Negative Experience - Centaur Subaru

[E46..sTyLez]

Hey guys, something I want to share:

I purchased a 2011 Subaru STI sport tech on April 1st 2011. When taking delivery a scuff was noticed on the front bumper, since the detailing staff had gone home for the day I was asked to come in when convenient for me to have the scuff “buffed out”.

I arranged to come in over my lunch hour the following week and when I arrived, even though it was scheduled for that time, the head detailer (specialist) was on his lunch. One of the other detailers attempted to remove the scratch unsuccessfully, followed by another employee who was recognized as somewhat of a specialist in buffing. He was also unsuccessful.

The manager was then asked to come and look at the scuff and provide a possible solution. Peter (the manager) came over and briefly looked at the scuff and with a dismissing tone replied “what do you want me to do, paint your whole car?” I then replied asking that they do whatever necessary to make the car look new.

I was told that they will do a thorough power polish when I bring the vehicle in for its first service (approx 5000km). Needing to get back to work, I accepted the offer.

On April 23rd I had made an appointment with a 3rd party company to have 3M material applied to the front end of my vehicle. The 3M would cover this scuff so I had this company buff the scratch out prior to applying the 3M. I paid the tech in cash to have it done ($20).

Now, I went back to Centaur and informed them that I had taken care of the scuff on my own because I needed to apply the 3M material sooner than later. I asked what could be offered as retribution for my inconvenience, and also the convenience of Centaur not having to fix it (I was told they would be sending it to a 3rd party for the power polish). I suggested a complementary oil change.

This request was refused and I was told that I could only get a refund on the money I spent, as long as I had a receipt. With it being a cash job for the repair, a receipt was not given...and it also wasn’t so much about the money then it was the principal. This made its way up to the owner Paul, which is where everything got worse. I was approached with an undermining tone as if I was trying to take advantage of them, and he said he would just give me $20 out of his pocket which I found rather degrading considering I was basing my request on principal and not on the $20 it cost me. I was looking for them to take into consideration the inconvenience and time wasted over my lunch to attempt to get this scuff repaired, as well as the fact I fixed it on their behalf. Paul then told me he had something else to attend to and he had given me enough of his time.

End rant/

Now, in your guys opinion am I being treated poorly...or am I just being a baby that is used to BMW customer service?

[E46..sTyLez]

P.S. Sorry for the novel, I get carried away when ranting haha

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by E46..sTyLez
am I just being a baby

To a degree.

You agree on something and then decided you want something else. And the argument is over a fix that can be done by a guy buff it for 10mins for $20.

If I know I'm getting 3M, I won't even bother to ask for the power buff and just DIY and ask straight for a free oil change.

And congrats on the STI.

[410440]

Centaur Subaru has always sucked balls for any customer service.


I have dealt with them on numerous occasions for business to business service.


my 2cents, your only out 20 bucks - walk away and never give centaur any of your business.

Take it to another dealership for oilchanges, warranty work, etc.


Almost every review I have read about centaur is negative, and this is going back 2 years. The reason I never bought a car from them alongside my experiances with those douchebag service and sales people.

[heavyD]

I'm surprised the company that put 3M on actually charged you $20 to polish out a scuff. From the dealerships point of view you are probably being a baby. Part of the experience of owning a Subaru in Calgary is shitty customer service so par for the course I would say.

[ddduke]

Kind of seems like a mixture of both. Doesn't seem like they were the best people to deal with, but they did try to fix it for you in the first place, then they told you at your first service they would do it.

You took it upon yourself to fix it instead of taking their offer. I'd think that by doing that you declined their offer and the problem was dealt with. I understand that it was an inconvenience to you but no one from subaru forced you to do this.

This may not be the case, but from their point of view you probably seem like some type of penny pincher who is trying to get free stuff, so if I was them I'd probably be annoyed too.

[A790]

I would have refused delivery of the car if it was anything other than impeccable. That being said, that doesn't make their treatment of you okay either.

I'd switch dealerships and call it a day.

[kvg]

From what I remember Centaur Is no longer a Volvo dealer due to too many customer complaints.

