Dealership wash/detail

[Hybrid21]

Everyone has different expectations and different standards when they put their car into a dealer for work to be carried out.

Unfortunately the majority of owners do not know what a proper service entails and even what a proper car wash entails.

They accept what happens and are none the wiser 😃

[Hornet3D]

On 12/21/2022 at 12:27 PM, Hibird said:

I sense a real concern that a Toyota main dealer can not be trusted to wash a car without causing £££ss of damage.

I assume that the same comments may apply to non Toyota dealers as well or is that not the case ?

Clearly there is something very very wrong here as we have to rely on these 'experts' to service our vehicles in a way that keep us all safe and mobile in a cost effective way. The posts here suggest that even the free gift is far from cost effective.

I have no reason to doubt the views expressed here but as you drive away from your service in your "free wash" damaged vehicles are you also concerned if the wheels are tight, brakes working and the correct oil is being used.

I don't think you can seperate the car washer from the service manager or his staff they ARE the dealership experience and thats what we get. I guess all we can hope for is a competent trustworthy dealer who want's to a good job with trained capable accountable and supervised staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not that the main dealer cannot be trusted it is just that, in the real world not much time, care or attention will be given to the car wash at the time of service.  I also doubt that Toyota main dealers are any worse than any of the other main dealers.

There is another aspect that needs to be kept in mind, many people on this forum are here because they love their cars and it is certainly true that those that really look after their cars will gravitate to such a forum.   The people doing the car wash are not generally enthusiasts, they are doing a menial job for very little reward.  For a vast majority of owners they are not going to notice an extra swirl mark or scratch, in fact, if they do not wash their car they are also unlikely to notice the stone chips that are a fact of normal car use.  It is not so much that they don't care, they are just oblivious to the damage a bad contact wash can do.

[Hornet3D]

On 12/17/2022 at 8:34 AM, DC_Ms said:

I don’t think people are expecting a detailing service at all , is just that the hand wash that dealerships provide is very poor in terms of using the same washing accessories for multiple cars , not so sure about the quality of the products either and introducing swirls to the paintwork it can be very annoying.

I am not sure they are expecting a good detailing service, quite to opposite, which is why they do it themselves and ask the dealership to leave well alone.

[Eddie G]

5 hours ago, Hornet3D said:

It is not that the main dealer cannot be trusted it is just that, in the real world not much time, care or attention will be given to the car wash at the time of service.  I also doubt that Toyota main dealers are any worse than any of the other main dealers.

There is another aspect that needs to be kept in mind, many people on this forum are here because they love their cars and it is certainly true that those that really look after their cars will gravitate to such a forum.   The people doing the car wash are not generally enthusiasts, they are doing a menial job for very little reward.  For a vast majority of owners they are not going to notice an extra swirl mark or scratch, in fact, if they do not wash their car they are also unlikely to notice the stone chips that are a fact of normal car use.  It is not so much that they don't care, they are just oblivious to the damage a bad contact wash can do.

Good points, have always told them not to wash afterwards, have used a car wash the odd few times when there was been an extended paid of snow but much prefer to wash the car myself.

[Yugguy1970]

I imagine the dealers wash the car about as well as I do.  

Clean off the worst with the jet, shampoo with a sponge (and none of this two bucket malarky 😀), rinse with the jet.

This is acceptable to me.

[TonyHSD]

The truth is that we all have different ways of doing things and seeking different results. For me cheap or free washes aren’t worth it as I am aware that these does more damage than help, plus the car wash I see not only as making the car look cleaner outside but as part of the general maintenance of the vehicle. I don’t really care of the car is dirtier outside if it’s a high miller and travel a lot every day but I do care the car to be in tip top condition and road worthy and the free wash does not add value to that. They only spray with water, go around with the mitt and rinse , no cleaning sills, no arches, no wheels and brakes. For many people the free car wash is welcome addition, for me it’s simply a no go, and it will be nice each and every custumer to be asked if they would like a free car wash with their service. 👍

[Hornet3D]

5 hours ago, Yugguy1970 said:

I imagine the dealers wash the car about as well as I do.  

