SA said; "Forget the internet bulletin thing"

drfluid · 07-06-2007, 03:02 PM

I brought my car in to fix VR from my latest Progman update and explained why I lost my VR.
The SA doesn't even seem to know the software can be updated... He kept asking why I got the software update 3 months ago.

Anyway, I told him briefly about what I learned from here, but he said "forget the internet thing, just let me know why you need the software update"

So I said, "OK, just fix the software" and got out.

imaznumkay · 07-06-2007, 03:07 PM

lol mine too
he said it cannot be "trusted"

tjnptel1 · 07-06-2007, 03:09 PM

my SA lurks on bimmerforums and bimmerfest so i have no trouble convincing her of any problems i have with my car.

Revlis · 07-06-2007, 03:27 PM

It seems to me that the Service advisers are the least clued in of the BMW team...

KL2DC · 07-06-2007, 03:30 PM

I had an SA once who told me flatout that the "internet doesn't exist" and to "disregard everything I've read"

Needless to say, I never came back to that service department....

sflgator · 07-06-2007, 03:31 PM

Most of the dealer reps are leary of the car forums for several reasons; one of them being that we get much info before they do, and they do not like that.

Some dealer reps however, do frequent the forums. My experience has been that it's usually best not mention the Internet car forums to your dealer as they usually dismiss your information although it may be accurate. With that said, it's a good idea to be as informed as possible, even if you have more info than your dealer.

Revlis · 07-06-2007, 03:43 PM

Well you do have to be careful, you get a lot of self proclaimed experts, and Keyboard Commando's who if you didn't do any further research could have you off to the dealership to get your Muffler Bearings replaced...

So there is a give and take and if you stormed into the dealership demanding a software upgrade to 26.0 you'll get no where. OR, You could simple mention that this or that "Thing" isn't working quite right...

So especially when we are talking about the forums, it's best to be skeptical of everything...

sflgator · 07-06-2007, 03:56 PM

btw -- in regards to the Progman s/w updates, actual "reasons" for the updates were posted here in many threads. For example, I went in for the first update b/c my Navi arrow wouldn't pop-up when giving directions and b/c my Navi response was slow...these were 2 valid reasons to do the Progman s/w update. Then, since the first update broke my RTTI, I had to wait until BMW had another Progman s/w update which specifically fixed that. Your SA sounds like an idiot.

JMeezee · 07-06-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfluid

I brought my car in to fix VR from my latest Progman update and explained why I lost my VR.
The SA doesn't even seem to know the software can be updated... He kept asking why I got the software update 3 months ago.

Anyway, I told him briefly about what I learned from here, but he said "forget the internet thing, just let me know why you need the software update"

So I said, "OK, just fix the software" and got out.

I see that you're in SD...which stealership did you go to, so I know where NOT to take my car?

drfluid · 07-07-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMeezee

I see that you're in SD...which stealership did you go to, so I know where NOT to take my car?

Oops, I didn't change my profile yet. I finally moved back to the Bay area.
I used to go to BMW Encinitas and they were just great!

VIZSLA · 07-07-2007, 12:28 PM

First. Not all posted on the internet is accurate (with the exception of this site of course).
Second. CAs are interested in selling cars above all else and don't all see the value in keeping up to date with the issues that only a small number of customers ask about. It is anathama to many of them to admit any lack of knowledge and so they belittle what they are not familiar with. This is not unique to BMW CAs or even car sales people in general of course. I, for one, feel more secure with someone who will admit what he doesn't know, but these types tend to be rare in all walks of life.

DPritchett · 07-07-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaznumkay

lol mine too
he said it cannot be "trusted"

+1 "people get a lot of wrong info from the internet"

I showed a copy of the SIB I had printed from this forum and pointed to the problem I had (no arrows CCC), which convinced them.

theYardie · 07-07-2007, 02:54 PM

Although, not a SA, my CA didn't know that all new BMWs come pre-wired for satellite radio with the sharkfin antenna.

Yes, this problem persists in just about all sales. Go to Best Buy or Circuit City to buy a TV and you're lucky if you get a sales person who knows anything about the product they're selling.

EDIT: My CA does provide excellent customer service, however.

sflgator · 07-07-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theYardie

Although, not a SA, my CA didn't know that all new BMWs come pre-wired for satellite radio with the sharkfin antenna.

Yes, this problem persists in just about all sales. Go to Best Buy or Circuit City to buy a TV and you're lucky if you get a sales person who knows anything about the product they're selling.

EDIT: My CA does provide excellent customer service, however.

That's one difference between inside retail sales (even high-priced car sales) and outside professional sales (of various products and services).

theYardie · 07-07-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflgator

That's one difference between inside retail sales (even high-priced car sales) and outside professional sales (of various products and services).

Sorry to be as dumb as I am but I don't get what you're saying.

SoYank · 07-07-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflgator

Most of the dealer reps are leary of the car forums for several reasons; one of them being that we get much info before they do, and they do not like that.

Some dealer reps however, do frequent the forums. My experience has been that it's usually best not mention the Internet car forums to your dealer as they usually dismiss your information although it may be accurate. With that said, it's a good idea to be as informed as possible, even if you have more info than your dealer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMeezee

I see that you're in SD...which stealership did you go to, so I know where NOT to take my car?

And maybe they don't like being called "stealerships" or repeatedly called liars just because the car owner thought the technician hammered a nail into his $400 tire just to sell a new tire or other similar stunt.

SoYank · 07-07-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theYardie

Although, not a SA, my CA didn't know that all new BMWs come pre-wired for satellite radio with the sharkfin antenna.