[BrknFngrs]

I can't remember the service managers name that I dealt with but it sounds like it was quite likely the same guy. In my case, I brought the car in to have the pads and rotors replaced and he went so far as to tell me that I shouldn't need to replace the pads and rotors unless I was abusing the vehicle as they shouldn't be worn out in ~50,000km's. Incredibly rude fellow and I won't be going back that's for sure.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Should have refused delivery until it was perfect.

[bart]

Originally posted by A790
I would have refused delivery of the car if it was anything other than impeccable. That being said, that doesn't make their treatment of you okay either.

I'd switch dealerships and call it a day.

exactly, only give them the remainder of the money for the car once you are satisfied with it during delivery...

enjoy your new holograms ;)

[E46..sTyLez]

Originally posted by BrknFngrs
I can't remember the service managers name that I dealt with but it sounds like it was quite likely the same guy. In my case, I brought the car in to have the pads and rotors replaced and he went so far as to tell me that I shouldn't need to replace the pads and rotors unless I was abusing the vehicle as they shouldn't be worn out in ~50,000km's. Incredibly rude fellow and I won't be going back that's for sure.

Yeah that sounds like Peter, he's pretty smug for a manager that sits in a cubical haha

[E46..sTyLez]

Yea I will be taking all of my business to Subaru Calgary from now on. I'm going to drop the subject with Centaur and move on...I was just SO pissed when the owner said "I will give you a $20 bill from my pocket"
If he's so rich, why not give a free oil change and have a customer walk away content and willing to recommend them. Now they have lost out on thousands of dollars in maintenance over the next several years, and I made a BEYOND THREAD!!!! Hahahaha

You guys are right though, legally they are within their right to refuse me...but is it worth it to offend a new Subaru owner that JUST bought their top of the line car?

I got a free oil change out of honda for a 2000 teg because they didn't tighten the oil pan plug properly and I had to come back the next day. I didn't even ask for it, they just gave it to me as an apology for my inconvenience.

[KandabashiDevil]

+1 for Centaur Subaru

OP needs a serious reality check :rolleyes: Are you serious?
This guy goes outside of the agreed solution .... Then suggests a form of compensation which costs 3-4 times the amount it actually cost him to fix the problem :rofl: What a laughable thread.

Just goes to show how ridiculous some people are in their expectations of automotive service. This retard is bragging about his ability to slander on the internet :rolleyes: Just foaming at the mouth to run home to your keyboard, hey?


Originally posted by E46..sTyLez
.... and I made a BEYOND THREAD!!!! Hahahaha

WOW!!! YOU'RE SO COOL :thumbsup:

:whocares: :closed:

[E46..sTyLez]

Originally posted by KandabashiDevil
+1 for Centaur Subaru

OP needs a serious reality check :rolleyes: Are you serious?
This guy goes outside of the agreed solution .... Then suggests a form of compensation which costs 3-4 times the amount it actually cost him to fix the problem :rofl: What a laughable thread.

Just goes to show how ridiculous some people are in their expectations of automotive service. This retard is bragging about his ability to slander on the internet :rolleyes: Just foaming at the mouth to run home to your keyboard, hey?



WOW!!! YOU'RE SO COOL :thumbsup:

:whocares: :closed:

Yea ok buddy, look at my posts per day compared to yours you fucking dope. What do you work there or something?? Haha want to armwrestle?? Get a grip

[Xtrema]

Like HeavyD said picking the 2 Subaru dealerships in Calgary is like:

http://www.carolinapoliticsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/douche-turd.jpg


And if you search Beyond, this is not the first or will it be the last of complain threads about shitty Subaru services in Calgary on Beyond.

[Mitsu3000gt]

My only experiences with both Subaru dealers in Calgary have been very negative. It was on the sales side though, not post-sale like the OP.

[Rat Fink]

.

[Idratherbsidewayz]

I've only ever had negative experiences with that Scottish fuck service manager at Centaur.

Now all I deal with is the parts department (AWESOME guys). My mechanic or I install the parts, no hassle with dickhead service douchebags.

New cars are for chumps!

[E46..sTyLez]

I asked if he would just take 20 bucks off my next service instead, and he refused. He was offering the cash out of pocket to be a prick and try to degrade me with his dismissive attitude. I said in the OP it wasn't about 20 bucks, I just wanted some compensation for the inconvenience. He could have easily offered me even 50% off an oil change. Try to keep in mind this post is regarding the way I was treated and spoken to, not about whether or not I got my free oil change.
I would have even accepted 25% off an oil change, it's all about the principal of the matter.

