Gowrings of Reading

Gowrings of Reading

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Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Monday 21st December 2015
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Anyone picked up a car (or due to) from Gowrings yet? Cheers

Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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Nope, but given the complete shambles in terms of organisation there it's no surprise.

I went in last week to meet Stuart Baker who is now in charge of customer orders (5th person so far). He was genuinely apologetic and was doing his best to get orders sorted and back on track (as others, like me, had theirs sat on a now ex-salesman's desk doing nothing for 4 months!).

They have two demonstrators there, one in the showroom (red V8 GT 'vert) and another which must be used for test drives as it wasn't around when I visited. I think it's another V8 'vert, but auto.

When did you place your order and when have you been told (if you have been) to expect delivery?

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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Thanks for your reply Stig.

I ordered a GT in mid October through my Towns Ford dealer which sources from Gowrings, Reading. I emailed them direct on 30th October & had a reply from a 'Sanjay' the next day. He said to expect an update in January 2016. Delivery date on the order is by 31st October 2016.

I posted this because I have been reading about peoples trials over the system & what with cars been delivered all around the UK, it all seems rather quiet over in Reading. The Ford dealer that I ordered from are awaiting 2 x GT's from a January order (with no word) hence my question here. Glad to hear that they at least have had deliveries of a couple of demonstrators....... at least something worked it seems.

I will watch with interest, your progess & (hopefully soon) delivery.

Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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Col3371 said:
Thanks for your reply Stig.

I ordered a GT in mid October through my Towns Ford dealer which sources from Gowrings, Reading. I emailed them direct on 30th October & had a reply from a 'Sanjay' the next day. He said to expect an update in January 2016. Delivery date on the order is by 31st October 2016.

I posted this because I have been reading about peoples trials over the system & what with cars been delivered all around the UK, it all seems rather quiet over in Reading. The Ford dealer that I ordered from are awaiting 2 x GT's from a January order (with no word) hence my question here. Glad to hear that they at least have had deliveries of a couple of demonstrators....... at least something worked it seems.

I will watch with interest, your progess & (hopefully soon) delivery.
My pleasure, Sanjay has left the dealership by the way as have at least 4 others that I have dealt with since I placed my order mid-April.

I had been promised a build date of 11th Nov by Ford UK due to the dealer order c*ck-up, but this looks to have been put back to Jan. The factory had supply issues for the RHD glove box lids which delayed things. As it stands, hopefully mine will arrive March or April (current ETA 9th April).

It's a crystal ball in terms of delivery times at the moment as info from the US is so random. They may up production meaning you'll get it sooner, or they may not, or they may run short of parts again - who knows!!?!

At the least, it's worth contacting Stuart Baker (after Christmas as he's on holiday now) and makiing yourself/the order known to him.

For reference - I only got my order paperwork last weekend when I visited the dealership. That's the first official bit of paperwork I've had out of them sinve leaving a grand deposit in April!!!! eekfurious

bennno

11,636 posts

269 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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I must have called then 7-8 times and went down to the showroom to be told the specialist wasn't in, only for him to call me just after I drove off.

Came across as a shambles they didn't know what cars they had coming in, how long it might take to get a car etc.

I ended up calling round and found that Think Ford in Guildford were much more organised and I am expecting to take delivery in March.

Shame as Gowrings are 5 miles up the road from me. They badly need a half decent salesman in their running Mustang sales IMHO.

Bennno

Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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bennno said:
I must have called then 7-8 times and went down to the showroom to be told the specialist wasn't in, only for him to call me just after I drove off.

Came across as a shambles they didn't know what cars they had coming in, how long it might take to get a car etc.

I ended up calling round and found that Think Ford in Guildford were much more organised and I am expecting to take delivery in March.

Shame as Gowrings are 5 miles up the road from me. They badly need a half decent salesman in their running Mustang sales IMHO.

Bennno
Hi Bennno. Was this recently? I must admit, I've also heard good things of Guildford (Thnk Ford I believe?) - apparenty they have a dealership in Wokingham too?

