GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: matchboy on 22 August 2013, 14:20
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Ok, so following on from MH gaining Simon Thomas' email address, I've bashed out an email to him. I hope you have too MH, and that others follow suit - the only way things are going to change is if management are made aware of the situation. Given the response I've had (which I'll put below my email) I'm not sure I'll get anywhere, but 'a faint heart nay won a fair lady' and all that its worth a try:
Dear Mr Thomas
My name is XXXX, and I have ordered the new VW Golf GTI. I apologise for emailing you directly as I know you must be very busy, however I feel that it is necessary given my current situation so that you are aware of what is happening at a customer level. If you could take the time to read my email I would appreciate it greatly.
Just for background information, both I and my wife love Golf GTI’s. My current order will be our 7th GTI, ranging from the Mk 4 all the way up to the Mk7. This will be my third brand new GTI having previously ordered from new the Mk 5 and Mk 6 versions.
With the news that the order books had opened in April I swiftly took myself down to my local dealership to order the Mk 7. I ordered on 8th April. At the time I was given an estimated delivery day of 31st July, however having bought GTI’s previously I expected a few weeks delay on this given the desirability of the car and the fact that you VW only make a certain number. I was the first person to order from my dealership, which has various branches in Hertfordshire.
Over the coming months I was given the following build weeks: firstly BW23 i.e. the first batch of MY14 versions – given I was one of the first to order this was more than reasonable. However, this is where things started to go wrong. My build week then slipped to BW26. I accepted this at the time, given as stated above I expected some form of delay. However, it then moved to BW28.
At this point I was starting to get disappointed by not only my car slipping back but also the fact that no one in VW could give me any reasons why. Having contacted VW Customer Services they emailed me promptly with an apology and stated that as far as they were concerned BW28 should not move. Given the excellent nature of the service thus far, and the fact that they had taken the time to email me directly (and also to confirm that the build week wouldn’t move) I accepted this.
Again, I was disappointed. My dealer called me some weeks after telling me that yet again my BW had slipped to BW32. Given this was because of the 4 week factory shut down, in terms of build this was only a one week delay. Even though my patience was wearing thin, again I accepted this.
A few weeks later I was again contacted to tell me my build week had slipped, this time to BW33. However, this time I was told this was confirmed and that once it was confirmed it wouldn’t move as it was locked in the system at the factory. As this was solid confirmation of a build week, I yet again accepted the delay because I was told that it physically can’t move once it’s locked in.
The online tracker moved to BW confirmed 4 weeks prior to build. Everything was going smoothly. BW33 came along and the tracker moved to ‘Build In Progress.’ Again, everything working as it should be.
I’ve now discovered over the last week that my car wasn’t built in BW33. It won’t even be built in BW34 (this week). I’ve been told by VW that it’s likely it will be built in BW35. This cannot be confirmed however.
I’m sure from the above you can see my predicament and the hassle that I’ve had. Now 20 weeks after ordering I still cannot be told when my car will be built. Even when this does happens I still have 4-6 weeks to wait as it gets shipped over. My spec does not include the options that can cause a delay, such as DSG or the panoramic roof or the reverse camera.
I’m hoping that after reading this you can offer some advice and help with my situation. All I want is my car. As you can imagine I was very excited back in April when I ordered it, and having test driven one in July I know what a fantastic car it is. However this whole debacle has totally taken the shine off the whole process. It’s not often that you get to buy a new car, especially in the current climate, and I have to say I’ve been really disappointed with the way VW have not only dealt with my situation given I was one of the first orders, but also the lack of information and urgency that comes out of the factory in Germany. For example, I could have bought a BMW M135i and had it 8-10 weeks from date of order; at the moment I am looking at a minimum of 25 weeks at best for the GTI.
Please could you look into this for me? Any advice or help with speeding up my order would be greatly appreciated. As stated previously, the Golf GTI is in my mind the perfect car and I’m very disappointed with this whole process ; the way I am feeling at the moment I wouldn’t buy the mk 8 GTI – and that saddens me greatly.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Kind regards
END
Both Mr Thomas and his PA are off today, so I received this response from another PA:
Good afternoon Mr x,
Thank you for your email.
Mr Thomas is not currently in the office. To avoid any delays in dealing with your query I have just forwarded your email to the relevant team who will be contacting you directly.
Kind regards,
Tanja
and my reply to which I'm awaiting a response:
Hi Tanja
Thank you for your email. If you could make sure Mr Thomas gets the email anyway, that would be great.
If you have a read through my predicament (sorry if its a bit long and boring!) you will see that I have been speaking to various teams throughout VW and none of them seem to have any power to do anything other than apologise; I was hoping that as the CEO of VW UK, Mr Thomas would not only like to be made aware of what is happening at a customer level, but also that he would be able to help me as the 'normal' channels open to customers such as myself are providing fruitless.
Thank you for your continuing help Tanja.
Best wishes
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Long, but good letter there mate. At the end of the day if you don't write they will never know. At some level and to some degree, stuff like this will get noticed and have some positive effect down the line.
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Yeah great letter mate! Just sods law he's out of Office... I just hope they don't just pass on your complaint back to Customer Services. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, things progress quickly for you from here on in.
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Yeah great letter mate! Just sods law he's out of Office... I just hope they don't just pass on your complaint back to Customer Services. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, things progress quickly for you from here on in.
Thanks mate! I'm not hopeful but hey ho you've got to try these things!
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I sent an email this morning, have had no response from anyone though – maybe I’m the reason he took the day off? There is a possibility that the Brutus spamguard grabbed it and i'll see it in a Brutus report tomorrow, or maybe they don't give a sh!te.
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I sent an email this morning, have had no response from anyone though – maybe I’m the reason he took the day off? There is a possibility that the Brutus spamguard grabbed it and i'll see it in a Brutus report tomorrow, or maybe they don't give a sh!te.
:grin: well at least we know why he's gone home!
I'd put a tenner on the fact you've hit the nail on the head - he/they don't give a sh!te. I'm so glad I'm giving them 30 grand.
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Match, I'm going to read through your email now but I am certain I will be sending one soon too!
I've just had my M135i offer reduced by £1,000 and I can have a 63 plate too, BMW really want my business and are willing to offer 17% off to get it.
VW promised to call me yesterday or today and I've had nothing. I'm so pissed off with them. I think I'm going to have to call as I suspect they have 'forgotten' to call me... and if I do I don't think either of us is going to like what the other has to say.
In fact I'm calling them right now. :angry:
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Match, I'm going to read through your email now but I am certain I will be sending one soon too!
I've just had my M135i offer reduced by £1,000 and I can have a 63 plate too, BMW really want my business and are willing to offer 17% off to get it.
VW promised to call me yesterday or today and I've had nothing. I'm so pissed off with them. I think I'm going to have to call as I suspect they have 'forgotten' to call me... and if I do I don't think either of us is going to like what the other has to say.
In fact I'm calling them right now. :angry:
Let us know how you get on Bear. Yes, I am massively p!ssed off with VW too, hence the email. It was the only thing that could calm me down! :laugh:
What really f7cks me off is others who ordered after me actually are receiving their cars. While I'm pleased for them (honest!) that f7cks me off even more as what was the point of ordering early.
I know I sound like a broken record whinging and moaning but this forum is the only thing that keeps me (slightly) sane! :laugh:
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Wow Bear, with 17% off and a 63 plate I'm surprised you are not just calling VW to cancel... Now it has come to the crunch, do you really want the BMW?! :whistle:
I'm really not surprised at the amount of anger now though. The whole situation seems out of control and with no real consistency to it.
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I've just had a call from the VW Regional Manager for Hertfordshire. Couldn't have been nicer to be honest, and said he was going to see what they could do. In reference to this thread, he said Simon Thomas takes these things seriously and he would definitely read the email.
It just seems, in my case anyway, that the dealers are doing their best but they're being totally b7m f7cked by VW UK and by Germany.
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At least that's some good progress matchboy, well worth writing and calling. I'm not sure if my pestering previously had anything to do with mine coming forward from 38 to 32, but it never hurts to ask and keep chasing.
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I called VW Exec just now and my anger levels about doubled.
Summary of the call:
- Lisa (usual contact, was due to call yesterday or today) is unavailable. I ask how long for... unknown. I elect to talk to the woman who answered instead.
- I am concerned about my BW37 as I am aware that some BW33 cars are still yet to be built and we're close to BW35 now. What guarantee is there that there will not be any further delays? I am told the new BS about 2 week windows. I call them on it and say that isn't what they said about a month back, had anything changed or was I told the wrong thing. She avoids the issue with "I'm telling you the information I have"
- Ok next point. Today my car had an MOT and tax paid. Total bill is £500. This was not due to happen if because the understanding when I placed my order for the Golf was that I would have taken delivery by now. Would VW like the £500 bill? She avoids this by saying Lisa should discuss this with me. Is Lisa now available? No.
