Useless Customer Service

[Catpaw4x4]

yes I agree, many of the owners on here are probably extremely capable of servicing the vehicle.
Not sure how many total members on the forum but I guess around 3,000 max.
Of those even if 1,000 were excellent mechanically, and better than the Ineos dealer service teams, it still only makes up a very small percentage of Grenadier owners.

The service technician is normally a trained mechanic, or apprentice mechanic supervised by a trained mechanic, here in Australia.
None of which would get paid anywhere near as low as $20/hour.
Often these people go to specialised training sessions from the manufacturer and also have specialised tools and electronic equipment.

I recently had 7 campaigns done on my vehicle and after seeking advice from probably one of the best Ineos dealers anywhere I was told that at least 2 of them had to be done at a competent dealer.

So given all the information is on the "computer", outside of being a trade school "trained" mechanic, I'm doubtful any mechanic working at an Ineos dealership has had "Ineos" training. Basing this on personal experience with a dealer service manager. Please speak up if you know different.

 

[DaveB]

So given all the information is on the "computer", outside of being a trade school "trained" mechanic, I'm doubtful any mechanic working at an Ineos dealership has had "Ineos" training. Basing this on personal experience with a dealer service manager. Please speak up if you know different.

I was in Exhibition HQ office back in 2022 and the team was undergoing initial training online in front of a computer.
I sat in the office on the other computer making some changes to my order and heard some of it but couldn't see it.
That was one occasion I can give 100% guarantee.

On another occasion my Grenadier was booked in for service at a different dealer (Sunshine Coast) and they contacted me the day before to cancel it, as one mechanic was away at Ineos training and the other one that was trained had taken 3 days off sick.

No idea if they were telling the truth ot making it up.
I can't see any reason why they would make that up though.
Also no idea where the mechanic was or what training he was doing.

In Australia companies claim training costs on tax so he could have been away learning how to shell a crab for all I know.

 

[Catpaw4x4]

I was in Exhibition HQ office back in 2022 and the team was undergoing initial training online in front of a computer.
I sat in the office on the other computer making some changes to my order and heard some of it but couldn't see it.
That was one occasion I can give 100% guarantee.

On another occasion my Grenadier was booked in for service at a different dealer (Sunshine Coast) and they contacted me the day before to cancel it, as one mechanic was away at Ineos training and the other one that was trained had taken 3 days off sick.

No idea if they were telling the truth ot making it up.
I can't see any reason why they would make that up though.
Also no idea where the mechanic was or what training he was doing.

In Australia companies claim training costs on tax so he could have been away learning how to shell a crab for all I know.

Good to hear from you DaveB. I agree - can envision some training unique to Ineos but overall its a BMW engine on a 4x4 frame. I'm very fortunate that I have access to a BMW master mechanic who is a 4x4 enthusiast with their own shop. I'm getting all work non warranty work done by them. Perhaps it's the ghost of past vehicles, my perception is that the "typical" Dealer mechanics are required to follow a manual and time limit on working on a problem period. Heard a few yrs back from an independent Land Rover shop that the local dealership was no longer working on vehicles past a certain year because they couldn't hook it up to a computer to solve an issue. Computer tells them what is wrong and part needed and the human supplies the "man"ual ability. I do think there is a small percentage of mechanics with intuitive instinct and knowledge working on these vehicles at dealers, just not sure each dealer has more than one if that.

 

[DaveB]

Good to hear from you DaveB. I agree - can envision some training unique to Ineos but overall its a BMW engine on a 4x4 frame. I'm very fortunate that I have access to a BMW master mechanic who is a 4x4 enthusiast with their own shop. I'm getting all work non warranty work done by them. Perhaps it's the ghost of past vehicles, my perception is that the "typical" Dealer mechanics are required to follow a manual and time limit on working on a problem period. Heard a few yrs back from an independent Land Rover shop that the local dealership was no longer working on vehicles past a certain year because they couldn't hook it up to a computer to solve an issue. Computer tells them what is wrong and part needed and the human supplies the "man"ual ability. I do think there is a small percentage of mechanics with intuitive instinct and knowledge working on these vehicles at dealers, just not sure each dealer has more than one if that.

