Funny Comment from Porsche Service Department
07-23-2010, 05:32 PM
#1
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Funny Comment from Porsche Service Department
Funny thing that just happened to me. I called a local Porsche dealer to set up a service appointment.
Me: (calling Porsche service department). Hi, my name is [], I have a GT3 that is coming up on 29,000 miles, so I figured I make an appointment to get a 30,000 mile checkup.
Them: OK. What kind of car is that again?
Me: It's a 996 GT3.
Them: Is that an Audi?
Me: No, it's a Porsche. A Carrera, just a GT3 version.
Them: (silence)
Me: It's a 911.
Them: (keyboard clicking in background) Oh, OK. I got it.
...
Seriously? That's what they have? Now, I know that the person answering phones isn't a mechanic, but it appears that a Porsche dealer will not even educate their reps that a GT3 isn't an Audi...
*sigh*
-td
Me: (calling Porsche service department). Hi, my name is [], I have a GT3 that is coming up on 29,000 miles, so I figured I make an appointment to get a 30,000 mile checkup.
Them: OK. What kind of car is that again?
Me: It's a 996 GT3.
Them: Is that an Audi?
Me: No, it's a Porsche. A Carrera, just a GT3 version.
Them: (silence)
Me: It's a 911.
Them: (keyboard clicking in background) Oh, OK. I got it.
...
Seriously? That's what they have? Now, I know that the person answering phones isn't a mechanic, but it appears that a Porsche dealer will not even educate their reps that a GT3 isn't an Audi...
*sigh*
-td
Last edited by himself; 07-23-2010 at 05:50 PM. Reason: typo
07-23-2010, 05:37 PM
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It's hard for some of us to fathom I know... But I've had nearly the same conversations with Owners!... "Hi, I'd like to make an appointment for my 2000 Porsche" - Ok, is that a Boxster or 996? "Niether, it's a 911." 
Ok!
I spose' everyone has to recieve the information for the first time at some point, you'd just hope it wasn't while answering phones at the Dealership!
Ok!I spose' everyone has to recieve the information for the first time at some point, you'd just hope it wasn't while answering phones at the Dealership!
07-23-2010, 06:00 PM
#3
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I once had somebody ask me (and rather irritated) why a car would be named after Sept. 11th...
If you called saying you had a 2004/5 Porsche, (s)he would've scrolled to that menu, and likely asked you if it was a Carrera/GT3/turbo/etc. It's not just Porsche though, I don't imagine anybody at the BMW dealer would know what an e36/zM car is either. You may know what it is, but most others won't.
To balance this out though, here's my feel good story:
I recently walked into a dealer and asked them about an MK2 996, and he knew exactly which car I was referring to.
If you called saying you had a 2004/5 Porsche, (s)he would've scrolled to that menu, and likely asked you if it was a Carrera/GT3/turbo/etc. It's not just Porsche though, I don't imagine anybody at the BMW dealer would know what an e36/zM car is either. You may know what it is, but most others won't.
To balance this out though, here's my feel good story:
I recently walked into a dealer and asked them about an MK2 996, and he knew exactly which car I was referring to.
07-23-2010, 06:05 PM
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At least your service advisor spoke to you. I have been trying to get my dealer to return a phone call. I need to bring my 944 in for it's driver education check up. After three non returned messages I am looking for someone to go over the car. I guess 944 money isn't good enough for them. Anybody know a good mechanic in North Florida?
07-23-2010, 06:48 PM
#6
Funny thing that just happened to me. I called a local Porsche dealer to set up a service appointment.
Me: (calling Porsche service department). Hi, my name is [], I have a GT3 that is coming up on 29,000 miles, so I figured I make an appointment to get a 30,000 mile checkup.
Rep thinks ah shucks its not my girlfriend and minimizes his web browser to see the desktop selections
Them: OK. What kind of car is that again?
Me: It's a 996 GT3.
Rep laments to himself about not getting any deals on cars so that at least he'd know what the cars are
Them: Is that an Audi?
Me: No, it's a Porsche. A Carrera, just a GT3 version.
