully, I return the favors in kind.
To answer more questions.....my retelling of the events of the weekend were really the Reader's Digest version. The whole thing took up the better part of Saturday. I didn't leave their dealership until 3:00 p.m. Central time. So, I was there working this whole thing out for about 5 hours.
The VP and the GM of the dealership did try to convince me that they could fix everything, once and for all, if given the chance. There were several issues with that plan of action. First, they didn't have anything in stock that would have been required. The wheels, the entire MMI system would have been something that had to be ordered. Who knows how long that would have taken.
Plus, I wasn't too keen on them ripping out the entire dash to replace the entire MMI system. Mentioned before, Audi, like most others, have gone to an elaborate computer system that the MMI controls, from the throttle response, to the suspension damping, to the radio, to the lights....plus probably a 1,000 more things. What are the odds of them getting all of that correct in set up and installation, without having a rattle creep in after everything was done?
Admittedly, I was hunting for bear when I first arrived at the dealership. I was far from calm. They let me have my rant, outlining all the customer service gaffs, from every Audi source, for about 30 minutes before we started getting to the possible solutions. Rightfully so, they knew I had to get my say in, in order for them to get a chance to defuse the situation. The GM was especially good at defusing it by staying serene.
I wanted my (and GF's) money back. As the GM said, "what does that benefit anyone? You still don't have a car to drive home if I take the car back and give you a check. How would you get home? You're still going to leave angry, and we want you to leave happy."
Hard to argue with him on that count, although I would have left angry, but had a big check to look at while riding the bus home.
As mentioned, all within 300 yards of each other is Westmont's Audi dealer, Mercedes dealer, Acura dealer, BMW dealer, and across the street from all of that, is their Porsche and Lamborgini dealership.
I toyed with the idea of doing a swap for a BMW, as they said that was on the table. But, what I wanted had to be ordered, extending my dissatisfaction for another couple of months. Don't know this, but I think they would have sold the BMW at cost to swing that deal. There still would have been some sort of delta to deal with, though....complicating this even further.
Bottom line, the lack of customer service of the local dealers (and by Audi Corporate, who I'm convinced really wasn't given all the facts by the dealers), cost Westmont Audi $$$$. They have to fix the car I brought back, and turn around and sell it as used. That might be a tough row to hoe. They're going to have a tough time making money on that car. Maybe use it as a demo? That would be one cool demo to have, though.
The service people locally still have to deal with me, which I'm sure they aren't going to be happy about. Don't really care, though. Just fix and service my car correctly, and all's good.
If you like mysteries with some crime scene analysis, you might try Judith A. Jance's books. There are different series with different stars: Joanna Brady is a female sheriff in Arizona, Beaumont is a male detective in Seattle, and Ali McGraw is the other character in her series. Has longer chapters than the usual Stuart Woods books that I like. James Patterson books are iffy now, because they are written with a coauthor and don't fit in the with the earlier ones.
The saddest part of your story is that the local Cincy dealerships will have to "told" by the company that they are supposed to give you proper service on a luxury level vehicle. Yet, they will continue to give Joe Schmoe the same treatment you got.
That was my point about the other VW store in some years past who wouldn't give our friends Jetta proper treatment on a car bought in Fairfield, 15 miles further away. They just figuratively pointed their finger toward the door to go back to the original dealer.
It seems that you got very good treatment in Chicago: you might have reasonably paid an amount for the use on the A4 for the months you've had it and they could have put you into something else you really wanted. On the other hand, you drove a long distance with your time invested to return to them, so you did pay some costs already.
Keep checking the used car listing at the Chicago Audi store to see if the car shows up on the lot for resale.
Hopefully, the Cincy stores will get a black mark on their reputation with the company because of their poor treatment. I suggest you use Edmund's dealer evaluation area to discuss your treatment at the local stores. Those can be very effective when written by someone who delineates real problems and comes across as authentic. I take various reviews of restaurants that come up when searching on maps.google.com with a grain of salt when they talk about how wonder something is because I always suspect they are written by relatives and owners.
I too like Connelly. I think I've read all of his to date. Also like Baldacci.
I like to pick an author that's one I like, check their website for titles, print off the list, and then start requesting those from our public library system.
It's nice to read them in order from the earliest, but I like reading them in reverse order.
That was my experience with Hyundai as well. The local dealer threatened my warranty when they learned I complete all my own maintenance, buying all parts and fluid (except oil) through them. I contacted Hyundai corporate about the matter and they backed the dealer 100% despite the fact I had receipts and a tracking database for all work completed. Additionally, the local dealer recommends a much more aggressive schedule than the manufacturer, and if that's not followed, the warranty will be denied. Hyundai corporate agreed. I thought it all a joke, but after jmonroe's experience, I realized how screwy Hyundai really is with warranty work.
