VW UK seem to contradict themselves at every turn when they're being grilled, they can only dole out so much bollocks before they trip themselves up.
Called Ronald back to see what he was after 2 weeks ago (he rang me literally as I was heading off for a job interview, then didn't ring back after 4:30pm as requested - he finishes at 6pm) - the following day I was off on my Mexico/Berlin hols. So he rang me purely to tell me my car had been built - I knew that, I got the text alerts. I asked him why no-one had satisfactorily explained why my Sept ordered car was now officially a Dec ordered car and therefore not late. He put me on hold for 5 mins while he "investigated". He then admitted it was late and said he would have to speak to my dealer. I asked him why and he wouldn't answer that direct question. I stated that if there is some deserved goodwill gesture due, I want it to be coming from VW UK's pocket, and not the dealership's bottom line - unless he can tell me that the dealership cocked up. He stuttered a bit and made his excuses to call me back later.
He rang back later to offer me a courtesy car. I said I would have one if it was an R, otherwise I would keep driving my GTD until my R turned up and needed to go in for p/x.
I asked about extended warranties - namely that the cost had gone up between the time of ordering and the time it was confirmed on my order - he referred me to the dealer and said I could add extended warranty any time in the future. I corrected him that the official "no restrictions" factory warranty extension has to be bought before the car is registered. He asked why I wanted one, so I replied "VWs aren't as reliable as they used to be, and if I have had to wait 8 months for one, I won't be getting another in 2 or 3 years time unless I order it well before I should even be thinking about a replacement".
With no need for a courtesy car, he made his excuses and his goodbyes. Will he strongarm the dealership into free Autoglym again? Seems that a goodwill gesture out of their own pocket (like a shopping voucher) is unlikely without more direct pressing. He's ringing again next Friday, hopefully to tell me the car has shipped. There is a ship coming from Emden to Tyne on Weds, but it's not a "City of X" ship, it's the HHL Volga.
