No Aston Dealership in South West
Discussion
Learnt yesterday that Grange in Exeter are closing after, as far as I understand, their franchise with AML was not renewed. To say I am shocked is an understatement. The Jaguar franchise has been sold and the Aston element of the showroom closes early next week. The staff were told yesterday and I feel really sorry for the team there.
Steve and his team have looked after me very well and Lloyd has taken far too much money off us over the years. I will miss not being able to just pop along and get a niggling problem sorted or just have a look at what they have in the showroom and have a chat. I hope they all get themselves sorted out with new jobs quickly but they are all Aston enthusiasts as well as working for the brand.
We have yet to learn how AML intend to look after servicing our cars and dealing with warranty issues and I will be contacting them to see what is proposed. A new dealership is opening in Bristol during the summer but, for some in Cornwall, that will mean a 400 mile round trip to get their cars serviced. For me it is 160 mile round trip so not so bad but it will definitely take the shine off Aston ownership.
It does make you wonder how these decisions are made and the thought that goes into their existing customers. They have already been removed from the dealer list which shows the nearest dealers to us being Cardiff, Cheltenham and Reading.
Sad time for Aston owners in the SW
Steve and his team have looked after me very well and Lloyd has taken far too much money off us over the years. I will miss not being able to just pop along and get a niggling problem sorted or just have a look at what they have in the showroom and have a chat. I hope they all get themselves sorted out with new jobs quickly but they are all Aston enthusiasts as well as working for the brand.
We have yet to learn how AML intend to look after servicing our cars and dealing with warranty issues and I will be contacting them to see what is proposed. A new dealership is opening in Bristol during the summer but, for some in Cornwall, that will mean a 400 mile round trip to get their cars serviced. For me it is 160 mile round trip so not so bad but it will definitely take the shine off Aston ownership.
It does make you wonder how these decisions are made and the thought that goes into their existing customers. They have already been removed from the dealer list which shows the nearest dealers to us being Cardiff, Cheltenham and Reading.
Sad time for Aston owners in the SW
IanV12VR said:
Learnt yesterday that Grange in Exeter are closing after, as far as I understand, their franchise with AML was not renewed. To say I am shocked is an understatement. The Jaguar franchise has been sold and the Aston element of the showroom closes early next week. The staff were told yesterday and I feel really sorry for the team there.
Steve and his team have looked after me very well and Lloyd has taken far too much money off us over the years. I will miss not being able to just pop along and get a niggling problem sorted or just have a look at what they have in the showroom and have a chat. I hope they all get themselves sorted out with new jobs quickly but they are all Aston enthusiasts as well as working for the brand.
We have yet to learn how AML intend to look after servicing our cars and dealing with warranty issues and I will be contacting them to see what is proposed. A new dealership is opening in Bristol during the summer but, for some in Cornwall, that will mean a 400 mile round trip to get their cars serviced. For me it is 160 mile round trip so not so bad but it will definitely take the shine off Aston ownership.
It does make you wonder how these decisions are made and the thought that goes into their existing customers. They have already been removed from the dealer list which shows the nearest dealers to us being Cardiff, Cheltenham and Reading.
Sad time for Aston owners in the SW
I WAS going to move to the west country until I read this.Steve and his team have looked after me very well and Lloyd has taken far too much money off us over the years. I will miss not being able to just pop along and get a niggling problem sorted or just have a look at what they have in the showroom and have a chat. I hope they all get themselves sorted out with new jobs quickly but they are all Aston enthusiasts as well as working for the brand.
We have yet to learn how AML intend to look after servicing our cars and dealing with warranty issues and I will be contacting them to see what is proposed. A new dealership is opening in Bristol during the summer but, for some in Cornwall, that will mean a 400 mile round trip to get their cars serviced. For me it is 160 mile round trip so not so bad but it will definitely take the shine off Aston ownership.
It does make you wonder how these decisions are made and the thought that goes into their existing customers. They have already been removed from the dealer list which shows the nearest dealers to us being Cardiff, Cheltenham and Reading.