A lot of people around here seem to really enjoy baseball.
I used to be a baseball fan but I live in the Pittsburgh area and they haven’t played pro ball here for quite some time. To be exact, 19 straight years of below 500 ball. Oh I know, they are winning now, in fact, Son #1 took the family to see them play yesterday and they won. Gee, the blind squirrel theory at its best. They don’t even bother asking me to tag along anymore because they know I’ll say NO, HELL NO!!
I said this before, the fans, and people in general, in this city would be dancing in the streets if the Pirates finished the season one game over 500, even 500 would do it; yet if the Steelers lose 4 games these same fans are ready to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge.
I’m not a betting person but I’d be willing to put my first born on the line that the Pirates won’t finish the season in a position that warrants all the hoopla that’s going on here now. And, the pathetic part of this is they are playing in a park that has been touted as being the best in the Majors. I’d like to see it again but I’m waiting for them to get serious for a few years.
They have an owner that is milking this city dry and so far this year he is laughing himself silly.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
*graphicguy, sorry I've missed all your posts regarding this situation, but my iphone no longer can get forums or anything else on the main site of Edmunds - just their mobile application, which does not include the forums.
You mentioned Westmont - I purchased several Mercedes from Laurel Motors there in Westmont back in the 1980's, but I think they are now owned by Autonation. Could you kindly explain again why you would drive 1000 miles to buy a car in Illinois? I'm sure you've answered this question before, but I must have missed that answer.
I'll bet you pulled in with a 1/4 tank of gas and drove out with a full one.
I did indeed!
abacomike....actually, it wasn't 1,000 miles for one trip. One way, it's "only" about 250-300 miles. The amount of times I had to go back and forth (4), I pegged it at 1,000 miles.
Reason? $4,000 worth. That was the difference between the deal I could make locally, and the one I made in Chicago. Good enough for me. Plus, even trying to make a deal locally, their stock levels were woeful. One dealer had one S4. The other had none. They'd track one down for me, but wanted a deposit and weren't real happy about the price I offered (as in, they might have hit it, but not without a lot of effort on my part).
Autonation owns all of those dealerships, now......including Laurel Mercedes (literally right next door to the Westmont Audi....they even share the same driveway).
This was my first experience with Autonation. It was a very good one. Very professional and very dedicated to customer service (not just lip service).
You won't find many dealerships that will take it on the chin for another dealership's mistakes. Westmont Audi did, and for no other reason than to make a customer happy. Autonation doesn't even have any assurances I'll stay with them as a customer. I will say this, if I ever buy another Audi, I won't set foot in either of the local dealerships. I'll make the 250 mile trip directly to Westmont Audi.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Wow, Jip! Congrats on the new ride. I shared your post with some other people at Edmunds - it's a nice story, and glad you got a sweet deal. Hoping you won't even need to worry about the warranty and the conditions of it.
If you're ever in the neighborhood, I'll take you to the nicest restaurant in town... which probably means cheesy Chinese buffet or the PetroMart cafe :-\ But hey, it's the thought that counts, right? Your testimonial definitely qualifies for a dues reduction.
So much to catch up on. Unfortunately, I was scarce this weekend because we did some dreaded (but fruitful) furniture shopping. Look what we spotted in the parking lot of the furniture store we ended up buying from:
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Given that we purchased a rather large sectional sofa, the Maserati would have a better chance of fitting inside of the sofa than the other way around.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Same goes for my Mazda dealer. Maybe they're drinking the same bad liquor. No issues whatsoever with the car unless I count it's magnetic personality that attracts other cars to ding it whenever possible.
I always smile when I see that expression. When I was a youngster living in rural Arkansas, I actually got some first hand experience in hoeing some of those tough rows.
Hopefully they will send that lemon back to the original store and let them try to deal with it at their expense.
Kirstie....perhaps too late for you to look, but the GF and I just bought a sectional from Costco about a week ago. Nice furniture at a great price. The downside is, it's cash and carry.
Houdini...."tough row to hoe" was one of my late Father's favorite expressions. Didn't know what it meant and asked him to explain. He literally had me "hoe a tough row". I understood after that.
Yeah, we looked there and there were some nice ones, but we had to get one with a chaise on one side. Otherwise, the windows on that side of the house would have been covered by chair backs.
Even when I have cash, I cannot carry. My days of moving furniture myself are DONE.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Definitely can understand why you would travel that distance - I sure would, and have, in the past.
I knew the GM of Laurel Motors way back when - I was a school principal up there and the GM's children went to my school - so I was able to purchase Mercedes Benz vehicles from him at invoice - which was 20% below MSRP in those days. Now of course, no where near that kind of profit margin.
