So I'm trying to decide which dealer I'll ultimately buy a Volt from. The dealer closest to me does not have the exact configuration I want, while a few chevy dealers away they do. And while price may ultimately be the deciding factor, I also worry about service -- particularly given some of the strange occurrences with this vehicle that may require more than just regular maintenance, or "normal" warranty stuff. My concern is whether, if I buy a car from a more distant dealership, will my local guys treat me right if I have any significant problems (like something that might require a loaner)? Particularly, will they even provide me a loaner if I didn't buy the car from them?
Dealer Service
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In the past have purchased vehicles from the dealer with the best price, the dealer with a great reputation for service and a dealer that was convenient to home or work.
Jobs have a way of changing over time so picking a dealer close to your current work location may not be as convenient if you change jobs. Same thing if you planning on moving in the next few years.
Years ago I purchased two vehicles from the second largest Saab dealer in the USA only to have GM award the Saab dealer franchise to a competing dealership. Yep, that can happen. Luckily I found a dealer that was close to where I worked.
I would balance dealer reputation with price and location when considering purchase of a vehicle and realize that things can change.
I wouldn't take delivery with any body damage. As for factory installation issues, isn't that general warranty?
I understand that any dealer has an obligation to fix warranty issues (though they never like it since warranty rates are lower than retail), but do they have an obligation to give you a loaner car if yours dies and needs to be towed it? I'm not going to have my car towed 40 miles if there's a chevy dealer around the corner.
aj
I live within 15 minutes of 3 Chevy dealers, and within 30 minutes of another 5. When I bought my Volt I went with the dealership with the lowest price. They are not a dealership that I would EVER bring a car in for service.
For service I'm sticking with the dealership that has treated me fairly and knows what they're doing. They've worked on many of my GM vehicles and treated me the the same no matter where I originally purchased.
It's not the closest to home or work, but for me the added inconvenience of getting there is easily offset by the quality of the work done.
I live within 15 minutes of 3 Chevy dealers, and within 30 minutes of another 5. When I bought my Volt I went with the dealership with the lowest price. They are not a dealership that I would EVER bring a car in for service.
For service I'm sticking with the dealership that has treated me fairly and knows what they're doing. They've worked on many of my GM vehicles and treated me the the same no matter where I originally purchased.
It's not the closest to home or work, but for me the added inconvenience of getting there is easily offset by the quality of the work done.
I bought from Ted Britt Chevy in Sterling, VA, even though they are 45+ minutes from my house and 25+ minutes from my work. Both locations have closer Chevy dealers, but Ted Britt happened to offer the lowest price. I still take it back for service because 1. they offer some perks for doing all service there (they call it TedBritt4Life) and 2. their service dept seems very competent and has some really good reviews, including from my experiences there already.
That is key. Thanks.
You may not see the damage. It has happened to me once when I picked up the car at night. Ditto for installation issues such as carpeting.
As mentioned, GM pays for the loaner. There may, however, be differences in how a dealer handles that. My dealer has the loaner cars on site. I've used some where you have to go offsite to Enterprise.
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Dealers trade vehicles on a routine basis so not having it in stock is not a show stopper. I always try the local dealer first and will buy from them even if the price is slightly higher. Perks, last time I got my oil changed I got tossed the keys to a Camaro for a 30 minute loaner. That was fun.
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13,358 Posts
I bought my volt in Monticello, IL and have it serviced in a Champaign, IL. Paula at Sullivan Parkhill Chevy Cadillac is always happy to service me. And with a Suburban, CTS, and a Volt in the driveway, she's the only one I need to see.
Funny story, I used to take my Suburban to a GMC dealership that was within walking distance from my work. One day I called Paula and said "Hi, I have a Suburban...." and she interrupted "No you don't...". She was quite hurt that I had been cheating on her.
Funny story, I used to take my Suburban to a GMC dealership that was within walking distance from my work. One day I called Paula and said "Hi, I have a Suburban...." and she interrupted "No you don't...". She was quite hurt that I had been cheating on her.
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I bought a Toyota at night once and it looked like Freddy Krueger took the stickers out, when I saw the the windows in the daylight. The dealer had to install two door glasses.
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Dealers make their money (unless you got burned when buying) from servicing the cars. They don't care where you buy them. I purchased my 2012 Volt in Missouri and had it shipped to me. I have it serviced locally. The sales people seem to even resent the car, but the service people are great; however, my dealer has decided to not service or sell 2016 or newer Volts, YUCK. That puts my next dealer 40 miles away (my closest was 32 miles)
I purchased my 2014 Volt from a dealer about 80 miles away because they had the color and options I wanted. My local dealer does not sell or service Volts, but another dealer about 30 miles from me has a few Volt Tech's and have treated me well over the last 2-12 years. My car has always had a squeaky rear hatch and no amount of bumper adjustments has made any difference. I have finally figured out the problem is being caused by a loose bumper mount on the passenger side. The two plastic rivets that hold the threaded mount to the hatch are loose. They can't be tightened and need to be replaced. Rather than drive 30 miles to my service dealer I stopped by my local dealer to request they replace the bumper mount. They told me they do not have any Volt tech's and are not allowed to work on Volts. I said are you kidding me. This is a simple body part and has nothing to do with the Volt drive train. They still insisted they are not allowed to do any work on a Volt. What a joke.
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