Dealer servicing !!!!
Discussion
Ok, it could just be me, and down to bad luck, but having recently picked my car up from my local south east Kent dealer, after it’s service, I collect the car to find it’s in a worse condition than when it was left with them. I can confirm, that the service has been completed to the letter, and I am relieved of £ loads. Then it get’s very frustrating !!!.
- The wheels are damaged in some of the boltholes where the socket has scuffed the lacquer.
- I now have a chip on the paintwork, at the top middle of the driver’s front wing, on the corner as the wing folds down to the gully, where the main bonnet sits.
- The felt strip has been replaced along the top rear roof section, where it cushions the removable section, and in doing this, I now have a whole series of hairline scratches along this top section, which I only noticed under fluorescent lights, in the garage.
Don’t get me wrong, I have, on more than a few occasions, praised this dealer to the highest degree, and recommended them to everyone. I have written to them direct, thanking them for their service, and also had a publication in “Sprint”, in which I have repeated my praise, on everything they do and have done for me.
However, this is now not the first time my car has been damaged by this dealer. The first service I took it in for the wheels were damaged, and a mark on the paintwork. On identifying this, they were more than happy to put the problem right, no question.
Now, the 2nd service, the above damage occurs, They even suggested the chip was already there, pre-service, then the chip appeared when they removed the tape sticking the bubble wrap to the wing for protection, and it wasn’t until I advised them that they were talking ****, that they said they will sort it, and now, yes, they are more than happy to put the problems right again. I have even written to the dealership manager voicing my concerns, and surprise suprise, no reply !
Am I being too fussy, I don’t think so, but I believe that people who own TVR’s, are generally quite fanatical about their cars. It takes me a day to clean the car properly, and I’m sure there are people out there who take even longer. Is this the norm to have to “accept” some minor damage when your car goes to a main dealer for service ?. Have any of you had similar experiences ?. Are there any alternative reputable service locations relatively close to the SE of Kent?, the problem I have is, ideally, I need to be able to get to the garage relatively quickly (30-45mins), and be able to commute to/from London (south) in an hour, and preferably get a courtesy car.
Lastly, I would like to reiterate that this dealer’s workshop personnel have always given me superb service, and on this occasion, as usual, was more than happy, and very prompt, in getting a date in the diary to rectify the problems, but I do not feel I should be worrying while the car is in their control, as to what damage may happen to it, between delivery to, and my collection of it, from them. I want to continue using them, and to a degree, I am forced too, because of the very few dealers who can comprehensively service TVR’s, within a reasonable locality, but I am finding myself considering other option’s.
Apologies for the War & Peace on this, but I am very very frustrated.
- The wheels are damaged in some of the boltholes where the socket has scuffed the lacquer.
- I now have a chip on the paintwork, at the top middle of the driver’s front wing, on the corner as the wing folds down to the gully, where the main bonnet sits.
- The felt strip has been replaced along the top rear roof section, where it cushions the removable section, and in doing this, I now have a whole series of hairline scratches along this top section, which I only noticed under fluorescent lights, in the garage.
Don’t get me wrong, I have, on more than a few occasions, praised this dealer to the highest degree, and recommended them to everyone. I have written to them direct, thanking them for their service, and also had a publication in “Sprint”, in which I have repeated my praise, on everything they do and have done for me.
However, this is now not the first time my car has been damaged by this dealer. The first service I took it in for the wheels were damaged, and a mark on the paintwork. On identifying this, they were more than happy to put the problem right, no question.
Now, the 2nd service, the above damage occurs, They even suggested the chip was already there, pre-service, then the chip appeared when they removed the tape sticking the bubble wrap to the wing for protection, and it wasn’t until I advised them that they were talking ****, that they said they will sort it, and now, yes, they are more than happy to put the problems right again. I have even written to the dealership manager voicing my concerns, and surprise suprise, no reply !
Am I being too fussy, I don’t think so, but I believe that people who own TVR’s, are generally quite fanatical about their cars. It takes me a day to clean the car properly, and I’m sure there are people out there who take even longer. Is this the norm to have to “accept” some minor damage when your car goes to a main dealer for service ?. Have any of you had similar experiences ?. Are there any alternative reputable service locations relatively close to the SE of Kent?, the problem I have is, ideally, I need to be able to get to the garage relatively quickly (30-45mins), and be able to commute to/from London (south) in an hour, and preferably get a courtesy car.