[Chester]

I have come to the conclusion that both Centaur Subaru, and Calgary Subaru are run by fucking morons who don't give a shit about customer service or loyalty.
I could go on for hours about Calgary Subaru and the shit they've put me through in the past 3 years, with the last 4 months being the worst.

[max_boost]

They definitely could have handled the situation much better but for whatever reason, they acted that way. I find with service it really comes down to the individual you are dealing with. Hopefully things will be better for you at Calgary Subaru.

BTW, was your sales guy able to help out in anyway?

[googe]

The first thing most Subaru owners in Calgary learn, is that they should have made the trip to Edmonton.

[PD77]

Originally posted by googe
The first thing most Subaru owners in Calgary learn, is that they should have made the trip to Red Deer .

Fixed.

[shakalaka]

I can see how it can be degrading being offered the $20 as he was doing. Infact it actually pisses me right off! If I was you, I would have been like, yea okay fine give me the $20 then. Once he handed it to me, I would have ripped it in pieces in front of him and thrown it all back at him and walked away proper content! And am not just saying that.

[sneek]

I can see how it would be pretty degrading that he offered you $20 but I am going to have to say that the OP is being a baby. I mean you did pay the detail guy in cash.

:rofl: You haven't had bad service until you've been to BMW Gallery. Calgary BMW was significantly better, but nobody really touches Lexus.

[RY213]

Originally posted by Idratherbsidewayz
I've only ever had negative experiences with that Scottish fuck service manager at Centaur.

Now all I deal with is the parts department (AWESOME guys).

I totally agree! That Scottish prick really pisses me off. I cant say enough good things about the parts department though, they have helped me with some minor fixes for free, really good guys!

[R-Audi]

Originally posted by E46..sTyLez
I asked if he would just take 20 bucks off my next service instead, and he refused. He was offering the cash out of pocket to be a prick and try to degrade me with his dismissive attitude. I said in the OP it wasn't about 20 bucks, I just wanted some compensation for the inconvenience. He could have easily offered me even 50% off an oil change. Try to keep in mind this post is regarding the way I was treated and spoken to, not about whether or not I got my free oil change.
I would have even accepted 25% off an oil change, it's all about the principal of the matter.

He offered to compensate you your $20, but you didnt want his $20, you wanted another $20? If not more then $20?

They offered to fix everything, and you got it done elsewhere. As far as Im concerned, that is a dead issue. Plus its $20! get over it.

[Sorath]

centaur sales department is better than calgary subaru sales. calgary subaru service and parts is better than centaur service and parts. the service manager at centaur is fucking fag. had so many issues with him when i had my subaru

[top_speed]

Cool

[Sugarphreak]

...

[tictactoe2004]

Originally posted by Sorath
centaur sales department is better than calgary subaru sales. calgary subaru service and parts is better than centaur service and parts. the service manager at centaur is fucking fag. had so many issues with him when i had my subaru

Maybe I just had bad luck but the two times I went to Centaur to talk about buying a vehicle it was an absolute joke. Last time I was there looking at a Forester for my pregnant wife, before I made the offer on the vehicle I wanted to know two things, MSRP on the vehicle and the monthly price if I was to lease it. I was told by the salesman he cannot give me the monthly payment on a lease unless I was serious enough to make an offer first... WTF?? I guess a married couple in their mid 30's with a pregnant wife driving a newer vehicle looking to upgrade to something that's bigger with 4 doors does not make us serious enough...

We ended up buying an F150 instead and I love it about 1000x more than I thought I ever would.

[Kavy]

Originally posted by Sorath
centaur sales department is better than calgary subaru sales. calgary subaru service and parts is better than centaur service and parts. the service manager at centaur is fucking fag. had so many issues with him when i had my subaru

I had the opposite experience when it comes to sales but I completely agree with the service dept.

Quick story about Centaur:
Bought my new 2004 wrx at Centaur. Dealing with them was was a pain, waited about 10 minutes for help and the sales person asked me if my parents were buying it for me......I was 23 at the time and came in by myself, why he would ask that still blows me away to this day. Bought the vehicle anyways because I didn't know any better.

