Car booked in for diagnostics for a flat battery today. I need the car for this weekend for a family gathering - people travelling from france etc..
Put a multimeter on the alternator etc earlier in the week - the alternator gave 12v hence it's banjaxed.
Phoned ThinkFord earlier this week - advised them of the issue and the bloke at the end of the phone said that he would order an alternator in. Awesome - basically it would mean that I'd have the car ready for the weekend.
Dropped off the car this morning, biked back to the house and then got a call from a nice, polite, lady indicating that the Alternator is at fault and that they can order the part in to be fitted for Monday. I say that the part should be there because the guy ordered it. She informs me that this is not standard process.
This has basically ****ed the family gathering with the french side coming to the UK (at least 8 people).
So queue me running around like a blue ****ed fly - found an alternator at a different dealership (Trust Ford) just down the road in Epsom.
Kwik fit don't fit customer supplied parts (only bits they order.. again next week).. independent garage is wednesday first available slot..
Took back the car - the manager pulled us into his office.. think he could see how much of a **** up it's made, tried offering all sorts but doesn't solve the fundamental problem - they need to understand that customer service has moved away from the 1970s car dealership treatment.. especially as the ford CEO is attempting to be Apple of cars.. (not to mention stressed out french redhead..)
So, now have to fit it myself - simply remove the aircon, aux belt (luck has it that the timing for the valves and crank are on a different belt) - that belt removal means taking off the wheel, wheel arch trim...
So I should have it done tomorrow morning after working out the fine details of how to re-tension the belt. Was meant to be down there earlier.. but it will delay us but we will have some time rather than no time.. no thanks to anyone else..
I started writing this in the morning.. then finished it sat here with the work todo.
I think car dealerships have a lot to learn, the world has moved on in customer services.
/rant.
Put a multimeter on the alternator etc earlier in the week - the alternator gave 12v hence it's banjaxed.
Phoned ThinkFord earlier this week - advised them of the issue and the bloke at the end of the phone said that he would order an alternator in. Awesome - basically it would mean that I'd have the car ready for the weekend.
Dropped off the car this morning, biked back to the house and then got a call from a nice, polite, lady indicating that the Alternator is at fault and that they can order the part in to be fitted for Monday. I say that the part should be there because the guy ordered it. She informs me that this is not standard process.
This has basically ****ed the family gathering with the french side coming to the UK (at least 8 people).
So queue me running around like a blue ****ed fly - found an alternator at a different dealership (Trust Ford) just down the road in Epsom.
Kwik fit don't fit customer supplied parts (only bits they order.. again next week).. independent garage is wednesday first available slot..
Took back the car - the manager pulled us into his office.. think he could see how much of a **** up it's made, tried offering all sorts but doesn't solve the fundamental problem - they need to understand that customer service has moved away from the 1970s car dealership treatment.. especially as the ford CEO is attempting to be Apple of cars.. (not to mention stressed out french redhead..)
So, now have to fit it myself - simply remove the aircon, aux belt (luck has it that the timing for the valves and crank are on a different belt) - that belt removal means taking off the wheel, wheel arch trim...
So I should have it done tomorrow morning after working out the fine details of how to re-tension the belt. Was meant to be down there earlier.. but it will delay us but we will have some time rather than no time.. no thanks to anyone else..
I started writing this in the morning.. then finished it sat here with the work todo.
I think car dealerships have a lot to learn, the world has moved on in customer services.
/rant.