I was so happy: I ordered my Panda 1.2 Emmotion with dualogic box.. The dealer just called me to say that the dualogic is no longer available on panda's, in fact, he said it's no longer available on any new fiat!?

What's up with this? Can somebody confirm this? Is this Romanian salespeople telling me they don't want my order? (wouldn't be the first time: taxi drivers tell you "I'm not going there" many times).

I've just sent this complaint to corporate FIAT:

I've ordered a Fiat Panda 1.2 Emotion with Dualogic Gearbox (in Romania) and have paid 20% up front. I just got a call from the dealer (Auto Trieste, Buzau) that it cannot be delivered. I've called the importer (Auto Italia, Bucharest) and it seems nobody knows what's going on: "Dualogic is no longer available on any FIAT", "Dualogic did not work right and was cancelled", "Dualogic is not possible in Romania". Now I will have to run to get my money back!

Click to expand...

I've read a lot about bad service at FIAT, but even before you have the car, who would have guessed.....

Dualogic semi-automatic box is still an option on the Fiat UK site... £700.
Dealers in general these days don't seem to like you picking options, and just want you to buy the one on their forecourt...

I'm convinced, but.. AFTER you make the order and pay money up front? That would make it the nastiest sales trick I've ever heard of.

Anyway, seems my complaint (to the importer) resolved it:

apparently the Dualogic was made unavailable in march due to problems (recall?) and the order system was adapted to deny orders including the dualogic option. Even after the problems were resolved, the system continued to deny orders with the dualogic option. After my complaint they've made some calls back and forth with Italy and found out that it was made available some time ago.

Honestely, in Romania it happens only too often that I think "Who do I have to f*** around here to buy this thing!?!?"... Makes you wonder what the country would be like if only they'd sell what was asked....

In the end, I'll still get my Panda! I'll be keeping a close eye on the dealership though.. I've got all the phone numbers ready, should they make another mistake..

Soepy said:

I'm convinced, but.. AFTER you make the order and pay money up front? That would make it the nastiest sales trick I've ever heard of.

Anyway, seems my complaint (to the importer) resolved it:

apparently the Dualogic was made unavailable in march due to problems (recall?) and the order system was adapted to deny orders including the dualogic option. Even after the problems were resolved, the system continued to deny orders with the dualogic option. After my complaint they've made some calls back and forth with Italy and found out that it was made available some time ago.

Honestely, in Romania it happens only too often that I think "Who do I have to f*** around here to buy this thing!?!?"... Makes you wonder what the country would be like if only they'd sell what was asked....

In the end, I'll still get my Panda! I'll be keeping a close I on the dealership though.. I've got all the phone numbers ready, should they make another mistake..

Click to expand...

well you are all lucky..atleast...in malaysia..we have no chance to choose...their policy..take it or leave it...do not even say from manual to dual logic...you cannot even have any choice to choose your preferable rear seat!!!!

ahhl said:

well you are all lucky..atleast...in malaysia..we have no chance to choose...their policy..take it or leave it...do not even say from manual to dual logic...you cannot even have any choice to choose your preferable rear seat!!!!

Click to expand...

You cannot order any custom option? OK, so it'll take 3 months, but they'll still make money, right? Or am I thinking too western again?!

Soepy said:

You cannot order any custom option? OK, so it'll take 3 months, but they'll still make money, right? Or am I thinking too western again?!

Click to expand...

ya we can't... not that you are too western but the dealer just want u to take lock-stock and barrel.

at one time i put an order to purchase parts which available for different option.....thay said if i insist to get the part they want to void the warranty !!?????

i said wfk????? you talking about??!!! the parts are from FIAT...and &*&%$#* come out and ther reluctantly agree...
but almost over a year now i still do not get the parts...

do you what part i order? just a small power window switch which available on other option and not available to the model they bring to the country...

shee.h.....i am really mad about it...

i

ahhl said:

thay said if i insist to get the part they want to void the warranty !!?????

Click to expand...

Is there no organisation for customer protection in Malaysia? Or some Ombudsman or something. When I was on the phone with the dealer yesterday and I told him I already had the OPC (romanian ombudsman) on the phone, he got really anxious. It was obvious that he didn't want anything to do with them. Good to know

I've also written a complaint on http://www.fiat.com/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_COM/contact/contact.jsp

You should do the same.. Don't know if anybody reads that, but it's worth a try.

never thought of that..we have consumer protection...
but anyway given op already..warranty over..not going there for service any more

outside workshop more reliable....

as for the switch..i diy my self..save me all the trouble..

I got a reply from FIAT!

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email. We at Fiat are sorry for what happened to you but at this point the only thing we can advise you to do is to keep on talking to the importer for discussing and risolving your problem.

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Karin Hjelm
Fiat Customer Care

Click to expand...

So I already called the importer and resolved the problem, but frankly I'm impressed I got an answer in the first place!