REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

RollingStone · 03-09-2010, 08:42 AM

Why do people keep going to Richmond Acura? I have never heard a single good thing about them LOL.

OP: For $230 I can see why they didn't do a very good job. They probably got the lot boy to install it LOL. I think they should have charged more and got a pro to install it.

Pally777 · 03-09-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quatchi

OP: For $230 I can see why they didn't do a very good job. They probably got the lot boy to install it LOL. I think they should have charged more and got a pro to install it.

Really? I've got several quotes from aftermarket shops such as BoomPlus Toys and A&J Racing. They all quoted me about $200 for installation of a new lip kit. I didn't know $230 is a cheap price to get a lip kit installed.

godwin · 03-09-2010, 09:16 AM

Do the math.. $230 is barely 2 hours of shop time. Do you expect perfection?

Even factory additions requires a certain amount of finesse because a lot of the time, plastic body parts flex change after the car leaves the lot.

Oh and glue do take time to cure especially in cold weather, now you are disappointed at the law of physics too?

BTW you should have stuck to your guns and refuse to sign off on the order.. now the car has left the dealership, your negotiation power and legal standing have been weakened. As with anything check the work before you sign off on anything (no matter it is a Ferrari or Kia dealership).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pally777

Really? I've got several quotes from aftermarket shops such as BoomPlus Toys and A&J Racing. They all quoted me about $200 for installation of a new lip kit. I didn't know $230 is a cheap price to get a lip kit installed.

Pally777 · 03-09-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin

Do the math.. $230 is barely 2 hours of shop time. Do you expect perfection?

Oh and glue do take time to cure especially in cold weather, now you are disappointed at the law of physics too?

It's about 2.5 hours of shop time according to parts associate when he quoted me the price. It doesn't take more than that to properly install the kit by professionals (which I assumed they were being an Acura dealer).

It takes time for the glue to cure, I agree. That's why they already kept my car for the installation starting noon, then overnight and until the next day at 6pm when I went to pick up the car. I think that's sufficient time is it not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin

BTW you should have stuck to your guns and refuse to sign off on the order.. now the car has left the dealership, your negotiation power and legal standing have been weakened. As with anything check the work before you sign off on anything (no matter it is a Ferrari or Kia dealership).

I agree, I shouldn't have left the lot with my car. I'm too soft when it comes to dealing with these sort of things. I did tell the service rep that I saw issues with the front lip when I picked up the car that night. She assured me I can come back Mon-Fri to speak with the technician on the issue. You are right though, I should have refused to pay until it is resolved.

godwin · 03-09-2010, 09:51 AM

Really? Acura only charges $80 for shop price? That's much lower than even 3rd party shops. Where $230/(2.5*1.15).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pally777

It's about 2.5 hours of shop time according to parts associate when he quoted me the price. It doesn't take more than that to properly install the kit by professionals (which I assumed they were being an Acura dealer).

Pally777 · 03-09-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin

Really? Acura only charges $80 for shop price? That's much lower than even 3rd party shops. Where $230/(2.5*1.15).

They either gave me a discount on their install price or their hourly labour's been dropped.

Regardless of price. If they say they'll install it, it needs to be done properly. That's the issue I have with them. If they can't do it properly for the price they quoted me on, then don't quote me that price. Simple business.

Pally777 · 03-09-2010, 10:33 AM

Actually, I forgot to add to my story about how they didn't even pack my stock side skirts into my car nor did they notify me that I have these parts left over from the install.

They kept it in the shop. Probably hoping I wouldn't know. I only got them back when I requested for them. I think I'm still missing some fog light covers that fit on my bumper that were removed for the new front lip.

shenmecar · 03-09-2010, 10:38 AM

lol richmond acura is a joke.

I went in to ask for a quote for a new side mirror on an MDX. The dude quote me 350. I said ill come back to buy it another time.

When i go back 2 days later with a friend who works at a bodyshop (to get some discount), the dude at acura said its 450. Im going wtf?! Of course that first guy I spoke to is off that day so I couldn't speak with him. This other guy said the first guy probably checked the price for a RDX instead.

