I love a really dumb question

[mrblaine]

We have a Transit Connect for running parts. We've had it 2.5 years or so. I've driven it maybe 5 times. Packing guy drives it the most and yesterday reports there is something running down the firewall behind the brake pedal. I look at it and it looks and feels like brake fluid. Alright, run it over to the dealer and tell them to fix it. They do. About 2 hours later I get a call. Service writer wants to know the answer to a question his service tech asked.

Have you added fluid to the master recently?

Why that is dumb and funny. I know how to put fluid in a master, I also know when to stop. The best part that makes it dumb is I have never even lifted the hood on that piece of shit. I wouldn't even know where the master is, or whether you can even see it if you lift the hood since it is a van.

I know they didn't know why it is dumb to ask me that question, but I found it amusing nonetheless. I just told them that the only folks who have ever lifted the hood on that vehicle work at their dealership where I have had it serviced and no, I have not ever lifted the hood.

I don't think it even has 10,000 miles on it which is pretty sad if the master already died.

 

[AMS417]

When I bought my new truck a few months back, they wanted to schedule a 2 hour introduction to familiarize me with the vehicle and its features. People are dumb, and they are catering to the median. If I have a question I will read the owners manual.

I would hate to think about the stupid stuff those service techs see everyday. Some people are completely clueless about vehicles and its sad.

 

[steelhd]

Dealership service departments treat everyone like they are complete idiots because that is how they make some extra margin.

 

[Lou]

Dealership service departments treat everyone like they are complete idiots because that is how they make some extra margin.

Or is it because most people are complete idiots?

 

[steelhd]

Or is it because most people are complete idiots?

They are. But even when you catch a service manager blowing sunshine up your ass they stick to their guns until they are out of options. Its like they are all in training to become the dealership's F&I crook.

 

[Brianj5600]

There is no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people.

 

[mrblaine]

There is no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people.

That is completely incorrect. I get asked dumb questions all the time. Any question that is answered by the info I just gave you and you just want to hear the answer again is a dumb question. It is also very easy to tell when you do that, I stare at you like you are the dumbest asshole that I've ever met and I don't answer the question.

 

[SPECWAR]

Some of the few questions that I have ever been asked by a service person at a dealership only confirmed my previous thoughts on their intelligence, and intent.

 

[jeepguy03]

They probably asked you because they too were surprised to see a leak on a vehicle with 10k miles. I mean how would they know if you lifted the hood, or if you were Johnny-fix-it and tried to fill the reservoir and spilled it everywhere? What a POS van.

 

[jeepguy03]

Some of the few questions that I have ever been asked by a service person at a dealership only confirmed my previous thoughts on their intelligence, and intent.

Yeah they definitely prey on people who aren't familiar with cars. Have you ever seen those shows where they confirm there is nothing wrong with the vehicle through an independent mechanic and then take it to a dealership where they proceed to rattle off $5000 worth of shit it needs to be "safe"?

 

[N757KF]

"There are no dumb questions. There are however, inquisitive idiots"

 

[Tomcat]

Yeah they definitely prey on people who aren't familiar with cars. Have you ever seen those shows where they confirm there is nothing wrong with the vehicle through an independent mechanic and then take it to a dealership where they proceed to rattle off $5000 worth of shit it needs to be "safe"?

I have seen that show, it hilarious when they try to justify their greed.

 

[qslim]

The talent pool at a typical dealership service department has been thoroughly diluted over the past couple of decades. Fewer techs stick around because of ridiculous pay plans often tied to customer satisfaction surveys, and there generally isn't a lot to 'service' on cars anymore. I had to explain to the service advisor on my last visit the logic of pending vs current codes. Had my truck for a day because of an intermittent MIL showing trans temp issues (there's a service bulletin for it), and she called me back saying they couldn't find a problem because the MIL wasn't currently on. I explained again that it was intermittent & asked if they checked for pending codes, she didn't know what that meant.

 

[mrblaine]

Van is done. Service writer tells me that the problem is assembly lube. I giggled. He explained that after 2.5 years, the assembly lube got hot and decided to run down the firewall onto the floor mat behind the pedals.

I asked him if he understood that we are now in the coolest part of the year, and after 2 hot summers, now it is hot enough to melt assembly lube?

crickets

 

[ColoJeep]

The assembly lube likely got hot from running headers on the 427 SOHC
engine you installed transversely in that POS euro trash van!

 

[mrblaine]

The assembly lube likely got hot from running headers on the 427 SOHC
engine you installed transversely in that POS euro trash van!

For a piece of shit van, I'd buy another one just like it tomorrow. Small, light, nimble, carries about 1800 lbs. Mileage doesn't suck, and it was pretty cheap. It has worked perfectly for what I need it to do. The only things I don't like about it are having to deal with the idiots at anything Ford related and no back windows and no electric mirrors.

 

[ColoJeep]

Late model turn key stuff makes sense in a lot of applications. Dealerships and
the related issues tend to suck the life out of you! Did they use cameras
instead of windows and powered mirrors?

 

[mrblaine]

Late model turn key stuff makes sense in a lot of applications. Dealerships and
the related issues tend to suck the life out of you! Did they use cameras
instead of windows and powered mirrors?

Manual mirrors and a camera. The dealership has been exceptional in every single aspect of their predictable disappointments that started from the first second of contact to start the purchase. If they could fuck it up, fuck it over, or just fuck it, they did not miss a single opportunity to do so.

It started with the internet sales department, to delivery, to Ford Credit, to the service department and has not changed yet.

I wanted electric mirrors. I asked if they have a model with them. Yes we do. Okay have the service department order in the parts and we'll pay to convert them. They tell me after a week of the van being there that they are not smart enough to do that.

Ford Credit lost my address and did not send me a bill for the first payment. They were however able to contact me somehow to tell me I was behind on payments. No you fucking idiot, I can not be behind on a bill I never got. I have exactly zero mechanism by which to send you money and I've even called the dealership to find out who to call, contact, or throw rocks at since I was watching and waiting for the bill so I could pay and I was told multiple times it would be handled.

Now you want paid and I still have no way to send you money since I have nothing from you. Idiots. Yeah, go ahead and ding my credit. I'll whip this piece of shit down the the dealer and unwind this deal so fast your head will spin.

 

[SPECWAR]

For a piece of shit van, I'd buy another one just like it tomorrow. Small, light, nimble, carries about 1800 lbs. Mileage doesn't suck, and it was pretty cheap. It has worked perfectly for what I need it to do. The only things I don't like about it are having to deal with the idiots at anything Ford related and no back windows and no electric mirrors.

 

[ColoJeep]

mrblaine said: Manual mirrors and a camera. The dealership has been exceptional in every single aspect of their predictable disappointments that started from the first second of contact to start the purchase. If they could fuck it up, fuck it over, or just fuck it, they did not miss a single opportunity to do so."

One has to wonder how/why this is the case so much of the time!
You would think that a Dealership would want to take care of customers and not
constantly be lying to them and pumping B.S.
Glad we all aren't like Dealerships!