Thread: Garage Experiences?

The garage where I bought my present car is the furthest Toyota dealership from me on the island. I'd been cycling one day and when I went past this particular garage, saw they had a test drive model that I was interested in. The staff were very pleasant, and I was impressed with their facilities. I ordered the car I wanted, and have continued to use them for servicing, in spite of their being around 30 km from where I live, and there being approximately 4 other Toyota dealers much closer.

Anyway, last week I was there getting a service, and also ordered a couple of parts, one a piece of plastic trim that I'd managed to break on one of the 3rd row seats, and an automatic door mirror opener/closer. Couple of days later I got the call that they'd arrived, so a couple of days ago took it back there to get them fitted.

Some photos of their place. Part of their customer lounge:



These free massage chairs actually work:



View from the lounge into the workshop:



There's a small cafeteria where drinks and snacks are free:



Even ice cream:



and somewhere to amuse kids:



Fitting the parts took a couple of hours, after which the car was cleaned inside and out and returned to me. I'd paid for the parts when I ordered them, so only fitting to pay. Just over 1000 baht, which also included replacement front and rear wiper blades I got them to change at the same time.

Some aspects of service in Thailand really impresses me, this being one of them, though I'm sure for every story like this, there'll be a multitude of ones of grief.

Originally Posted by PAG

I'm sure for every story like this, there'll be a multitude of ones of grief.

You're correct on that. My Toyota dealers are now crap. First time I started with them in 2007 they were pretty good. Steadily they've gone down hill. I've had to complain to them a number of times over those years about their substandard work. I've complained to Toyota head office as well but they too don't seem concerned.
We've currently got an ongoing problem with my local dealers. Head office in BKK still ain't too concerned and I decided to email Toyota in Japan about them. Unfortunately they do not have an email address, from my google-ing.
Fcuk Toyota next time for my business.

^

The first dealer that I used here was the same. Fine at selling me the car, but quickly lost interest afterwards. Going for a service was not something I looked forward to. These current people couldn't be more different. They phone me to remind me when a service is due, phone me again the day before the appointment to again confirm, then phone me the day after to make sure I'm happy. After a service, they go through point by point with me, telling me exactly what they've done, how much wear there has been on such as brakes etc. The only improvement I can think of is a covert BJ whilst I'm in the massage chair, though I don't think that's going to happen.

I picked up a new Prajero Sport for my birthday yesterday. My wife had been in contact with one of the sales reps since September and expected it to have been ordered, for us to pick up, but he wasn't there and no-one knew anything about it. This was Saturday and I was expecting to wait at least a week for delivery. She showed them her text messages on Line and we were resigned to waiting another week when one of the guys piped up that he had found what we were looking for in Sawan Daeng Din. They shipped it over and had it already for 3pm yesterday with a whole load of extras which included a towing arm and B10,000 fuel voucher, which are due to arrive later.

Anyway, after initial disappointment, I was very pleased with the result. I will wait and see what the servicing is like; they said we can pop in and have the towing arm installed any time but I'll do that when the plate is ready. This is the Mitsubishi garage just past Sakon Nakhon airport on the road to Nakhom Phanom. Jolly pleasant experience so far.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

My Toyota dealers are now crap. First time I started with them in 2007 they were pretty good. Steadily they've gone down hill.

I know the feeling, I'm also getting grumpier as I age.

I'll share my recent garage experience:\

My ancient (1980's) Nissan pickup (with 750k kms and not counting anymore), had a blown clutch cylinder, and had to be towed to the garage.
Turned out the master brake cylinder and all the rubber brake lines needed replacing.
With an oil change the bill was 4500 baht!(including towing)

so fuck all you prissy new car folks, you can own and run and pile of junk for next to nothing..

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I'll share my recent garage experience:\

My ancient (1980's) Nissan pickup (with 750k kms and not counting anymore), had a blown clutch cylinder, and had to be towed to the garage.
Turned out the master brake cylinder and all the rubber brake lines needed replacing.
With an oil change the bill was 4500 baht!(including towing)

so fuck all you prissy new car folks, you can own and run and pile of junk for next to nothing..

The only way to go, Earl....
Cheers.

Originally Posted by PAG

Some aspects of service in Thailand really impresses me,

Yeah, they can be really OTT suck up. Nothing to do with a genuine concern with customer service and all to do with a Thai "I'm hiso" clientele.
My local Sikarin Hospital is so, so, very very over-staffed with obsequious pretties, I resent the hospital charges. I don't need to be fawned over and made to feel important; just treat me like a human and that's it.
Free ice cream and beverages, kids playing area? You're paying for them each and every time you get a service. But the garage does look professional.

Originally Posted by lom

I know the feeling, I'm also getting grumpier as I age.

Not you personally.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I'll share my recent garage experience:\

My ancient (1980's) Nissan pickup (with 750k kms and not counting anymore), had a blown clutch cylinder, and had to be towed to the garage.
Turned out the master brake cylinder and all the rubber brake lines needed replacing.
With an oil change the bill was 4500 baht!(including towing)

so fuck all you prissy new car folks, you can own and run and pile of junk for next to nothing..

Sometimes it pays to be poor.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I'll share my recent garage experience:\

My ancient (1980's) Nissan pickup (with 750k kms and not counting anymore), had a blown clutch cylinder, and had to be towed to the garage.
Turned out the master brake cylinder and all the rubber brake lines needed replacing.
With an oil change the bill was 4500 baht!(including towing)

so fuck all you prissy new car folks, you can own and run and pile of junk for next to nothing..

What's a clutch cylinder?

I forgot to follow up on my garage experience.

They phoned when the plate was ready, which came just after Christmas. They managed to get one with three '9's, which pleased the wife and came as a surprise to me too. The towing arm was fitted but without the electrical cable hook-up , which I will argue about another day.

The main problem was Mitsubishi warranty is xxxx Km or 6 months , which is a really shit deal and something that shocked me. Toyota was 1 year and that was what I thought was the norm these days. My bad for not checking all the details but who really bothers with warranty after the first year anyway...most manufacturers will blame you anyway.

Always had excellent service from Pearl Toyota in Phuket first on a Vios and now a Hilux , taking half a hour to drive there is not a problem
Ford Phuket is a different matter altogether, useless as tits on a bull,ended up driving to ford Phangna for service and warranty repairs(90 minutes minimum each way), ended up selling the ranger, giving the govt back 96K baht first car owners discount and buying a Hilux G2.8 to replace the ford ranger, best decision i ever made