Stepping Up My Game
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,695
From: S.F.BayArea
Car Info: Whatever The Lot Provides ;)
Stepping Up My Game
So...
What specific things do you all look for in a dealership experience?
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
Yes, I'm going somewhere with this, those that already know feel free to speak up, those that want to know wait for it.
Shane
p.s. Need an Admin to pm me.
What specific things do you all look for in a dealership experience?
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
Yes, I'm going somewhere with this, those that already know feel free to speak up, those that want to know wait for it. Shane
p.s. Need an Admin to pm me.
Registered User
iTrader: (57)
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,380
From: the area
Car Info: 04 impreza wrx R.I.P Daniel Wentz JOEBOBBUCKET
I hate it when my warranty gets denied for modifications!! but oh wait my car isnt in warranty anymore since im way past that!! LOL you know what Im getting at! haha
But on a serious note, I wish we could offer like aftermarket wheel options by the dealer and a selection of aftermarket catback exhaust system other then just the usual spt over priced stuff.
But on a serious note, I wish we could offer like aftermarket wheel options by the dealer and a selection of aftermarket catback exhaust system other then just the usual spt over priced stuff.
Registered User
iTrader: (57)
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,380
From: the area
Car Info: 04 impreza wrx R.I.P Daniel Wentz JOEBOBBUCKET
No lunch needed to chat bro! cause usually im to busy to even take a lunch break! Just swing on by and let victor know you wanna chat with me and im sure I can take a break to chit chat for a few minutes. But dont worry we wont void or deny your warranty =]
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,695
From: S.F.BayArea
Car Info: Whatever The Lot Provides ;)
Nobody likes the tuna here
iTrader: (51)
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,779
From: Somewhere San Mateo County, Inside A 911 Ambulance
Car Info: 03 SRP WRX Street Class Prepped, 17 Chevy Duramax
I really don't care if dealers carry aftermarket stuff that isn't "subaru"
But having in stock, factory parts, but not overly priced for example I have heard of people paying 30+ for a turbo to downpipe gasket.......
Maybe having an open diagram of the car on the wall blown up so customers can point to what place the part goes. Sometimes looking at them on the screen... sucks with you have a parts guy who doesn't know much try to figure out what you're looking for. Happened to me when I the charcoal canister bracket got bent on my car.
Having quarts of transmission fluid maybe?
I can't think of anymore atm, kinda tired.
But having in stock, factory parts, but not overly priced for example I have heard of people paying 30+ for a turbo to downpipe gasket.......
Maybe having an open diagram of the car on the wall blown up so customers can point to what place the part goes. Sometimes looking at them on the screen... sucks with you have a parts guy who doesn't know much try to figure out what you're looking for. Happened to me when I the charcoal canister bracket got bent on my car.
Having quarts of transmission fluid maybe?
I can't think of anymore atm, kinda tired.
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,196
From: Morgan Hill
Car Info: 2011 WRX Sedan
I hate it when my warranty gets denied for modifications!! but oh wait my car isnt in warranty anymore since im way past that!! LOL you know what Im getting at! haha
But on a serious note, I wish we could offer like aftermarket wheel options by the dealer and a selection of aftermarket catback exhaust system other then just the usual spt over priced stuff.
But on a serious note, I wish we could offer like aftermarket wheel options by the dealer and a selection of aftermarket catback exhaust system other then just the usual spt over priced stuff.
You should learn from TheFozz and be a chill guy and attempt to forget the BS and introduce each other at meets, not continue to bash on something that didn't involve you that happened months ago when you don't even know the true story.
Fozz, I like dealerships that are friendly and respectful not rude and stuck up. One of the reasons many people like Santa Cruz Subaru because they give you the "welcomed" feeling.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,695
From: S.F.BayArea
Car Info: Whatever The Lot Provides ;)
You're a *****.
You should learn from TheFozz and be a chill guy and attempt to forget the BS and introduce each other at meets, not continue to bash on something that didn't involve you that happened months ago when you don't even know the true story.