- I say there have been delay after delay and even now you can't explain anything or give me any information whatsoever. Her response is frankly aggressive and rude and consists of all kinds of small print BS about how they can't do anything and "if I feel I have been mistreated" then I can take it up with me "relations manager" (aka Lisa). But she is not available is she? No.
My final comment, word for word:
"This doesn't reflect well on VW does it?" Silence.
"Lisa had better call me quick because otherwise I'm going to make my own decision and I'm very close to asking for my deposit to be returned."
She says she'll pass the message along. "Goodbye" and I hang up.
Can it get any worse? Well it seems it can, they can get ruder! And yes I'm calling BMW now.
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At least that's some good progress matchboy, well worth writing and calling. I'm not sure if my pestering previously had anything to do with mine coming forward from 38 to 32, but it never hurts to ask and keep chasing.
Absolutely Gryzor, you never know as to whether this was the reason. Well worth chasing!
Bear, sounds like you are having a total mare. Basically non committal as per usual. Tell you what, if you like the BMW as much as the GTI there's clearly only one way to go isn't there. What a shame, and what a shambles.
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Dealer called. Surprise surprise.
A more pleasant conversation. I told them I don't blame them and assume they are in the same boat as me, but that VWCS being unable to provide reliable information or any kind of explanation is unacceptable and I'm very disappointed.
I said I have a better deal on the table from BMW and a shorter lead time. I'm then assured the BW37 will be BW37 and the car will be with me by mid October. Very nice and all but why would I trust this when everything else I've been told has been delayed again and again.
On why BW33 cars are delayed my dealer believe it is to do with the shutdown and cars waiting half built. I didn't challenge them on this being BS because what is the point? However I did point out that the shutdown being a planned event should not affect any schedule unless someone failed to take account of it. So it should not be the cause of any delays unless VW are accepting responsibility. I don't think they understood what I was saying as she just repeated what she said earlier about shutdown "obviously" leading to delays. :rolleyes:
My boss is out of the office for a bit so I'm going to take this opportunity to make a few calls! This evening I will write a letter to Mr Thomas.
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Bill, I think if I was you I would be currently passing my hard earned over to BMW. Clearly one dealership are pulling out all the stops to give you what you want and the other couldn't give a sh!t. At the end of the day IMO, BMW are a more premium brand than VW and build fantastic cars. You clearly loved the 135 when you drove it and had definitely given you food for thought.
VW have messed you and others such as Mark and MH about for so long I can understand why you are all furious. You have a great deal on the table for the Beemer and again IMO I think you should bite their hand off.
Yes the GTI is a very nice car but the 135 (perhaps aside from looks) is a class above and no car is worth the hassle that this one is causing
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Have to say, despite what I think, I agree with the above...it's a piss-take too far, and a fantastic offer on the BMW.
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Thanks again chaps, you are right and I've basically done as much tonight.
There are 3 BMW dealers making me offers (although they all come out about the same) all of whom I've had a conversation with tonight. When I spoke to VW earlier they were frankly rude, they were very formal and dismissive of my questions.
I'll pick a BMW deal tomorrow or Saturday if its one from the chap who is away tomorrow and as soon as I do I'll ask VW for my deposit back, which I confirmed earlier they would do. VW are being too arrogant. They know they have the demand and they can do what they like. If I cancel so what? They know they can re-list my car without any discount and still sell it. In a way its a monopoly they have.
Told my dad about my decision and he thinks VW Germany kind of 'intentionally' fail to give VWUK proper information and will leave them to the bottom of the heap in terms of support. From when he worked in the industry he says the German manufacturers have a massive superiority complex and basically think of themselves as the kings of the car and the UK as the lowest of the low. They're also making vast amounts of money from the UK market. The above applies to BMW as well I guess but perhaps a little less on the providing information front. Or at least I hope so! :grin:
Its a real shame about the GTI but at least I'm so annoyed now that I don't feel regret. I think I will be writing to Mr Thomas to explain what I think of VW though. Purely for his benefit if he wants to try to improve customer experience.
I'll have to change my signature soon I guess!
I also want to say good luck to all those sticking with the GTI or GTD. I still believe both cars are fantastic and my decision to call it a day is not a reflection on the GTI and doesn't mean I think it would be the right decision for any of the rest of you. I guess I'm saying I hope no one takes it personally that by posting this I am criticising their decision to wait it out. And I'm sure you'll all really enjoy your cars when they arrive.
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Well - I'm also assured that I will be BW37 - and more precisely 10th September
Yet still no confirmed date on the tracker!
I'm getting worried....
Bill - Buy the beemer mate!
You have the choice, and VW have pi$$ed you about no end
As much as I love the Golf, if I were you, Beemer now for sure. Being an ex-beemer driver - I can say you wont regret it.
Me - I'm stuck and frustrated - Company Car, and it causes all sorts of issues if I want to change now - Yes, I have asked, that's how fed up with this mess I am (and you have been waiting longer buddy)
all I get is.... "oh yes sir, your car is still being built on the 10th September and should be with you by 20th October"
Yes I have heard all this before - my first date was 26th July!
By mid October - I will have been waiting 5 months !! - my old motor should have gone back in July.
Perhaps VW, it would help if "I" went and dug up the iron ore to speed things along for you!
Rant over. Sorry chaps
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Good luck to you Bear. I've just spent the last hour looking at M135i's and its a stunning car IMO and if I'd of known 4 months ago what I know now I'd of got one of those instead. Having also had beemers in the past I know how good they are to drive.
You will be missed Sir!
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Good luck to you Bear. I've just spent the last hour looking at M135i's and its a stunning car IMO and if I'd of known 4 months ago what I know now I'd of got one of those instead. Having also had beemers in the past I know how good they are to drive.
You will be missed Sir!
+1
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Don't do it Bear. The Beemer is ugly, and no one will ever let you out of a side road if you get one. Also, this forum will not be the same without your posts. :sad: Please stay with your original choice. You won't regret it.
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Good luck to you Bear. I've just spent the last hour looking at M135i's and its a stunning car IMO and if I'd of known 4 months ago what I know now I'd of got one of those instead. Having also had beemers in the past I know how good they are to drive.
You will be missed Sir!
+1
Good luck with the new motor! Will you be ordering new, grabbing an existing order or taking an in stock car immediately? Not my scene with the extreme BHP (too much of a fuel tight-arse for that!), but 17% discount is not to be sniffed at and hopefully customer service that exceeds VW's by a long way (it's always good when they're vying for your money, but you should be in one sooner than you'd be in a GTI.
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I guess welcome to the " I cancelled my order and bought a 135" club.
Although I still maintain the135 coupe is a better package than the m135 :rolleyes:
It's such a shame its so hard to have pleasure spending 30k that you have to cancel a car you really want and buy something else. VW sound like a bunch or nobs to be honest.
I must write my note to evo tomorrow..
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Very well worded that mate. Hopefully it has some impact.
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Good luck to you Bear. I've just spent the last hour looking at M135i's and its a stunning car IMO and if I'd of known 4 months ago what I know now I'd of got one of those instead. Having also had beemers in the past I know how good they are to drive.
You will be missed Sir!
Yeah good luck mate, it's been a rotten ride for you, and while it's a shame to see you walk away from the GTI, I completely agree with your sentiments and decision. I know you'll be happy with the BMW, and at the end of the day that's all that matters.
I'm sure you'll stick around the forums though, just don't go asking us for any traffic light drag races :grin:
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Good luck to you Bear. I've just spent the last hour looking at M135i's and its a stunning car IMO and if I'd of known 4 months ago what I know now I'd of got one of those instead. Having also had beemers in the past I know how good they are to drive.
You will be missed Sir!
Yeah well said! Good luck with the bmw bear. Hope you get what you want out of bmw unlike your pain with vw!
Hope to still see you around the forums, itd thsnks to you as well as others that i got the info i needed in the early days whem very little was availabe which enabled me to get my spec right in my order. So thanks again for your help and input throught the forum. All the best with this new motor!
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I called VW Exec just now and my anger levels about doubled.
Summary of the call:
- Lisa (usual contact, was due to call yesterday or today) is unavailable. I ask how long for... unknown. I elect to talk to the woman who answered instead.
- I am concerned about my BW37 as I am aware that some BW33 cars are still yet to be built and we're close to BW35 now. What guarantee is there that there will not be any further delays? I am told the new BS about 2 week windows. I call them on it and say that isn't what they said about a month back, had anything changed or was I told the wrong thing. She avoids the issue with "I'm telling you the information I have"
- Ok next point. Today my car had an MOT and tax paid. Total bill is £500. This was not due to happen if because the understanding when I placed my order for the Golf was that I would have taken delivery by now. Would VW like the £500 bill? She avoids this by saying Lisa should discuss this with me. Is Lisa now available? No.
- I say there have been delay after delay and even now you can't explain anything or give me any information whatsoever. Her response is frankly aggressive and rude and consists of all kinds of small print BS about how they can't do anything and "if I feel I have been mistreated" then I can take it up with me "relations manager" (aka Lisa). But she is not available is she? No.
