My visit to a dealer today
Discussion
Well, apparently, times are tough and the motor industry is in crisis. Obviously not so at ********. Despite two call during the week to advise I would be coming to view two specific cars this morning, (a 4.3 and a 500)could they be arse to bother to do any prep? Nope, none at all and I very nearly went home after a 250 round trip in protest.
So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
Edited by Ballistic Banana on Saturday 31st January 21:13
Can’t comment on the company in question and not TVR related but it is rather baffling how some dealers seem so disinterested. I just bought a new van for one of our engineers and was surprised how challenging it was just to get quotes from the dealers. I had decided it would be one of three manufacturers (Fiat Citroen and Peugeot sell the same product with a different name). Visited all three local dealers gave the spec and waited, then waited a bit more, Peugeot kept calling to say the computer was broken and they would quote soon, visited the Fiat dealer three times over two weeks and nothing arrived, didn’t hear from Citroen at all. Oddly bought eventually from a finance company that produced a quote in just under 3 mins.
Doesn’t help your quest for a Griff and all I would say best way from my experience is buy directly from a pedantic, self servicing owner enthusiastic owner. Ideally one that is so fussy he makes you take your shoes off when you go inside the house and has used the car for a bit of sprinting or at least the odd track day, that way he will understand it and it will be properly sorted.
Doesn’t help your quest for a Griff and all I would say best way from my experience is buy directly from a pedantic, self servicing owner enthusiastic owner. Ideally one that is so fussy he makes you take your shoes off when you go inside the house and has used the car for a bit of sprinting or at least the odd track day, that way he will understand it and it will be properly sorted.
Yep, quite incredible considering the market. It's not just them though, last Sunday I went to our local Toyota garage to look at an Aygo for the other half. Nobody bothered to talk to us there, nobody took our details or even asked what we wanted. Admittedly we were there nearly at closing time but hey, surely they should be bothered a bit more.
The 4.3 was OK, nothing special, very dirty so it wasn't looking great. Interior is half hide (how many were full?)and overall, it could be nice given a bit of time. It's not bad for the money though.
The 500 seems a much nicer car, certainly quicker and just a bit more entertaining.
The 4.3 was OK, nothing special, very dirty so it wasn't looking great. Interior is half hide (how many were full?)and overall, it could be nice given a bit of time. It's not bad for the money though.
The 500 seems a much nicer car, certainly quicker and just a bit more entertaining.
When i bought my toyota landcruiser brand new i did the typical ''lets see whos best out of 3 localish garages''
NO 1..... very helpful but miles out on price
NO 2...... treated me as though i was spending 36 million not 36k, nothing was a problem, even convinced me to buy a registered unit saving 4k and a good price on my old one.....
NO 3.....TO55ER , salesman wouldnt give me a p/x price till i had given him all my details, i said give me a price i'm going to three garages whoever is the best i will buy today, even now !!!!!
still didnt work, so i asked him if i could borrow his phone , i then called the second dealer and ordered a silver one over the phone........ the salesman couldnt believe it all of a sudden he was willing to give me a deal so i told him to shove it.
...........I bought my griff privately
NO 1..... very helpful but miles out on price
NO 2...... treated me as though i was spending 36 million not 36k, nothing was a problem, even convinced me to buy a registered unit saving 4k and a good price on my old one.....
NO 3.....TO55ER , salesman wouldnt give me a p/x price till i had given him all my details, i said give me a price i'm going to three garages whoever is the best i will buy today, even now !!!!!
still didnt work, so i asked him if i could borrow his phone , i then called the second dealer and ordered a silver one over the phone........ the salesman couldnt believe it all of a sudden he was willing to give me a deal so i told him to shove it.
...........I bought my griff privately
Edited by 3024E on Saturday 31st January 21:52
culminator said:
Well, apparently, times are tough and the motor industry is in crisis. Obviously not so at ********. Despite two call during the week to advise I would be coming to view two specific cars this morning, (a 4.3 and a 500)could they be arse to bother to do any prep? Nope, none at all and I very nearly went home after a 250 round trip in protest.
