Dealer technician takes 2016 Corvette for a joy ride - caught on video!
07-27-2016, 04:56 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Dealer technician takes 2016 Corvette for a joy ride - caught on video!
If you're located in central/southern California, avoid this dealership AT ALL COST! This occurred at Three-Way Chevrolet in Bakersfield, CA. The technician is caught breaking three laws (speeding, reckless driving, and exhibition of speed) in a customer's vehicle and the dealership offered nothing more than a rude apology to make it right. GM Customer Care also would not help. They basically wasn't their problem, take it up with the dealership. This dealership definitely does not take care of their customers, especially Corvette customers.
Last edited by 95bat; 07-27-2016 at 05:47 PM.
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08-01-2016, 06:14 PM
Racer
Recently, a customer posted a video to the internet accusing our dealership technician as taking a “joyride” in his Corvette. That accusation is false.
On July 13, 2016, this customer brought his vehicle to Three-Way Chevrolet for an oil change and a transmission concern. Our Express Service did complete the oil change with Mobil 1 fully synthetic engine oil, although our invoice did not reflect this. When we learned of our clerical error, we offered to tow the vehicle back to the dealership and complete another service with the correct billing on the repair order. In response to our efforts to rectify the customer’s concern, we were told that this had already been completed by another repair facility and at this point, we are still awaiting an invoice so that we can reimburse the customer for his unanticipated expense.
With regard to the transmission, the customer’s concern was “CUST STATES WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODE THAT WHEN RPMS WERE AROUND 4000 AND CUSTOMER LET OFF OF GAS THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THIS OCCURRED IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AS WELL”
The Corvette is, as most know, a high performance vehicle and as such, capable of great speeds and performance. To duplicate the customer’s performance issue, we were required to reach 4,000 RPM while in third gear. As noted in the owner’s manual, 3rd gear is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.
We fully agree that our technician should have used better judgement in choosing an area for the test drive. In no way, do we see that the customer’s car was abused or taken for a “joyride” during the 5-minute test drive. We have dealt with this issue internally and utilized it as an educational point to all technicians.
Three-Way is a local, family owned business that has been serving the community since 1956. We take customer service seriously as shown by our 60-year history. We have apologized to this customer for the billing error on his oil change, as well as what he feels to be excessive driving in his vehicle.
On July 13, 2016, this customer brought his vehicle to Three-Way Chevrolet for an oil change and a transmission concern. Our Express Service did complete the oil change with Mobil 1 fully synthetic engine oil, although our invoice did not reflect this. When we learned of our clerical error, we offered to tow the vehicle back to the dealership and complete another service with the correct billing on the repair order. In response to our efforts to rectify the customer’s concern, we were told that this had already been completed by another repair facility and at this point, we are still awaiting an invoice so that we can reimburse the customer for his unanticipated expense.
With regard to the transmission, the customer’s concern was “CUST STATES WHEN DRIVING IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODE THAT WHEN RPMS WERE AROUND 4000 AND CUSTOMER LET OFF OF GAS THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THIS OCCURRED IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AS WELL”
The Corvette is, as most know, a high performance vehicle and as such, capable of great speeds and performance. To duplicate the customer’s performance issue, we were required to reach 4,000 RPM while in third gear. As noted in the owner’s manual, 3rd gear is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.
We fully agree that our technician should have used better judgement in choosing an area for the test drive. In no way, do we see that the customer’s car was abused or taken for a “joyride” during the 5-minute test drive. We have dealt with this issue internally and utilized it as an educational point to all technicians.
Three-Way is a local, family owned business that has been serving the community since 1956. We take customer service seriously as shown by our 60-year history. We have apologized to this customer for the billing error on his oil change, as well as what he feels to be excessive driving in his vehicle.
Did your tech break the speed limit? Yeah, no doubt.
Should he be fired? No, the people calling for his head are crazy!
Thanks for not encouraging crybaby behavior, and for standing behind your employees. As you've stated, using this as a learning tool for all of your techs is smart. Perhaps it would also be a good idea to let people know HOW their car will be driven when they drop it off. The show 'n shine crowd doesn't know what these cars can handle
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07-27-2016, 05:28 PM
#5
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I see it leaves on/fro "auto row" and returns to the dealership. But, this is just a question: how does anyone know that this is a video of a technician taking the car for a ride? Is there a date/time stamp?
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Cobranut (08-10-2016)
07-27-2016, 05:31 PM
#6
This is so sad that they hire people like this to service our cars.... It's even more sad that they won't offer anything more than an apology for this. You could probably take it to the police and have him ticketed, but that doesn't really "get out anything out of it."
I guess when you're paid like crap and you got nothing to lose, enjoying someone's else's property is worth more than your job.
I guess when you're paid like crap and you got nothing to lose, enjoying someone's else's property is worth more than your job.
07-27-2016, 05:36 PM
#7
Safety Car
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Send a link to the dealership. Let them know how famous they are.
07-27-2016, 05:36 PM
#8
At least he didn't shoot any jizz up on the windshield! (Yes it's possible please don't ask) Hell thats nothing my Dealer put over 400 miles on my car on one visit. He drove the car to his house every night 65 miles one way! Tracked on OnStar.
Last edited by Stinger15; 07-27-2016 at 05:44 PM.
07-27-2016, 05:39 PM
#9
07-27-2016, 05:40 PM
#10
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07-27-2016, 05:46 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What were the results of the dealer putting 400 miles on your car?
Last edited by 95bat; 07-27-2016 at 05:46 PM.
07-27-2016, 05:49 PM
#13
Oh it was the only way I could verify the noise. Then I had to drive it to make sure we fixed the right thing. Do you know people in other cars hang out the windows and take pictures of the car? I think he loved the attention he got because 2 weeks later guess what? It was squeaking AGAIN worse than before.
Last edited by Stinger15; 07-27-2016 at 05:52 PM.
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07-27-2016, 06:05 PM
#18
Pro
07-27-2016, 06:15 PM
#19
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He can be creative...diminished value.
Right after the small claims is filed contact the local paper for a interesting "newsworthy" story. And I'd have county police/county sheriff review the video. Well worth the small amt of trouble to cause some major pain.
If the dealer were to become "more cooperative", he can always withdraw or diminish the complaint.
Right after the small claims is filed contact the local paper for a interesting "newsworthy" story. And I'd have county police/county sheriff review the video. Well worth the small amt of trouble to cause some major pain.
If the dealer were to become "more cooperative", he can always withdraw or diminish the complaint.
