Disappointed with main dealer
Discussion
All right guys just thought I’d post this to see what people thought:
I had my Elise keyed (not major - 2 inches marking the lacquer and 2 inches going through the lacquer down to the fibre glass) I got in contact with my main dealer who said that they get a bloke in to do this kind of work. I took some photos and sent them to the main dealer who said, “Yep are paint man can do that”. I booked the car in towards the end of January but the main dealer cancelled this as the ‘paint man’ was very busy- which was fine, shit happens.
A couple of weeks went by with no new date set by the dealer so I got in contact with them again to find out when this could be done and a date was booked for today. I emailed them last week to ask them if anybody could pick the car up for me as I had an accident which left me unable to drive but if not, not to worry and I would try to sort it out my end.
No one at the main dealer got back to me via email so I phoned them on Monday to see what was happening to which I got a vague answer saying it was sort of cancelled again but they would let me know, which they have not.
I don’t know if it’s me but I thought a main dealer would bend over backwards to sort things out for you and keep in contact to let you know what is happening (I’ve owned Hondas and Toyotas and their main dealers do). A few manners wouldn’t go a miss to phone me back or email me to let me know what is happening.
Additionally I’ve felt that I have messed Topcat around because of my main dealer messing me about. Topcat was kind enough to offer to take my car up to them and go and fetch it again once the work had been carried out, one minute I’m asking him to pick it up then I’m telling him don’t worry its been cancelled (I think) (A big THANK YOU to TC for the offer though).
I’m very loyal to my main dealers and its not the case to using them for emergencies only, as I let them service the car and any repairs that might need doing I wouldn’t hesitate but take the car to them.
Has anybody else experienced these kinds of problems with their Lotus main dealer?
Tanman
I had my Elise keyed (not major - 2 inches marking the lacquer and 2 inches going through the lacquer down to the fibre glass) I got in contact with my main dealer who said that they get a bloke in to do this kind of work. I took some photos and sent them to the main dealer who said, “Yep are paint man can do that”. I booked the car in towards the end of January but the main dealer cancelled this as the ‘paint man’ was very busy- which was fine, shit happens.
A couple of weeks went by with no new date set by the dealer so I got in contact with them again to find out when this could be done and a date was booked for today. I emailed them last week to ask them if anybody could pick the car up for me as I had an accident which left me unable to drive but if not, not to worry and I would try to sort it out my end.
No one at the main dealer got back to me via email so I phoned them on Monday to see what was happening to which I got a vague answer saying it was sort of cancelled again but they would let me know, which they have not.
I don’t know if it’s me but I thought a main dealer would bend over backwards to sort things out for you and keep in contact to let you know what is happening (I’ve owned Hondas and Toyotas and their main dealers do). A few manners wouldn’t go a miss to phone me back or email me to let me know what is happening.
Additionally I’ve felt that I have messed Topcat around because of my main dealer messing me about. Topcat was kind enough to offer to take my car up to them and go and fetch it again once the work had been carried out, one minute I’m asking him to pick it up then I’m telling him don’t worry its been cancelled (I think) (A big THANK YOU to TC for the offer though).
I’m very loyal to my main dealers and its not the case to using them for emergencies only, as I let them service the car and any repairs that might need doing I wouldn’t hesitate but take the car to them.
Has anybody else experienced these kinds of problems with their Lotus main dealer?
Tanman
I had a similar issue with trying to order some parts from my main dealer and after numerous telephone calls with no answer and an ability for people at the garage to return my messages, I gave up and went elsewhere - where abouts do you live as people could try and reccomend a much better alternative which could even end up costing you less?!
TADS
I will only be going back to main dealers if I buy a new car and then as soon as the warranty is over it will be back to the specialists.
My last A service at a main dealers with a few other minor bits and bobs was £470! and they messed me around with a test drive 3 times.
For small paint scratches and scrapes I would go to Chipsaway instead.
I will only be going back to main dealers if I buy a new car and then as soon as the warranty is over it will be back to the specialists.
My last A service at a main dealers with a few other minor bits and bobs was £470! and they messed me around with a test drive 3 times.
For small paint scratches and scrapes I would go to Chipsaway instead.
I have been getting my cars from dealers, from jaguar, mercs to bmw. They are all the same (see my profile/link on merc dropping it's oil).
If i go into what happen with Jaguar, i would be made into a film - "The Day I Met a Jaguar Dealer".
If i hear "Thats never happend before", one more time...
I can give you story after story about dealers that would make your toes curl. My advise is: they are out to make large sums of money out of YOU so NEVER give loyalty even if they seem to be showing loyalty to you - that's due to good training by the dealers and nothing else. I have had two recent problem one i have mentioned with the merc and more recently with my wife's mini, went in for it's first mot and a pair of expensive sunglasses were nicked, got standard dealer responce "NOTHING". I don't know who to use anymore because i used to buy cars on how the dealer treated me.
I did find one dealer - fantastic - up in Preston (worth the drive) but they lost there franchise when merc dropped loads of it's dealers. doh
Im sure someone is out to get me. look im getting paranoid now!!!