I was 'lucky' in that when I went in there was a salesman who would take a deposit (ho-ho). He didn't seem to know the exact process but disappeared somewhere to check with someone. Unfortunately for me, he returned with a waiting list form. I put their (Gowrings) initial vagueness down to the fact that the order process wasn't fully understood when I placed my deposit. This got me on the 'waiting list' but didn't result in a confirmed order. Alas, when the order system went live (Vista, in June I think it was), a load of us with waiting list deposits got forgotten about. It appear that it was only when I chased them at the end of August that the mistake was found. Seemingly proven by 10 orders being placed the following day! (for myself and other poor souls whose waiting list 'orders' were left gathering dust on the salesman's desk - furious ).

As I said, I only got the order paperwork last weekend! Fortunately it did confirm that they would honour the original price. This must smart as they missed the order cutoff, so are having to swallow the increase themselves! Suffice to say, the personnel in question are no longer with the dealership.

I wish I'd gone elsewhere, but being the nearest Ford Store it was the logical place to go.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Edited by Stig on Tuesday 22 December 17:51

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
quotequote all
Good advice on a visit, will do.

No paperwork at all! That's terrible. I was sent a form by Sanjay entitled 'intelligent finder, contract successful' on the 31st Oct. It has my Customer number, dealer code, order number (Gowrings number I guess) & details of the GT with options etc. Oh, and a 'contract number'. Apart from a £1k receipt, that's all I have.

Looking at your location, I'm guessing you're not far from me. Will have to PM you when I eventually get mine smile

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2015
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Bennno. Glad it's all sorted for you mate. Hopefully, this Stuart Baker guy that Stig met, is more committed etc. I'll ring & make an appointment in the New Year....... we shall see

Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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Col3371 said:
Good advice on a visit, will do.

No paperwork at all! That's terrible. I was sent a form by Sanjay entitled 'intelligent finder, contract successful' on the 31st Oct. It has my Customer number, dealer code, order number (Gowrings number I guess) & details of the GT with options etc. Oh, and a 'contract number'. Apart from a £1k receipt, that's all I have.

Looking at your location, I'm guessing you're not far from me. Will have to PM you when I eventually get mine smile
If it's contracted - all is good. That was the sticking point for me, was on waiting list but order wasn't 'contracted' with Ford until late Aug as I mentioned.

What spec. have you gone for?

I'm waiting on a Deep Impact Blue V8 (manual) fastback with custom pack.

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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Stig said:
If it's contracted - all is good. That was the sticking point for me, was on waiting list but order wasn't 'contracted' with Ford until late Aug as I mentioned.

What spec. have you gone for?

I'm waiting on a Deep Impact Blue V8 (manual) fastback with custom pack.
Oh well, that sounds good for me I guess?? Cheers for the info. makes me feel a bit better.

I have ordered a Ruby Red GT with heated/cooled seats, parking sensors & shaker. I wanted the black rims with the red so didn't go for the custom pack. I was switching between the DIB and RR for days before ordering..... I really want both!

Centurion07

10,381 posts

247 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
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Picked mine up from them a couple of weeks ago.

Stuart is now in charge of Mustang orders (until he decides to leave/gets sacked, as has happened to the other 4/5 people that have been "looking after" me!).

They have a white auto convertible as a demo as I went out as a passenger with another customer who's wife didn't want to go. confused

As has been said, lack of communication is not the sole preserve of Gowrings, it comes right from the top but obviously as a customer, your only point of contact is your dealer and they have nothing to keep you sweet with as Ford don't keep them updated.

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2015
quotequote all
Centurion07 said:
Picked mine up from them a couple of weeks ago.

Stuart is now in charge of Mustang orders (until he decides to leave/gets sacked, as has happened to the other 4/5 people that have been "looking after" me!).

