Well, sadly the time has come for me to write this.

 

As of the 30th April, our doors will close for the final time  :'(

 

The decision has not been an easy one to make but unfortunately we just cannot make it feasible to try and compete with the 'groups' that are out there. So we hold our heads high in knowing that it is not the business going down the pan just that we have realised that it is time to mutually pull the plug on the franchise before we (possibly) went to the wall.

 

We have been one of the longest established Skoda franchises throughout the UK, so again not an easy decision for my boss to make, having had his Dad (who still pops in to make a nuisance of himself  ) start the business as a used car dealer 50 years ago, and still to this day we have customers who dealt with him from the outset...... 50 years, that's not bad customer loyalty 

 

So, there we have it, very much the end of an era.

 

I would like to say a BIG thank you to all of those through the forum that I have either dealt with directly, answered questions for (and hopefully helped), had a bit of banter with, wished me the best when my health was poor (now on the mend thankfully) for, really, just taking the time to have even considered me/us.

 

I will remain on the forum, just with some stupid moniker 

 

From all of us at Preston Motors, thank you and good luck to everyone 

 

Sorry to hear this sad news Lee. It's always a shame to lose a dealer especially one like yours that's so active in your area but also on here helping out where you can.

Hasn't been a good you for you personally with your poor health and now this.

Here is too you and your future [emoji481]

Sent from my Galaxy S5

Another fantastic dealer gone..

Hope you have luck finding something else..

What will Bossfox do now!??!

Personally I am so, so disappointed that Skoda with their increased image and market share are no longer as interested in small, loyal, family friendly dealerships that have given them great customer satisfaction feedback which they like to brag about.

 

I find big dealers and car supermarket style sites far less personal.

 

This is a real shame, not only for Preston Motors and it's staff but also the image of Skoda becoming corporate like all the others. :(

 

Might have bought my last new Skoda...

Duplicate post, to reflect the level of disappointment. :(

 

You know where I am if you need anything Lee.

Again agreed with the above, shame to see another family run dealership disappear. 

BossFox has said it all.

 

Wish you well for the future, Lee.

Real shame,

 

I've dealt with a fair few 5hite Skoda dealer Franchises over the years. (One of the reasons I've moved away from the brand)

 

So to know that a widely regarded good one, is leaving the brand makes it even more sad. 

Sorry to hear that. Is the garage being closed down, or are you swapping to a different make?

Summed up perfectly by Richard, sad to see it go this way. Having just sorted everything out again give us a shout if you need any advice on the process

Thanks fellas. I'll just 'like' every post without pushing the button  

 

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but sadly one that (probably) was inevitable  :(

 

Dr Z - nope, wrapping up as a whole. I think it would be hard to re-brand anyway, just due to the size of the place here (and nowhere to expand to).

I am very sorry to hear that news, Lee, and am particularly sad for you after all that you have gone through.  I much valued your helpful personal advice recently and am sure you will do well in whatever you turn your hand to.  Take care and stay around. 

A very sad day - unfortunately the way things are going.

 

Best of luck for the future Lee and the rest of the team there.

Sad to read that. Boss Fox sums it up for me on his posting.

Best wishes.

I never used the garage but sorry to hear what sounds like a decent dealer closing up, the local Skoda dealer was taken over by Arnold Clark who got rid of all the Skoda staff and their 'service' has been a complete joke, similarly some of the other Skoda dealers I've dealt with have been poor to say the least.  i guess they're the ones that get the sales in because sadly like most industries I'm sure quantity counts over quality apart from for the customer.

Aye my last visit to progress skoda Northampton was very impersonal.. Bought a new car for the wife and 3 days later went back to get my car serviced and they guy who sold us my wife's car didn't even recognise us, just hoping that they keep in tie with the free mot they said we would get as my wifes new car was due soon they 'threw' it in as a good gesture...

Very sad to hear and a setback to all those that prefer the personal touch to the just a number type mentality that goes hand in hand nowadays. Very shocking to hear one of the best known, to me, recommended Skoda dealer is now closing it's doors for the last time. All the best to all the staff at Preston Motors and good to know you're now on the mend Lee!

Very sad news and wish you all the best in your future ventures

Very sad to read this. The best dealer I've ever dealt with, by a long stretch.

 

Living in Manchester and buying a new Skoda from London should hopefully speak volumes.

 

All the best for the future Lee, and the rest of the Prestons staff :(

Sorry to hear that. I hope everyone finds their next job easily m

Wow sorry to hear that. My dad bought his first new car from you in 91. A blue favorite, when a truck turned him over in that he came back and bought a beige one then also his felicia from there too. Will be sad to see another place go. Used to be loads of places on romford road but most of them gone too. Is the one at goodmayes still there?

 

The decision has not been an easy one to make but unfortunately we just cannot make it feasible to try and compete with the 'groups' that are out there. So we hold our heads high in knowing that it is not the business going down the pan just that we have realised that it is time to mutually pull the plug on the franchise before we (possibly) went to the wall.

 

 

So, there we have it, very much the end of an era.

 

 

 

I had to close my business down in 2013 for similar reasons & I had created it from nothing back in 1999. ...... :'( ......it still hurts like mad, even when I meet up with old customers/friends & we talk about the shop.

 

I still do not regret doing it as it is way better to know when to quit (when you are ahead), instead of digging yourself out of going further downhill & bankruptcy!!

 

I truly know exactly what you are going through & yes it will hurt even far in the future, but as you say go out with heads held high!!................... :yes:

Sorry to hear then news Lee,

My local dealer has been swallowed up by a group, and it's not the same.

Perhaps Richard has need for a large Skoda Garage, in all serousness wish you all the best for the future.

Again fellas, appreciated. Steve, appreciated mate - its nice to read good feedback (and I wasn't even there, another day skiving)

Mikek, wow that's going back a few years, and Goodmayes, was that Newton Motors? Long gone unfortunately.

Sad to hear and see a dealership that has a connection with their customer and more important is also an skoda geek like us all is closing.

Can't help but thing this is the tip of the iceberg. Pricing (albeit some do not agree) is not of Skoda of old.

Sorry to hear hut I wish you and all the best with your next adventure.