:clap:

Shame that's probably too late for UncleWang .... :-(

Shame that's probably too late for UncleWang .... :-(

I'm still lurking!!!

Very interesting update.

 

Got a call from Skoda UK (Kate) - she apologised on behalf of Skoda for the issue with delivery.

They investigate matter of fleet cars being supplied to the private customers, but appreciate that customers are on the right here and purchased vehicles in a good faith.

Cars in question have not been released by Skoda, they've blocked delivery while investigation is in progress, and may still be supplied to the people who've order these cars (that is if you have contacted Skoda and supplied your details).

Further information to be communicated tomorrow and update on the blocked cars issued next week.

 

One thing they've been interested about, was whether dealers have been in any contact with end customers, trying to resolve it from their end.

I too had a call from Kate at 10am this morning, saying very much the same as you have reported, I did say there were members that have had no response from emails sent and that needs addressing, looks like Kate is on the case.

It's clear they are monitoring things closely, Kate told me NCD have put Skoda back online, a quick check and indeed they have but no Superb.

Shame that's probably too late for UncleWang .... :-(

A lesson to be learnt, don't jump to conclusions before the truth of the matter has emerged.

A lesson to be learnt, don't jump to conclusions before the truth of the matter has emerged.

I do the American way.....shoot first, ask questions later! personally, I have heard nothing and will believe when I see!!!

A lesson to be learnt, don't jump to conclusions before the truth of the matter has emerged.

 

Hardly fair and I would say the truth of the matter has not emerged yet ...

reading all these pages too some time. Hope you all who are affected get a resolution to this asap.

Sounds to me that NCD have breached their terms selling what should be fleet lease cars to private customers. (are all these private purchases or some form of lease ? )

 

 

Still sounds like this...

Very interesting update.

Got a call from Skoda UK (Kate) - she apologised on behalf of Skoda for the issue with delivery.

They investigate matter of fleet cars being supplied to the private customers, but appreciate that customers are on the right here and purchased vehicles in a good faith.

Cars in question have not been released by Skoda, they've blocked delivery while investigation is in progress, and may still be supplied to the people who've order these cars (that is if you have contacted Skoda and supplied your details).

Further information to be communicated tomorrow and update on the blocked cars issued next week.

One thing they've been interested about, was whether dealers have been in any contact with end customers, trying to resolve it from their end.

sounds like a really positive turn of events, looks like Skoda have resolved to look after their (real) customers.

Hardly fair and I would say the truth of the matter has not emerged yet ...

I thought the comment was perfectly fair. Read through all of UncleWangs posts from the start of this thread and the other one running parallel. He has written a "scathing" email without response and branded Skoda "childish" and immature" , is going to write to the dailies and Jackie magazine (someone explain that one to me). Will not telephone them for fear of what he will say.

Never going near Skoda again, bought a Mazda.

All this within a few days of the cancelled orders, Skoda not given a chance to tell us their side of the story and as far as NCD were concerned he stated "it was out of their hands". I strongly disagree.

I have made contact with the MDs office and they have been back in touch with me and keeping me up to date with regular calls, we now see another member receiving the same.

As I said in a much earlier post, this is a very serious issue with much at stake for certain parties, the repercussions could be huge. I will not give up the fight to find the facts that have caused us to lose our precious new cars, I'm fighting for me but if it aids others that will be a fantastic bonus, including UncleWang.

Edited 9 June, 201610 yr by Oldgits

I thought the comment was perfectly fair. Read through all of UncleWangs posts from the start of this thread and the other one running parallel. He has written a "scathing" email without response and branded Skoda "childish" and immature" , is going to write to the dailies and Jackie magazine (someone explain that one to me). Will not telephone them for fear of what he will say.

Never going near Skoda again, bought a Mazda.

All this within a few days of the cancelled orders, Skoda not given a chance to tell us their side of the story and as far as NCD were concerned he stated "it was out of their hands". I strongly disagree.

I have made contact with the MDs office and they have been back in touch with me and keeping me up to date with regular calls, we now see another member receiving the same.

As I said in a much earlier post, this is a very serious issue with much at stake for certain parties, the repercussions could be huge. I will not give up the fight to find the facts that have caused us to lose our precious new cars, I'm fighting for me but if it aids others that will be a fantastic bonus, including UncleWang.

I did actually contact the MD myself over a week ago....and that comment of mine regarding contacting Jackie magazine etc is called humour!!!....you should look it up sometime!!!

Edited 9 June, 201610 yr by john999boy
Abuse removed!

sounds like a really positive turn of events, looks like Skoda have resolved to look after their (real) customers.

I hope so, time will tell.

In a way Skoda have themselves partly to blame, they have created a system where they try to sell identical products in two seperate markets (fleet and retail). It may have worked in 1980s but isn't going to work in the Internet age, where it's possible to search for lowest price.

