Is this normal Cadillac Service?

[griffmac12]

I took my car in to have a couple of small issues checked out. I had to make an appt 6-7 weeks out because they were too busy to look at these when I got oil changed in late August. That was annoying - especially because they didn't tell me they weren't going to look at them until I picked the car up. My impression was the SA just ignored my questions and didn't even put it on the ticket. Whatever.

When I dropped it off today, he said "We aren't too busy so we should be able to take a look at your car..this week. But it might be next week." I questioned what the point of my appt was if my car was going to sit on their lot for 1 week waiting. Long story short, they were completely dumbfounded when I told them that other car dealerships don't function this way and insisted there was nothing they could do to manage their service dept other than first come / first serve and if your is not at the dealership then it's not in the line.

Is this a common practice for Cadillac dealerships?

 

[1Evil55]

Find another Ringo

 

[Slick Blackwings]

That’s nonsense making appointment is getting in line!

 

[piranha971]

No that's not normal. When I took the car in, they did what I have asked them to do and to look at. And I never had to wait weeks for an appointment.

 

[rubberduck]

Unacceptable!

 

[SS_Shooter]

Yeah, that dealership is NOT good.

My dealership takes appointments (usually for 1 to 5 days out), looks at the car that day, and has it back quickly (1 day or so) unless they can't get a part.

 

[1Evil55]

Yeah, that dealership is NOT good.

My dealership takes appointments (usually for 1 to 5 days out), looks at the car that day, and has it back quickly (1 day or so) unless they can't get a part.

My expectations always. Heritage is great!

 

[VBhak]

I took my car in to have a couple of small issues checked out. I had to make an appt 6-7 weeks out because they were too busy to look at these when I got oil changed in late August. That was annoying - especially because they didn't tell me they weren't going to look at them until I picked the car up. My impression was the SA just ignored my questions and didn't even put it on the ticket. Whatever.

When I dropped it off today, he said "We aren't too busy so we should be able to take a look at your car..this week. But it might be next week." I questioned what the point of my appt was if my car was going to sit on their lot for 1 week waiting. Long story short, they were completely dumbfounded when I told them that other car dealerships don't function this way and insisted there was nothing they could do to manage their service dept other than first come / first serve and if your is not at the dealership then it's not in the line.

Is this a common practice for Cadillac dealerships?

Nope, definitely not.

This WAS happening around COVID time, but everything is back in order.

Change dealerships.

 

[griffmac12]

Sadly, the next closest dealerships are both an hour drive away (instead of 20mins) but I don't want these clowns working on my car

 

[marcmac]

Find another one, took mine in for an oil change, cel and oil consumption, gave me a loaner, diagnosed fixed and had my car back 4 days later.

 

[shbox]

Sadly, my local dealer is more like the OP describes. If you want a courtesy car, appts are a month or more out. And when you get the car there, it may not be assigned to a tech for many days. I have an appt coming up for an issue and told them I did not want the car to sit on the lot and to just make the appt for when they could assign a tech to it. They told me that only when I brought it in, could the service advisor tell me how long it would be. I don't like it, but my dealer choices are limited. Luckily, my issue not urgent.

 

[ArnoldJudasRimmer]

My local dealer is similar as well. Car gets dropped off for apt and I get the "we'll call you when we can get to it" and it might be that day or 2-4 days later. I'm going to look at other dealers next time I need to take it in, even tho they're all 40+ mins away and my local dealer is only 10 mins.

 

[rubberduck]

You don’t need to take it to a Cadillac dealer, can be any GM dealer.

 

[hawk02]

You don’t need to take it to a Cadillac dealer, can be any GM dealer.

I was going to say the same thing. I’ve had my GMC pickup serviced at a “Chevy-only” dealership with no issues at all. That’s one of the nice advantages of GM’s shared component strategy — a lot of the parts and service procedures are interchangeable across models and brands.

 

[jbawden]

Service doesn't need to be done at a dealer, so there is that. But, sounds like the OP is looking at warranty type repairs so it does need to be a Cadillac dealer.

It definitely sounds like a poorly managed service center, but this is predictable now that dealers have a virtual lock on service. They don't need to be good, everyone comes back anyway. There is no loyalty by consumers on purchase side either, so its just an unfortunate situation with no incentive to be special.

 

[jvp]

You don’t need to take it to a Cadillac dealer, can be any GM dealer.

That's up to the dealer, actually. The Chevy dealership that I service my Corvette at also takes care of my GMC pickups over the last 10-20 years. Including warranty work. BUT they won't touch Caddies. They claim GM won't let them, but I'm not 100% on the validity of that. Whether GM let's them or not, they won't do it.

 

[FLYARMY]

I'm lucky that I have about a dozen Cadillac dealerships all around me. The main one I use, ticked me off when they said that an extended warranty would cost $3800. I got it from macMulkin in NH for $1800. Also, their hourly labor rate is $220 . Ridiculous !

 

[Sergio]

Luxury car dealer service should be on another level than just a car dealership.