Rep realizes its one of the guys that got what he wants and clicks the porsche icon to see the list of models but his 5 open windows slows the program from opening
Them: (silence)
Rep get an instant message from his girl
Me: It's a 911.
Rep after constantly trying to move the instant messager pop-up window out of the way answers instant message from his girl and closes it to see the porsche program finally opening
Them: (keyboard clicking in background) Oh, OK. I got it.
Rep browses through options to transfer you to help line in india then suddenly his computer responds with the full menus
...
Seriously? That's what they have? Now, I know that the person answering phones isn't a mechanic, but it appears that a Porsche dealer will not even educate their reps that a GT3 isn't an Audi...
*sigh*
-td
Me: (calling Porsche service department). Hi, my name is [], I have a GT3 that is coming up on 29,000 miles, so I figured I make an appointment to get a 30,000 mile checkup.
Rep thinks ah shucks its not my girlfriend and minimizes his web browser to see the desktop selections
Them: OK. What kind of car is that again?
Me: It's a 996 GT3.
Rep laments to himself about not getting any deals on cars so that at least he'd know what the cars are
Them: Is that an Audi?
Me: No, it's a Porsche. A Carrera, just a GT3 version.
Rep realizes its one of the guys that got what he wants and clicks the porsche icon to see the list of models but his 5 open windows slows the program from opening
Them: (silence)
Rep get an instant message from his girl
Me: It's a 911.
Rep after constantly trying to move the instant messager pop-up window out of the way answers instant message from his girl and closes it to see the porsche program finally opening
Them: (keyboard clicking in background) Oh, OK. I got it.
Rep browses through options to transfer you to help line in india then suddenly his computer responds with the full menus
...
Seriously? That's what they have? Now, I know that the person answering phones isn't a mechanic, but it appears that a Porsche dealer will not even educate their reps that a GT3 isn't an Audi...
*sigh*
-td
07-23-2010, 07:19 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Typical.
I wouldn't let that dealership check the air in my tires!
It may be the same dealership that had a tech call us today asking if the drain plug in an M96 engine had left or right hand threads.
Sad, really, really sad.
I wouldn't let that dealership check the air in my tires!
It may be the same dealership that had a tech call us today asking if the drain plug in an M96 engine had left or right hand threads.
Sad, really, really sad.
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07-23-2010, 07:25 PM
#8
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North Florida mechanics:
Pensacola - Harry Williams Imports <Porsche Cert in the biz for over 20 yrs> (ask for Harry or Dave)
Jacksonville - Technical Dimensions <944 specialists, also race them> (ask for Seth)
Pensacola - Harry Williams Imports <Porsche Cert in the biz for over 20 yrs> (ask for Harry or Dave)
Jacksonville - Technical Dimensions <944 specialists, also race them> (ask for Seth)
07-23-2010, 08:23 PM
#9
one of the folks that called me about my car when I had in on craigslist for a couple of days:
him: Hi calling about the Porsche 911
me: hi
him : <yada about how he loves cars and has bimmers and benzes but never a Porsche, how he loved them know everything about them etc> BTW, is it an "S"?
me: nope its a 996 c2..
him: oh sorry, I dont want a 996, I wanted a 911 carrera, my mistake, bye.
him: Hi calling about the Porsche 911
me: hi
him : <yada about how he loves cars and has bimmers and benzes but never a Porsche, how he loved them know everything about them etc> BTW, is it an "S"?
me: nope its a 996 c2..
him: oh sorry, I dont want a 996, I wanted a 911 carrera, my mistake, bye.
07-23-2010, 08:55 PM
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Thanks for the advice. Will definitely look up Tech Dimensions. I forgot about them. Only good thing about going to Brumos is my 30% off labor. Oh well.
07-23-2010, 09:31 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Here's one for you:
Me: So? Any news on my car yet?
Advisor: Yeah, looks like you're going to need everything. Clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and ahhh release bearing? (said the last one like a question)
Me: Really? It really didn't feel like a worn clutch, more like a 'POP' then it stopped working. Are you sure?
Advisor: Yeah. Clutches aren't covered by the CPO.
Me: Great. How much is that going to cost? $22-2300?
