Shop4Parts - UK's largest online superstore for FIAT and Alfa Romeo parts

What is it YOU hate about Fiat ?....

Currently reading:
What is it YOU hate about Fiat ?....

Dark_Crusader

Dark_Crusader

Patron member
Written a guide
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
616
Points
229
Location
Edmonton
A few days ago i posted a thread 'What is it YOU love about Fiat ?....'

Probably the thing that springs to mind most is some of the after sales service you get from some Fiat dealerships. When the car is shiny and new (not that I ever bought brand new myslef personally :eek:), depending on the type of dealer you have it seems they can't do enough for you. When the new gen Fiat's arrive, your motor takes on the role as the b****rd Son of Satan with a deadly plague :rolleyes: It becomes a vehicle that they are less likely to want to bother with.
I can obviously appreciate the fact that new ranges have to be promoted and updated. However, if it was'nt for a number of dedicated owners/enthusiasts clubs such as FF (yay) and a sprinkling of GOOD dealerships/franchises then IMO Fiat would have been dead as Disco a number of years back.
Now that Fiat have paid most of their bills and are actually being recognised more so now on a global platform for producing good innovative and stylish cars ( 500's making their way stateside and good holdings/ manufacture in Brazil to name a few) there IS a change happening in dealerships ALBEIT very slowly... but it's a start!
I think even though Fiat had issues with standards of service and Customer Service and after sales support, if they were to sit up and take notice of how other competitors deal with their clients old owners and new I believe it would stand them in better stead and strengthen their reputation. It may also improve ratings when it comes to things like 'JD Power' surveys and alike too:rolleyes:

Anyways that's my rant over :p it's time to open the floodgates on this particular side of my other thread, and ask What is it YOU hate about Fiat ?....
 
Last edited:
Dark_Crusader said:
I think even though Fiat had issues with standards of service and Customer Service and after sales support, if they were to sit up and take notice of how other competitors deal with their clients old owners and new I believe it would stand them in better stead and strengthen their reputation. It may also improve ratings when it comes to things like 'JD Power' surveys and alike too:rolleyes:
.
Click to expand...

Fiat being bottom of the JD survey for the last few years tells us they aint listening. Love the cars, hate the dealers.
 
I have to stick up for dealers here.. well my one anyway. They have been great so far (can't comment on the after care service yet!) and I couldn't wish for a better dealer... I know there are rubbish ones out there, I had the same experience with a Renault one!
 
Not much really.

I do however hate the fact F-I-A-T makes a convenient acronym for "Fix It Again Tony"; the last refuge of every scoundrel who wants to deride them... ;)
 
Fix it Again Tommorow.

(Or today, if you've got a Brava, because something will randomly fall off once you put the tools away)
 
Dark_Crusader said:
I think even though Fiat had issues with standards of service and Customer Service and after sales support, if they were to sit up and take notice of how other competitors deal with their clients old owners and new I believe it would stand them in better stead and strengthen their reputation. It may also improve ratings when it comes to things like 'JD Power' surveys and alike too:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I brought this up months ago yet no one could give a definate answer on how to improve?

PhillipM said:
Fix it Again Tommorow.

(Or today, if you've got a Brava, because something will randomly fall off once you put the tools away)
Click to expand...

Your cars 8 years old Phillip, have you had it since new?
 
I hate the fact they have decided to supply fleets of cars to EON and BSM and probably others, obviously a fiscally sound and worthwhile venture for Fiat, not so great for our already shaky resale values.

I also hate the fact parts are expensive (spark plugs!!) and the warranty is worse than rival makes.

Other than that I dont hate anything about Fiat, I just find plenty of stuff really annoying lol
 
T14086 said:
Your cars 8 years old Phillip, have you had it since new?
Click to expand...

Since it was a couple of years old, it needed a new front subframe at just 4 years old because there was so much rot I put my thumb straight through it when changing the engine oil....:bang:
 
What do I hate about Fiat?

Just the fact that I don't have one anymore :cry:

I will have another one though when I can afford it. Although by then we'll all be living on Mars under a giant perspex dome and driving cars that can fly.
 
Love my Fiat. Hate the scrappage scheme for persuading me to get rid.:cry:

Hate dealership parts and service prices.
 
T14086 said:
I brought this up months ago yet no one could give a definate answer on how to improve?


T14086 as stated by Lozzie said she finds her local dealer (not drug-dealer in case someone thinks we're talking off topic :p ), to be very good and judging by some of the posts there seems to be a lack of consistency through the dealerships. Poor service does not win returning custom nor encourage people to recommend a service like SOME of these jokers are giving. I have worked in a similar background of a Customer facing role and 95% of my Customers that were given good service and looked after by myself or my team would always come back to us, why? because we gave a tihs and want their custom.