The reason I say themselves to blame is they have created a pricing structure that encourages volume in some sellers. It might be better to amend the market split into retailers that offer test drives and a set price for those who buy from the brochure.

Logically if the average price is already below recommended then all you are doing is formalising what already happens in reality (the grey market / brokers transfer some fleet sales to private). If the volume of sales is unchanged overall, and the brokers no longer get a share then Skoda or its agents would be more profitable.

Some might be wondering what happens if they drop the fleet market altogether. If the prices are about 22% below RRP and fleet is 50% of volume, then same as offering everyone 11%. So have lot of margin to cut prices and get more private sales. Indeed Skoda don't chase fleet sales in some countries but simply try and sell as much as possible through their dealer network. There are only a few dozen dealers in UK (when you count those with multiple branches as one company) so let's not pretend it is a competitive market. For many they now need to drive an hour to second nearest dealer, so not going to doing much shopping around for best price except online.

Kate at Skoda is fantastic... When I purchased my Superb in 2014 I called Skoda to ask a question whilst waiting for the build date, Kate asked if I would like a call every two weeks with an update,  to which I said "yes please"... Thinking this would be another "yeah right" she kept her word 100%, I received a call every two weeks without fail... 

 

Once the car arrived she said she would give me another call to confirm I was happy with the car, which again she did... 

 

Must be one of the best customer service people at Skoda... 

 

If she say she will call... I would be surprised if she did'nt.. 

Interesting developments! Thanks for keeping us posted...fingers crossed for those affected.

Strange that.

I asked for my update from SUK and they refused to give me any help. I mentioned the words New Car Discount.

The whole affair stinks.

Definitely been in touch with the same person?

^^^

+1

 

Separate thread to track orders through broker cancelled by Skoda UK and coordinate consumer action to pressure Skoda if they refuse to deliver.

 

Story: Apparently Skoda UK doesn't like brokers supplying cheaper cars to public and wants to end this.

In the process, they intend to cancel orders which have been placed months ago, cars have been built, transported and scheduled for delivery. 

 

While it is understandable if for some reason Skoda doesn't want to sell cars discounted too much, it doesn't make sense to refuse to fulfil orders already placed - not to mention built, with the dealer and scheduled for delivery - no one gains and this would be a lot of bad press for Skoda.

 

If confirmed, this should be escalated through trading standards and media. Hopefully this won't go there and Skoda fulfils all the orders 

 

So far the following users have reported cancellations:

• carl12 - NCD
• firebits - NCD
• UncleWang - NCD

 

philpix - NCD

I spoke with Skoda again today and asked to deal with Kate directly. Very helpful person, it was an interesting chat. The notable thing I took from it was the recognition that we are Skoda's customers and not any intermediaries. This is important as the consumer rights and protections we have are now in play. They hope to have a resolution on Monday, Tuesday at latest.

Skoda don't seem to have handled this particularly well but it's easy to see their side.

 

They give an entity preferential discounts on the basis that the entity only supplies to fleet buyers.

 

The entity abuses that position by supplying to private buyers (and thus gains a market advantage).

 

Fleet buyers then go back to Skoda and say "I'm buying 500 units a month off of you and I find out that private buyers are getting the same discounts as me.......either you up my discount rate or I'll find another manufacturer to buy from".

 

Skoda are protecting their business interests but they could have done it better.  Honour the orders and then kick NCD into the long grass for abuse of position.

Fleet buyers then go back to Skoda and say "I'm buying 500 units a month off of you and I find out that private buyers are getting the same discounts as me.......either you up my discount rate or I'll find another manufacturer to buy from".

 

And/Or retail network being beaten over the heads with fleet pricing after test drives and coffee

 

I've not had any reply asking for a general comment, which I'd hazard a guess means there is a lawyer involved somewhere.

And/Or retail network being beaten over the heads with fleet pricing after test drives and coffee

 

I've not had any reply asking for a general comment, which I'd hazard a guess means there is a lawyer involved somewhere.

 

I'd be very surprised if there wasn't a very highly paid legal outfit involved.

 

These deals are always three-pronged: end buyer --> broker --> manufacturer.

 

Us punters have a contract with the broker.  The broker has a contract with the manufacturer.

 

There is NO contract between the manufacturer and us punters.

 

If you want your car at the price you were quoted, you will have to sue the entity you have a contract with; the broker.

There is, it's your rights as a consumer. It trumps the T & C's, ask Apple

I spoke with Skoda again today and asked to deal with Kate directly. Very helpful person, it was an interesting chat. The notable thing I took from it was the recognition that we are Skoda's customers and not any intermediaries. This is important as the consumer rights and protections we have are now in play. They hope to have a resolution on Monday, Tuesday at latest.

We seem to be gathering momentum.