Advisor: Looks like about $2600... in parts. 9 hours labour on top of that.
Me: (silence)... Wow. Okay. What do I owe you for taking the transmission out if I take the car now?
Advisor: Oh, we didn't take the transmission out yet.
Me: REALLY?! How do you know all this is gone and it isn't a failed pressure plate that should be covered??
Advisor: Not sure. Ummm let me talk to the tech.
Me: Who is the tech?
Advisor: (Master Tech name)
Me: Yeah, please go ask the tech how he knows all this by just driving the car, if he even did that.
Advisor: Okay, one sec.
(Hold music)
Advisor: Okay talked to the tech. He says that it's just going based on his experience. I'm just supposed to call to authorize the amount to take the tranny out and look.
Me: Ohhhh i see. Well I already told (name of another advisor) to take it out and if it wasn't warranty I'd pay the 5 hours.
Advisor: Oh, okay. I'll tell the tech that he can go ahead. I should give you a call in the next few days to let you know what we found.
Me: A few more days? Really? You've had it for almost a week now.
Advisor: Blahblahblah
Called another dealer about 5 hours away where I bought the car from but haven't taken there ever.
Me: Was driving along and all of a sudden the clutch kinda poped and pedal feel changed. The first 90% of travel is really soft...
Advisor: (cuts me off) ... then it gets really hard and slips?
Me: YEAH!
Advisor: Bring it on in. Sounds like a faulty pressure plate. Do you have warranty?
Me: Yes sir! What if the clutch is worn when you get in there?
Advisor: Depends, sometimes it's covered. Worst case scenario you pay for the part we put it in no charge while we're in there.
Me: Great! Except I'm in Ottawa and you're in Toronto.
Advisor: Is that the red one?
Me: Yeah.
Advisor: I remember you. We replaced a headlight when you came to pick it up because there was a chip in it (this was 9 months ago).
Me: That's awsome man!
Advisor: Send it down, should have it back by Monday latest. (It was thursday)
Me: blahblahblah
Interesting difference in the level of confidence that is inspired by those conversations.
Me: So? Any news on my car yet?
Advisor: Yeah, looks like you're going to need everything. Clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and ahhh release bearing? (said the last one like a question)
Me: Really? It really didn't feel like a worn clutch, more like a 'POP' then it stopped working. Are you sure?
Advisor: Yeah. Clutches aren't covered by the CPO.
Me: Great. How much is that going to cost? $22-2300?
Advisor: Looks like about $2600... in parts. 9 hours labour on top of that.
Me: (silence)... Wow. Okay. What do I owe you for taking the transmission out if I take the car now?
Advisor: Oh, we didn't take the transmission out yet.
Me: REALLY?! How do you know all this is gone and it isn't a failed pressure plate that should be covered??
Advisor: Not sure. Ummm let me talk to the tech.
Me: Who is the tech?
Advisor: (Master Tech name)
Me: Yeah, please go ask the tech how he knows all this by just driving the car, if he even did that.
Advisor: Okay, one sec.
(Hold music)
Advisor: Okay talked to the tech. He says that it's just going based on his experience. I'm just supposed to call to authorize the amount to take the tranny out and look.
Me: Ohhhh i see. Well I already told (name of another advisor) to take it out and if it wasn't warranty I'd pay the 5 hours.
Advisor: Oh, okay. I'll tell the tech that he can go ahead. I should give you a call in the next few days to let you know what we found.
Me: A few more days? Really? You've had it for almost a week now.
Advisor: Blahblahblah
Called another dealer about 5 hours away where I bought the car from but haven't taken there ever.
Me: Was driving along and all of a sudden the clutch kinda poped and pedal feel changed. The first 90% of travel is really soft...
Advisor: (cuts me off) ... then it gets really hard and slips?
Me: YEAH!
Advisor: Bring it on in. Sounds like a faulty pressure plate. Do you have warranty?
Me: Yes sir! What if the clutch is worn when you get in there?
Advisor: Depends, sometimes it's covered. Worst case scenario you pay for the part we put it in no charge while we're in there.
