Special Orders Through Dealerships

Scráib

Hi all,

I was wondering, how hard is it to convince dealerships to get certain things on special order, specifically extras on a new car?

So I have two examples: One was for a set of 18" wheels that are an extra for the Alfa Giulietta, and the other was for another set of 18" wheels for the new Honda Civic. In both cases the dealers told me they weren't available in Ireland.

I suppose what I'm asking is this: If a part isn't 'available in Ireland' is that a brick wall that no-one can get around, or can the dealerships be persuaded to get these parts, particularly if the customer is talking about buying new?

Thanks!

Scráib

bf1

I'm sure they probably could source the bits if they really wanted to.. but then again it might not work out to be worth their while to do so hence not wanting to help That said, most places could try at least try give you a price for sourcing the parts you are after though.. so ask for a quote if they are willing to do so

If going up to the North is a handy option, do, have found the dealers I've dealt with up there more than helpfull to source bits and not at silly prices either

If the dealers down here aren't willing to try help, they will just loose your custom, their loss...

Ddad

I recently ordered a Peugeot 5008. I test drove it with the 1.6 diesel which is the only ( a few variants) engine available here. Liked the car but not the engine. Coming down from a 2.0l S-Max it lacked poke. Checked with Peugeot if I could special order the 2.0l variant avaialble in the UK and after a bit of cajoling I got the green light. One cavaet I might add is that the car is taking over six months to arrive which is the longest wait I've ever had for any new car. Most of the dealy I'd put down to the special order. Even though it's basically a UK spec car it'll need Irish dials. Seems a bit nuts but there you are. Not in too much of a hurry for it anyway.

Stallingrad

I would have thought they would bend over to get the sale. Having said that could there be a warranty issue? If 18's are not available here maybe it's because Honda and Alfa have had issues with those wheels on our roads, and maybe the dealer could not stand over any subsequent damage?

Renault pulled the 17" rim from the previous Laguna for this reason as they were all buckling and BMW have had problems too.

Scráib

Stallingrad wrote: »

I would have thought they would bend over to get the sale. Having said that could there be a warranty issue? If 18's are not available here maybe it's because Honda and Alfa have had issues with those wheels on our roads, and maybe the dealer could not stand over any subsequent damage?

Renault pulled the 17" rim from the previous Laguna for this reason as they were all buckling and BMW have had problems too.

Hmmm... The Honda dealership did say that their 18" wheels were too low-profile for Irish roads. I can't remember the exact response from Alfa. I think 18" wheels came as standard for the model I was looking at so the set I asked about was the same size. I might have to go back to confirm with them.

That's funny in a bad way though, the roads are too rough for the bigger tyres...

rebel.ranter

Scráib wrote: »

That's funny in a bad way though, the roads are too rough for the bigger tyres...

The diameter of the alloy wheel is bigger but that means the tyre wall is shallower. So that means there will be less give when you hit a pothole as there's not as much tyre wall to absorb the impact.
The dealer who is avoiding supplying the larger diameter wheel may very well be thinking about the inevitable time down the road when you come back seeking a warranty claim for a cracked alloy. As mentioned BMW have swapped out a load of 19' Style 225 alloys (as fitted to the previous generation 3 Series Sport) under warranty.

Ddad

Having had low profile tyres on a volvo v50 I'd run a mile from them again. They were a disaster on the roads and were constantly getting thrashed.

bf1

Scráib wrote: »

Hmmm... The Honda dealership did say that their 18" wheels were too low-profile for Irish roads. I can't remember the exact response from Alfa. I think 18" wheels came as standard for the model I was looking at so the set I asked about was the same size. I might have to go back to confirm with them.

That's funny in a bad way though, the roads are too rough for the bigger tyres...

If that is the reason well fair enough, I had to up the profile of my tyres for the Irish roads after numerous slow punctures etc Might be worth trying to see if you can get the wheels & if there is a higher profile tyre available that might fit without issues if you really want the bigger wheels..

ofcork

I bought a laguna with those 17s and had to get all four straightened,the guy said they were too soft.

bazz26

It might also have something to do with emmissions. Manufacturers have been sticking smaller wheels on new cars lately so that they help them fall into lower tax brackets. The Honda Accord being a prime example, some models are fitted with 16" rims and look lost under the arches.

It might be just easier to order them aftermarket and then sell the orginals that come with it.

Jimbob 83

This is why the Irish Motor industry is struggling, take note

MuppetCheck

I'm trying to get sat nav wiring at the moment for a system that was not available in Ireland. So far two dealers have asked me to get them the part numbers. They completely unwilling to check the parts database.

Finally called one guy who said they are listed and to call back to confirm which ones I need. By the time I'm done I'll be dropping about €200 including a fascia and they can't be bothered to check them.

ofcork

I was wondering could you do the same and order a car variant which is not sold here eg the new avensis is not sold here as a manual in the 1.8 petrol so could i go into a toyota dealer and ask them to get one from the uk?

gibbon75

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

This is why the Irish Motor industry is struggling, take note

I guess the sh.te economic situation has nothing to do with it...

RedorDead

To me this is unforgivable and just laziness. Email or ring the distributor for both and complain. Threaten to take your business elsewhere should they not make these options available.

Speaking as someone with distributor experience, these options can be made available it just takes a few calls/emails to open them up and price them.

Hate muppetry like this giving the decent folk in the trade a bad name.

opinion guy

They want to sell you the model that is on the courtyard and costing them money. They don't want to order in stuff for you that is hassle for them.

My advise ? Go up North where the car dealers have a concept of customer service

Popoutman

My local VAG main dealer has never given me any hassle when I arrive in looking for quotes on obscure VAG parts. Some of the bits I've gotten quotes were valid parts on the system but never sold in Ireland, and not even in stock in Germany. The lads behind the counter were always happy to go look them up anyway.

Your mileage will vary

Tea 1000

The problem isn't all with the dealers, you'd swear on this forum that all dealers are assholes and all customers are always right and decent and honest.
Customers are plonkers most of the time, lets face it. Fickle and unreliable. The amount of them who go into dealers, make big orders and then never contact them again is unreal. So I don't blame dealers for not wanting too many special orders. If they never see the customer again they're left out of pocket with a product that no one really wants.
I'd say you'll have more hope if you convince them that you're happy to deal with them and pay a deposit if they order the wheels you want at that time.
Dealers are probably more willing to try for repeat customers, because they've dealt with them before and know that they're good to pay and will come back.