Published 8 years ago

Worst experience I've ever had.

I recently made an appointment for my vehicle with the SMP Saskatoon Service department. I have bought a vehicle from SMP before and have always taken my vehicles there to be repaired. I dropped my truck off on the Wednesday evening as my appointment was for Thursday morning. I dealt with Crystal in the service department. I told her what was not working on the vehicle and also asked for an over all inspection of anything else that might not be running well and she suggested I pay for an inspection that would find everything wrong with the vehicle. I got a voicemail Friday evening explaining what they had found. I tried to call back and got voicemail and left a message. Then I called again Saturday and again left a message. I called a second time on Saturday and again got voicemail. I then received a call back at 630am on monday to confirm the repairs they would do. I called to find out a timeline Monday evening and got voicemail and left a message. I called a second time and was told Crystal went home early and that they would make sure she called me first thing Tuesday morning.. Finally at noon on Wednesday (6 days after my apt.) I called yet again and left another message. Then at 3pm I called AGAIN and asked to speak to anybody else. A man then was very helpful in searching to check the status on my vehicle and tell me that it was infact done and I could pick it up and simply Crystal had not phoned to tell more muchness replied to any of the 8 times I had called. When I went to pick up my truck I noticed a $50 shop fee, which was explained as "the gloves and paper matts that are used while fixing your vehicle", you're kidding me. $50 for gloves and some paper and maybe some soap? I was given attitude by the employee when I questioned it. Then I noticed that I was charged over $100 for a diagnostic, which was an hour to determine what was wrong with the vehicle, even though I told them what was wrong.. I was ALSO charged over $100 for the inspection that Crystal said would find everything wrong with the vehicle.. So I questioned why I was charged twice for basically the same thing when I was lead to believe the inspection would have done it all. At this point they called Crystal to see if this charge was right, and she instantly gave me attitude. She spoke down to me and offered no apology for the confusion or for the terrible communication and service. In the end, I paid $190 for a part, and almost $750 for labour, so that SMP could have my vehicle for 6.5 days and never return my calls. I will NEVER purchase another vehicle here or use their service department, and I will advice everyone I know to stay away as well.
Shelby Dzaman 8 years ago
Hi Kimberley, I have had an opportunity to review your concerns. First, I want to say I do sympathize with you about your vehicle problems. The time line you describe for the type of work that was done to your vehicle is reasonable, however. I know you had your vehicle towed in on Wednesday night, but it would not have gone in to the shop until Thursday, as scheduled. It would not have been worked on Saturday or Sunday, as we currently only have our Certified Service Express Lube open on Saturday, and your Service Advisor works the 5 weekdays per week. Our doors open at 6:30 am, and our Advisors are usually here before then, so they are not always available late in the day. I see you suggested replacing the fuel pump when you spoke with your Advisor, and she correctly advised that you have the condition properly diagnosed. That was a good thing! As it turned out, your vehicle required a fuel pump module, and not a fuel pump as you suspected. Once your vehicle was running again, you had requested we take time to determine why your vehicle was using oil excessively. You also wanted to know, generally, the other problems with your vehicle, and your advisor correctly suggested a vehicle multi-point inspection. You also asked for an oil change, and a quote on replacing a ball joint and oil pressure gauge or sending unit. This was all completed as discussed with your Service Advisor. I know some of the news was not good with respect to your engine’s condition, but this is not the fault of your Advisor. As far as shop fees go, your Advisor was correct in telling you it was for incidentals. Most shops routinely charge out small items this way, and this has been industry practice for decades. SMP is slightly different than some other shops in that shop supply fee is capped at SMP, and it is therefore considered very reasonable. I see you have been in for service at SMP several times in the past, and I suspect your Advisor may have assumed you had more of an understanding concerning shop supplies. I do apologize for any miscommunications that may have occurred during your last visit, and would be more than willing to discuss with you shop supplies, enviro and recycling fees, taxes, and labour time guide. Please feel free to email, call, or visit. Sincerely, Michael Kocsis, Assistant Service Manager.

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