[Barryng]

The dealerships in this area do not require masks for their employees and do not observe/require any "social distancing" between anyone.

My one year/10K mile service was scheduled for April 7 at Champion Porsche in Pompano Beach but I postponed it because I did not think it entailed a justifiable risk. The service advisor told me there would be no warranty concerns by delaying the service. When it became obvious to me the current situation regarding risks associated with being in public venues was not going to change until early next year, at best, I decided to make a new appointment and have the 10K service done. That happened last week.

When I arrived, I noticed Champion was going to considerable obvious effort to clean and sanitize both car interiors and the facility. However, this positive first impression was quickly fully negated when I saw most of their employees did wear masks and made no effort at all to maintain any "social distance". My service advisor wore a mask when I sat at his desk (as did other service advisors with their customers) but his desk was in a relatively small crowded/busy office area with the other service advisors. Other unmasked service personnel and customers were continuously squeezing by where I was sitting with my service advisor. The sales area had zero mask compliance, from at least what I wittnessed. In one narrow hallway an unmasked salesman brushed shoulders with me as he walked by, face to face, in the opposite direction.

I called Melbourne Porsche (equidistant north of me) and they stated no one at that dealership wears masks.

So, I am curious, is no masks typical of all dealerships?

This also surprises me because there is no consequential effort or expense to require all employees to be masked so why would dealerships not remove a consequential risk that keeps needed customers away or even to just protect their employees and customers? I certainly will not be going back to any dealership without some overwhelming reason to do so as long as the risk of COVID-19 is as high as it is now because they are obviously not taking easy and effective steps to mitigate or reduce the risk. Florida had the highest number of new cases yesterday (1700) since this all started so it is very naive to think the risk of infection has decreased. Additionally, for various reasons, I previously perceived Champion to be a dealership that might be expected to provide good customer service. The lack of masks and social distancing by all of their sales staff and most of their service staff makes a statement to me about their culture that certainly blew away that expectation.

 

[jimmuller]

I haven't had reason to go to the dealer for service since C-19 started so I can report only what the dealership says. I'm sure part of their response is to stay in accordance with the state's requirements. They say everyone wears masks and maintains distance. They sanitize everything, including the car. I believe the showroom is closed or perhaps was until recently. They offer a free pickup and deliver option so you don't have to go to the dealership yourself at all. Of course at least once for me before C-19 they offered a courtesy car-swap to deliver a serviced car and retrieve a courtesy loaner; I assume it was a standard service then.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Go where you are comfortable, if you don’t like the policy (from either POV) you are not forced to use them.

This topic has political potential all over it and I’d suggest not diving further in.

 

[DriveInHouston]

This topic has political potential now that you made it political.

I don't see the OP's concerns in the middle of a pandemic as being political. To my knowledge, all 50 states, in various stages of re-opening their economies, recommend physical distancing and businesses to have masks for the employees that come in contact with the public. This is true even in Texas, and I don't think that anyone can confuse Gov. Abbott for a pinko roader...

 

[GregW]

I'd be telling the dealer of my concerns, strongly. If they think that they will lose business and possibly put themselves in danger of being shut down that should provide some incentive—even if keeping staff and customers healthy doesn't.

My car goes in for its 45000 km service on Wednesday, but fortunately my state has had only 2 cases since mid-April and only 4 deaths total. We are moving rapidly to a more 'normal' situation, although the suggestion is that normal won't be what it was and that some restrictions will be in force for at least the rest of this year. We are now open for intra-state travel but inter-state travel is severely restricted.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

This topic has political potential now that you made it political.

I don't see the OP's concerns in the middle of a pandemic as being political. To my knowledge, all 50 states, in various stages of re-opening their economies, recommend physical distancing and businesses to have masks for the employees that come in contact with the public. This is true even in Texas, and I don't think that anyone can confuse Gov. Abbott for a pinko roader...

We all have a choice on who to support with business, it may have come off as brash but no point in beating around the bush. Don't like the policy at a place... don't support them.

All do Respect... I was not trying to make it political, cautioning against doing so and because of that it sparked emotion. I didn't suggest not discussing the subject or that one point of view is right or wrong. I could have worded it better and for that I apologize... I don't want this place to turn into the corvette forum!

 

[GregW]

HD—I didn't take your original comment to be anything other than a caution about letting the discussion become political; which I thought was appropriate.

