Decided to go for a new Yeti, so naturally read up on various deals and brokers that people have used here. Specced up a nice new 1.8TSI with some options - list price coming in at £23,300

After talking to some dealers, the best price I could get from a local garage was £21500 - the dealer claiming that that was his cost price from Skoda, and that he wouldn't be making any profit on the deal but it would help him make his volume target.

Drivethedeal.com came in at £20500, which was a bit staggering. I'm naturally suspicious when things seem to be too good to be true, but after extensive searching through the archives here, they seemed to be legit, and people seem to have had reasonable dealings with them. Got a call back from them to run through the spec and confirm, but wasn't overly impressed with their phone manner - seemed very keen to just gloss over my questions with bland reassurances.

So, this morning I'm not entirely surprised to find that Marlborough Skoda have just charged my credit card for a deposit, without contacting me first (as they claim should happen). Grrr.

I know this seems to have happened to a few others here. Can someone who has ordered through drivethedeal/Marlborough confirm that they are the first registered owners on the V5? (Since this is *not* the case with Broadspeed). The whole process seems slightly dodgy to me - not being able to check the full terms and conditions before committing to the deal. I also want to make sure I can pay the balance on delivery with a bankers draft. Given the less-than-stellar experiences some have had with picking up their cars from Marlborough, I want to be 101% certain that everything is spot on with the car before I hand over the balance.

What did they quote for delivery time?

I did the same DtD through Marlborough. They phoned first, discussed everything and then took the deposit. You are the first person on the V5. All is above board and you will be fine. Just don't expect ANY updates from Marlborough as they are totally useless at that. I think they are doing ALL the DtD deals for the whole UK so are pretty busy I imagine but still, leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth re Skoda dealers. But they are a totally legit Skoda dealer so from now on all your dealings will be only with them and you can phone them to discuss all the details of the contract.

Edited 21 May, 201016 yr by 900000

What did they quote for delivery time?

10-12 weeks I think. But that was just from the drivethedeal guy over the phone, so naturally they will just say whatever they think is required to get the order. :-) I didn't order the sunroof, so at least it should be a reasonably straightforward factory order.

For £1000 saving compared to the local dealer I reckoned it was worth taking a risk - at the moment I'm only out the deposit on the credit card, so if it all goes pear-shaped I stand a reasonable chance of getting that back. Only concern I have at the moment is that if Marlborough are picky about wanting cleared funds *before* I see and accept the car, then the deal is off. And then I'd have to fight to get the deposit back.

10-12 weeks I think. But that was just from the drivethedeal guy over the phone, so naturally they will just say whatever they think is required to get the order. :-) I didn't order the sunroof, so at least it should be a reasonably straightforward factory order.

For £1000 saving compared to the local dealer I reckoned it was worth taking a risk - at the moment I'm only out the deposit on the credit card, so if it all goes pear-shaped I stand a reasonable chance of getting that back. Only concern I have at the moment is that if Marlborough are picky about wanting cleared funds *before* I see and accept the car, then the deal is off. And then I'd have to fight to get the deposit back.

As I said they are a normal Skoda dealer and won't do business any different from any other dealer in terms of the final payment. DtD just puts you in contact with a dealer. They don't know all the ins and outs of options and delivery times. And you can't expect them to since they deal with all car makes over the entire UK.

10-12 weeks is a little optimistic I'd say, especially with the factory closure for 3 weeks. But sometimes the cars have some through a little quicker, depends on what build week you get allocated.

Are they taking your vRS as part ex?

10-12 weeks is a little optimistic I'd say,

That is a standard non-binding DtD time quote (since they don't know any better) and I suspect not the quote from the dealer. Speak to the dealer on the phone.

No part-ex (will be selling privately after I get the new car), and no finance - I wanted to keep the deal as simple as possible :-)

I accept that the delivery times may be subject to change, but that's the case no matter where you buy. Some dealers may keep you more informed, or be more up-front about delays, but no dealer has any control over how quickly the factory can produce them!

Have not had any call or email from the dealer as yet. That's what I'm annoyed about at this point.

Have not had any call or email from the dealer as yet. That's what I'm annoyed about at this point.

As I said YOU phone them! They are not good at phoning you. They are a pretty friendly bunch.

Got to say that we had no problems with DtD/Marlborough when we got my wifes Yeti at the beginning of March. I found it easier to email them and they usually responded pretty promptly.

Would have ordered my new vRS from them, but I wanted to avoid having to pick the car up from west London and managed to get a more local dealer to nearly match the price.

For the savings you can get, personally I'm quite happy to forgo some of the dealer nicities, though had I lived nearer Allams (or if they were located nearer to me) I would definitely have given James the opportunity to get the business as he appears to be on a one man crusade to enhance the reputation of car sales people

(Note to James: pm me for the address to send the tenner )

No part-ex (will be selling privately after I get the new car), and no finance - I wanted to keep the deal as simple as possible :-)

I accept that the delivery times may be subject to change, but that's the case no matter where you buy. Some dealers may keep you more informed, or be more up-front about delays, but no dealer has any control over how quickly the factory can produce them!

Have not had any call or email from the dealer as yet. That's what I'm annoyed about at this point.

That's a shame, I kind of looking for a very early Octavia vRS ideally done loads of miles and needing work. As i want to get one as a Nurburgring smoke for the summer. But they don't seem to exist.

OK - things looking up. Received a phone call from the dealer to confirm the order, and told that documentation should be arriving by email early next week. Fingers crossed.

That's a shame, I kind of looking for a very early Octavia vRS ideally done loads of miles and needing work. As i want to get one as a Nurburgring smoke for the summer. But they don't seem to exist.

