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General Fiat Customer Service WORST EVER!

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General Fiat Customer Service WORST EVER!

R

roocarl

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Feb 17, 2009
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I have been trying to find out from Fiat about 500c the service is
the worst I have ever experienced!!!!
1, I have had one dealer tell me they hever heard of a 500c, and could not be arsed to check on web if it existed?
2, Tried another Dealer asked about a test drive in a regular 500 they said they would call back! no call so i went in, car not there salesman out in it that day would call me back 3 days later still waiting
3, Tried to email Fiat customer service direct ( who promise a return email in 24 hours ) explaining my concern over dealers but still keen to put a deposit down if they could hint when car is out, No reply!!!!!!!!!
4, 2 days later email fiat customer service again asking if not too much trouble a reply would be polite!
5 Guess what Still no reply from any of them!!!
In the last 5 years I have purchased and had cars serviced by Porsche, BMW, Mini and Seat every one have been Polite and Professional with Mini being the best!!
the 500 may look cool may be of decent build quality but if Fiat treat there customers like S-H -I -T they will lose a lot of them
and to be honest everyone of my mates, family, business contacts etc who I told i was thinking of getting a 500c I am now telling Fiat are useless awful sustomer service worst most unprofessional company I have ever tried to deal with!
Sorry about rant, perhaps I have been unlucky in dealing with donkeys but as you can tell I am a tad fed up!!!
 
The 500C has not been dealer launched yet, they won't until they have physical cars and have been through the training - have a look at the Fiat website, it asks you to register online to get details.

Patience young jedi!;)
 
Fiat salespeople tend to be poor. Period. They aren't employed by Fiat but by private dealers, and a culture of thirdratism has been pervasive for years. It really is a pity.

But I was in a Citroen dealer the other day and heard a salesman there telling lies to a couple of putative customers, so it isn't just Fiat dealers ;)

Shame actually, because I have met a couple of really good blokes.
 
Ulpian said:
Fiat salespeople tend to be poor. Period. They aren't employed by Fiat but by private dealers, ]

Aren't nearly all dealers franchises and not employed by the manufacturers? I must agree that many car sale people still have the old school method of getting a sale not matter what, just doesn't work in this day and age, ends up pissing people off.

sorry to hear they are that bad.
Click to expand...
 
Fiat Customer Service is done by Fiat the manufacturer, sales are done throught franchised dealers - totally seperate

why does it matter what the salesman is like?

surely you go in with knowledge that you want the car and you can decide the spec online - so they are just there to demonstrate the car and take your order really.
what do you expect them to do to 'sell' the car to you, emotive music and totty holding flashing signs? it isn't "the price is right":rolleyes:

even better use someone like perrys and get a big discount(y)
 
You just expect a salesman to know his product, and have a bit of charm. Human characteristics really.

And of course it matters what the salesman is like. It matters what the salesman is like when buying a newspaper, and it matters when buying a house. We are humans, and charm and pleasantness when making daily exchanges make the process of living just that little bit more enjoyable - for everybody.

Britain is internationally known to be chav central, and more and more it feels like it out there on the streets and in the shops. A great pity because it wasn't always so.

OK, Estate Agents are selling a product of far greater value, and they can be rubbish too :D
 
True so in other words the salesman should have an easy job but they obviously still manage to screw things up. So doesn't it mean that the job is not as easy as we think. That when we go and buy something as expensive as a car we want more than just order it? Does this make any sense.:confused:
 
It varies wildly from dealer to dealer, you can't just call ALL Fiat service crap because you've had a bad experience at one dealership and sent 2 emails to Fiat.

Have you tried ringing them? Emails don't always get through, can you imagine just how many emails Fiat get daily and how many make it past the spam filters? Have you tried a different dealership? Have you looked up the 500C online properly? Because it's not going to be dealership released for a while yet!
 
My Dealership (chesterfield) were nice, arranged several test drives (cos i'm under 21 i couldn't borrow it for the afternoon, but they let my mum) and when i finally ordered they threw in mats and a key cover.

but, i am slightly annoyed that they havnt kept in contact much since, i was expecting my car to arrive middle of april, i rang them last week (being impatient) BUT actually car is complete and waiting for the boat and i'll be collecting her around the 9th march.
seemed like after they'd had my deposit that was it!

xhx
 
I know what you mean about having no updates. I was the same, always calling to see when it would be here. Problem I guess is that they are all busy and haven't got the time to call everyone every week. Kinda calling to say it still not here.
 
