Arnold Clark Inverness

[DGW]

Arnold Clark Inverness

69 Carsegate Road

Inverness

Highlands

IV3 8EX

01463 231214

Services; New, Used, Repair

Ownership changed on 1 December 2010. Franchise previously operated by Delmore Cars Ltd.

[ncarring]

Originally posted by tomr - Fri Apr 30, 2004

Made me do all the work when negotiating a deal when trying to buy a new Fabia. Would match prices with competing dealers elsewhere in the UK but were very slow to respond. Took two weeks to respond to my email so I did the deal over the phone with a London dealer the next day (500 mile free delivery included). They don't like dishing out courtesy cars when yours is in for service and won't give you one if you bought new from another dealer. That can't be good customer service but it was all done with a smile.

[Mondo]

I guess they've recruited some decent staff since 2005 then. I emailed them and asked for their "no nonsense" best price and told them to check Drive the Deal's price before they responded.

Michael replied within a few hours with a cracking price (AFAIK). Yes, it was £700 mote than DTD, but by the time I add the delivery cost from doon sooth (circa £500) there was only a couple of hundred in it.

I was quite amazed they committed to this price via email (Specialist card, who are my local dealer didn't bother replying to the same email).

Needless to say, I'd rather deal with a local(ish) supplier, so the order's in ... and I can't wait for my ...

.... Silver 2.0TFSI vRS Estate, Xenons, Cruise control, Rear Parking Sensors (just in case I give the Mrs a go), Curtain Airbags, Active Head Restraints (whatever they are but they're only £60), Light Assist, Variable bootfloor, Maxidot, Dual zone climate control and 18" alloys. (last two courtesy of Skoda of course). :) :)

Just hope the after sales is as good!! (Can't be any worse than Specialist Cars.)

[rossdook]

***************. :thumbdwn:

Had my Mk 1 vRS there as it broke down due to a faulty wire causing the battery to run flat. Skoda UK were great and had everything settled asap including the AA plus a hire car for 48 hours. They settled with Delmore, but before Skoda had been back in touch with me, Delmore phoned me to "settle" things themselves - turns out they were taking Skoda's money from them and offering me much less to pocket the difference themselves, the *******!!

I got there in the end, but with a sting in the tail - the courtesy car they gave me after the 48 hour hire car had expired was empty when I got it, so I did likewise and returned it empty too. They eventually came good with my cheque (after much prompting) but had the gall to deduct £10 without prior warning for diesel money as I'd returned it empty! What a cheek. I'm not a moaner, and had previously thought I was fairly easily pleased, but I'm sure they'll beg to differ.

I'm off this week to London to pick up a brand new vRS Estate and have voted with my feet. They may be the nearest dealership to me, but if they think they'd ever get any business from me, they'd be barking up the wrong tree completely!

I hear in the trade things aren't going too well for them since they moved to their new premises. I'm hardly surprised I must say - rant over!!

Edited 9 August, 2008 by DGW
Questionable comment deleted.

[nom]

went to Delmore enquiring about vrs le . trading in a vrs fsi 20000 miles on clock said they did,nt sell vrs's

So obviously no sale

[VielziDub]

delmore cars DO NOT get my recomendation.

:thumbdwn:Forgot to replace V-belt as requested during cambelt replacement (and waterpump replacement).

Admitted having to search for tool to tension cambelt, phoning other garages and in the end finding it in an unopened box (subsequently charging more than quoted!)

Unable to replace blown fuse due to not having one in stock and picking up wrong one from parts supplier.

Gave contary advice to that within manual for car (unable to chack power steering fluid level-since a sealed unit?).

Not filling coolant to minimum after waterpump replacement.

Prising apart key fob with blunt instrument - possibly a screw driver, causing first significant cosmetic damage and breaking key ring conector meaning can no longer secure to key ring (they didn't need to take the thing apart in the first place!)

Following up by letter, as recomended by trading standards after accusing the key of being like that when delivered (is was a new key clicked together for the fuirst time infront of the guy at the desk!)

