BE WARNED - ALFA WARRENTY AND BUILD ISSUES
Discussion
I recently bought a new Alfa GT. I love the car, so please dont misinterpret this posting.
I bought the car from Auto Lusso, no problems really.
The next day I discovered to my horor that the frong drivers side wing was not fitted correctly to the car, creating wind noise, and causing the drivers side door to rub ever so slightly agaisnt the wing.
Alfa UK are about as customer orientated as one of the insects that hit your windscreen.
I quote - 'there are consquences of buying a car from Auto Lusso'. Alfa UK are so dament not to pay for repairs to a brand new car that they are happy to let me, a new customer to the marque, spread the message about how they treat cusotmer. the amazing thing is that this is all over £600. If one person decides now not to buy an alfa because of my experiance then it will have cost them more than 600!!
Its a shame beacuse other then this issue its a fantastic car (fmous last words)
Any anyway, 6 weeks into my alfa owner life and i've had her for a total of 2, du back in early June.
Oh, HR OWEN sports cars in acton - first class. excellent service, and ironically, i've been the driver of a brand new BMW 325i Sport for the last 4 - 5 weeks. Excellent car. Hmmm I wonder what i'll buy next time and who i'll buy it from.
Well done Alfa - i'd name names, but you'd probably try to sue me (another irony!)
Anyone experiance similar probalems - I've spoken to 3 dealers and they told me that warrenty claims on bodywork are hard enough through thr dealer network, so good luck if u buy it outside.
Lessons learned. Check the car from top to toe before parting with your cash. Check panels, seats for tears, lights everything. Its bloody hard cause the emotions are running high buying these kind of cars, and if your like me, you just want to get in and drive! Next time i'll know, i'm convinced this is half of the game strategy for the seller.
r
I bought the car from Auto Lusso, no problems really.
The next day I discovered to my horor that the frong drivers side wing was not fitted correctly to the car, creating wind noise, and causing the drivers side door to rub ever so slightly agaisnt the wing.
Alfa UK are about as customer orientated as one of the insects that hit your windscreen.
I quote - 'there are consquences of buying a car from Auto Lusso'. Alfa UK are so dament not to pay for repairs to a brand new car that they are happy to let me, a new customer to the marque, spread the message about how they treat cusotmer. the amazing thing is that this is all over £600. If one person decides now not to buy an alfa because of my experiance then it will have cost them more than 600!!
Its a shame beacuse other then this issue its a fantastic car (fmous last words)
Any anyway, 6 weeks into my alfa owner life and i've had her for a total of 2, du back in early June.
Oh, HR OWEN sports cars in acton - first class. excellent service, and ironically, i've been the driver of a brand new BMW 325i Sport for the last 4 - 5 weeks. Excellent car. Hmmm I wonder what i'll buy next time and who i'll buy it from.
Well done Alfa - i'd name names, but you'd probably try to sue me (another irony!)
Anyone experiance similar probalems - I've spoken to 3 dealers and they told me that warrenty claims on bodywork are hard enough through thr dealer network, so good luck if u buy it outside.
Lessons learned. Check the car from top to toe before parting with your cash. Check panels, seats for tears, lights everything. Its bloody hard cause the emotions are running high buying these kind of cars, and if your like me, you just want to get in and drive! Next time i'll know, i'm convinced this is half of the game strategy for the seller.
r
sales of gods act look interesting. I have contacted Auto Lusso so seemed happy to help, so long as i paid for the repair.
They blame alfa, alfa blames them, alfa quote sales of goods and did say to refer to vendor, vendor says its alfa uk. Just seems such a mess. I know I'm the one holding the can, and HR owen have helpfully agreed to repair the damage at cost, Alfa uk have agreed to compensate for the extraordinary long time its taken to resolve the isswue, and this covers the cost of the repair with HR. In my case I believe i've managed to get to a conclusion which everyone is happy with and not out of pocket. The reason for the posting was to make anyone who follows me is aware of the issues. Yes I bought a car outside of Alfa uk network, and yes I managed to save £8000 - or 30%. you'd be a nut not too. To the person who responded saying what should i expect - the car is a uk car - bought in gibralter, which unless the spanish have raised it, it as british as the isle of wright, Jersey or the isle of man (incidentaly all of these places and considered to be imports)
ALFA UK RIP US OFF IN THE UK FOR CARS - the same is true in many other countries, I exercised my rights to procure a car for the best possible price. You'd be daft not to. Obviously they doent like it and will try everything to make sure you know they dont like, but unfortunately they have to abide by the law.
