Dissatisfied customer

[GulfCoastBronco]

Last week I posted about getting Bilstein5100 and 285/70/17 on my base 25 Bronco. I was excited about the overall look, stance, and difference it had from stock base. However, I have a few points I need to vent about, just to get them off my chest.

1st: the shop said it would be a 1 day project, it was not. At 3:45 pm I texted asking what time it would be ready (I dropped it off at9), the response was it they got a late start and it wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow. However, my vehicle has Guidepoint (dealer installed not my choice) and I know he hadn’t even turned on the vehicle at that point so I was lied to.
2nd: when I went to pick it up, he told me they only sent him 4 tires and I would need to come back the next day (Friday) to pick it up. That also didn’t happen. Friday came and went, closed to weekend. Welcome to Monday, no call no text. I send a message around 10:30, 12:45, 3:15…3:45 he texts saying he’s out sick today and it would have to be tomorrow. After the 12:45 text I asked my coworker to text asking if they were open today to which he replied yes, so lied to again.

3rd: No paperwork for the alignment. Do I know how to read and understand them, no. Has every other shop provided me the paperwork on the previous alignments on other vehicles, yes. On the drive to visit my mom for Mother’s Day I noticed it pulls slightly to the right. Very very slight but to go straight the wheel is a hair tilted to the left, concerned for long term wear on tires. Of course he said he would put it back on the machine, but at what cost? Another 2 days without it? Or lack of communication? More lies?

4th: I’m sure most will shocked to know, I requested an SL load range. I’ve learned 1-2 things about off roading and one of them is want vs need vs practicality. I don’t load up my Bronco excessively with weight and 90% of my off roading is soft sand. I wanted to save myself the extra weight going with SL because soft sand usually needs torque. Base 3.73 open diffs I felt like too heavy of a tire could potentially dig further if wheels dig in. To my surprise, E load range. Did I get a stronger higher quality tire, yes. Did I get charged the SL price, also yes. But I would’ve preferred to save the collective 40lbs.

I really wanted to support a local independent shop rather than a national chain. But this shop made my experience feel less than pleasurable.

when I did pick up the spare they took off the bump stops and trimmed them so the tire would fit, that was a plus (my recommendation from threads here). The lift looks great, the tires are bad ass looking. Honestly, not much road noise over the wind. And less stiff than some have said E can be. Base stock shocks felt kinda soft and bouncy on speed bumps. Bilstein is nice and smooth.

overall: I’m happy with the Bronco but wonder if lighter tires would also help the sluggish acceleration but I am disappointed in the communication, lies, and how many times I had to go there to finish everything. Not to mention I will go somewhere else to get it aligned again because I don’t want to deal with that. I am also aware that I sounds like a brat complaining about small things, but I saved and waited for sales and deals and he isn’t the only shop in town.

just wanted to vent a little. Thanks and happy trails

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[userdude]

I find that many service businesses "these days" say what you want to hear to get you invested, then do what they want on their timeline once it's a hassle to go somewhere else.

I had my dealer service want me to bring my Bronco over and leave it on the lot during hail season for almost a month just WAITING on parts, not that they were even ready. I had to make clear I wasn't just leaving it and expected it back in a reasonable time. Ask them when's the best time for them, let me know know when parts are available, call to follow-up on status, etc.

I think you did fine all things considered, since they did what you wanted, just not on a timeline they promised. At least they didn't take a hammer to your UCA's. Right? (Someone around here had that happen.)

 

[HighVelocity]

A tire iron through the front window is the correct response.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I recently had a terrible experience with a 30 store franchise had to reach out to President to get solved.

I will never deal with these small guys again aside from one Racing parts dealer I trust and buy from whenever they can get what I want, one High performance mechanics shop I trust, and a couple mechanics that I'll work with if DIY a job I don't want to do on my own.

For tires, I'm going to Costco....same price anyway.

 

[Brian_B]

For tires, I'm going to Costco....same price anyway.

I did that once and never again.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I did that once and never again.

Seems like poor service everywhere LOL

 

[BillyB]

For many years, with many car brands, and with many, many upsetting dealer service experiences here in Salt Lake, I'm finally relieved, with my Bronco, to find a dealer (Ford) whose service causes me NO WORRIES and no stress. Well worth-the-while to find the one.

 

[N8do]

I am afraid we are seeing the results of our cultural decline with pub ed becoming a daycare, and not an institution of knowledge and accountability. The workforce has fell into a lackadaisical mindset, where they are collecting a check and not creating, where what's on their phone and social media is more important than a job well done........CORRECTLY. My perspective from this weekend, trying to get tires installed on the Tacoma at 5 different businesses, allowed me to observe and reflect. Oh and yes, they didn't get installed after a day of trying, and with appointments. Disclaimer: I am over a half century old, retire from military service, and now work in pub ed, so yes I am a qualified griper. Have a chat with a productive member of society who is in their 70s, and they will convey their fear and concern. Trust me, I am trying my darndest to make a change in the right direction. First, phones out of the schools and butt kicking for those who are overdue.

Thus I do MOST all, if not all, my own maintenance on ALL my vehicles now. SO glad I learned and paid attention in my youth.

I tell my own children and those who I instruct, they must determine whether they are part of the problem, or part of the solution. Lord help us!

 

[Easy-v]

A lot of people claim the Sasquatch is not worth the price. How much do you value time not being aggravated and frustrated and going back and forth with parts, vendors and configurations? There are definitely people and scenarios to self squatch, but self squatching isn't for everyone. Not for me....

 

[GulfCoastBronco]

A lot of people claim the Sasquatch is not worth the price. How much do you value time not being aggravated and frustrated and going back and forth with parts, vendors and configurations? There are definitely people and scenarios to self squatch, but self squatching isn't for everyone. Not for me....

Fair point and believe me if I could afford a Badlands or Basesquatch I would’ve gone that route. Unfortunately in my area I feel those trims are still out of my price range. I did have the conversation with my GF though so I feel you.

 

[kodiakisland]

The older I get, the less I want to do the physical work on my vehicles. Stuff like this keeps me at it.

As far as not getting the tires you wanted, you have to make sure they order what you want. I tell the shop the sku# and verify that is the one they ordered. Many times they have no idea there are multiple versions of the same size/model tire.

 

[crzyhawk]

A lot of people claim the Sasquatch is not worth the price. How much do you value time not being aggravated and frustrated and going back and forth with parts, vendors and configurations? There are definitely people and scenarios to self squatch, but self squatching isn't for everyone. Not for me....

well, on a badlands, sasquatch is a tire and wheel package.

 

[N8do]

I'm super happy with the BLS package set up. I however I added a 1 inch level kit to bump it up for front clearance. Pretty sure I can fir 37s on there now. I've installed lift kits and mods on all 4 of our vehicles over the decades and it is some work and an investment. These broncos from the factory are very capable, especially the Badlands.

 

[userdude]

well, on a badlands, sasquatch is a tire and wheel package.

You forgot the fender flairs.

 

[Z because X was taken]

A lot of people claim the Sasquatch is not worth the price. How much do you value time not being aggravated and frustrated and going back and forth with parts, vendors and configurations? There are definitely people and scenarios to self squatch, but self squatching isn't for everyone. Not for me....

Right on! I have noticed a whole lot of dissapointment with the folks who couldnt afford the Sasquatch or higher trim features and go to have them added later and are absolutely shocked when it turns into a giant pain in the ass. My buddy intentionally bought a base, but he is super mechanical and has totally badassed that Bronco. What he couldnt do, he found a shop that could. At the end of the day, he has spent way more on that Base than my Wildtrak.

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