Rotten phone communications

This complaint relates to at least two Ford dealerships in the Cape Town area concerning rotten phone communications during normal business hours. On trying to phone my nearest dealership, as has happened many times since 2014 when I bought my current vehicle from them, their switchboard simply does not pick up incoming phone calls, and in addition all one hears after a while is a recorded message saying the incoming message box is full so one cannot even leave a message. I tried to call them three times on three different numbers - same result. I wanted to ask a technical question about servicing my vehicle; I could have been a Fleet Manager from a large conglomerate thinking about buying 100+ vehicles....... Had I been, would I have considered carrying on dealing with such a sloppy outfit? Next, I tried another Ford dealership in my area. They answered the phone, but after holding on for over 3 minutes listening to the inevitable recorded marketing blurb (which is enough to infuriate most customers) were unable to get anyone on the end of the line to answer my query. I'm paying for the call so I hung up. I tried a third dealership further away using the phone number listed for the first local Ford that came up with a Google search. That number rang but was a fax line - brilliant. Finally I found a Ford dealer even further away; wonder of wonders unlike the others they answered the incoming call. After a small delay in finding their workshop foreman they put me through to their Service Manager who was able to provide the information I needed. Ford SA, you need to train your dealerships in simple basics. Start off by reminding all of them that the telephone, if used CORRECTLY, is still the FASTEST, MOST DIRECT means of making point to point contact, person to person. Not instant messaging, email, Whatsapp or any social media platform. There is absolutely NO excuse for failing to answer a ringing phone or even letting it ring endlessly before doing so. Not only is this gross inefficiency, it sends a strong signal to the caller if you behave in this unprofessional manner that you and your business are just that. Wake up Ford, get after these sloppy outfits you call dealerships which, as if you need reminding, directly represent your business, your logo, its ethos and its mission. You should try yourselves acting as a potential customer and on an irregular basis pick up a phone and see what happens when you call any one of your dealerships as a potential sales, service or parts customer. You will likely get a scary surprise. I for one am sick and tired of this seemingly endemic sickness that pervades so many South African business entities. Ford SA and its dealership chain should not be one of them, so get to it!