I lived just south of Westmond/Downers Grove back in the 80's. Nice area. AuoNation is huge down here as well. They own most of the Mercedes Benz Dealerships.
I disliked the Louisville Mazda dealers so much that I actually bought my Mazda at Kings Mazda in Cincinnati- and take it there for service as well. The sales and service departments are excellent. I can usually combine a service trip with a work assignment in Northern KY so it isn't all that much of an inconvenience.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
.my retelling of the events of the weekend were really the Reader's Digest version.
Thanks for completing the story. I think this is now the story of the year so far, but it will be hard to top this one!
I thought they would do something to make it right, they can't sell a car that isn't complete or that doesn't run right. If you can sue for a million dollars for spilling coffee on yourself I think you could sue a lot more for an expensive car that wasn't as it should be.
The guys you were talking to were slick professionals. They let you sound off, but they kept cool and they knew it was a matter of solving the problem. That's what mst business is....solving problems and the ones that do it best are the ones that will be successful.
They'll probably sell the broken car as used, but Audi will probably cover the costs of repairing it. They'll sell it for cost or lose a bit, and the person who buys it will never know what was wrong.
You were right not to wait until they fixed it though. The chances of them getting it back together exactly the way it was are slim.
You don't hear about cars being actual lemons too much today. I wonder how that one ever got through to the showroom.
I did see a Ford truck today that looked fairly new and he had a sign on the back that said, This Truck is a Lemon, and then some smaller print I just couldn't get close enough to read. If you kept the first Audi it would have been fun to put a sign on it.
Brief update...if you remember, our kitchen sink got plugged. Plumber from a company in business for 60 years sent a guy. He diagnosed the problem quickly. Current pipe is warped upward in the middle and is not large enough (I believe it was 2 in diameter, needed 3 1/2 in). He had to get a pipe, took one hour, had to cut through a beam and make the hole larger, and go over some furnace ducts. Took him less than two hours to do that. Total bill was $987 plus taxes.
I called to complain and there was a lot of resistance. I told them I would be writing to all the consumer shows, BBB and consumer internet sites etc.
They called back and they are going to send a supervisor to double check it. I am not getting too excited. I am sure he will tell me why it cost that or give me back a token $100. I think the job was worth about $600 to $700 maximum so they should refund $300 to $400.
Do you think I should accept a token $100 or $200 or should I tell him I am going to write to the consumer advocates unless I get back a minimum of $300? Most people who do this work say $300 to $400 would be reasonable.........I don't mind paying $600 to $700 because the guy was a professional and could have faked it to make the job look harder than it was.
abacomike...that area of Chicago has grown....a lot. My former spouse was from Hinsdale. So, I used to spend a lot of time in that general vicinity. I literally remember when that area was farm land. Now, it has a bevy of (very nice) car lots.
Don't know if he was there (and hosts please feel free to delete, but this guy isn't one of the sales people), but Ozzie Haleem is the General Manager at Westmont Audi. Although, he said he used to be the Sales Manager at Laurel Mercedes. Maybe you know him?
When they were prepping my "other" new car, they gave me a loaner (a new A6) to go have lunch instead of hanging out in the dealership. I cruised through their Lambo dealership, first. Even the used cars they had there were ones I would have given a digit to own. But, the used ones were well out of my price range, too.
Kirstie, they had some used Maseratis there just like the pic of the one posted.
Speaking of the A6, Mike, I know you like that class of car (E350, GS350). When you get a chance, drive a new A6. Very nice cars.
Most people who do this work say $300 to $400 would be reasonable.........
So why didn't you hire them in the first place? Did you get multiple quotes or just made the phone call and took you chances?
Around here plumbers charge $75-$100 per hour per man. They charge portal to portal so the meter starts to tick the second they leave the shop. They charge you to drive to the supply house. They drive a truck that with materials is probably worth $75K +. Believe it or not - they don't sell parts at cost. Lastly, they're willing to get their hands in your poop and pee to fix the stuff you wouldn't dare touch.
Conversely, the worst tool they ever let a plumber have is a reciprocating saw. When you said he cut a beam, I grimaced. And the fact that he had to go and buy pipe would've turned me off right away.
"...an occasional malcontent will wander in here from time to time..."
What do you mean? I'm here all the time. :P
Seriously, that was impressive wheeling-dealing to reach your goal. I never could maintain that focus for so long against such resistance. I would either get so angry I'd storm out or just get a lawyer and sue. You showed some real skill. Kudos!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The As can't win and can't compete against teams that can pay players with 3X as much funds. The team's manager finds a kid who can work out what players they can get really cheap, but who have good statistics. Not to give away anything, but the plan works and baseball has been changed forever.
