I phoned my regular main agent for a price for a second service on my 2.0 tdi yeti. Twice they were busy and whoever answered the phone had my details and promised a call back. Sadly they didn't and have now lost my custom. It is off to Makenzies in Lichfield monday who are an independent VW Audi Skoda and Seat garage. I have had no dealings with them but a family member has with his Audi A8 and was really pleased with the service he got from them.

Has anybody on here used Makenzies for servicing or any other Skoda related repairs ?

topic moved to general car chat

 I took my car in to the dealership where I purchased it from asking to have the winking foglights deactivated.

 

They claimed it couldn't be done, but I insisted it could and can.

"No no no, our head techie sez it cannot be done"

 

WRONG!

 

They told me they'd ring SUK on the following Monday to clarify and get back to me.

Needless to say, 6 weeks on and I'm still waiting.

 

They're all the same I'm afraid.

 

"Got your money money money, now sod off and don't come back until you're giving us some more"

My youngest bought a new Fiesta from our local stealer...best one of a bad bunch.

(Is there a decent Ford main stealer ANYWHERE?)

 

Just had its first service done, and the dipstick is showing the oil level about 1/4 + of a inch OVER maximum!

 

Told him to take it back to have it drained down to where it should be.

 

No doubt the goon on service reception ...yes i know him through my job unfortunately......will, make disparaging remarks behind his back,  and wearily do it reluctantly.

 

Sick of this seemingly slip shod service that's so prevalent everywhere now....and yes, I AM MOANING for those that criticise me for DARING to do so.

Edited 6 July, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Regularly hear stealer staff in ALL depts. complaining and ranting about the  customers that pay their wages, saying stuff like "it'd be a fantastic job this if it wasn't for the screamers (customers)."

Nice as pie and sickly sweet to your face though.

 

Rest my case.

Edited 6 July, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Trouble is, most if not all the small friendly family run Main Dealers have been swallowed up by the big PLC's now, and they expect massive results and give their staff absolute hell if they aren't achieved.

All working in flashy glass showrooms with corporate  matching cups and saucers and such crap.

Glitz with no substance.

 

Ruling with an iron fist and threats does NOT work.

Just disheartens and demotivates staff into a' couldn't give a flying one' attitude sadly for the customers

Edited 6 July, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

I took my car in to the dealership where I purchased it from asking to have the winking foglights deactivated.

They claimed it couldn't be done, but I insisted it could and can.

"No no no, our head techie sez it cannot be done"

WRONG!

They told me they'd ring SUK on the following Monday to clarify and get back to me.

Needless to say, 6 weeks on and I'm still waiting.

They're all the same I'm afraid.

"Got your money money money, now sod off and don't come back until you're giving us some more"

Dealers do not use a VCDS so can't make certain changes.

As much as I rate my dealer highly, coding alterations are understandably not their thing.

As a Skoda Main Dealer that can't be making certain changes via aftermarket (VCDS) kit they don't have.

If it's a maxi-dot change then no reason they can't do it quickly.

I'd personally purchase a new car from a snarling one eyed salesman in a t shirt and ragged jeans  from a leaking cattle shed  with straw on the floor if I felt i was being treated as a valued person, and not simply a name and case number on a computer

Dealers do not use a VCDS so can't make certain changes.

As much as I rate my dealer highly, coding alterations are understandably not their thing.

As a Skoda Main Dealer that can't be making certain changes via aftermarket (VCDS) kit they don't have.

If it's a maxi-dot change then no reason they can't do it quickly.

 

 

Well it's time they did then imo.

Prefer main dealers to the likes of Arnold Clarke. I always had great service from Stafford Volkswagen be it for sales or service- they handled the Passat's injector recall without fuss and expeditiously and the servicing department were always on cue. Even had courtesy cars supplied when they weren't requested or really needed, was looked after when attending the dealership. It was good though it carried a higher cost. 

 

 Only had experience of buying from Crewe Seat which seemed okay but not really in the same league as VW. Mind you the price I paid for the car i'd have been happy if they'd have sat me on a chair with a large metal spike protruding from it. Yet to experience service department so can't comment as yet. However they were far more interested/ attentive than Wolverhampton Skoda who were more interested in telling me what I wanted than listening to what I was trying to buy.

 
Experiences can be shoddy wherever, there's some real fleece merchants in the independents sector too. I've gone through the paperwork for the lad's Polo and the garage who'd 'looked after' it  had tapped the previous owner up for all sorts of work. I've even seen paperwork stating the car needs a new gearbox which it definitely doesn't. I know that some main dealers can be unscrupulous, but the 'friendly' small firms can harbour bigger sharks. 

Main dealers are great, as long as the only thing you want to do there is buy a car. If you do only that and nothing else from that point forth, then that's all well and good. But me and my dad with the Fabia and Jetta have both had bad experiences with after sales departments at our respective main dealers (Lookers Northallerton and MSB Darlington) Although I was treat quite nicely and got top notch service until the day the warranty ran out.