So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
I know what you mean. So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
Edited by Ballistic Banana on Saturday 31st January 21:13
Had my exhaust mod done there (220 mile round trip). TBH like most things you can usually tell within seconds if you like the place or not. I reserved judgement though. When given a Saab courtesy car while the mod was being done, my original feeling was substantiated. Can't say i was really bothered by the fact it had 160,000 miles on the clock, and more warning lights on than blackpool illuminations. Its more the fact the petrol light was already on saying 20 miles untill empty. Upon going back in to tell them, the reply i got was "yeah.......just fill it up with what you use". I did'nt know the area so drove 2 miles to the next village and dumped the car in a pub carpark. Walked around the area for a few hours then dumped it back!!
TBH, i wasn't impressed at all compared to the service and bend over backards attitude i've had from both Neil Garner and David Gerald in the past. I won't be going back on what i've seen/felt alone. Let alone giving them £10k - £11k of my hard earned. From what you've added/said, if i do decide to upgrade in the near future i'll leave them well of the shopping list.
Dave81 said:
culminator said:
Well, apparently, times are tough and the motor industry is in crisis. Obviously not so at ********. Despite two call during the week to advise I would be coming to view two specific cars this morning, (a 4.3 and a 500)could they be arse to bother to do any prep? Nope, none at all and I very nearly went home after a 250 round trip in protest.
So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
I know what you mean. So, first of all, both cars are stuck in the showroom, one very very dirty, the other very dusty. I wait for 20mins for someone to bother to come and ask if I need assistance. Although everyone was pleasant enough, I was appalled by the lack of presentation and effort to prepare these cars for a prospective buyer.
A t350 would not start at all, leaving 3 guys to push it out of the way before they can get to the 4.3 i want to test. neither of the two cars that I had come to have a look at would start due to flat batteries. What a great first impression. Oh, and then one gets it's wing mirror smashed as the poor guy tries to get it out of the showroom and the other has a completely flat tyre. What a comedy!
All in all, I had to hang around for an hour and a half to even get in a car for a test drive. No wonder they've been for sale for months and months!!
edited the Dealer name out due to the No Naming and Shaming Policy, BB
Edited by Ballistic Banana on Saturday 31st January 21:13
Had my exhaust mod done there (220 mile round trip). TBH like most things you can usually tell within seconds if you like the place or not. I reserved judgement though. When given a Saab courtesy car while the mod was being done, my original feeling was substantiated. Can't say i was really bothered by the fact it had 160,000 miles on the clock, and more warning lights on than blackpool illuminations. Its more the fact the petrol light was already on saying 20 miles untill empty. Upon going back in to tell them, the reply i got was "yeah.......just fill it up with what you use". I did'nt know the area so drove 2 miles to the next village and dumped the car in a pub carpark. Walked around the area for a few hours then dumped it back!!
TBH, i wasn't impressed at all compared to the service and bend over backards attitude i've had from both Neil Garner and David Gerald in the past. I won't be going back on what i've seen/felt alone. Let alone giving them £10k - £11k of my hard earned. From what you've added/said, if i do decide to upgrade in the near future i'll leave them well of the shopping list.
On finally picking my car up only to find, would not start, carpets sodden wet & shrunk, damage to the boot lid paintwork kept waiting while they had to move 4 cars and tyre repair truck before I could move my car-- Never take my car there again staff ***** & **** are sh**s all there interested in is taking your money and giving poor service.
Phil
I took my griffith there for a service ! never again came away with more faults than it went in with. and for that arrogant Tw** Bill 
has no customer or telephone skills. 
3024E said:
NO 3.....TO55ER , salesman wouldnt give me a p/x price till i had given him all my details, i said give me a price i'm going to three garages whoever is the best i will buy today, even now !!!!!
still didnt work, so i asked him if i could borrow his phone , i then called the second dealer and ordered a silver one over the phone........ the salesman couldnt believe it all of a sudden he was willing to give me a deal so i told him to shove it.
If thats true, then still didnt work, so i asked him if i could borrow his phone , i then called the second dealer and ordered a silver one over the phone........ the salesman couldnt believe it all of a sudden he was willing to give me a deal so i told him to shove it.
Same has happened to me twice as well. Luckily I only live about 30 mins drive away. Went to see what was described as an immaculate Griff 500 about 3 years ago which had had lots of money spent apparantly. I wouldn't find a better example for sale supposedly. It was a bit of a dog, filthy dirty and no attempt had been made to prepare it despite a pre arranged appointment.The drivers seat had been raised by about 3 inches to accomodate the previous lady owner who was about 5ft short. They had made no attempt to return the seat to the original position.
Should have learnt my lesson but did the same for a Caterham they had for sale for ages last year. Oh well you live and learn eventually.
