Volvo main dealership issues ...

Colash

Having problems with a main dealer bought s40.. I think the altenator is about to go.. noises..smell..dimming lights..etc etc .. car has an extended warranty from volvo.. but honestly dealing with these guys is a joke.. rang the dealer on 3 occasions today .. same answer every time..we will get back to you!! .. a bit of a joke to be honest as I need my car for work. Anybody any trouble like this with volvo befire ?

goochy

assume you are dealing with where you bought car ?

ask to speak to general manager - maybe look up his name first so you can ask for him by name.

Colash

goochy wrote: »

assume you are dealing with where you bought car ?

ask to speak to general manager - maybe look up his name first so you can ask for him by name.

Ya speaking to the place I bought it .. I think the general manager will be my next phone call.. thanks for that goochy .. Although I think trying to speak to the general manager will be like winning the lotto.. judging by the way I'm been fobbed off everytime !!

the_syco

Colash wrote: »

car has an extended warranty from volvo..

Colash wrote: »

Although I think trying to speak to the general manager will be like winning the lotto.. judging by the way I'm been fobbed off everytime !!

If you still have no luck, maybe reach out to the head office for an alternative Volvo garage, as after the run around you've been getting, I wouldn't trust them with my car! http://www.volvocars.com/ie/footer/contact-us

punisher5112

Why not drive in or if you can't drive it send in with AA or similar if you have it.

Colash

the_syco wrote: »

If you still have no luck, maybe reach out to the head office for an alternative Volvo garage, as after the run around you've been getting, I wouldn't trust them with my car! http://www.volvocars.com/ie/footer/contact-us

Thanks for that mate .. bit disappointed in volvo on all this.. had intentions of staying with volvo for the fore see able future .. but I'm afraid today's episode has changed my mind .. they were more than happy to take my money when I bought the car and paid for a service there only recently but when it comes to things like warranty. .well it looks like true colours are showing .. I'm giving it until lunch time tomorrow for them to contact me ..and if not I'll look to volvo head office ..

punisher5112

Colash wrote: »

Thanks for that mate .. bit disappointed in volvo on all this.. had intentions of staying with volvo for the fore see able future .. but I'm afraid today's episode has changed my mind .. they were more than happy to take my money when I bought the car and paid for a service there only recently but when it comes to things like warranty. .well it looks like true colours are showing .. I'm giving it until lunch time tomorrow for them to contact me ..and if not I'll look to volvo head office ..

Have you looked to book it in or what exactly.
They may actually be out the door busy well hopefully that's what it is.

Colash

punisher5112 wrote: »

Why not drive in or if you can't drive it send in with AA or similar if you have it.

I have it registered with Volvo roadside assistance who informed me that 80km is the max they will come to pick it up . I asked the bloke in services in volvo could I bring it in asap and his answer was we are fully booked up for 2 weeks .. Although he agreed my problem was serious.. he seemed a bit pre occupied with something else in the back round !!!!

goochy

I worked for main dealers before and the importers take it seriously if you ring them to complain.. Even if you don't deal with supplying dealer in end - let the importer know youre not happy and it would put you off buying a Volvo again.

I was young and naïve and told people who didn't buy from us or whos cars were too old we couldn't help them , got a few calls from importer giving out to me !!

punisher5112

Colash wrote: »

I have it registered with Volvo roadside assistance who informed me that 80km is the max they will come to pick it up . I asked the bloke in services in volvo could I bring it in asap and his answer was we are fully booked up for 2 weeks .. Although he agreed my problem was serious.. he seemed a bit pre occupied with something else in the back round !!!!

Are you 80 k away?

If I were you I would drive to withing 70k saying if needed you were driving it to them. Then I presume you get a courtesy car.

That would be my plan tomorrow.

Colash

punisher5112 wrote: »

Have you looked to book it in or what exactly.
They may actually be out the door busy well hopefully that's what it is.

I fully understand how busy dealerships are.. I just don't like being left without any answer and being told we will get back to you. And then nothing . On 3 occasions !!! To me that's terrible customer service .. surely my extended warranty covers the car being dropped in and Mr being supplied with another car until my issue is sorted.. ?

Colash

punisher5112 wrote: »

Are you 80 k away?

If I were you I would drive to withing 70k saying if needed you were driving it to them. Then I presume you get a courtesy car.

That would be my plan tomorrow.

I'd gladly drive the car to them I told him that but he advised me not too. I'm about 100km away.. That's when he told me contact volvo assistance but they said 80km was max they would travel ..

Colash

goochy wrote: »

I worked for main dealers before and the importers take it seriously if you ring them to complain.. Even if you don't deal with supplying dealer in end - let the importer know youre not happy and it would put you off buying a Volvo again.

I was young and naïve and told people who didn't buy from us or whos cars were too old we couldn't help them , got a few calls from importer giving out to me !!

By importer do u mean volvo head office ?

goochy

yes I do , in my case I wasn't working for Volvo dealer.

Colash

goochy wrote: »

yes I do , in my case I wasn't working for Volvo dealer.

The car was a used car when I bought it.. would that make a difference to the head importer ?

punisher5112

Get car to a point where will take car call the assist people tell them you are broke down.

Tauriel

OP, have you tried emailing the salesman that sold you the car?

I had a similar issue a while back, where the service department was giving me the run around and promising to call back for a number of weeks, so I sent a very long email to the salesman detailing my unhappiness at the customer service treatment I was getting. I also said in the email that I had no issue with him but that he had lost a guaranteed sale for the following year because of the hassle I was having with the service guys.