So my friend and I made a scene and this second guy lowered the price to 300-ish.

Z3guy · 03-09-2010, 11:19 AM

the best way to payback Richmond Acura is to take your biz elsewhere. When I leased my TL there back in 2005, the sales mgr was the biggest cock I have ever met...some asian dude who wishes he was white...what a douche....he actually said to me....fuck you, if you don't want it, I have lots of customers who are waiting for your car.....

bomboi1 · 03-09-2010, 11:27 AM

i wouldnt even get into my super long story

Richmond Acura crashed my brand new car nuff said

Not really racist! · 03-09-2010, 11:38 AM

^ elaborate!!

ivanz · 03-09-2010, 01:52 PM

Yeah that place is horrible. Was looking at a new TL and the guy said he wouldn't negotiate on the price until I put down a deposit to "make sure I was serious." I just said "no" and left. I would have bought it had the right price been reached, but their arrogant attitude ensured they didn't.

bomboi1 · 03-09-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not really racist!

^ elaborate!!

dont really wanna get into it as it would take me an hr to type everything out

but the jist of it is that

i bought a brand new car from Richmond Acura

bought it back for service 3 months later

and came back out with 3 grand worth of damage to my car

FI-Z33 · 03-09-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthFighter

i've consistently had not so great service from all dealers in richmond. vancouver dealers usually have been great accross different brands.

^ +1

UGH signature mazda is a bitch..bro lookn for a new car and wanted to test drive the mx-5..the dealer said no, can't test drive..its not like we don't have the money for it == anyways, well we then asked him if we can just look at the inside of the car..
he took out the key and he couldnt open the doors cus the remote battery died..OKAY..btw..when you walk inside, NO ONE comes to greet you or help you, they ignore you pretending they are busy

kookoobird88 · 03-09-2010, 09:33 PM

ill never forget my experience at richmond acura. my battery got disconnected for the first time and i didnt have the code for the radio. went ona few forums and they said u need the serial number and they can retrieve it. i get the code and go to richmond acura ( thats where the car was bought) tell them my situation. the guys like "oh we cant get the code ur cars to old, i also have a dentist appointment come back later when im not busy" i was like wtf service is this. go to burrard acura they get the code in 5 min

dimdiu · 03-09-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelydriver

On a side note, if you ever go back to Richmond Acura, I recommend you deal with the non-chinese (I'm chinese). Don't even go talk to the service advisor named Teresa. Most of them are turds and they think they are better than you. I've so far had excellent experience with the service advisor name Dave? I forgot his name but he is the only caucasian there.

i used to go there with my car for service with a caucasian dude, not sure if it's the same exact one u talking about, mine is an old dude with glasses, anyways my csx's wiper turns on automatically once in a while, i told that dude about it, it took him 6 HOURS to find out the goddamn problem, when he told me about it it was the wiper's motor being buggy or smth then asked me if i wanna fix it now and it took him another 2 HOURS to come back out and tell me he didn't have the parts and come back in another time...he wasted 8 hours of my life

not to mention whenever i do service with him, it's always 5 hour +

richmond acura is a fail...both the sales department and service department

PiuYi · 03-09-2010, 09:59 PM

^ i did that over the phone with richmond honda and they got me my code in less than 5 min

but ya OP thats complete bullshit, go back and ask why nobody warned you about the warped bumper problem BEFORE the sale, if they know theres potentially problems with installing a lip on an older car (which yours isn't) they should have told you front and centre

plus, the courtesy car fiasco sounds like they gave you a customers car or something by mistake... so sketch

dimdiu · 03-09-2010, 10:06 PM

^ damn i should've done wat u did
but o well back then i know nothing about cars and it's my sis's car haha

Pally777 · 03-09-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiuYi

plus, the courtesy car fiasco sounds like they gave you a customers car or something by mistake... so sketch

To their "credit", I'm pretty sure they gave me a courtesy car. The license plate on all their courtesy TSXes are "Acura1", "Acura2", etc...