 

[DriveInHouston]

HD—I didn't take your original comment to be anything other than a caution about letting the discussion become political; which I thought was appropriate.

Well, obviously I didn't. It appears to me that anytime a portion of the forum members decides that a post does not meet their 'political' approval, all they have to do is start screaming 'political' to muzzle the topic. There is no iota of politics on the subject of whether Porsche dealerships are required, in most, if not all states, to provide with masks their personnel who come in contact with the public.

This matter has the same bearing on this forum as issues like crazing in the headlights. We need to have it out in the open to keep pressure on Porsche do do the right thing. Don't tell me that Porsche doesn't read this forum. If you write in a complaint letter to Porsche and mention that in the 718 forum there are 60 people complaining about the same thing, you will see a different behavior.

I know that in most states you cannot force private citizens to wear masks, it is only 'recommended'. That's how it is in my state.

Personally, I have to take immunosuppressant drugs for an autoimmune disease. I can't force you to wear in mask IN PUBLIC. However, if you came into my home unmasked, I would warn you, that I treat it as a deadly threat to my person. Because it is. And this is what it is at stake for me personally in private or in public.

 

[Chris NZ]

Here in NZ all dealers were closed until we reached 'Level 3' at which point point contactless service and maintenance became available. I had to drop my car off for a warranty repair and it was completely contactless. All paperwork was done electronically; drop off was scheduled in 15 minute intervals so that only one customer was present at any one time; I was not allowed to enter the building, the service advisor, technicians etc all wore masks; the car was sanitised before and after. I also had to register via a contact tracing app when I had arrived and left the premises. I think the sales area was open by appointment only and that was also completely contactless with all staff wearing masks etc.

They were initially unable to complete the repair as they needed a replacement part so the job was completed yesterday. However, as of this week we are now at Level 1 and life is effectively "back to normal", so the process was how it would have been before COVID-19 hit.

NZ went hard and fast and the fact that we have now effectively returned to normal life would indicate that it worked. Although the long term impact on the economy is yet to be felt.

 

[GTS]

I took my car in for its annual service a few weeks ago to the only Porsche dealer within 2 hours of me. The sales people and receptionist were not wearing masks, the service advisors had gloves on, but no mask, while the techs had masks and gloves. I wore a mask while other customers did not. The service advisor's desks did have a plexiglass shield in place.

Personally, I judged it has a half-hearted attempt to implement new social distancing procedures. I did not wait around while they serviced my car.

In their defense, I could have used their free pick up and delivery. I just didn't want their employees hooning around in my car.

 

[jimmuller]

Here in NZ all dealers were closed until we reached 'Level 3' at which point point contactless service and maintenance became available...
However, as of this week we are now at Level 1 and life is effectively "back to normal", so the process was how it would have been before COVID-19 hit.

NZ went hard and fast and the fact that we have now effectively returned to normal life would indicate that it worked. Although the long term impact on the economy is yet to be felt.

You are incredibly fortunate. From the news reports I read NZ was aggressive about stopping C-19 and as a result very effective! I wish you joy! (There are times I wish I lived in NZ, but maybe that's because we've watched The Brokenwood Mysteries too many times. )

My dealership has recently announced that their showroom is open again. This is because Massachusetts has entered phase 1 of its re-opening plan. Things aren't back to normal yet though the rate of new cases (at least as far as they are detected) is coming down. I haven't checked into the dealership's specific action items but that's because I've had no reason to go there. I think they claim to do all the required and common-sense stuff.

 

[MLJJ]

Went for 10K service in mid-May. No masks, distancing, or really anything else. Went with wife recently to collect her new Honda and had the same experience at that dealership.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Ours is basically fully open... They disinfect all interiors of cars and have implemented SOP's for more frequent cleaning and treatment of touch surfaces. Other than having the lounge closed to encourage people not to hang around its business as usual.

 

[DriveInHouston]

You are incredibly fortunate. From the news reports I read NZ was aggressive about stopping C-19 and as a result very effective! I wish you joy! (There are times I wish I lived in NZ, but maybe that's because we've watched The Brokenwood Mysteries too many times. )

My dealership has recently announced that their showroom is open again. This is because Massachusetts has entered phase 1 of its re-opening plan. Things aren't back to normal yet though the rate of new cases (at least as far as they are detected) is coming down. I haven't checked into the dealership's specific action items but that's because I've had no reason to go there. I think they claim to do all the required and common-sense stuff.

