Vehicles & Servicing Buying a new car in Dumaguete

I think some of their tough rules on checking us in and out of stores actually saves money - in some countries 30% of the retail prices can be accounted for to compensate for thefts by customers and staff.

 

Good question. The answer is no. Remember to ask me when you see me today. I don't want to "out" anyone who does not wish to join in the fray.

 

I'm glad you were able to recoup some of what you were owed.
After reading your first post a little closer I am curious what you meant by:

It leaves me wondering who your claim should be against, the dealership or the manufacturer.

 

It means I had to find someone to do the work and I had to pay for it. Since the Bacolod Chevrolet dealership handled everything, they should have been my first line, but after many phone calls of being told "we will call you back", and two months passed with them basically ignoring my many pleas for assistance to file paperwork for warranty claim, I had to handle it the only way I knew how, and that was to do exactly what I did. They accepted it, and I almost recouped my costs.

 

okiebound,

I get that the dealership didn't help you to recoup a repair performed by a third party that you paid for out of pocket.

I was trying to ascertain why the dealer couldn't have fixed what was broken on your car for you in lieu of you having to go to a third party mechanic. I can only guess distance and lack of tow trucks. Someone made the choice to go to a third party mechanic that is not authorized by the manufacturer to perform warranty repairs. Generally that type of visit has to be pre-approved by the manufacturer not the dealership.

 

I notice that the opening post is about buying a new car "in Dumaguete" but Okiebound mentions buying in Bacolod. It seems there were no dealers in Dumaguete for the chosen vehicle type when it was purchased.

I have seen that kind of behaviour in small cities in other countries too ("If y'all want to buy your car in the big city then you can get it fixed in the big city") so there is a school of thought that suggests we buy local or suffer the consequences of long-distance repairs and maintenance.

 

I wouldn't know. My car wouldn't start, and after finding out what the problem was and that it was a covered item under the warranty, the place that sold me the car refused to offer any assistance as to where to take it or how to go about getting it done. Yes, being so far away was not helpful and was probably the biggest factor. I actually purchased the car in Dumaguete, when they were at Robinsons selling their cars. I tried contacting the manufacturer, and they told me to go through the dealership. Nobody wanted to take responsibility. It seems the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing there.

 

I came across an example of what I was so poorly trying to explain. A recent warranty bulletin, with manufacturer information XXXX out, dealing with starting and charging systems.

Unfortunately covered items are only covered if the correct procedures and tools are used. With no reliable long distance tow service I definitely agree with buying local from a dealership I expect to be around for a while. Perhaps good questions to ask before buying are, do you provide towing, road service, how far is covered.

IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION
REF
18-022
Effective
09/01/2018
Release
06/04/2018
SUBJECT
New Essential Tool: AutoMeter Powernet Tester
 New Essential Tool
 Benefits
 Filing Claims
 Ordering Information

In an effort to reduce the complexity of powernet diagnostics, XXXX's Special Tools group, in conjunction with the Tool Joint Application Development (JAD) committee, is introducing an electronic powernet assessment tool. This tool is for the diagnostics of batteries, battery interconnect cables, starters, starter cables, alternators, and alternator cables, collectively called the powernet system.

The tool generates a completed Powernet Assessment Worksheet, which will get wirelessly uploaded to AMPNET, a cloud-based data management service. Test results are always available and never get deleted. For information about how to use the AutoMeter tool, please see Tool Letter XXXXXX.

To be reimbursed for powernet failures, the service network will be required to use AutoMeter’s powernet tester, BCT-460. The requirement will also apply to Customer Performed Warranty Agreement, Customer Performed Part Replacement Agreement, and Limited Customer Performed Part Replacement Agreement participants. The change is projected to take effect for repairs performed on or after September 1, 2018.

The AutoMeter powernet tool will have several benefits:
• Improved diagnostic accuracy and efficiency
• Increased customer uptime by eliminating potential secondary failures within the powernet system
• Single person operation
• Entire powernet system testing capability
• No Defect Found (NDF) chargebacks eliminated and technical appeals reduced
o To be exempt from NDF chargebacks, the AutoMeter powernet tool must be used correctly and completely before claim submission

The AutoMeter tester will replace all previous battery testing equipment. Claims for powernet repairs performed on or after September 1, 2018 (tentatively), must have valid AutoMeter tool test results. XXXX will release a separate Important Warranty Information letter in the future that confirms the effective date and provides claim filing instructions.
Order the AutoMeter powernet tool via XXXX’s Parts Distribution Centers (PDCs). An internet connection is required for device registration and uploading information from the tester to AMPNET.

 

Part of the problem, and i'm not sure of this, is that perhaps we spend more time and money keeping our cars clean and pretty and not enough spent in regular maintenance ???

 

Cleaning is maintenance. Please clean your vehicles. I use seat covers and floor mats on every vehicle and often it's not to keep the customers vehicles clean