Congratulations to Brisbane Prestige Skoda

[Antiplastix]

I think as a "Marketing Manager" ,Simon has failed. His audience on this Forum is not that of "Open Road" readers, gullible, grey haired geriatrics, rather car enthusiasts.
We are aware of our consumer rights and the work involved in a 15,000 km service (simply a oil/filter change and brake inspection). The service uses $100 worth of consumables (oil/filter) which leaves a $300 service fee for a job that should take a competent mechanic 30 mins. At that rate they are charging $600 per hour, much higher than the medical specialist I recently visited, then again he didn t have a "Marketing Manager" and other "clinger ons" to pay.
Simon your efforts would be much better put to use organising a fair and reasonable discount for members rather than scare mongering.

[MarksVRS]

All credit to Simon for having the guts to try to justify a Dealership service although I dont think anyone on this forum can be convinced. Having someone drive to my house, service my car according to the log book, with my oil and OEM filters, and still pay less than half of the Dealership price is a no-brainer. And they stamp the log book and gaurantee the vehicle warranty remains valid.

Warranty discussions are often a moot point. 90% of the time it is clear cut if a fault is warrantable. The other 10% will be debated regardless of who serviced the car! If a vehicle has been serviced by an independant, VAG (or Skoda Australia?) would still need to prove negligence before denying a valid warranty claim, particularly if oils and filters are as per the specified requirements.

[gotboost?]

The point about offering discounted rates to club members is a fantastic one and something I've often wondered why the dealerships don't offer.

Especially as a Marketing Manager, you'd think the 'Simons' of the world would have implemented it, as it would bring a customer base that's incredibly loyal to the brand and subsequently would recommend the dealership to more potential customers. It's relatively low cost, positive publicity.

[Transporter]

Don't get me wrong, but all these fixed price servicing, servicing included for the first 2 or 3 years are not doing any good to any brand. Why? Nothing is for free and as the humans are known to be the greedy species, when something is prepaid or included in the price they will skimp on it and it will affect reliability and long term durability of the brand. Remember Daewoo and their free care? Now, watch the Toyota's guaranteed low price servicing, there goes, down the dunny their reliability, just give it a few years.

The quality of all products (not just the cars) is decreasing as one group of people wants everything cheap and the second one is trying to get filthy rich.

[brimway]

........
The quality of all products (not just the cars) is decreasing as one group of people wants everything cheap and the second one is trying to get filthy rich.

Confession - I think I'm in both groups lol

[gotboost?]

^ This.

Plenty of people make it into the second group by being in the first.

[bobski]

^ This.

Plenty of people make it into the second group by being in the first.

The rags to riches billionaire owner of our business dresses like he buys clothes at Target and bums lifts off of staff members when he is in Sydney. He did not get rich by spending unwisely!

Back on topic though. Many of us have no clue when the black box that is a modern car might go kaboom. I had a great relationship with a local mechanic for many years when I had a simple second hand car. Most of us grumble and moan about dealer servicing but get it done there "just in case" (its just like insurance right?). If I put my tin foil hat on, its actually in the dealers best interest to slyly talk up problems with cars post sale. Most new cars never have a problem, so continue to service with the dealer because they establish a relationship that says "Service at dealer, car never go bang". When in reality, most services are a fluid change and inspection that 90% of people can carry out themselves if given some accurate documentation. Edit: also 90% of people could also perform the free swirl mark inducing "wash" dealers will foist upon you.

[THE_EGG]

:/ My first six month interval service was $340 for my Citroen DS3 at Brisbane Prestige. That included 3 recall campaigns as well and also I had a choice of getting a complimentary loan car for the day (but I rejected it because of insurance stuff-Citroen C4).

Does anyone know the name of the older guy at the service desk? I spoke to him about modifications to the DS3 a while back and he was really helpful, I think he had a British accent as well.

[daft1014]

Does anyone know the name of the older guy at the service desk? I spoke to him about modifications to the DS3 a while back and he was really helpful, I think he had a British accent as well.

I suspect you might be talking about Adrian OCallaghan. He has been very helpful to me when my car was out of action due to warranty issues.