switching dealerships for servicing

[tranquility]

This is an ignorant question but I don't know about the workings of dealership servicing. My car is still under warranty and is being serviced by the dealership I bought it at: if I wanted to switch dealerships to somewhere closer to my home, would there be a prb, for example, the other dealership 'not liking it' because I didn't buy the car from them? Can other dealers refuse service? Pls enlighten me. Thx.

[mstevens]

I'm not positive how it works in Canada, but I'd be surprised if it's very different from the US.

NO dealer will refuse to service your car! That's how they make money! I'd be astonished if you run into any trouble getting a dealer to do warranty work, either - what would you expect to happen if you bought a car in Montreal then your work transferred you to Vancouver, drive back every time you needed service done? Nope.

As to whether the selling dealer might be upset, that's just their problem.

[jparnes1]

Your warranty is backed by BMW corporate, not the dealership. They can not refuse you service. And like it was said, will be more than happy to do whatever you need.

[tranquility]

That being said, everything being equal, you'd all prefer to have it serviced at the dealership you bought the car at?

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by tranquility

That being said, everything being equal, you'd all prefer to have it serviced at the dealership you bought the car at?

I bought mine at a dealership because they had the greatest selection, but it is far from being the closest dealer to me. I'm considering changing dealers to be closer to my home.

[tranquility]

I guess what I'm trying to ask is if dealerships give preferential treatment to service customers that bought their car there...or it doesn't matter?

[Andrew*Debbie]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I guess what I'm trying to ask is if dealerships give preferential treatment to service customers that bought their car there...or it doesn't matter?

Most BMW dealerships are independent businesses. They have their own policies and managers. It depends on the individual dealer.

For example, some US dealers only give free loaner cars to people who bought the car there. Others give loaners to anyone who asks and others don't have loaners at all.

[SHADOW4]

Over here you don't get a loaner (for free) if you go to another dealership than where you bought the car! Bought my cars at a big dealership, next time will choose a smaller one to get a more personalized (?) service.

I have to take this back, car been at the dealership for a few days and was finished late afternoon yesterday. I had no possibility to pick it up then and the workshop is closed saturdays so I would have to wait until monday to get it back. Well since sales and parts are open I thought I go there and try. As I expected the infodesk had no clue about my car. After a few phonecalls and 3 guys running both here and there they found the key, the car and my respect. I was given info about what had been diagnosed, updated and done to the car. My son got 3 hotdogs while this was going on......He felt very VIP!

So I guess I'll be back when it's time for a new DD, 3 or X1.

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I guess what I'm trying to ask is if dealerships give preferential treatment to service customers that bought their car there...or it doesn't matter?

Dealerships make way more money off of their service department than their sales. My intown dealer asked where I bought my CPO and I told them. They could have cared less and even commented about the fact that I would would service it locally. I did have quite a poor service experience this week and would prefer not to service it locally!! Few other options other than driving to Charlotte, NC which is not practical.

[az34]

Tranquility,you dont have to worry any BMW dealerships will welcome you whit open arms!

[tranquility]

Ok, thanks for the input guys!