So far what I have read shows that it's more of a dealer then the manufacturer issue.
I have worked with GM and VW dealerships in Toronto so I can relate to a lot on this thread. We all think highly of the angelic west but dealers there are no better.
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Originally Posted by muneemmk the interview itself seemed like a mockery to me, the Head of Sales was the one who interviewed me he seemed like a very good person and one who is definitely not fit for the job.Instead of asking me tensing questions or expecting ground breaking answers he was simply at my mercy to tell him everything that I know about Fiat and the Linea |
During my interview at a GM dealership in Toronto, I was asked nothing about GM. Generally in sales interview's you are judged for your attitude more then your knowledge. Knowledge will come with training provided by the manufacturer. As for the sales head not knowing much about the car, not everyone who works at car dealerships is a auto enthusiast. For him, this may just be a job.
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Apparently most of the people who came to the showroom were amazed at the fact that Fiat is still available through TATA and that the service is done by TATA.Add more damage to this awesome deal the Indica Vista is displayed along side the Palio with much more equipment and a new look and it's also riding the wave of the Honeymoon period.Everyone of the customers who came to the showroom were worried how the after sales service would be. I gave them assurance that all is well and that unlike the previous TVS service centers the service operations are totally done by TATA and it is very competent and that all the Fiat vehicles are serviced by service personal who are specifically trained for the job.I learned the truth about these facts which i blurted out to undiscerning customers after a short while.
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This is a Fiat failure. It's upto them to make people aware of where their cars are avaliable from. BUT, don't you think it's also upto the dealership to take the extra effort to do that? Not you the salesman but everyone from the receptionist to the owner.
I have always said that the Palio brand name is dead. It's an extremely difficult car to sell. Say Palio and the quesitons about poor FE, lack of spares, poor service support come out. A salesperson anywhere will take the easy way out and push the prospect towards the Indica. When you have a failed product your motivation and interest in it is automatically low.
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To my utter dismay I found that like most TATA dealerships they didn't have a specific test drive car.
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Neither the GM nor the VW dealership in Toronto had a demo car. And yes, new salesperson's used to regularly pick cars from the lot and rip them on the freeway's because they were asked by the management to drive the cars and get a feel of them. Mind you, the cars I am talking about include the CA$45,000 Passat V6 too.
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if you want to give a test drive all you have to do is walk to the yard take a pick of the brand new car which ever colour you want which ever model , simply wash the car(just the exterior !!) MYSELF !!!!!!! and disconnect the speedo and fill in the required amount of fuel and take the Trade Certificate Sticker stick in in place of the number plate and we are off for a drive,
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Why the myself in capitals? So what if you have to wash the car on your own? And how is it a Fiat problem?! Back in Canada, we had to pick the car parked outside in the dealer parking lot, brush off the snow from it and get it to the front so the customer could test drive it. Filling fuel, putting temporary plates were all the salesperson's responsiblity. I don't understand how this is a Fiat or even a dealer problem!
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First day itself I made it very clear that I won't be washing the car. Suddenly the people started considering me as a little arrogant because I was not acting as a man Friday Salesman.
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They are right for thinking of you as arrogant. And how is this is a Fiat problem? Or even a dealer problem for that matter?
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but I found out that the Spare parts division had not ordered the spare as they didn't know that new part number of the power steering pump as all the part numbers had been changed after the TATA takeover. Luckily no one tried explaining that to the customer.
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If your spares guys didn't order the part how is the manufacturer supposed to know about the requirement and deliver it?! Yes, they should have made the part avaliable at the dealers but if it's not and if the dealer fails to order it how can you blame the manufacturer. I don't blame the customer. He is lied to by the dealer saying we have ordered the part and Fiat hasnt sent it yet. He flames Fiat not knowing that it's actually the dealer that has goofed up.
The Fiat failure here is in not providing adequate training about changes in part numbers and logistics. And they can't depend on Tata to do all that. The Palio is a Fiat product and they can't pass off their responsiblity by saying tata looks after our servicing. Surely a Fiat problem to that extent.
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The Next surprise came to me when, I found out that most of the accessories that are available in the market can't be installed on Fiat Cars
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That's a new one. I got AutoCop installed on my S10 4 years back and never had any problem.
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The PCD of the wheels are Fiat specific,
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Yea that I agree. Crazy Italians!
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f you still install one,by any chance,when ever you unlock your car the rear doors not only unlock but they spring open wide!!!!
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That sounds very very odd.
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Things started going down the drain for me from my first car delivery, the car itself was a True Lemon in every way.
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What was the problem with the car and why wasn't it solved? You haven't said anything about that. From the face of it, it looks like a Fiat problem. IF the dealer can't solve the issue, the manufacturer has to send their engineers to look into the issue.
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THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MY LIFE EVER WAS BUYING A CAR FROM YOU"
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I have heard something similar during my stint as a salesperson too. And for no fault of mine. At my GM delaership in Toronto, they switched cars. A Pontiac Montana was sold to 2 customers on the same day. One of them got approved for a loan faster and drove off with the car. The dealership got a a similar van, same colour almost equal mileage and I had the responsiblity to make sure he doesn't realise the van is not what he saw. The guy was smart. Knew it was different. I was called a liar, crook etc etc for no fault of mine. This story is on the forum in detail somewhere.
Another time, I sold a used Impala but the stereo was not working. The manager promised it would be done before delivery. It was never done. At the time of delivery I was told to ask the customer to bring the car back in 3 days time and when he did he was told the parts are not avaliable and he should call the spares in another 3 days. The customer called me a expert con man. **** happens. I never blamed GM for any of this. It was dealership issue.
Continue your story. The gems that I heard from VW customers can be shared alongwith your story.
So far, the only Fiat failures I see are lack of adequate training and supervision. Yes, also spares avaliablity which has supposedly been a Fiat problem for many years. I say supposedly, because I have never faced any issue over procuring spares. Yes, my S10 muffler was not avaliable but the GTX one was avaliable at every Tata/Fiat dealer in Mumbai.
Most of the issues you have mentioned so far are dealer related. They are problems that the dealer could have solved if he was motivated and interested in customer satisfaction.