Was thinking about looking at the Griffs they have at the moment but you have saved me another wasted journey.
Should have learnt my lesson but did the same for a Caterham they had for sale for ages last year. Oh well you live and learn eventually.
Was thinking about looking at the Griffs they have at the moment but you have saved me another wasted journey.
Well thanks, guys, for a wholly enlightening thread... I'm driving over that way in a fortnight, so will be passing within a few hundred yards of this place, so was hoping to test the 4.3... Will still book a test drive, but they will be sorely disappointed if they expect me to wait around for any of the above logistical issues to be resolved - the other half WILL NOT wait...!
Will also be my first drive of a Griff, which I've secretly yearned for years, but only now am seriously investigating, so if I still want one after any of the above nightmares then that will be a good sign!!!
Also be prepared to be pestered by a novice at the 2009 Growl, as I will probably still be pondering the purchase then.... sorry, chaps...
Will also be my first drive of a Griff, which I've secretly yearned for years, but only now am seriously investigating, so if I still want one after any of the above nightmares then that will be a good sign!!!
Also be prepared to be pestered by a novice at the 2009 Growl, as I will probably still be pondering the purchase then.... sorry, chaps...
BB If you are ban naming and shaming, for balance you really ought to ban the "bigging up" of dealers and service providers as well. I took my Griff to a service provider whose praises had been sung on here and was really not impressed. As well as a service I told them that I had an oil leak that wasn't engine oil but hydraulic fluid, so maybe clutch or steering, and that I needed a track rod end as the gaitor had split. They told me it wasn't a hydraulic leak and replaced the sump gasket. Result £1100, oil leak remained so I took the car back and they tightend up a hose clip on the steering pipe U bend telling me "they all leak from there" result steering not leaking but the sump was.
200 miles later I noticed the nearly new front tyres were badly worn on the outer edges, looking at the car head on it was obvious that it was toeing out although the handling didn't feel bad. Back again, "yeah its toeing out sorry about that, have a free all wheel alignment as compensation" Result alignment machine not working was offered a free alignment at next service. Result, get stuffed I wont be back.
rant over
200 miles later I noticed the nearly new front tyres were badly worn on the outer edges, looking at the car head on it was obvious that it was toeing out although the handling didn't feel bad. Back again, "yeah its toeing out sorry about that, have a free all wheel alignment as compensation" Result alignment machine not working was offered a free alignment at next service. Result, get stuffed I wont be back.
rant over
I had a similar experience their 18 months ago and offered a derisory part exchange on my immaculate TVR that I was thinking about trading in.
I then had a not to dissimilar experience with another known dealer. Having phoned in advance I made an appointment to look at and test drive two of his cars. When I arrived I was shown the cars, which were jammed in the showroom and difficult to get close to, to inspect. When I asked about the test drive I was told that once I had decided which one I was interested in I would have to make another appointment for a test, as it would take a day or two to swap them around in the showroom. Needless to say having made one wasted journey I didn't bother going back.
In the end I bought a very nice, well prepared car with a good service history from an enthusiastic private owner. Well worth the extra weeks of searching.
I then had a not to dissimilar experience with another known dealer. Having phoned in advance I made an appointment to look at and test drive two of his cars. When I arrived I was shown the cars, which were jammed in the showroom and difficult to get close to, to inspect. When I asked about the test drive I was told that once I had decided which one I was interested in I would have to make another appointment for a test, as it would take a day or two to swap them around in the showroom. Needless to say having made one wasted journey I didn't bother going back.
In the end I bought a very nice, well prepared car with a good service history from an enthusiastic private owner. Well worth the extra weeks of searching.
eff eff said:
snip
rant over
These are the reasonings for banning naming and shaming hererant over
The reason for allowing recommendations are that they need no collaboration and are usually backed up by other satified owners/customers.
I agree not an ideal situation but the fairest under the circumstances. If anyone wants to know the name of the dealer in question then they can PM one of the dis-satisfied posters. The same rules are followed on the TVRCC forums.
I know I've read them, I just don't understand how the BBC can expose cowboys on national TV and PH can't on here. The BBC follow them to their house, their business, surprise them on jobs, and even entrap them with fake faults and hidden camers. Now you could argue that all of that is defamatory and a restriction of trade but I'm sure the beeb would say it was a public service to protect punters from getting bad being service and being ripped off. The reason that there are so many cowboys and that we get bad service is that we as a nation don't complain and name and shame.
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