Moneyball is a great story, but the A's have made the playoffs just once in the last nine years... so, not sure that "baseball has been changed forever"..
They have won 9 or their last 10 games, though... so, maybe it's finally coming true...
Wow -- I hear that! I changed residences a lot in my younger days and got very good at moving lots of things, including furniture. Sadly, I've been in my present abode 20 years and there's no . . . way I'm hauling down the stairs some of the big stuff I lugged up.
So why didn't you hire them in the first place? Did you get multiple quotes or just made the phone call and took you chances
I'll just lay out the problem, and the company does send someone who gives you a free estimate, however;
We were expecting 15 to 20 people on the following Sunday. Problem happened on Wednesday. I called them at 7. She said someone would call first thing in the morning. Guy called at 8:30 a.m. Said they couldn't do first call, would come at 10:30. No guy at 10:30 called, they said he would be there in half an hour. We called every half hour, he showed up at 1:30. Went to the truck to do an estimate, took 15 minutes. Came in and said it would cost $987 + taxes and parts etc.
I didn't want to get a worse guy at this point, now I only had Friday to get someone else. Figured I would try to sort it out later, but, in the meantime I had to get this done. Also, from the way he talked, it was a major job and I envisioned him being here until 8 PM.
It took almost an hour to get the pipe (from their dealer when he could have bought one at Rona down the street). The work took less than 2 hours.
I doubt if his van is worth more than $15K, maybe his equipment is worth something.
I am willing to pay extra for his knowledge, he diagnosed the problem right away. I am willing to pay for his expertise, he knew how to fix the problem quickly and neatly. I am willing to pay for his knowledge, it probably takes years to learn how to do this work.
It was a kitchen sink pipe, so it wasn't that messy, and that should count for something.
I think for 3 hours work and all the other factors I would have paid $600, no problem. $700 I would pay but think it was high. $1100 with taxes, sounds a bit much for 3 hours work!
As for driving here, if I told him not to do it he would have been out a lot more than that. Company claims they don't do work by the hour, it's calculated by the job.
I have learned to have a plumber lined up before you have an emergency. I have 3 now, I ask people if they have a good plumber. A good plumber, mechanic, handyman, electrician, computer person are rare and should be treated well.
not sure that "baseball has been changed forever".
I think baseball had changed forever because the team that wanted the manager to come to them, started using the same system. Up until then the old pros sat around and gave verbal ideas on what players would be best for the team. The change was that now computers and using statistics became a factor that other teams started using.
Look what we spotted in the parking lot of the furniture store
That's the car my friend bought. He says it will be his last fancy car, but I am not sure. His looks much nicer though, charcoal gray and tan interior.
It rides like a much bigger car, solid and good on the bumps. Has a great sound too. Sounds like a 1960 MG, only costs a bit more at $130K.
committed today to doing out bathroom remodel. Last room in the house that has not been upgraded, and it shows. But, by the end of the summer, that should be brand spanking new also. Of course, might have to sell the house to pay for it all...
and I hate to think what this is doing to the car budget. My wife might be driving that minivan a lot longer than she expected to!
Was hard to pass up the deal though. Got a good price on all the bath fixtures, a great deal on the granite remnant that my daughter was in love with, and the contractor bid to do all the work was lower than I expected (and all I have to do on this job is a little painting). So, IMO not a bad total cost for a full gut, all new, higher quality stuff (including the granite vanity top), with tile to the ceiling around where the tub is, and a tile floor.
Nah, no deletion necessary. Our "no salespeople's names" prohibition was created in the spirit of preventing customers from using the forums to get a referral fee ("ask for bob - tell him john sent you") and, of course, preventing salespeople from self-promoting. We tend to follow the spirit rather than the letter these days.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
steve, thanks. You still have that Mercury Villager? I recall a picture you posted several years ago with it loaded down, top roof rack to a canoe or something sticking out a window. Always stick with a winner I say.
If you're ever in the neighborhood, I'll take you to the nicest restaurant in town... which probably means cheesy Chinese buffet or the PetroMart cafe :-\ But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?
Sounds like a deal. You buy and I'll leave the tip.
Comments
3,000 mile oil changes with today’s oils and engines is double what has to be done and the manufactures recommended oil change interval bears this out. Rotating tires is something that the owner should want to do to get the best mileage from their tires. I can’t understand why this is a dealer must to maintain a cars warranty. A 12,000 mile engine flush :confuse: this is redundant because if you did oil changes at the 3,000 mile dealer recommended interval, the engine is being flushed quite regularly.
This type of maintenance to maintain a warranty has to be a dealer scare tactic but if it isn’t, an investigation is needed.
