Civic Transmission shot at 44K: Good Ending!!!

How many will read it and figure Honda kowtows to customers
so that it can pass along the losses to other customers via
higher prices?

If Honda is too generous, it can't exist.

 

How many will read it and figure Honda kowtows to customers
so that it can pass along the losses to other customers via
higher prices?

If Honda is too generous, it can't exist.

 

Exactly. Which is why you need good people making sound judgements.
Sometimes you'll need to stay rigid and stick to your guns. Other times
rules can be bent, allowing flexibility to make good business sense. Trying
to read people is not always easy when you have a certain population trying
to take advantage of everything they can get away with.

You'll have rules and policy to abide by to prevent ABUSE. Other times you
have to trust your instincts, common sense and use goodwill.

I had an old Honda Prelude I liked taking to the dealership for work. Don't
remember the exact circumstances or work done, but I had to bring it back a
couple times due to a something that wasn't caught, fixed right, whatever.
The service manager took care of the problem with a goodwill gesture on
cost. Kept me as a happy customer that kept coming back, and will refer
others if they want a dealership to do their work.

Did I buy my new Honda there? No. It was towards the end of the year for
new cars and they didn't have what I wanted in stock. I went further to
buy. But I'd still go back if I want a dealership to do the service, I
would still go to them.

If Honda is too rigid, it also cannot exist. There's a balance. Goes the
same for many other businesses.

-Dave

 

Exactly. Which is why you need good people making sound judgements.
Sometimes you'll need to stay rigid and stick to your guns. Other times
rules can be bent, allowing flexibility to make good business sense. Trying
to read people is not always easy when you have a certain population trying
to take advantage of everything they can get away with.

You'll have rules and policy to abide by to prevent ABUSE. Other times you
have to trust your instincts, common sense and use goodwill.

I had an old Honda Prelude I liked taking to the dealership for work. Don't
remember the exact circumstances or work done, but I had to bring it back a
couple times due to a something that wasn't caught, fixed right, whatever.
The service manager took care of the problem with a goodwill gesture on
cost. Kept me as a happy customer that kept coming back, and will refer
others if they want a dealership to do their work.

Did I buy my new Honda there? No. It was towards the end of the year for
new cars and they didn't have what I wanted in stock. I went further to
buy. But I'd still go back if I want a dealership to do the service, I
would still go to them.

If Honda is too rigid, it also cannot exist. There's a balance. Goes the
same for many other businesses.

-Dave

 

Elle,

I think what you may be forgetting here, is that Honda is not [any American
auto manufacturer's name here] in the 1970s, and failures of this type are
rare. At least we hope so. I assume that is why many are buying Hondas,
for the reliability. If spectacular failures are really rare, then it is
cheap to fix them free, as a public relations stunt. Or you fix one, and
make the owners of a hundred others pay. I hope Honda is not doing that!

Earle

 

Elle,

I think what you may be forgetting here, is that Honda is not [any American
auto manufacturer's name here] in the 1970s, and failures of this type are
rare. At least we hope so. I assume that is why many are buying Hondas,
for the reliability. If spectacular failures are really rare, then it is
cheap to fix them free, as a public relations stunt. Or you fix one, and
make the owners of a hundred others pay. I hope Honda is not doing that!

Earle

 

Well shucks, I think you were right to bring it back: The
problem was not fixed. I'd bring it back, too (now that I
have some backbone dealing with dealers, who by all reports
do go around trying to screw over women). This should have
been far less goodwill and more simply the service
department joyously keeping up its end of the contract: It
promised the car would be fixed. It wasn't. They are obliged
to make good on the promise.

I agree that if the custom among typical manufacturers is to
honor warranties up to X miles beyond what is stated in the
contract, then Honda can't compete by doing otherwise.

OTOH, I think you're still missing my point: I don't care
too much what Honda does once the warranty period expires.
The ball is in their court, the law on their side, whatever
choice they make.

It's a customer expecting (demanding) warranty service after
the warranty expires that I completely condemn. A person
should not sign a contract he does not intend to honor.

 

Well shucks, I think you were right to bring it back: The
problem was not fixed. I'd bring it back, too (now that I
have some backbone dealing with dealers, who by all reports
do go around trying to screw over women). This should have
been far less goodwill and more simply the service
department joyously keeping up its end of the contract: It
promised the car would be fixed. It wasn't. They are obliged
to make good on the promise.

I agree that if the custom among typical manufacturers is to
honor warranties up to X miles beyond what is stated in the
contract, then Honda can't compete by doing otherwise.

OTOH, I think you're still missing my point: I don't care
too much what Honda does once the warranty period expires.
The ball is in their court, the law on their side, whatever
choice they make.

It's a customer expecting (demanding) warranty service after
the warranty expires that I completely condemn. A person
should not sign a contract he does not intend to honor.

 

Seems to me by "spectacular failure" here you surely mean
one so odd and at so low mileage that of course the warranty
covers it; no questions by anyone.

Given that dealerships and Honda Corp. both have
well-trained warranty departments with years of experience
(one way or another) there is no doubt in my mind that it's
a balancing act. That makes perfect sense to me. I agree
with you.

But it's the customer's actions for which I have criticism
here, not Honda's.