Clean off the worst with the jet, shampoo with a sponge (and none of this two bucket malarky 😀), rinse with the jet.

This is acceptable to me.

Which is probably the same stance taken by the majority of car owners and it certainly is their choice/right.   The people that want to do better are not trying to rock the boat, all they are saying is they take more care than the average car owner and ask the car dealership to recognise that.  There is plenty of room for all parties keep everyone happy and live in peace.

[Hornet3D]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

The truth is that we all have different ways of doing things and seeking different results. For me cheap or free washes aren’t worth it as I am aware that these does more damage than help, plus the car wash I see not only as making the car look cleaner outside but as part of the general maintenance of the vehicle. I don’t really care of the car is dirtier outside if it’s a high miller and travel a lot every day but I do care the car to be in tip top condition and road worthy and the free wash does not add value to that. They only spray with water, go around with the mitt and rinse , no cleaning sills, no arches, no wheels and brakes. For many people the free car wash is welcome addition, for me it’s simply a no go, and it will be nice each and every custumer to be asked if they would like a free car wash with their service. 👍

I certainly believe that any car kept looking it's best is more likely to be shown some respect by those working on it than another vehicle that looks if it is unloved, whatever the reason.

[Kental]

On 12/21/2022 at 12:27 PM, Hibird said:

I sense a real concern that a Toyota main dealer can not be trusted to wash a car without causing £££ss of damage.

I assume that the same comments may apply to non Toyota dealers as well or is that not the case ?

Clearly there is something very very wrong here as we have to rely on these 'experts' to service our vehicles in a way that keep us all safe and mobile in a cost effective way. The posts here suggest that even the free gift is far from cost effective.

I have no reason to doubt the views expressed here but as you drive away from your service in your "free wash" damaged vehicles are you also concerned if the wheels are tight, brakes working and the correct oil is being used.

I don't think you can seperate the car washer from the service manager or his staff they ARE the dealership experience and thats what we get. I guess all we can hope for is a competent trustworthy dealer who want's to a good job with trained capable accountable and supervised staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car washing is often outsourced, they regularly have different logos even if the cleaning is on site.

[Hibird]

25 minutes ago, Kental said:

Car washing is often outsourced, they regularly have different logos even if the cleaning is on site.

Outsourced paid and approved by the dealer is the same thing I think.

 

[Cyker]

That does seem to be the case with my dealer, as they are all Toyota branded, but the service person mentioned once that they pay per car, and the local pigeon population has cost them over the years as a car has had to be re-cleaned  

(The little  seem supernaturally attracted to freshly cleaned cars!!)

 

[shufman]

I used to work as a valeter in a main dealer and when you pick up a new car you used to get about 45 minutes to clean it. No wax just the basics.

They have contractors in now as it’s cheaper but the standards are shocking - I presume this is the same over the whole network. It’s about volume.

My partners Yaris Cross had unwashed wheels and half a job tyre shine .. plus water marks -  and I used to WORK there! 
 

Service wash is about 10 minutes per car, bit of TFR, quick wash and rinse plus mats hoovered. 
 

if you care and use wax etc. then don’t have yr car washed. 

[Rhymes with Paris]

On 12/23/2022 at 1:30 PM, Cyker said:

That does seem to be the case with my dealer, as they are all Toyota branded, but the service person mentioned once that they pay per car, and the local pigeon population has cost them over the years as a car has had to be re-cleaned  

(The little  seem supernaturally attracted to freshly cleaned cars!!)

 

Aye, I have seen them and the seagulls congregating on the roof of the garage over the road , plotting which car they are going for next.🕊️

Dunno which is worse,them dropping bombs on the cars,or the dozens of 🐱 creeping and cr***ing on the grass and drive.

 

[bigblock]

I always tell dealer not to wash the paintwork but you can hoover the inside if you want. That usually does the trick then they leave it alone.😊