I'm after a recommendation for a Skoda Dealer in Wales who actually functions and is capable of opening, reading, writing and sending an email.

 

I have a Yeti. Bought last December.  It has a problem that needs rectifying.  After not too much hassling the dealer I bought it from took the first step and asked me to get a quote sent to them by a "Skoda Dealer of my choice" covering the first part of the rectifying procedure.  So far so good.  Fair dues to them.

 

So THREE weeks ago (19th Feb) I emailed the Skoda Dealer I had previously spoken to about the problem asking them to supply a quote, and attaching the request for it from the dealer I'd bought from.  

 

Nothing happened.  So I rang and left messages, and rang and left messages, and was eventually told the person was on holiday.  (Nobody else reads emails.)  So at the beginning of this week, as the person was finally back from holiday, I rang and left messages, and was told I'd be rung back and wasn't.  Finally, today, Friday, third phonecall of the day, I managed to speak to the person who hadn't even looked at my email (very busy, someone else was off sick, etc etc etc).

 

So I got a promise it'd be "done within the hour" and I'd be cc'd with the quote sent to the dealer.   Nothing.  Zilch.

 

So I rang again at the end of the day but was told the person had left the building and wouldn't be back for ten days!!!

 

Having exploded I was put through to a calming voice who would "definitely look into it on Monday".

 

It's just so unbelievably bad.  I will not identify the dealer.  (However it is one of the four listed below.)

 

So all of these are sort of equidistant - it's a pretty land - an extra 20 miles is not a problem!.  Any recommendations for a dealer that actually functions would be gratefully received.  (It has to be Skoda - VW, Audi etc won't do.)

 

Furrows ŠKODA (Oswestry) Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1JE Distance: 45 miles

 

ŠKODA North Wales Llandudno Junction, LL31 9AY Distance: 53 miles
 
Sinclair ŠKODA Swansea, SA4 9GW Distance: 59 miles

 

Fred Rees Garages Ltd. Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2HD Distance: 65 miles

 

Thank you in anticipation!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I called into my 'local' skoda dealer to arrange a test drive of a spaceback. The demo was filthy and being used by a member of staff, the boot was full of hair straighteners etc. The test drive was cancelled and the dealer never bothered to re arrange. I ended up buying my car from Marshalls. I have also sent them 2 e mails about accessories but have had no relpy. I am happy to name the dealer. Capitol Skoda Newport. I will be taking my servicing elsewhere if this is how they conduct business.

I have used Sinclair's for 5 years and have always found them excellent. I once had to ring them about a problem and asked to speak to one of the Service Receptionists who I know knows his stuff, and the problem was solved after booking the car in quickly and cheaply. I also know of several other members who thoroughly recommend them and travel nearly as far as me to use them, service and sales. (PM me and I'll give you his name)

 

Furrows is slightly closer to me. I've been there twice and won't go there again. Make of that what you will.

 

Fred Rees seems to have a varied reputation. There is/was a member here who has used them.

 

White Swan in Cardiff?? I wouldn't take a roller skate there! (Not on your list)

 

Llandudno North Wales....Sytner Group; says it all.

 

You haven't said where you are, but I guess not that far from me, so I can also recommend what I hear is an excellent indpendent just south of Aberaeron, Forge Garage, Ffos y ffin. (https://www.audivwforge.co.uk/)

 

Have you read the Dealer Review section on here?

aka-pseudonym and Beachy, can you do members a favour and log a complaint with Skoda UK customer services on these dealers. Others can then avoid them if this is how they are going to treat owners.

From past experience I admit to not being totally impressed with Skoda UK customer service either, but they do get the message back to the dealer. I say this because my supplying dealer was "not happy" when I walked through the door with what I had said in a customer feedback. I then gave him my frank opinion and have taken my business elsewhere.

 

Colin

 

I couldn't get a service for 2 months at Sinclair. So went to Fred Rees and got one the following week, they were very helpful too.

 

I've bought mine and my girlfriends cars from Sinclair and they can't clean a car to save their lives! The team the were really helpful though.

Sinclair always clean my car perfectly. In fact it is almost the only time it gets cleaned!
And I've never had a problem getting it in for a service within a week.

36 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

Sinclair always clean my car perfectly. In fact it is almost the only time it gets cleaned!
And I've never had a problem getting it in for a service within a week.

There were flies in the cabin lights, moss in the rubber around the windows, tar spots... first thing I did was give them a proper clean!

The main dealer in Cardiff is more than helpful. They wanted to know why I refused the "fix", listened and kind of gave an implied nod to my position as reference to my dealings with JLR software development guys.

They think I use the car in competition as it's always dirty, and it goes in for service with the skid plate removed for their convenience and to aid mud removal. Graham will recognise where the mud/dirt gets as the car is usually trundling around rally testing stages most weeks.

 

Getting the car back clean is the lowest of priorities, I'm more concerned they do a thorough mechanical service rather than stress about a few flies. The interior is spotless, the exterior has excellent paintwork, although normally hard to choose between mud and Cappuccino!

 

I can only say as I find.  

I wasn't referring to the garage cleaning my car at service time, it was like that when they supposedly valeted it before I bought it! I got lifeshine too, but doubt it was applied particularly carefully. I refused a wash at the service and will again next service (which has been booked more easily this time) as id rather do it myself.

 

Swansea Sinclair did try and help as much as possible when I was quizzing then over my girlfriend's "fixed" rapid, and it doesn't seem to be suffering from the horror stories I've heard about, fingers crossed.

I'm far from convinced by any main dealers beyond some finger prints and a spray of white grease on the odd latch.

 

I ask them not to wash for fear of scratches but understand they need a clean car so that can do the warranty inspection for bodywork and to keep their workshop in order. If I send it in clean I'm never sure if they ignore requests not to, so it goes in with a weeks worth of normal film. 

 

A good specialist who reliably do the work is the way forward.  I'd rather have a used car with a consistent specialist history than a main dealer one. 

I have always had a good experience with Skoda in Llanduno Junction, if you need to speak to anyone, I have found the most reliable to be Glyn (Sales) and Karl (Aftersales) always reply to emails and are 100% available to speak to if not with a customer.

I find Skoda main dealers poor in a number of areas, they sometimes struggle with basic questions like when is my vehicle due it's service, but must say my little contact with Sinclair Swansea was very positive, Capital Newport I'll say no more, White Dove Cardiff nothing special, they get the job done but not always first time, helpful enough though and do get back to you.