I phoned Beadles parts to order a new part and have it fitted. They told me I'd need to speak to services, took my number and told me services would call back. 1 hour later, I call parts back, I am reassured services will call. Another 2 hours pass, Services call. I tell them I want to have them order a part and fit it. They sound surprised, like this is an unreasonable request, and put me through to parts. I tell parts I want a new breather tube, the one that goes from the top left of the plastic engine cover (from the air box) vertically down to the bottom of the engine. oh dear, they can't seem to find it in their system to order it. I tell them there's a part number on it, I try to give it to them, they tell me that's not a part number. They ask if I can come in. Sure, I say, and drive down there.
I go to parts, tell them I need this part identifying, ordering, and fitting. They too seem surprised at my request. They send me to services to get it identified and booked in. I go to services and wait with several disgruntled customers who have been messed about, had their cars misplaced or, well, vandalised in the name of service. I tell services I need a part identified, ordered and fitted. They send me back to my car and tell me parts will come out and identify it. Parts come out, we look at tube. Yes, it's a tube, they say, and it needs replacing. They tell me to go back to services, but on a hunch I follow them back to parts to watch while they try to find it on their system. Their system is a type in word, system with name of part in or related system appears in a list, systems not applicable to your model of car appear in grey, picture of system with labelled parts is used to identify part and then order. Many word searches are tried including breather tube, breather, air pipe, air box, air assembly, pipe, tube... No pictures that appear feature this pipe. they do not attempt to type in part number. The technicians reckon it leads down to some vacuum chamber...but cant find it. During this time they complain profusely about the complicatedness of skodas and their inconvenience. They tell me their resident skoda expert (shouldn't they all be experts?) is on the phone, but will call me when they've identified it and complete my request.
While at ****************** getting my AC checked for leaks and regassed, I pop round the corner to************* to ask about my pipe, Oh how we chortled when I told them the dealers couldn't identify their own pipe. They jot down the part number, make a phone call and order one in for monday. Part + fitting ~£30. I will tell them to be careful with the clip at the bottom.
I get a voice mail from Beadles telling me again their resident skoda expert will identify it and call tomorrow. Must have been a long phone call for the expert.
Tomorrow passes, they don't call. I've been dismissed as an inconvenience.
I wont be going back to Beadles, the 0844 phone calls alone are costing me a fortune.
