BBB Accredited ADAMM Car Dealer

Following a purchase, a car dealership may provide loyalty bonuses, send service reminders, offer genuine parts and create service specials in an attempt to retain your business.  To ensure that “going back” is a pleasant experience; get to know the dealership inside and out before you buy.  Buying a car from a dependable dealership with a proven track record will save you a lot of headaches in the long-run.

A good business is about the people inside as much as it is from the product itself.  So, the dealership looks great from the street, but you get terrible customer service, what could that mean for you long-term?  Examining reviews is a great way to begin getting to know a dealership but take it a step further by checking to see if they are a member of, or have an affiliation with respected business associations and organizations that promote ethical business and customer relationships.

To confirm that the dealership has conducted previous business professionally, check first with your local Better Business Bureau.  The BBB looks at a variety of information including reviews and complaints, then assigns letter grades from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). The rates adjust according to a variety of factors.

Recently you may have noticed TV advertising for ADAMM, (Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee). One of the goals of this organization is to help facilitate good relationships between member dealers and their customers.  ADAMM provides member services not available to or economical for the individual dealer, ensures ethical and professional standards of its members, and offers educational programs for the betterment of dealers and their employees.   WHY YOU ARE BETTER OFF AT AN ADAMM NEW CAR DEALER 

Here are some other links for consumers that may be helpful in getting to know a dealership, from the inside out:

• DEALERRATER:  Car Recalls & Helpful Consumer Information about dealerships.
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety  (IIHS)  Top Safety Picks
• Car and Driver buyers guide.
• Cars.com credible and easy-to-understand information to help buyers formulate opinions.

Since 1976, Jenkins has provided quality cars and outstanding service to Southeastern Wisconsin, making them the oldest and most experienced Volvo and Jaguar dealership in the area.  Jenkins Imports maintains an A+ BBB rating and is a proud member of ADAMM.

Jenkins Volvo Real Customer Reviews

Between 86% and 90% of consumers say buying decisions are influenced by positive or negative online reviews.  It’s simple really, consumers today want to know they can trust a business before visiting in person, inquiring, or making an actual purchase.  Because customer service extends years beyond the sale of a new vehicle, this is especially true when choosing a dealership.  Look for a local dealership that has a proven track record of trust and professionalism.  Below, you’ll find real car buyer and service reviews from Jenkins Imports, your oldest and most experienced local Volvo dealership!  

Highly Recommend Jenkins Volvo Overseas Delivery. “What could be more exciting than cruising around in your new Volvo? Participating in the overseas delivery program, that’s what! I had this opportunity presented to me by the Jenkins team in 2007 when I came in to purchase my first Volvo. I was a bit skeptical at first when it was suggested that I do this. However, when I looked into the details and had more talks with John I realized that this was a deal not to be passed by. So, my husband I went ahead and took advantage of a trip to Sweden. We received 2 open-end round trip tickets. We chose to arrive in Stockholm and fly out of Gothenburg. We enjoyed the private SAS lounge at the airport prior to our departure. There we feasted on chocolates, cheeses, fresh cold cuts, herring, fruit and pastries. Wines and top shelf liquors were also available. The night before we were to pick up the car at the factory we were treated to a stay in a 5 star hotel in Gothenburg. A limo picked us up and drove us to the factory where we had a guided tour. This was almost my favorite part, (aside from getting the car).  After a lunch we completed the paperwork and were taken to the delivery room. We waited behind closed glass doors as our new “baby” was driven into the show room. The doors opened and we rushed to embrace the car we had ordered 3 mos. ago. We were guided through the workings of the car and when we had no more questions we drove off on a 17 day adventure through Sweden and Norway. Insurance during our driving tour was included in the overseas program as was delivery back to the states and to Jenkins Motors where we were reunited with our car 6 weeks later. Everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this program to anyone considering it.”   S.Austin. e-mail review to: gregjenkins Sent: Saturday, March 02, 2013 4:42 PM

Jenkins Service Department Treated Me like Family  “My beloved Volvo S60X was perfectly serviced at Jenkins Volvo, and I was given a detailed report on every major area of the car, from tires to engine, to completely apprise me of the state of my car. The car had been running perfectly (I was there for scheduled maintenance), and I LOVED that no areas “requiring repair” were suddenly “discovered” — so I knew I could trust this dealership. THEN, Greg Jenkins, the owner, grabbed a special solvent and a rag, and he PERSONALLY took the time to wipe out some serious discoloration at the site of a door dent (caused by new driving trajectories in my apartment’s garage that caused my car to interact with a brick wall), so my car would look as good as it could until I get that dent repaired. They really treated me like family at Jenkins Volvo. Everyone there is not just an expert, but a nice, decent, fair, kind, and honest expert. I am happy to recommend this establishment. And trust me, I have not always had this kind of positive experience at other service establishments! Bravo Jenkins Imports!! You really do it right. Thank you for an excellent service experience.  J.K. Google Review May 2013

To read more first-hand customer experiences, go to these auto-related trusted sites.