The head of the service department personally came to collect and drop off my car the following Monday (sent email on Friday afternoon) after the salesman had a word.

goochy

once you bought from a Volvo dealer it concerns the importer / Volvo Ireland and even if you didn't buy it there its a Volvo full stop !

Colash

mustang shelly wrote: »

OP, have you tried emailing the salesman that sold you the car?

I had a similar issue a while back, where the service department was giving me the run around and promising to call back for a number of weeks, so I sent a very long email to the salesman detailing my unhappiness at the customer service treatment I was getting. I also said in the email that I had no issue with him but that he had lost a guaranteed sale for the following year because of the hassle I was having with the service guys.

The head of the service department personally came to collect and drop off my car the following Monday (sent email on Friday afternoon) after the salesman had a word.

Hey thanks for this reply .. I think it's the route I'll go down .. it seems the only way through is to go higher than the person on a service desk .. I'm fully aware of how busy car dealers can be but like u ..I don't like being given the run around .. thanks again

Tauriel

Colash wrote: »

Hey thanks for this reply .. I think it's the route I'll go down .. it seems the only way through is to go higher than the person on a service desk .. I'm fully aware of how busy car dealers can be but like u ..I don't like being given the run around .. thanks again

And the salesman won't be happy if he loses a customer and thus commission on a future sale. He should put the skates under the service guys.

the_syco

Colash wrote: »

The car was a used car when I bought it.. would that make a difference to the head importer ?

How do you have an extended warranty from Volvo if it's 2nd hand? I thought you only get that if new, or was it something you bought as an extra?

Colash

the_syco wrote: »

How do you have an extended warranty from Volvo if it's 2nd hand? I thought you only get that if new, or was it something you bought as an extra?

Dealer supplied a one year warranty with the car which still has 3 months left on it .. I paid extra for a volvo extended 2 year warranty .. which in my eyes was a great deal for what I paid

Cerco

Colash wrote: »

I have it registered with Volvo roadside assistance who informed me that 80km is the max they will come to pick it up . I asked the bloke in services in volvo could I bring it in asap and his answer was we are fully booked up for 2 weeks .. Although he agreed my problem was serious.. he seemed a bit pre occupied with something else in the back round !!!!

Just drive it to them and demand a satisfactory resolution.
They will not like to have a dissatisfied customer on the premises.
Much easier to fob you off on the phone.

Colash

Cerco wrote: »

Just drive it to them and demand a satisfactory resolution.
They will not like to have a dissatisfied customer on the premises.
Much easier to fob you off on the phone.

Thanks for your reply .. I'm not one but happy at all and to be honest I think I'm being a bit too soft and polite about the whole situation. . Hopefully today will bring a resolve to the whole issue

R.O.R

This isn't a Volvo specific issue. You'd have the same issue with most manufacturer's at this time of year.

The car is still driving, so isn't an "off the road" emergency, which means you need to book it in for check over and warranty work at the next available date. Most dealers are booking 2 weeks or more in advance, due to volumes.

Symptoms do sound like the alternator is going to go, and it's a common enough issue on the S40/V50. Might carry on for a good while like that (6 months or so on the wife's old V50) or might die this afternoon on the way home.

If if dies before the date you've booked it in for the warranty work, then Volvo assist will collect and throw it to the nearest Volvo dealer to have it repaired under warranty, and those "off the road" jobs are fast tracked through.

Colash

R.O.R wrote: »

This isn't a Volvo specific issue. You'd have the same issue with most manufacturer's at this time of year.

The car is still driving, so isn't an "off the road" emergency, which means you need to book it in for check over and warranty work at the next available date. Most dealers are booking 2 weeks or more in advance, due to volumes.

Symptoms do sound like the alternator is going to go, and it's a common enough issue on the S40/V50. Might carry on for a good while like that (6 months or so on the wife's old V50) or might die this afternoon on the way home.

If if dies before the date you've booked it in for the warranty work, then Volvo assist will collect and throw it to the nearest Volvo dealer to have it repaired under warranty, and those "off the road" jobs are fast tracked through.

Hi thanks for the reply .. it seems ive made some progress . I asked to speak to a service manager and he was very helpful .. he said drop the car in when it suits me .. and they will.supply me with a replacement. I don't know why it took a call to a service manager to verify all this ..

goochy

assume you kicked up a bit of a fuss and told him you were not happy ?

Colash

goochy wrote: »

assume you kicked up a bit of a fuss and told him you were not happy ?

I did.. I just staTed I wasn't happy .. I explained to him that I knoq car dealers can be very busy but being left with an answer of "I'll get back to u " , on 3 occasions wasnt great .. at the end of the day I like this car .and I'd like to keep it running good as long as I can .. Hopefully my issue will be fully resolved

Colash

Just want to update this thread .. volvo took my car in tiday an supplied me with a replacement while mine is being looked at .. thanks all for replies on this thread

punisher5112

Colash wrote: »

Just want to update this thread .. volvo took my car in tiday an supplied me with a replacement while mine is being looked at .. thanks all for replies on this thread

Great result.

Colash

Volvo must not like me !!! They have had the car a week now an claim there's nothing wrong it .. getting it back from them is even a struggle now.. 3 phone calls again today and Im met with that old line " someone will get back to you"...
How can customer service be this bad in this day and age in this country ,, seriously

punisher5112

Colash wrote: »

Volvo must not like me !!! They have had the car a week now an claim there's nothing wrong it .. getting it back from them is even a struggle now.. 3 phone calls again today and Im met with that old line " someone will get back to you"...
How can customer service be this bad in this day and age in this country ,, seriously

They need to drive it more then a few minutes surprised one hasn't used it for a few days to see if issue crops up.

Could well be working 100% while they do little checks.

Suggest to them to take it out drive sort of distances you would.