Not sure where this should go, but I just came back from holiday to a letter from Caffyns saying they've taken over QAS in Tunbridge Wells.

Having had a run-in with Caffyns in Tonbridge a few years back and as I dislike Dutton Forshaw, it looks like Sherlodge will be getting my maintenance. I think they're ok aren't they?

Sherlodge Garage

After buying 3 cars from them over the last three years I think I can say I know them pretty well. Their car sales team and parts are fantastic, can't praise them to highly, but their service desk is atrocious. If you get your car serviced there check everything has been done and check they haven't damaged anything, as they have a tendency to not tell you when they have. Don't even get me started on warranty work, the list is endless. If you car is modded they will kindly write out a detailed list and keep it on record. If you want any work done to your car my advise would be run a mile. There are stories (personal experiences) I could tell you that are beyond belief, which I laughed off at the time. My advise is find a better service desk, It shouldn't be to hard.

Rant over

Oh :-(

Can anyone recommed somewhere in the South East that's OK for servicing and repairs? Or maybe I should give the Caffyns bunch a go at least once....

Thanks Des, the Barge is booked in with them soon for its first service...but now you have unsettled my apple cart :confused:

I agree with you about the sales and parts guys....first class.

I've used both of these garages. I bought two cars from QAS (Octy RS and Superb 130 TDI Comfort), and in my opinion the standard of their service department has dropped continually over the years. Last time they did some work on my Superb, they left the battery cover lying around loose in the engine bay - I only discovered it because the engine was making a strange noise. When I looked under the bonnet there was the battery cover resting alternately on the cooling fan and one of the pulleys. I retrieved it, and the noise stopped. Very stroppy letter to QAS, to which I got the response "we didn't do anything involving the battery". As they were replacing the interior courtesy unit, and all the computers had reset, I didn't believe that for a minute. Shame really, because the sales guys are nice, and the service department used to be excellent.

Recently moved house, so have started to use Sherlodge, as they're now my closest dealer. IMO the quality of service from Sherlodge is much better, although one of the service guys there does seem to have the reputation of being a bit 'moody'. When the Superb went in for some warranty work they were efficient, ordered all the parts straight away (unlike QAS who refused to believe the error codes from the car on the first visit), and fitted them a week later. Be interested to hear how people get on with QAS now it's under Caffyns - I can only imagine that it will get worse :(

Edited: Having said that, I'll keep you posted on Sherlodge - sounds like Des has had similar experiences with them as I've had with QAS. What is happening to Skoda customer service? It used to be sooooo good but now I'm starting to wonder if I'd be better looked after by Fiat!!!

Cheeky - I've always found Caffyns Skoda in Ashford excellent on the servicing side, but I guess that with a big group like Caffyns things can vary tremendously depending on individuals in different dealers etc. I would give the new Caffyns a go and then decide.

Cheers for everybody's feedback - hopefully the Fabia will follow my old Polo's example of not needing much attention other than services. Service dept used to be great at QAS, I had a used Tipo from them years ago - just before they got the Skoda franchise - which was a regular visitor with typical Italian electrics and the like.

Cheeky - I've always found Caffyns Skoda in Ashford excellent on the servicing side, but I guess that with a big group like Caffyns things can vary tremendously depending on individuals in different dealers etc. I would give the new Caffyns a go and then decide.

Yeah - fair point - have to admit that I'm probably a bit biased because we used Caffyns Rover in Tonbridge to service my wife's Rover 420 (don't ask - we got rid of it quick) and they were awful! Real old style Austin/Rover stuff....

Yeah - fair point - have to admit that I'm probably a bit biased because we used Caffyns Rover in Tonbridge to service my wife's Rover 420 (don't ask - we got rid of it quick) and they were awful! Real old style Austin/Rover stuff....

ARGH! The Rover one in Tonbridge is the stuff nightmares are made of. That will teach me for my first diesel being a Nova TD from there lol

It's funny as I've only had excellent service from QAS - sales and after sales.

They delivered my 54 plate vRS on 31st August for me and have been very helpful with any questions i've had the the slight rattle I had.

Paul the Service manager is very helpful. It is a shame that Andy who was the DP of QAS has left (he actually sold me the vRS and my 1.2HTP before that)

There is now some old guy there - not sure what he's like but he seems a bit moody!

The old guy? Jim? He sold me mine and was fantastic - a real improvement on the sales team at Dutton Forshaw Maidstone.

I wish I could remember the name of the guy when I bought the Tipo; right smarmy old git.

Used Caffyns in Maidstone, for a service on my previous Octy, was disconcerted that they were not going to put the partial synthetic oil in the car, it was only that i specified that I got the mechanic ooooofff, was in the process of saying "forget it" when the service manager appeared, and knew about it. Service was efficient, they charged me for 6 Litres of oil, and gave me the remnants that would not go in, to use for top up. ( nice idea). Didnt go back, efficient, but not friendly, hassle getting a loan car.

Went back to Adamsons in Deal, might be a bit far for you to travel for a service.

Was tempted to use Caffyns Ashford, but after my conversation with them when i needed my wing mirror replacing, AGAIN went back to Adamsons. ( Price )

Give your local the benefit of the doubt, if they keep the same staff, & you have been pleased with them, you might be surprised.

Steve

The old guy? Jim? He sold me mine and was fantastic - a real improvement on the sales team at Dutton Forshaw Maidstone.

I wish I could remember the name of the guy when I bought the Tipo; right smarmy old git.

Oh no not Jim - he's a good bloke as well but only a salesman. The old guy is the new dealer principle - i think hes about 70!

Oh no not Jim - he's a good bloke as well but only a salesman. The old guy is the new dealer principle - i think hes about 70!

Funny isn't it - I never got on with Jim - found him really annoying. He didn't seem to know anything about the cars he was selling and didn't seem at all prepared to put himself out for me. Glad to hear he's been better with other people. I bought the Octy RS from Andy Parsons, who I liked, and the Superb from Chris Thomas, who also seemed very helpful - even if I probably knew more about the car than he did.. Technogeek - me?

Well, compared to dealing with Dutton Forshaw in Maidstone, who tried the "What can I do to get you to buy today" line, the "Skoda won't let us give discounts on Fabia vRS's" line and then never phoned back when they said, my QAS experience got better!