Lastly, I would like to reiterate that this dealer’s workshop personnel have always given me superb service, and on this occasion, as usual, was more than happy, and very prompt, in getting a date in the diary to rectify the problems, but I do not feel I should be worrying while the car is in their control, as to what damage may happen to it, between delivery to, and my collection of it, from them. I want to continue using them, and to a degree, I am forced too, because of the very few dealers who can comprehensively service TVR’s, within a reasonable locality, but I am finding myself considering other option’s.
Apologies for the War & Peace on this, but I am very very frustrated.
I think the scuffs on the inside of the nut holes on the wheels are fair enough - they have to get the wheels off somehow. But other scratches are not.
Sounds like they are now getting it sorted for you. In a perfect world it wouldn't happen, but its how they react when it does happen that is important.
Sounds like they are now getting it sorted for you. In a perfect world it wouldn't happen, but its how they react when it does happen that is important.
I take all your points, and agree, it's how they put the problem right, and all being well, it should get sorted, but we're not talking about taking your £2k Sierra in for an oil change a tw*t fit's. It's all about taking care of customer's EXPENSIVE property, and they seem to be struggling with this aspect of their service at the moment!.
Mr.t said:
...
- I now have a chip on the paintwork, at the top middle of the driver’s front wing, on the corner as the wing folds down to the gully, where the main bonnet sits.
- The felt strip has been replaced along the top rear roof section, where it cushions the removable section, and in doing this, I now have a whole series of hairline scratches along this top section, which I only noticed under fluorescent lights, in the garage.
...
To be fair is it not possible you'd never seen the hairline fractures yourself if you only spotted them under flourescent light, are they visible in daylight?
It could also be that stone-chip was just plain bad look during the post-service drive, after all our TVRs seem attract stones in the same way premiership footballers do page 3 girls!
I've only ever had good service from *them, and as busy as they are they've gone out of their way to help me in the past (bring a new battery to a local meet etc.) even for small cosmetic issues.
*Name removed to protect the innocent.
>> Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 13th April 17:06
Maybe they have become complacent - they have your business so what?? They probably assume you can't be arsed to change / you have no option......well you DO!!! 
Time to change I suggest...
even if it is a little more convenient to get to / from...surely not as inconvenient as sorting this crap out afterwards??
Can't recommend a place in Kent as based in Berks - happy to recommend the place we use for the his 'n' hers TVRs.....
just got my 'new' baby back after some minor work...grin grin!! 
Time to change I suggest...
even if it is a little more convenient to get to / from...surely not as inconvenient as sorting this crap out afterwards?? Can't recommend a place in Kent as based in Berks - happy to recommend the place we use for the his 'n' hers TVRs.....
just got my 'new' baby back after some minor work...grin grin!! 
Totally understand your frustration MrT after having received similar service from a main dealer myself.. absolutely bewildered as to how any company can give a car back without a quick quality check - more recently have also had problems which are being resolved at the dealers expense (as you would think) but they are also willing to do a 'deal' on a few other items as an apology - and I would expect nothing less having spent countless 000's with them over the past few years - biggest point as stated before is how you are dealt with when things go wrong - was not amuzed and still not if honest and to be fair it doesn't matter if the car is worth £1K or £100K the service and respect for the customers property should be the same. Good luck with getting things sorted.
beano500 said:
Maybe time to look at one of the independents?
They love their work, otherwise they wouldn't do it, care about their reputations and go that extra mile. I know I am biased, but they're affordable too!
I have to say that if I was ever to return to the TVR fold then it would be independants all the way.
You dont often see a shining recommendation for a main stealer but independants are often praised from the highest platform...
Tripps, I agree with your comments on their good service, and yes, they have often gone out of their way big time to help me, but when things go wrong, we're entitled to speak out as well.
Having gone in/out of my garage about a million times, under fluorecent light, in between annual services, I can guarantee the hairline scratches were not there prior to the service, and no, they are not easy to pick out in daylight.
As for the stonechip, unless a straight bladed type implement fell virtically from the sky, direct onto the upper corner of the wing, 3-4 feet from the front section of the bonnet, I'd say that the chip was not attributed to any pre/post service drive.
All I am saying here is, it would'nt do them or us any harm, to up their attention to care of customer's vehicle's, while in their charge.
Having gone in/out of my garage about a million times, under fluorecent light, in between annual services, I can guarantee the hairline scratches were not there prior to the service, and no, they are not easy to pick out in daylight.
As for the stonechip, unless a straight bladed type implement fell virtically from the sky, direct onto the upper corner of the wing, 3-4 feet from the front section of the bonnet, I'd say that the chip was not attributed to any pre/post service drive.
All I am saying here is, it would'nt do them or us any harm, to up their attention to care of customer's vehicle's, while in their charge.
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