A Dealership Rant

[rabel316]

I wish the people on this forum worked in dealerships, I think we'd all be better off and be faced with much more knowledgeable people. Here's the story....

I had a PDIM unit delivered, took me about an hour to install myself, and I took it to a dealer (Classic Chevrolet, Pittsburgh) to get the radio reprogrammed. Over the course of the 3 hours I was there, I heard the following:

• What's a PDIM? (Should have been my first clue to leave)
• This isn't a GM part. (It is)
• Can you come to the service center and explain to our installer how to reprogram the radio? (I even printed off the instruction page and a TSB for them and gave them to the service guy when he took my keys)
• You need a code from GM to reprogram the radio. (You don't)

And my favorite.....

• It's reprogrammed. (It wasn't)

I spent three hours at a dealership for a job that requires them to plug a box into a cable and hit a button. And they still didn't get it right.

My money was refunded after I asked the service manager if he knew what a PDIM was. He said yes, so I asked him what it did. His response? "It connects the things." After asking what things, he just looked confused and refunded my money. Too bad he can't refund my three hours. Alright, rant over! Thanks for listening...I really needed to get that off my chest.

[Outlander]

Originally Posted by rabel316

I wish the people on this forum worked in dealerships, I think we'd all be better off and be faced with much more knowledgeable people. Here's the story....

I had a PDIM unit delivered, took me about an hour to install myself, and I took it to a dealer (Classic Chevrolet, Pittsburgh) to get the radio reprogrammed. Over the course of the 3 hours I was there, I heard the following:

• What's a PDIM? (Should have been my first clue to leave)
• This isn't a GM part. (It is)
• Can you come to the service center and explain to our installer how to reprogram the radio? (I even printed off the instruction page and a TSB for them and gave them to the service guy when he took my keys)
• You need a code from GM to reprogram the radio. (You don't)

And my favorite.....

• It's reprogrammed. (It wasn't)

I spent three hours at a dealership for a job that requires them to plug a box into a cable and hit a button. And they still didn't get it right.

My money was refunded after I asked the service manager if he knew what a PDIM was. He said yes, so I asked him what it did. His response? "It connects the things." After asking what things, he just looked confused and refunded my money. Too bad he can't refund my three hours. Alright, rant over! Thanks for listening...I really needed to get that off my chest.

I guess we'll never get enough of these.

Last year I had OEM cruise control added to a new, base Sonic. The first dealership I called was perplexed so I called another. Then another until I was able to find someone that saw it was a kit that replaced the steering wheel and required an ECM re-flash for $350. They contacted GM in advance and confirmed they had the correct procedure and software download.

The car was in and out within an hour and the cruise worked flawlessly.

Ta-frickin-da.

Maybe your dealership is a bunch of nitwits but did you spend time with them up front to ensure you wouldn't be here today complaining about how clueless they are?

[rabel316]

Yes, I did spend the time. I called 5 dealers in the area, and when I talked to Classic they told me that it was a half hour job and it was an easy update. That guy must have been off when I went in.

Also, I explained what they needed to do, gave them printed instructions that showed where they needed to plug in their MDI box, and what the reprogramming required (as stated in my original post). So yes, I put in the work. I'm glad you did your due diligence and it worked out for you, but that doesn't mean that other people don't do their research when problems happen.

[Baba]

You guys are a bit harsh on your dealer's parts and service departments, aren't you? Don't forget, this is the "new" GM. They're learning, too.

[The_Blur]

[TOYMARO]

I LOVE my dealER here in C'bus. I will posting a RAVE review as soon as car is back together (trans).

Sorry to hear your woes.

[PalmerGA]

My dealership and their service department is great, as far as I'm concerned! Prince Chevrolet, Albany, GA.

[2SS 2011]

I do think you need something to reprogram the radio .. The VIN maybe

[Swacer]

Give Tom Henry a call. They should be able to help you out.

[LBreezie]

Originally Posted by rabel316

I wish the people on this forum worked in dealerships, I think we'd all be better off and be faced with much more knowledgeable people. Here's the story....

I had a PDIM unit delivered, took me about an hour to install myself, and I took it to a dealer (Classic Chevrolet, Pittsburgh) to get the radio reprogrammed. Over the course of the 3 hours I was there, I heard the following:

• What's a PDIM? (Should have been my first clue to leave)
• This isn't a GM part. (It is)
• Can you come to the service center and explain to our installer how to reprogram the radio? (I even printed off the instruction page and a TSB for them and gave them to the service guy when he took my keys)
• You need a code from GM to reprogram the radio. (You don't)

And my favorite.....

• It's reprogrammed. (It wasn't)

I spent three hours at a dealership for a job that requires them to plug a box into a cable and hit a button. And they still didn't get it right.

My money was refunded after I asked the service manager if he knew what a PDIM was. He said yes, so I asked him what it did. His response? "It connects the things." After asking what things, he just looked confused and refunded my money. Too bad he can't refund my three hours. Alright, rant over! Thanks for listening...I really needed to get that off my chest.

Is this the classic chevrolet dealer in Bellvue? Try Miller and Sons Chevrolet in Aliquippa if you want a different dealer. Not sure where you are located in pittsburgh

[SSMY1LE]

Doesn't the PDIM control the Flux Capacitor ???

[LS1hawk]

Originally Posted by SSMY1LE

Doesn't the PDIM control the Flux Capacitor ???

You must be thinking of something different. The PDIM controls the blinker fluid.

[rabel316]

Doesn't the PDIM control the Flux Capacitor ???

Haha - dang it! That's what I was missing.

And yes, it is the Classic Chevrolet in Bellevue. I have an appointment with Wright today, so we'll see what happens. They said they've never done a Camaro reprogram, but they've done several other GM models.

[Swacer]

Originally Posted by rabel316

Haha - dang it! That's what I was missing.

And yes, it is the Classic Chevrolet in Bellevue. I have an appointment with Wright today, so we'll see what happens. They said they've never done a Camaro reprogram, but they've done several other GM models.

Oh god....Wright. The dealership (their hyundai dealership) that single handedly destroyed my genesis coupe. I'd die before dealing with them ever again.