Discussion
Marshy,
A Brundle TVR person too eh ? They just had my Cerbie for 4 months (yes FOUR) to fix a problem it went back with shortly after buying from them. I only managed to get it back after Robin Brundle got involved, however, I did have to put up with him being incredibly rude, patronising, and discourteous. All that amongst a million and one other things. I sincerely hope his business goes under too. They certainly blew some easy repeat business from me.
Pit.
As most people know I am not a friend of Martin Short at Rollcentre, but I know he treats his customers better than how Brundle seem to treat their's! I haven't heard of any problems and I bet they're cheaper than the Norfolk Pixies. And oh yes he made the Speed 6 last longer than 40 minutes!
Edited by jamesc on Tuesday 13th February 21:37
Rude. Tick.
Patronising. Tick.
Accused me of lying about faults with my car! Tick.
Unwilling to cough up a bean in compensation for the fact that the car they sold me has had endless problems. Tick.
I really thought they'd be an outfit trading on the name Brundle, not being supremely arrogant because of the name Brundle.
The latest last straw, was me phoning them on Monday about my very suddenly oil-less 500, and them telling me they can't get the trailer out to me until March. Could I drive it in? 50 miles, no. Can I get my breakdown cover to bring it in? Grrr, gnash, seethe.
quote:I had the same problem with Broughtons in Cheltenham a few years back, 96, turned up on spec at the dealers for a test drive of a blue chimp that i had been looking for, right colour, right money etc etc etc, received similar line from sales guy "you do realise how much a TVR costs sir" well that got my goat, went back next day saw manager, hada test drive and bought it on my credit card on the assumption that the snotty sales guy didnt recieve a penny in commision, i made them pay it to a charity of the managers choice
when I was buying my Griffith I phoned Brundle for a stock list and to ask some questions and was basically questioned about whether I had enough money to buy one of their cars!! Needless to say, didn't 'trouble' them again.
Brundle sales were good, and continue to be so. I just turned up, on a couple of occasions, and was handed the keys to whatever it was I wanted to try, and sent out on my way.
Servicing seems good engine problems aside (that's not necessarily their fault), and I get on well with their technician there.
The thing that gets me is that their corporate level response to many and repeated problems is agressive and confrontational rather than concilliatory.
Sure, I went in with a certain amount of guns blazing, but via sales and servicing first, gently suggesting that some compensation would be in order. RB was adamant that there would be none. That's when I started writing and e-mailing to him direct, which is when relations started to break down. He even suggested I was inventing reasons to give the car back because I couldn't afford it.
Now, would I have got the 24k service done there if I was bothered about the money? Nope, I'd have gone straight to Offord and saved myself 80 miles round trip and probably over 200 quid.
Sigh.
Sorry all, I'll stop ranting now...
Edited by Marshy on Wednesday 14th February 16:59
If you have nothing better to do have a look at the message I posted 'Poor pre delivery service.'
Only now has the dealership concerned finally agreed to rectify the outstanding faults.If anyone is having genuine problems with a vehicle they have purchased then do not be afraid of using the small claims court.Its procedures are quick and informal and you do not need a solicitor to do the work for you.County Court staff are generally helpful and can supply you with the necessary forms and assistance to complete the forms.
Returning to my own difficulties I cannot bring myself to actually name the dealer envolved but I will give you a clue.Shakespeare country.
bought my Griff from Team Central and am happy with the service etc, but sometimes they can lack your sense of urgency when stranded, whats new. Brundles however were rude, unhelpful and unco-operative when my wife needed assistance. Instead of being negative however lets vote for people to recommend and my vote goes to Team Central who are not going bust but through another managment change
Edited by apache on Thursday 15th February 13:54
Hi All
I live 6 miles from Henley, and would have bought 2 cars from them and had them serviced their.
But I go to Hawthorns (farnham)because HH's owner's attitude and the servicing issues really p*****d me off. I went to look at their Tuscan demo once, and was asked are you one of our customer, are you going to buy from us(no, not yet)and was all but told to get lost.
Also, If you can negotiate(substantial) money off your service bill for example, why the hell was it on there in the first place.
Hawthorns' Sales and servicing side are much more Customer focussed. PGI the service side also service for VOLVO (i beleive a dealer)to the benefit of those TVR's serviced there.
Whose owners would not put up with the rubbish TVR owners are somehow resigned to, Bizarre fact expensive sports cars owners having worse expectations than volvo owners.
I know that Hawthorns did a pretty extensive PDI before I took delivery of my new Griff (plus a bottle of champagne)which they really shouldn't need to do, this is quality issues at the factory stuff.
If there are problems with the design/features/quality of your cars, we really should blame TVR and not take it out on the dealers (at least the good ones) as the dealers are business' in their own right, and the money for work done has to come from somwhere, IT should be TVR if it is quality problems.
thoughts?
Interesting, check the web sites
Compare Henleys menu service prices, with Fernhurst's
upto ~ a £200 plus difference, for the same work.
Assuming, it can only be labour. Their labour rate must be at least £20 more per hour (assuming a 10 hour service, isn't the 24k miler 7.5 hours)
My Partner has a business in Henley, and the cost of leases for premises, etc can't be used to justify this, as they are static, empty premises etc.
B
Henley Heritage also blew my business on several occasions. I'd love them not to be sh*t 'cos they're only a few miles away. I went to Brundle's instead (100 miles away) and had problems mentioned above. I'm off to Fernhurst next (I've not heard of a dissatisfied Fernhurst customer). Fingers crossed.
Pit.
PS When I had a Chimp 12k service done at Henley, not only did it cost £850, but they also charged an additional £100 (approx) for tracking (even though it's part of the service schedule) and added several other bogus bits and bobs (which I managed to get refunded a couple of days later). Henley customers - check your bills very carefully.
I can vouch for Fernhurst. I have been with them for three years and not once have they given me any problems. I live in London and it is well worth the 80 mile trip to receive honest advice and service. Graham and Simon know the cars, but more particularly the type of owner required (it is not a Volvo!). Bryan (workshop) goes round the car with you noting all the servicing points/niggles that need adjusting and often mentions unknown ones when I pick the car up. I can't compare servicing prices, but everything is itemised and I have never noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Only gripe? Those bl**dy awful Nissan Micras they have as replacement cars!
I am sure there are people who have had problems, but these have been mostly down to unreasonable demands or expectations.
All IMHO of course!
When I bought my 5 year old Chimaera from an independant non-tvr dealer,it had done 34000 miles and had a FTVRSH from TVR Centre in Barnet.The car has been a model of reliability with subsequent services at Dreadnought TVR in Callendar-really really good.I know several owners in Scotland who take their cars down to Hexham H.C and are very satisfied.When I was enquiring about TVR's,Tony Abrams at Hexham was terrific-a really helpful and genuine guy.Shame that at the time(last year)their prices were still too much for me,though they were reasonable compared to many other TVR dealers,as I would have liked to have bought from them as they spent so much time with me.
Brandon-VERY mixed reports on the service front.
Noel Flannery has a mobile service and several of the Scottish owners recommend him.He trained in a TVR garage,then went independant.
So "Sweenster" what do you base your opinion of The Brandon Motor Co, Edinburgh on ?. My own experience, spread unfortunately over 22 months is not good. As you say the mechanics are good but I'm afraid the ability of the garage to schedule work is non existent. The only way to progress things appears to be to continually chase them up. Don't ever wait for them to call.
I would definitely recommend going elsewhere for your TVR servicing needs.
Edited by Alistair on Monday 19th February 22:02
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