My dealership in Worksop were pleasant enough, quite easy going and no pressure, but once i had ordered I didnt hear anything about the car until I got a call to say "its here". I know this differs widely as lots of people on here got lots of calls to say what point their order was at. Didnt really bother me tho!
 
nottsfiat07 said:
My dealership in Worksop were pleasant enough, quite easy going and no pressure, but once i had ordered I didnt hear anything about the car until I got a call to say "its here". I know this differs widely as lots of people on here got lots of calls to say what point their order was at. Didnt really bother me tho!
Click to expand...

Same as me, they didn't ring me until it was here. But I'm glad they didn't, what's the point in ringing to say "It's on a boat. Bye" I'm glad they waited and just rang me to say it was here and would be ready within a week.
 
RobW said:
Fiat Customer Service is done by Fiat the manufacturer, sales are done throught franchised dealers - totally seperate

why does it matter what the salesman is like?

surely you go in with knowledge that you want the car and you can decide the spec online - so they are just there to demonstrate the car and take your order really.
what do you expect them to do to 'sell' the car to you, emotive music and totty holding flashing signs? it isn't "the price is right":rolleyes:

even better use someone like perrys and get a big discount(y)
Click to expand...

Agreed. I tend to research most purchases before I go out and buy something. To me the salesperson is just the person who takes my order if I buy something. Also people have to remember that these people are doing a job and how many people are keen enough about their jobs to research out of hours and go beyond the call of duty to find out about a model that's not yet released?

Lloyd71 said:
It varies wildly from dealer to dealer, you can't just call ALL Fiat service crap because you've had a bad experience at one dealership and sent 2 emails to Fiat.

Have you tried ringing them? Emails don't always get through, can you imagine just how many emails Fiat get daily and how many make it past the spam filters? Have you tried a different dealership? Have you looked up the 500C online properly? Because it's not going to be dealership released for a while yet!
Click to expand...

Agreed. It's always funny reading posts from people who email rather than call, emails are at the bottom of the list for people in customer service. Here is the order of importance when it comes to customers
1) Physical customers
2) People on the phone
3) People who write in
4) People who transmit thoughts telepathically
5) People who use carrier pigeons
.
.
.
.
.
857) People who email.

ALWAYS call if possible and better yet if you can actually go and see them then do that!. Also remember that dealerships get physical customers walking through the door and can sometimes be very busy so even the most dilligent salesperson might forget you if you call in the morning and leave a message and he/she has a busy day. I mean is the salesperson going to say to the person walking through the door "Sorry can't help you I've got to speak to someone who's not made the effort you have and came down here who wants to find out about a model that's not yet released and that I don't have any useful information about" :rolleyes:
 
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So they dont have to bother knowing about developments in the high cost products they sell, or show any interest in them, they dont have to bother with people unless they are there standing in front of them... what is their job exactly? Because if thats the case we might as well go over to a totally online ordering system, and when the car arrives we can send it back if we dont like it! Bit like argos with cars. Because I find the people in argos fairly disinterested sometimes.. but then I dont consider many £10,260 purchases in there either.
 
nottsfiat07 said:
So they dont have to bother knowing about developments in the high cost products they sell, or show any interest in them, they dont have to bother with people unless they are there standing in front of them... what is their job exactly? Because if thats the case we might as well go over to a totally online ordering system, and when the car arrives we can send it back if we dont like it! Bit like argos with cars. Because I find the people in argos fairly disinterested sometimes.. but then I dont consider many £10,260 purchases in there either.
Click to expand...

That's not what I said at all.

I'm simply saying that the person in front of the salesman gets priority over the person on the phone who gets priority over the person who sent an email. It's as simple as that. Also, like I said the 500c hasn't been launched yet and while I'm sure there are many salespeople who have found out as much as they can about it there will no doubt be some who have been advised of the launch. These people are human and as such we shouldn't expect them to know everything about a product which hasn't even been launched yet and won't be for sale for at another 3 or 4 months or so.
 
I cant believe a lot of your replies???

