Discussion
ProAlfa went tits up after a long list of customer complaints.
This is taken from one of the owners groups which then led to a long list of customers mentions their problems with the business.
Over the last few months, there have been a growing number of complaints from members and owners relating to the standard of the work Proalfa has carried out. Some of these complaints have been in relation to basic issues but there's a worrying number of serious issues that require extensive work to rectify at great expense. What is even more concerning is that the owner of the business is now not prepared to speak with these customers and has, instead, recruited someone to field his calls. This has been a recent shift and I can confirm, from yesterday's personal experience, that this process is both unfriendly and is simply designed to deflect complaints.
I have my own personal views on what is actually happening but the long and short of it is I can't recommend any members take their cars there for work. In fact, I actively discourage you from doing so!
To add to the above I have myself experienced issues with my current turbo since it was installed. I have discussed it with Proalfa on and off but had no joy in identifying the problem. I explained that I would have the turbo sent to a specialist to see if there was an internal issue which Chris suggested was a good idea. I decided to have this work carried out independently as I was unable to get hold of them to book it in. It transpires that the turbo was installed with a faulty oil feed which starved the turbo of oil instantly damaging it. Although it works the damage is extensive and will continue to get worse. I have tried to discuss this with them but I would refer you to the above rather than go into repetitive detail regarding their response and my disappointment. I am left in a position where I will have to fund the repairs myself.
There are more details I could share and I won’t mention other owners that I know are affected. If they want to add to my comments then I’ll leave that up to them. Suffice to say that under no circumstances can I recommend them as a competent garage let alone an Abarth specialist. It’s a shame because Chris Constantinou is an excellent mechanic when he puts his mind to it but he is an awful businessman who now lacks the integrity required to assist customer complaints. This is my opinion based on my experience.
PLEASE NOTE that this does not apply to Tony at Tune4performance who remaps their cars. His business is independent of Proalfa and his work is flawless. He can always be contacted directly to map vehicles and it is no more expensive than using Proalfa. He is a very helpful guy and his results are without doubt above criticism in my eyes. It’s important to make it clear that none of my critiques apply to his company.
I'm not sure if the current management is still running business or not.
This is not an ADMIN post, it is representative of my personal experience and I share it as a fellow owner. Ultimately it is up to others to form their opinions and act accordingly.
This is taken from one of the owners groups which then led to a long list of customers mentions their problems with the business.
- PROALFA**
Over the last few months, there have been a growing number of complaints from members and owners relating to the standard of the work Proalfa has carried out. Some of these complaints have been in relation to basic issues but there's a worrying number of serious issues that require extensive work to rectify at great expense. What is even more concerning is that the owner of the business is now not prepared to speak with these customers and has, instead, recruited someone to field his calls. This has been a recent shift and I can confirm, from yesterday's personal experience, that this process is both unfriendly and is simply designed to deflect complaints.
I have my own personal views on what is actually happening but the long and short of it is I can't recommend any members take their cars there for work. In fact, I actively discourage you from doing so!
To add to the above I have myself experienced issues with my current turbo since it was installed. I have discussed it with Proalfa on and off but had no joy in identifying the problem. I explained that I would have the turbo sent to a specialist to see if there was an internal issue which Chris suggested was a good idea. I decided to have this work carried out independently as I was unable to get hold of them to book it in. It transpires that the turbo was installed with a faulty oil feed which starved the turbo of oil instantly damaging it. Although it works the damage is extensive and will continue to get worse. I have tried to discuss this with them but I would refer you to the above rather than go into repetitive detail regarding their response and my disappointment. I am left in a position where I will have to fund the repairs myself.
There are more details I could share and I won’t mention other owners that I know are affected. If they want to add to my comments then I’ll leave that up to them. Suffice to say that under no circumstances can I recommend them as a competent garage let alone an Abarth specialist. It’s a shame because Chris Constantinou is an excellent mechanic when he puts his mind to it but he is an awful businessman who now lacks the integrity required to assist customer complaints. This is my opinion based on my experience.
PLEASE NOTE that this does not apply to Tony at Tune4performance who remaps their cars. His business is independent of Proalfa and his work is flawless. He can always be contacted directly to map vehicles and it is no more expensive than using Proalfa. He is a very helpful guy and his results are without doubt above criticism in my eyes. It’s important to make it clear that none of my critiques apply to his company.
I'm not sure if the current management is still running business or not.
This is not an ADMIN post, it is representative of my personal experience and I share it as a fellow owner. Ultimately it is up to others to form their opinions and act accordingly.
dema said:
Strange,
I’ve used them for the past 4 years Chris was very helpful and friendly. I didn’t visit much this year but, when I went in for a service in Sept he seemed to be the same
Would be a shame if everything went down hill
Anyone in the same area that works Saturdays?
I can’t point you in the right direction for that I’m afraid. The post led to 300+ comments with quite a few owners saying they were concerned about speaking their mind because everyone used to rave about proalfa. I’ve used them for the past 4 years Chris was very helpful and friendly. I didn’t visit much this year but, when I went in for a service in Sept he seemed to be the same
Would be a shame if everything went down hill
Anyone in the same area that works Saturdays?
Some who did speak out got shot down.
But the general consensus was that they got overwhelmed by workload and couldn’t keep up/started cutting corners.
There was an update that I missed to add to the post:
- *PRO ALFA Update***
The current situation is by no means acceptable. You cannot defend the indefensible.
Chris Constantinou has, without doubt, left the business in a state. It had been mismanaged to the extent that he decided that downing tools and leaving was easier than facing the music and sorting things out. There were a growing number of complaints and he lacked the stomach or the skillset to sort it out. That is a huge disappointment to people like me with issues.
The new owner is a social acquaintance of Chris and he offered to help deal with calls etc whilst Chris facilitated an exit. He will now set his own business up within the building. Some may feel that makes him culpable but in fairness, he isn't responsible for the past. I have questioned his recent interaction with Pro Alfa customers including myself and I hope he changes his approach to new business. He has not covered himself in glory to date.
The person now running the business is Chris Taylor. I am not clear if he is responsible for liquidating Pro Alfa but his plan is to reopen a garage under a different name. They will not be specialising in Alfa or Abarth but will offer to work on them. He has confirmed that he will be injecting capital into the business (I assume new limited company), employing 2 seasoned mechanics and will be offering remaps for our cars through Tune4performance amongst other services.
He has invited me down to have a coffee to discuss plans but there is little point in discussing details whilst he deals with the current situation.
I am cannot confirm more than that. But this feedback may answer some questions raised yesterday.
What I can say with some confidence that the Pro Alfa brand is finished. I cannot see the new occupants taking on a failing limited company which is losing money/in debt. So my opinion is that company will be liquidated (it is my opinion).
If you have a legitimate claim against them for faulty work etc then I suggest you take some legal advice as the options look limited. The company is still listed as trading and there are 2 other shareholders (one a director living abroad).
Not much but it's an update.
galaxie5000 said:
Autolusso Houghton Regis, Beds.. Best by far. (No connection with them, just lots of good work done on my GTV..)
I have used them in the past but wouldn't be using them again. Without going into too much detail, I wasn't happy with their work.I've since found a fantastic garage in Bristol for Alfa (I've also seen various Ferraris and Maseratis in the workshop too) and he is extremely good value for money. Not sure he works on Fiat but I'll ask next time I see him.
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