What to do, what to do...

[Y2K5SRT]

Here in Kansas City the Viper owners have come up against a very interesting problem. The recommended Dodge 5-Star dealer with one of the best Viper techs has instituted a new policy: They will no longer work on any Viper that they didn't sell originally. Mind you, this dealership has maybe sold five Vipers in the past few years. In other words, if you bought your Viper anywhere but there (Woodhouse, Roanoke, Buhler, Ringgold, etc.) then they will not even change the oil for you - much less do any other work.

But wait, it gets better! The other dealership that we have turned to for Viper work here in town just lost both of their Viper techs. Where did they go? To the FIRST dealership mentioned above! So now the dealership with the most Viper techs in the entire metro refuses to work on all but a handful of Vipers. Mind you, they will still sell parts to VCA members for a very good price, but will not service the cars unless you had a prior relationship with the dealership.

Why is all of this happening? They say that many Viper owners are just "too picky" and caused them nothing but headaches. Scratches that may or may not have happened during service, etc. Unfortunately, they may indeed be culpable in some of these instances. And now they are pretty much the only game in town - and they won't let you play.

So now what?

 

[DEVILDOG]

Call SRT HQ. They owe you one!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Vipers are the most expensive vehicle Dodge has ever built and there dealers have ever sold. Their staff and mechanics aren't used to dealing with a cliental that demands good service for their money. They like the soccer Moms, that take their sh-t, pay without a complaint and drive away happy in their mini vans.
Hopefully a few complaints to DC will get them inline.
Are they trying to give us more reasons not to spend this kind of money on American car? [******]

 

[DodgeViper01]

Idiots but if they do not want your business, I would not fight for it because in the end you are fighting with a company so that you can pay them. Also if they are damaging car, I would like to stay away.

 

[AZTVR]

I would be interested to hear what repair facility DC recommends for servicing their product in your area. I would suggest to them that since this particular dealership prefers not to deal with Viper owners, they should not be allowed to sell that product line, or any other performance product sold by Dodge.

 

[ViperJohn]

I would be interested to hear what repair facility DC recommends for servicing their product in your area. I would suggest to them that since this particular dealership prefers not to deal with Viper owners, they should not be allowed to sell that product line, or any other performance product sold by Dodge.

Bingo! Then again, would you want to take your car to that dealership? It sounds as if they had a lot of problems taking care of the cars.

 

[NHL2133]

Three Viper techs for 5 Vipers...healthy competition! I hope they get to work on something other then Vipers, or they are going to have to move into their service bay's in a month or two. en Vipers, or they are going to have to move into their service bay's in a month or two.

 

[PatentLaw]

Wow......but it just leads me to think of something.....suppose there was a recall, like a safety recall, and they refused the service. Is DC on the hook(liable) as their "authorized dealer" refused service? Are not maintenance items really safety concerns for the owner? Warranty items not taken care of as well? Would that be breach of contract between DC and the owner? I am sure that properly placed pressure with DC may cause the dealer to "rethink" their policy. That dealer is REALLY going out on a limb....

 

[big-n-italian]

<< Viper owners are just "too picky" >>

HOLY CRAP! what is the price for a new coupe nowadays? $80,000? and they are shocked that we are picky?!

we arent talking about $5,000 neons here for heavens sake! sheesh!

 

[Newport Viper]

One of the first questions I am always asked before service is.... Did you buy the car here?

DC why is that?

 

[Y2K5SRT]

One of the first questions I am always asked before service is.... Did you buy the car here?

DC why is that?

Actually, I think the reason for that is so that they know whether or not they already have your information in the system. Rather than play 20 Questions about name, address, phone, VIN, etc., they can simply pull it up if you bought it there or already had it serviced there previously. At least that would be my guess, as I get that at every dealership I encounter - GM, etc.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

One of the first questions I am always asked before service is.... Did you buy the car here?
DC why is that?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW, would do the same to me.

 

[bloose]

While it's possible that owners and their vehicles that were purchased at the dealer may receive additional free services or preferential treatment, I think it's highly questionable whether this dealer can refuse to service your vehicle.

I'm sure this is something that is covered in their contract or agreement with DC. However as was mentioned above, knowing what you know, would you still want to do business with them? Probably not.

 

[AZTVR]

Have you discussed this with the General Manager, to determine whether he is aware of this policy. Sometimes a lower level manager might not be aware of the impact something like this can have. You should let him know that the point is that Viper owners have the unique opportunity to network with many people in the community. Every time we fill the gas tank, go to a car show, park the car at a restaraunt, we have a conversation with someone who asks us how we like the car. Does he want us saying, it's great, except for the fact that ________ dealership *****? My only encounter so far with my local dealership was outstanding. The Viper tech was the only real contact. He scheduled the appointment, acted as service writer, was the one to move the car to and from his bay, exchanged the keys with me directly at pick up and drop off, and presented the car cleaned and vacuumed. All of this just for a wheel alignment on a car purchased out of state. He acted like they wanted me as a customer.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Here's the easy answer. Take your car to the dealership, trade it in for a minivan. then turn around and buy your car back. They will work on your car now























MORONS should lose the capability to sell anything from Dodge Good luck Chris, I hope you can get the GM fired for this stupid decision

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Woodhouse Performance would like to invite all of these displaced customers to use us as their primary Viper service center. Our group of (8) Viper only specialist love to take in new clients. We welcome all of you and offer a resonably priced enclosed transport service that will accomodate most of you. If you can get someone to pick up on the turn around trip I will save you even more on the service. We offer a full line of services from the simple to the extreme, so if you need something just call! and we will take care of you and your prized possesion.

