Just read a bit of glum news in the local rag. Our local dealership, which comprises Saltdean - Brighton, Ballamy's-Shoreham and Citygates-Chichester is ceasing trading due to disappearing profits. Apparently this is largely blamed on internet buying, and strong second-hand market,

Wonder where I go for any warranty work!!!

That's really bad news to lose 3 dealers at the same time. :(

Of the 3, Saltdean Garage of Hoyle Road, Peacehaven is the only one now included in Skoda Uk's retailer list - and that is for aftersales/servicing only.

All part of City Motor Holdings.

I heard on Saturday that they had ceased trading but I didn't want to post until I'd had it confirmed.

Good news for Sparshatts though, they are trying to honour all agreed orders and prices.

I was wondering how long it would take before someone posted it on here!

Well, goodbye to bad rubbish frankly.

Saltdean are useless, and if you were using one of the other dealers you'd be better off travelling to a competent garage rather than using whats left of the saltdean rabble!

Well' date=' goodbye to bad rubbish frankly.

Saltdean are useless, and if you were using one of the other dealers you'd be better off travelling to a competent garage rather than using whats left of the saltdean rabble![/quote']

You dont like them then!!! :rofl:

Well' date=' goodbye to bad rubbish frankly.

Saltdean are useless, and if you were using one of the other dealers you'd be better off travelling to a competent garage rather than using whats left of the saltdean rabble![/quote']

I get the impression that maybe you don't like Saltdean, which garage do you use now?

Whatever gives you that impression!

I use a local independant for servicing/repairs now, and any parts I need come from the local VW dealership, I no longer buy Skodas and am replacing the fleet with Toyotas.

I obviously dont like to see people put out of work, but given the amount of cars I buy, and the level of service I recieved from Saltdean, i'm really not suprised.

In fact I did tell them they'd regret calling me a liar when I last dealt with them, we have a fleet of over 120 cars which gets replaced every 3 years, thats at least 40 cars a year!

Story here:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/the_argus/archive/2006/07/25/BUSINESS1ZM.html

I thought the online places sourced their cars from dealerships? :confused:

Chris

It's the inevitable result of having to charge customers for premises that look (and probably are ) flash . Expertise alone won't win my business, it's got to be reasonable value for money too. Sure I'll pay a bit of a premium for a 'properly trained expert' vs an independant garage, but if the price is more than double it becomes more of a 'is it warranty or not' situation.

For the more expensive brands out there I suppose it's less of a problem relatively as they are selling a lifestyle/image above and beyond 'just the car'.

That said I'm sure those dealerships still feel the pinch.

I will use a dealership when the price difference isn't too much, but if I can drive to a different dealership (!) and save about 100 quid compared to my local ones, surely they are pricing themselves out of business?

So Ballamy's & Saltdean are closing, not just lost the franchise?

I bought my second car c1989 from Saltdean - a black opel manta with a yellow puma on each flank (what was I thinking?).

Not surprised Ballamy's had problems mixing Skoda and Saab!

I noticed Clarion Cars were advertising for skoda trained technicians in the Argus yestyerday.

Saltdeans showroom was a proper dump, so I dont think that counts as a flash showroom!

One other thing not helping a lot of Skoda dealers is that they are still percieved as being at the bottom of the pile of desirable brands, the fact that they persist in being joint dealerships and also selling Kia's and Daihatsu's etc really doesn't help the image!

The one in Newbury is a mixed Saab/Skoda dealership, Oxford IIRC is just Skoda.

Kias and Skodas in the same dealership - hmm that's a little odd

(swmbo has a Kia )

Citygates was Skoda and Chevy

Citygates was Skoda and Chevy

Selling crappy old Daewoos that used to be even crappier old vauxhalls isn't gonna help there image!!

My supplying dealer does Skoda, Proton and Hyundai. To be honest, they located in a town where there's plenty of demand for that kind of car ie. Harlow is Essex. Their new car sales are down, but they are still shifting used cars. The Peugeot dealer is closing - established 50 years ago.

There are a lot of businesses closing, even long-established ones. Those newer to the market seem more geared up to work through the difficulties. Sad.

I thought the online places sourced their cars from dealerships? :confused:

Chris

If in doubt blame a bad guy... any bad guy.

What they mean is we made less profit per car and couldn't cope with that fact due to other factors so gave up ahead of time.

EDIT: Just noticed this a a thread from the dead.

What happens to the used/new car stock when a dealer goes bust? Is it owned by a finance co? or Skoda? does it go into auction to release cash asap for the creditors?

I was wondering if there'll be nearley new and new cars finding their way to auction.

Anyone know?

I think skoda's finance wing own the cars that are new and in the showroom.

Used cars, I'd guess other dealers probably pick them up at a very good price. The used market is doing relatively well now.