To answer your question about the dealer group being evil...I say they are and snake like too.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Great news GG. I still don't know why he didn't say we'll go over your car and make it right if you still prefer that one.
Probably by that time you didn't really want the original car anymore and you preferred starting all over.
Sounds like they are a big player and really don't want this kind of story getting around. Sometimes it is easier dealing with good business people, especially if you are reasonable and just present the facts, ....it is hard to argue with facts.
Great ending and I hope you and your GF really enjoy the new car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good points dino, I think you are correct. BMW does all the service for 4 years and they don't do it until the light comes on. The salesman did say Audi wanted to make it an option, you can buy a service package or pay as you go, Audi wants to give you the option.
I'll study it more closely when we pick up the car, but I don't think it will work for us because we don't do enough oil changes. We'll be away for about 4 months total and the car only goes about 8K miles a year.
Thanks for reminding me though, I will check it out more carefully before I discount it completely.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I was one who was talking about Michael Connolly and I believe Fezo reads them too. I strongly recommend Harlan Coben and I particularly like "Tell No One". A lot of people who like Connolly also like Lee Child (I think mako reads those).
You can also check David Baldacci and though he is British he writes really clever books....Jeffery Archer.
To find books go on amazon.com books. Just put in one of these authors names and check out differnt titles. You can see how people rate the book out of 5 stars, get a brief outline of the story, and see how it sells in the ranking.
Just remembered too, if I ask people what their favorite book is most often I will get "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It is over 1000 pages but is an amazing story.
Good luck!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The As can't win and can't compete against teams that can pay players with 3X as much funds. The team's manager finds a kid who can work out what players they can get really cheap, but who have good statistics. Not to give away anything, but the plan works and baseball has been changed forever.
Moneyball is a really well made worthwhile movie to see.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
someone newer I liked was Julie spencer-fleming. She has a series set in NYS, in Oldfarmers neck of the woods that are very well written.
http://www.juliaspencerfleming.com/
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
And next in line, an offbeat historical true crime story:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
GG, Richard's comments made me think, I didn't mention, you did a great job of going in there and getting the problem resolved. I don't think that would have happened in every case. I think you stated the problem very well, and they knew they had a problem that they had to contain.
They are a big company and don't want the word to get out to consumers, or even jeopardize their franchises. I hope Audi puts their foot down on those other dealers, they should have more control over those franchises if they want to sell cars nationally.
I have to give that dealer credit. I was once in retail and I was being taught by an excellent store manager. He said, and I always think of this, "Every one can make a mistake, but if you can correct the mistake and make it right, it doesn't count as a mistake anymore.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We went to our bank, got a certified check, then had the bank notary help us with the title exchange.
I did jokingly tell my wife to write seller a personal check after we agreed to buy the car, while seller standing and listening. Seller thought it was pretty funny... I think. :P
I consider just about everyone here at Edmunds a friend (and occasional malcontent will wander in here from time-to-time). And, that's what friends do....listen to their friends [non-permissible content removed], moan, complain, and even advise when it's required. All of you do that for me. Hopefully, I return the favors in kind.
To answer more questions.....my retelling of the events of the weekend were really the Reader's Digest version. The whole thing took up the better part of Saturday. I didn't leave their dealership until 3:00 p.m. Central time. So, I was there working this whole thing out for about 5 hours.
The VP and the GM of the dealership did try to convince me that they could fix everything, once and for all, if given the chance. There were several issues with that plan of action. First, they didn't have anything in stock that would have been required. The wheels, the entire MMI system would have been something that had to be ordered. Who knows how long that would have taken.
Plus, I wasn't too keen on them ripping out the entire dash to replace the entire MMI system. Mentioned before, Audi, like most others, have gone to an elaborate computer system that the MMI controls, from the throttle response, to the suspension damping, to the radio, to the lights....plus probably a 1,000 more things. What are the odds of them getting all of that correct in set up and installation, without having a rattle creep in after everything was done?
Admittedly, I was hunting for bear when I first arrived at the dealership. I was far from calm. They let me have my rant, outlining all the customer service gaffs, from every Audi source, for about 30 minutes before we started getting to the possible solutions. Rightfully so, they knew I had to get my say in, in order for them to get a chance to defuse the situation. The GM was especially good at defusing it by staying serene.
I wanted my (and GF's) money back. As the GM said, "what does that benefit anyone? You still don't have a car to drive home if I take the car back and give you a check. How would you get home? You're still going to leave angry, and we want you to leave happy."
Hard to argue with him on that count, although I would have left angry, but had a big check to look at while riding the bus home.