Mark Jorgensen

Cell phone day or night for Viper questions

 

[sbkim]

Chris - I am sorry to hear that. May I ask which dealership you are referring to? I presume it's the one off of 435/Metcalf

Hope all is well in KS

 

[jdoc7]

Please let everyone know which dealer this is! That is just unbelievable that they would turn away Viper clientele. I'm glad I live close to Roanoke Dodge. John Gastman and his staff have been nothing but helpful and courteous to me even though I purchased my pre-owned Viper elsewhere.

 

[big-n-italian]

<< I'm glad I live close to Roanoke Dodge. John Gastman and his staff have been nothing but helpful and courteous to me even though I purchased my pre-owned Viper elsewhere. >>

major dittos on this comment jdoc. we indeed are VERY fortunate that we live so close to Roanoke, IL.

 

[BadVenm]

That's a poor business choice on their part. That alone will make me find another Dodge dealer to service my 2005 Cummins Turbo Diesel Ram, which was bought from that dealership, if it's the one mentioned in the above post.......


6 words - Chuck Anderson Ford Excelsior Springs Missouri !!

816-630-1700 The best Viper Service in this area!!

They did all the mods on my Gen I and Gen II listed in my signature, they are awesome!!

 

[joe117]

"They say that many Viper owners are just "too picky" and caused them nothing but headaches. Scratches that may or may not have happened during service, etc."

I believe that this is probably true.
They didn't bail out of working on Vipers for nothing.
This is their reason.

Good or bad, this is a business decision. It must be based on their experience.

I took a snake head Viper key to a Dodge dealer to get it cut. It wouldn't fit in a hardware store cutter.
The guy at the dealer let it slip and ruined it.
He said he'd get me another and he did. He had no idea what the price was and he was shocked.

He got me another key but refused to cut it.

Same thing. Too much to lose for them to mess with it.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Joe....maybe they should just get good at what they do instead of refusing to do something because it is too hard....or beyond their level of knowledge.

 

[jdoc7]

Joe....maybe they should just get good at what they do instead of refusing to do something because it is too hard....or beyond their level of knowledge

I agree to a degree. If they absolutely do not have the equipment, knowledge, capability, etc to fix or service Vipers, then by all means, let the patron know and send them elesewhere. I wouldn't want to take my car to someone who had little experience with it. However, if you just absolutely refuse because of where the car was bought or even worse, because you don't like Viper owners, then thats just plain wrong...last time I checked, that's called discrimination!

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I concur jdoc....and as Chris stated, this dealership appears to have all the Viper tech. They obviously have the right people.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Other than Mike Anderson's shop, the only guy I let touch my Viper is Joe Donovan at Performance by Joe in St. Louis.

It is MORE than worth the 4 hour drive each way to make sure my car is in the best hands possible. He's also one of the very few independent shops (non Dodge dealership) to be able to offer warranty work. I know it's more of a hassle than running 10 minutes down the street, but I don't want someone working on my car that doesn't want to be working on my car.

For the small stuff, I do it myself or make our Viper Club Vice President/Treasurer Jerry Dobson help me.

 

[KenH]

They probably underestimate how many Viper owners also tend to buy quite a few other Dodge vehicles which are usually purchased from the dealership they deal with the most or feel the most comfortable with. Cutting off Viper servicing has also got to affect non-viper new car sales to this group as well I would think.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

It simply defies logic that a dealership would have numerous Viper techs....yet limit which Vipers they will work on. What do you say,Chris....is this possibly a misunderstanding??

 

[danfromohio]

It simply defies logic that a dealership would have numerous Viper techs....yet limit which Vipers they will work on. What do you say,Chris....is this possibly a misunderstanding??

I agree. They're saying "No, we don't want your money."? That doesn't sound like any car dealership I've ever heard of.

 

[AviP]

So now what?

Very simple. The Chrysler and Jeep brands also fall under the Chrysler Sales Group. You can take your Dodge to a Chrysler/Jeep dealership and get the same service albeit without a Viper tech. Now most Viper techs are morons with the few exceptions that are well advertized on this forum. So for your basic service needs (oil change, rotors, pads, wheels, coolant, a/c, belt, etc) take it to a Chrysler/Jeep dealership). None of this will void your warranty.

I take my PT Cruiser to a Dodge dealership all the time. Of course, it's not a Viper but then that only gets Tator's special attention.

 

[Matt M PA]

At least for warranty work...they cannot refuse to service the car. In the end though, for regular old "paying" customers...they can refuse to do business with anyone they like.

The above said...I see they still offer VCA disounted parts. I'd send them an e-mail or letter, letting them know that I would no longer be doing ANY business with them if they are going to continue the practice of not serving Vipers they did not sell.

If they wanted to, they could easily set up a form like any of the car mover people and go over the car with each owner before it is left for servie. Any scratches, marks, etc could be noted and the customer could sign that they were present before service. If their techs cause new damage....they should be on the hook to make it right. Maybe their techs are indeed causing damage but saying it was there when the car was left for service.