Fast forward 3 years and I went to buy a new 2007 STi. Sales people ignored me for about 15 minutes. After one came over and I explained what I wanted (the entire time he looked bothered to be helping me) he said "be right back" and went and helped a couple who walked through the door. After 5 minutes I got up and left, drove straight to Calgary Subaru and bought exactly what I wanted. As a bonus it was on the lot and I got an amazing trade value on my wrx.

I drove back to Centaur the next day and showed the prick salesman my new car and made sure to rub it in his face.

[nickyh]

When I was at the autoshow and spoke with the people on the floor from Subaru, I was looking at getting an STI and told the guy it would be in the next two months as I wanted to do my research and test drive a few cars as well.

I typically get to work at 6.30am so after working all day, then heading to the car show I was getting home around 8pm. Long day! When I gave out my info, I purposely left my business phone number so I would not have to deal with pushy sales people on my time.
After they had put my info in the system, that very night I had a sales guy call my office line, get my cell phone number which is there in case of emergency only (such as facilty being shut in or trucks not being able to offload) well he called me on my cell, at 8:30pm. I was so friggen pissed off when I got off the phone.
I had to confirm that was what he had done as I could not remember what phone number I have given out.

I think when i pick up my new car I may swing by there and show him what I bought.

[Aleks]

I bought 2 Subarus directly from Centaur owner. Both time it took 5 min and the second time I even ended up well below invoice. Very positive experience. But before I go in I already know how much everything is and what the incentives are so at that point it's a matter of whether we both agree on a set number.

Haven't had them long enough or needed any warranty work to rate the services there..

[InRich]

Originally posted by E46..sTyLez
I asked if he would just take 20 bucks off my next service instead, and he refused. He was offering the cash out of pocket to be a prick and try to degrade me with his dismissive attitude. I said in the OP it wasn't about 20 bucks, I just wanted some compensation for the inconvenience. He could have easily offered me even 50% off an oil change. Try to keep in mind this post is regarding the way I was treated and spoken to, not about whether or not I got my free oil change.
I would have even accepted 25% off an oil change, it's all about the principal of the matter.

haha... thats funny. know what woulda made it even better though.. if you took the money... woulda left him breathless. i know I woulda... and after taking his money, I woulda told him, exactly what you've said on here. hes trying to degrade you? degrade him! tell him what an aweful job hes doing, how much business he is going to lose, and the amount of negative publicity your going to give him in your review of his car dealership on calgary's largest car forum.... as a manager I would be ashamed.. when a customer is upset with something my company has done, I always handle it personally, and pretty much take care of it every time... the other day one of my painters scuffed up a window with paint, it happens.. I had the painter go back, remove it, and then I had a window company clean all the windows on the customers house for free...

I woulda given you the oil change no problem... would left you happy, and you woulda come back for years i'm sure.

[Phenix]

Originally posted by googe
The first thing most Subaru owners in Calgary learn, is that they should have made the trip to Great Falls.

Fixed yet again. the price down there is way cheaper

[Axe]

Bought a Legacy there last Sept. Sales experience was relativley painless; but I knew exactly what I wanted and how much I woud pay.

Have only had car back for oil change and 1 warrantly item to look at and have had positive experience thus far; only 6 monthls into the relationship, so we'll see what happens, but so far no issues with Centaur.

[ReasonOne]

Most dealers these days are typically assholes unless you know the management or the owners personally. It's not right but that's just the way the system works these days, unless you look like you're made of money. They give their friends incredible deals and joe average walking in off the street absorbs the cost difference.

I know the owners over at Centaur. They have bent over backwards giving me incredible deals on used vehicles in the past.

My advice is if you are interested in a car, get someone you know who is chummy with the owner or management to either introduce you directly or get some figures to work with. DON'T bother dealing with the staff on the showroom floor, unless the owner reigns in a competent salesman of THEIR choosing and makes it CLEAR not to fuck around with you in your presence.

[cloud7]

I've been to Centaur once when the family was there looking at a car. We asked if we could test drive a STi (this is back when they didn't give test drives on the STi, I guess) and we got a smartass answer of 'no, do you wanna buy a STi that have been test driven?'. He could have just said they don't give testdrives on the car instead of saying something stupid. I got immediately turned off by that and never went back. It is not what you say, it is how you say it.