The straw that broke the camel's.....

[Tim]

Everyone needs their vehicle when it fails. very few have a spare just waiting on them. I was in the dealer service area for 25 years. It got to were it was IF they were going to get a loaner but what color,size,I think it was smoked in,smells funny etc. Rude,I have been RUDE. Get someone that gets towed in,in a loner never met,didn't buy it from you and then STARTS IN about zize,color etc. I just said FINE and reached over and took the keys back and said GO FIND YOUR OWN LOANER. You don't like the car I'm LOANING you then don't use it. No problem. I have had this happen to me SEVERAL times in ONE day. Plus the Backhoe company etc. you deal with I case know you have a operator thats going to use it in a normal manor. Our LOANERS get returned dented,filthy,dead on E,diapers stuffed under the seats,drugs left in them,not brought back for DAYS when their vehicle was ready!

All the cost of doing business if you sell cars.



Get a clue.

 

[DPKetchum]

No. Botton line is it will break a dealers bank account. I've seen the figures from several dealers that stopped the LOANER program dead because of the cost. They are in it to make a profit. It also stopped all the *****en about size/color etc. of loaner program.

 

[klenger]

Getting the Chrysler Extended Service Contract adds a lot of benefits like towing, loaner, overnight expenses, etc, even while the vehicle is in the 3/36 warranty period. I doubt they would load an equivilant truck, but they do treat you better with the contract.

 

[amykevin1973]

Quick update

Just a quick update on few issues... . Three local ford dealers loan equivalent trucks, no diesel guarantee but 3/4--1ton gas at minium, even showed the loaner fleet. 1 chevy dealer so far. Fleet sales seems a good avenue for people in my boat, same vehicle and price different sales and service mentality. Seems from checking around and other posts that ford does the loaner thing. Could be good or bad though lol. BTW the 92 and 95 and 98 I bought the dealer loaned same size truck out. I guess I got used to 'good business'.

More specifically about the loaner my thoughts are the same as another poster to this thread. It is good business. A good rule of thumb that keeps me afloat in homebuilding is exceding the standard is the standard, some people are nuts but those people have expectations, some are within the realm of possibility and some can be out there. I do my very best not to appease but to fix, so I know I have done everything I could to make them happy. Sounds to me if dealerships are having that much trouble on the loaner side could be more of an infrastructure issue. Everyone knows people can be inherently lazy. Tie a credit card to a loaner with parameters, time back, gas ect if you meet resistance about the potential for paying for a 'loaner' cite the examples you left as reasons and you will only be charged if you don't meet dealership expectations. Every heard of the phrase 'keeping an honest man honest'? To meet rudeness with rudeness at a very stressful part of a customers life accomplishes nothing, and as far as they didn't buy from you, try your roadside assistance sometime, they will only tow to the geographically closest dealer, mileage be damned (in reference to only a few more miles to the dealership where you have a relationship). Customer service is just that. As far as all of our occupations/business we choose the bull we ride but how we ride that bull depends upon us, and can reflect heavily upon the company we represent. The cooler head always prevails.

Feedback was great and quite a few of the posters helped my situation as far as critical thinking. The 'devil you know' comment was the one that really stuck in my head... It was great to feel I am not alone with knowing the difference between business and good business. Thanks again

 

[DPKetchum]

All that you say is fiine and dandie in a perfecgt world. ALL of that at FOUR places I worked was tried. To NO AVAIL. The consumer treated the dealer and their autos TOTALY differant (not always but mostly)differant then the rental car agencys. You'd have to deal with it 12 hours a day 5 days a week/week after week and you would understand. One dealer I was with(15 years)bought another dealer with HIGH CSI,BIG loaner car program etc. They were BROKE and in the RED month after month BUT LOVED by their customers. We purchased them,killed loaners,demo's,stopped giving away the store,changed a few managers and after the first month of NEW owner ship it NEVER had a red month again,NEVER. CSI and customer love dropped some but not horribly. No DEMO by ANYBODY,NO loaners including ANY employee and ever time some one squeaked stopped giving the store away. When it was due it was due but if not NO was NO. The owner always said WE WANT EVERY ONE TO BE A XXXX CUSTOMER but SOME don't deserve to be so cull them. You'd have to deal retail in the auto business a while and you'd fully understand. As a BUILDER don't tell me you don't have folks with UNREAL expectations or requests and or that no matter what you take care of them. I know better. You really take care of the smashed sliding back doors that shattered after little Johnny ran his bike into them or the repeated stopped up commode that has flooded the mud room THREE times and its stopped up again with XXXX and NOW their wanting new subfloors and what the DEADLY mold that will occur in the next 5 years!Naw I bet you can turn red and stop being real friendly,smilely also!

 

[RJOL]

Buy the best truck you can that will do the job and be dependable. No truck or truck manufacturer is perfect.



If your job depends on always having a working truck... buy an older second hand truck (maybe a gasser) and use it to get you to the job when your primary truck decides to take a break (pun intended)...

 

[DPKetchum]

I've always kept a big old comfy rear wheel drive car to drive everday. Have for years. Always bought a good used one,spent a grand or what not on them and put another 100k plus on them. My diesel at times sit a week or two or used daily depends. But NEVER for just driving to and from work or other minor trips etc.

 

[GWBourne]

in your case i think sticking with a cummins is the way to go... so an F-650 would be great for ya i think... .



i paid the extra mile for the 85k waranty and it has vehicle loaner/rental in it. to get that i have to sign paperwork saying i will pay for the rental and then they will pay me back. odd... so, my truck rides around with something rattleing fairly bad in the front right suspension. maybe my wheel will fall off... i wont tow like this, but thie way mabe when it does break they can get me a great price on a dually... an 06 of course... .

grant

 

[amykevin1973]

Buy the best truck you can that will do the job and be dependable. No truck or truck manufacturer is perfect.



If your job depends on always having a working truck... buy an older second hand truck (maybe a gasser) and use it to get you to the job when your primary truck decides to take a break (pun intended)...

This is good advise, I run my '95 3500 4x4 everyday (trac rac/105gal diesel xfer tank ect). Was hoping to use the 05 to fill in when this on was on a more deserved break. I should have snapped a pic the 95 picking the trailer off the 05 and heading to work. I know she was sneering at that pretty new '05. She deserved it.

 

[amykevin1973]

Kevin



Do you belong to Business Direct? If you do, thay are suppose to loan you a truck to continue your business. My son does and they have helped him a couple of times.



Pete

Pete

not heard of this. is this a dodge direct thing or service contract from another company. Sound like this could be the ticket. Any info would be great



kevin

 

[KBennett]

Sorry for your troubles.

You show two other trucks in your signature, why would you need a loaner?



Best of luck with your replacement.

 

[amykevin1973]

Sorry for your troubles.

You show two other trucks in your signature, why would you need a loaner?



Best of luck with your replacement.

the 98 is no longer, sold it to buddy. I still have the 95 (think is shows 94 on signature) but my lead man drives it. He loves that old girl, you should see the look on his face when I have to take it from him when other trucks are getting serviced, looks like a kid that just had his candy bar taken away. I have a feeling he will beg me to sell it to him at whatever the dealer will give me for it at trade in time.