My final comment, word for word:
"This doesn't reflect well on VW does it?" Silence.
"Lisa had better call me quick because otherwise I'm going to make my own decision and I'm very close to asking for my deposit to be returned."
She says she'll pass the message along. "Goodbye" and I hang up.
Can it get any worse? Well it seems it can, they can get ruder! And yes I'm calling BMW now.
Fair play, and I'm 100% sure you'll love the M135i. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous. The M135i was my first choice but even with discount I just couldn't get it within my monthly budget. I was ready to switch if I could have made the figures work.
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Just opened by Brutus spam box this morning - no reply from Mr Thomas, not even the slightest acknowledgement and a "we're looking into it for you".
I wish there was another non-VAG option out there i'd be into as much as a GTD or A3 S-line - i'd have kicked VW into touch weeks ago.
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These experiences with you guys are seriously putting me off buying another VW. I currently have a Scirocco that I am very pleased with, but I am eyeing up the Golf GTI seriously as my next car.
The more I read about the frustrations that you are having with VW, the less it makes me want to buy from them. It is a LOT of money, and it should be an exciting experience, you want to feel good about the whole thing, but it ends up being frustrating and stressful. This is not how it should be.
Yet BMW, to use Bear as an example here, are welcoming the opportunity to sell you a car and seemingly do all they can to encourage you into their showroom.
Is this down to supply and demand? They don't care about anyone as they know somebody will always be willing to buy. Customers may start voting with their feet though and going elsewhere if this continues.
I am very disappointed for you guys. :sad:
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These experiences with you guys are seriously putting me off buying another VW.
Good. I think big companies like VW and others I've had trouble with (Vodafone stole hundreds of pounds from my account) need to be taught a lesson. Right now they know they have high demand and effectively they've got a sort of monopoly. But that won't last forever. I don't think it would take a huge shift for VW to see sales drop and depending on how flexible they are a small change in market share can be huge on their profit margin.
Forgetting VW, just in general, I really hope that some of these big companies suffer such that we can get back the kinds of customer service that capitalism should be promoting and away from the big bully business that anti-capitalists (evidentially not always inaccurately) accuse it of being in practice.
Apologies if that is too blunt. :sad:
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Bear, what lead times have you been told by Elms for a new factory order?
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These experiences with you guys are seriously putting me off buying another VW. I currently have a Scirocco that I am very pleased with, but I am eyeing up the Golf GTI seriously as my next car.
The more I read about the frustrations that you are having with VW, the less it makes me want to buy from them. It is a LOT of money, and it should be an exciting experience, you want to feel good about the whole thing, but it ends up being frustrating and stressful. This is not how it should be.
Yet BMW, to use Bear as an example here, are welcoming the opportunity to sell you a car and seemingly do all they can to encourage you into their showroom.
Is this down to supply and demand? They don't care about anyone as they know somebody will always be willing to buy. Customers may start voting with their feet though and going elsewhere if this continues.
I am very disappointed for you guys. :sad:
I too have a Scirocco, and I will probably have had it a minimum of 3 months beyond expectations!
I have liked my Scirocco, but build quality doesn’t seem quite as good as I expect from a Golf, standard equipment levels on the GTI/GTD look great next to the Scirocco and performance/economy increases of the GTI and GTD over their predecessors are more than marginal.
If it wasn’t for the 1 series being incompatible due to my dislike of its looks I’d have considered putting my business their way. VW dealers are caught in the middle a bit too – they’re trying to sell something and are being let down by their supplier, and in the main they get the brunt of the customer’s wrath. They’re getting stuck with ever depreciating fixed p/x while the wait for the new car drags out.
I’m not that sympathetic with the dealer, they are in the best position to moan to VW and get noticed, I wonder how many of them are doing so and how soon VW will sit up and notice. The UK is the biggest new car market in the EU and VAG have quite a market share here. It’s about time they treated us like the golden goose that we are.
Standard Golf customers aren’t waiting daft lengths of time for their cars, so it seems like a self-manufactured issue affecting GTIs and GTDs. I do wonder whether VW think that by making us wait even longer, they are making the car more desirable, not less – much like those arsehole performers that make you wait hours beyond schedule for them to come on at a gig “because they can”.
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Just one thing to note, the lead times on the M135i weren't great either when that first came out, so i'm sure it will even out with the GTI in time.
I know that's no consolation to those waiting though...
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Bear, what lead times have you been told by Elms for a new factory order?
They said end September or Mid October. That was a week ago though. However, they don't want me in a factory order so I think this might improve when I tell them its the only option! I'm currently getting two non local dealers to quote before going back to Elms so I can make sure I get the best deal.
A Birmingham dealer says they can adjust a slot they have for September build because they want the Q3 sales figures. I can drive way before end of September. Over at babybmw I've just been advised that if I can find a dealer with a September slot free I should be looking for a 19% discount. :shocked:
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Bear, what lead times have you been told by Elms for a new factory order?
They said end September or Mid October. That was a week ago though. However, they don't want me in a factory order so I think this might improve when I tell them its the only option! I'm currently getting two non local dealers to quote before going back to Elms so I can make sure I get the best deal.
A Birmingham dealer says they can adjust a slot they have for September build because they want the Q3 sales figures. I can drive way before end of September. Over at babybmw I've just been advised that if I can find a dealer with a September slot free I should be looking for a 19% discount. :shocked:
Bl0ody hell, that's amazing - rip their arms off! I hope you can find one, that is an excellent discount!!
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Get on it Bear I know from a reliable source BMW car sales have dropped off big style in the UK. Audi are destroying them in the volumes game. Ask for 25% :laugh:
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These experiences with you guys are seriously putting me off buying another VW. I currently have a Scirocco that I am very pleased with, but I am eyeing up the Golf GTI seriously as my next car.
The more I read about the frustrations that you are having with VW, the less it makes me want to buy from them. It is a LOT of money, and it should be an exciting experience, you want to feel good about the whole thing, but it ends up being frustrating and stressful. This is not how it should be.
Yet BMW, to use Bear as an example here, are welcoming the opportunity to sell you a car and seemingly do all they can to encourage you into their showroom.
Is this down to supply and demand? They don't care about anyone as they know somebody will always be willing to buy. Customers may start voting with their feet though and going elsewhere if this continues.
I am very disappointed for you guys. :sad:
I too have a Scirocco, and I will probably have had it a minimum of 3 months beyond expectations!
I have liked my Scirocco, but build quality doesn’t seem quite as good as I expect from a Golf, standard equipment levels on the GTI/GTD look great next to the Scirocco and performance/economy increases of the GTI and GTD over their predecessors are more than marginal.
If it wasn’t for the 1 series being incompatible due to my dislike of its looks I’d have considered putting my business their way. VW dealers are caught in the middle a bit too – they’re trying to sell something and are being let down by their supplier, and in the main they get the brunt of the customer’s wrath. They’re getting stuck with ever depreciating fixed p/x while the wait for the new car drags out.
I’m not that sympathetic with the dealer, they are in the best position to moan to VW and get noticed, I wonder how many of them are doing so and how soon VW will sit up and notice. The UK is the biggest new car market in the EU and VAG have quite a market share here. It’s about time they treated us like the golden goose that we are.
Standard Golf customers aren’t waiting daft lengths of time for their cars, so it seems like a self-manufactured issue affecting GTIs and GTDs. I do wonder whether VW think that by making us wait even longer, they are making the car more desirable, not less – much like those arsehole performers that make you wait hours beyond schedule for them to come on at a gig “because they can”.
Is the largest new car market in the EU not Germany by quite some distance ?
Shame to read of so many cancellers ....if your car is being built in the next week or so and after waiting so long already it seems a dam shame to switch. I waited 12 months last time round and glad I persevered.
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Actually I read recently that for the 1st half of 2013 for VAG group, the UK was 1.5% ahead of new car registration budget, where as Germany had nose dived to a fall of 9.1% off predictions. The rest of Europe is fairing even worse, so whilst Germany may be the largest market by sheer volume, it's shrinking where as the UK is expanding (albeit slightly).
So I agree with MH, as one of the only expanding markets in Europe, VW Germany should treat us much better than they bloody well do !
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Shame to read of so many cancellers ....if your car is being built in the next week or so and after waiting so long already it seems a dam shame to switch. I waited 12 months last time round and glad I persevered.
For a lot of us I don't think it is down to the absolute delay remaining any more! For me it is partly this but more down to a loss of excitement about the GTI due to the disappointment with the process and that I feel badly treated by VW. At best they have misled, withheld information and been rude and dismissive. At worst they've lied. The distinction between lying and misleading is effectively intent and I don't know their intent so...
The final thing is that the GTI is actually not good value for money, though different specs will be very different and I did put things like leather, PP, ACC, sunroof which don't help. In any case for my spec the price became unpleasant as soon as the excitement evaporated.
