Why I'm NEVER going back to Gerald Slaven Holden

[ACT_Cross8]

After numerous "issues" with Gerald Slaven Holden over the last 3 years, today's episode was the last straw.

On Sunday night, my partner got home and said the gear lever in the Cross8 was "all floppy" and she couldn't get it into Park. Sure enough, it was busted. I could still change gears but it was obvious that the shift mechanism was broken.

Rang Slavens on Tuesday (Monday was public holiday in Canberra), and the said they couldn't do it till next week. I said I had to drive to Sydney on the weekend, so they agreed to book it in today (Friday). I asked if they were sure it could be fixed because I really needed the car this weekend. "Should be fine, we should have parts here"...

Dropped it off before 8am as requested, then got a call at lunch time to say they had to order parts that would arrive Monday (a pin and circlip, part number 92148174). "WTF" I said, "I told you I need the car on the weekend". They said it was unsafe to drive and I should leave it there over the weekend. I said I would bring it back in Monday and to lock the keys in it and I would pick up after hours.

About a half-hour later I got another call asking when I wanted to book my car in. "Well, I was dropping it off Monday wasn't I, because that's when the part was arriving". "Oh, no sir, we can't fit you in until the 3rd April".

After telling them I couldn't be without a car for 10 days, I said I would see what the missus wanted to do. I rang another dealer and booked it in for Tuesday. I told them when I picked the car up this afternoon that it wouldn't be back.

I know the usual suspects will jump in and defend dealers, but this particular one has fukced this little black duck around for the last time :cussing: If the other dealer is no worse, I haven't lost anything.

[bluess57]

Sorry to hear your woes Shane,
easy solution though, don't use a dealer. I'm sure Marcus and Kitt (Gentech) would have rescued you.

[ACT_Cross8]

Sorry to hear your woes Shane,
easy solution though, don't use a dealer. I'm sure Marcus and Kitt (Gentech) would have rescued you.

Under warranty. I'd prefer not to pay if I don't have to. Would have been simpler though.

[planetdavo]

I know the usual suspects will jump in and defend dealers,
.....:hide: ......

[saaz]

I am booking the car into there in the next few weeks, as I have a warranty item with the front brakes (slight wobble of the steering wheel when braking) As it is under lease I don't have many options. I am looking forward to using Gentech and me doing normal servicing!

[ACT_Cross8]

Let's see: "Sorry Sir, that's normal brake wear which isn't covered under warranty. We can machine the disks for you for $300.00"

Take it to Gentech and they can machine it for you. They can do book services that shouldn't affect your lease or warranty as well.

[EL2]

I am booking the car into there in the next few weeks, as I have a warranty item with the front brakes (slight wobble of the steering wheel when braking) As it is under lease I don't have many options. I am looking forward to using Gentech and me doing normal servicing!

Mine was doing the same a year or so ago. I spoke with Slavens, and they agreed to check it out, and they suspected the front discs needed machining. They said that they would only warrant a disc machine for free if the km is under 40k, and then only ever once. Fair enough.

So I dropped it off at 8AM, and at about 5PM went to pick it up. They said that they had not machined the discs - they couldn't take the wheels off as they couldn't find the key to the locknuts. They searched the whole car including in the boot where people hide them, to no avail.

I blew up then, as there are no lock nuts on the wheels!!!!

And the earliest they could re-do the machining was in about a week's time. I was not a happy chappy.

So I drove around in my wobbly steering wheeled SS for another week, and took it back in and they machined em for free.

But I've never been back, been using Commonwealth motors since. Both Woden and Tuggers, and no complaints.

[QIKMIK]

Under warranty. I'd prefer not to pay if I don't have to. Would have been simpler though.Marcus can do warranty work. I had my gearbox rebuilt under warranty through Gentech in 2005.

Mick

[pauls350]

Never go to Pheonix Holden in Wannaroo WA, bunch of wankers who treat everyone with contemt, and know little about anything

[VYSHSV8]

Never go to Pheonix Holden in Wannaroo WA, bunch of wankers who treat everyone with contemt, and know little about anything

:p :p :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[HQV8]

[
But I've never been back, been using Commonwealth motors since. Both Woden and Tuggers, and no complaints.[/QUOTE]

I used to use Commonwealth Motors in Phillip/Woden as well, but now i prefer Tuggers due to location from home and better service.

cheers,
Damo
:thumbsup:

[VYR8HSV]

Never go to Pheonix Holden in Wannaroo WA, bunch of wankers who treat everyone with contemt, and know little about anything

Well who in Perth can u take it to for the normal
servicing & warranty work??

We have been down to well lets say Sth of Freo holden.
But not very happy with them, even thou they are close..
Have also been to the guys under the big roof.
Pretty much the same up there..

Or are just all holden dealers the same when it comes to service time????

