I know this probably isn't the correct forum, but please bear with me. As a fellow A4 owner, I know you guys will help me out.<p>My girlfriend owns a 97 Honda Civic and her battery was dead the other morning at 12:00 PM. So, instead of me running over her house and giving her car a jump, we decided to take advantage of her HondaCare Roadside Assistance (that she pays extra for... unlike us A4 owners).<p>Anyway, they said they would send flatbed within 30-60 mins and not start the car so that they could find out what is causing the battery to die. This is December 23 and she still has shopping to do... so I had to cart her around to every store to do the rest of her shopping. Two hours later I call HondaCare to check on the status of the tow (since we had to go shopping) and they said that the tow company had a police call that held them up, they knew exactly where the car was and would be there within 30 mins.<p>The dealer calls me and says that they haven't received the car yet, and I explained what had happened to him and told him the car was on its way.<p>Well, an hour goes by, and we drive by her house and the rinky-dink tow truck company is JUST getting to her house. Now it is 3:30 PM... We are furious!<p>I get a phone call at 4:30 PM from the dealer... he says that the car has arrived, but he let all of his mechanics go for the evening!!! Now her car is sitting overnight in the serivce bays. I call HondaCare and complain about the service... but they were all apologetic, but no results.<p>11 AM the next morning (Christmas Eve) I get a call from the dealer... "your car is ready, and we close at noon". Argh! So I say well, bring the car down to her. They tell me that they are short handed and they aren't insured to drive customers cars (hmm, don't you insure the car? not the driver?). Well, in Philly area it snowed the night before, so we have snow all over the streets. After much arguing with the guy, I told him... fine, mistakes are made, and here is Wright Honda's chance to remedy the problem and look like a hero, or you can make her come get her car and get a lot of bad word of mouth advertising. They told me to have her come get the car, it will be on the lot. WHAT JERKS!<p>To make a long story short (I know, too late)... I am asking you to phone Wright Honda or email me with a response that states that you were informed of "SANDRA RAY"'s experiences with the dealership and will tell others.<p>Wright Honda<br>Drexel Hill, PA<br>(610) 789-9420, Ray Mancini (ext 118)<p>or email to honda@g-cnet.com<p>Thanks guys... I hope to see the email pouring in... or if you do call... also let me know you made the phone call. I am keeping track of the # of people who call the dealership. Thanks again.<p>Craig Elliott

First of all, Honda probably has no direct control over the company that they send to tow the car. If Honda says they'll send the tow truck within 30-60 minutes, they probably usually do. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it took quite a bit longer for the tow truck to arrive. Keep in mind, this was the holiday season....probably tons of calls for dead batteries this time of year, especially with the cold snap we've been having.<p>Most shops close up around 5:00, but once again, probably due to the holiday season, Wright chose to let their mechanics go 1/2 hour early.<p>Never heard of a dealership who would deliver repaired cars to the owners. An independant shop would offer this service. I used to work part-time at a small shop and I routinely drove customers home and picked them up when the car was repaired. This type of service is rare at the dealerships. You're lucky to get a loaner.<p>I'm familiar with Wright Honda, but I've never purchased a car from them. Given the circumstances, I don't think they acted irresponsibly. Of course, this is just my opinion.<p>Andy Hedin<br>'97 A4 1.8Tqms

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to write the HMFIC and explain to them politely but firmly what happened and put the ball in thier court before threatening. The polite but firm way usually gets better results than yelling. I would be ticked off just like you are.<p>RobS

Craig, sorry to hear about your situation but looking from the outside it seems to be a problem with a <i>Honda</i> dealer in <i>Pennsylvania</i>. For a majority of the readers of this <b>A4</b> Forum, this is a long distance call. What would we say to them?<p>"I've never been a customer of yours, and I most likely never will be, but regardless I heard that you treated Sandra Ray poorly, and I just called to tell you that."<p>I think they'd figure out that you said bad things about them, but I don't think they'd care about my opinion. Anyway, you were right in your first sentence. This is exactly the wrong forum for this.<p>Lately the lines between the forums are beginning to blur again and we all need to think before we choose which forum to post to. This comment is not directed at you Craig, but everyone. Some people post in this forum because it gets the most readers and the quickest response. Have our lives gotten so fast that we can't wait a few hours for a response?<p>Anyway, good luck in your campaign against the Honda dealer.<p>Happy Holidays!<br>

It must have been a frustrating experience for you. But, given that the tow-truck had to respond to a police call, plus it's Christmas, plus they were apologetic and presumably polite to you, I don't see how they're "jerks".<br>

It sounds like they did the best they could and you are [understandably] frustrated. But trying to get us to jump in there for you is not the way to go... nothing you describe here hasn't happened to me before, through no one' s particular fault or ineptitude or rudeness.... I agree w/ most of the other posters on this one.

Wouldn't you be a little pissed off if you had to wait for a tow truck in 27 degree weather? Let's see... the car wouldn't start... so that means no heat either. Granted, we were able to leave the car... but they didn't know that!<p>I don't think we are being unreasonable at all. People are used to getting things shoved down their throat, and it's about time we stand up for ourselves.

First, the towing. Your beef is with the towing company that Honda has hired for your area, NOT Honda itself or your local dealer. Sometimes tow companies do get really busy (try getting AAA service here in So Cal on the first rainy winter morning!). So maybe they have an excuse, and maybe not. Anyway, since you are paying for this service, unless the towing company has a good excuse, you should inform Honda corporate of your dissatisfaction with their contractor in your area. You might get a partial refund or an extension.<p>As for your dealer, I'm not aware of many dealers who deliver cars to customers, regardless of locale or make ... well OK, I suppose a Lexus dealer might do this in some places. But this is what rental cars and taxis are for. I'm afraid you don't have a legit gripe on this one, especially on a day when businesses are trying to close so their employees can spend time at home (or at the mall, depending on how diligent they are).

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