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Bear, to be honest, if the wife had let me, I'd have already been in a M135 as I tested one in Jan this year and loved it, but the wife said no, and to be fair the dealer actually said there was a new model (facelift ?) for the entire 1 series range coming around end of 2013 / early 2014 which sort of put me off as well, as the new one might be better looking ?
But ultimately you have to go where you heart leads you, and in your particular circumstances, it seems the right thing for you so go for it.
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A new BMW model out soon?This would defffo put me off getting one now.The golf is a new model compaired to what will be a dated BMW.You might as well get a mk6R plenty of low mileage ones at stealers unless you must have brand new.
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A new BMW model out soon?This would defffo put me off getting one now.
Nope, just a very mild facelift. The next new model is the 2 Series which is what BMW call a coupe but looks like a 2 door saloon. I've read that the M-Sport 1 Series inc the M135i won't be effected by the facelift as it's the standard car that really struggles with it's looks.
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A new BMW model out soon?This would defffo put me off getting one now.
Nope, just a very mild facelift. The next new model is the 2 Series which is what BMW call a coupe but looks like a 2 door saloon. I've read that the M-Sport 1 Series inc the M135i won't be effected by the facelift as it's the standard car that really struggles with it's looks.
All that's changing is a slight adjustment to the front of the car, a very mild facelift if you will. The rest of the car is staying the same, including the interior. Remember this only got facelifted in 2011 so they're not going to change it drastically just yet.
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Yeah it's the M2xx that will be interesting. But it's gonna be out of my budget I think!
Other problem is one of my main reasons for a change of car is I want 4/5 doors and the 2 series and 4 series are specifically limited to 2 doors. This was a big reason I looked at the GTI in the first place as I think it's one of the best if not the best 5 door hot hatch.
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Bill
I think you need to just get in a new car ASAP before you drive yourself nuts !
Take a decision and go for it, that's what I did and dont regret it, then you can move on and start enjoying the new car. :laugh:
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Bill
I think you need to just get in a new car ASAP before you drive yourself nuts !
Take a decision and go for it, that's what I did and dont regret it, then you can move on and start enjoying the new car. :laugh:
I decided to take the BMW a few days ago. Been hammering out a deal and finalised the offer this afternoon. Just got to go sign the paperwork tomorrow morning at 9am and I'm oddly looking forward to this event of handing over £30k! I said I wanted it ASAP and they said they can get it before end of September if I sign now.
Gotta stop talking about BMW before I piss the mods off :embarrassed:
VW are pretty pissed at me though judging by the conversation I had with them earlier. :laugh: well too bad.
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
Which dealer? :tongue:
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Gotta stop talking about BMW before I piss the mods off :embarrassed:
That wont happen, not many actually own golfs anyway :grin: :laugh:
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
Which dealer? :tongue:
Bedford. £38k car, 16.5% over the phone. Imagine what I could get if I actually went in there....which I am :smiley:
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
Which dealer? :tongue:
PM'd you Bill
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
Which dealer? :tongue:
Bedford. £38k car, 16.5% over the phone. Imagine what I could get if I actually went in there....which I am :smiley:
Mark, are you jumping ship as well?
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Bear, I hope you're getting a good discount - I got offered a stock M135i today, 16.5% discount straight off the bat - so you should be looking to get this minimum!!
Which dealer? :tongue:
Bedford. £38k car, 16.5% over the phone. Imagine what I could get if I actually went in there....which I am :smiley:
Mark, are you jumping ship as well?
I'm seriously considering it Craig, yes. It's stressing me out so much that I can't take it anymore! :laugh: I've put up with all the various delays but not building the car in BW33 when it was confirmed is the last straw. I've just said to Bill that I'm driving the Beemer in the morning - if my GTI is not built by Friday ie. 1 week I'm going to make a decision. I'm literally so f7cked off its ridiculous - one of the best things in life is buying a new car if you are lucky enough to be able to do so, and VW have completely ruined the experience for me.
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Well whatever you decide to do Pal I wish you all the best. Fingers crossed that you get confirmation your car's been built next week as with Bill going and now possibly yourself, this forum would be a poorer place. As you say, buying a new car should be a really exciting event and the way things have so far panned out for you and some others has been nothing short of scandalous.
Let us know how you get on tomorrow mate :smiley:
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Well whatever you decide to do Pal I wish you all the best. Fingers crossed that you get confirmation your car's been built next week as with Bill going and now possibly yourself, this forum would be a poorer place. As you say, buying a new car should be a really exciting event and the way things have so far panned out for you and some others has been nothing short of scandalous.
Let us know how you get on tomorrow mate :smiley:
Thanks mate! I would certainly miss the forum!
The M135i deal is such a cracker I'd be stupid to not consider it. Bottom line is if they build it this week ill stick with the GTI as I love it. If they don't ill make a decision. I'm kind of hoping the factory will get their ar7e in gear and make that decision for me :laugh: I will never ever buy a new VW though that's for sure.
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Thanks mate! I would certainly miss the forum!
The M135i deal is such a cracker I'd be stupid to not consider it. Bottom line is if they build it this week ill stick with the GTI as I love it. If they don't ill make a decision. I'm kind of hoping the factory will get their ar7e in gear and make that decision for me :laugh: I will never ever buy a new VW though that's for sure.
Ah a dangerous thing to say! I basically said this when I was on holiday last week. I told myself if VW didn't give me a build week by the time I got back to England I'd pull the plug. By the second to last day I'd basically had it and sent a irritated email asking why I hadn't heard anything (and in retrospect this was the moment I decided to cancel) and sure enough 5 mins later they called to say I had a confirmed BW. :huh: :sad: :angry:
On the other hand giving them the opportunity to make the decision can help if you aren't sure because when they do make it for you (either way) if you feel annoyed you know for sure what the decision you'll be able to live with really is! :wink:
I think Gryzor may have said something like this and at the time I was in annoyed mode but he was right.
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Ah a dangerous thing to say! I basically said this when I was on holiday last week. I told myself if VW didn't give me a build week by the time I got back to England I'd pull the plug. By the second to last day I'd basically had it and sent a irritated email asking why I hadn't heard anything (and in retrospect this was the moment I decided to cancel) and sure enough 5 mins later they called to say I had a confirmed BW. :huh: :sad: :angry:
On the other hand giving them the opportunity to make the decision can help if you aren't sure because when they do make it for you (either way) if you feel annoyed you know for sure what the decision you'll be able to live with really is! :wink:
I think Gryzor may have said something like this and at the time I was in annoyed mode but he was right.
Rings a bell mate, and it's a really tough call when you genuinely wanted the car (otherwise why order and wait so long?) and find yourself pushed away for whatever reasons. But, despite what VW may or may not have done, at the end of the day day it's our own choice whether to put up with it with a healthy vent now and again, or dwell on it and let it stress us out to the point of ruining the whole experience. In such a case, sometimes it's better to let the decision almost be forced on you, and as you say, that way you'll know for sure if it's the right one.
Ultimately they are both fantastic cars, so in many ways it's almost a petty decision, but I mean that in a good way if you see what I'm saying!
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Having driven the M135i this morning (a beast, so much power, it was awesome) I emailed my dealer this at lunchtime:
Hi xxxxx
Just to keep you informed I got a call from BMW yesterday with regards an M135i. They have a stock car available, which I test drove this morning. The bottom line is that they have offered me the same deal as on my GTI - same money down, same part ex and same monthly payments.
I have to say I'm not happy at all with the service I've received from VW. In terms of the way you chaps have handled things I don't have any complaints, but from VW UK and the factory itself this whole experience couldn't have been any worse.
Basically, I need confirmation that my car is being built this week. It's all ready 2 weeks past its "confirmed" build date and that's just ridiculous. So I need you guys to call whoever you need to call to get me that confirmation please. I accepted the delays up to the point the car was given a confirmed build date as I was told that it never moves once its confirmed. But it has. This delay from the factory is unacceptable given its now 20 weeks since I ordered. There is literally no point issuing a confirmed build week if its not going to be adhered to. The final straw is the fact that last time I spoke to VW UK they "hope" the car will be built this week (BW35) - this ambiguity is simply not good enough.
Please can you deal with this as a matter of urgency and get back to me at your earliest convenience. Just to reiterate the BMW is clearly now a very tempting offer, especially as I could drive it away this coming week. I therefore need confirmed details from the factory so I can make my decision.
Many thanks
Mark
Suffice to say in true VW fashion I've received no response. Pathetic.
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A good letter that I hope gets you an answer mate. I'd probably like the power too, especially in a car that's not mine and on a short test drive. But, it really isn't what I'm looking for in an everyday runner. There's no doubting its ability to draw people away though!
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When I left the BMW dealer I did wonder about the effect of cancelling on VW and why people do or do not cancel. Obviously the answer is easy, it has no effect on VW...however I'll propose an alternate theory anyway:
I wonder if current VW customers who have already owned a GTI or GTD or Scirocco, and maybe have enjoyed these cars for some years are much more willing to wait the delays out. These guys love the GTI, maybe are used to delays from mk6 experiences, maybe are less surprised by poor information from VW and find it easier to handle. In contrast those of us who are considering a GTI for the first time perhaps were caught out more by the delays and service and don't have the same love of the legacy of these cars.
