I make it a point to know who is turning the wrenches and go directly to them afterwards. Go to launch events, wrench days and the like. Don't have those at MoTW daffodildeb? Go visit with the service manager and tell them their sister store in Dallas has them so you know it can be done. MoD is working MM.org once a quarter to earn our business. It's working, I go there now, and ya know since I've met the head of service, shop foreman, parts slingers and techs the service level has gone up. It's a little bit of time to reach this level of familiarity but it's worth the effort.

 

I'm not sure how this works at Mini dealerships but at Ford and Chevy in Western Pa, they get paid based on a flat rate. So, if they don't have a customer, they are making nothing. If you like a particular tech's work, ask for him the next time. That way he will make the money. Have others ask for him/her too and they will realize you are helping them make money. They love that, and will treat you great.

 

pretty much everyone above the basic oil change/lube techs, are flate rate, but in a dealership, works divided out on a first finished basis & it's the manufacturer that's paying the bills. Obviously, the customer is a factor and may sometimes pay out of pocket, but a dealership is a very different beast from your friendly independent shop.

Flat rate means the faster the tech gets the problem fixed and out the door, the more money they make, and some guys will take shortcuts. Every time the factory cuts back work times for a particular operation/job, the tech's got to knock it out that much faster. Dealerships are way differently today then they were years ago.


All I'm trying to get at is, if you want to be treated well when you walk in, be reasonable & courteous, and if you want your car given that extra bit of care, try doing something extra for the techs in the back.

eg. I always appreciate it, and I know when I take stuff in to be worked on wether it's getting my windows tinted or some warranty work on my pc, a 6-pack or box of donuts can get you to the front of the line, friendly service, a good deal, etc..

 

I think MINI techs should be forced to lease MINIs so they can live with one and know what's normal and what isn't.

They should also be required to read the trouble section of NAM on a daily basis.

 

Had to revive this thread, had a customer today that hit the nail on the head.
A box of donuts from one of the good places sent over to the shop with a note written on the top basically

"To the Saab techs,
Thanks for the years of great service and taking car of my lovely silver '02 93
My baby is about to go out of warranty and I would really appreciate it if you could take care of any problems you might spot while it's in the shop today.
My licence plate is ______,
Thank-you
Kathy _____ "

It probably cost her less then $10 and 10 minutes, but she did get a bunch of extra work taken care of and everyone was happy to poke their head under the hood and suggest extra things to be fixed or replaced.


This sort of thing is really common with independent shops, but at dealerships it's really rare and definitely gets your car some positive attention.

 

fair enough, but the car is under warranty. the techs should be checking this anyways, with or without bribes.

 

+1.

Every year I see articles listing the "expected" Christmas tips for the mail carrier, garbage collector, hair stylist, etc, etc, ad nauseam. I tip my beautician at the time of service--why again? No one tips me or my husband for doing our jobs!

 

I tried that , they walked all over me . I'll try somthing different next time .

 

The donuts seem to do the trick.

 

ya, but wouldn't it be nice if someone did ?
it's not about having to do it, it's about the old "treat others as you'd like to be treated" or in this case, treat others as you'd like your car to be treated.

thank-you's are few & far between at the dealerships, I think a lot of people figure when they're paying $100-$150/hr that the techs are probably quite well paid, but on average it's usually between $15-$25 that goes to the tech. There are a lot of better paying trades that require less skill and don't require the tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools & frequent training. It's a different business today then it was even a few years ago.

 

little known fact is the techs have to buy thier own tools. with thier own money. (maybe not at all dealerships but it is the case at most)


a gift cert to Snap On would probabaly get some better treatment for your MINI.

 

no wai! I have to buy my own tools too. and pay a mortgage. bad tech, no donut!

 

then fix your own damn car