Well, I finally did it, I took my car to a service center in Sunnyvale for annual service, some minor fixing, and the 100d uncorking. So far, my report is not good:
Impressions:
- I expected a nicer shop, looks like a stereotypical mechanic shop, not like a high end car center
- I was led into a waiting area and told "your service advisor will be with you shortly", 15 minutes later, sitting there feeling stupid while much activity was going on in the office, I asked someone at one of the desks what I was supposed to do. Turns out my service advisor was supposed to have met me as soon as I came in, but he was "out somewhere". He finally showed up
- Service advisor was not impressive and came across sales-ey and evasive
- Service area did not look very clean, and it appears any car left there overnight (mine) will be stored outside
Experience:
Not good.
The advisor did not come across to have much command of the domain. I felt from the very get go that it was all about just getting me out of there, and finding reasons to NOT do things. For example, my car no longer responds to pushing the button on the charger plugin. He checked it out (he thought it was my charger), but it didn't work there either. However, they were able to make it work by holding the charger up near the top of the rear pillar (where the radio antennae is). He says "I can research fixing this, but then I'd need your car for at least a week". Maybe that's true, but he said it with a clear tone of "don't ask us to fix this". I caved, and said I'd try it at home and see if it works well enough... but it kinda miffs me that the thing just doesn't work right, and it's on me to work around it.
Next, the 100d uncorking... I was one of those that initially was told I was ineligible by a service center, but then escalated to tesla support, where it was confirmed I was indeed eligible. Well, back to square one, he told me I was ineligible. I told him my story, and even showed him my post on these forums where I copied the email I got from Tesla Support saying I was eligible, he said he'd "research it" and to give him 5 minutes. He came back with the same answer. I asked if he contacted corporate, and he just reiterated they had not received a bulletin for my car.
Next, the 1 year service. I asked to see a list of what I am getting for $550. He showed me the mechanics checklist, with all the inspection items, and then condescendingly said "I know this all looks complicated". I said, no, not only is it not complicated, I am not sure where the work is given it is just a bunch of inspection items. The only real material work is changing the batteries in my keyFobs, and the 4 wheel alignment. That last one is a significant thing, so while I still think $550 is quite a bit for what is listed, I also didn't make any fuss... but was put off again by his attempt to scroll through a bunch of stuff and tell me "It's complicated". grrr.. I worked on cars for years, built my own race car... of course I didn't actually say that.
Conclusion:
I will tell you when I get the car, but my gut tells me I am going to find something wrong with the car. I put 2 different post-it notes "DO NOT WASH CAR", but given the general attitude I saw there, and the state of the place, I have no confidence. This place did not show Tesla the way I envision Tesla (which I experienced at Fremont).
Impressions:
- I expected a nicer shop, looks like a stereotypical mechanic shop, not like a high end car center
- I was led into a waiting area and told "your service advisor will be with you shortly", 15 minutes later, sitting there feeling stupid while much activity was going on in the office, I asked someone at one of the desks what I was supposed to do. Turns out my service advisor was supposed to have met me as soon as I came in, but he was "out somewhere". He finally showed up
- Service advisor was not impressive and came across sales-ey and evasive
- Service area did not look very clean, and it appears any car left there overnight (mine) will be stored outside
Experience:
Not good.
The advisor did not come across to have much command of the domain. I felt from the very get go that it was all about just getting me out of there, and finding reasons to NOT do things. For example, my car no longer responds to pushing the button on the charger plugin. He checked it out (he thought it was my charger), but it didn't work there either. However, they were able to make it work by holding the charger up near the top of the rear pillar (where the radio antennae is). He says "I can research fixing this, but then I'd need your car for at least a week". Maybe that's true, but he said it with a clear tone of "don't ask us to fix this". I caved, and said I'd try it at home and see if it works well enough... but it kinda miffs me that the thing just doesn't work right, and it's on me to work around it.
Next, the 100d uncorking... I was one of those that initially was told I was ineligible by a service center, but then escalated to tesla support, where it was confirmed I was indeed eligible. Well, back to square one, he told me I was ineligible. I told him my story, and even showed him my post on these forums where I copied the email I got from Tesla Support saying I was eligible, he said he'd "research it" and to give him 5 minutes. He came back with the same answer. I asked if he contacted corporate, and he just reiterated they had not received a bulletin for my car.
Next, the 1 year service. I asked to see a list of what I am getting for $550. He showed me the mechanics checklist, with all the inspection items, and then condescendingly said "I know this all looks complicated". I said, no, not only is it not complicated, I am not sure where the work is given it is just a bunch of inspection items. The only real material work is changing the batteries in my keyFobs, and the 4 wheel alignment. That last one is a significant thing, so while I still think $550 is quite a bit for what is listed, I also didn't make any fuss... but was put off again by his attempt to scroll through a bunch of stuff and tell me "It's complicated". grrr.. I worked on cars for years, built my own race car... of course I didn't actually say that.
Conclusion:
I will tell you when I get the car, but my gut tells me I am going to find something wrong with the car. I put 2 different post-it notes "DO NOT WASH CAR", but given the general attitude I saw there, and the state of the place, I have no confidence. This place did not show Tesla the way I envision Tesla (which I experienced at Fremont).
