Gary Foster

My car's going into the dealer for a short block change tommorrow. The dealer I bought the car from just 6 weeks ago.

It's got a full tank of petrol. Just phoned them and the courtesy car comes with little or no fuel (not enough for me to get home - 40 miles). Most pumps have run out round here.

Question is, should I cancel the booking and would my warranty claim still be valid / could the garage charge me for messing them around.

Ps Anyone got the number of Subaru complaints dept ?

Nigel Bowles

I might be stating the obvious ....

Take a couple of fuel cans with you.

Just make sue you get your car back with a full tank aswell.

Gary Foster

We'll the problem is actually getting the fuel to put into the fuel cans, every station within 15 miles of here (I'm in the country) is outta fuel all ready.

I guess I could syphone the fuel from my Scooby, sounds a bit dangerous though. Is this possible ?

Gary

Diablo

Just remember to spit, not swallow

D

jjones@work

gary,

syphoning petrol is not too dangerous (just don't smoke at the same time ) the biggest danger is getting a mouth full - tastes awful altho super unleaded is quite tasty.

might have a anti-syphon filter fitted tho.

[This message has been edited by jjones@work (edited 11 September 2000).]

gregh

Why do you want Subaru complaints dept, most courtesy cars don't have petrol in them.

Greg

Mossman

LOL at Diablo!

Good advice sir !

Gary Foster

Am I being unreasonable ?

I will (If I can't get fuel for the hire car) lose two days work, which I wouldn't if my car was not being repaired (as it's got petrol in it)

Obviously it's not the dealers fault we can't get fuel where I am, but neither is it my fault.

As a result of them selling me a broken car I'll lose 2 days pay. It's they're (or Subaru's) fault the cars broken so I don't feel I should be inconvenienced to the tune of several hundres squids.

I wouldn't want to cause trouble if I really am being unreasonable here.

Am I unreasonable in asking for a car which I can at least get home in ?

gregh

Hi Gary,

Trickey one this, I don't think you are being unreasonable but the dealer is stuffed, he can't get petrol, neither can you.

why not ask wether it will do any harm to keep your car until they can supply a courtesy car and see if they will put that in writing.

cheers,

Greg

bernmc

Carstens Subaru in Coventry charge per mile for their courtesy cars, cheeky *******s. My P1 has been back three times to have the alarm sorted out, and each time I've had to fork out for a courtesy car. B45trd5!

And they don't bloody wash the car after servicing it.

Grumblegrumblegrumblegrumple

Paul Wilson

Gary your not being unreasonable at all, but what you need is a solution, not to get ,potentially, arsey with the dealer.

Point out to him your problem and suggest that one of HIS mechanics syphons the petrol out of your car into the courtesy car.

He'll probably only be too happy as the alternative is a cancelled booking and loss of business.

GRANT

Paul,
A little of the track but coming your way tommorow morning on business, what is the situation for SUL as the garages around here have run dry.

Thanks

Grant

SCOOP

Hi Gary..

This may be of some use to you...

Head of Public Relations IM GROUP Ltd
INTERNATIONAL MOTORS Sole UK Importers of Subaru


ARTHUR FAIRLEY

DIRECT LINE... 0121 522 6059

E-mail afairley@imgroup.co.uk

BUT...... don't say I told you


All the best
SCOOP

Paul Wilson

Grant,
The stations selling SUL in Aylesbury are the Esso on the A41, (next door to Adams, your friendly Subaru dealer) the Shell on the other side of town, heading towards Bicester on the A41, and the Esso near the Police station.

I'm just off out to add to the panic and I'll post up whos got SUL

GRANT

Thanks Paul,
Coming from Watford on A41 never seen Subaru dealer.
Where is it ?

Grant

kurtw

Round to the right of the Esso garage as you head into town.

Also a Mitsy dealer now as well. Got one of those crappy EVO's on the forcourt. Looks like they can't give it away.