Me: Great! Except I'm in Ottawa and you're in Toronto.
Advisor: Is that the red one?
Me: Yeah.
Advisor: I remember you. We replaced a headlight when you came to pick it up because there was a chip in it (this was 9 months ago).
Me: That's awsome man!
Advisor: Send it down, should have it back by Monday latest. (It was thursday)
Me: blahblahblah
Interesting difference in the level of confidence that is inspired by those conversations.
07-23-2010, 10:01 PM
#13
Drifting
That is funny... My favorite dealer story:
A few years back, I spoke over the phone with a sales rep at a Mini Cooper dealership just months after it opened to inquire about ordering a car and taking European Delivery. Best two lines ever:
Me: "Can I get European Delivery on a Mini Cooper S"
Dealer: "No, they are made in England"
Me: "Uh....Okay. Can I pick it up in England then"
Dealer: "No, but even if you could, the steering wheel would be on the wrong side!!!"
I am certain she hung up thinking I was the biggest idiot in the state.
Truly priceless...
-B
A few years back, I spoke over the phone with a sales rep at a Mini Cooper dealership just months after it opened to inquire about ordering a car and taking European Delivery. Best two lines ever:
Me: "Can I get European Delivery on a Mini Cooper S"
Dealer: "No, they are made in England"
Me: "Uh....Okay. Can I pick it up in England then"
Dealer: "No, but even if you could, the steering wheel would be on the wrong side!!!"
I am certain she hung up thinking I was the biggest idiot in the state.
Truly priceless...
-B
07-24-2010, 01:02 AM
#14
Drifting
That is funny... My favorite dealer story:
A few years back, I spoke over the phone with a sales rep at a Mini Cooper dealership just months after it opened to inquire about ordering a car and taking European Delivery. Best two lines ever:
Me: "Can I get European Delivery on a Mini Cooper S"
Dealer: "No, they are made in England"
Me: "Uh....Okay. Can I pick it up in England then"
Dealer: "No, but even if you could, the steering wheel would be on the wrong side!!!"
I am certain she hung up thinking I was the biggest idiot in the state.
Truly priceless...
-B
A few years back, I spoke over the phone with a sales rep at a Mini Cooper dealership just months after it opened to inquire about ordering a car and taking European Delivery. Best two lines ever:
Me: "Can I get European Delivery on a Mini Cooper S"
Dealer: "No, they are made in England"
Me: "Uh....Okay. Can I pick it up in England then"
Dealer: "No, but even if you could, the steering wheel would be on the wrong side!!!"
I am certain she hung up thinking I was the biggest idiot in the state.
Truly priceless...
-B
07-24-2010, 01:58 AM
#15
heres' one, this happened last week... tech inspection at dealer for DE
me: howd' she do?
advisor: she flunked inspection
me: REALLY? for what?
advisor: wheel bearings
me: which one?
advisor: let me check.... (shouts out back for tech), its the front
me: which front?
advisor: (shouts out back for tech), right front
me: Are you sure?
advisor: yeah, we shook it and it wobbled bad.... and it wasnt just the lugs. You want it fixed?
me: no.... I'll take care of it. Thanks
so I go home and put it on the lift, pull on the wheels.... no wobble, spin the wheels no noise.
Went to my Indie to have them look at it..... calls me the next day.... sez the bearings are fine. So I had my wheels aligned (more aggressive) while it was up there.... and yes I missed the DE session, still pissed about that.
me: howd' she do?
advisor: she flunked inspection
me: REALLY? for what?
advisor: wheel bearings
me: which one?
advisor: let me check.... (shouts out back for tech), its the front
me: which front?
advisor: (shouts out back for tech), right front
me: Are you sure?
advisor: yeah, we shook it and it wobbled bad.... and it wasnt just the lugs. You want it fixed?
me: no.... I'll take care of it. Thanks
so I go home and put it on the lift, pull on the wheels.... no wobble, spin the wheels no noise.
Went to my Indie to have them look at it..... calls me the next day.... sez the bearings are fine. So I had my wheels aligned (more aggressive) while it was up there.... and yes I missed the DE session, still pissed about that.