They have a white auto convertible as a demo as I went out as a passenger with another customer who's wife didn't want to go. confused

As has been said, lack of communication is not the sole preserve of Gowrings, it comes right from the top but obviously as a customer, your only point of contact is your dealer and they have nothing to keep you sweet with as Ford don't keep them updated.
Pleased to hear that you have yours though; all well I presume? I drove an Auto GT at the Oxford dealer the other week & loved it. I have a manual ordered & hoping to love that too (bearing in mind that the last 4 cars I've owned were/are auto Jags). Hoping to test a manual in the new year though.

croyde

22,898 posts

230 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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I was talking with my dealer today, who is just as exasperated as me about my car which is sitting in Southampton.

He was expecting a load of Mustangs this week but all he got was a Tourneo and a Focus.

He agrees with me that Ford have totally fked the whole Mustang thing up thus pissing off people like me who have never set foot in a Ford showroom before.

I placed my deposit in Jan yet people who ordered in July have got their GTs already.

He's got a customer who ordered in 2014 who's car hasn't been built yet.

Col3371

Original Poster:

27 posts

102 months

Thursday 24th December 2015
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I genuinely am gutted for all in this position. I looked at these cars when they were first released but decided to wait until I could see/sit/drive one before I ordered (didn't happen though cause of the 12 months wait). At least I knew price & spec etc though & for that reason, it's a no-brainer that you should get yours first.
I actually don't want my car until Summer, to allow me time to sell my current car for decent money but timing & communication is everything to me. Hoping that it'll get better as time goes on.
I can be thankful however that I won't get mine anywhere near before you lot cause the guilt would be murder (sure I would suffer will a big smile on my face mind you)

Mandat

3,886 posts

238 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Does anyone have any updates on the current level of service offered by Gowrings?

I'm looking to place an order for the GT, and don't know whether to use them or go to a different dealer.

goldengooner

135 posts

127 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Mandat said:
Does anyone have any updates on the current level of service offered by Gowrings?

I'm looking to place an order for the GT, and don't know whether to use them or go to a different dealer.
Very interesting as 3 of us from the MOCOGB have been invited onto their stand at the

Thames Traditional Boat Festival and Gowrings Ford Mustang Exhibit

I will be there and 2 older Stangs, will be on their show stand, which could be interesting if people want a California Special or a Euro Car with the tech




Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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goldengooner said:
Very interesting as 3 of us from the MOCOGB have been invited onto their stand at the

Thames Traditional Boat Festival and Gowrings Ford Mustang Exhibit

I will be there and 2 older Stangs, will be on their show stand, which could be interesting if people want a California Special or a Euro Car with the tech
I'm a MOCGB member and ordered (and received) my '16 Mustang GT from Gowrings. No invite here though. Is that the traditional boat festival in Henley?

goldengooner

135 posts

127 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Stig said:
goldengooner said:
Very interesting as 3 of us from the MOCOGB have been invited onto their stand at the

Thames Traditional Boat Festival and Gowrings Ford Mustang Exhibit

I will be there and 2 older Stangs, will be on their show stand, which could be interesting if people want a California Special or a Euro Car with the tech
I'm a MOCGB member and ordered (and received) my '16 Mustang GT from Gowrings. No invite here though. Is that the traditional boat festival in Henley?
do you go on the forum?
its been advertised for weeks, they were begging for more cars, so just the 3 of us. Not sure if we are the only club to be invited?
http://www.mocgb.net/forums/showthread.php?73443-T...


Stig

11,817 posts

284 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
quotequote all
goldengooner said:
do you go on the forum?
its been advertised for weeks, they were begging for more cars, so just the 3 of us. Not sure if we are the only club to be invited?
http://www.mocgb.net/forums/showthread.php?73443-T...
I do - but have been uber busy of late so missed the thread! Just posted and emailed the organisers. Given I only live a few miles away and usually visit the festival anyway, it seems rude not to.

rehab71

3,362 posts

190 months

Thursday 7th July 2016
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Mandat said:
Does anyone have any updates on the current level of service offered by Gowrings?

I'm looking to place an order for the GT, and don't know whether to use them or go to a different dealer.
I'm not that far from Reading if you're looking place an order. I'm not going anywhere and have sold ove 120 Mustangs and I've had no complaints!