My wife is from NZ. We have considered, and dismissed, the idea of moving there.

Gorgeous place, we have family there, last time we went there for 5 weeks (2018).

It is too far from anywhere (except Oz). We can get our pensions paid there, but we have no Medicare coverage there. That's a problem... Same with Oz. Melbourne is our cup of tea, we have (distant) family there etc. etc.

In the end, there is no place like home... So Houston it is, although that may change in favor of the Pacific (North)west.

 

[Chris NZ]

My wife is from NZ. We have considered, and dismissed, the idea of moving there.

Gorgeous place, we have family there, last time we went there for 5 weeks (2018).

It is too far from anywhere (except Oz). We can get our pensions paid there, but we have no Medicare coverage there. That's a problem... Same with Oz. Melbourne is our cup of tea, we have (distant) family there etc. etc.

In the end, there is no place like home... So Houston it is, although that may change in favor of the Pacific (North)west.

Whereabouts in NZ is she from?

The great thing about NZ is we are small, self-contained, have all the of the advantages of a Southern Hemisphere climate but, because we are close to a fairly big country we have many of the advantages of the Northern Hemisphere too in that we aren't too isolated culturally. The distance and small size bring disadvantages too though, mainly the cost of housing and stuff, which is high.

We've visited Mebourne and love it there, but work prospects for me would be limited and the cost of living is even higher than Auckland.

If your wife is a citizen she would be covered automatically under our healthcare system. We are permanent residents here, my partner fell quite ill about fifteen years ago and spent four weeks in hospital. It didn't cost us a cent, in fact the question of our status as residents or payment was never even asked. Dental care on the other hand is another matter...

 

[DriveInHouston]

She was born, raised and educated in Auckland. We met in UC Berkeley where we both did post graduate degrees. She would definitely be covered, the question is whether and how long it will take for me to be covered. We've been thinking to get a NZ passport for our son, in case he would like to live in NZ for a while.

Dental care is another matter here too...

 

[GregW]

I lived in Auckland for 5+ years back in the '70s. It was a great place. I came to Australia for the warmer weather and a post-grad and just stayed. In those days I travelled to Aus on my NZ driver's licence! That still confuses most of the younger government employees. When I applied for the age pension here they insisted I had to have a visa and a passport stamp to verify entrance date. Ignorance is a wonderful thing—not.

Now that the US allows dual citizenship (at least I think it still does—it didn't use to) I'd definitely be going for NZ passport for your son.

I'd also suggest that you investigate formally about your medical cover there whilst married to an Kiwi. I'd be very surprised if that didn't give you permanent resident status.

 

[Chris NZ]

I'd also suggest that you investigate formally about your medical cover there whilst married to an Kiwi. I'd be very surprised if that didn't give you permanent resident status.

@DriveInHouston

Here are the relevant links. You would need to apply for a Resident Visa.

Options for the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident

Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Apologies for taking this off topic. So will be my last post on this subject.

 

[DriveInHouston]

Many thanks! I'll sign out of the off topic myself!

 

[Viffermike]

Back on topic:

I've had considerable dealings with my dealer, the dealer's auto body shop, a car-rental agency, a Porsche-sent tow truck, and other entities since mid-April. (Yes, my car's been through a few 'episodes' in the past two months -- part of the reason I haven't been very active here during that time.)

All of the above practiced both social distancing and mask-wearing nearly across the board -- even the detailer I used last week for a full paint correction and sealant/wax job on my car practiced social distancing. (I wore a mask, and he is still asking customers to wear them at his shop.)

This is in Dallas, Texas -- where mask-wearing and social distancing have not been consistently adopted except for a 4-5-week period from early April to mid-May. Particularly in the suburbs. We continue to break daily new-case records almost every day here, now.

I think a variety of factors are involved with each individual dealer's COVID-19 protocol, ranging from customer-base expectation to government mandate (temporary or permanent). The most important one, though, is the one customers exhibit. Wear a mask, use sanitizer, etc. - you are your best defense. I see no reason why an SA wouldn't agree to social distance at a customer's request, and my dealer and its body shop are still disinfecting interior surfaces before delivery. It can't hurt to request it, because I'm absolutely certain others are requesting it, too - that, in and of itself, makes it a reasonable request.