RexArun

Howdy Folks,<p>We had our new Avant in for a 'courtesy detailing' and control module re-programming.<br>Our experience left us wondering if we can trust our dealer to perform service on<br>this car. They apparently forgot that we told them NOT to wash/buff our car -- they<br>did both resulting in swirl marks on our brilliant black car. In addition, we believe that<br>they scraped the car into a concrete pillar (or something similar) resulting in a foot long gash<br>on the passenger's side that was DEFINITELY not there earlier in the morning (of course,<br>we could be wrong but I am sure we would have noticed a white scratch against a black<br>background). The service advisor 'innocently' pointed out the scratch to my wife, who was<br>(needless to say) horror-stricken when she saw it. He initially told her that they could not<br>do anything about the scratch...that we would have to take it to a body shop to get it <br>repaired. When she came back to pick it up in the evening, the scratch was gone <br>(my theory -- someone 'fessed up and the dealership developed a conscience and<br>decided to take repair the scratch). They did not provide my wife with<br>a loaner car (their explanation -- it is a 'courtesy detailing', not a repair; is this normal<br>practice?...when should we expect a loaner?).<p>In any case, we have decided that next time we take the car in for a service appt.<br>one of us (most probably me) will take the day off from work and watch them like hawks<br>as they perform work on our car.<p>-- Arun (who needs a 'magic potion' to get rid of the swirl marks on a<br> brilliant black '99 Avant QTS).

DaveL

Based on your description, it sounds like you took the car to the dealer specifically for a "courtesy detail". My question is, if they weren't supposed to wash the car, what were you expecting them to do during this "courtesy detail"?? I define "courtesy detail" as a fancy way of saying "car wash".<p>As far as loaners, it may vary by dealer, but my dealer only provides loaners for scheduled maintenance, 7500, 15000, etc...<p>Dave

Andrew C.

1) You bought the car from them<br>2) You schedule the appointment a few weeks in advance<br>3) You ask for a loaner when scheduling the appointment.<p>This is regardless of if it is scheduled maintenence or if other things need to be worked on.

Andrew C.

Of course the loaner was a delightfully scented Mercury Tracer(? like an Escort)

RexArun

We took it in to have the control module re-programmed and have the interior of the car cleaned up (it was just off the truck when we test drove and bought it -- 3 days before the 'courtesy detailing' appointment). We were also missing the cargo net. As mentioned previously, we<br>wanted them to get rid of a light scratch as well. In any case, we know now that<br>'courtesy detail' = 'car wash'.<p>-- Arun

Rob

(nt)

JIM H.

Your theory about the scrape sounds about right, but how do you courtesy detail a car w/o washing or buffing it? Did your wife go back to pick up the car,see the scrape,and leave and come back again?

JIM H.

Not unreasonable?Re: My dealer said they .....nt

JIM H.

Alright.We've been down this road before:if it starts and it's safe,don't bitch about your free wheels,or I'll flame you but good.nt

tHe UnAbImMeR

JiMbO aCtUaLlY hAd ScRatChEs as *sTaNdArD* On My CaR!