Is this a post-March build feature on the 2007? My copy of the 2007 brochure has pre-wiring as an option. The 2006 E90 did not come standard with pre-wiring for satellite radio, either. It was a $75 option over and above the cost of the satellite radio and a prerequisite for ordering that option. The 2006 and 2007 came pre-wired for the installation of mobile phone and alarm system only.

The presence of the sharkfin does not, in and of itself, indicate satellite radio.

BoostedBMW · 07-07-2007, 03:46 PM

I've pretty much had the same experience with my stealership, they don't like the idea that they can't simply BS me because I actually have a clue as to what is going on with the car. Dealerships suck for the most part from the sales BS artists right through service. All they care about is making a dollar, and you are just a PITA if you aren't the average clueless person bringing your car in for service.

sflgator · 07-07-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theYardie

Sorry to be as dumb as I am but I don't get what you're saying.

I guess you're not in outside (field/territory) sales then...don't worry about it.

07-06-2007, 03:02 PM	#1
drfluid Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2006 - 330i Navi, Premium Join Date: May 2005 Location: Walnut Creek, CA iTrader: (0)	SA said; "Forget the internet bulletin thing" I brought my car in to fix VR from my latest Progman update and explained why I lost my VR. The SA doesn't even seem to know the software can be updated... He kept asking why I got the software update 3 months ago. Anyway, I told him briefly about what I learned from here, but he said "forget the internet thing, just let me know why you need the software update" So I said, "OK, just fix the software" and got out. __________________ 330i-NAV-Premium
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07-06-2007, 03:07 PM	#2
imaznumkay Major 85 Rep 1,104 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	lol mine too he said it cannot be "trusted" __________________ 2007 E90 335i JB 2010 E90 M3 JRB
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07-06-2007, 03:09 PM	#3
tjnptel1 Cunning Linguist 147 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Norfolk, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	my SA lurks on bimmerforums and bimmerfest so i have no trouble convincing her of any problems i have with my car. __________________ Bottles are for babies, Real men get blown.
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07-06-2007, 03:27 PM	#4
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	It seems to me that the Service advisers are the least clued in of the BMW team... __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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07-06-2007, 03:30 PM	#5
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	I had an SA once who told me flatout that the "internet doesn't exist" and to "disregard everything I've read" Needless to say, I never came back to that service department.... __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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07-06-2007, 03:31 PM	#6
sflgator Major General 148 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	Most of the dealer reps are leary of the car forums for several reasons; one of them being that we get much info before they do, and they do not like that. Some dealer reps however, do frequent the forums. My experience has been that it's usually best not mention the Internet car forums to your dealer as they usually dismiss your information although it may be accurate. With that said, it's a good idea to be as informed as possible, even if you have more info than your dealer. __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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07-06-2007, 03:43 PM	#7
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Well you do have to be careful, you get a lot of self proclaimed experts, and Keyboard Commando's who if you didn't do any further research could have you off to the dealership to get your Muffler Bearings replaced... So there is a give and take and if you stormed into the dealership demanding a software upgrade to 26.0 you'll get no where. OR, You could simple mention that this or that "Thing" isn't working quite right... So especially when we are talking about the forums, it's best to be skeptical of everything... __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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07-06-2007, 03:56 PM	#8
sflgator Major General 148 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	btw -- in regards to the Progman s/w updates, actual "reasons" for the updates were posted here in many threads. For example, I went in for the first update b/c my Navi arrow wouldn't pop-up when giving directions and b/c my Navi response was slow...these were 2 valid reasons to do the Progman s/w update. Then, since the first update broke my RTTI, I had to wait until BMW had another Progman s/w update which specifically fixed that. Your SA sounds like an idiot. __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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07-07-2007, 12:28 PM	#11
VIZSLA Lieutenant 10 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe, 2012 328Xi Wa Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sarasota iTrader: (0)	First. Not all posted on the internet is accurate (with the exception of this site of course). Second. CAs are interested in selling cars above all else and don't all see the value in keeping up to date with the issues that only a small number of customers ask about. It is anathama to many of them to admit any lack of knowledge and so they belittle what they are not familiar with. This is not unique to BMW CAs or even car sales people in general of course. I, for one, feel more secure with someone who will admit what he doesn't know, but these types tend to be rare in all walks of life.
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07-07-2007, 02:54 PM	#13
theYardie Private First Class 1 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335I (e92) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Although, not a SA, my CA didn't know that all new BMWs come pre-wired for satellite radio with the sharkfin antenna. Yes, this problem persists in just about all sales. Go to Best Buy or Circuit City to buy a TV and you're lucky if you get a sales person who knows anything about the product they're selling. EDIT: My CA does provide excellent customer service, however. __________________ IT HAS ARRIVED: 2007 e92 335i, 6MT, montego blue, saddle brown - premium package - sports package - comfort access - navigation w/ iDrive - bluetooth ---> I'LL RUN BACK OUT TO GET THE MILK!
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07-07-2007, 03:46 PM	#18
BoostedBMW Moderator 132 Rep 6,775 Posts Drives: TiAg E92 335 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (14) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	I've pretty much had the same experience with my stealership, they don't like the idea that they can't simply BS me because I actually have a clue as to what is going on with the car. Dealerships suck for the most part from the sales BS artists right through service. All they care about is making a dollar, and you are just a PITA if you aren't the average clueless person bringing your car in for service. __________________ -Michael. Berlina Black S2000 CR is now in the garage l 19" Rial Daytona Race l KW V2 l Eisenhaus Race Exhaust l
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