I will name one exception, and maybe it is a very germane
one: Newer designs do have problems previously unknown
arise. We all know that sometimes, with enough vehicles
having problems, this will result in the extension of a
warranty, or possibly reimbursement to some who thought they
were not warrantied.

This instance is not too distant from the aforementioned
comment on the bearing warranty period being ridiculous.
When such instances arise, I certainly think it's okay for a
customer to go politely to Honda and the dealer and say, "I
think this is ridiculous. I have read xyz and know this part
should have lasted longer. I am really unhappy." Or I guess
if someone feels really strongly about a matter, and has
special expertise in it or has read thoroughly on it, being
more demanding can be justified.

Sometimes it's even a citizen's duty to do so, when the
issue in question involves the safety of the driver or
property. Some of those issues at times would, IMO, have
demanded that an ethically minded car owner scream bloody
murder to not just the dealer and manufacturer but, if the
latter are not listening, all over the media.

Ralph Nader is mostly a good guy in this respect, for
example.

 

Seems to me by "spectacular failure" here you surely mean
one so odd and at so low mileage that of course the warranty
covers it; no questions by anyone.

Given that dealerships and Honda Corp. both have
well-trained warranty departments with years of experience
(one way or another) there is no doubt in my mind that it's
a balancing act. That makes perfect sense to me. I agree
with you.

But it's the customer's actions for which I have criticism
here, not Honda's.

I will name one exception, and maybe it is a very germane
one: Newer designs do have problems previously unknown
arise. We all know that sometimes, with enough vehicles
having problems, this will result in the extension of a
warranty, or possibly reimbursement to some who thought they
were not warrantied.

This instance is not too distant from the aforementioned
comment on the bearing warranty period being ridiculous.
When such instances arise, I certainly think it's okay for a
customer to go politely to Honda and the dealer and say, "I
think this is ridiculous. I have read xyz and know this part
should have lasted longer. I am really unhappy." Or I guess
if someone feels really strongly about a matter, and has
special expertise in it or has read thoroughly on it, being
more demanding can be justified.

Sometimes it's even a citizen's duty to do so, when the
issue in question involves the safety of the driver or
property. Some of those issues at times would, IMO, have
demanded that an ethically minded car owner scream bloody
murder to not just the dealer and manufacturer but, if the
latter are not listening, all over the media.

Ralph Nader is mostly a good guy in this respect, for
example.

 

As I mentioned, I unfortunately don't remember the exact circumstances so I
can't provide details. I "DO" remember the dealership working with me.
Some things are just unforseen, especially dealing with a 10+ year old used
car. I agree there are many shops out there who screw people, whether it be
women, students, elderly or foreigners. You are a woman so you see how
you're treated. However it is not ONLY women. This would be a stereotype.
Dealerships are only as good as the people working there, whether it be
salespeople, mechanics, service advisors managers or owners. There are many
bad apples out there but fortunately there are still some good ones too.

From a business perspective, I remember my situation could have gone either
way. I try to look at things from different perspectives and not jump to
conclusions. That's part of understanding and negotiating.

No, I did not miss your point. There should be NO expectation Honda or
anyone else needs to honor something outside of warranty unless there is
intentional malice involved.

I agree with you here. Gotta lay the law down somewhere. However, there
are always examples where a dealership or moco may choose to make an
exception. If it's given under extenuating circumstances, I consider that
goodwill. A customer should not expect nor demand warranty service after
expiration.

 

As I mentioned, I unfortunately don't remember the exact circumstances so I
can't provide details. I "DO" remember the dealership working with me.
Some things are just unforseen, especially dealing with a 10+ year old used
car. I agree there are many shops out there who screw people, whether it be
women, students, elderly or foreigners. You are a woman so you see how
you're treated. However it is not ONLY women. This would be a stereotype.
Dealerships are only as good as the people working there, whether it be
salespeople, mechanics, service advisors managers or owners. There are many
bad apples out there but fortunately there are still some good ones too.

From a business perspective, I remember my situation could have gone either
way. I try to look at things from different perspectives and not jump to
conclusions. That's part of understanding and negotiating.

No, I did not miss your point. There should be NO expectation Honda or
anyone else needs to honor something outside of warranty unless there is
intentional malice involved.

I agree with you here. Gotta lay the law down somewhere. However, there
are always examples where a dealership or moco may choose to make an
exception. If it's given under extenuating circumstances, I consider that
goodwill. A customer should not expect nor demand warranty service after
expiration.

 

I bet 300 miles of the 12300 was spent driving the car to the dealer for
warranty service.

 

I bet 300 miles of the 12300 was spent driving the car to the dealer for
warranty service.

 

Just for the record, I had an extended warranty on my 300M. I crunched it
in a pothole going way too fast. The strut failed and a bunch of other
things were damaged. chrysler dealer fixed it under the extended warranty.
They should have told me to drive more carefully next time and charged me
for the repair. Honda is not the only people doing decent things for
customers.

 

Just for the record, I had an extended warranty on my 300M. I crunched it
in a pothole going way too fast. The strut failed and a bunch of other
things were damaged. chrysler dealer fixed it under the extended warranty.
They should have told me to drive more carefully next time and charged me
for the repair. Honda is not the only people doing decent things for
customers.