Sorry to go OT

Do you have any idea on when the Superb 2.0TSi will be available and wether it will be 4x4?

Reason i ask is i have a vRS and want to change it (MY2007 and is at Stage 2+) and the superb with that engine and 4x4 would be ideal.

Edit - its done 59k miles aswell

Carl

Edited 21 May, 201016 yr by vRSCarl

No they haven't officially announced the Superb will be available with the 2.0TSi engine although I think we can be certain that eventually it will come out, as for being 4x4, again I don't know officially but I'd suspect it won't.

You could always get a 1.8TSi 4x4 and fettle, or go mad and upset your bank manager and order a 3.6 4x4 and Supercharge it!!

No they haven't officially announced the Superb will be available with the 2.0TSi engine although I think we can be certain that eventually it will come out, as for being 4x4, again I don't know officially but I'd suspect it won't.

You could always get a 1.8TSi 4x4 and fettle, or go mad and upset your bank manager and order a 3.6 4x4 and Supercharge it!!

They have announced it here look

Clicky Clicky TSi Superb

I originally wanted a 3.6 but the bank manager (i.e. wife) said no :'( :'(

Edited 21 May, 201016 yr by vRSCarl

Sorry I meant officially in the UK market. It's available or at least going to be in the rest of Europe but has not been announced in the UK just yet.

Ah Gotcha

Obviously we get everything last, or not at all for some reason.

I ordered thru DtD paid my deposit to Marlborough Feb 11th and picked up my Yeti May 7th no problems whatsoever other than one of the Marlborough people Kuldip was very tardy in response to my emails I think it is a regular thing with her. But Mike Don Carolis her colleague is very good and extremely helpfull with immediate response to your questions. The handover of the vehicle was v good, Mike again. I paid the remaining monies by debit card the number of which I gave them two days before vehicle pick up. The money left my account on the following Monday three days after I had the vehicle in my possesion. The V5 arrived from the DVLA last week with me as the original owner, all paperwork the 3 years warranty,Skoda assistance, etc was handed over on the day I picked the Yeti up so I would suggest you shouldn't have any worries but do give Mike or Kuldip a call.

I ordered thru DtD paid my deposit to Marlborough Feb 11th and picked up my Yeti May 7th no problems whatsoever other than one of the Marlborough people Kuldip was very tardy in response to my emails I think it is a regular thing with her. But Mike Don Carolis her colleague is very good and extremely helpfull with immediate response to your questions. The handover of the vehicle was v good, Mike again. I paid the remaining monies by debit card the number of which I gave them two days before vehicle pick up. The money left my account on the following Monday three days after I had the vehicle in my possesion. The V5 arrived from the DVLA last week with me as the original owner, all paperwork the 3 years warranty,Skoda assistance, etc was handed over on the day I picked the Yeti up so I would suggest you shouldn't have any worries but do give Mike or Kuldip a call.

...which mirrors my experience almost exactly. Really no problems, and certainly nothing to worry about. And well worth the significant saving available...

I ordered thru DtD paid my deposit to Marlborough Feb 11th and picked up my Yeti May 7th no problems whatsoever other than one of the Marlborough people Kuldip was very tardy in response to my emails I think it is a regular thing with her. But Mike Don Carolis her colleague is very good and extremely helpfull with immediate response to your questions. The handover of the vehicle was v good, Mike again. I paid the remaining monies by debit card the number of which I gave them two days before vehicle pick up. The money left my account on the following Monday three days after I had the vehicle in my possesion. The V5 arrived from the DVLA last week with me as the original owner, all paperwork the 3 years warranty,Skoda assistance, etc was handed over on the day I picked the Yeti up so I would suggest you shouldn't have any worries but do give Mike or Kuldip a call.

I had no problems, dealt with Kuldip from the start very helpful indeed. She seems to be part time though so not always around. I ordered a personal Reg from DVLA which Marlborough put on the car for me. The £500 deposit qouted by DtD was actually £1400 apart from that quite happy. Dont expect speedy responses to queries though, keep that in mind and you will be fine. Saved over £2,500 off list going through DtD

I had no problems, dealt with Kuldip from the start very helpful indeed. She seems to be part time though so not always around. I ordered a personal Reg from DVLA which Marlborough put on the car for me. The £500 deposit qouted by DtD was actually £1400 apart from that quite happy. Dont expect speedy responses to queries though, keep that in mind and you will be fine. Saved over £2,500 off list going through DtD

Agree with everything you say. I would also recommend Marlborough and Drive the Deal.

Well Kuldip phoned. But only after I had to leave three messages. No build date for me at all and no she won't phone me when she finds it out either. Oh no, I have to phone her "in three weeks or so"!!! How is that for (lack of) service! But then I guess you get what you pay for when you go for a DtD discount.

I'd want a hell of a lot of sucking up and service for over £2500!

When I went to Marlborough to collect I was told that there were about 5 people collecting new cars from the backroom (ie: Kuldip's side) each day that week. Call it 25 that week, and allowing for 10 - 14 weeks waits from order to delivery gives you a lot of customers being dealt with by (I think) two people. That's assuming those figures are typical, but you get the picture.

Hardy surprising that you won't get the kid-glove treatment and personal attention that you would (should?) from a local dealer.

Looking back at my Inbox, Kuldip and I exchanged around 14 emails during the process, and we spoke on the phone twice.

While I was there one of the salesmen pointed out that the price I was paying for a new Yeti was less than the price they were paying at auction for a ex-demo one! How mad is that?