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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: BodyThief on 01 November 2008, 23:46

Title: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: BodyThief on 01 November 2008, 23:46
I finally got my car back from Wayside, Letchworth yesterday after another 16 days with the dealer, making 21 in total. It's been off the road for more days than my previous 6 cars put together.

In that time they replaced the rear high level brake light, fixed a major rattle in dash, replaced A-pillar trim, fixed a few more minor rattles.

The dealers service has been the worst I have experienced. It's unlikely I'll ever buy another VW  :angry:

Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Cass on 02 November 2008, 00:04
Sad fact of today's market and service I'm afraid :rolleyes:

Blame the factory for poor build, the dealers for poor service and the Government for creating the environment where everyone seems to be shafting everyone else. Fact :angry:

Cass
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: WhiteGTI on 02 November 2008, 07:54
I finally got my car back from Wayside, Letchworth yesterday after another 16 days with the dealer, making 21 in total. It's been off the road for more days than my previous 6 cars put together.

In that time they replaced the rear high level brake light, fixed a major rattle in dash, replaced A-pillar trim, fixed a few more minor rattles.

The dealers service has been the worst I have experienced. It's unlikely I'll ever buy another VW  :angry:



At least your dealer fixed your rattles - mine wouldnt even touch them, saying "they were characteristics of a normal golf gti, and VW UK give us certain parameters to work between, and those rattles are just regarded as normal".  The fecking cheek..........
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Greenouse on 02 November 2008, 08:21
Believe me it's not just VW dealers, try a Mercedes one they really don't want to know!
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: tonyh on 02 November 2008, 08:38
the one crumb of comfort from this credit crunch SHOULD be that customer service and value for money are due to make a return if anyone wants to sell anything... for once the paying customer should be treated right ....the same applies right across the board ; estate agents, builders, car dealers, dept stores the lot....
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: BodyThief on 02 November 2008, 11:10
Yes thats very true, I think for years certain industries have had it too easy, only the good ones will survive now.

People I know with say for example, Toyotas, only have good things to say about their customer service. The German manufacturers it seems have this arrogance which is based on their cars having a high percieved image and quality. In reality, if you look at customer surveys, their reliability is poor.

Going back to the rattles, when the car was ready for collection I was told that "all of these cars have some noise" like as if rattles were engineered in, so thats ok then :sick:

The fact is, when you're buying any VW, you're paying thousands more than the equivalent Nissan, Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford etc so where does this money go?
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: SteveS on 02 November 2008, 12:08
there all sh!t. simple really.. nothing we can do about it but moan and hope to get something for the trouble...
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: RedRobin on 02 November 2008, 15:26
....

Well, I think that people here will be bored of hearing me banging on how good my VW dealers have been so far (3+ years). They are also a Toyota dealer and I'll never forgive them for lending me a Yaris!!!!

As I've posted elsewhere, dealers are simply individual businesses who have been officially appointed by car manufacturers and their UK hub as independent franchises in return for rebuilding their premises as ultra smart and with the brand logo in prominence.

My dealer, Loders, is a well established family business which owes its survival to it understanding the importance of earning customer loyalty and giving good service, and not 'who cares, there'll be another punter along soon' attitude.
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: candy turbo on 02 November 2008, 16:27
i ve had 3 skoda s to date and the customer service from them is great  :smiley: vw could learn a lot from them
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: R32UK on 02 November 2008, 17:08
I have had problems with Mercedes before too.. and have to say they are the worst ever customer service! Snobby barstewards lied to me on a number of occasions, and the matter was only resolved with a quick call to Merc UK complaints department.

My advice would be to take it to the top as these are the only people who really care what owners think as they represent VW themselves.

Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Saint Steve on 02 November 2008, 19:27
I found out yesturday that my local Mercedes dealer was employing an outside run company that were in charge of valeting, they had employed mostly Polish employee's, which turned out non of them had English drivers licences and letting them move customers cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!, needless to say they were sacked when Mercedes found out!!!

shocking :sad:
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: 2007GTI on 03 November 2008, 00:31
I've found in London, all of them are lying cunning barstewards.

They all seem to have zero customer service, high staff turn over and don't give a toss.


Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Moschops on 03 November 2008, 02:58
I found out yesturday that my local Mercedes dealer was employing an outside run company that were in charge of valeting, they had employed mostly Polish employee's, which turned out non of them had English drivers licences and letting them move customers cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!, needless to say they were sacked when Mercedes found out!!!

shocking :sad:


This seems to apply to most dealerships i'm afraid...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: RedRobin on 03 November 2008, 07:28
....

The VW side of my dealership uses an older guy to valet/wash. Their bodyshop uses some Polish blokes. Their Toyota side uses a hot Polish girl but she never gives me eye contact....So I guess I'll never get her to cover me in soap and play with my hose :evil:

You don't need a DL to drive a car on private property AFAIK.
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Merlinman on 03 November 2008, 08:54
Are they Polish or polish?  :evil:
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: 2007GTI on 03 November 2008, 11:09
Polish driving licence is valid here anyway.
Title: Re: Why are dealers so crap?
Post by: Steve78 on 03 November 2008, 11:12
I've found in London, all of them are lying cunning barstewards.

When I was looking for a GTI the dealers in London were absolutely shocking.  Glad I found Tollbar Warwick, they were superb! A+ service.