End of Aston Martin Stourbridge

End of Aston Martin Stourbridge

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JonV8V

Original Poster:

7,175 posts

123 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Just been emailed to say its closing and they're recommending owners use the Stratstone Jaguar garage for serving - might not be news to others but it was to me.

I'm a little surprised the official line from a franchise dealer is to say use Jag - that sounds just wrong!

And doesn't sound a great advert for AM although the site was never very pretty and needed something doing.

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
No point going to a Jaguar dealer for servicing unless you think a Jag stamp will help the maintenance record of your car rolleyes

I had heard there was to be an announcement about the dealer network very soon - but not seen anything yet. So, Stratstones have lost Newcastle and now Hagley. I wonder if that is the end of the rebalancing or more announcements to be made?

JonV8V

Original Poster:

7,175 posts

123 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Agree about the servicing - I imagine AM and Stratstones aren't on speaking terms at the moment and shows Stratstones don't care much about their customers to recommend out of franchise servicing.

I have not enjoyed my dealings with the chain at all - from the day I picked up the car to the day they wouldn't even offer me a price to buy it back (an unmolested, 1 owner, 2 year old, 10k miles, V8VS that another dealer bought). Others have had better experiences I'm sure. I can see them losing all their AM dealerships if they have any left.

woodsypedia

870 posts

152 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
JonV8V said:
Agree about the servicing - I imagine AM and Stratstones aren't on speaking terms at the moment and shows Stratstones don't care much about their customers to recommend out of franchise servicing.

I have not enjoyed my dealings with the chain at all - from the day I picked up the car to the day they wouldn't even offer me a price to buy it back (an unmolested, 1 owner, 2 year old, 10k miles, V8VS that another dealer bought). Others have had better experiences I'm sure. I can see them losing all their AM dealerships if they have any left.
Actually, it's keeping it within the franchise - hence the reason they're doing it. It's likely they don't have any other Aston showrooms in the group close by - so by recommending you to Jag they're keeping it in the franchised group. From what I've seen, Stratstones share the same facilities and space. it's likely that although the dealership has gone, the Aston trained staff are still there as they're on the franchise payroll. So, although you'll be sending your car to Jag (officially), it's likely the staff from the Aston side of the business will work on the car.

Chris.

JonV8V

Original Poster:

7,175 posts

123 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
woodsypedia said:
Actually, it's keeping it within the franchise - hence the reason they're doing it. It's likely they don't have any other Aston showrooms in the group close by - so by recommending you to Jag they're keeping it in the franchised group. From what I've seen, Stratstones share the same facilities and space. it's likely that although the dealership has gone, the Aston trained staff are still there as they're on the franchise payroll. So, although you'll be sending your car to Jag (officially), it's likely the staff from the Aston side of the business will work on the car.

Chris.
Franchise was the wrong word then - they've recommended out of brand. Whatever you call it Aston should be telling owners what to do not a closed dealership do you not think?

AMDBSNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Dreadful news. My first Aston (V8V) came from them and then my DBS. Excellent guys to deal with. Before I went down the BR route Mike in the service department was brilliant. All that said it wasn't the best site.

Flugplatz

1,952 posts

244 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
woodsypedia said:
So, although you'll be sending your car to Jag (officially), it's likely the staff from the Aston side of the business will work on the car.

Chris.
Obviously nobody will go for that though.


I have no idea why people don't just use AM "Works" service regardless of where they live.

They will pick it up and drop it off for free smile



Edited by Flugplatz on Friday 29th April 23:29

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

215 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Nothing is free....

AMDBSNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Flugplatz said:
service regardless of where they live.

They will pick it up and drop it off for free smile
Not true. 50 mile radius applies and as Tony said, nothing is for "free"



Edited by AMDBSNick on Friday 29th April 20:37

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all

JonV8V said:
- I imagine AM and Stratstones aren't on speaking terms at the moment ...

I recall there was a recent story about Stratstones Wilmslow, winning an Aston Martin prize for being the very best at something.

What was it now; Never budging on price? smile
No, selling more Astons than any other dealer I think.



sportie

561 posts

250 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Use Derby they say....

2016 marks the 95th year of Stratstone, and we have a long history of customer focussed excellence in the automotive industry since our founders sold their first vehicle in central London in the 1920s. Through our dedicated and passionate teams, we are able to offer the highest standards of customer experience across the UK.

As of Saturday 30th April we will be consolidating our Aston Martin location in Hagley into our other Aston Martin retailers. Stratstone have significant representation across the UK and are committed to ensuring that you continue to receive our outstanding levels of service as well as the latest information on new models and important product details.

As a valued customer, we will be very happy to continue to offer a full Aston Martin approved aftersales experience via our efficient collection and delivery service. We are also delighted to be able to provide you with the full range of new and pre-owned Aston Martin vehicles as we remain an Aston Martin dealer from a number of locations across the UK.

We believe our nearest Aston Martin retailer is Derby. However please visit our website
www.stratstone.com/aston-martin/ should you wish to find an alternative location.

Aston Martin Derby
Sir Frank Whittle Road
Derby
DE21 4LT

Tel: 01332 258787
E-mail: derbyastonmartin@stratstone.com
Contact: Iain Randall

We would like to thank you for your business so far, and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Flugplatz

1,952 posts

244 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyhall38 said:
Nothing is free....
Well it was for me.

Ive just had my fixed price annual service and it was the same price as elsewhere and they picked it up and dropped it off so in my book that is free smile




Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
Jon39 said:

I recall there was a recent story about Stratstones Wilmslow, winning an Aston Martin prize for being the very best at.....