They are obviously car salesman, and certainly not mechanics. Having inferrred I was a lyer I wouldn't reccomend dealing with them in any context.

[fikes75]

Went in for service , and mechanic didn't know that petrol cars had variable servicing ,bloke behind desk had to tell him, didn't inspire confidence but other than that not bad , could be a bit cheerier as it all seemed a bit of a chore for guy behind desk, but might have been one of those days we all have them ,first time i have dealt with them so will see what future brings.

[drum]

I`ve dealt with Delmore for quite a number of years.4 Tdi Estates and now a 4x4 Yeti SE 140 Tdi. so about 8 years experience. The sales side seem OK but not too keen to do a deal and over the years I`ve had quite a few friends who tried out my Fabia TDi s and liked them but subsequently went on to buy elswhere because of Delmores offer.

As far as service goes I can only assume they carry out the work but customer care is really bad. For example my last Fabia Estate came from new with a duff battery ( not the fault of Delmore) but having driven about 100 miles to have a simple battery change I was left sitting round in the garage for about 4 hours until the new one came from their suppliers a few 100 yards away (their reason `it might be a few minutes or a few hours depending on their delivery schedule`) . I also find their servicing costs rather expensive and the chance of getting a courtesy car virtually zero. In short, if Skoda had another dealership within a reasonable distance I think Delmore would be struggling to retain my custom.

[Graeme B]

never had a problem with Delmore personally, wouldnt go near the garage now it is Arnold Clark !!!!!!

[fabdavrav]

I've dealt with Delmore for 10yrs now.......got them "trained" to my way of doing things now! ...Mind you they know that I know my stuff (did catch them out really badly about 2yrs ago..the owner did apologise himself and same with the mechanic). I've had problems with other garages/dealers around here (one very local garage cost me £450 for trying to diagnose an ABS fault, he had all the expensive Bosch computers etc but no idea...took car to Delmore and spent £50 on a diagnostic and they found the problem straight away)! ...and I've heard alot worse about other car dealers up here.

Also as of last week 7th Nov 2011 the parts and servicing has been temporarily move to the Arnold Clark "Motorstore" that sells the Kia? cars...Next door to the LandRover dealership and opposite the Ford & Jaguar Dealers. This will be for 6-8weeks approx as the bodyshop for Arnold Clark is moving into the Skoda bit and things are being redone etc. So phone before you go to make sure!!!!

[Moist Von Lipwig]

Used to use Delmore when I lived up in Thurso, didn't like them and had several problems.

1. When we bought the 04 plate Fabia Elegance they couldn't or wouldn't give use a decent price for the car or part ex, ended up using the Aberdeen dealer who beat their prices and delivered the car with no issue.

2. Had some warranty work done on my old 03 plate Octy vRS, some rusting on the doors. Left the car with them while I flew down South. Got back on the Saturday afternnon and collected it from the sales team (workshop gone home), no issue there as this had been pre arranged. Salesman got me the keys and showed me where the car was. I however spotted that the rubber trim around the window had been ripped. Had no option but to take the car home (100ish mile drive). Workshop manager called me on the Monday to explain that an apprentice had done the job but failed to tell anyone, shame they didn't get anyone to check the work. After a bit of argument they relented and sent someone up to repair it, grudingly.

3. Got the Fabia serviced by them, after getting it home the dashboard lit up. When I checked around found that the sump plug had fallen out and no oil, clearly it had not been correctly tightend. Had a major argument with them and they agreed that they would check it and sort everything out.

These were issues over a 2 year period but didn't have any good experiences with them, it was back in 04 so hopefully they have changed their ways and got a decent manager in the workshop now.

[fabdavrav]

Skoda Inverness (Arnold Clark) has now moved the main showroom into a purpuse build two showroom unit (other showroom they have moved their Volvo bit into) on the old Weldex yard opposite Halfords. As far as I am aware the parts dept is still at the main (Kia) site along with the service dept! But phone to double check!

[SouthernSkye]

To add a little more detail to the previous post: A.C 'Ness are now on Longman with most of the other car dealers...saves walking too far to try out a few different ones!