Now I'm not expecting every dealer to change over night, but a consistent approach down the line would eventually create an environment that people WILL want to return to. Maybe Dealerships should be given ratings on their level of service just like the restaraunts have with their 'Michelin Stars' or what ever it is but it is based on general public feedback rather than what some industry body thinks or newspaper hack. If the dealer falls below a U.K agreed level of service then they run the risk of losing their franchise or their job! Probably a bit militant though right? :p

Take Halfords as an example. I was in there around 5 times last month and on each occassion I was asked 'Can I help you/do you need help with anything?' :eek: I nearly had a heart attack as NO ONE in my local Halfords stores has ever asked that question to me in the last TEN years even as an occasional customer ! It was not the most amazing thing but at least they are starting to take notice hence their new strategy me thinks 'Going that extra mile' So if Halfords is starting to see the light....? Or are we saying that Fiat are making too much cash to care ?

Small measures BIG gains. Sometimes that's all it needs. With regards to another point about expensive parts I think you guys on the forum have already started the idea with group purchase discounts? Maybe it's something that could be suggested to Fiat U.K.?, but that would be dependant on the demand for such a service?
Click to expand...
 
The P*** taking by numpties that have never owned one let alone driven one. usually it's some retard driving something French. I do love the fact that the reputation for reliability and qudos is poor so they are well down the theft list.
 
Dark_Crusader said:
judging by some of the posts there seems to be a lack of consistency through the dealerships. Poor service does not win returning custom nor encourage people to recommend a service like SOME of these jokers are giving.
Click to expand...

Most car forums contain anti-dealer comments, its the way it is. Consistency is based on one persons experience...example one person comes here & slags A.Ardvark Fiat garage & 1000 people read it yet 100 happy customers of the same garage will never post because they dont feel the need to and as a result dont need a forum.

Many disgruntled posters are here to look for support, something to use against the garage or Fiat themselves...once they obtain this they are off never to return until they resurface on a citroen/ford/kia forum with a similar issue.

I honestly dont think Fiat dealerships are any worse (better) than other makes, I have seen many customers shout in honda/toyota showrooms for example.

Dark_Crusader said:
Maybe Dealerships should be given ratings on their level of service just like the restaraunts have with their 'Michelin Stars' or what ever it is but it is based on general public feedback rather than what some industry body thinks or newspaper hack. If the dealer falls below a U.K agreed level of service then they run the risk of losing their franchise or their job! Probably a bit militant though right? :p
Click to expand...

Just a bit;), would that not be unfair on the good workers in the garage to suffer (financial hardship/mortgage) for he sake of a couple of idiots. Then again this country does favour the minority rather than the majority.

I like the 'star rating' idea but this would only work if customers were honest, to give a bad score because they didn't get their car looked at despite not being booked in like everyone else has to do would give the garage a poor score.

Dark_Crusader said:
Take Halfords as an example. I was in there around 5 times last month and on each occassion I was asked 'Can I help you/do you need help with anything?' :eek: I nearly had a heart attack as NO ONE in my local Halfords stores has ever asked that question to me in the last TEN years even as an occasional customer !
Click to expand...

That annoys me, if I need help I will ask. I detest being hassled...take note currys, comets etc for they are the worst offenders. My point here is what some people think should be right others dont, a simple 'morning sir' would be appreciated as contact has then been made & I will seek that person if I need help.

Dark_Crusader said:
With regards to another point about expensive parts
Click to expand...

Again no more expensive than other makes hence the rise in motor factors offering cheaper parts for all cars/makes.

Years ago car makers were throwing money (well parts) at customers to keep them happy but those days are long gone. Manufactures no longer have this kind of money and so have to carefully monitor their outgoings. Customers are more demanding on car specification and the 'products' profit is smaller for both the maker and seller, transportation is dearer and we all want a decent wage dont we?

I'm not arguing your points Mr Crusader infact your input is greatly appreciated,constructive and welcomed ...but still no definate answer?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

AndyRKett
Here it is, officially the new Panda
2 3
Replies
45
Views
3K
memphis4
memphis4
SB1500
“thank you Fiat” - one NCAP don’t want you to read
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
2K
vexorg
vexorg
porta
Is that a…
Replies
16
Views
370
StevenRB45
StevenRB45
Woodspitz
Does anybody know how to decode vin so I can find out what year this car is
Replies
1
Views
164
AndyRKett
AndyRKett
SB1500
Why do you drive a Fiat?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
1K
s130
s130
Back
Top