Wal,
This is exactly why I hope and trust that this one is followed right through to its logical conclusion. All too often there are problems that are kept hidden from sometimes dealer principals, other times distributors by often well meaning employees or subordinates. They find out they have a problem long after it has grown from a small issue to a major drama and too late to rectify it. Often complaints get no further than the dealers and as such the distributor is not aware of the extent of some problems.
The Japs @ Toyota had the right idea many years ago when they sent a questionnaire out to all dealers asking for owners details, how their cars were running and if they were having problems. They based this on the hints that were filtering through regarding parts availability and as a result, we had to send a full report to head office on what was off the road, what it was waiting for, how long it had been waiting and the reasons given for the delay. They turned a bad reputation around overnight, but as I keep saying, they not only faced up to problems, they addressed them and this seems something our fellows seem incapable of doing or even considering.
If ATECO do the right thing and lay their cards on the table, people like yourself and Gerry should be looked after regardless of cost and time if they are looking at increasing their market, dealer network and long term plans of becoming a reasonably sized player in the Australian car market.
We have had good dealers in the past; Maxims had a good reputation as did the late John Cant and presently Euroservice which is operated by Jim Reddiex's son (ex Maxims) is good in Brisbane but to my knowledge no longer can do warranty work which makes you wonder why they'd be playing politics (an established custom in the car business) when they could be establishing a better reputation, :crazy: :crazy:
Alan S
This is exactly why I hope and trust that this one is followed right through to its logical conclusion. All too often there are problems that are kept hidden from sometimes dealer principals, other times distributors by often well meaning employees or subordinates. They find out they have a problem long after it has grown from a small issue to a major drama and too late to rectify it. Often complaints get no further than the dealers and as such the distributor is not aware of the extent of some problems.
The Japs @ Toyota had the right idea many years ago when they sent a questionnaire out to all dealers asking for owners details, how their cars were running and if they were having problems. They based this on the hints that were filtering through regarding parts availability and as a result, we had to send a full report to head office on what was off the road, what it was waiting for, how long it had been waiting and the reasons given for the delay. They turned a bad reputation around overnight, but as I keep saying, they not only faced up to problems, they addressed them and this seems something our fellows seem incapable of doing or even considering.
If ATECO do the right thing and lay their cards on the table, people like yourself and Gerry should be looked after regardless of cost and time if they are looking at increasing their market, dealer network and long term plans of becoming a reasonably sized player in the Australian car market.
We have had good dealers in the past; Maxims had a good reputation as did the late John Cant and presently Euroservice which is operated by Jim Reddiex's son (ex Maxims) is good in Brisbane but to my knowledge no longer can do warranty work which makes you wonder why they'd be playing politics (an established custom in the car business) when they could be establishing a better reputation, :crazy: :crazy:
Alan S