I'm generalising, but if the above is true on average then what effect might it have on VW?
Well in time the GTI fans will get older (sorry guys). We see this already as the mk5 was targeted at guys in their 30s who have fond memories of mk1 or mk2 cars they could get on the cheap in their 20s. So as these guys get older VW need the next generation to go for the GTI to keep the desirability high. But, if first time GTI buyers are more likely to have been annoyed and cancel they may be taking a hit here.
As the mk8 and 9 come along I wonder if the ramifications of a bad launch of the mk6 and 7 might have some effect. Who knows, but maybe... I for one have been put off, and it would be a massive uphill struggle for VW to convince me to go to them next time instead of a 3 series from the dealer that has just helped me out of this current mess.
I do hope VW takes note, but can't say I expect they will.
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When I left the BMW dealer I did wonder about the effect of cancelling on VW and why people do or do not cancel. Obviously the answer is easy, it has no effect on VW...however I'll propose an alternate theory anyway:
I wonder if current VW customers who have already owned a GTI or GTD or Scirocco, and maybe have enjoyed these cars for some years are much more willing to wait the delays out. These guys love the GTI, maybe are used to delays from mk6 experiences, maybe are less surprised by poor information from VW and find it easier to handle. In contrast those of us who are considering a GTI for the first time perhaps were caught out more by the delays and service and don't have the same love of the legacy of these cars.
I'm generalising, but if the above is true on average then what effect might it have on VW?
Well in time the GTI fans will get older (sorry guys). We see this already as the mk5 was targeted at guys in their 30s who have fond memories of mk1 or mk2 cars they could get on the cheap in their 20s. So as these guys get older VW need the next generation to go for the GTI to keep the desirability high. But, if first time GTI buyers are more likely to have been annoyed and cancel they may be taking a hit here.
As the mk8 and 9 come along I wonder if the ramifications of a bad launch of the mk6 and 7 might have some effect. Who knows, but maybe... I for one have been put off, and it would be a massive uphill struggle for VW to convince me to go to them next time instead of a 3 series from the dealer that has just helped me out of this current mess.
I do hope VW takes note, but can't say I expect they will.
I have had 6 new VWs and I have never waited more than 3 months for one, not even when the Scirocco was new out and they had just as strict an allocation as the GTI/GTD. At the start of 2009, the car market was a lot quieter than it is now, dealerships were desperate for your business - probably less people in the queue back then.
The only things that keep me waiting are that my Scirocco is still a hell of a car, and there is nothing out there that comes close to the GTD for me as a performance diesel outside VAG.
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I need some advice.
I received my deposit back today and thus my business with VW is concluded. I have written a letter to Mr Simon Thomas detailing what has been happening and why I have cancelled my order. I have one reservation about sending it though. Although I have made clear in the letter that I do not attribute any blame to individual employees of VWUK, but rather believe it is their procedures that are to blame, it would not be hard for them to track down who I have dealt with and I cannot guarantee they would not then take some action against those people.
I strongly suspect little will change, other than it might add in to some tiny fraction of change in Mr Thomas' perception of how his company is performing. But I do worry someone unintended might suffer. I know that is VWs responsibility not mine but... what do you guys think, should I send the letter or not?
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I need some advice.
I received my deposit back today and thus my business with VW is concluded. I have written a letter to Mr Simon Thomas detailing what has been happening and why I have cancelled my order. I have one reservation about sending it though. Although I have made clear in the letter that I do not attribute any blame to individual employees of VWUK, but rather believe it is their procedures that are to blame, it would not be hard for them to track down who I have dealt with and I cannot guarantee they would not then take some action against those people.
I strongly suspect little will change, other than it might add in to some tiny fraction of change in Mr Thomas' perception of how his company is performing. But I do worry someone unintended might suffer. I know that is VWs responsibility not mine but... what do you guys think, should I send the letter or not?
Send it... or things will never change.
As long as you don't implicate people directly your conscience should be clear.
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I need some advice.
I received my deposit back today and thus my business with VW is concluded. I have written a letter to Mr Simon Thomas detailing what has been happening and why I have cancelled my order. I have one reservation about sending it though. Although I have made clear in the letter that I do not attribute any blame to individual employees of VWUK, but rather believe it is their procedures that are to blame, it would not be hard for them to track down who I have dealt with and I cannot guarantee they would not then take some action against those people.
I strongly suspect little will change, other than it might add in to some tiny fraction of change in Mr Thomas' perception of how his company is performing. But I do worry someone unintended might suffer. I know that is VWs responsibility not mine but... what do you guys think, should I send the letter or not?
Procedures don't write themselves, and it's people that either follow them, or not. I commend your reservations in not wanting to impact on people, but ultimately somebody is responsible somewhere. How about sending a letter via a different e-mail, and really anonymise your story so that the facts are there about what happened, but no details on your order etc.? I would definitely send it though, otherwise as H5O says, things will never change.
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If the people you've been dealing with haven't been doing their job properly, that's they're problem not yours. If someone gets a b0llocking for p!ssing you around then so be it - you're not naming names, but the bottom line is that the system is seriously flawed. In any case, it will be a faceless manager that will get a rocket and not the call centre people you've been dealing with. Send it, nothing will change if all of us do not stand up for our customer rights!
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I suppose you have to ask yourself who is really at fault with your treatment to determine who, if anyone is going to get an arse kicking. The dealership is the face of VW GmbH for many people. VW UK are the face of VW GmbH beyond the dealership for UK people.
VW UK don’t schedule cars nor make them. They may have directives in place that prohibit them from criticising VW GmbH directly and may have to make excuses for them and bluff or bullsh!t their way through when cars get delayed because maybe they are not given a direct answer from VW GmbH as to why.
Getting a satisfactory answer may depend greatly on whether the VW UK rep says “honestly, I don’t have a reason why your car build keeps getting knocked back, and VW GmbH won’t tell me” or they just make something up which you know (either at the time or later) to be false.
I haven’t really been treated that badly by VW UK themselves. In my letter to Simon Thomson, I was critical about the lack of information. I lay pretty much all the blame for my situation at VW GmbH, they really do seem to keep VW UK in the dark.
If your criticism is lack of unfo for which VW UK really have no control then VW UK reps shouldn’t get action taken against them. More likely would be that he asks VW to be a bit more transparent with information from Wolfsburg when things do go wrong.
Some people on the forum have clearly been treated shabbily by VW UK reps, when they have been treated contemptibly rather than with some understanding that the purchase they’ve made is a huge one and not to be taken lightly.
If I had been treated badly by a VW UK rep that had a stinking attitude towards the customer, I’d have no qualms about letting the powers that be know about it. For issues that are beyond the powers of the VW UK rep, I don’t think you’re going to get anyone into trouble at VW UK.
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I suppose you have to ask yourself who is really at fault with your treatment to determine who, if anyone is going to get an arse kicking.
Got to agree, I've just discovered that Fleet sat on my order for a month before selecting a lease company to process my order through :angry:
Don't know whether they had trouble finding one that had sufficient allocation to order my car (if that's how it works), or they just didn't do anything when I put the order in. FFS
I'd send the letter and let them find out who's to blame.
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Guys, when the deposit is paid I was under the impression that you couldn't get it back? What's the trigger point which is allowing you to cancel these orders, has some clause been met in the T&C? I.e. over a certain number of weeks from order to delivery means you have the right to cancel etc?
I'm just keeping my options open, dealer is adamant that I'm on B/W 40 with delivery early November. However, I really can't wait past then to get the car. So if I get delayed like you guys have (and I'm highly likely to be), I'm going to cancel when I get the inevitable call from the dealer to tell me there has been a delay.
The tracker is still showing "with the factory", if we are in B/W 35 now, I should see this update to 'confirmed' next week? 4 Weeks before? If it's going ahead on B/W 40 that is.....
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Guys, when the deposit is paid I was under the impression that you couldn't get it back? What's the trigger point which is allowing you to cancel these orders, has some clause been met in the T&C? I.e. over a certain number of weeks from order to delivery means you have the right to cancel etc?
I'm just keeping my options open, dealer is adamant that I'm on B/W 40 with delivery early November. However, I really can't wait past then to get the car. So if I get delayed like you guys have (and I'm highly likely to be), I'm going to cancel when I get the inevitable call from the dealer to tell me there has been a delay.
Ok well. I never discussed this with my dealer. When I said I was considering asking for the deposit back (I only ever said it like this, never said "considering cancelling") they said "ok, if that is what you want we can do that". Other point would be my dealings have been on the phone and by letter, never in person. They've never shown me any T&Cs or asking me to sign any. The order form I signed only stated the spec of the car, no small print.