And yes, I wouldnt trust a non dealer outfit, such as alfa lusso as fare as i could thrown them, and neither should anyone else.
Rant over.
They blame alfa, alfa blames them, alfa quote sales of goods and did say to refer to vendor, vendor says its alfa uk. Just seems such a mess. I know I'm the one holding the can, and HR owen have helpfully agreed to repair the damage at cost, Alfa uk have agreed to compensate for the extraordinary long time its taken to resolve the isswue, and this covers the cost of the repair with HR. In my case I believe i've managed to get to a conclusion which everyone is happy with and not out of pocket. The reason for the posting was to make anyone who follows me is aware of the issues. Yes I bought a car outside of Alfa uk network, and yes I managed to save £8000 - or 30%. you'd be a nut not too. To the person who responded saying what should i expect - the car is a uk car - bought in gibralter, which unless the spanish have raised it, it as british as the isle of wright, Jersey or the isle of man (incidentaly all of these places and considered to be imports)
ALFA UK RIP US OFF IN THE UK FOR CARS - the same is true in many other countries, I exercised my rights to procure a car for the best possible price. You'd be daft not to. Obviously they doent like it and will try everything to make sure you know they dont like, but unfortunately they have to abide by the law.
And yes, I wouldnt trust a non dealer outfit, such as alfa lusso as fare as i could thrown them, and neither should anyone else.
Rant over.
Ned, I totally agree with your views.
At the end of the day, ll of the right hand drive cars are built in the same factory in Italy, and Auto Lusso is selling UK Cars (I believe the UK is the only right hand drive market in europe). I was quoted by Alfa Customer care 'there are consquences for buying outside of the Alfa dealer network.' - I'm sure this is a breach of EU law - however this was following a heated 2hr telephone call!
I appreciate that you should have had the opportunity to inspect the car - however Alfa have had the car now for nearly 5 weeks, out of 6 weeks of my ownership, during which time they have debated whether or not to repair the car, indeed it was only when i chased them up last week that anything happened with regard to the repair at all - hence the reason I have not bought it directly back to you. Fortunately in this case i have managed to secure a repair with HR Owen, for a very resonable price - clearly the understanding of customer service is different at the dealers than at Alfa UK.
Naming and shaming is the only way to get the word around.
Auto Lusso offer an excellent opportunity to save money and get a high spec at the same time, as well as giving the sale to a smaller, more customer focused, company. The sales achieved are a clear statement of how successful a company it is!
At the end of the day, ll of the right hand drive cars are built in the same factory in Italy, and Auto Lusso is selling UK Cars (I believe the UK is the only right hand drive market in europe). I was quoted by Alfa Customer care 'there are consquences for buying outside of the Alfa dealer network.' - I'm sure this is a breach of EU law - however this was following a heated 2hr telephone call!
I appreciate that you should have had the opportunity to inspect the car - however Alfa have had the car now for nearly 5 weeks, out of 6 weeks of my ownership, during which time they have debated whether or not to repair the car, indeed it was only when i chased them up last week that anything happened with regard to the repair at all - hence the reason I have not bought it directly back to you. Fortunately in this case i have managed to secure a repair with HR Owen, for a very resonable price - clearly the understanding of customer service is different at the dealers than at Alfa UK.
Naming and shaming is the only way to get the word around.
Auto Lusso offer an excellent opportunity to save money and get a high spec at the same time, as well as giving the sale to a smaller, more customer focused, company. The sales achieved are a clear statement of how successful a company it is!
Edited by r1ch1e_uk on Monday 28th May 16:20
Wow.
I have clearly touched upon a sore point here, I only wish I have the opportunity to send a link to the chap at Alfa UK with whom I spent the past 5 weeks arguing with.
I can confirm the following result
1. Alfa UK have stated they will not pay for the bodywork repair
2. Alfa UK have paid a gesture of good will as a result of the delay in managing the issue and as a gesture to a new and potential repeat Alfa (Auto Lusso only) customer
3. The dealer the car is currently at has offered to repair the car at a discount to resolve the issue ASAP and get me back in my car.
All sorted.
