> Why do I hear problems like this about nearly all VW dealers? Are
> there any that people trust and LIKE?

not any more, that i know of. i used to drive four hours to Jim Ellis
in Altanta, GA, just to get maintenance done (and buy parts), but all
the old guys retired, and the new mechanics and parts people don't
know and don't care about anything but money, money, money. same with
the sales people ... you can wander around in the showroom for an
hour, but if you don't look like a young dumb yuppie, the sales force
won't even bother asking if they can help.

i personally blame it all on VWOA ... the head of which once remarked
that they hoped one day to be just like Chevrolet. well ... i think
they made it. the vw dealer in this town is just about as bad as the
Chevy dealer, both in sales and service. :(

and it's not a new thing ... back in 1988, when i went looking for a
new bus, i called 25 dealers around the southeast. only ONE of them
knew what a vanagon was.
and that's pretty sad, when you don't even know your own product line.

but they hire sales people (and mechanics, and parts sellers) because
of their experience with SELLING, not with VWs. sold insurance? great,
you start tomorrow!
sold Fords? great, when can you start? you don't have to know anything
about the product, just how to get the customer to sign on the dotted
line. :( and if the customer knows less than you, so much the better;
just sell him the damned car!

and it's not just vw ... i've had the same experience at a mazda
dealer when looking at a pickup truck. and at other brands' dealers.
but it seems to matter more to me when it's a vw dealer, cause i can
remember back when there was a german speaking guy at each dealership,
and he fussed at the americans for not doing it right; and they always
came over and talked to you about your beetle or bus. and they always
wore those white coats. :)

i guess it costs too much to care about the customer anymore. :(

unca joel