We're looking to buy our 6th Skoda and oh my goodness I can't believe the number of dealers who just don't call/email back. It is so frustrating. We use the brokers to get a sense of what is achievable, share current car conditions etc.

 

I'm not sure if they don't bother letting you down gently any more etc. In saying that, it includes dealers who are advertising on Auto Trader with decent prices!

 

I've also noticed that some dealers just ring out, are there no receptionists any more?

 

I was just wondering about other folks' experiences - is it a post Covid thing? Generational thing? Just me (getting old or seen as a waste of their time)?

Edited 20 August, 20241 yr by gocitigo

Had the same problem with Lightcliffe, the local dealer. I went into the showroom, had a wander, found a car I liked, booked a test drive, did that, and the chap I was dealing with said he'd send me an info-pack through the post.

Nothing happened.

About a week later, he left a message on my answering machine to see if I was still interested. As it was 8pm, I called back next day, to be told he wasn't in, but I could leave a message, and he'd call me back.

Another week has gone by, and no call - no info-pack.

All manufacturers have good and bad dealers. Guess I've been lucky with those that I've dealt with. With my Volvo though I have chosen to stick with the same dealer that I bought the first one from even though they are an hour away rather than use the unknown more local dealers.

Still no info-pack on the Slavia (not the Scala) I liked, but in the meantime, I was hunting around the various insurance brokers, looking for a quote. NONE of them recognised the car, so nobody - including Skoda's own - will insure it!

Someone said perhaps it isn't in this country (UK) but I replied sayng there's one in the showroom, and I had a test drive in one!

Edited 4 October, 20241 yr by ericm0hff
typo

@ericm0hff  Was the one you were test driving on Trade Plates and did the car not have a Registration Number? 

 

The car must be under the Dealerships Group Insurance.  Talk to the Dealer Principle if the Sales Person is no use to you.

Ask where the car or cars came in from, and how they have Slavia,s in the UK.

Skoda UK imported them or the Dealership did.

6 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@ericm0hff  Was the one you were test driving on Trade Plates and did the car not have a Registration Number? 

 

The car must be under the Dealerships Group Insurance.  Talk to the Dealer Principle if the Sales Person is no use to you.

Ask where the car or cars came in from, and how they have Slavia,s in the UK.

Skoda UK imported them or the Dealership did.

And yet the Slavia (which as I understand it was built primarily for the Indian market) isn't a model listed by Skoda.co.uk as being one they sell in the UK...

Yes, on trade plates, not registered. Looks like I'm fighting a losing battle with this one.

It lookeed like a sleeker version of the Scala, which I may end up having a look at. I believe there's a new model of it, but I've not seen one yet.

@ericm0hff If Lightcliffe Skoda really want to sell the 2 they have then surely they are going to be helping you know the facts about the car, spec of it, 

and where they got them.

Surely Skoda / VW UK know they have them in the UK and are offering for sale.

There will be an Insurance Broker / Underwriter that will help.

BUT,

are the Grey Imports, so an issue as far as parts. 

?

Is there a 3 years Manufacturers Warranty on them? 

Intriguing but as said could be problems down the line especially if it ever needs bodywork repairs. Mechanical probably not. It would have to be a very good price because unless you are going to keep it a long time it is likely to take a big hit on residual value.

why would a dealer have imported an Indian built car which is 95% loccally sourced and aimed at he Indian Market and which doesn't appear on Skoda UK website as a current model into the UK though?