A couple of weeks ago my dealer Palmers Skoda near Croxley Green rang me to arrange my cars service and first MOT, so it came as a surprise when I got a letter yesterday saying the Skoda franchise had been acquired by Citygate at a different and not so convenient location in Bushey. I'm not sure what to do, I don't like the feeling of being bounced into this and I associate Citygate with VW and perhaps VW prices. The only other dealer I know of in my area is Hughes Skoda at Farnham, has anyone been pleased with the service received here?

Edited 28 June, 201312 yr by jeep

Can't comment on Hughes Skoda but my last 2 Skoda's have come from Citygate, granted they are lease cars but I've never had a problem with them.

Oh well - moved the service and MOT to Hughes for the same time and day, I felt I needed to vote with my feet, if the Watford franchise could not be bothered to inform me of the change to a previously booked service other than by a general circular letter. And I will also be able to take the dog for a walk in nearby Burnham Beeches close to Hughes Farnham at the same time to use up the morning well.

I suspect it may be a communication problem between Palmers and Citygate, Jeep.

I guess you know how chaotic it gets when moving house, just think how much more aggro moving a business will be.

As for dealers closer to you, there is one in Aylesbury, but I suspect, as you've gone for Farnham, you're nearer the M25.

I suspect it may be a communication problem between Palmers and Citygate, Jeep.

I guess you know how chaotic it gets when moving house, just think how much more aggro moving a business will be.

As for dealers closer to you, there is one in Aylesbury, but I suspect, as you've gone for Farnham, you're nearer the M25.

Yes a bit closer to Hughes at Farnham than Aylesbury, but the Farnham business is in a nice area also. One of the reasons I chose Palmers originally was because it was in a spacious business park, I hate using dealers with little or no parking space in traffic busy areas, feels risky to me. And I definitely don't like Bushey.

I've heard that CityGate VW at Little Chalfont do all VAGs - may be awkward for you, there, of course. Anyone tried them?

Yes a bit closer to Hughes at Farnham than Aylesbury, but the Farnham business is in a nice area also. One of the reasons I chose Palmers originally was because it was in a spacious business park, I hate using dealers with little or no parking space in traffic busy areas, feels risky to me. And I definitely don't like Bushey.

Didnt go there on a weekday?

Cars parked all over the place and LGVs trying to get about. Nightmare!

Anyway, I should find out if its easier to park at the new premises very shortly. I'm due to collect my new yeti from there any day now

Didnt go there on a weekday?

Cars parked all over the place and LGVs trying to get about. Nightmare!

Anyway, I should find out if its easier to park at the new premises very shortly. I'm due to collect my new yeti from there any day now

 

Yes but always early in the morning, I like to get there first to be the first customer of the day. Never had a problem with Palmers in the quiet Skoda cul-de-sac. Bushey would be a fair bit further for me from near High Wycombe. Anyway Burnham Beeches is a far more attractive proposition as I go for the while you wait service.

Just got letter from Palmers indicating that the service plan contract that I signed up for when I purchased my Octavia, is no longer valid as Citygate don't have similar arrangements, so all my monthly direct debits will now be refunded.

However, I am not too concerned as I think I was sold a pup as my vehicle is specified as variable service according to the documentation and the service plan was based on fixed services.

A cash cow for the supplying dealer I suspect.

They SUK usually do not do a service plan for variable service so I think you are correct.

do the dealers know whether the car is on fixed or variable service when they PDI it?

 

do they sell you the service plan before the car arrives with them?

if so then that would explain it, but you would think they would check before mentioning it.

either that or they are probably counting on the fact that the vast majority of customers aren't aware of the options and don't read the manual in too much detail.

Dealers prefer the fixed service by default. With both my Yeti purchases I requested the service be set to variable. On picking up the vehicles both had been 'accidentally' set to fixed even though the works order stated variable plans.

Not surprised that you found the service bad at Citygate.  In the past I have had real problems with them, they even use technician who have failed their training.

Edited 17 December, 201312 yr by john1930

Ouch! Just bought a Fabia from their Watford Branch for a daughter. Supposed to be getting a Yeti from them in February.

Everyone there is all nice and friendly but, little things now make me stop and think. Still time will tell, I hope.

I shouldn't be overly concerned, Thingy.

I've bought 5 cars from them over the last 7 years and they've always treated me right.

I know that Palmers, as it was, is no more but a fair few of the staff are now with Citygate so hopefully status quo will prevail.

Fellow WD3 person here. I've bought a few VWs from Citygate Chalfont and High Wycombe (albeit when they were Rye Mill) and always had problems.....particularly at the Chalfont location. I now avoid like the plague.

I've had a great buying experience and after sales service from Willis Skoda in Ruislip. They aren't a large dealership with multiple locations (which is a good thing) and I believe are a family business. 20mins from Croxley - cut through Rickmansworth and Harefield to join the A40.

Highly recommended.

Thanks CFB & Farsider for your info.

I have dealt with Willis motors in the past and had perfect service, it's just that they did not have the vehicles we wanted (our daughter & me).

We plan to get our cars serviced at Willis anyway as we are only about 5 minutes from their garage.

I'm counting the days for my Yeti. Should work out OK as it's a showroom model,  just hope the price is not increased.

I bought my vRS from Palmers and could not fault them for their sales or service so I was not happy when citygate took it over. I had a VW Bora previously and used to take it to citygate in watford for servicing. I have to say they were terrible and the car was never right when I picked it up with parts missing and even the speedo cable not connected once. I spend so much time arguing with the service manager about things they had or had not done to the car. I even marked up the car once to make sure they did do what they were charging me for, and surprise surprise they didn't. That was the final straw and I drove my Bora straight to palmers and bought an Octavia.

That was 7 years ago but I would rather not risk it and will try Hughes Skoda when my Superb needs a service.

I found Hughes Skoda at Farnham fine when my Yeti was serviced there last July. I took the dog for a very pleasant walk on a lovely day in nearby Burnham Beeches while I waited for the work to be done.

What has this thread got to do with Yetis?

Nothing

Hi 'Nick P'

How about they sell Yeti's, and presume they service them as well.

Bought my Yeti from them on 10th Feb 2014.

They sell other models of Skoda too - hence why this is better off being in the Dealer section, rather than a Yeti-specific area of the forum.

They sell other models of Skoda too - hence why this is better off being in the Dealer section, rather than a Yeti-specific area of the forum.

Who do?

The dealer, being discussed in this thread?