John Hine - San Diego, CA

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

The most recent reports are at the top of the list; the oldest are at the bottom.

Sales=Fair, Service=Poor, Parts=Poor, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Maybe,
Sales gave me a rebate and called the next day and said that I couldn't have it and had to sign new loan docs. The sales people also lied about mileage claiming 18 MPG. I have never gotten more than 13.5. Went back to sales after 6 months and found a new crew and asked about mileage and got the same response from the sales guy on the floor. I remarked that seem amazing for a 3/4 ton truck and they assured me that the diesel was "magic".
Service guys are clueless about diesel trucks. Ask for my daytime running lights to be enabled and was told that my truck did not have the required "sensors" and that it couldn't be done. The next time I went in I got a difference service writer and she claimed that it was "illegal" to have daytime running lights in California. Not true.
Parts: Went to Parts to order rear wheel well liners. They could not find a part number and said that they were not available for my model truck. Got the part number off the web and went back and they ordered them.
Submitted by: Bob Fennema     bobfennema[a]cox.net
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=November, 2004, Date report submitted: Mar 13 15:12:21 EST 2005

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor, bought there=No, scv_there=Yes,
I have a v10 98 quad ram LB, that I bought in 2002 w/26000miles on it. I have taken to this dealership four times to have the fuel gauge, battery/charging system, front end Alignment, Emergency brake worked on. well to say the least all they have managed to do was break a magnetic mount C.B Antenna. with a (Free) truck wash. Lets see, I keep a 5 gal fuel can with me at all times, and try to remember I'll need fuel about every 325 miles, they say it works fine. (Fine as long as you don't mind walking to the gas station). I'm on my second Battery the 1st one I bought there(ooops)when this one (2)goes I have a warranty now (PEPBOYS)but there is nothing wrong with the truck.(NO! I like buying batteries at $115.00) There idea of an alignment, (Well I don't need to steer to turn right).easy fix. (Firestone 104.95 lifetime @ a location near you). The EMERGENCY Brake - "Please don't park my truck on the hill, it's here to have the emergency brake worked on" 20 min. latter ( I ) only me-- Notice's that one of those bright employee's has parked it on the hill and left it in neutral, as it's slowly rolling down unmanned, I start running - the service guy say's I can't go into that area it's for employees only. (Gee a thank you would have been nice, or should I have let my new-to-me truck hit someone other car? oh BTW "your welcome")And no the brake still won't hold the truck on a hill. after fighting over who paying what for what wasn't done GRRRR. last I seen any one was when they gave me a check for 189.65 for a new antenna and said they would call when my truck was done. they still paper work to fix the brakes. SEVEN hours later I asked my brother to pick up my truck for me. He said he would and did at 11:45pm he just walk on the lot thru an open unlocked gate and drove off. They would still have a spare key but the left it on the dash. (I was wondering if they would call or let me know that the truck was stolen) So the next day I called the service tech and asked when my truck would be finished. (it should have been done the day before) He let me know that they were working on it as we spoke. (I look in my front drive no-one was even near my truck,let alone working on the brakes. Maybe he didn't know it wasn't at the dealership any more? hmm.) and as soon as it was done they would call and even pick me up if I need a ride. I'm not holding my breath. And I'm not going back.
(I thought of dropping by and saying i'm here to pickup my truck where is it) but not worth the legal hassle many friends tell me this service dept. is wonderful (I wonder if they are friends).
still waiting
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=02/03, Date report submitted: 18 Apr 2003 13:25

Sales=Excellent, Service=Poor,
Sales department was excellent and gave me a good deal on the truck. Took delivery of the truck on Saturday, with a flaw in the drivers seat leather with a written promise from the dealer, seat would be replaced through the service department the following Monday. On Monday was told to come back on Thursday to have Chrysler Factory Rep look at it. Came back on Thursday to be told the seat was not covered under warranty and would not be fixed. Service manager had never looked at the delivery paperwork and was totally useless. Took my complaint to the Dealer VP, Jack Stratman. He checked the delivery paperwork and had the issue fixed immediately.
Came back 4 weeks later with 2000 miles on the truck for the first free oil change. No problems. Came back 5 weeks later with 5000 miles on the truck with a leaking right front axle seal and request for tire rotation and another oil change. Dealer had to order parts that took an extra day. While the truck was in the service department the service tech scratched the side of the truck on the service stall wall causing approx. $1000 worth of body damage. The customer service rep said I would have to make an appointment for the body work next week and come and get your truck.
After complaining to the Dealer VP, truck was repaired, repainted, and delivered 7 days later. No charge for oil change and tire rotation. Upon inspection later that day I noticed the oil dipstick was not installed and the vent hose clamps on the front differential were missing. Contacted Dealer VP and Shop Foreman, returned same day to have parts installed. Two days later found left front axle seal leaking, called shop foreman to order parts and will take truck back for that service if shop foreman personally supervises the service techs.
The John Hine Dodge Dealer VP, Jack Stratman is a terrific professional and is the only reason I still go back to this dealership. He truly cares about the customer and has taken care of my issues. The shop foreman, Ralph Delano is also a top notch guy and good customer service rep. I would have to rate the service technicians fair to poor in their work quality and the service manager lacking in customer support skills.
Number of dealership visits=4, Last visit date=Sep 6, 2002, Date report submitted: 11 Sep 2002

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor,
Service department failed to check TSBs when I took my RAM 2500 5.9l gas-burner in for rough starts and pinging. Their repair failed to help. I discovered on my own the TSB for leaking intake manifold and had an independent mechanic fix it, since the warranty had run out. Also, I complained about the clunking in the steering, and they quoted $600 for a new column without letting me know about a TSB for the problem. They did replace the catalytic converter under emissions warranty on another visit, though. They are pleasant enough folks, but their smiles didn't fix my truck. I've had my truck to three San Diego dealers for service, and all were incompetent. Complaints that had service bulletins were ignored instead of being fixed. The truck is of low quality, but the dealers were no better.
Date report submitted: 31 Dec 2001

Sales=Good, Service=Don't Know,
No haggle Prices listed on the Truck. Got a good deal on 2001 Cummins 4x4 6spd. I would definitely buy from them again.

Dealership Rating:
	Good sales department, good service
	Fair sales, fair service
	Conflicting or not enough information
	Poor Service or Poor Sales Department
	Avoid like the plague!!
	Don't Know or no experience

This page was edited on: February 26, 2007