To answer your question, if the car is significantly later than they told you it would be that is grounds to get the deposit back. How much is significantly later? Dunno, maybe 4 weeks? Perhaps the T&Cs say something. I do think they will often give you the deposit back anyway because its a bit harsh not to, they can still sell the car after all! If they refused I think you could contact the ombudsman and unless you've messed them about I think you'd get it back.
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Thing is, will Simon Thomas even give a toss, because as I understand it, he has left (or is immanently leaving) the position to take up a global marketing role within VW.
The new Managing director of Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited will be Paul Willcox (ex Nissan), with effect from September 16th.
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Given that Simon Thomas's email is: simon.thomas@volkswagen.co.uk perhaps I should guess Paul Willcox's email is: paul.willcox@volkswagen.co.uk and CC him on the message!
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Guys, when the deposit is paid I was under the impression that you couldn't get it back? What's the trigger point which is allowing you to cancel these orders, has some clause been met in the T&C? I.e. over a certain number of weeks from order to delivery means you have the right to cancel etc?
I'm just keeping my options open, dealer is adamant that I'm on B/W 40 with delivery early November. However, I really can't wait past then to get the car. So if I get delayed like you guys have (and I'm highly likely to be), I'm going to cancel when I get the inevitable call from the dealer to tell me there has been a delay.
The tracker is still showing "with the factory", if we are in B/W 35 now, I should see this update to 'confirmed' next week? 4 Weeks before? If it's going ahead on B/W 40 that is.....
If the car is likely to arrive significantly later than when you were indicated, you would have the law on your side to get the deposit back, but to be honest I’ve never known anyone who’s asked for their deposit back and been refused.
If you do cancel, the dealership will undoubtedly be able to sell it on – someone will want it to jump the queue, so they have no reason to want to keep your deposit. They will probably not want to burn their bridges with you or get any bad publicity.
The question is…What would you get instead, and how long are you willing to wait for it? You should definitely be getting confirmed on the tracker soon (next Thurs night/Fri morning?) if you are BW40. You shouldn’t have too long to wait to know if you are delayed (assuming they are putting back confirmation rather than confirming on time but delaying build 2 weeks – like they did with all the Tornado Red BW33ers).
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Thing is, will Simon Thomas even give a toss, because as I understand it, he has left (or is immanently leaving) the position to take up a global marketing role within VW.
The new Managing director of Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited will be Paul Willcox (ex Nissan), with effect from September 16th.
He doesn't give a f7ck, and neither will the new guy. But it's still worth writing - my email has been passed all around the department heads so I was told - they won't care either but there's a certain satisfaction that I've taken up some of their 'precious' time which in a strange way makes me feel slight compensated for the time I've spent chasing up my car because of their shambles of a system.
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Guys, when the deposit is paid I was under the impression that you couldn't get it back? What's the trigger point which is allowing you to cancel these orders, has some clause been met in the T&C? I.e. over a certain number of weeks from order to delivery means you have the right to cancel etc?
I'm just keeping my options open, dealer is adamant that I'm on B/W 40 with delivery early November. However, I really can't wait past then to get the car. So if I get delayed like you guys have (and I'm highly likely to be), I'm going to cancel when I get the inevitable call from the dealer to tell me there has been a delay.
The tracker is still showing "with the factory", if we are in B/W 35 now, I should see this update to 'confirmed' next week? 4 Weeks before? If it's going ahead on B/W 40 that is.....
Check the back of your order form. It states if the car is more than 28 days late from the originally stated delivery date you get it back. I got mine back no questions asked.
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The T&C for my order states delivery 42 days late allowing no fault cancellation.
Guess it depends on which dealership?
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I'm not going to cancel, but did out of interest check the T&C on my order form...
Says I have no right for refund of deposit until 30 days after requesting in writing an explanation of the delay in delivery. Gives them a month extra then!...
Not sure if that would actually stand against the 'UK Sales and Goods act 1979'.. used to know it off by heart but not worked in that area for a few years now...
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Many cancelled orders with the mk6 when it first came out, some people just couldn't wait.
The GTI is a limited production car and will make it so much more special when you do eventually get it, doesn't make the wait any easier though.
I'm lucky, I've got mine mine but some of the whining on here is quite incredible. Your car will arrive soon, even if your dealer can't tell you the exact day, it will be soon. I know I won't be popular for saying this but someone needed to.
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I'm lucky, I've got mine mine but some of the whining on here is quite incredible. Your car will arrive soon, even if your dealer can't tell you the exact day, it will be soon. I know I won't be popular for saying this but someone needed to.
:grin:
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Not sure if you are defending VW here? :whistle:
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There is a long waiting list, it's a new model GTI.
If you can't wait then buy something that is less desirable and has a shorter waiting list.
That's all.
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Not sure if you are defending VW here? :whistle:
His one is so good he had to say it twice! :wink: :wink:
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Many cancelled orders with the mk6 when it first came out, some people just couldn't wait.
The GTI is a limited production car and will make it so much more special when you do eventually get it, doesn't make the wait any easier though.
I'm lucky, I've got mine mine but some of the whining on here is quite incredible. Your car will arrive soon, even if your dealer can't tell you the exact day, it will be soon. I know I won't be popular for saying this but someone needed to.
Well said. I'm still waiting on mine which has suffered one delay. But at no time have I considered changing. If you order a car that's not yet even in production, it will arrive when it arrives. Same with any other manufacturer from experience.
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There is a long waiting list, it's a new model GTI.
If you can't wait then buy something that is less desirable and has a shorter waiting list.
That's all.
Not sure you'd have refrained from whinging if you were still waiting on yoursand you were estimated BW40 right now and you were getting told it might be BW51. Easy to say "quit moaning" when you've already had yours a lot quicker than plenty here that ordered around the same time as you or maybe even earlier. Someone who ordered end of May maybe has nowt to moan about just yet, but for some here who ordered and of March/start of April, they've got a reason to moan.
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No one ordered in March, the order books weren't open then. They might have ordered with the dealer, but it's not possible to have been placed with VW.
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There are plenty on here who ordered on (or shortly after due to the bank holiday) the order book open day.
Some are moaning more than others, some have posted literally 1000s of posts describing their agonising delays in great detail, some haven't.
I'm alright Jack and all that but why the anger?
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Not sure if you are defending VW here? :whistle:
Deep breaths...
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Not sure if you are defending VW here? :whistle:
Breathing exercises....
I don't think he's defending VW, in the same way as I don't understand your abundant contribution to a VW GTI forum when you've cancelled your order, which I would have no problem with if the content was positive. But, it's not, it consists solely of passive aggressive attacks against VW as a company and earlier negative comments about the appearance of the GTD.
If more users were up late at night to see the unedited comments and your previous email signature picture, my previous apology would not have been necessary.
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Its a forum for discussion, not all comments are going to be positive and I wouldn't expect them to be. I enjoy Bills contributions to the forum as do many others. Watch this space, after a while the threads will turn into issues that people are having with their new cars. That's what happens so there will be much more negativity going forwards
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I don't agree.
This is a forum for GTI / GTD people. I would never make a post that negatively reflected the appearance of a car they'd been waiting months for. Or criticise those younger than me for ordering GTI's...
Replying to every single post but offering nothing. It's a car forum not an education centre for the socially challenged.
I'm very glad he's cancelled and ordered a BMW...
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I don't agree.
This is a forum for GTI / GTD people. I would never make a post that negatively reflected the appearance of a car they'd been waiting months for. Or criticise those younger than me for ordering GTI's...
Replying to every single post but offering nothing. It's a car forum not an education centre for the socially challenged.
I'm very glad he's cancelled and ordered a BMW...
You've changed your tune. A couple of days ago you were apologising after you had taken into account Bill's contribution to this forum and now your basically telling him to f**k off. Regardless of the fact he's cancelled his order he is still entitled to an opinion and although this may be a GTI/GTD forum, I would argue that its a forum for car enthusiasts whatever you may drive. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
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I have a drawer full of empty apologies.
I can see that I'm going to look like the bad guy here again. I'm not.
You've obviously missed the post and previous email signature of Bear that made me react.
I don't think it's correct to be in a GTI forum and slate the car the forum is based around.
Look at the GTD thread,...
I do my best to contribute to this forum in a positive manner. We can't always agree with each other, and I won't ever agree with Bear due to his necessity to reply to every single post whether he has something to add to it or otherwise.
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Many cancelled orders with the mk6 when it first came out, some people just couldn't wait.
The GTI is a limited production car and will make it so much more special when you do eventually get it, doesn't make the wait any easier though.
I'm lucky, I've got mine mine but some of the whining on here is quite incredible. Your car will arrive soon, even if your dealer can't tell you the exact day, it will be soon. I know I won't be popular for saying this but someone needed to.
Says the person who all ready has the car & everything went according to plan :rolleyes:
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Sorry, who's moaning here? I forget. :tongue:
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No one ordered in March, the order books weren't open then. They might have ordered with the dealer, but it's not possible to have been placed with VW.