When buying from a main steeler ask about aftersales!

The problem with dealers is the big gloosy showrooms and everything else means big overheads which usually means it is run on minimal staff especially the bigger ones,

 

Alot just dont physically have time to deal with everything which tends to give them a bad name

The ford dealer I was in on Thursday had so many staff doing nothing I didn't actually know their purpose. There were 2 sales guys, with 2 on day off. There were 4 service reception people..who disapeered after 10ish and popped back once every 30mins or so between them. One receptionist for the dealer as a whole. Then loads of blokes in offices down the hall who kept popping down and not really doing much. All sales related. Then there was a sales manager and a "business" manager for finance. Then there was more salesman for vans and commercials.

What struck me was there was 2 salesman in the showroom. 1 who dealt with new cars and 1 for used. This meant even if the used one was sitting at the desk he couldn't/wouldn't help with a new enquiry. Equally the "new" salesman couldn't/wouldn't help with a used enquiry so people had to wait.

So many people yet no one actually doing much.

Simple - It's a lottery.... same as there are great / useless Halfords and similar fitters like Kwik-fit (My local Kwik-fit is brilliant).

 

OCTY MK3 VRS

Bought from Lightcliffe Skoda in Abergele. Small outfit (Larger dealers elsewhere, plus relied on VW next door for technical assistance) but were willing to haggle, and more importanly answered calls quickly and called back when promised. Showed me updates when he had them, and even got photos of the car from various angles via WhatsApp when it came off the transporter. Also liked the fact they stayed open till 7pm.

Aftersales has had little use, partially because I've moved to Mansfield and also because the car has been pretty good.

CITIGO SPORT

Bought from Rainworth Skoda, Mainsfield(ish).... Pre-registered zero-mileage car which wasn't the best deal in the world, but SWMBO wanted it. Again, plenty of haggling and a helpful salesman but the technical desk wouldnt know a callback if it punched them in the face. Also, they managed to PDI the car and release it to her WITH THE WRONG NUMBER PLATES       

Scarily, I will probably end up hacing to use them for the free servicing for both cars!

 

What struck me was there was 2 salesman in the showroom. 1 who dealt with new cars and 1 for used. This meant even if the used one was sitting at the desk he couldn't/wouldn't help with a new enquiry. Equally the "new" salesman couldn't/wouldn't help with a used enquiry so people had to wait.

 

Our local Skoda dealer (Howard Abraham) has been pretty good on the whole, but I recognise that kind of thing mentioned above. I was in the other week to pick up our Octy after some warranty work and I asked about a replacement wheel nut cap ringpull doober as I seem to have misplaced ours and ended up using a pair of pliers when I had to change a wheel recently.

 

None in stock, but they ordered one in (which was fine). Got a call a few days later to say it had arrived and that I could pick it up. Asked about getting it during their late opening day or Sat morning as I'm at work during the day and then hit the awkwardness. I could pick it up on a Wed night or Sat morning if I phoned them in advance for the service guy to leave it out and if I brought the exact change (£1.14 or something) as the sales guys can't handle cash. Seriously? I regularly chuck odd things in for free with my own business as for something that costs a quid, it's not worth charging for and it creates goodwill (and I'm talking about work that's normally between about £30-100). If they want to charge me for a £1 part, that's fine, but don't make the process so awkward!

 

They actually did this before I remember now - I'd ordered a part for the Fabia and I said I'd pick it up on a Sat as I'd paid over the phone by card. I didn't make it in so my wife dropped in the next week and someone gave her a bit of a comment about why I hadn't bothered to show up on the Sat.

 

Still don't have my cap puller!

Our local Skoda dealer (Howard Abraham) has been pretty good on the whole, but I recognise that kind of thing mentioned above. I was in the other week to pick up our Octy after some warranty work and I asked about a replacement wheel nut cap ringpull doober as I seem to have misplaced ours and ended up using a pair of pliers when I had to change a wheel recently.

 

None in stock, but they ordered one in (which was fine). Got a call a few days later to say it had arrived and that I could pick it up. Asked about getting it during their late opening day or Sat morning as I'm at work during the day and then hit the awkwardness. I could pick it up on a Wed night or Sat morning if I phoned them in advance for the service guy to leave it out and if I brought the exact change (£1.14 or something) as the sales guys can't handle cash. Seriously? I regularly chuck odd things in for free with my own business as for something that costs a quid, it's not worth charging for and it creates goodwill (and I'm talking about work that's normally between about £30-100). If they want to charge me for a £1 part, that's fine, but don't make the process so awkward!

 

They actually did this before I remember now - I'd ordered a part for the Fabia and I said I'd pick it up on a Sat as I'd paid over the phone by card. I didn't make it in so my wife dropped in the next week and someone gave her a bit of a comment about why I hadn't bothered to show up on the Sat.

 

Still don't have my cap puller!

Another quid to show on their so so so  important balance sheet.

