Spoke with Dante, the service manager of this location. Absolute pleasure. We called, trying to explain our concerns over continual issues with two cars we purchased from that location that were not being met. He kindly listened, before explaining why we might be exaggerating, because - and I quote - "[unnamed servicer advisor] is actually one of my best advisors", which wasn't just irrelevant if it was true, but also just thick-headed and argumentative of a statement to make to customers trying to explain a grievance.
I mentioned to the gentleman, as an example, that our front emblem was ripped off in the car washing process. The service manager proceeded to explain that accidents happen, and continually -- and impartially, I would add -- defend his service advisor. No problem. Really, we understand. He was quite confident that we were also exaggerating that issue, as well.
Quick question, however: if your service advisor was doing an adequate job, wouldn't that include reviewing the work the service department provided? The front emblem was ripped off - even someone with terrible peripheral vision could notice it. Can you explain -- even if it was an accident -- how that was missed? Either they were incompetent and didn't notice, or they're lying. The service manager seemed to argue with us that there was no bad intention, so I assume the former. The service advisor even admitted to my wife that car emblems are ripped off frequently. My wife asked the service manager - mind you, my wife has experience working for a dealership - if the service advisor took any sort inspections, up to and including taking images of the car. The service manager said that they do quick walk-arounds and jot down damages. Great. So how does your department not do follow-up inspections to ensure that damage was not done? Isn't that inconsistent and futile to JUST briefly examine the car at delivery? That is comically negligent - and self-admitted, too!
Admitted snide and sarcasm aside, that was ridiculous to have to talk to someone who clearly had the prejudice that we were umbrage-takers looking to complain. It says a lot when you start a conversation over customer grievance by letting the customer know that their advisor is a great person and that we might be blowing clearly negligent behavior on our feelz. Fact is we've had and have been making payments on two cars with features that were a crucial selling point to our buying decision, and each time we receive our car back with shoddy work and there's no clear effort to adequately explain the work or issues that were fixed. At this point, CarMax appears to just be shooing us away to the dealerships, without providing information on how provide payment information - again, we're within our contractual period of covered repairs, so we shouldn't be asked to front the payments on repairs that exceed even CarMax's standard deduction requirements.
At least the service manager was kind enough to provide his name and extension for the dealerships, shortly before ending the call abruptly and annoyed. Great service. Maybe next time -- and this is a suggestion -- ask if there's anything else you can help with? Like, for example, asking if the customer would like another advisor.
I'm sure CarMax hears this all the time, so it should sound like a familiar hymn to their ears when I state: I've boughten slightly more than half-a-dozen cars from them and my family has, too. I've had too many bad experiences at just the South Sacramento CarMax. We're going to pay off the cars early, avoid paying CarMax interest, and never buying from them again. We're also going to make it our mission to encourage our family and friends to not shop at CarMax.
Please speak with your service manager. My wife and I were blue collar workers and dealt with customers. We don't believe the bullshit that the customer is always right. In this case, the employee was just wrong - and arrogant about it, too. read more