Appols to Ned for not following the 'correct' route, although I had actually taken the car for a warrenty issue with an indicator as well, things just mushroomed from there! sorry mate
To the guy who has issues with anything Italian - move on with life, and in any case, why on earth are you visiting this forum in any case!!
Looking forward to enjoying the GT this weekend!
Final thought - directed to the Alfa Ltd guys out there.
The simple solution for all of this is for you guys to make sure your colleagues in Italy produce cars to the same standard as any other car manufacturer. The fact that this posting has generated such a responce shows that there is an issue that requires an urgent internal review. I'm under the impression that Alfa is trying to rebuild it's image in the UK, with a plan to break into the US market. Issues as simple as body panel fitment simple should not happen!
Please prove all the skeptics wrong (trust me there are plenty out there), and make sure the quality checks are in place to make the Alfa Romero marque the one ALL of us want it to be. Is that too much to ask for?
I have clearly touched upon a sore point here, I only wish I have the opportunity to send a link to the chap at Alfa UK with whom I spent the past 5 weeks arguing with.
I can confirm the following result
1. Alfa UK have stated they will not pay for the bodywork repair
2. Alfa UK have paid a gesture of good will as a result of the delay in managing the issue and as a gesture to a new and potential repeat Alfa (Auto Lusso only) customer
3. The dealer the car is currently at has offered to repair the car at a discount to resolve the issue ASAP and get me back in my car.
All sorted.
Appols to Ned for not following the 'correct' route, although I had actually taken the car for a warrenty issue with an indicator as well, things just mushroomed from there! sorry mate
To the guy who has issues with anything Italian - move on with life, and in any case, why on earth are you visiting this forum in any case!!
Looking forward to enjoying the GT this weekend!
Final thought - directed to the Alfa Ltd guys out there.
The simple solution for all of this is for you guys to make sure your colleagues in Italy produce cars to the same standard as any other car manufacturer. The fact that this posting has generated such a responce shows that there is an issue that requires an urgent internal review. I'm under the impression that Alfa is trying to rebuild it's image in the UK, with a plan to break into the US market. Issues as simple as body panel fitment simple should not happen!
Please prove all the skeptics wrong (trust me there are plenty out there), and make sure the quality checks are in place to make the Alfa Romero marque the one ALL of us want it to be. Is that too much to ask for?
Edited by r1ch1e_uk on Tuesday 29th May 19:00
Edited by r1ch1e_uk on Tuesday 29th May 19:02
I genuinely hope someone else writes to alfa.
I'm picking the car up tomorrow, hopefully looking forward to a lovelly sunny weekend on the south coast!!
Having read the comments from the 'alfa customer servcie people' i'd have to simply shake my head at the guy. Surely common sence would suggest that any car coming off the production line should be 100% perfect, it should not matter where the car is being sold.
Incidently I read in the papaer that the British army has bought a load of Iveco (another Fiat company i understand) panther trucks (Hummer like) and they have returned them due to shoddy workmanship. Perhaps I should forward a link to lord drayson
Alfa uk guys. Sort it out. We love your brand. but you guys simply suck.
I'm picking the car up tomorrow, hopefully looking forward to a lovelly sunny weekend on the south coast!!
Having read the comments from the 'alfa customer servcie people' i'd have to simply shake my head at the guy. Surely common sence would suggest that any car coming off the production line should be 100% perfect, it should not matter where the car is being sold.
Incidently I read in the papaer that the British army has bought a load of Iveco (another Fiat company i understand) panther trucks (Hummer like) and they have returned them due to shoddy workmanship. Perhaps I should forward a link to lord drayson
Alfa uk guys. Sort it out. We love your brand. but you guys simply suck.
PWIG
I'd be very careful with your use of the word grey import. Last time I checked EU law The UK and Italy and some other places were all included in a little document know as FREE TRADE.
Since you are speaking on behalf of ALFA UK when you use the term grey import - I think you'd be best running this past your legal dept. first!!!
Alfa as a company has to provide customers with the same level of product quality anywhere in the EU. From what your saying this clearly isnt the case - and from my understanding this is a breach of EU trade law.
Having said this i'm sure you'll start ur responce with 'you clearly dont know/understand...'
I look forward to what you have to say.
PS is alfa aware of this thread offically?
I'd be very careful with your use of the word grey import. Last time I checked EU law The UK and Italy and some other places were all included in a little document know as FREE TRADE.
