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Phoenix Dealer story - 1 Bad, 1 Good

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Lift Pump failure-Check yours

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FIRST THE BAD:

I live in Scottsdale, Arizona (Phoenix area) and have taken my truck to Ed Moses Dodge a few times for warranty work just because their location is convenient for me. The first time I went in (with and appointment) I was met by a service advisor that started the conversation by telling me all the reasons they couldn't fix my truck. After arguing for about a half hour they finally took it, kept it all day, and did nothing (there's more to this story, but not now).

I pull in their this morning (Thursday) without an appointment and told a service advisor I had a problem with my AC blower -- reduced air flow when on Max, sounds like something blocking the air duct. He told me that they were all booked up and I'd have to make an appointment. That's fine, I understand that. Afterall I didn't have an appointment and I understand why a garage would want to keep their schedule full so the mechanics aren't sitting around doing nothing. I say "fine let's schedule an appointment. " He tels me it will be Monday before they can look at it (fine with me) and they'll have to keep it two days. I say, "WHAT???!!! You don't even know what's wrong with it yet!!!" He says, "We're keeping everything at least two days because we're so busy. " He goes on to tell me that they were so busy yesterday they were turning customers away even if they had an appointment because they ran out of room on the service lot for all the vehicle.

Now this, I do NOT understand. Why would a dealer want to keep vehicles for two days no matter what's wrong? Can't they manage their schedule any better than that? This is rediculous! One time they kept my truck two days just to change a heater hose fitting. The mechanic told me it only took him 5 minutes so it's not the mechanics' fault.

Needless to say, Ed Moses Dodge will not be getting any of my business (sales or service) and I will recommend against them to anyone who'll listen.

NOW THE GOOD:

When I got to work I called a few other dealers. One left me on eternal hold. Another hung up on me. A third started the conversation with more excuses about how busy they were. Then I called Tempe Dodge. What a difference!!!!! The first guy I talked to was a service advisor. Unlike the other's I'd talked to, he actually knew it was automobiles they serviced there. I describe my problem and he proceeds to diagnose it and tell me how to fix it on the phone. He says if I want, I can just drop by and he'll show me where the return air duct is behind the glove box. No appointment, no two-day wait, just friendly knowledgable assistance. I relayed my Ed Moses Dodge story to him. Naturally, in his position, it wouldn't be good to bash another dealer. However, I'm a consumer so I don't have a problem it.

At Ed Moses Dodge I've never been treated well -- ever. Oh they were happy to get me a cup of coffee when they thought I was going to buy something from them. But in the service drive I'm just another cow in the herd (Mmmmooooooooo).

I've talked to a few co-workers that own Dodge's and they won't go anywhere else but Tempe Dodge. Now I know this was not a technically challanging problem. However, if it were I think probably any Dodge-trained mechanic will be about as good as another. You just have to get past the guys with the ties. That's where the difference is. Can you say "CUSTOMER SERVICE" (all together now).

So, if you live in the Phoenix area and you want a good service department, my advice would be go to Tempe Dodge. It's about two hours out of my way, but I'd drive farther than that just to get treated like a customer.
 
I agree with you about Tempe Dodge. I started the quest for my new 2001 at Tempe Dodge (see Steve in the fleet dept. ) and ended there as well. I talked/faxed/e-mailed 9 dealers - 7 in Phoenix, 1 in LA, 1 in Las Vegas. Nobody came close to their level of professionalism.

My truck should be arriving at the dealer today (yes!!), so I haven't needed any service yet, but I've met just about everyone there.

Tempe was the first dealer I visited when I went to test drive the ETH/DEE. I walked in the door, shook hands with Steve, and he threw me the keys - no ride along, no planned test drive route, no time/mileage limit. He just said, "Come back whenever!"
 
Wish i had a service deptment like that in Jersey #ad
... . JB

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99 Quad,Long bed,4x4, SLT,Auto,K&N,Mobil Super Delvac 1300,fuel line up-grade from lift pump to filter and from filter to injection pump, Suncoast coverter,BD valve body and pressure-loc,Mag-Hytec trans pan,Amsoil ATF-4,Auto meter Ultra lite gauges:Boost,EGT,Fuel Pressure,Trans Temp, "true" Jet-Hot Coated 5 inch exhaust from turbo to tail pipe(over the axle)Borla shoot-out muffler,DD stage 3 injectors and boost module,HX-40 16cm in transit..... finally a blue box or TST box or?????
 