Save Driving in Wisconsin

In 2011, travel on U.S. roads fell to its lowest level since 2003.  This decline made 2011 one of the safest years on record, but 2012 was a different story.  If you live in Wisconsin, you may remember the unseasonably warm weather we had on Easter last year.  According to NHTSA, “drivers logged 15.6 billion more miles behind the wheel in the first six months of 2012 alone.”   Higher travel, most likely due to the nicer weather, led to more fatality rates in 2012.  The spike in traffic deaths represent the most dramatic change since 1979.  2013 presents an opportunity to make some changes and take precautions for a much safer year.  If you’re in the process of choosing a safe vehicle for you and your family, you may find the links below both helpful and educational.

Volvo XC60 first luxury SUV to achieve top Safety Pick+Award

ConsumerReports.com Guide to Vehicle Safety Features

• Buckle seatbelt
• Air Bags
• Anti-lock brakes
• Traction control  (Volvo offers Dynamic Stability Traction control (DSTC).

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings:

5-Star Safety Ratings measure the crash worthiness and rollover safety of vehicles.   See how Volvo S60 and XC60 are rated! 

CRASH TESTING THE VOLVO XC60 VIDEO.

For more information regarding Volvo safety features and awards, contact a knowledgeable professional at Jenkins Imports.  Call 414-265-4400 or visit online at www.jenkinsvolvo.com.

Wisconsin Winters; Service for your Vehicle

The average snowfall in Wisconsin ranges from about 40 inches in the southern part of the state, to over 100 inches in the snow belt regions near Superior.   This year, we got a late start but in Wisconsin, winter can last all the way up through April!  It’s not too late to think about winter specific car maintenance and necessary service to ensure you’re not left out in the cold.  Below are some winter car maintenance tips to consider:

• TIRES

“All-season” tires are not designed for winter driving, especially in colder states such as Wisconsin.  They are generally are not made of cold weather rubber compounds, they lack channeling tread patterns and come with less tread stripes than winter or snow tires.  Even with front-wheel-drive and anti-skid systems, “all-season” tires are not going to provide the performance that a snow tire can offer.  As a matter of fact, the single component responsible with how a car performs in cold weather and/or on icy or snowy roads is the tire itself.  If you are driving in very severe weather — especially if you have to be on the  roads before  the highway crews — it makes sense to spend more to get the higher-end snow tires.  Lastly, don’t forget to have your tire pressure checked regularly, especially in cold weather conditions.  Local service specials.

• BATTERIES

Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors.  If you notice your headlights dimming, if it’s been 3-6 years since you got a new battery and especially if your car needs a jump-start, it may be time for a change.  Repair shops don’t  usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free.  Don’t try to change the battery yourself;  a battery can weigh as much as 40 lbs. and are often times very tricky to remove.   There are electrical and chemical dangers associated with changing a batter, not to mention that the old battery will need to be disposed of properly.  If your battery is not under warranty, it’s not too late to replace it, before it leaves you and your family stranded.  Find Local service specials.

• WIPERS

Obviously, you’ll need to see the road to drive safely.  The build-up of winter precipitation, dirt and salt on your windshield can greatly reduce visibility. Working windshield wipers and a solid supply of wiper fluid will ensure that you have a clear line of sight even in the nastiest snowstorm.  Dedicated winter blades feature a rubber boot that prevents snow and sleet from jamming things up.  Consumer Reports (CR) tested 15 wiper models, both silicone and rubber, and found that most did a very good to excellent job for the first 6 to 9 months but then performance fell off.  Therefore, it’s best to replace your blades at least once per year.  It’s not too late to have your wiper fluid reservoir topped off with a brand that has a lower freezing temperature.  Local Service Specials.

• OIL & ANTIFREEZE FLUIDS

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a rating system for oil viscosity, which is often called weight. It’s expressed by four or five characters, such as 10W-30. The lower the number before the W (which stands for “winter”), the better the oil flows in cold temperatures.  Therefore, your oil should be either multi-viscosity or 5W if you are in severe cold climate.  Anti-freeze is designed to prevent summer boil-overs and winter freeze-ups.  Waiting too long to remove coolant can harm your system and not perform the way you expect.  Find a team of highly qualified ASE Certified technicians focused on providing exceptional service in a timely manner.  If you’re interested in the best new-vehicle warranties, see Volvo’s Service for Life Warranty!