 

[Max]

Computer tells them what is wrong and part needed and the human supplies the "man"ual ability. I do think there is a small percentage of mechanics with intuitive instinct and knowledge working on these vehicles at dealers, just not sure each dealer has more than one if that.

The auto world is virtually throw and replace...but maybe it could be repaired...that more than likely costs more than replacing it...China's white goods have wheels now

I think the small percentage of mechanics are retiring bald headed...they have been pulling their hair out for years now...although two I met as apprentices at a BMW dealership have done well, one is the Dealer Principal and his mate who started at the same time is now the Senior Mechanic/Technician and works regularly with my friends BMW race team, because he knows how to fix things under the pump...they're chalk and cheese but still in the game.

I think also the Historical Race scene is a happy place for some of the 'man'ual ability guys

 

[INEOS OG]

You are fortunate to live down under. I was being kind when I used the $20 per hour number. Checking my math in the most HCOL area in worlds 4th largest economy I was spot on. If the average lube tech earns $20, that mean half make less.

In most of the US these guys make far less. In Texas that number is closer to $15.50 per hour.

https://www.indeed.com/career/lube-technician/salaries/CA

https://www.indeed.com/career/lube-technician/salaries/TX

In either case I will be doing my own maintence, creating my own service records, resetting my own service intervals (some day), and enjoying a job done properly without wondering "what if".

 

[Shopkeep]

You are fortunate to live down under. I was being kind when I used the $20 per hour number. Checking my math in the most HCOL area in worlds 4th largest economy I was spot on. If the average lube tech earns $20, that mean half make less.

In most of the US these guys make far less. In Texas that number is closer to $15.50 per hour.

https://www.indeed.com/career/lube-technician/salaries/CA

https://www.indeed.com/career/lube-technician/salaries/TX

In either case I will be doing my own maintence, creating my own service records, resetting my own service intervals (some day), and enjoying a job done properly without wondering "what if".

You don’t take on a light vehicle mechanics apprenticeship in Oz to make big dollars either, you can make many multiples more as a heavy diesel mechanic or in most building trades. There tends to be other motivational factors such as a genuine interest in cars and what makes them tick.

 

[INEOS OG]

You don’t take on a light vehicle mechanics apprenticeship in Oz to make big dollars either, you can make many multiples more as a heavy diesel mechanic or in most building trades. There tends to be other motivational factors such as a genuine interest in cars and what makes them tick.

I started my reply with a similar thought, thank you for this. Heavy Duty Repair Aperentices start in my are making $70k per year earning a living wage and a pension.

Unfortunately, these are <6% of positions here working on machines costing a million dollars or more.

 

[Max]

In either case I will be doing my own maintence, creating my own service records, resetting my own service intervals (some day), and enjoying a job done properly without wondering "what if".

Before you start your service put the full oil container on your front seat...it can be a guarantee that you won't start the Grenadier after your service

 

[NQ94]

You don’t take on a light vehicle mechanics apprenticeship in Oz to make big dollars either, you can make many multiples more as a heavy diesel mechanic or in most building trades. There tends to be other motivational factors such as a genuine interest in cars and what makes them tick.

Unless you get in the mines the job is thankless and one of the lowest paid trades in Australia. The engineering and diagnostics procedures change constantly, keeping up with training is costly and time consuming. Working in stealerships drive a lot of good mechanics from the trade. Schools don't help with plenty of teachers that don't encourage kids that are interested in the trade as a career path.

 

[Shopkeep]

Unless you get in the mines the job is thankless and one of the lowest paid trades in Australia. The engineering and diagnostics procedures change constantly, keeping up with training is costly and time consuming. Working in stealerships drive a lot of good mechanics from the trade. Schools don't help with plenty of teachers that don't encourage kids that are interested in the trade as a career path.

Like many trades I believe there is a shortage of trained mechanics and apprentices but the pay rates have not increased as much, is it because of low rates of union membership?

 

[NQ94]

Like many trades I believe there is a shortage of trained mechanics and apprentices but the pay rates have not increased as much, is it because of low rates of union membership?

In the last 20 years the unions have underachieved and too many shady characters as reps and union leaders have put many people off. A lot of mechanics have got better wages and conditions without union involvement but still no matter who is involved in wages negotiations there is only a market limit a company will pay and there is a labour rate limit a customer will pay before looking for somewhere cheaper.