Fozz, I like dealerships that are friendly and respectful not rude and stuck up. One of the reasons many people like Santa Cruz Subaru because they give you the "welcomed" feeling.
You should learn from TheFozz and be a chill guy and attempt to forget the BS and introduce each other at meets, not continue to bash on something that didn't involve you that happened months ago when you don't even know the true story.
Fozz, I like dealerships that are friendly and respectful not rude and stuck up. One of the reasons many people like Santa Cruz Subaru because they give you the "welcomed" feeling.
This task I have before me is huge, I honestly appreciate he shot at it and know having you all behind me here is a major factor there.
*Off-Topic: Heng, kid does have a point, and let's shut that sort of thing down right now. We're adults, we each do lame stuff, we move on. Any more of the silliness we all complain about I'll ask a mod to edit your replies here and issue a time out.
Remember, we all know this thread has eyes now. Chill out, you're both cool guys and if you were to meet blindly on the street you'd likely get along, or I'd force ya to.
Technical Know-It-All
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,123
From: Sterling, VA
Car Info: '02 WRX + '15 WRX
What specific things do you all look for in a dealership experience?
No condescending attitude and open feel that they are willing to help me or work out a deal.
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
Quickly stepping up to the plate to help (the usual experience is sitting at the counter for 5 minutes waiting for someone to pop their head out of the parts room) and accuracy in ordering.
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
As long as they actually have knowledge on these parts. A lot of aftermarket parts sellers know little to nothing about much of what they are selling and it's very apparent to anyone who does know. It's reflected largely in what products a company offers and tries to push. My perfect example of this is Import Image; won't ever shop there. Great prices, buy they don't know squat about car parts. A dealership that was 5 minutes from where I used to live used to run hot-subaru.com. They were an authorized Cobb and Prodrive dealers (it helped that the parts manager at the time worked for Cobb, and currently still does). They could get a lot of other items as well. I remember Whiteline, Cusco, and Defi parts hanging on a rack. It was a terrible dealership though. They still owe me +$6,000.
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
Genesis R-Spec
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
Lack of knowledge (esp outright lying if you don't know), poor service, and poor attitude. I will drive further if means I get all those better than the place closest to me. I live 7 minutes from Mach V, but drive 45 minutes each way to Andrewtech because of this.
No condescending attitude and open feel that they are willing to help me or work out a deal.
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
Quickly stepping up to the plate to help (the usual experience is sitting at the counter for 5 minutes waiting for someone to pop their head out of the parts room) and accuracy in ordering.
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
As long as they actually have knowledge on these parts. A lot of aftermarket parts sellers know little to nothing about much of what they are selling and it's very apparent to anyone who does know. It's reflected largely in what products a company offers and tries to push. My perfect example of this is Import Image; won't ever shop there. Great prices, buy they don't know squat about car parts. A dealership that was 5 minutes from where I used to live used to run hot-subaru.com. They were an authorized Cobb and Prodrive dealers (it helped that the parts manager at the time worked for Cobb, and currently still does). They could get a lot of other items as well. I remember Whiteline, Cusco, and Defi parts hanging on a rack. It was a terrible dealership though. They still owe me +$6,000.
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
Genesis R-Spec
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
Lack of knowledge (esp outright lying if you don't know), poor service, and poor attitude. I will drive further if means I get all those better than the place closest to me. I live 7 minutes from Mach V, but drive 45 minutes each way to Andrewtech because of this.
Not in your area, but figured the answers could still be used as I've been to and worked at dealers before.
Last edited by Brfatal; Apr 18, 2013 at 09:28 AM.
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,670
From: East Bay / Pomona
Car Info: '02 PSM WRX
What specific things do you all look for in a dealership experience?
- Competence and attitude. I don't want to be told I'm "wrong" at driving, because my seat position does not allow my elbows and knees to bend at an exact 45 degree angle, and the Germans say that's the best, so it must be right. Another dealership, straight up lied to my face about part availability from SoA for a recall. Called SoA as soon as I was in the dealership's parking lot and verified thousands were available at warehouses. And another dealership, who told me I needed new brakes, and laughed at me when I asked "What do you mean by new brakes?"
