[CnoteMD]

I understand the concept of dealer loyalty, but consider this scenario. Someone purchases a BMW at one dealer, but there are several in the area. After thier purchase, they have problems with service and would like to go to a different dealer.

When they get to the other dealer, they get the "you didn't buy your car from us treatment". Keeping in mind that this is a potential future customer, it only perpetuates the overall poor customer service attitude of BMW and potentially results in future lost sales.

In my situation, I have had to move every few years, so using the same dealer for service would be impossible. But with other brands, I have never had to settle for a lower level of service because I didn't buy my car there. The mentality with other makes tends to be more of a "brand loyalty" as opposed to "dealer loyalty".

Even though I had a few issues with a salesperson, my dealer has an excellent service department and I will definitely use them for any work on my car. I think that if all BMW dealers would take thier customer service up a notch or two, dealer loyalty wouldn't be as much of an issue.

Michael