CDN Porsche Dealer not servicing US Imports?
06-23-2006 | 11:44 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by Bob Rouleau
Porsche has announced that as of July 1st Canadian dealers will not honor warranty claims on US cars registered in Canada. US visitors with US registered cars still get coverage.
06-23-2006 | 01:15 PM
#17
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From: In an endless Zoom meeting
Originally Posted by Zedder
A number of us have called PCNA and there have been no announcements about this at all. Sounds like a bunch of disgruntled Canadian dealers attempting to stir the pot so PCNA will take action. I feel for their situation, but to take it out on Canadian customers who take advantage of the free market it just bad business. Personally, I don't mind driving an hour to visit a US dealer if this is how they are going to treat us!
06-23-2006 | 01:44 PM
#18
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From: Burlington CANADA
Originally Posted by jury_ca
I purchased my CPO '03 C4S from a U.S. Porsche dealer last Summer primarily because the selection for C4S' in the US was much better than in Canada. My car has 12K miles and is due for its annual service. I've previously had no issues getting service appts for warranty issues at my local Canadian dealer, which is the only one in Vancouver. The service department has been professional and has provided excellent service in the past.
Apparently since the CDN $ is no longer funny money, there have been an influx of US imports. Recently, I tried to book my annual service appointment scheduled one month ahead (with a one week window.) I was told that they were not booking any US cars in order to give priority to CDN Porsches so I would be "wait-listed." No indication given as to when I could actually get my car in. Huh? I tried to explain that they needed to give priority to silver 911s rather than Boxsters and Cayennes with Volkswagen engines, but they didn't bite.
I called 1-800-Porsche, which basically said that dealers had the right to refuse service and there wasn't much they could do. I pointed out that I needed to have my car serviced in order to abide by the warranty requirements. They will try to contact the dealer, so we'll see what happens.
Any other ideas?
Apparently since the CDN $ is no longer funny money, there have been an influx of US imports. Recently, I tried to book my annual service appointment scheduled one month ahead (with a one week window.) I was told that they were not booking any US cars in order to give priority to CDN Porsches so I would be "wait-listed." No indication given as to when I could actually get my car in. Huh? I tried to explain that they needed to give priority to silver 911s rather than Boxsters and Cayennes with Volkswagen engines, but they didn't bite.
I called 1-800-Porsche, which basically said that dealers had the right to refuse service and there wasn't much they could do. I pointed out that I needed to have my car serviced in order to abide by the warranty requirements. They will try to contact the dealer, so we'll see what happens.
Any other ideas?
06-23-2006 | 10:55 PM
#19
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From: Toronto
I really doubt PCNA will execute a policy that punishes Porsche owners (those who buy U.S. cars and live in Canada). If they do they are nuts. What they should really do is execute policy that punishes U.S. dealers who sell cars to Canadians - this is a long-standing practice in the car business. Five years ago Canadian dealers were dumping cars in the U.S. The thing is that these Canadian dealers were not out there hunting for U.S. buyers to sell their cars to cheap - they were simply selling directly to U.S. same-brand dealers. It was easy volume (albeit small profit) for the Canadian dealer, and the U.S. dealer was actually able to buy these Canadian cars at a wholesale price that was lower than what was charged by the distributor in the U.S. See how that works?
I suspect that high-volume U.S. Porsche dealers will start selling 996s and Boxsters directly to Canadian dealers at a price that is lower than PCNA is charging those Canadian dealers. These situations can work themselves out, but they usually start because a disorganized, inattentive, money-grubbing distributor (sound like PCNA?) lost control of what they were supposed to be managing.
I suspect that high-volume U.S. Porsche dealers will start selling 996s and Boxsters directly to Canadian dealers at a price that is lower than PCNA is charging those Canadian dealers. These situations can work themselves out, but they usually start because a disorganized, inattentive, money-grubbing distributor (sound like PCNA?) lost control of what they were supposed to be managing.
06-24-2006 | 08:24 PM
#20
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Originally Posted by jury_ca
I called 1-800-Porsche, which basically said that dealers had the right to refuse service and there wasn't much they could do. I pointed out that I needed to have my car serviced in order to abide by the warranty requirements. They will try to contact the dealer, so we'll see what happens.
Any other ideas?
Any other ideas?
As a side note, the best trick would be to say that the check engine light came on or something like that, and then when you take the car in tell them that they also need to do the annual service or whatever at the same time.
06-28-2006 | 09:17 AM
#21
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That brings up an interesting question - what would this Vancouver Dealer do with your car if you required warranty work? Refuse to do it? Dealers like doing warranty work because the distributor pays for it and the customer gets the work for free and is happy. Would PCNA refuse to pay for the work on a U.S. car done by a Cdn. Dealer? I doubt it. Your best strategy is mentioned above - call one of the writers from the automotive section of your local newspaper and tell them about this. Or write in to the "letters" section of that newspaper. Make sure you mention the Dealer's name and "Porsche" as many times as you can in that letter. Is it the Vancouver Sun or Province you'd be dealing with? Both have a weekly automotive section. Do it!
06-29-2006 | 01:05 AM
#22
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From: ROW
^^My buddy who is in the car business says that he has lined up a reporter that would be very interested in interviewing me. I just want my car serviced, not looking for a fight. As a sidenote PCNA just missed their deadline for getting back to me. I guess I'm going to have to call them tonight. 
06-29-2006 | 11:24 AM
#24
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From: In an endless Zoom meeting
Excellent! Make sure that the reporter is well versed in the Porsche Credo about how a Porsche customer is always a Porsche customer anywhere. I'd also point out that while price is certainly a factor in shopping in the US, many of us will look there because of the poor selection of vehicles here. Having said that, mine is a US car that I bought privately here in Canada. I certainly looked everywhere for the right car and I can say with certainty that NOTHING I saw at the dealers was as immaculate or had the meticulous history/records of this car (previous owners are PCA members and Rennlisters too). I gave both Pfaff and Downtown 7 months to try to find me a car and they couldn't do it. Even when I specifically said I wanted a 6 spd C4S coupe, they'd still try to show me Targas, tips, C2's and Cabs, heck the sales rep at Downtown never even followed up at all with me after the first month! If I'm going to drop $80K+ on a car, I will shop wherever I damn well please and will try to get the best bang for my buck.
If PCNA can't control their dealers, then the dealership agreement isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
If PCNA can't control their dealers, then the dealership agreement isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
06-29-2006 | 12:59 PM
#26
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From: ROW
Originally Posted by pongobaz
Excellent! Make sure that the reporter is well versed in the Porsche Credo about how a Porsche customer is always a Porsche customer anywhere. I'd also point out that while price is certainly a factor in shopping in the US, many of us will look there because of the poor selection of vehicles here. Having said that, mine is a US car that I bought privately here in Canada.
I've seen it cruising around my neighborhood before you had it shipped back East. Lovely car. I'm not a Canadian resident any longer, but I shopped in the US for the same reason you did, much better selection...
Oh well, I'm about to call PCNA right now.
06-29-2006 | 01:10 PM
#27
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From: ROW
Ok just got off the phone with PCNA...I had a file started about this complaint. They have to get back to me again because it doesn't seem like anyone there followed up on it...I'm assured, however, that someone will follow up on this asap.
06-29-2006 | 01:16 PM
#28
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From: In an endless Zoom meeting
Originally Posted by jury_ca
You bought your C4S from SCAN automotive didn't you? I live pretty close, and my car and yours are almost identical twins. We have very similar options.
I've seen it cruising around my neighborhood before you had it shipped back East. Lovely car. I'm not a Canadian resident any longer, but I shopped in the US for the same reason you did, much better selection...
Oh well, I'm about to call PCNA right now.
I've seen it cruising around my neighborhood before you had it shipped back East. Lovely car. I'm not a Canadian resident any longer, but I shopped in the US for the same reason you did, much better selection...
Oh well, I'm about to call PCNA right now.
06-29-2006 | 06:26 PM
#29
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I don'y have a US car, but several people have raised the service they have received from Pfaff. I have owned many cars to date (not Pcars) and the sales and service experience from Pfaff for my 996 has been superior to all others. My wife is considering a replacement for her BMW 540it (Audi A3 sport) and Jamie Taylor at Pfaff Porsche quickly arranged an Audi A3 demo for a two day test drive from Pfaff Audi. Brad, Derek and Jimmy from service are excellent and all has been done as promised...I especially like seeing Brad (sevice manager) at most of the Pfaff track days. As in any business, careful staff selection and a customer-centric attitude is the way to go...too bad many auto dealers can't figure that out.
Not connected in any way....a happy customer.
Not connected in any way....a happy customer.
07-01-2006 | 02:20 AM
#30
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From: Oakville, ON
I bought U.S 2001 996 from a MI dealer this afternoon...If the car ever breakdowns unexpectedly i plan to have it towed to the Porsche dealership in Niagara Fall U.S.A... CAA provides 4 tows per year with a premium membership, Niagara Falls is well within the towing range from the GTA & crossing the border is a non issue for the tow truck.
I spoke to the Pfaff service manager today (very friendly) and he told me about the " new policy" for U.S cars....LOL If Canadian dealers are suffering -maybe it's time they adjust there prices for 2006 ??? We're getting close to parity with the USD...has anyone compared U.S /CDN MRSP on 997's recently..lol
It's unfortunate...but for those of us living close the the border at least we have the options of getting service right away!
I spoke to the Pfaff service manager today (very friendly) and he told me about the " new policy" for U.S cars....LOL If Canadian dealers are suffering -maybe it's time they adjust there prices for 2006 ??? We're getting close to parity with the USD...has anyone compared U.S /CDN MRSP on 997's recently..lol
It's unfortunate...but for those of us living close the the border at least we have the options of getting service right away!