As mentioned, all within 300 yards of each other is Westmont's Audi dealer, Mercedes dealer, Acura dealer, BMW dealer, and across the street from all of that, is their Porsche and Lamborgini dealership.
I toyed with the idea of doing a swap for a BMW, as they said that was on the table. But, what I wanted had to be ordered, extending my dissatisfaction for another couple of months. Don't know this, but I think they would have sold the BMW at cost to swing that deal. There still would have been some sort of delta to deal with, though....complicating this even further.
Bottom line, the lack of customer service of the local dealers (and by Audi Corporate, who I'm convinced really wasn't given all the facts by the dealers), cost Westmont Audi $$$$. They have to fix the car I brought back, and turn around and sell it as used. That might be a tough row to hoe. They're going to have a tough time making money on that car. Maybe use it as a demo? That would be one cool demo to have, though.
The service people locally still have to deal with me, which I'm sure they aren't going to be happy about. Don't really care, though. Just fix and service my car correctly, and all's good.
If you like mysteries with some crime scene analysis, you might try Judith A. Jance's books. There are different series with different stars: Joanna Brady is a female sheriff in Arizona, Beaumont is a male detective in Seattle, and Ali McGraw is the other character in her series. Has longer chapters than the usual Stuart Woods books that I like. James Patterson books are iffy now, because they are written with a coauthor and don't fit in the with the earlier ones.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Pretty much, show up with a check for enough money, and you too can slap his name with yours on a book!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That was my point about the other VW store in some years past who wouldn't give our friends Jetta proper treatment on a car bought in Fairfield, 15 miles further away. They just figuratively pointed their finger toward the door to go back to the original dealer.
It seems that you got very good treatment in Chicago: you might have reasonably paid an amount for the use on the A4 for the months you've had it and they could have put you into something else you really wanted. On the other hand, you drove a long distance with your time invested to return to them, so you did pay some costs already.
Keep checking the used car listing at the Chicago Audi store to see if the car shows up on the lot for resale.
Hopefully, the Cincy stores will get a black mark on their reputation with the company because of their poor treatment. I suggest you use Edmund's dealer evaluation area to discuss your treatment at the local stores. Those can be very effective when written by someone who delineates real problems and comes across as authentic. I take various reviews of restaurants that come up when searching on maps.google.com with a grain of salt when they talk about how wonder something is because I always suspect they are written by relatives and owners.
Enjoy your car!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It should have been right in the first place. Maybe they read this forum.
I'll bet you pulled in with a 1/4 tank of gas and drove out with a full one.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I like to pick an author that's one I like, check their website for titles, print off the list, and then start requesting those from our public library system.
It's nice to read them in order from the earliest, but I like reading them in reverse order.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I used to be a baseball fan but I live in the Pittsburgh area and they haven’t played pro ball here for quite some time. To be exact, 19 straight years of below 500 ball. Oh I know, they are winning now, in fact, Son #1 took the family to see them play yesterday and they won. Gee, the blind squirrel theory at its best. They don’t even bother asking me to tag along anymore because they know I’ll say NO, HELL NO!!
I said this before, the fans, and people in general, in this city would be dancing in the streets if the Pirates finished the season one game over 500, even 500 would do it; yet if the Steelers lose 4 games these same fans are ready to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge.
I’m not a betting person but I’d be willing to put my first born on the line that the Pirates won’t finish the season in a position that warrants all the hoopla that’s going on here now. And, the pathetic part of this is they are playing in a park that has been touted as being the best in the Majors. I’d like to see it again but I’m waiting for them to get serious for a few years.
They have an owner that is milking this city dry and so far this year he is laughing himself silly.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
*graphicguy, sorry I've missed all your posts regarding this situation, but my iphone no longer can get forums or anything else on the main site of Edmunds - just their mobile application, which does not include the forums.
You mentioned Westmont - I purchased several Mercedes from Laurel Motors there in Westmont back in the 1980's, but I think they are now owned by Autonation. Could you kindly explain again why you would drive 1000 miles to buy a car in Illinois? I'm sure you've answered this question before, but I must have missed that answer.
Thanks!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I did indeed!
abacomike....actually, it wasn't 1,000 miles for one trip. One way, it's "only" about 250-300 miles. The amount of times I had to go back and forth (4), I pegged it at 1,000 miles.
Reason? $4,000 worth. That was the difference between the deal I could make locally, and the one I made in Chicago. Good enough for me. Plus, even trying to make a deal locally, their stock levels were woeful. One dealer had one S4. The other had none. They'd track one down for me, but wanted a deposit and weren't real happy about the price I offered (as in, they might have hit it, but not without a lot of effort on my part).
Autonation owns all of those dealerships, now......including Laurel Mercedes (literally right next door to the Westmont Audi....they even share the same driveway).
