Getting service done at the dealership

[PEDALS]

I just wanted to get a feel for how people get their service done at GM dealerships. I know they are all different, but just wondering how many people out there are able to go into the garage as there oil is being changed or whatever is being done and watch the people working on their car. I know i have tried at a dealer years ago and they said only staff are allowed in for safety issues. After my recent problems with service at dealers i wil be changing my stance on just dropping the car off and picking it up trusting that they did everything, i will be looking for a dealer that lets me go in there and watch them do it and be able to talk to the actual mechanic not just the service advisor. Please share what you do when you get your oil changed.

[Mavrik]

Well it is law not to allow non employeed people into the shop. Safety reasons is very accurate. We're not allowed to let people go back into the shop unless we go with them and only then its to show them something and lead them right back out.Imagine someone, say yourself wandered back there to see how things were coming with your car and you slipped on some oil and cracked your head against the concrete floor... Way to much liability. Work place safety acts insist only employeed people allowed in the shop, and must wear safety glasses and steel toed boots.Its sad you can't find a dealership you can trust with your car that you don't feel the need to watch them to make sure they do everything. Now in the summer time because its warmer and the shop doors are open, people can stand outside the bay and watch work going on inside... but some places haha are like MacDonalds, if you don't know what goes in the food, you can eat it. The tech will handle your car fine but their actions can leave you shaking your head.

[AKLGT]

never had any business allow me to do that with the exception if i know the guy or he's "allowing" me to help like last summer when i had my springs and top spoiler installed. here we have OSHA there watching you like a hawk! safety safety safety! more like liability liability liability! no one wants to get sued!

[ColonelPanic]

I've only walked into the shop once, and that was when the service advisor needed to point something out to me. Every other time, I've just had to observe from afar...During the summer, it is fairly easy to keep an eye on them... I'll sit out there by the main building which runs parallel to the shop... Can't tell exactly what they are doing, but I get the general idea of how far they are along with the repairs. I wish I could hang out with the techs, but like what was mentioned, there are restrictions in place to protect the dealer from various legal issues, and to protect customers from injuries and what not...

[Mavrik]

if you should find a oily fingerprint on your interior, take the service manager out to take a look and clean it for you... don't just let them get away with that. The interior is suppose to be as clean after as it was when you handed them the keys.And some things you don't wanna see, like the toughest tech out there singing loudly way off key to "Welcome to the jungle" haha

[ToolGuy]

You will probably never find one that will let you watch the entire process. Too many legal issues. Sure possibly go back with a Serv. person for a couple of minutes and escorted but not to stay and watch. I have been able to do that and talk to a tech but you just cannot stick around. Try an independent shop that does nothing but oil, easier to watch. Most dlrs will get the tech to come up and talk to you with them present at the front if needed. All the more reason why I do it all on my own; too many people do not care about my stuff, too high prices and my schedule does not match the dlrs.

[SCTM]

The way my dealer treated me so far, the least I'll go there for regular services, unless it's covered on warranty. At $98/hr. I'd like to know what I'm paying for... I'll see, otherwise I'll go somewhere else. Let me signed any paper to clear responsabilities-insurance (if it's the real reason) and let me go in I asked once at Honda dealer (having my Accord at that time) and they let me go in, without any signature... Anyway, if it takes more time, because you're talking with mecanics, you will pay for, don't you? That's why I prefer my corner-garage with "personalised service" (at $58/hr.!!!)

[AKLGT]

dealerships have too much liability to just allow customers to walk in and watch the whole thing, standing next to the equipment and cars. i know that i've been to some where they have a waiting room w/ a window and you can watch the service techs in their various bays work.

[ToolGuy]

Hell no and not even when I wrench on a car!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by desert_dweller »Do you like it when your customers are hovering over you like a hawk while you work?HELL NO!!!! i can't stand my BOSS leaning over me asking what i'm doing, much less a customer!

[zionzr2]

heres an idea...Get some tiny cameras and place them in the vehilce and let them roll when you leave it with the techs to see what is actually going on with your ride.....Just need a way to power them independently of the vehicles power case they disconnect the batt for whatever reason....Could even have it on a wireless transmitter so you could watch on a display screen while you are in the waiting room...

[Jahntassa]

I have this problem in the Car Audio bays at Circuit City. There're those barriers for in the shop, and signs with chains in front of the garage doors, but people duck under and go around them like they're not there. (removed)? People just don't understand. This is a SHOP. There are DANGEROUS things here. If you get hurt, we're not gonna do anything about it.Moreso for car work. I agree with Mavrik. There are very good reasons you can't be in the shop. Although that didn't stop my local dealership guy from leading me into the shop, having me start my car, and back it off the lift because he didn't know how to get it started. (I kid you not)