Paul Wilson

Beat me to it

The Shell on the other side of town (which bizarrely is now a Texaco) thinks they will have run out of Super by tommorow, The Tesco on the A41 has run out of all fuel, The Esso near the police station has huge queues and is blocking the one way system.

Your best bet is probably the Services at Bourne End on the A41, if no luck there who can tell, I'm going to try and get some in town around midnight and I'll let you know.

Gary Foster

Cheers Gregh

Yep. It'll be a pain (100 mile round trip) but I'm gonna use another dealer.

I've had a dealer or two email me from the board when I had my original problem and they were really very helpful. I'd happily put myself out to give them the work, they seemed genuinely enthusiastic and worried that the Subaru mark would get tarred.

I think thats the moral, if you're not happ - vote with you're feet.

Gary

Paul Wilson

Gary, make sure you tell your old dealer how you feel, and that you are now using a different dealer because of his attitude.
Don't let him persuade you to stay, but its great satisfaction

bernmc

Don't most modern cars have a mesh in the fuel-filler line to stop you getting your hose (*ahem*) down? If Scoobs don't, then they should!

And as for those cheeky comments about my P1... if I wasn't so busy paying off my loan I'd put you over my knee and give you a darn good thrashing!

BarryK

bernmc,

They charge you for a courtesy car!!! You paid full money for a P1 and they charge you for a courtesy car!!!

I think they saw you coming.

Tell them you are taking your car to dealer who doesn't charge for a courtesy car and that none of your future repairs/servicing or purchases will be from them. They may reconsider their position. If not do it!

GF
As for no petrol in it, they're a bit stuffed retail, but I bet they can drain your petrol tank with or without a siphon! If they can't, they shouldn't be a Subaru (or anything else) dealer!

Gary Foster

We'll it's been resolved.

I had to get very very angry in the end. That angry smiley up there - thats me that is.

I got through to Subaru who phoned the dealer, the dealer said the problem would be resolved. I turned up to find a nissan micra with under a quarter of a tank which I was supposed to exchange with my Impreza with 3/4 tank.

I said I'd rather take the Impreza but he pointed me to a petrol station with UL. Got there - 1.5 mile queue. Went back to the dealer (unfortunately a bit irate by this point - if you see skid marks out side you're local dealer, that was me).

After I'd explained (uh hum) that I would rather take my car and re-book for another time, another Nissan Micra with 3/4 tank appeared - as if by magic. Paid him the £20 for the fuel and went on my way.

I am still very angry, I hope I haven't let that show in this message. I am a bit ashamed about the way I behaved but I was really very annoyed. Don't see why I should be inconvenienced because Subaru can't design engine's that don't slap.

I think I've done OK but I do hate losing my rag seems thats what you need to do to get anything done nows adays

Gary Foster

Forgot to say,

Cheers for the advice phone no's etc ...

I had already suggested the syphoning idea but they poo pooed it (they don't have the equipment to do it ) ? plastic tube surely ?

Suggested they filled the car up yesterday and I'd pay for the fuel - no not company policy.

Also suggested I cancel the appointment - they implied I would have problems getting the warranty work done if I did.

I did all this yesterday but they really weren't willing to put themselves out for me - hence the call to Subaru Customer Service.

Gary

Calming down niceley

(I have to say, IN MY EXPERIENCE (not just this case - every single time I've been there) The Subaru dealer's attitude has been far far worse then any of my other dealers - BMW / Audi / even Ford / Vauxhall have all treated me with more respect than these guys)

It's like I should be grateful they even sold the car to me.

gregh

Gary,

Glad you got sorted, time to find a new dealer?

Greg

subverbal

bernmc,
Just had my humble 96MY serviced at Carstins, discs, pads etc came to £490. They didn't wash mine either, and they must have seen me coming too as they charged for the petrol used in the courtesy car.

Neil.

Steve Saunders

I took my Evo 6 in this morning for a stage 1 pack and they gave me a Galant courtesy car with a full tank