This was my first experience with Autonation. It was a very good one. Very professional and very dedicated to customer service (not just lip service).
You won't find many dealerships that will take it on the chin for another dealership's mistakes. Westmont Audi did, and for no other reason than to make a customer happy. Autonation doesn't even have any assurances I'll stay with them as a customer. I will say this, if I ever buy another Audi, I won't set foot in either of the local dealerships. I'll make the 250 mile trip directly to Westmont Audi.
http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/Illinois/Westmont/AudiWestmont/
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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If you're ever in the neighborhood, I'll take you to the nicest restaurant in town... which probably means cheesy Chinese buffet or the PetroMart cafe :-\ But hey, it's the thought that counts, right? Your testimonial definitely qualifies for a dues reduction.
So much to catch up on. Unfortunately, I was scarce this weekend because we did some dreaded (but fruitful) furniture shopping. Look what we spotted in the parking lot of the furniture store we ended up buying from:
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Oh wait, you mean the Maserati? Nice car, but I hate the colors combo of white with black wheels.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So, how well did your new furniture fit in your new Maserati?
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Same goes for my Mazda dealer. Maybe they're drinking the same bad liquor. No issues whatsoever with the car unless I count it's magnetic personality that attracts other cars to ding it whenever possible.
Gogiboy
I always smile when I see that expression. When I was a youngster living in rural Arkansas, I actually got some first hand experience in hoeing some of those tough rows.
Hopefully they will send that lemon back to the original store and let them try to deal with it at their expense.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Even when I have cash, I cannot carry. My days of moving furniture myself are DONE.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Definitely can understand why you would travel that distance - I sure would, and have, in the past.
I knew the GM of Laurel Motors way back when - I was a school principal up there and the GM's children went to my school - so I was able to purchase Mercedes Benz vehicles from him at invoice - which was 20% below MSRP in those days. Now of course, no where near that kind of profit margin.
I lived just south of Westmond/Downers Grove back in the 80's. Nice area. AuoNation is huge down here as well. They own most of the Mercedes Benz Dealerships.
Thanks for the info.
Sounds like you and the GF had some experiences.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I disliked the Louisville Mazda dealers so much that I actually bought my Mazda at Kings Mazda in Cincinnati- and take it there for service as well. The sales and service departments are excellent. I can usually combine a service trip with a work assignment in Northern KY so it isn't all that much of an inconvenience.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Thanks for completing the story. I think this is now the story of the year so far, but it will be hard to top this one!
I thought they would do something to make it right, they can't sell a car that isn't complete or that doesn't run right. If you can sue for a million dollars for spilling coffee on yourself I think you could sue a lot more for an expensive car that wasn't as it should be.
The guys you were talking to were slick professionals. They let you sound off, but they kept cool and they knew it was a matter of solving the problem. That's what mst business is....solving problems and the ones that do it best are the ones that will be successful.
They'll probably sell the broken car as used, but Audi will probably cover the costs of repairing it. They'll sell it for cost or lose a bit, and the person who buys it will never know what was wrong.
You were right not to wait until they fixed it though. The chances of them getting it back together exactly the way it was are slim.
You don't hear about cars being actual lemons too much today. I wonder how that one ever got through to the showroom.
I did see a Ford truck today that looked fairly new and he had a sign on the back that said, This Truck is a Lemon, and then some smaller print I just couldn't get close enough to read. If you kept the first Audi it would have been fun to put a sign on it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
He had to get a pipe, took one hour, had to cut through a beam and make the hole larger, and go over some furnace ducts.
Took him less than two hours to do that. Total bill was $987 plus taxes.
I called to complain and there was a lot of resistance. I told them I would be writing to all the consumer shows, BBB and consumer internet sites etc.
They called back and they are going to send a supervisor to double check it. I am not getting too excited. I am sure he will tell me why it cost that or give me back a token $100. I think the job was worth about $600 to $700 maximum so they should refund $300 to $400.
Do you think I should accept a token $100 or $200 or should I tell him I am going to write to the consumer advocates unless I get back a minimum of $300? Most people who do this work say $300 to $400 would be reasonable.........I don't mind paying $600 to $700 because the guy was a professional and could have faked it to make the job look harder than it was.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Don't know if he was there (and hosts please feel free to delete, but this guy isn't one of the sales people), but Ozzie Haleem is the General Manager at Westmont Audi. Although, he said he used to be the Sales Manager at Laurel Mercedes. Maybe you know him?
When they were prepping my "other" new car, they gave me a loaner (a new A6) to go have lunch instead of hanging out in the dealership. I cruised through their Lambo dealership, first. Even the used cars they had there were ones I would have given a digit to own. But, the used ones were well out of my price range, too.
