RedRaptor
02-23-2006, 09:06 PM
Here is a new thread to talk about Avante Mazda\'s service reviews. This thread is not for reviews on purchasing, leasing or anything else. It is strictly for reviews (both good or bad) about the service department of Avante Mazda.
After my weekend experience with Mazda of Toronto (http://www.torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=4725&page=2), I decided on two things. That I would get the 24K and all future services done and that I would get them all done at Avante Mazda. I felt that after the exchange that the service advisor and I had at MoT, I didn’t feel comfortable going back to MoT for the service even with the guarantee of free rear brake pad replacement with the updated brake pads. I did learn a lesson tho, that as a car owner, you are better off doing the schedule services so that you don’t give Mazda Canada or your Mazda dealership any excuses not to fix your problems under warranty.
For all my previous oil changes, I’ve always taken my car to Avante. But Avante is 20km away from my house while MoT is only 4km away. My logic was if MoT provided good customer service after a few times, I would take my car to MoT instead since it is so close. My first service experience there was pretty good. Stanley really took care of me and helped with the 1-2 shift shock update and also my glove box rattling. I was really happy with the service, with the exception that MoT didn’t offer me a ride back to the dealership after work. But I’m an easy going guy, so I let that slide and asked my co-worker to drive me. Last weekend, I went in to address a few issues with my car. I think the biggest problem I had with MoT’s service is the attitude of the service advisor. Instead of carefully explaining to me that a brake inspection needed to be done before any warranty work was to be covered by Mazda, he insisted that I was there to only get warranty work done, and that I never come to the dealership for any service. I got the impression that he was trying to sell me the 24K service by offering me free rear pads, instead of explaining to me why I needed the 24K service. I really felt disrespected by the way I was treated, and you know what? Maybe he was having a bad day but when you work in customer service, you can’t let that affect the way you treat your customers.
So I called Avante this week and spoke to the service tech, Anthony Curia about the 24K service. He took the time to explain to me what the 24K service included. There was no mention of price on either side as I didn’t care how much I was paying as long as the service is done right and I am being respected as the customer. I also never asked for any free rear brake pad replacement (like MoT offered me), but I did mention that my brakes squeak and if they could take a look at it.
I got in right at 9AM. The drive was a busy one up Yonge street, 20km in city traffic is painful especially in the morning. I was greeted by Anthony and he asked me if there was any additional issues I wanted to mention on the work order. I told him that it’s mostly my brakes squeaking and dusting. However my wiper arms were starting to rust and my engine has the hissing/whining sound on cold start. I asked if they could take a look at the issues just to make sure everything was okay. Everything was good and I handed my keys off to him. The shuttle driver, an older gentleman Don, was right there waiting for me so I wasn’t going to be late for work. It was a pleasure to ride with Don, as we quickly got to know each other and started sharing fishing stories. Boy, did I learned a whole lot about what lures to use for each different fish, and even asked Don for some advice on my second rod/reel I am planning to get this year. It was like talking to a grandfather, man what 30 to 40 years of fishing experience will teach you. The drive was fast and because of our conversation, it didn’t even feel like I was getting a ride from a shuttle driver. :)
I got an update on the car at about 4PM in the afternoon. Anthony mentioned that the 24K service was done and they had addressed some of the issues I mentioned. They replaced my rear brake pads with the updated ones. Anthony said that my VIN was in the range for the TSB (I knew this already), which said to replace the rear brake pads from 04 model with the updated brake pads of 05-06. Again I want to mention that I did not mention anything about a TSB or free replacement brake pads to Anthony when dropping off my car, I wanted to see what Avante would do with an average customer that do not even know that TSBs existed. They surely impressed me, as they treated me with respect by telling me exactly what the deal was with the rear brake pads. I acted like I didn’t know that much to pose as an average customer instead of a TM3 forum junkie. I really appreciate customer service that respects the customer and doesn’t treat them like they know nothing. Along with the rear pads, I got my rotors machined for a smoother surface to prevent the squeaking, and I also got new wiper arms to replace the rusted ones. All these things were done under warranty, free of charge.
I paid $197 tax in because I use my own Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I told Anthony that I was really happy with the service today and my experience with Avante was a very pleasant one. Up until last weekend, I was impartial to where I would take my car to for servicing. I really did give MoT a chance, and if my experience wasn’t so sour over the weekend, they would be the dealership doing my 24K and future services and I would be writing about them.
But I am now going to Avante for all future services for my car. Yeah, 20km is far but it’s well worth it in my opinion. MoT is still the best place for parts, so I guess it all works out. :D
I am going to update how my brakes are in a few days when I get to test them for squeaking on cold start.