[planetdavo]

Or are just all holden dealers the same when it comes to service time????
.....:nono:.....

[NickS]

I have given up on dealers & warranties ... I buy the car then it goes to Sonny. If there was something major I would probably try and get it done under warranty, otherwise I'd rather pay for it and get it done properly the first time.

I had the same issue you describe in the Avalanche a few years ago, I took it to Holden and got the same story, we need a few days to get the parts. However they never said it shouldn't be driven, gear shift just felt horrible and you had to use the lights on the dash to work out when you where in drive or park etc. The shift was just all over the shop.

Hope it's fixed up soon.

[HRT 8]

Here's a little story about how VicPol and dealers dont talk to each other.

Local VE SS was being driven at night not long ago by a sub officer who couldnt work out why the dash lights werent working.
He faulted the car and organised for the local dealer to have a look. Holden dealer was at a loss to explain and said, ok well order you a full dash assembly to replace that one.

This wasnt an isolated incident. A neighbouring station also had the same issue with their VE. No dash lights.
Their dealer ordered and fitted a new dash to find out that it didnt work either.

THEN the penny dropped when someone who knew what was going on told above said members that their is now an isolation switch on the roof to turn off the dash illumination. (Used at night for covert reasons.)

Apparently Dawson st (the mob who fit out the cars) forgot to tell holden that this is a VicPol mod and that there sint anything wrong with the dash lights.

Was even funnier when a Snr Sgt was given the run around by some sly Snr Constables who kept playing games with him and the dash lights. hehe

[goofafidamedes]

That's freaking hilarious HRT 8... Just goes to show, that no organisation is immune from that type of non-communication.

[GRMJ]

I've had numrerous problems and major arguments with Comm Motors and the now deceased Rolf Holden - I now use Gerald Slaven for my Monaro and Comm Motors for my Statesman . I've found GS pretty good so far but Comm Motors (Woden) are an absolute joke - last time around they charged me for a wheel balance which they didn't do and couldn't hear the noise I described from the Trans or feel the driveline vibration in 1st or the rough idle - numb, dumb and deaf! I might try Gen-Tech in future.

[saaz]

Mine is in under 40,000kms so I expect the brakes to be done under warranty. After that I might see what I can get done at Gentech while keeping it unmodified...just tidying up the tuning. Until this car I have always done all the work, apart from specialist stuff, myself.

[hRTHSV]

I HATE taking my car to a dealers for service or warranty, they stuff so many things it's not funny. I am not a mechanic but am far fussier when I do a service than the apprentice whom I have to pay $65 an hour for. It's the things like changing the brake fluid 2 services in a row when they marked it in the book last time, then they wonder why you get upset when they want you to pay. I can't wait till the car runs out of warranty, it's going in for an interior light drama this week (keeps blowing the fuse) and I'll worry about it all day.

[NUTSvuS]

Never go to Pheonix Holden in Wannaroo WA, bunch of wankers who treat everyone with contemt, and know little about anything

100% agreed. The extreme money they charge definately doesn't go into customer service. After a few incidents with those clown's me and the mrs refuse to deal with them. WONT by a car, parts or get servicing with them EVER.

[Munro65]

Count me in.

I will NEVER go back to Gerald Slaven Belconnen for anything.....enough said !

Take my word for it !

:flipoff::vpo::soap:

Looking at the Forum I conclude that Holden Dealers in Canberra are a JOKE !

Do yourself a favour and take the 3 hr drive to Sydney !

:vpo:

Yep GENTECH Mitchell is probably the way to go !

No...I have absolutely no affiliation with GENTECH !

GS if your'e reading this...

:flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flip off::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff::flipoff:

[A^K^T]

Well who in Perth can u take it to for the normal
servicing & warranty work??

We have been down to well lets say Sth of Freo holden.
But not very happy with them, even thou they are close..
Have also been to the guys under the big roof.
Pretty much the same up there..

Or are just all holden dealers the same when it comes to service time????

Brian Gardners seemed ok , the South African bloke that i delt with there was good to deal with .

[NewV8]

Me too. They just don't seem to get it.
They never have the parts ready, even when you book the car in a week early and say you want something fixed that requires them to order a part.

I asked for a discount last time I was there as I asked for the car to be ready by 4 and I had to sit in the waiting room to after 5. Needless to say, they didn't have the parts and the service reminder wasn't reset either.

I was impressed that they gave me $60 off the service though.

I had already stopped taking my car there and this could be the last time the missus takes her car there too.

[Rustle]

i took my car to comm motors in tuggers for a service, about a month later i bought a K&N air filter, i opened the bonnet to put it in, and found that the oil cap was just sitting on the manifold.. i took it back and told them, so they just did a quick dodgy engine bay clean and sent me on my way....