My order was placed at the dealer on 29th March, accepted by VW UK on 30th (along with the issuing of the tracker number that day) and officially accepted and recognised by the factory on April 5th (VW UK told me the date the factory accepted the order during my recent correspondance with them). You can't get much quicker than that, and I am looking at a probable 12 weeks after GolfTi. I don't have any options and I was the first order placed at my dealership group for a GTD.
I really do take exception to the fact my car has taken so long if the main reason for delays are your lower position in the allocation queue for your dealership and certain options like rear cameras.
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Many cancelled orders with the mk6 when it first came out, some people just couldn't wait.
The GTI is a limited production car and will make it so much more special when you do eventually get it, doesn't make the wait any easier though.
I'm lucky, I've got mine mine but some of the whining on here is quite incredible. Your car will arrive soon, even if your dealer can't tell you the exact day, it will be soon. I know I won't be popular for saying this but someone needed to.
Very true,moan abit and move on constant moaning and emails wont make the slightest bit of difference.99% of the posts on the mk7 section are made by 5% of the members :smiley: it gets abit tiresome when all the topics get hijacked :kiss:
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This particular thread is specifically about moaning to VW. If moaning about VW's manufacturing and transport delays is annoying to the reader than maybe they should avoid a thread spcifically about the issue.
There are 2 types of posters on this thread - those who aren't waiting for a MK7 GTI/GTD because they either got theirs already or don't have one on order (the ones that say "stop moaning"), and those who have been waiting a hell of a long time for theirs or anticipate a long wait because they're not confirmed for build/are confirmed but not built on time (who are moaning).
I feel my moaning to VW has got me somewhere - the promise of priority shipping/delivery, given my unjustified wait.
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I don't recall telling people to stop moaning and I've got mine. I totally understand the frustration
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I don't recall telling people to stop moaning and I've got mine. I totally understand the frustration
You're the 3rd type I forgot to mention, who agrees with the second type. :tongue:
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I don't recall telling people to stop moaning and I've got mine. I totally understand the frustration
You're the 3rd type I forgot to mention, who agrees with the second type. :tongue:
That's because I love moaning no matter the occasion :grin:
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I have a drawer full of empty apologies.
I can see that I'm going to look like the bad guy here again. I'm not.
You've obviously missed the post and previous email signature of Bear that made me react.
I don't think it's correct to be in a GTI forum and slate the car the forum is based around.
Look at the GTD thread,...
I do my best to contribute to this forum in a positive manner. We can't always agree with each other, and I won't ever agree with Bear due to his necessity to reply to every single post whether he has something to add to it or otherwise.
I agree with you GtG :wink:
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Didn't even notice you had left. It must have been a brief departure. What did you leave for anyway?
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Mid life crisis, I'm fine now :smiley:
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I'm a free man not a cat.
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Ok, I refuse to be a tit about it :smiley:
You bound by a gagging order or summut?
Did ya get a Mod ban or what?
Just spill.....
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I resigned, I was not pushed. I'm happy to be back, looking forward to the challenges we have ahead of us, going to focus on Team Spirit, then we can crunch the numbers.
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I resigned, I was not pushed. I'm happy to be back, looking forward to the challenges we have ahead of us, going to focus on Team Spirit, then we can crunch the numbers.
:laugh: Bonkers! :laugh:
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Banter has its place boys.
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problem is though when people start singling others out individually it makes them look like bell ends whilst also uncomfortable for the individual. you can't stop people joining an open public forum and we don't live in China. if people don't have anything nice to say then don't say it.
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I like nice, I am nice, I like everyone
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No one just trying to give impartial information, guidance to Mk7 GTI forum members??????
:rolleyes:
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No one just trying to give impartial information, guidance to Mk7 GTI forum members??????
:rolleyes:
Loving your thread :rolleyes:
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No one just trying to give impartial information, guidance to Mk7 GTI forum members??????
:rolleyes:
Loving your thread :rolleyes:
Me too, thanks!
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Mr Bear you won't have a problem contributing here and owning a BMW :whistle:
So what was your final discounted price and where did you order from please because if if read it correctly you got 17.5% then an additional £1000 off?
If so I want in as they are a awesome car at that money and I don't have a toy at the moment :smiley:
Ill go read the GTD thread now and see what the problem is there.
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Bear - think you did a good thing by getting the BMW and that you won't regret.
Given that my BW33 is still not built I am considering cancelling also. But instead of getting a BMW M135, I think I will just keep my Scirocco for another year.
I had planned on receiving the new car long before the Scirocco was due it's tax/mot/service etc, but that has not happened. So getting all of that done will cost approx £500.
Might as well keep the car for another year (I still like it, very cool car) and then just buy a GTI off the shelf if I still feel like it, or whatever else happens to be around at the time. The idea of cancelling and forgetting all about the mess of the order does feel like a weight off my mind.
But I also know that when the car does eventually arrive, the delays and hassle will be a distant memory.
I will make my mind up by the end of the day and see how I feel, no point me talking to the dealer - he won't have anything useful to add.
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Bear - think you did a good thing by getting the BMW and that you won't regret.
Given that my BW33 is still not built I am considering cancelling also. But instead of getting a BMW M135, I think I will just keep my Scirocco for another year.
I had planned on receiving the new car long before the Scirocco was due it's tax/mot/service etc, but that has not happened. So getting all of that done will cost approx £500.
Might as well keep the car for another year (I still like it, very cool car) and then just buy a GTI off the shelf if I still feel like it, or whatever else happens to be around at the time. The idea of cancelling and forgetting all about the mess of the order does feel like a weight off my mind.
But I also know that when the car does eventually arrive, the delays and hassle will be a distant memory.
I will make my mind up by the end of the day and see how I feel, no point me talking to the dealer - he won't have anything useful to add.
Mate I'm BW 34 and still showing as being built. I made alot of noise with VWCS and the dealer. I told them that if your going to a tangly lie to me atleast sing from the se hymn sheet. Your both 4 weeks apart with when you expect delivery. I was promised a call today from the dealer principal.
I have a 5.5 month old daughter and i need a car I sold my a3 sline privately in mid July on the basis of information I received from the dealer and before I got here to this wonderful forum. I could just buy a runaround but why should I spends deposit money that I have ring fenced on a car I then can't get rid of for what I paid. It's the principle. I don't want to have to touch other money I have. The whole point was my deposit was what I sold my previous car for so nothing actually out of my pocket.
Back to the matter at hand, I called dealer on sat, twice, leaving a message for the salesman only to get an email saying I haven't forgotten you and I will call you on Monday. Do they think we are chumps. I have been busy this weekend, but I intend to catch the bus (he he) to te BMW garage and thrash at out with them For a 320d m sport so long as i get a healthy discount. Looking around there really isn't alot else out there that I want.
Then cancel my gTD which I have been looking forward to but I refuse to be lied to or taken for a fool. It surely can't take 2 weeks to build a car that they profess on their site to take a max of 30 hours/3 days.
Rant over.
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It's all to easy for me to say, but if you are at or past build week, it will not be long until you get your car, and you will not regret it once you do. The BMW is a nice enough car for what it is, although the looks leave something to be desired. I was wrong about the GTI/GTD being understated - I mean, it kinda' is, but it has a presence both on the road and sat on the drive that make people take second glances as they realise it's not quite a normal Golf. That will fade away as more get on the roads, but it does make it feel that little bit more special, not least for having put up with the wait. Granted though, if you are without car and need something sorting, you may have to resort to other measures.
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Pauliem: Your BW33er still hasn’t been built? Yours is easily the most delayed confirmed build to built car so far (a dubious honour!). When was the last time you spoke to VW UK about your car? I would get onto them today – hopefully it was built at the weekend and is awaiting the train to Emden.
Was in the same dilemma as you for a fair while – the Scirocco is a cracking car, but you will appreciate the MK7 being better in every way but looks when you finally get it (if you hang in there).
Seeing my dad’s so early only made me want the GTD even more. It’s a class act and feels a bit better screwed together than my Scirocco (as do previous Golfs I have owned).
I think that most people here who are VW fans and previous owners are the ones most likely to put up with being arsed about until they get their car and know it will be worth the wait.
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It's all to easy for me to say, but if you are at or past build week, it will not be long until you get your car, and you will not regret it once you do. The BMW is a nice enough car for what it is, although the looks leave something to be desired. I was wrong about the GTI/GTD being understated - I mean, it kinda' is, but it has a presence both on the road and sat on the drive that make people take second glances as they realise it's not quite a normal Golf. That will fade away as more get on the roads, but it does make it feel that little bit more special, not least for having put up with the wait. Granted though, if you are without car and need something sorting, you may have to resort to other measures.
Those were my thoughts. Wait as its being built but its just being told different things. W.g. Dealer said it being built and should be in transit end of last week. Monday now Bd still nothing but cs advised it would be two weeks behind build date.
Also, they know it won't arrive for a while but they still refuse to do anything about ie further discount or a replacement vehicle as I don't envisage them being able to meet the 20 week cut off for a replacement.
Btw saw your gti on the other tread MINT.