You know, with the internet and all, I don't think some of these dealerships realize how fast a bad word can spread about them. I mean, sometimes you can tell when people are just peeved because for some reason they didn't drop everyone else's problem and treat them like royalty, but other times (like this) you can tell this is a place where, after the sale, you're ON YOUR OWN. I'm glad you were also able to spread a good word about someone, because the guys who do it right deserve to have the good word spread about them just as much, if not more, than the bad ones deserve to have the word spread about them.

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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"
 
Sorry about the not so responsive dealers. I am fortunate to have a 10********** dealer!!
First name basis with the owner,service manager,mechanics. Service always offers a car for running any errands I might have and access to the shop area and mechanic within limits. Honesty and up front with all things.
 
Other than anger/frustration, the main reason I posted this message was to let people know there ARE some good dealers. It's a shame you can't trust the Dodge/Chrysler logo and just drive onto the nearest lot. But if you're willing to do the leg work, you CAN find a good dealer. It may not be conveniently located (like in my case) but when you find one it'll be worth the drive. I told the service advisor at Tempe Dodge that if they were on the moon I'd drive there for service -- for my next purchase too.

Good luck in your home town.
 
You were lucky, I took my truck in a few months ago for some warranty work, they wouldn't make an appointment, just get it in early in the morning. They said it would take 1 or 2 days, so I figured 3 or 4 at the outside. Got my truck back 8 days and $360 in rental fees later!
 
Kyle,

thanks for sharing your experience. I have been trying to decide which Phx area dealer to use for warranty work; sounds like Tempe will be my first try.

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'99 3500 QC 4x2, AT, 4. 10 LSD, camping/towing pkg. , Mag-Hytec rear cover & trans. pan, Auto Meter gages, K&N air filter, Mopar bed liner & mud flaps, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller, Rancho step rails; Air Lift SD air springs
 
I bought my 96' truck from Performance Dodge and had a very pleasurable experience.

When the recall came out on my 94', I decided to try Bell Dodge since it is a lot closer to my house. When I called them, I got the run-around and they acted similar to your Ed Moses experience. They demanded that they would have to keep my truck for a minimum of 2 days the could be as long as 4 days. I then decided to call Performance Dodge (Glendale, AZ) and made an appointment. When I called later in the afternoon to get a status on the truck, they told me that it was already done.

I highly recommend Performance Dodge to anyone living in the Phoenix area.

Later,
Tim

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94' 2500 std cab, 4x4, 12v, 5spd, TST 230/605, 115k mi.
96' 2500 ext cab, 4x4, 12v, 5spd, Cummins Exhaust brake, 55k mi.
 
Well I'm here to tell everyone that the very best dealership in the Dodge inventory is here in Jacksonville N. C. National Dodge is owned by Harry Brown very friendly man. Bill Parks is one of the best salesmen you will ever do bussiness with, Cliff and Robby are the sales managers who don't get in the way but are always close at hand to help with any stumbling blocks. Marshal Jarman is the service manager who never forgets that you spent your hard earned money on a truck and wants you to always feel welcome. If I was to buy another truck today I would not waste my time going to another dealer, National Dodge would be my ONLY stop!! Regards Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT
 
Have to throw my 0. 015$ in...
While in Tucson for a conference had 2 minor problems with mine, went to the dealer on the main st the hotel was on and "We do not work on trucks - take it to ... . (name)". Went to other dealer (closer to base) and "We cant help you, we dont do warranty work for other dealers". Waited till I got back to Albq and went to my dealer, both problems solved within minutes w/o appointment (the problems were - like I said - simple (period).

So the morale of this story is, when traveling thru Tucson, DONT BREAK DOWN. No dealer to repair your truck.

SOTSU!!
\\BF//
 
Thanks for the info on Tempe Dodge.

I was passing through Phoenix on a business trip with my 5er. I had no lockup in 3rd and was getting 13 mpg solo.

I asked Ernhardts in Mesa to look at it. They jerked me around for four hours and when I demanded my truck back they made a quick trip around the block and said there was nothing wrong.

I will keep Tempe in mind if I'm over that way and need service.

BTW It took me four trips to Dodge dealers to get my problem solved, and it wasn't solved until I had another problem covered by a TSB on the A/T.

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John S. '99 QC 1T 4. 11 A/T Leather Driftwood, 50 Gal aux tank/tool box, gearvendors, BD brake/autolok, BD ISB comp, guages.

Just a Little BOMBed and liking it a lot. :p
 
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