1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hi, Buck.
You're absolutely right that we are lucky to get in touch with so much information FOR FREE!
I guess I just started off with a bad experience when I got my first Saab; a used 900. Everytime there was a problem I went to the dealer and the experience wasn't a nice one; the guy behind the counter was pushy and rude. I was always left with a huge bill for work that I wasn't absolutely sure needed to be done right away. I even told the dealer that I didn't want to spend more than I had to (I had just finished college and was working for little $$$). I also let him know that I was trying to DIY as much as I could... and I didn't know that much about the car or the work I could do myself. Instead of establishing a good relationship with me, I felt the guy behind the counter was giving me the shaft.
You may laugh at the fact that I was being so honest with the guy, letting him know that I was ignorant, but others told me about good honest experiences with their BMW and Merc service dealers and I figured Saab was on par with them.
At the time, I really had to stretch to buy that car (financially) and thought I was buying into a family of cars that would treat me well and I could trust; both the car and the service. Now looking back, I still feel great about the car but not so much about the dealer/service. If it wasn't for Saabnet, I really don't think I would have gone back to Saab for my second car. That's NOT a good thing for brand loyalty. Luckily, I don't mind getting my hands dirty, doing some of my own work and researching independent machanics that specialize in Saabs. I am very lucky to have found an Indy that treats me like a person; someone that wants to teach me about my car's needs
Now that I've moved on to my current car, a used 9-5, I still go to a local indy. He once worked at a Saab dealership and he talks to me like a friendly neighbor would.
The situation with the blown turbo (in this post) was unfortunate. I work down the street from the same dealer and when the turbo blew in the parking where I work I knew that it simply made more sense to have it towed less than a mile to the dealer rather than over 30 miles to the indy.
This time the experience was better. They fixed the turbo and I left feeling better, broke but better.
Still, she initial few experiences I had back with my 900 are etched in the back of my mind.
Buck, there's no doubt in my mind that you and the other master technicians are honest and doing a great job, but the guy behind the counter is what paints the picture of the work that's done.
I, and others, complain about dealeships so that the Saab company (if they read this board) can improve their relationship with the customer.
I'm all about the car, I could care less for the sales/serviceroom... at least in my neck of the woods.
This board has tunred my experience from a negative one to a positive one. Why? Because it's given me, and others, the power of knowledge, which yields comfort.
Again, I apologize for sending the wrong message, but I am forever grateful for the postings and work that you and others have done to keep the Saab name alive.
Alex
'99 2.3lpt, 97K mi.
posted by 65.106.18...
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