Sad time for Aston owners in the SW
SFO said:
no doubt there isn't enough demand for AM in the South West .. no reason otherwise for AML to reduce dealer presence; or perhaps Grange decided to pull out
Hi Sean, according to Grange definitely not their decision. My understanding is that AML are reviewing their dealer network and this may be the first output from this. Further changes may happen as other franchise agreements expire - or nothing further may happen. Grange say Exeter was a very good performing branch - who knows.My concern is more for owners who have their cars under warranty. I know that a big part of my decision to buy was the fact AML were represented locally so if there were any problems the car wouldn't have to be transported miles away. It will be important to me how AML deal with this change.
Sorry to hear this Ian,does it affect offer Grange AM Dealerships or just your local one.
It does leave the south west some what isolated currently without doubt and I feel very sorry for the staff there that I know you hold in high esteem.
Not a good way for anyone to start there New Year…………….shame.
Who is the new dealer going to be in Bristol,have they been named yet.
It does leave the south west some what isolated currently without doubt and I feel very sorry for the staff there that I know you hold in high esteem.
Not a good way for anyone to start there New Year…………….shame.
Who is the new dealer going to be in Bristol,have they been named yet.
Ed50 said:
Sorry to hear this Ian,does it affect offer Grange AM Dealerships or just your local one.
It does leave the south west some what isolated currently without doubt and I feel very sorry for the staff there that I know you hold in high esteem.
Not a good way for anyone to start there New Year…………….shame.
Who is the new dealer going to be in Bristol,have they been named yet.
Hi Ed, as far as I know the branches in Brentwood and Welwyn are not affected. It does leave the south west some what isolated currently without doubt and I feel very sorry for the staff there that I know you hold in high esteem.
Not a good way for anyone to start there New Year…………….shame.
Who is the new dealer going to be in Bristol,have they been named yet.
The new dealership is owned by Dick Lovett and the new showroom will be adjacent to their Porsche and BMW showrooms at Cribbs Causeway. That's another big reason not to take the car there - huge shopping centre just next door and Maureen will want to come with me
This is very sad news for all of us that rate customer service and passion for the marque. I was only with Lloyd a couple of days ago discussing what Aston I might consider next, admiring the GT12 and thinking of the future. What a fickle world - hoping Lloyd and the rest of the Grange team find a satisfactory outcome.
hashluck said:
Yes Dick Lovett indeed. This was known a while ago and I thought more likely to mean a possible change afoot in Cardiff or perhaps Cheltenham but not Exeter. Of course it may not be related.
I think that what Exeter thought as well. I understand they had just had a very good sales quarter which included a Vulcan and two GT12's. Hi Ian
I rather think a letter to Andy Palmer from the Area might be warranted? Presumably no communication from AML to owners under warranty? Not a great example of customer centricity which is what I thought he espoused? I don't really use dealers once cars out of warranty, but my sense was Grange were definitely one of the better ones.
Lancaster lost their dealership in Reading last year, but it didn't compare with the team at Grange, and it doesn't mean locals having to travel hundreds of miles either!
I rather think a letter to Andy Palmer from the Area might be warranted? Presumably no communication from AML to owners under warranty? Not a great example of customer centricity which is what I thought he espoused? I don't really use dealers once cars out of warranty, but my sense was Grange were definitely one of the better ones.
Lancaster lost their dealership in Reading last year, but it didn't compare with the team at Grange, and it doesn't mean locals having to travel hundreds of miles either!
I drive past Cribbs Causeway in Bristol every day and noticed that a new building is currently being erected next to the Porsche/BMW dealerships. Could this be the new Aston Martin one ?? If so, happy days for me, saves me having to deal with Cheltenham, which after one experience will never go back.
leerandle said:
I drive past Cribbs Causeway in Bristol every day and noticed that a new building is currently being erected next to the Porsche/BMW dealerships. Could this be the new Aston Martin one ?? If so, happy days for me, saves me having to deal with Cheltenham, which after one experience will never go back.
No thats Rybrook's new showroom for Rolls Royceleerandle said:
I drive past Cribbs Causeway in Bristol every day and noticed that a new building is currently being erected next to the Porsche/BMW dealerships. Could this be the new Aston Martin one ?? If so, happy days for me, saves me having to deal with Cheltenham, which after one experience will never go back.
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