My association with Mitchell Skoda began over a decade ago. My recent purchase of a black Octavia vRS means I have now owned and driven four Skodas, all supplied by Mitchells.
As I younger man I was trained to haggle by my mother and father and because most go my early car purchases were slightly risky lower priced used vehicles sold by equally risky dealers I was always on the defensive . I hated buying a car when it should have been an experience to be look forward to and generate huge enthusiasm. Regardless of how well things had gone during the transaction, I would always walk (or drive) away feeling somehow I had been 'misdirected' in the manner of a Derren Brown mind control stunt and the dealer and his sidekick back at the showroom were having a hearty chuckle at my expense. Creating and fostering acute paranoia in me was the speciality of the car salesman and it has taken me a long time to accept that some car dealers are simply nothing like that.
Before my purchase of the vRS I had driven a petrol 4x4 Yeti from new. Flawed genius in some respects. Drove very well but not the family car for me. It its just over 70,000 miles it had begun to chalk up a list of faults and some battle scars. Most of these I could ignore until a week or so ago the car required a new number 2 engine coil it also developed a headlight issue which would have cost silly money to fix before it's MOT. This seemed the perfect time to negotiate a price on my Yeti in part ex for something else.
I can not tell you how supportive the service team were of my predicament with a chap called Alex needing a special mention. Indeed the service team at Mitchell have a rather unpleasant job. They get to field all the moans an groans, offer a solution and then get the joy of telling the already miffed customer the cost of the solution. As messengers they must get shot at several times a day (sometimes by me) but never have I ever found them to be anything other than unflappable and pragmatic. They are efficient, polite and empathetic and I appreciate the time they take to make the customer feel protected. An unsung star of the show is Chris who has the job of picking up cars and customers. I have known him several years now and he is a lovely guy. Always a smile, always enthusiastic and committed.
I won't bore you with the details, but the switch from Yeti to vRS didn't looked like it was going to be very straight forward. There was some issue with Yeti service costs, MOT and the part ex price. I was beginning to fear the worst about the deal until Richard the sales manager called me and explained what he and the dealership were prepared to do for me. I had never experienced this level of customer loyalty before and it struck me as a peerless example of how companies should deal with existing customers. Mitchell get my business because ethically they are inspiring and seek to build a strong long term relationship with their customers. I have to thank Richard for all his support in the past but on this occasion he managed to tug at my emotions a little bit.
I could now start rattling on about how wonderful the showroom is, how well laid out it is and how the sun spangles and flashes on clean purposeful counter tops and desks but this is all meaningless. It is the quality of the front line staff that make the difference and the person who made the biggest difference, the one who made this car purchase the most exciting and rewarding experience I have had was a young salesman called Chris Sault.
I gather Chris recently joined Mitchell from VW and if this is the calibre of staff the company are able to recruit they are surely in very safe hands for the future. From the first conversation it was apparent that Chris has huge enthusiasm and energy but this is coupled with tremendous patience and the ability to listen and respond to the needs of the individual customer. I say this in all honesty and without rhetorical gushing or hyperbole. I always felt Chris was working for me first, the company second and himself last. He realised that Mitchell want happy customers and was at great pains to ensure I was provided with answers to my numerous questions. His product knowledge of the brand, for a new sales person betrayed the fact he was an enthusiast there because of the cars and those that buy them.
I am a right miserable swine and suffer from anxiety and depression but let me tell you the test drive I had in the vRS had me laughing out loud and smiling for ear to ear. It was fantastic that my enthusiasm was mirrored by Chris but as you would expect the car spoke for itself. What a little blinder. All the best bits of the Mk2 I used to own with just a little more polish and performance.
Making the deal was a no brainer and it was made effortless by the staff I felt with. Indeed, Dave who is responsible for auction sales and the like came to my aid when trying to remove the bike rack from my Yeti before the vRS handover the next day. His help was invaluable and time and advice greatly appreciated. Chris was keen I did not spoil the pick up of my vRS with trying to fit the rack into the boot and also risk the paintwork. I was delighted when he offered to follow behind me to my home to drop it off. Really above and beyond his duty to me but a mark of the value he and the dealership place in the details.
And yes....I did take the vRS out for a 'proper' drive later on and I have to say it is the best car I have ever owned and the best buying experience I have ever had.
Thank you Mitchell Skoda!
Idlespin.