 

Goodwill from a stealer? 

Don't call them that without reason.

Ford main stealer visited today, ref over filling of oil on service 2 weeks ago.

 

Flippant and couldn't really couldn't give a stuff attitude apparently.

 

"Bring it in next Tuesday and we'll drain and re-fill"

 

Load of hassle, as I'm going to have to take it in and get the missus to bring me home, and then back again later.

 

Hate them. 

If the people who for some reason keep calling main dealers, stealers why on earth do they use them.

No arguments wanted, just an explanation would be fine.

Thanks in advance

My youngest bought a new Fiesta from our local stealer...best one of a bad bunch.

(Is there a decent Ford main stealer ANYWHERE?)

 

Verwood

If the people who for some reason keep calling main dealers, stealers why on earth do they use them.

No arguments wanted, just an explanation would be fine.

Thanks in advance

In response to your recent posting.

 

Mainly because the vast majority will gladly, almost BEG in fact, to get you to part company with your very hard earned no matter what it takes, lies and all....or twisting of the truth if you prefer....., and give you the goods accordingly, but give precious little thereafter if you DARE to go back with a query or their worst enemy and nightmare of all....A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT!! 

All pretty much explained in greater detail up there tbh ^^^^^

 

Reason why we use them?

'Cus if you want a new car, there is not really anywhere else to go.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited 10 July, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Verwood

Good experience?

 

We need to hear about this, and then form an orderly queue outside the front door for our next new Ford!

If the people who for some reason keep calling main dealers, stealers why on earth do they use them.

No arguments wanted, just an explanation would be fine.

Thanks in advance

 

Yes, never got this either.

If you think they are stealing from you, then you just wouldn't use them.

 

I think it's the same mentaility behind calling Halfords Hafrauds.

Some not too good experiences and a bit of band wagon jumping by using a fashionable expression in order to fit in.

 

I can honestly say that I am very happy with my local Skoda dealer.

Yes, I've bought cars there, but then they've always gone out of their way to help when possible.

You just have to remember they are limited in some ways exactly because they are a main dealer, hence no VCDS service.

 

If I wasn't happy with them I wouldn't use them.  Simple.

 

Fortunately my local place is a smaller dealership that's been family run for years.

The guy who runs it is actually there most days and isn't off playing golf with loads of office staff to protect him.

 

I would reccomend them to anyone.

Yes, never got this either.

If you think they are stealing from you, then you just wouldn't use them.

 

I think it's the same mentaility behind calling Halfords Hafrauds.

Some not too good experiences and a bit of band wagon jumping by using a fashionable expression in order to fit in.

 

I can honestly say that I am very happy with my local Skoda dealer.

Yes, I've bought cars there, but then they've always gone out of their way to help when possible.

You just have to remember they are limited in some ways exactly because they are a main dealer, hence no VCDS service.

 

If I wasn't happy with them I wouldn't use them.  Simple.

 

Fortunately my local place is a smaller dealership that's been family run for years.

The guy who runs it is actually there most days and isn't off playing golf with loads of office staff to protect him.

 

I would reccomend them to anyone.

It's an acronym, and the true meaning of which is NOT actually to be taken quite so literally,   i.e, actually physically dipping their hand into your jacket pocket to take your wallet, keys, mobile 'phone, loose cash etc., just feels that way sometimes, i'e, you parted with your money, we've given you an item in return, just don't come back expecting us to be so cheery welcoming and helpful in the future if you have a query or COMPLAINT.

 

Bit of a generalisation granted, as I'm sure there are some decent ones out there...somewhere.

Edited 10 July, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Richard, with the amount of money you spend with them it is no surprise they are going out of their way to make your experience top class .

I hope they do the same with a chap who bought an used budget Citigo. I hope they gone out of their way to help him.her as well.

BTW, what changes can dealers do then? XDS, Steering settings? 

 

My personal experience with Progress Skoda Letchworth, form where I bought my vRS new was exemplary. I used their aftersales and warranty services on few times and was always impressed. Service desk chap was passionate about his vRS and we had a good chin wag about our motors and Skoda in general when I was waiting. They even organised a day out test drive with Octy Estate Tdi when I requested without any hassle.

 

Now my vRS is at a year old Main Dealrship in Harlow, Spirit Skoda, for lowering kit fitting, air intake warranty work and electric heating seats recall. I did not know about the seats recall as they did not tell me over the phone, which I'd appreciate as it helps with time planning. Alastair was very helpful at 8am in the morning when I dropped off the car and called me back in the afternoon with an update as I was hoping for the car to be ready for collection the same day. I asked him to do everything as fast as possible as I needed to be in the office ASAP, no fuss despite me not having my paper licence counterpart (what an archaic system anyway!) with me:).  I got 2014 Fabia TDi, rock bottom basic spec and I am enjoying it really as was expecting much worse.

 

So, I am happy with my Main Skoda Dealer experiences so far despite having small issues with the car.