Awful volvo dealer. Other options for parts/service?

[erie2theworld]

Hey all! Hope all is well in volvo world. I've had this dilema recently. My local volvo dealer is terrible! It's "Volvo of Erie" in Erie, Pennsylvania. They're basically a ford dealer who recently picked up the Volvo franchise. It used to be a dealer on the other side of town that was also the BMW, Subaru and VW dealer. Excellent service there as my previous car was a Subaru and i went there often. The new dealer seems to have no knowledge of my car. Example: I went to order a part (fog light bulb socket) for my V70 xc. I identified the car as a 98 V70. The parts man asked me if that's a volvo. I said 'yes'. He then went in the other room, came back out, and asked me if it's a wagon. I laughed and said yes. I had a much worse time the last time I was in there. I wanted to get an estimate to have my PCV system overhauled, and the service writer said they had never done that and wouldnt be able to give an estimate until they saw the car. He followed that up by telling me that my car was old and they rarely saw Volvos that old come through there. With Volvo's emphasis on their cars' ability to go for such high mileage, i'm wondering why the volvo dealer would say something like this. I find it really hard to believe they rarely service volvo's most popular model. It just seemed really fishy. I ended up ordering the kit from FCP and doing it myself.

My question is. What should I do? As far as I can tell, there are no indie shops in the area, and the next closest volvo dealer (rahal volvo in wexford, pa) is about 90 miles away. I want to replace the illumination bulbs in my radio, but i'm afraid that my local dealer wont know how to get my radio code. lol. I think it's pretty sad.

At any rate. I feel better now that i've vented.

Mike

[pfeener]

Sounds like you'll be doing your own work. You already know about FCP for parts. You can also order from a Volvo dealer in Texas at myswedishparts.com or if the part isn't listed on their Web site you can just call them directly. Good service and prices.

If I were you, I wouldn't let the Volvo/Ford dealer anywhere near my car. Two things against them 1. obviously not versed on anything to do with a Volvo and 2. A Ford dealer; in my personal experience Ford is the absolute worst when it comes to customer service. Not surprising they're closing so many dealerships.

[erie2theworld]

Thanks so much for the info on that other volvo dealer. I will give them a try!

Mike