Your prepared to except rubbish service on the 2nd biggest purchase in your life !
Lets face it the car industry is on its knees this year down 40% sales thousands being laid off!!!
You should not have to expect bad service if you do you encourage it and make it acceptable, my design/sign business is doing well touch wood because i like to think I treat my customers how I expect to be treated and I gain a lot of clients of other companies who have customer service akin to Fiat!
In response to questions I have been into 2 dealers PHONED UP but as i was kept waiting for ages and having to pay for call on my mobile I emailed instead now 3 times,
Im sorry but if you think that is acceptable service your a fool!
I went to see about the motorcycle gloves today the salesman knew everything about gloves lining type of leather showed me new versions coming out prices press articles all this for a £40 purchase !
Apple service is excellent, shops staff emails phone service all fantastic thats why people love the service and product.
Mini brilliant when i bought new cabrio they kept me informed servicing a doddle even having hospitality suites at docklands motor show and Frankfurt show just showed them a mini key got free drinks sweets, chill out room etc
These companies make you feel special!
Fiat quite honestly over the last 2 weeks have not!
I have researched car on web did also register with fiat twice to recieve info , could not be even bothered to tell me when pics were put on website??
so what was point in registering?
So In summary I hope for excellent service! But I expect at least politeness and a reply !
Its a shame the 500 is a cool lil car I am pleased your all happy with your cars but that does not mean you have to accept terrible service !!!!!!!!!!
 
roocarl said:
I cant believe a lot of your replies???

Your prepared to except rubbish service on the 2nd biggest purchase in your life !
Lets face it the car industry is on its knees this year down 40% sales thousands being laid off!!!
You should not have to expect bad service if you do you encourage it and make it acceptable, my design/sign business is doing well touch wood because i like to think I treat my customers how I expect to be treated and I gain a lot of clients of other companies who have customer service akin to Fiat!
In response to questions I have been into 2 dealers PHONED UP but as i was kept waiting for ages and having to pay for call on my mobile I emailed instead now 3 times,
Im sorry but if you think that is acceptable service your a fool!
I went to see about the motorcycle gloves today the salesman knew everything about gloves lining type of leather showed me new versions coming out prices press articles all this for a £40 purchase !
Apple service is excellent, shops staff emails phone service all fantastic thats why people love the service and product.
Mini brilliant when i bought new cabrio they kept me informed servicing a doddle even having hospitality suites at docklands motor show and Frankfurt show just showed them a mini key got free drinks sweets, chill out room etc
These companies make you feel special!
Fiat quite honestly over the last 2 weeks have not!
I have researched car on web did also register with fiat twice to recieve info , could not be even bothered to tell me when pics were put on website??
so what was point in registering?
So In summary I hope for excellent service! But I expect at least politeness and a reply !
Its a shame the 500 is a cool lil car I am pleased your all happy with your cars but that does not mean you have to accept terrible service !!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Don't buy a Fiat then......

For Petes sake, drive to a dealer and have a talk to someone, don't wait for someone to contact you

You talk about Mini and Apple making you feel special. If Fiat bent you over and violated you for 20%+ more than what the competitors charge then perhaps they would be able to provide chillout rooms, greasemonkey bars and stuff that impresses clots who are more interested in brands, packaging and ooh look at me stuff.

Do yourself a favour and just go down to the bloody dealer or call Fiat customer service rather than sitting here on a forum complaining about customer service when you could be doing something to get what you want.

I don't necessarily think what you've endured is acceptable but if it were me I'd have done something 2 weeks ago to get the answers I wanted rather than stewing over it....
 
nottsfiat07 said:
My dealership in Worksop were pleasant enough, quite easy going and no pressure, but once i had ordered I didnt hear anything about the car until I got a call to say "its here". I know this differs widely as lots of people on here got lots of calls to say what point their order was at. Didnt really bother me tho!
Click to expand...

I think a web interface would be good like when you order something on the web, most companies will give you a tracking number for your order which allows you to find out the progress of your order at any given moment, find out where it is in the delivery network and get an idea of when it will be delivered. A system like this would probably save a lot of work for dealers with people asking "where's my order at?" and "is my car there yet? Is my car there yet? Is my car there yet?"

:)
 
The dealer I bought my 500 from were pretty good regarding the sale of the car, a first for a Fiat dealer! The dealer I tried before were rude and never phoned back or acted professionally, they even lied on several occasions. Ive had two dealers prior to that lie on occasions too, so in my experience Fiat dealers have been extremely poor on the whole... not little white lies either but big fat ones!

Recently I have purchased both a bike (Yamaha) and a smart fortwo... on both occasions the dealers have been excellent, always phoning back and even answering emails on several occasions! Email is by far the easiest way to communicate now and dealers should accept that.

Regarding Fiat CS, I emailed them to say how dissapointed I was at the part exchange figure offered by their dealers for my 500. I suggested it should be more as Fiat were still charging top prices for used 500s. Their answer was to try and sell it somewhere else, I did just that and got £600 more from the smart dealer:)
 
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