fyi...

heyfitz wrote:
>
> FYI
>
> I would not reccomend the service at columbia autohaus in Terrace BC
> Canada. Those of you heading north to Alaska be warned,If trhis is
> the kind of service a local recieved, travelers beware!!
>
> The Manager
> Columbia Auto Haus
>
> Sir,
>
> I am writing to express concerns I have over the recent service I
> received at your dealership. I am a long time VW owner having owned 7
> VW cars, a 56 beetle, 66 microbus, 3 70s Westphalia's, a vr6
> corrado,
> 1981 Westphalia. I added my eighth VW when I purchased a 1986-syncro
> van with only 39000km from Columbia Auto Haus last October. I have
> dealt with VW dealerships and non-official VW repair facilities in 5
> countries.  The service I received at your dealership is the least
> professional I have encountered to date.
>
> I dropped my syncro off to have the starter replaced, two days later
> I called to find out how the progress was. I was told that the
> aftermarket starter you had ordered did not fit properly and a OEM
> one had to be ordered. I was not asked if an aftermarket starter was
> what I wanted in the first place. As a long-term VW owner I have
> found that Bosch is the only way to go and I would not have asked for
> an inferior starter. Then when the OEM starter arrived I was told
> there was a delay because a bracket needed for the starter was not
> sent. I became concerned as I had replaced starters in my 75 and 81
> Westphalia's myself and did not remember any bracket. I consulted
> my
> Bentley Factory service manual for my syncro and indeed there is no
> bracket for the starter in the photos or parts list.
>
> I was then told that it was actually the diff lock solenoid that was
> broken. I was surprised at this as it had been functioning without
> fault on the occasions when I needed it. I consulted the Bentley VW
> Service manual and noted that the diff lock solenoid had to be
> removed when servicing the starter for access. I wondered if the
> mechanic had broken it during removal. I called you twice again and
> was given 2 different stories finally on the 3rd call I was told that
> it would be replaced as a preventative action because it could give
> me trouble down the road.
>
> I was told a couple of days later I could pick the van up. I picked
> it up just before closing on Saturday, on pulling out of the parking
> lot I noticed that  the bright green light indicating the diff lock
> was on. I noticed the diff engaged when I tried to turn. It would not
> disengage at all. I went back into your dealership and complained. I
> was told I would have to come back on Tuesday when the mechanic was
> in.
>
> I wondered at that point what kind of quality control your dealership
> does when my vehicle was returned to me in less roadworthy condition
> than when I dropped it off. Had the mechanic done a test drive he
> would have noticed the bright green light and distinctive handling of
> an engaged diff lock.
>
> When I returned my syncro to you on Tuesday I was told it had been
> repaired. I did a test in the snow on a gravel road and now instead
> of being permanently engaged , the diff lock did not work at all.
>
> Twice my vehicle was returned to me in less than functional
> condition. Does your dealership not do road tests?
>
> I returned my syncro once again and the problem was finally fixed but
> I was told that it hadn't been hooked up properly originally and
> the
> hoses at the dash were wrong. I was surprised, as the diff lock had
> always engaged when I needed it before. I was mailed an invoice for
> $41.09 for this "correction".
>
> I have included payment for this invoice. Please be advised that this
> is the last service I will have done at your dealership. Your service
> does not meet the standards I have experienced at VW dealers in
> Australia, Germany the US and England. It does not meet the legendary
> reputation for service excellence that VW has worldwide. Your
> dealership left me without the full use of my vehicle for 2 weeks,
> along time for a starter motor replacement.
>
> I have liked the new beetles since they came out and was considering
> a TDI version until I heard in a VW club newsletter that a 180 hp
> turbo S version was coming out.
> If your dealership is an indication of the service I can expect form
> VW Canada
> The new car I buy next summer will be a Subaru WRX. My of the 11
> vehicles I have owned the only non VWs were two 1982 928 Porsches and
> a 77 MB.
> I will be looking at non-German cars this summer.
>
> Zac Brown
> Safety Engineer
> Kitimat BC.
>