Escalating a C5 problem with GM??
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by vms4evr
A coworker has an 2000 Vert, ... it is out of the warranty she got when she bought it used from that dealership.
So my question is, how would she escalate this through GM. ...
So my question is, how would she escalate this through GM. ...
Not much can be done since its out of warranty but to find a shop who can. Same would apply to fixing a six year-old VCR, refrigerator, lawn mower etc. If Sears can't fix a Kenmore do you escalate it or go somewhere else?
Take it somewhere else.
You called it a lemon but that's legally NOT the correct term for her car. I think in CA the lemon law only applies to new vehicles and you must document the inability for the same problem to be unfixable after four to six attempts. Something like that.
Wish her luck!
..rickko..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach CA
Originally Posted by Atascadero_Kid
Lets see... She has a 5 year old USED car... And she wants, What? the zone rep tell the dealership to hire a good mechanics that can fix things?
Her best bet is to forget the dealer, and find a good independent Corvette shop, or at least a good mechanic who is familiar with them.
Dealership mechanics are there for one reason only, and that is to fix warranty problems on new cars. The dealership has no problem with a tech throwing a bunch of parts at a car and hope that it fixes the problem. They don't pay for the parts, and a mechanic who can swap parts fast is the one they want. The factory pays squat for diagnostic time, so the mechanic is money ahead if he just changes a bunch of parts.
Now you come in with your 5 year old car, and these guys have no idea of how to trace and diagnose problems, so they sell you a bunch of parts and hope that it fixed the problem. When it doesn't, they quote a ridiculous price so you will go away.
Find an independent 'Vette mechanic and avoid the dealership, In the long run, the time and aggravation will far outway any "policy adjustment" you might be able to wraggle the zone rep for.
Her best bet is to forget the dealer, and find a good independent Corvette shop, or at least a good mechanic who is familiar with them.
Dealership mechanics are there for one reason only, and that is to fix warranty problems on new cars. The dealership has no problem with a tech throwing a bunch of parts at a car and hope that it fixes the problem. They don't pay for the parts, and a mechanic who can swap parts fast is the one they want. The factory pays squat for diagnostic time, so the mechanic is money ahead if he just changes a bunch of parts.
Now you come in with your 5 year old car, and these guys have no idea of how to trace and diagnose problems, so they sell you a bunch of parts and hope that it fixed the problem. When it doesn't, they quote a ridiculous price so you will go away.
Find an independent 'Vette mechanic and avoid the dealership, In the long run, the time and aggravation will far outway any "policy adjustment" you might be able to wraggle the zone rep for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by 99FewteRC5
As a chevy tech, i'm really sorry to hear that you feel this way about dealership techs. I dont disagree with you entirely, but to say that ALL techs dont know much of anything but to replace parts is an unfair statement. If there is a problem car in our stalls and extra time is needed to trace a problem GM will pay the extra time. For example....If it takes me half the day to trace a wire, all i need to do is clock in the repair order and document the necessary time and work to justified the extra time. GM will pay me for time spent. Some techs take pride in there work, some dont. Customer satisfaction surveys does reflect negatively or postively to dealerships. It can also hurt or help the paycheck also.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
I do realize that all dealers are not the same, just as in all aspects of life. GM and most auto manufactors do not want a mad, negative, upset customer. If you deal with them rationally in a calm manner with real facts not opinions you can usually work out a deal. When ever people start making false statements and personal attacks the process goes down hill quickly. Please work your way up the channel trying to work it out with each level before going on to the next higher level. Threats do no work!
Remember that you catch more fly's with honey than with vinegar!
Remember that you catch more fly's with honey than with vinegar!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 0
From: Stuart FL
I had some problems with a camaro once. The dealership and me went a few rounds and I went home and called Chevrolet's customer complaint department. The dealership called me back no more than 30 minutes later. They fixed the problems free of charge.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: West TN
Well, I think GM Customer Service sucks. I had a leaking rear diff (00 C5 with less than 20K) and filed a claim with them a couple of months ago. They said "We may be able to help offset the repair cost". After 3 days, they called back and said there is nothing they could do. I was so pissed, not so much because the would not help out $$, but they let me hang for three days before making a descion. The rear diff is a design issue plain and simple; poor engineering.
Bottom line I love my C5 but GM sucks. Toyota customer service is no better after the 3/36K expires, but their products don't suffer the problems that GM does. If they do, it is usually minor crap like rattles, etc. I have had two Prerunners. The first with 150K and now one with 65K. Change the oil, filter, tires and go.
GM had better wake up, the writing is on the wall. Either make superior products to begin with or back them up with a much better warranty. My C5 makes the 14 GM in 20 yrs, but no more. Besides the Corvette, I would/will not own another GM product. My old Acuras (92 Legend 160K, 94 Legend 205K, 96 RL 265K) and Toyotas make GM look like amatures.
Sorry to rant, but this is a raw nerve!
Bottom line I love my C5 but GM sucks. Toyota customer service is no better after the 3/36K expires, but their products don't suffer the problems that GM does. If they do, it is usually minor crap like rattles, etc. I have had two Prerunners. The first with 150K and now one with 65K. Change the oil, filter, tires and go.
GM had better wake up, the writing is on the wall. Either make superior products to begin with or back them up with a much better warranty. My C5 makes the 14 GM in 20 yrs, but no more. Besides the Corvette, I would/will not own another GM product. My old Acuras (92 Legend 160K, 94 Legend 205K, 96 RL 265K) and Toyotas make GM look like amatures.
Sorry to rant, but this is a raw nerve!
Last edited by deadbolt67; Dec 9, 2005 at 10:06 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: LOS ANGELES CA
ALL STATES HAVE DIFFERENT LAWS BUT IF THIS WAS ALREADY DEAMED A LEMON I THINK THE DEALER HAS TO DISCLOS THAT . SO IF IN FACT THIS WAS DECLARED A LEMON AND GM BOUGHT CAR BACK THE DEALER NEEDS TO DISCLOSE ,OR YOU CAN RETURN IT ??
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