Just a thought, but do you think having Briskoda stickers on your car could improve the service carried out by dealers? My thinking is, that if a dealer spots the sticker on your car they are going to provide a better service because word of the good service could then spread via this forum (likewise, bad service would also give the dealer in question a bad reputation on the forum).

I'm sure that many of the Skoda dealers are aware of this forum, and many probably read it.

It depends a bit - in some cases it may have the opposite effect, in others it won't.

The one thing I could imagine it doing is make them wonder about modifications perhaps

What you shuld be aiming for is to build up a relationship with your dealer so good that little things like stickers don't matter.

Very true - That said I've ended up with a specialist instead, same concept though

What you shuld be aiming for is to build up a relationship with your dealer so good that little things like stickers don't matter.

I totally agree. Just wondered what people thought...

I'd hope it would encourage a discount, but in reality I suspect it's rarely noticed!

Chris

It depends a bit - in some cases it may have the opposite effect, in others it won't.

The one thing I could imagine it doing is make them wonder about modifications perhaps

How would it have the opposite affect? I see your point about modifications. It would be interesting too see how many members of this forum have modified their cars. Maybe a poll is needed?

In case the dealer is not a mod-friendly one and your car is modified, and they blame everything on 'you've modded it' - even though it is no warranty claim but an investigation that you are paying for.

I'm sure most of the time they won't care or care a bit 'more than usual' if they know the site, that said I reckon having the best approach is as already mentioned, good relationship with a dealer is very important.

Maybe a poll is needed?

:rofl: :rofl:

No, no it isn't.

It can have a poll but only if there is a treadmill involved somewhere, isn't that the rule :P :P

Usual reaction is, oh my god its one of them sad internet geeks that think they know it all.

That's why my sticker is quite small (at the front) - coz I dont - that said I will admit asking around for different opinions, sometimes it helps, other times it might not, but I find specialists tend to be more interested in discussing these things.

Also I enjoy the level of knowledge shown at a specialist, where they can give you their opinion/experience for each modification and recommend whether to go for something or not

well, I bet it does matter to have a briskoda sticker at your skoda.

Just after I joined up the fabiaclub.pl here in Poland and got the sticker I was to visit again the local dealer/service due to the alarm problems, creaking of the front panel and some other minor probs I can't remember now. It was my 3rd visit there I think. In brief: just like all the service guys usually are, not too much to be kind neither the opposite. as soon as they found the fabiaclub sticker on the rear window, the manager took me to the garage, explained what is being done to my car (in details), I could stay there and watch (it's not common in Poland to be present in the service area due to the Health&Safety regulations), got the 12% disscount (as the club member), got the golden service card, some souvenirs...and nobody tell me that's all because I'm so charming:)

Usual reaction is, oh my god its one of them sad internet geeks that think they know it all.

Reminds me - I must get another sticker for my car

Chris

Yeah I need to get a few more. A good sticker is worth at least 10 bhp.

I think in my case it had the opposite effect, although I was very faithful to my local dealer despite many occasions when I would have been justified in taking my business elsewhere. I shall now be doing so, although I haven't quite worked out what the alternative is yet.

My guess is the average hackneyed fitter wouldn

@ncarring - depending on how far you're prepared to travel, but APS has been great to me for servicing etc so far, and still have a personal touch.

No clue about ones in Swindon to be fair, guessing you didn't enjoy the local Skud dealership there then?

APS are about an hour and a quarter travel from me, so they're not really an option for routine servicing, although I agree they are very nice people.

The dealer went from a place where I bought my first Skoda, had a good rapport with the salesman, service desk were friendly if not fabulously technically aware, to servicing standards gradually dropping, service desk personnel leaving, bought second car off same salesman - slight upturn on the graph again - salesman left, more service personnel left, new personnel not v. friendly at all, lengthy issue with performance, eventually turned away with no resolution, rude service personnel, unhelpful, misspelt letters of buck passing, the end.

Oh, and not one invitation to a launch, test drive, no brochures, no freebies, zip, over what is now over 5 years of association... perhaps it's because I only buy used cars

Hmm - trying to think if there are any more local ones to you. Sounds like you've had a fairly similar experience to mine then (not in Oxford, they were in all fairness friendly enough).

I will admit I like to be left alone after purhasing my car unless there is a recall of some sort, in which case some activity towards contacting me is welcomed

Guessing you've eventually gone some place else to get it sorted then?

Guessing you've eventually gone some place else to get it sorted then?

I wish :(