If you manage to find a good dealer then hang on to them - the only way to find this out is when something goes wrong and they go out of there way/pocket to make sure you are all right. I know it because they want you to buy a car from them later- but thats what it's all about - good service, thats all we want. If you get courtesy without sincerity - then you can shove it up your
If i go into what happen with Jaguar, i would be made into a film - "The Day I Met a Jaguar Dealer".
If i hear "Thats never happend before", one more time...
I can give you story after story about dealers that would make your toes curl. My advise is: they are out to make large sums of money out of YOU so NEVER give loyalty even if they seem to be showing loyalty to you - that's due to good training by the dealers and nothing else. I have had two recent problem one i have mentioned with the merc and more recently with my wife's mini, went in for it's first mot and a pair of expensive sunglasses were nicked, got standard dealer responce "NOTHING". I don't know who to use anymore because i used to buy cars on how the dealer treated me.
I did find one dealer - fantastic - up in Preston (worth the drive) but they lost there franchise when merc dropped loads of it's dealers. doh
Im sure someone is out to get me. look im getting paranoid now!!!
If you manage to find a good dealer then hang on to them - the only way to find this out is when something goes wrong and they go out of there way/pocket to make sure you are all right. I know it because they want you to buy a car from them later- but thats what it's all about - good service, thats all we want. If you get courtesy without sincerity - then you can shove it up your
Hi Tanman
I know that this aint much use to you (being in Devon)but I find my dealer, F1 Lotus in Newcastle a dream to deal with. I didn't buy the car there, but for all of the work I have had done, S2 suspension, c service, track-rod ends along with dozens of bits and pieces has been done by them.
I never go through the showroom to the workshop, I go round the back(tradesmans entrance!) and this avoids the sales guys (I dress like a tramp at times and the looks I have had are amusing)
Few people fly the flag for F1 lotus (maybe coz there are only a few of locals on here) but I have a good working relationship with them.
I know that this aint much use to you (being in Devon)but I find my dealer, F1 Lotus in Newcastle a dream to deal with. I didn't buy the car there, but for all of the work I have had done, S2 suspension, c service, track-rod ends along with dozens of bits and pieces has been done by them.
I never go through the showroom to the workshop, I go round the back(tradesmans entrance!) and this avoids the sales guys (I dress like a tramp at times and the looks I have had are amusing)
Few people fly the flag for F1 lotus (maybe coz there are only a few of locals on here) but I have a good working relationship with them.
Generally I've had a good relationship with Lotus dealers. One recent issue which incurred my displeasure was at my last service I was advised I needed rear brake pads. I took the trouble of speaking to the mechanic you said I had circa 6K in them left so they recommended changing them. Well I know I'm pretty easy on brakes and my car is used as an every day car, so when they said they wanted circa £100 for the pads plus fitting I thought stuff 'em.
Just had new front tyres fitted at Micheldever. I'd bought some EBC Greenstuff pads (£40) with a view to Micheldever fitting them. Technician took one rear wheel off and said I didn't need pads at all, loads of life left. And this was 7K after the service!
Just had new front tyres fitted at Micheldever. I'd bought some EBC Greenstuff pads (£40) with a view to Micheldever fitting them. Technician took one rear wheel off and said I didn't need pads at all, loads of life left. And this was 7K after the service!
Cheers for the thoughts guys. Davey S1- Topcat said about usuing Chipsaway, when i spoke to the main dealer i said i wanted a good job done as i see a lot of bad paint jobs and their man is supposed to be very good, however i've also good reports about chipsaway so they may be next on my list.
As i live in south devon, i think there is a lotus specialist but they are in north devon (please correct if i'm wrong). Additionally what is the general thought about service history on a lotus if it ain't main dealer done? I've always taken the view that if the person loves the car no expense is spared.
Apologies for the spellings, punctuation and grammar in the original before some smart arse points it out
, as my best mate who is dyslexic once said "Tan your more pyrexic than me" 
Cheers for the thoughts and advice
Tanman
As i live in south devon, i think there is a lotus specialist but they are in north devon (please correct if i'm wrong). Additionally what is the general thought about service history on a lotus if it ain't main dealer done? I've always taken the view that if the person loves the car no expense is spared.
Apologies for the spellings, punctuation and grammar in the original before some smart arse points it out
, as my best mate who is dyslexic once said "Tan your more pyrexic than me" Cheers for the thoughts and advice
Tanman
Tanman IIRC from when I was considering a Chimaera Peninsula TVR were well thought of - they now do Lotus I believe ...
Peninsula
Sidmouth Road
Aylesbeare
Devon
EX5 2JJ
tel: 01395 232241
www.peninsula-cars.co.uk/index_lotus.asp
Tried them?
Peninsula
Sidmouth Road
Aylesbeare
Devon
EX5 2JJ
tel: 01395 232241
www.peninsula-cars.co.uk/index_lotus.asp
Tried them?
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