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
- Competence, attitude, and honesty. Ryan, Unit 91, was a big loss to this community when he moved. A parts guy should use him as a quality example of how a parts guy should be. We all know that the local dealership most likely won't be the cheapest, but charging over MSRP (I think they call it list price?) or 2x online dealers, really doesn't make me want to do business with you. Santa Cruz Subaru has been great to me as well.
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
- If your parts staff will be competent (a repeating trend here) about those parts, sure. A good example is Jackie, from Annapolis Subaru on Nazioc. Great at answering questions timely, with a decent knowledge of the parts. I don't expect her to know as much as the manufacturer of the parts, but enough to answer small questions.
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
- Only have one car.
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
- Being rude is probably one of my biggest pet peeves. I understand a lot of customers suck, but I try my best to be as polite and helpful as I can. (Only to use it as an example since it's posted twice in this thread, someone like xhengmanx would push me away from the dealership, because of a ****ty attitude. It just shows immaturity, and I'd rather not deal with that.) Add to that, incompetence, overpriced parts, and terrible service, and I can do my own research online and find parts for cheaper rather than support people who seem to not care.
- Competence and attitude. I don't want to be told I'm "wrong" at driving, because my seat position does not allow my elbows and knees to bend at an exact 45 degree angle, and the Germans say that's the best, so it must be right. Another dealership, straight up lied to my face about part availability from SoA for a recall. Called SoA as soon as I was in the dealership's parking lot and verified thousands were available at warehouses. And another dealership, who told me I needed new brakes, and laughed at me when I asked "What do you mean by new brakes?"
What do you look for when dealing with say, Parts?
- Competence, attitude, and honesty. Ryan, Unit 91, was a big loss to this community when he moved. A parts guy should use him as a quality example of how a parts guy should be. We all know that the local dealership most likely won't be the cheapest, but charging over MSRP (I think they call it list price?) or 2x online dealers, really doesn't make me want to do business with you. Santa Cruz Subaru has been great to me as well.
What about an aftermarket or manufacturer level producer parts option also?
- If your parts staff will be competent (a repeating trend here) about those parts, sure. A good example is Jackie, from Annapolis Subaru on Nazioc. Great at answering questions timely, with a decent knowledge of the parts. I don't expect her to know as much as the manufacturer of the parts, but enough to answer small questions.
What about if you have other vehicles in your stable that aren't Subaru? (GASP! BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!)
- Only have one car.
What kind of things make you go elsewhere or just plain **** you off?
- Being rude is probably one of my biggest pet peeves. I understand a lot of customers suck, but I try my best to be as polite and helpful as I can. (Only to use it as an example since it's posted twice in this thread, someone like xhengmanx would push me away from the dealership, because of a ****ty attitude. It just shows immaturity, and I'd rather not deal with that.) Add to that, incompetence, overpriced parts, and terrible service, and I can do my own research online and find parts for cheaper rather than support people who seem to not care.
Registered User
iTrader: (21)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,016
From: Oakland
Car Info: 07 STI Built/Widebody/E85/Rotated GTX3576 13 Fozz
With our awesome local independent Subaru shops and the wonderful world of places like subarugenuineparts.com I haven't set foot in a dealership for anything outside of buying our cars.
Haven't had any warranty claims yet, but that would be about the only thing I would need to go there for.
Haven't had any warranty claims yet, but that would be about the only thing I would need to go there for.
VIP Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,074
From: BAIC Wagon Clique
Car Info: '02 WRB WRX Wagon
They shouldn't criticize mod choices thinking that stock is always better. I had a technician tell me my JDM STi intercooler is wrong and I shouldn't be using it, that the stock top mount is perfectly suited for the stock engine and I'll just get more heatsoak with the JDM. I told him that I am running a VF30 and STi injectors, he had no response to that. I was in to ask a question not related to anything about my intercooler yet he decided he had to comment on it. I found it rude and would never go back to them with an even lightly modified car.