Kirstie, they had some used Maseratis there just like the pic of the one posted.
Speaking of the A6, Mike, I know you like that class of car (E350, GS350). When you get a chance, drive a new A6. Very nice cars.
So why didn't you hire them in the first place? Did you get multiple quotes or just made the phone call and took you chances?
Around here plumbers charge $75-$100 per hour per man. They charge portal to portal so the meter starts to tick the second they leave the shop. They charge you to drive to the supply house. They drive a truck that with materials is probably worth $75K +. Believe it or not - they don't sell parts at cost. Lastly, they're willing to get their hands in your poop and pee to fix the stuff you wouldn't dare touch.
Conversely, the worst tool they ever let a plumber have is a reciprocating saw. When you said he cut a beam, I grimaced. And the fact that he had to go and buy pipe would've turned me off right away.
A good plumber is a great thing to have.
What do you mean? I'm here all the time. :P
Seriously, that was impressive wheeling-dealing to reach your goal. I never could maintain that focus for so long against such resistance. I would either get so angry I'd storm out or just get a lawyer and sue. You showed some real skill. Kudos!
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Moneyball is a great story, but the A's have made the playoffs just once in the last nine years... so, not sure that "baseball has been changed forever"..
They have won 9 or their last 10 games, though... so, maybe it's finally coming true...
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PNC Park is my favorite major league park, by far...
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Wow -- I hear that! I changed residences a lot in my younger days and got very good at moving lots of things, including furniture. Sadly, I've been in my present abode 20 years and there's no . . . way I'm hauling down the stairs some of the big stuff I lugged up.
I'll just lay out the problem, and the company does send someone who gives you a free estimate, however;
We were expecting 15 to 20 people on the following Sunday.
Problem happened on Wednesday.
I called them at 7. She said someone would call first thing in the morning.
Guy called at 8:30 a.m. Said they couldn't do first call, would come at 10:30.
No guy at 10:30 called, they said he would be there in half an hour.
We called every half hour, he showed up at 1:30.
Went to the truck to do an estimate, took 15 minutes.
Came in and said it would cost $987 + taxes and parts etc.
I didn't want to get a worse guy at this point, now I only had Friday to get someone else. Figured I would try to sort it out later, but, in the meantime I had to get this done. Also, from the way he talked, it was a major job and I envisioned him being here until 8 PM.
It took almost an hour to get the pipe (from their dealer when he could have bought one at Rona down the street).
The work took less than 2 hours.
I doubt if his van is worth more than $15K, maybe his equipment is worth something.
I am willing to pay extra for his knowledge, he diagnosed the problem right away. I am willing to pay for his expertise, he knew how to fix the problem quickly and neatly. I am willing to pay for his knowledge, it probably takes years to learn how to do this work.
It was a kitchen sink pipe, so it wasn't that messy, and that should count for something.
I think for 3 hours work and all the other factors I would have paid $600, no problem. $700 I would pay but think it was high. $1100 with taxes, sounds a bit much for 3 hours work!
As for driving here, if I told him not to do it he would have been out a lot more than that. Company claims they don't do work by the hour, it's calculated by the job.
I have learned to have a plumber lined up before you have an emergency. I have 3 now, I ask people if they have a good plumber. A good plumber, mechanic, handyman, electrician, computer person are rare and should be treated well.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think baseball had changed forever because the team that wanted the manager to come to them, started using the same system. Up until then the old pros sat around and gave verbal ideas on what players would be best for the team. The change was that now computers and using statistics became a factor that other teams started using.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's the car my friend bought. He says it will be his last fancy car, but I am not sure. His looks much nicer though, charcoal gray and tan interior.
It rides like a much bigger car, solid and good on the bumps. Has a great sound too. Sounds like a 1960 MG, only costs a bit more at $130K.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
and I hate to think what this is doing to the car budget. My wife might be driving that minivan a lot longer than she expected to!
Was hard to pass up the deal though. Got a good price on all the bath fixtures, a great deal on the granite remnant that my daughter was in love with, and the contractor bid to do all the work was lower than I expected (and all I have to do on this job is a little painting). So, IMO not a bad total cost for a full gut, all new, higher quality stuff (including the granite vanity top), with tile to the ceiling around where the tub is, and a tile floor.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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steve, thanks. You still have that Mercury Villager? I recall a picture you posted several years ago with it loaded down, top roof rack to a canoe or something sticking out a window. Always stick with a winner I say.
If you're ever in the neighborhood, I'll take you to the nicest restaurant in town... which probably means cheesy Chinese buffet or the PetroMart cafe :-\ But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?
Sounds like a deal. You buy and I'll leave the tip.