I think they just couldn't sell them, so they made them into courtesy cars. It had less than 5,000km on them.

tofu1413 · 03-10-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiuYi

^ i did that over the phone with richmond honda and they got me my code in less than 5 min

but ya OP thats complete bullshit, go back and ask why nobody warned you about the warped bumper problem BEFORE the sale, if they know theres potentially problems with installing a lip on an older car (which yours isn't) they should have told you front and centre

plus, the courtesy car fiasco sounds like they gave you a customers car or something by mistake... so sketch

+1 to 5min for code. same issue, went to burrard acura and it took them five mins.

syee · 03-10-2010, 08:16 AM

Richmond Acura shop rate is $110/hr (I think someone had asked about that earlier in the thread)

As for radio code, they print it on every invoice they give me for work that's done. (that's at Richmond Acura) I've never really had any problems there although all I've really had done was just scheduled oil changes.

I'm no body guy, but the fitment doesn't look that great. I'd expect something like that maybe from aftermarket non OEM parts, but not from a factory part. I'd do what everyone else is suggesting and take it up with the service manager.

Pally777 · 03-10-2010, 03:53 PM

Well I contacted the service department manager, Martin. He seems to handle things much more professionally than the parts "manager" (I just found out he's no longer an associate) Kevin Ng.

Martin says he'll have to talk with the technician who installed it and see what his story is. However, the technician is off and Martin will be away as well. Therefore, he'll give me a call next Tuesday to see how they can resolve this.

I'm hoping Martin actually comes up with some resolution unlike Kevin who gives me an excuse and says there's nothing the dealership can do.

Pally777 · 03-16-2010, 10:14 AM

I'm surprised by the response I got from the service manager just now over the phone (in a good way

). He said he talked to the technician and what he decided to do is to get a new front lip in for me. Then they'll install the new lip for me. He warned me that the gap issue may still exist, but at least there won't be tape sticking out of it. It'll take about 4 days for him to get the lip in and he'll give me a call to arrange the installation.

I'm hoping this actually turns out ok... I'm a bit pessimistic after the response I got earlier from their parts manager, but the service manager is much better.

buddy · 03-26-2010, 07:38 AM

so, any update? it's been another week now ...

Pally777 · 03-27-2010, 12:24 AM

Yep, got an update.

I got a call back from the service manager and he asked me to bring my car in this past Wed so they can install the new lip. I dropped the car off early morning and the service rep who helped me was really polite. I asked her if the service manager was there while she was doing the paper work for me. She said he is usually busy in the back and that she'll take care of everything. I was hoping to speak with him, but since he setup everything already I didn't think much of it. They gave me a courtesy car (09' TSX) and I was off to work.

I get a call back from the service rep around 3:30pm. She says that there is still a slight gap between the front lip and the front bumper. "The technician tried their best" she said, so I told her I'll come check it out after I get off work.

I get there around 6pm, the service rep who helped me was already gone. I get the keys from the single remaining service rep there and I stood there for a bit thinking I need to sign something. I ask "So is there something I need to sign?" and the guy tells me "Nope, we're good". I was a bit surprised, but oh well. I go outside eager to check the work. See pictures below:

It seems they fixed the tape issue, which isn't really hard to fix honestly if they did a proper job of the installation. There is still some slight gaps, but I guess I can't expect much. There is a somewhat bigger gap on the passenger side wheel well area. Sigh... I guess they did try since they ordered a new lip spoiler in for me and reinstalled everything.

Overall, this was a much better experience dealing with the service manager (Martin), than the excuse spewing jerk of a parts manager (Kevin). I would have liked to talk to him, but it seems he never made any time to speak with me in person. I'd still recommend against going to Richmond Acura to get any lip kits installed. In my opinion, they just don't take the time nor have the expertise or tools it seems. Also, I would personally avoid buying parts from this dealership due to the parts manager... he just doesn't give a crap about you once he makes the sale.