Hope you guys find this review helpful.
Red.
After my weekend experience with Mazda of Toronto (http://www.torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=4725&page=2), I decided on two things. That I would get the 24K and all future services done and that I would get them all done at Avante Mazda. I felt that after the exchange that the service advisor and I had at MoT, I didn’t feel comfortable going back to MoT for the service even with the guarantee of free rear brake pad replacement with the updated brake pads. I did learn a lesson tho, that as a car owner, you are better off doing the schedule services so that you don’t give Mazda Canada or your Mazda dealership any excuses not to fix your problems under warranty.
For all my previous oil changes, I’ve always taken my car to Avante. But Avante is 20km away from my house while MoT is only 4km away. My logic was if MoT provided good customer service after a few times, I would take my car to MoT instead since it is so close. My first service experience there was pretty good. Stanley really took care of me and helped with the 1-2 shift shock update and also my glove box rattling. I was really happy with the service, with the exception that MoT didn’t offer me a ride back to the dealership after work. But I’m an easy going guy, so I let that slide and asked my co-worker to drive me. Last weekend, I went in to address a few issues with my car. I think the biggest problem I had with MoT’s service is the attitude of the service advisor. Instead of carefully explaining to me that a brake inspection needed to be done before any warranty work was to be covered by Mazda, he insisted that I was there to only get warranty work done, and that I never come to the dealership for any service. I got the impression that he was trying to sell me the 24K service by offering me free rear pads, instead of explaining to me why I needed the 24K service. I really felt disrespected by the way I was treated, and you know what? Maybe he was having a bad day but when you work in customer service, you can’t let that affect the way you treat your customers.
So I called Avante this week and spoke to the service tech, Anthony Curia about the 24K service. He took the time to explain to me what the 24K service included. There was no mention of price on either side as I didn’t care how much I was paying as long as the service is done right and I am being respected as the customer. I also never asked for any free rear brake pad replacement (like MoT offered me), but I did mention that my brakes squeak and if they could take a look at it.
I got in right at 9AM. The drive was a busy one up Yonge street, 20km in city traffic is painful especially in the morning. I was greeted by Anthony and he asked me if there was any additional issues I wanted to mention on the work order. I told him that it’s mostly my brakes squeaking and dusting. However my wiper arms were starting to rust and my engine has the hissing/whining sound on cold start. I asked if they could take a look at the issues just to make sure everything was okay. Everything was good and I handed my keys off to him. The shuttle driver, an older gentleman Don, was right there waiting for me so I wasn’t going to be late for work. It was a pleasure to ride with Don, as we quickly got to know each other and started sharing fishing stories. Boy, did I learned a whole lot about what lures to use for each different fish, and even asked Don for some advice on my second rod/reel I am planning to get this year. It was like talking to a grandfather, man what 30 to 40 years of fishing experience will teach you. The drive was fast and because of our conversation, it didn’t even feel like I was getting a ride from a shuttle driver. :)
I got an update on the car at about 4PM in the afternoon. Anthony mentioned that the 24K service was done and they had addressed some of the issues I mentioned. They replaced my rear brake pads with the updated ones. Anthony said that my VIN was in the range for the TSB (I knew this already), which said to replace the rear brake pads from 04 model with the updated brake pads of 05-06. Again I want to mention that I did not mention anything about a TSB or free replacement brake pads to Anthony when dropping off my car, I wanted to see what Avante would do with an average customer that do not even know that TSBs existed. They surely impressed me, as they treated me with respect by telling me exactly what the deal was with the rear brake pads. I acted like I didn’t know that much to pose as an average customer instead of a TM3 forum junkie. I really appreciate customer service that respects the customer and doesn’t treat them like they know nothing. Along with the rear pads, I got my rotors machined for a smoother surface to prevent the squeaking, and I also got new wiper arms to replace the rusted ones. All these things were done under warranty, free of charge.
I paid $197 tax in because I use my own Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I told Anthony that I was really happy with the service today and my experience with Avante was a very pleasant one. Up until last weekend, I was impartial to where I would take my car to for servicing. I really did give MoT a chance, and if my experience wasn’t so sour over the weekend, they would be the dealership doing my 24K and future services and I would be writing about them.
But I am now going to Avante for all future services for my car. Yeah, 20km is far but it’s well worth it in my opinion. MoT is still the best place for parts, so I guess it all works out. :D
I am going to update how my brakes are in a few days when I get to test them for squeaking on cold start.
Hope you guys find this review helpful.
Red.