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It's all to easy for me to say, but if you are at or past build week, it will not be long until you get your car, and you will not regret it once you do. The BMW is a nice enough car for what it is, although the looks leave something to be desired. I was wrong about the GTI/GTD being understated - I mean, it kinda' is, but it has a presence both on the road and sat on the drive that make people take second glances as they realise it's not quite a normal Golf. That will fade away as more get on the roads, but it does make it feel that little bit more special, not least for having put up with the wait. Granted though, if you are without car and need something sorting, you may have to resort to other measures.
Driving a newly released car is a good feeling. I’m sure to some it will just be a Golf, but remembering when I got my Scirocco early 09 when I could go 2 weeks without seeing another was great. The number of people who used to be looking at it when it went past or was parked up anywhere was unbelievable.
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It's all to easy for me to say, but if you are at or past build week, it will not be long until you get your car, and you will not regret it once you do. The BMW is a nice enough car for what it is, although the looks leave something to be desired. I was wrong about the GTI/GTD being understated - I mean, it kinda' is, but it has a presence both on the road and sat on the drive that make people take second glances as they realise it's not quite a normal Golf. That will fade away as more get on the roads, but it does make it feel that little bit more special, not least for having put up with the wait. Granted though, if you are without car and need something sorting, you may have to resort to other measures.
Driving a newly released car is a good feeling. I’m sure to some it will just be a Golf, but remembering when I got my Scirocco early 09 when I could go 2 weeks without seeing another was great. The number of people who used to be looking at it when it went past or was parked up anywhere was unbelievable.
It was the same when I got my Scirocco. But at the time the Scirocco was a very unique car, not just for VW, but it had a unique style that really made it stand out. Turned a lot of heads.
Let's be honest, you do need to know what you are looking for to distinguish one Golf from the next. It is a great looking car, but so similar to it's predecessors that it is not going to turn heads. Even in Oryx White :D
I think part of the problem is that constant disappointment destroys enthusiasm and excitement. Trouble is, my bicycle is Oryx white now, if I change my car, gonna have to have the bike sprayed again!
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Those were my thoughts. Wait as its being built but its just being told different things. W.g. Dealer said it being built and should be in transit end of last week. Monday now Bd still nothing but cs advised it would be two weeks behind build date.
Also, they know it won't arrive for a while but they still refuse to do anything about ie further discount or a replacement vehicle as I don't envisage them being able to meet the 20 week cut off for a replacement.
Btw saw your gti on the other tread MINT.
To be fair (and I'm as pi$$ed of as anybody at the wait both for myself and others) any build date is only ever an estimate and not a legally binding contract. If people sell their cars on the basis of it, and find it slips, VW aren't really responsible for that. But, if it goes over 20 weeks, they should sort you out with a car. Try and stick with it though mate, it will be worth it!
As for driving a newly released car, yup, it's a great feeling, and I can remember when I got my Mk5 GTI that was such a radical facelift, that also turned a lot of heads. I guess even now, proportionally you don't see that many GTIs on the roads, so it will always have a little bit of exclusivity about it.
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Check with VW EO today pauliem. I thought I was the last BW33 to be built - yours should have been built by now, it may just be a tracker thing - see what they say - cause it if has been built and not updated then you're on the homeward straight!
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I think the GTI will be noticeable even when there are a few around and its been a year or two. Up until recently I still took a longer look at the mk6s that would go by and its only because I've seen a couple of 7s now that they don't hold my gaze any more!
Pauliem and Misterp, they've messed you around so I can see why you want to cancel. Make sure its the right thing for you though. I had to think it through long and hard before pulling the plug.
BMW (Elms) were initially offering a 16% discount on car and options and claiming this was the best they could do. In the end they offered a further £1500 off as they thought I was going elsewhere (the MK branch!). That made it over 18% off the car and options or 17.6% off the OTR price.
AAddict might want to chip in here as I think he did even better! 19% is the best I've heard of. Not sure if that is on OTR or car and options though.
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I think the GTI will be noticeable even when there are a few around and its been a year or two. Up until recently I still took a longer look at the mk6s that would go by and its only because I've seen a couple of 7s now that they don't hold my gaze any more!
Pauliem and Misterp, they've messed you around so I can see why you want to cancel. Make sure its the right thing for you though. I had to think it through long and hard before pulling the plug.
BMW (Elms) were initially offering a 16% discount on car and options and claiming this was the best they could do. In the end they offered a further £1500 off as they thought I was going elsewhere (the MK branch!). That made it over 18% off the car and options or 17.6% off the OTR price.
AAddict might want to chip in here as I think he did even better! 19% is the best I've heard of. Not sure if that is on OTR or car and options though.
So i was promised a call from my salesman this morning. Doesnt happen. AT 1.30 get a call from the Dealer Principal/Sales Manager Bloke, He apologised for the delay but said that it was beyond his control, he also said that you were execting your car this week or next but this is unlikely ( wasnt expecting it till atleast 21 September but I didnt tell him that) he said he is new to the brand but knows that they have the 20 week vehicle replacement rule. however due the inconvenience to me he will look into getting me into a car by the latest tomorrow morning until 26 September at which date if the car hadn't arrived VW Central would provide me with a vehicle. they offered this as I threatened to walk and go to BMW (bearing in mind i Hadnt even spoken to them yet) so I am happy as I now have a car until mine turns up but i will tell him when I collect that I am not willing to wait until mid october as suggested by VW CS.
I will keep you all updated.
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Kind of on topic, just another way that VW are being sh!te…
I have been trying to settle the £12k-ish balance on my Scirocco that will be p/xed, before my next payment is due. Been on hold with VW finance over 2 hours between 2 phone calls today, waiting for a human (or at least an advisor) to pick up the phone – they clearly don’t want my money. Absolutely useless. The 14 second piano music loop is doing my head in.
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You can pay it online via vwfinance.co.uk
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You can pay it online via vwfinance.co.uk
Waiting for registration info to hit my email account so I can log in. I can't pay with my debit card either, just bank transfer - they don't believe in making it easy for you. :evil:
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nothing seems very easy with VW :angry:
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Just had Simon Thomson’s office rep ring me to inform me that my car is on a ship that will arrive at Tyne today (already knew that). He has had a system block put on it to stop VW transport delivering it to the dealership when it is released from dockside, and has requested that the dealership come and pick it up when it has cleared customs red tape.
Basically he’s arranged for everything to happen that my dealer had to fight the system to do for my dad’s car.
He did warn me that the ship will take a canny while to unload and get its cargo to clear, seeing as there are approx 1500 vehicles on the ship, of which 800 are VAGs. So clearance to allow collection at the dealer’s convenience late Thurs or early Fri is likely. I reckon I’ll be picking mine up on Saturday if the dealer doesn’t hang around on the PDI and there are no issues with the car.
Looks to me that Simon Thomson’s office took arrangement of my “priority delivery” seriously and made it happen, rather than just spinning me a line.
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Looks to me that Simon Thomson’s office took arrangement of my “priority delivery” seriously and made it happen, rather than just spinning me a line.
I must admit I had my doubts, it seems that you are actually getting some proper customer care treatment.
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Good news MH!!
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Sorry to read about all the problems you've been having.
If you're having no joy with VW UK, you can email Martin Winterkorn in VW Germany.
He's Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen.
CV linky (http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/content/en/the_group/senior_management/winterkorn.html)
martin.winterkorn@volkswagen.de
That should get things noticed, if it doesn't try writing to Santa.
HTH.
Jonathan.
ADDENDUM:
Forgot to add, as Simon Thomas is leaving/left, try contacting Robert Hazelwood:
Director of passenger cars VW UK
robert.hazelwood@volkswagen.co.uk
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Getting the courtesy car tomorrow - had a call from Europa Car to book it in and interestingly they have their own VW & Audi section - so, they are giving me a Golf (or better eg. Jetta if no Golfs available) but happy days as although it will be billy basic & slow at least its not a poxy Astra!!! :laugh:
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Getting the courtesy car tomorrow - had a call from Europa Car to book it in and interestingly they have their own VW & Audi section - so, they are giving me a Golf (or better eg. Jetta if no Golfs available) but happy days as although it will be billy basic & slow at least its not a poxy Astra!!! :laugh:
I get my courtesy car the week after next, if its something crap it will make the golf feel more special.
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Well, picked up my courtesy car just now.....and it's a pearler of a Golf! Has a massive 1.6 engine and a whole 85bhp wooooo hoooo!! :grin:
On the plus side, at least my car has gone now so no worrying about it and fingers crossed its only a few weeks till the GTI turns up. And....it's so nice to be inside a Golf again (albeit a billy basic) - just so easy to drive. Roll on delivery day! :laugh:
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85bhp wooooo hoooo!! :grin:
Woah, careful with that MB, don't let it get away from you! :grin:
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85bhp wooooo hoooo!! :grin:
Woah, careful with that MB, don't let it get away from you! :grin:
I think it's too much power for me!! :grin: