How @FCAGroup lost customer in six months (Bravissimo @FIAT) #FCASocialConnect
After two years of driving my German car it was time to say goodbye. I said to myself: Enough of these sharp lines, I want a car full of emotions, a car full of passion. I wanted a car which I would be happy with, an Italian car.
I started looking at Alfa-Romeo, FIAT and even at Maserati. Finally I chose the FIAT Tipo, because the car fulfilled several features – Italian not-so-large sedan in black color. Car for gangsters, I started to look forward to it.
I picked up the car last March. It was a very joyful day for me, finally I had my dream Italian car. My black sedan, friends named it “Al Tipone”. I had no idea how many complications and problems with the car were on the way.
Metallic paint disappeared from the roof of the car
It all started less than half a year after the purchase of the factory-new car. After my return from a business trip, something appeared on the roof of the car - something that looked like a drop of color. I washed the car, and when the paint didn’t go wash off, I touched it with my finger and found it wasn’t a drop of color. Metallic paint disappeared from the roof of the car. I immediately brought the car to the dealer for a complaint and the whole thing started.
I arrived at the dealer with the words that I want to submit a complaint about the car paint. The technician said he’s never seen anything like this. He invited two more workers, and they began to consult what happened with the car. It took an hour and they did not allow me to submit the complaint through their consultation.
Průběh reklamace a jednání dealera bohužel není pod dohledem společnosti FCA ČR. – Customer Care CR&SR
So I contacted the customer care of FCA Group. I explained to them what happened, that I wanted to submit a complaint about the paint, etc. The answer was a mere message that customer care is sorry but does not care about the relationship between the dealer, the service and the customer. So I took the lead myself and tried to submit the complaint over and over and over again.
I finally successfully submitted the first complaint. Everything was completely conflicting, and the complaint was rejected. I sent a complaint to the Česká Obchodní Inspekce, due to suspicion of repeated violations of laws.
Strange objects under painting & behind rear light
About a week later I discovered a strange object under the surface of the painting – dirt, shaving… I still don’t know what it is. Again, I tried to complain and again the submission of the complaint failed for the first time.
After these two problems with painting there was a third problem - with the rear light. The lights are supplied to the factory wrapped in a protective film. This film must be removed before the light is mounted, but not at FIAT. The light was installed wrapped in a protective film. The third complaint was in the world.
Current situation
The current situation is that FIAT:
- rejected the first complaint
- decides on the second complaint / updated: approved after 31 days of silence
- approved the third complaint and the rear-light was fixed
It has been taking several months and 1 of 3 defects has been repaired.
Conclusion
Thanks to the choice of FIAT I feel like the biggest piece of crap. The customer is good enough for… But enough of the feelings – the fact is that:
- FCA Group lost a customer who buys new car every 1-3 years
- I lost my interest in Italian cars in general
- I’m waiting for factory-new Citröen C4 Cactus now
I apologize to all fans of FCA Group and thank you all for reading and sharing.
I’m so sorry. – me