Chevrolet Optra 60K service at Triumph motors, Delhi

[ashthedivx]

Yesterday i gave my chevrolet optra for a paid service at Triumph motors workshop, Delhi. I use to get my car serviced at Autovikas but being Triumph motors near to my house, I thought of giving Triumph a shot. Though it is a major service, many works has to be undertaken as stated below

- All filters to be changed
- All oils to be changed
- Spark plugs to be changed
- Brake pads to checked and changed
- V-belt & timing-belt to changed
- Bearings related to v-belt and timing belt to be checked and changed
- Fuel Injectors cleaning
- Wheel Alignment
- Engine flushing

Estimate given: around 9K if only 1 v-belt bearing needed to be changed.

While handing over the keys to service adviser I specially instructed for 2 things specially
a) Do not touch the HIDs
b) Do not even think of tuning or touching CNG Kit, though installed from GM but still as it is running without any problem. So better spare it.

As committed I went to service center, for taking the delivery of the car today afternoon. I was said to wait in the lounge for another 1 hr as the car was not ready till yet. Still after 1 hr I was asked to wait another hr as some knocking sound was coming for the newly fitted bearings. I found some thing fishy and went to my car parked in workshop with 2-3 mechanics poking inside the hood, on close inspection of their work I came to know a bearing was making an unusual sound (kr...kr...kr...) while revving.

Within another 1 hr to my amazement the same part was replaced 3 times in front of me only, but still the sound didn't turn off and came out after revving twice or thrice. Didn’t understand if it was a quality problem with basic part design or what ??

I was actually frustrated with the quality of the worked performed and original GM spare quality. And finally adding to it, Service adviser asked me to take delivery of the car on next-to-next day (as next day was a weekly holiday). My temper limits were crossed, I gave a literal peace of mind to my service adviser. He didn't spoke a word, but finding his part guilty he called upon the works manager. Works manager came over, inspected the car and talked to me regarding the car.

Upon talking with works manager and disclosing the corporate relationship with GM motors of my company, he felt very sorry for the incidence and committed me for the solution and asked me to wait for another half-n-hour. As it was already 6, I was concerned about the delivery of the car. After half-n-hour works manager confirmed me to better take the delivery on next-to-next day only so as the problem can be diagnosed properly, rather then getting the things done in rush. Even taking care of the corporate relationship with our company, he tried around half-n-hour and finally arranged a DEMO VEICHLE optra from their showroom. I was obliged with this move and found it a very sensible.

So finally, right now I am with the brand new DEMO VEHICLE and waiting for my car to be delivered. Will keep the thread updated....

[GTO]

Its terrible when an authorised service station can mess up what was otherwise a perfectly running car! Ask me, I have been through it. Here is what I suggest : Since your company has a direct relationship with GMI, write to the customer service over on their side. A friend recently had a problem with his Ikon, and getting in touch with the Ford India did some good things to the after-sales service he received.

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by GTO

Its terrible when an authorised service station can mess up what was otherwise a perfectly running car! Ask me, I have been through it. Here is what I suggest : Since your company has a direct relationship with GMI, write to the customer service over on their side. A friend recently had a problem with his Ikon, and getting in touch with the Ford India did some good things to the after-sales service he received.

This is what i have done today, spoke to our Corporate Relationship Manager and asked him to fwd me the mail id and contact no. of the concerned person in General motors India.

By the way, care to elaborate the "good things" done by Ford India in your friend's Car.

[vasudeva]

Not exactly the same results for me, but 4 years of British Motor Car/Triumph service at Connaught Place of my Corsa was marked by inconsistent quality, uneven paint jobs, out of stock parts, poor workshops and reception areas, timely delivery, `under the table' payments. So much so that I am tired of GM and its dealers now. This was when Spark/UVA had not yet been launched, and they had to manage with Corsa/Optra/Tavera (and 1-2 Astras). With increased sales, may God help the GM buyer with his service experience.

[vasudeva]

One good thing about GM was that I always used to get a `post service call'.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by ashthedivx

So finally, right now I am with the brand new DEMO VEHICLE

Is it true. DEMO VEHICLE is ethical, but brand new? Do they keep demo vehicles which are brand new, or they use brand new vehicles as demos before sale.

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

Not exactly the same results for me, but 4 years of British Motor Car/Triumph service at Connaught Place of my Corsa was marked by inconsistent quality, uneven paint jobs, out of stock parts, poor workshops and reception areas, timely delivery, `under the table' payments. So much so that I am tired of GM and its dealers now. This was when Spark/UVA had not yet been launched, and they had to manage with Corsa/Optra/Tavera (and 1-2 Astras). With increased sales, may God help the GM buyer with his service experience.