Since you are speaking on behalf of ALFA UK when you use the term grey import - I think you'd be best running this past your legal dept. first!!!
Alfa as a company has to provide customers with the same level of product quality anywhere in the EU. From what your saying this clearly isnt the case - and from my understanding this is a breach of EU trade law.
Having said this i'm sure you'll start ur responce with 'you clearly dont know/understand...'
I look forward to what you have to say.
PS is alfa aware of this thread offically?
Alfa Guys.
Lets take a step back from all of this for just a minute
I know you want to imporve your image in the UK - face facts if you ran a poll in any high street I think we all know what the responce would be.
The fact that there are some, like me, who can see through this and are willing to buy, should be a source of encouragement for ALFA to help - after all, however that car arrived its still an alfa GT.
In my case I've found Alfa to be nothing more than a disruptive company, not willing to help, and has caused me major stress. I've spoken to BMW, Vovlo, and Audi owners who all imported cars, and in one instance had a similar problem. Needless to say the car was fixed by the manufactuer immediately.
Alfa guys, just ask yourself, is all of this worth the £625 repair cost HR quoted? £625 to repair a car, AND give a new, young customer, a long lasting view of a company, who was very interested in buying a 159, and has the opportunity to influence friends and family.
Instead you are simily confirming what most people told me before i bought the car - Alfa have shoddy workmanship, and poor levels of customer service, and I would add simply bicker about such a small issue.
Well done guys.
Out of interest go to google and type in Alfa Warrenty (miss spelt I know) - is this what you really want?
£625. Enough said.
Go on PWIG. Bicker Bicker Bicker Bicker.
Lets take a step back from all of this for just a minute
I know you want to imporve your image in the UK - face facts if you ran a poll in any high street I think we all know what the responce would be.
The fact that there are some, like me, who can see through this and are willing to buy, should be a source of encouragement for ALFA to help - after all, however that car arrived its still an alfa GT.
In my case I've found Alfa to be nothing more than a disruptive company, not willing to help, and has caused me major stress. I've spoken to BMW, Vovlo, and Audi owners who all imported cars, and in one instance had a similar problem. Needless to say the car was fixed by the manufactuer immediately.
Alfa guys, just ask yourself, is all of this worth the £625 repair cost HR quoted? £625 to repair a car, AND give a new, young customer, a long lasting view of a company, who was very interested in buying a 159, and has the opportunity to influence friends and family.
Instead you are simily confirming what most people told me before i bought the car - Alfa have shoddy workmanship, and poor levels of customer service, and I would add simply bicker about such a small issue.
Well done guys.
Out of interest go to google and type in Alfa Warrenty (miss spelt I know) - is this what you really want?
£625. Enough said.
Go on PWIG. Bicker Bicker Bicker Bicker.
Edited by r1ch1e_uk on Sunday 3rd June 09:11
Euroboy,
3 weeks in transit seems very long - my worry for you is that the extra process in bristol has meant a re build - i'd check the car very carefully (ideally with a friend) before taking ownership. Rememebr the notes on this thread - it appears alfa uk has told dealers to cut the warrenty claim down. Check everything!
And then demand a reduction for the time delay!!!
3 weeks in transit seems very long - my worry for you is that the extra process in bristol has meant a re build - i'd check the car very carefully (ideally with a friend) before taking ownership. Rememebr the notes on this thread - it appears alfa uk has told dealers to cut the warrenty claim down. Check everything!
And then demand a reduction for the time delay!!!
Wow
I thought mine was a stupidly small amount on a new car, but less than £40 is a tank of fuel (less than that!)
I admire you for sticking to your guns and seeing it through, clearly AR UK dont appreciate the wider impact a few hundred pounds will have.
Although I love the brand, I suspect this will be my last, unless anyone knows a compan car scheme that allows alfas!! Some companies would pay thousands for the information contained in the threads on this website!!! Please tell me AR UK will read this and take some of it on board!!!
I thought mine was a stupidly small amount on a new car, but less than £40 is a tank of fuel (less than that!)
I admire you for sticking to your guns and seeing it through, clearly AR UK dont appreciate the wider impact a few hundred pounds will have.
Although I love the brand, I suspect this will be my last, unless anyone knows a compan car scheme that allows alfas!! Some companies would pay thousands for the information contained in the threads on this website!!! Please tell me AR UK will read this and take some of it on board!!!
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