Appalling customer service when needed most
Today my 3-year-old Renault Arkana suddenly displayed a major engine failure warning, complete with flashing red alerts. Given the vehicle is still well within warranty and had only just been serviced, I did what any reasonable customer would do—I called for assistance.
What followed was extremely disappointing.
Roadside assistance advised they could tow the vehicle, but only if a nearby dealer agreed to accept it. When I contacted Gold Coast Renault, I was met with a lack of urgency and unwillingness to help. I was told it would take 2–3 weeks just to inspect the car, and they refused to accept it that afternoon because it was “too late on a Friday” (around 1pm). Instead, I was informed the vehicle would need to sit in a towing yard until they were ready. While stranded on the side of the road, I was also made to feel unreasonable for expecting any urgency, and was told a loan car was not an option.If was then informed to take up the issue with Renault Australia Head office.
Seeking further help, I contacted Renault Australia. Unfortunately, this experience was equally disappointing, Shay in customer service response was rude, lacked empathy and support, and I was told the situation was entirely up to the dealer, despite the vehicle being under a 7-year warranty.
At this point I was beside myself and at a complete loss at how to proceed ( I am a carer for my 84 year old mother who had now been waiting for pick up at the local doctor for 2 hours ) I contacted the dealer I bought the vehicle from Crick's Highway in Springwood who are over an hour away and not the closest dealer as stipulated via free roadside assistance. In complete contrast, Rosanna at Cricks Renault Springwood demonstrated what genuine customer service looks like. She calmly guided me through a basic safety check over the phone, quickly identified that the issue was most likely a flat battery, and directed me to a roadside provider who could assist immediately. She remained supportive throughout the entire process.
Within an hour, the issue was resolved and my car was running perfectly.
Had I followed the initial advice, my car would have been towed, left sitting for weeks, and I would have been without transport—only to later discover it was a simple flat battery, which isn’t covered under warranty. This would have resulted in unnecessary costs for towing, diagnostics, and repairs.
This experience highlights a significant gap in customer service and practical support when it is most needed. Rosanna is the reason this situation did not turn into an unnecessary costly and prolonged ordeal for me.
She is a true credit to her dealership Cricks Highway in Springwood and sets the standard others especially those at head office should strive to meet.
20. maaliskuuta 2026
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