I haven't any such problem with GM motors weather it is Regent or Autovikas, though i haven't gone under nay major paint job from them. Poor workshop and service reception is a thing which tend to come once an automotive company enters into Taxi market, so it is something acceptable with GM too. Otherwise my car was always timely delivered i.e. within asked time by service adviser, "under the table" payment kinda stuff haven't be experienced till yet.

This particular workshop situated in jahangir puri, is actually a bit far away from vicinity and in-a-corner type place. Advantages of such placements are less load of cars to this workshop consisting majorly tavera, less Aveo/UVA/Spark, very less optra and very very less opel cars. they had only 3 cars booking on Monday when i dropped my car.

Let's hope everything turns out in good manner, as its works manager now may have understood that I am not another usual customer.

[bblost]

Maybe I read this thing completly wrong but.

They refused to give you your car back because they were not satisfied with their work.
I think that is a very good thing to do.

Its much better than
1. giving you the car,
2. you finding this sound next day (which incidentaly was a holiday)
3. returning after 2 days to the shed and they behaving like, what noise
4. oh that noise, bad petrol, no saar that is normal sound. or some such nonsense.

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

One good thing about GM was that I always used to get a `post service call'.

Yes very true, even toyota does the same.

Originally Posted by vasudeva

Is it true. DEMO VEHICLE is ethical, but brand new? Do they keep demo vehicles which are brand new, or they use brand new vehicles as demos before sale.

Yes, these dealers do use slow moving model as demo vehicles, and sell the same to customers like us for a little discount. Better is to purchase a veichle after a close inspection includingn kms clocked and other asthetic conditions.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by ashthedivx

Yes very true, even toyota does the same.

Trust me since I have cars of both, but with Toyota post sale service, if you write to them even for a minor complaint about the dealer service/employees, you can bet that you shall get a very quick reply followed by a lot of calls/attention from the dealer offering you anything to make you happy again.

I have done it twice in past 1 year (for 20 mins delay in attending to me and for keeping my car out in the open for 25 mins with windows open prior to wash), and the attention I get makes me feel that any reasonably cheap service component that I ask for shall be given for free (just do not feel like asking for anything without paying for it).

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by bblost

Maybe I read this thing completly wrong but.

They refused to give you your car back because they were not satisfied with their work.
I think that is a very good thing to do.

Its much better than
1. giving you the car,
2. you finding this sound next day (which incidentaly was a holiday)
3. returning after 2 days to the shed and they behaving like, what noise
4. oh that noise, bad petrol, no saar that is normal sound. or some such nonsense.

You spotted on, even i think this is a good thing, but the only thing niggled me is bad & poor quality problem of a new genuine spare part and that too was changed thrice. Definetly it is better to get the solution at one shot rather then getting over their head again and again.

[vasudeva]

It may be better for a car owner to be aware that many times, a company's `commitment' to give quality post sales service is ruined by some dealers for whom every minute spent on (no revenue) problems is revenue lost. It is always better to write to the company at the first instance rather than waiting for a resolution. I think that will give a better resolution rather than getting fobbed off by the dealer.

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

Trust me since I have cars of both, but with Toyota post sale service, if you write to them even for a minor complaint about the dealer service/employees, you can bet that you shall get a very quick reply followed by a lot of calls/attention from the dealer offering you anything to make you happy again.

I have done it twice in past 1 year (for 20 mins delay in attending to me and for keeping my car out in the open for 25 mins with windows open prior to wash), and the attention I get makes me feel that any reasonably cheap service component that I ask for shall be given for free (just do not feel like asking for anything without paying for it).

Even i do have both i.e. optra & innova and surely admit the A.S.S. of GM is no where near to Toyota, its extremely superb and up-market.

Care to share the mail ids of Toyota and GM !

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

It may be better for a car owner to be aware that many times, a company's `commitment' to give quality post sales service is ruined by some dealers for whom every minute spent on (no revenue) problems is revenue lost. It is always better to write to the company at the first instance rather than waiting for a resolution. I think that will give a better resolution rather than getting fobbed off by the dealer.

Even i am thinking for shooting a mail to their corporate division. And yes it is very true to write to company at first instance rather then waiting for resolution, i believe you get better resolution.

[vasudeva]

Toyota's mail id is on toyotabharat.com. Click on `Contact Us' and post your comments.

GM: I have stopped feedback since they may not be interested in giving great service on a 4.5 year old obsolete Corsa.