No, selling more Astons than any other dealer I think.
Yup. The most prolific dealer of them all.

JonV8V

Original Poster:

7,175 posts

123 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
sportie said:
Use Derby they say....

2016 marks the 95th year of Stratstone, and we have a long history of customer focussed excellence in the automotive industry since our founders sold their first vehicle in central London in the 1920s. Through our dedicated and passionate teams, we are able to offer the highest standards of customer experience across the UK.

As of Saturday 30th April we will be consolidating our Aston Martin location in Hagley into our other Aston Martin retailers. Stratstone have significant representation across the UK and are committed to ensuring that you continue to receive our outstanding levels of service as well as the latest information on new models and important product details.

As a valued customer, we will be very happy to continue to offer a full Aston Martin approved aftersales experience via our efficient collection and delivery service. We are also delighted to be able to provide you with the full range of new and pre-owned Aston Martin vehicles as we remain an Aston Martin dealer from a number of locations across the UK.

We believe our nearest Aston Martin retailer is Derby. However please visit our website
www.stratstone.com/aston-martin/ should you wish to find an alternative location.

Aston Martin Derby
Sir Frank Whittle Road
Derby
DE21 4LT

Tel: 01332 258787
E-mail: derbyastonmartin@stratstone.com
Contact: Iain Randall

We would like to thank you for your business so far, and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
They've changed the wording...!! I took the 'consolidation...' stuff as no more than trying to make it sound better than it was. My email was about 4pm.


2016 marks the 95th year of Stratstone, and we have a long history of customer focussed excellence in the automotive industry since our founders sold their first vehicle in central London in the 1920s. Through our dedicated and passionate teams, we are able to offer the highest standards of customer experience across the UK.

It is important to us that our customers are kept informed of changes to our retail network, and offered convenient solutions for all their motoring needs.

As of Saturday 30th April 2016 we will be consolidating our Stratstone Aston Martin retailer in Hagley into our other Stratstone retailers. As a valued customer, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of customer care and are dedicated to ensuring there will be no disruption to the servicing of your vehicle. Your nearest location for future aftercare requirements will be Stratstone Jaguar Stourbridge:

Stratstone Jaguar
Grange Lane
Lye
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 7HH



Edited by JonV8V on Saturday 30th April 06:00

sportie

561 posts

250 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Naughty, they did change the wording my email was timed at 16:29

JonV8V said:
They've changed the wording...!! I took the 'consolidation...' stuff as no more than trying to make it sound better than it was. My email was about 4pm.


2016 marks the 95th year of Stratstone, and we have a long history of customer focussed excellence in the automotive industry since our founders sold their first vehicle in central London in the 1920s. Through our dedicated and passionate teams, we are able to offer the highest standards of customer experience across the UK.

It is important to us that our customers are kept informed of changes to our retail network, and offered convenient solutions for all their motoring needs.

As of Saturday 30th April 2016 we will be consolidating our Stratstone Aston Martin retailer in Hagley into our other Stratstone retailers. As a valued customer, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of customer care and are dedicated to ensuring there will be no disruption to the servicing of your vehicle. Your nearest location for future aftercare requirements will be Stratstone Jaguar Stourbridge:

Stratstone Jaguar
Grange Lane
Lye
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 7HH



Edited by JonV8V on Saturday 30th April 06:00

F1 NDW

1,116 posts

145 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Flugplatz said:
woodsypedia said:
So, although you'll be sending your car to Jag (officially), it's likely the staff from the Aston side of the business will work on the car.

Chris.
Obviously nobody will go for that though.


I have no idea why people don't just use AM "Works" service regardless of where they live.

They will pick it up and drop it off for free smile



Edited by Flugplatz on Friday 29th April 23:29
I've used them and it certainly was not free.

Edited by F1 NDW on Saturday 30th April 20:22

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all

The comments about the dealer emails, appear to indicate that customers were contacted only one day before closing.

That is most peculiar. Wonder what the story is about such a rush?
We will probably never know.

Funny if someone had a service booked for next week, and at the very last minute, they are being told to drive to Derbyshire..





IanV12VR

2,749 posts

154 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
The comments about the dealer emails, appear to indicate that customers were contacted only one day before closing.

That is most peculiar. Wonder what the story is about such a rush?
We will probably never know.

Funny if someone had a service booked for next week, and at the very last minute, they are being told to drive to Derbyshire..
At least when Exeter closed we got 4 days notice smile

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

215 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Flugplatz said:
tonyhall38 said:
Nothing is free....
Well it was for me.

Ive just had my fixed price annual service and it was the same price as elsewhere and they picked it up and dropped it off so in my book that is free smile
If you think you didn't pay for the transport in one way or another.....you are very naive ....or just stupid....I would hope the latter.....

JonV8V

Original Poster:

7,175 posts

123 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
tonyhall38 said:
Flugplatz said:
tonyhall38 said:
Nothing is free....
Well it was for me.

Ive just had my fixed price annual service and it was the same price as elsewhere and they picked it up and dropped it off so in my book that is free smile
If you think you didn't pay for the transport in one way or another.....you are very naive ....or just stupid....I would hope the latter.....
If fixed price servicing is the same whether they pick the car up or not, it's not cost you any more. It's no different from refusing their coffee and expecting a discount as a result - we all pay one way or another. Although as AM in general lose money, it's the shareholders who are paying.

Back on topic... it all just seems very odd. Other than Wilmslow, what other AM dealerships do Stratstone have?