Professionalism. Customer service.
Friendliness.
Three things that I experienced at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram yesterday.
I'm sad to say, three things I never encountered at the local Greg May Hyundai dealership over the past FIVE years.
We still have our first Hyundai, which we purchased when Waco Hyundai owned the dealership.
Let me preface my true story by saying we were loyal customers and still would be, but for $118, they lost our business.
June 12 Mike took my car in because the muffler was making a noise. We were told it needed a clamp. We were told driving it would be ok, that it wouldn't hurt a thing, and that the part would arrive the following week. Mike gave them our cell numbers, which they already had. The next week, no call. Week two, no call.
Week THREE, I called and asked for the service department. After 25 rings, I hung up. I called back and asked for someone in the parts department. Again, ring, ring, ring. No answer. I told Mike, "I bet someone in SALES will answer."
I call back and ask for sales.
BINGO!!!! I get a bite! I won't reveal his name. He's innocent. Just remember, someone in sales will always answer. They want to make a sale. I asked him if the service and parts departments were closed. He said no and transferred me to a direct technician (mechanic). Another BINGO!!!
This guy knew nothing about the clamp and laughed when I asked if Sam ordered the part. I finally get Sam on the phone. He can't find my paperwork or my order. It's complete silence for most of our conversation. He's "looking" for it. In the meantime, I'm describing my car, giving him the entire rundown. Yada yada yada. I finally get, "Oh, here it is." I'm thinking, "My clamp!"
No, he said, "Where it was ordered." This is week three, mind you.
"I need to call them," he said.
I asked that he call me with an update after he spoke with them. That was a Thursday. I got no call that week.
Week 4. Monday. I call and Sam answered!!!! I go through the same scenario. He can't find it. Silence. I even tell HIM what I need. A clamp for the muffler. I couldn't believe what I heard next. I had the call on speaker as I wanted Mike to hear how my conversation was going. I can't make this up!!!
Sam, the parts manager, tells me the wrong part came in and, "WHEN HE GETS TIME, HE WILL ORDER THE RIGHT ONE."
WHEN HE GETS TIME?
Are you kidding me? Mike takes the phone and tells him he needs to FIND TIME. His exact words, "I need you to FIND THE TIME, Sam."
SAM HUNG UP ON US!
Again, I can't make this up!
I called back IMMEDIATELY.
The young lady who answered the phone said, "We're having a great day at Greg May Hyundai. How may I direct your call?" She then tells me everyone I need to speak with is in a meeting.
Wow, that was fast. So Mike leaves a detailed voicemail for the General Manager, asking him for a return call, or, better yet, news that the part had been ordered. We received neither.
So let me fast forward and wrap up our seven-week experience by saying, they lost a loyal customer over $118, the cost of a simple clamp. Which, I was later told, they could have bought at Auto Zone.
C Copeland read more