Reader's Digest version...
When you get an appointment at the dealership where I purchased my truck, Bill Collins Ford in Louisville, KY, which takes 2-3 weeks to get; it's only to go into another queue line of 30-40 vehicles to be diagnosed. It then takes a few days to get thru the diagnosis process. When I pressured them over this, because it's a hardship to be without a vehicle, it was a major undertaking to get them to commit to diagnosing my vehicle the same day as my appointment (to determine if I'm eligible for a rental from Ford). Of course, they do not disclose this upfront. I learned this the hard way with my previous 2013 F150. So, I knew to more throughly ask them to disclose the process to me (this time). Otherwise they merely say "ok, we'll call you when we know something." Trapping you without a vehicle for a few days.

How do your dealerships work? Is your appointment for a diagnosis that day? Or is your appointment for another queue line, taking more than one day? I guess another way to say it is, the dealership should not take more appointments than they can process thru the service department on one day; IMHO. Using the process they have, you are automatically without a vehicle for a warranty claim for a few days, until they get you thru the diagnosis line of vehicles. Not a customer focused process for sure.

Just wondering what other's experiences here are...

Thanks!

 

I generally make an appointment and pick up my repaired vehicle at the end of the day. On the occasion where they can't figure it out, it might take a little longer. If they need parts, I pick it up and take it back when the parts arrive. I can't remember the last time a dealer had my car overnight.

 

If one has several dealerships within a reasonable driving distance, then one should check the wait time and pick the shortest one.

Regardless if a vehicle is under warranty or not, and it doesn’t matter how much one paid for their vehicle, it’s always a first come first serve basis for vehicle service.

Also, when one takes their under warranty vehicle in for service, loner vehicles are not automatically given to a customer. This is a perk that’s offered by a dealer and every dealer is different.

In closing, here in Atlanta, I’ve never had a problem driving to any Ford dealer and getting my vehicle looked at the same day. If you’re at the service department when they open, and this is what I always do, my vehicle is looked at and repaired within 2-4 hours as I sit in the waiting room.

 

My new dealer has 1 to2 days to get in. But they are small and only have 3 certified techs and 2 oil change people.
I will say today I had an 830 appointment to fix the no reverse braking thing. They took my key. And took the truck into a bay .
I was happy
then a porter/ desk person drove me home and offered to pick me up when truck was done.
but my wife took me back ..a few hours later.
perfect
my old dealer washed your vehicle after service. I miss that a bit

 

My dealers service appts are currently 3 month or longer out. It has been incredibly insane. They have less than half the techs they normally would have and apparently can't find anyone worth hiring...

 

I retired from a dealership on the 14th of this month. When I left, the bookings were anywhere from 1-3 weeks out. Check engine lights were usually done in the same day it was brought in. Parts at times were a problem, but seemed to be getting better.

Our shop was very lucky, to have the 3 techs, and the 2 oil change guys we had. One tech had been with the owner for 30+ years. diesel tech was 16+ years, and the other tech had been there almost 6 years.

ALL were/are great hands. I've done business with the shop since the present owner bought the dealership.

NOTE: I took our 2017 F150 KR with a 3.5EB in for the cam phaser replacement. I took it in on the 11th of July. The diesel tech took off for the county fair to help his kids, and that threw the other techs in a bind, trying to keep up.

I told the tech that was going to do my repair, to take care of whatever he had to take care of that I had 2 other trucks at home, and my truck was NOT a priority. (Besides the owner had offered me a new vehicle to drive IF I wanted one). In the mean time there was a person traveling that had some issues but because I had put a hold on mine, the tech was able to help the traveler out.

When the diesel tech returned, my truck was fixed. I didn't want to have my truck started, then the tech stop, and take a chance of forgetting something.

 

I always take the first appointment, 7:30am and wait for simple stuff like oil changes, seasonal tire changes etc.. Anything complex, I book ahead for a free loaner car and it is usually ready by end of day.