This is why I avoid the dealership...

[MudderTruker]

Like many of you, I avoid the dealership service department

WOW ... same as here in Australia! Jeeps are awesome but they are let down by the back-up/dealer 'service'!

DQ'd from a service contract

Thats where Aus is better ... they cant DQ you for something you did yourself (aka 'right to repair'). If you install a lift and the engine falls out, it must be covered!

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[CMac]

....If you install a lift and the engine falls out, it must be covered!

We're talkin' about Jeeps here....not Fords.

Lol.

 

[ExitLeft]

I trust my service department. The service guys seem competent, my lift was put on correctly, my steering tsb was done in a timely manner, and clean. However, I will do my own oil changes because I find it fun. I enjoy being able to take care of my vehicle myself. A sense of accomplishment. Also my dealership is a 40 minute drive. That being said, just a 1/4 mile down from my house is another Jeep dealership. I wouldn't trust them. I've heard bad things about them. They have only a 3 star rating online.

finding a good dealer is like finding a needle in a haystack these days. I see you’re in PA... I don’t suppose your dealer is anywhere near Philly?

 

[wanderer]

A few good most suck In Carlsbad the dealer was pretty good. Made one mistake putting on the snorkel. And got a new hood for that but my old service manager was an off-road guy and knew his stuff. Fast forward to my new dealer had a fender bender. And bent the steel bumper so I thought I would have them put my winch back on. Well they did it but lost the spacers. And how they shoehorned that winch on is beyond me but they could fit the lower skid plate for the sway bar disconnect on. So I am sure that I have to do it all over. And that is with you connect and instructions to follow. As a side. Note I told Artec about it. And they. Are sending new spacers. No charge. That is awesome customer service. I’ll be a customer for life.

 

[shyoung1]

I spent 10 years working as a server advisor at many different dealerships and ended my career at Mercedes Benz. When I took my wife's Renegade in for an oil change and they tried selling me the BG Fuel injector cleaner/throttle body service at 20k miles, I suddenly felt bad for all of the times I tried selling this crap to customers. The money can be great but the lying to customers and trying to cover your butt just to make a couple dollars really beats you down.

When I found out how easy the oil change was on the JT I was relieved that I can do it quickly in my garage without removing panels like the Renegade.

I have two friends that are service managers, one for BMW Mini the other for BMW. They get beat up on three sides, irate owners, bitching mechanics, and management always wanting to do more $ than the month before! Both looking for new jobs, but those paychecks are awfully big!

I still like to do my own stuff if able.

 

[5JeepsAz]

 

[TrainMan]

finding a good dealer is like finding a needle in a haystack these days. I see you’re in PA... I don’t suppose your dealer is anywhere near Philly?

No, I'm actually on the Mason/Dixon line near Hagerstown Md.

 

[ExitLeft]

No, I'm actually on the Mason/Dixon line near Hagerstown Md.

Oh well...thanks anyway. I’d drive for a good dealer, but not that far. LOL

 

[fun2drum]

Wow some of you really do need to switch dealerships if possible. I’ve gotten excellent service in our small town dealership, and this isn’t the first vehicle I’ve bought and had serviced there. They schedule on the phone only so a human is having to make sense of their day and work me in with enough time. That means they get me in on time and out fast. Never a problem. I trust them. Same with the BMW dealership we use for my wife’s car.

 

[Cobraj]

Bringing my gladiator in dealer tomorrow for my passenger mirror that doesn't adjust when I push the button. we'll see how it goes.

 

[redrider]

Our local Jeep/Dodge dealer has a less than stellar street talk review. When the JT was announced, I went in to inquire with a call when in request. Crickets ever since.
Several years ago I stopped at the local Fiat dealer(different dealer) with cash in hand to buy on the spot. I rode in on my Benelli, dressed like a power ranger in matching leathers and all. I removed the helmet and spent a goodly amount of time browsing the line. Not one salesman came out. Never, ever will I recommend that dealership to any one. Later, one of the management underlings was in my Def. Driving class. As we discussed the new JT, I told him what occurred. The dealer was also a Jeep dealer. He was aghast(feigned?) and tried to get me back. My words were "No way on god's green earth." The damage was done and there are no second chances.

 

[CivilJeep]

Well, the dealership experience is consistent for me if nothing else. I picked the Jeep up, and as I was unloading the box I noticed the instructions didn’t look like they’ve been touched. So I crawled under the Jeep and started comparing part numbers. Sure enough, they put the rear left spring on the right, and right spring on the left. I’m so glad I spent $450 to have “professionals” install the lift kit....now I get to go back and fix their work. I’m also going to retorque all bolts, since I’m sure they didn’t do it to spec on the ground like you’re supposed to.

Anything else I should be on the look out for while I’m under there?

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Not a Jeep dealer, but I had an "interesting" encounter at a Ford dealer many years ago. It was 1998, and the dealer was a Ford Truck dealer - all they sold were trucks, from F250s up to Class 8 tractors. Ford had just announced their new Super Duty line of trucks and we were interested in an F450 Crew Cab diesel, so I went to the dealer looking for a brochure, and MAYBE an estimate on when they would start showing up on the lots. At the time I'm driving an F350 Crew Cab diesel and I know exactly what I'm looking for. The sales office is a double-wide trailer up on blocks, with about 6 steps up to the decking, and the floor level. As I'm walking toward the office area your stereotypical car salesman steps out and comes down the steps - you know the type: plaid trousers, white shoes, the whole "uniform"! He stops on the first step and asks if he can help me - I explain what I'm looking for and all he could say is "We don't have anything like that". I responded with "I know - Ford hasn't started building them yet - I'm looking for a brochure, and maybe some basic information." As I said that I stepped up onto the first step - he immediately took a step up, so that he could be "above" me. The conversation continued, with him denying that they had what I was looking for, and every time I took a step up he took a step up, until we were on the decking. Finally I said "thanks for the help" and left. Once the trucks started shipping we went to another dealer, who had a decent fleet department, explained what we wanted, and had it delivered within a week. Took it by the original truck dealer and showed him "This is the sale you missed out on because of your attitude".

 

[Jeeperjamie]

That's why I got a select few I use and I deal with the same people most of the time. Hendricks in Concord NC has always been great to me and never questioned any mods I have done on any jeep I've owned. They have never turned me down for warranty work. Took mine in for a oil change, mentioned the TSB and they asked me if it was doing anything on a list and I said yeah and they ordered the part. Took it in Saturday because my 3rd brake light is half lighting up, 25 minutes back and they ordered the part. My BMW was 1500 miles outside warranty when it was having a cylinder failure, they smudged the miles and got the warranty work approved on it, twice. I ask no questions but I'll continue to take my stuff to them. They even bought told me they would buy back my tires off my JT when I removed them and put 35's on the next day after I bought it.

 

[DavdZ]

Well I got 3 more "Free" $120.00 oil changes left, then I'm on my own

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