Volvo / Skoda

34 Longman Rd

Inverness

IV1 1RY

http://www.arnoldclark.com/find-a-dealer-search/inverness-volvo---skoda/ref/arner/

01463 649249

Rgds

Sskye.

[leevrs180]

I brought my vrs when delmore still owned, now owned by arnold clark it has gone well done hill. Both me and my old man have brought a skoda and their service is shocking, and the parts department no nothing of the car/s.

I will be looking for a skoda garage near by for my 1st service and my old man with an octavia 2 due for its 20,000 mile service has decided to get it done while he is in the east of england instead of letting arnold clark inverness touch it.

I know they have been reported to skoda customer services a few times and they have bearly had the skoda dealership a year massive thumbs down

[Highland Shrew]

As promised on my intro post, here is my experience of recently trying to buy a new Octavia Greenline II from Arnold Clark in Inverness.

To cut a long story short, after being told I would have to organise my own insurance for an extended test drive (I have a dodgy knee and wanted to make sure I could get comfortable in the seat - unlike the Toyota Prius I once had) I then made 4 calls to the dealership to try and get the details of the test drive vehicle so that I could arrange the insurance.

Only one call was answered by the salesman - who promised to get back to me! - the 3 other times I left a message with reception. Not one of my calls was ever returned!!!

When the pre-arranged Test Drive date came and went and still no call, I came to the conclusion that my business was not wanted. I complained in writing to AC HQ in Glasgow and copied my letter to Skoda UK. I received a swift letter of apology from AC and a call from the dealer principal in Inverness explaining that they had 'been busy and that the test drive had slipped the salesman's mind'. I find this hard to believe when I saw him write it in his own diary!! Skoda UK customer services also telephoned (twice!) to make sure I had been contacted.

The outcome of this is that I bought the car from a main dealer in England via an Internet broker at a vastly reduced price, and they also gave me what I wanted in p/x for my Audi A3 as well! I am delighted but will not be setting foot in the Inverness branch if I can help it (although my next nearest dealer is 100 miles away).

Caveat Emptor!

[bettysman]

I think this applies to most Arnold Clark garages given my experience trying to buy a golf plus from their Crow Road branch Glasgow. The salesman was dire and didn't have a clue. Just walked out in disgust and bought one from my local dealer Inch of Bathgate who were great.

Bob

[Aspman]

Same sort of experience here in Dundee. Salesman couldn't be bothered to have a car ready for a booked test drive, still sat at the back of the showroom behind 30 cars. I walked as well.

I did buy from an AC in Aberdeen for a nearly new Focus. Salesman was old school, played it straight no mucking about, got a decent price and I bought, everyone happy.

[meta55b]

Arnold clark is now a joke in inverness, all the parts departments are now in one place. so you have to deal with parts people who have no clue about the car your asking about. Last time i was in i asked about rear mud flaps for my vrs and told the guy they will not be listed for the vrs. 10mins later he comes back and says there is no listing for the vrs.

[allan1888]

Sounds just like any other AC parts department Tbh. the Arnold Clark VW near me is worse than useless and now they have a Skoda branch near me too, thank god i have Henry's Skoda local to me. God forbid i ever have to use AC

[Blaven]

Took my Scout bought in Mansfield to Inverness for its first service and requested the door locking be set to auto.

It was'nt done.

When I got home, looked under the bonnet and oil spillage around filler cap. Took the cap off and inside the hole were lots of little gritty bits possibly from not cleaning the area prior to taking cap off.

Also oil level seemed low, below max. (I now know that this is normal).

Complained about shoddy workmanship and had customer service contact me. They sent me oil,- wrong Specification for VAG. (I'm 100 miles away).

Shan't go there again. No sign that the oil filter had been changed. Its in such an awkward area I defy anyone to change it without some spillage!

Also, workshop not on same premises (new glossy showroom,-Volvo Arnold Clark).

What are they playing at?

