Great Service Experience at Avante Mazda

[Jackal]

I had a great service experience at Avante Mazda.

I started to hear a grinding, clicking and whistling noise last week especially when I was breaking slowly. It was getting embarrasing because it would get loud as I stopped because other drivers looked around to see who the culprit was. So I decided to make an appointment yesterday for today and they were able to fit me in. I decided to do my oil change at the same time.
The technician took it for a drive, found the problem and fixed it by removing the front brake rotors to machine and lubricated the front caliper slide rails and pad holders.

In the end I paid for the oil change and wasn't charged for the brake repair. The grinding, clicking and even the squeaking sound (which I thought came feom the newly installed prokits) were gone. Thanks to Jose, the Service Advisor and to the technician (from signature his name begins with A). I can again feel proud to drive my Mazda 3 again! A+++ job and highly recommend the Avante Service team.

[Cudgel]

I agree. I've been going there for over 6 years now and I'll be visitng them again this Friday.

FYI, the brakes are covered under warranty for the 1st year. After that, they will charge you to inspect it.

[Jackal]

I agree. I've been going there for over 6 years now and I'll be visitng them again this Friday.

FYI, the brakes are covered under warranty for the 1st year. After that, they will charge you to inspect it.

I think I got extended warranty because I bought mine when they first came out in August 2009. Or maybe I am just special. lol

[Cudgel]

Hmm...yeah that might be why. Otherwise, I'll need to have a chat with Jose to find out why I'm not as special.:P

[homieG]

Thank you guys for the kind words! Always amazing to hear good things about our Dealership! Shall fwd this to the service dept.

Thank you for your business and we will always provide you with excellent service! :)

[Cudgel]

Okay, I take back what I said. My last visit there ended up not being as pleasant as the past. I will probably be looking for a another place to have my car serviced now.

[homieG]

What happened?

+1

[Cudgel]

Since this is not my thread, I'll just try to keep it as simple as possible.

Anyway, I usually deal with Jose (assistant service manager now) and Anthony (he's no longer there) for 6 years without any problems but now they have new service advisors there. Upon arrival, the 2 service advisors are doing something on their computers and I don't see Jose anywhere. They don't look at me or acknowledge that I'm there. About 10-15 seconds later, Antonio (who I dealt with on my last visit) looks at me and doesn't smile and doesn't say anything. I go over and tell him I have an appointment for 9am. He finds me and doesn't confirm what needs to be done. What's funny was that it was Antonio that pre-booked this schedule for me from my last visit. Actually, he booked it for April 1st but I called about 2-3 weeks earlier and changed it to March 25th. When I spoke to Jose about the change and to confirm what the appointment was for, he told me it was for the 2 year annual service. I told Jose that it was incorrect. It was just for an oil change, power steering recall, door handle and others issues that I will discuss when I arrived there. So Antonio is booking service for me that I didn't request? What if I didn't confirm what was to be done since he didn't bother confirming, would I have been screwed when they give me a bill for $200 + for the 2nd year service which I've done last year in July of 2010? LOL

Anyway, he goes and prints out the work order without asking me if there were other concerns so as it's been printed out, I told him I have over issues I needed them to look at. From there, he didn't seem too happy since he printed the report so he ended up having to write in my concerns by hand. When I mentioned to him about my dash having some rattling sounds during the winter, he quickly told me that rattles are only covered for the 1st year. I was already not too happy with him and didn't want to make a big fuss since I know some dealers will take care of you and some won't. We all know there's a TSB on the dash rattle. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28741-Windshield-Dash-Cowl-Rattle and that the TSB is good for the first 3 years as stated the assistant service manager at QEW Mazda. http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28741-Windshield-Dash-Cowl-Rattle/page9

Later, Antonio calls me and suggest 3 other services. One was to do a tranmission flush and fill for $185. My understanding is that unless I'm switching my transmission oil to synthetic, there's no need for a flush and fill and a drain and fill would be fine. If he had told me to do a drain and fill, I might have gotten it done. Of course, I ended up declining his 3 suggested services.

When I went to pick up my car, again, no hi and no smile. He goes and gets my keys, brings me over to the reception to pay and doesn't say "thank you" or "bye" and walks away.

Maybe he was having a bad day, I don't know nor do I care. I wasn't planning on saying much as that would be teaching Avante the basics about customer service and that's not my job (unless they pay me). :P

To me, it's obvious that my business was not important so I think I will bring my business elsewhere. I'm pretty sure they will accept my cash there.

I may add more but that's it for now on my last experience with them.