[RyBMW]

How many times do you have to tell your SA that you don't want a car wash? I ask them not to wash 1 time in the begining and a 2nd time before leaving and my car still ends up being washed! I guess I'm gonna have to write a note and leave it by the windshield the next time I go in for service.

Does the dealer use the same people to wash cars for new delivery PDI and for when you go in for service?

[E90330iS]

my dealer has their own carwash room thing

[BzsBimmer]

My dealer has been great for not washing. They messed up once and I wrote a nasty note to them. After that, it's the joke of the moment when I see them or I pick up the car.
They write it several times on my paperwork and highlight it several times as well.
I think if you build a repertoire with your SA, they'll work really hard to oblige you.

[samurai1200]

Originally Posted by E90330iS

my dealer has their own carwash room thing

which dealer?

[bsamoul]

I've had to leave post it notes on the steering wheel so they don't. because they swirled the fuck up my hood and trunk and roof last time they washed when i told them not to

[E90330iS]

assael BMW, its nothing special. just brush wash

[musc]

You are definitely not alone when it comes to this issue!!! Too many times I told my former SA not to touch the exterior of the car but they still did. When I finally got it through their heads not to wash the car, the next time I came to get my car after service there was some young kid wiping the car down with a 'rag' and some kind of no-label quick detailer. The areas he had wiped down look as though they were rubbed with steel wool!!!

My SAs response was "well at least we didn't wash it like you said". After that I literally made a sign and taped it to the steering wheel stating do not do anything to the exterior of the car. Even with that, someone still ended up washing it...maybe out of spite.

Eventually I ended up driving an extra 30 miles to a different dealership for service. My new SA understood my concerns and made sure that no one touched the exterior of the car.

My trusty little sign:

[picus]

Someone washed your car with that on the steering wheel? Man, you guys are tolerant. I'm a pretty calm guy but I'd go nuts if, despite a SIGN saying don't wash, they did it anyway.

[musc]

Originally Posted by picus

Someone washed your car with that on the steering wheel? Man, you guys are tolerant. I'm a pretty calm guy but I'd go nuts if, despite a SIGN saying don't wash, they did it anyway.

Yep, and my SA wasn't very concerned and actually laughed about it. I explained to him the amount of time I spend trying to keep my cars swirl/scratch free and he said it sounded like a waste of time! Rather than argue with him, I basically told him thanks but I would be taking my business and future referrals to a new dealership. At that point he started to become apologetic, but it was too late.

[toughluck]

Originally Posted by tooth fairy

Not this topic again

I love cars but I have got to the tipping point that I am too busy to worry about stuff like this anymore. With all the things going on in this world, with my family, friends, home, work - I would take swirl marks any day for a free wash. Cars come and go now.

[Prissy]

my dealer does handwash...

[Bobby_Light]

"Vacuum interior only please."

[Holden_Caulfield04]

My response to a dealership washing my car would be something along these lines...

[pander5]

I made up a laminated little sign and attach it to my steering wheel. I also impress upon the SA that it is extremely important to his "all 5's" rating that they do not wash my car after the service. I've been lucky every time thus far and they have complied.

If they ever screw up and wash it I will take up the issue with the service manager in a very stern but amicable manner.

[LOW2000]

I have handled a claim successfully where the customer took his Porsche into the dealer for service, told them no wash, which was documented on the paperwork, and they did it anyway, swirling the paint and causing the invisible bra to lift and be scratched. We paid to have his car professionally detailed and have the bra removed and a new one installed and sent the bills through subrogation to the dealer who ended up paying when threatened with a lawsuit by our subrogation department. They knew we had the means to make them pay one way or another.

The dealership I purchased my G35 from has premade signs for no wash, vacuum only, etc they put on the dash if you request it at the front desk at check-in. Never a problem there.

[SpecC]

i told my SA that i'm a detailer, so hopefully, it never happens again

[RyBMW]

The dealer sent me a email for a survey of my recent service experience. What is a nice way to explain to the service manager, in the survey, that I asked my SA that I didn't want a car wash 2 times and still my car was washed? Everything else was fine though.

[musc]

Originally Posted by RyBMW

The dealer sent me a email for a survey of my recent service experience. What is a nice way to explain to the service manager, in the survey, that I asked my SA that I didn't want a car wash 2 times and still my car was washed? Everything else was fine though.

Basically just outline it like you are telling us. State that you were happy with the service overall; however, you were very disappointed that your car was washed on two occasions despite explicit instructions for your SA not to have the vehicle washed. Say that while you appreciate the offer of a complimentary wash during your service, you are particular about the washing/detailing of your car and prefer to defer it. Ask for suggestions on how to prevent this from happening again at your next service. I have found that they take the surveys rather seriously, particularly if there is something less than excellent stated.

I was pretty patient with my SA until I realized that he obviously wasn't concerned with my request and found it rather trivial that I would complain about it. He is no longer with that dealership, but I have already switched.

Good luck!

[RyBMW]

Thanks!