[fabdavrav]

Firstly AC wanted to move the sales part of Skoda to a move visable area and also get rid of the Volvo place. Secondly they wanted to consolidate their workshops and bodyshops! The site they got was only big enough for the sales part for Skoda and Volvo. They then moved all their bodyshop into one big place (Delmore's new place), all the workshops are now behind the Peuguoet using correct technitions..........they finally moved all the parts for Volvo and Skoda into the Peugeot place. The parts blokes are new so having to learn "on the job" as the old parts bloke (Ian) moved to the self contained Kia? place at AC Motorpoint next to Plant & Fixings.

Not perfect as even they admit that it can be a pain when having to deal with "off site" parts and mechanics!

Anyway booked car in to get the N/S (passenger side) wheel bearing done as was given an advisory back in early December on it (MOT done else where). Dropped car off early on a wednesday, got a Citi-go as a courtesy car! Then later got a phone call as they checked both front bearings and found the other one is "starting to make noises" this I was half expecting as the "droning" had got worse since my MOT, and they were replaced at the same time previously! So gave them the go-ahead. Then later on got another phone call saying that my N/S outer CV joint was "rumbling" , so as it was the original and the fact it takes most of the strain said yes as the labour rate is less as being done with other stuff. So was told to keep the Citi-go as they had to wait for the CV joint! Skoda took longer to get the part up and the car was finished around lunchtime on the Saturday! But I work so collected the car up first thing Monday. Got charged one days "cover" on the Citi-go (£12) and they did a bit of a deal on the service bill and the total including the parts (2 wheel bearing units, 2 driveshaft nuts, and one outer CV joint kit inc boot) came to £633 approx.

Not bad for dealership pricing, and I would have got the parts from them even if I had the tools/press/spacers to fit the bearings!

As for the quality of the work............I did double check everything on a Sunday a couple of weeks later (two weeks ago), and yes they had done a "book" job, ie renew as few nuts/bolts as possible! So I replaced a few of the bolts which are disturbed to get to things, and will be ordering a few more bolts......................but thats because I like things "my way" !!!!

[JohnMcL7]

As far as I'm aware none of the previous Skoda service staff are working for Arnold Clark, I've tried the AC garage a couple of times and won't be doing so again as both times they didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing.

John

[Graeme B]

both times they didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing.

This is exactly my opinion, they couldnt tell me what they were going to do in a service when i asked, but they new the price off by hand !! When i asked about getting other things done, once again didnt have a clue what parts they were going to need but knew exactly how much they wanted to charge !! Asked for someone who knew what they were talking about to phone me back and no-one did, take that as no-one does know !!

[JohnMcL7]

Same here, I phoned them to find out if they were doing the special deal on servicing Skoda were offering and initially they told me they'd get someone to phone me back, who then got someone else to know me back and then someone else who was meant to be in the know but after all these phone calls I was told they didn't know if they had any special offers on servicing, they didn't know the current cost of a service and they didn't know when the car could be booked in for a service. I decided not to bother keeping the Skoda service history and had the car serviced by my usual mechanic.

When I had an error that I had checked through VCDS myself and knew it needed properly looked at I put it into the garage and made it clear I didn't just want them to run the diags instead I needed them to have a proper look at the car. They completely ignored me, ran the diags, cleared the error and told me it was all fine then charged me £40 for the pleasure. Unsurprisingly they hadn't fixed the issue which was eventually resolved by my mechanic.

I guess the obvious question is why did I ever let them near my car but when I bought it second hand it had a full Skoda service history and I'd taken out an extended warranty for it so I thought it would be easier to claim under from a main dealer. Given the car is now over six years old I doubt anyone will be that bothered about it having a Skoda service history and if they are I'll point out that it was in the hands of a much better garage.

John

[Graeme B]

Just thought i would share this here, a relative of mine recently bought a pre-registered new Rapid 1.6 diesel from this garage. Had only 12 miles on the clock when they picked it up, Got it 20 miles down the road and the oil light came on. Pulled in and opened bonnet, found that a mechanic had left the oil cap off and the engine and the engine bay was covered in oil, not a happy bunny i can assure you. "We will endevour to improve our standards" was the reply........