Good Dealer Experiences
Discussion
Hey all, I know it's not forum etiquette to bad mouth dealers, but after putting a deposit down on a 718 in January for September delivery, I've cancelled my order today. This was to be my first Porsche, and I loved the car, but the dealer tarnished the whole experience. I understand the odd thing is occasionally going to go wrong, but it seems that the cars are so good, some (emphasising some) dealers are complacent/sloppy. And reading others experiences on here too, I'm not the only one who's had issues.
My experience;
- firstly they promised the price was locked down (and promised to put it in writing and never did, after chasing). Maybe my mistake...admittedly, but new to Porsche this seemed fair when I was putting down a deposit.
- then when I read about the price increases here, I checked I was not be affected given nothing in writing. Took two weeks chasing before even an acknowledgement! After I'd finally went in to see them, the salesmen admitted he'd said the deal was locked down and He shouldn't have said it.
- when I went to cancel, the dealer thought the residual values would level out, so told me to hold out
- two months later told my car was coming in July. Great. Agreed a p/x. Day I went in to lock down spec/ finances told me it had gone into build, and not the spec I wanted.
- rang dealer principle (who I knew was in) but left a message to call me. Over a week before a response.
- Back to square one, and told they could get a car for September.
- Went in this week (meeting setup by me, knowing final finances and residual values hadn't levelled out) I learnt car not coming until late October/November. Worst still, the dealer told me car was going into lock down in the next 48 hrs - which given I'd orchestrated the meeting seemed unbelievable ! And there was no financial/discount for all the messing.
Not the experience I'd expect when spending £55k+.
This was the final straw... however there is some good news to all this. While all this was going on, when I was at the PEC, the team there told me Wolverhampton Porsche gets great feedback (Kendal being one of the best), so I engaged with the team at Wolves given not too far from me. What a refreshing experience! Honest, friendly (no arrogance) and do the basics well - return calls, follow up when they say they will, and achieved a slightly better price. The car's planned to arrive in March/April but won't know the true date until their Q1 allocation.
I came to the conclusion, I've waited 7months, another 7 is going to go just as fast. Plus they deserve the business and I trust them to get my car right.
Just wondered what the general experience of others has been? And big up the better dealers...who deserve the business, to help Porsche newbies like me.
My experience;
- firstly they promised the price was locked down (and promised to put it in writing and never did, after chasing). Maybe my mistake...admittedly, but new to Porsche this seemed fair when I was putting down a deposit.
- then when I read about the price increases here, I checked I was not be affected given nothing in writing. Took two weeks chasing before even an acknowledgement! After I'd finally went in to see them, the salesmen admitted he'd said the deal was locked down and He shouldn't have said it.
- when I went to cancel, the dealer thought the residual values would level out, so told me to hold out
- two months later told my car was coming in July. Great. Agreed a p/x. Day I went in to lock down spec/ finances told me it had gone into build, and not the spec I wanted.
- rang dealer principle (who I knew was in) but left a message to call me. Over a week before a response.
- Back to square one, and told they could get a car for September.
- Went in this week (meeting setup by me, knowing final finances and residual values hadn't levelled out) I learnt car not coming until late October/November. Worst still, the dealer told me car was going into lock down in the next 48 hrs - which given I'd orchestrated the meeting seemed unbelievable ! And there was no financial/discount for all the messing.
Not the experience I'd expect when spending £55k+.
This was the final straw... however there is some good news to all this. While all this was going on, when I was at the PEC, the team there told me Wolverhampton Porsche gets great feedback (Kendal being one of the best), so I engaged with the team at Wolves given not too far from me. What a refreshing experience! Honest, friendly (no arrogance) and do the basics well - return calls, follow up when they say they will, and achieved a slightly better price. The car's planned to arrive in March/April but won't know the true date until their Q1 allocation.
I came to the conclusion, I've waited 7months, another 7 is going to go just as fast. Plus they deserve the business and I trust them to get my car right.
Just wondered what the general experience of others has been? And big up the better dealers...who deserve the business, to help Porsche newbies like me.
I think the experience varies with a given dealer to some degree. I know 2 or 3 people with really good experiences from Portsmouth for example, not me, I went to Mid Sussex. After the fact I found out the sales men went on holiday and my issues with ordering the seats I wanted
later became clear on the configurator so I don't think my experience with Portsmouth was the norm (And they were honest) but my point is there are probably happy customers with the same dealer you had trouble with.
later became clear on the configurator so I don't think my experience with Portsmouth was the norm (And they were honest) but my point is there are probably happy customers with the same dealer you had trouble with.
Without doubt some OPC's are better than others but even at good OPC's you need to be lucky and get the right salesman. That's the same for all car dealers in my experience though.
Worst buying experience I have ever had was when we bought Mrs Cheib a Mini last year....amongst other things they neglected to tell us the car had arrived at the dealership. Only when I chased them up did they say "Oh it's hear".
I'd say the OPC I deal with is the best car dealer I've ever dealt with across the board. Sales, Parts, Service all very good and couldn't be more helpful.
Worst buying experience I have ever had was when we bought Mrs Cheib a Mini last year....amongst other things they neglected to tell us the car had arrived at the dealership. Only when I chased them up did they say "Oh it's hear".
I'd say the OPC I deal with is the best car dealer I've ever dealt with across the board. Sales, Parts, Service all very good and couldn't be more helpful.
Edited by Cheib on Wednesday 12th July 09:59
Interestingly only after I placed my order did I know it was part of Sytner group. Having known that, I'd never have gone there based on poor experiences using the same group for other car brands in the past (both sales and service).
That said My dad had three porsches from the same dealer in the past, four years ago from the same dealer. I think they've just gone off the boil (or I'm getting a grumpy old git as I head to forty )
That said My dad had three porsches from the same dealer in the past, four years ago from the same dealer. I think they've just gone off the boil (or I'm getting a grumpy old git as I head to forty )
Porsche Kendal are my local OPC and being one of the original Porsche UK dealers and also not part of a 'chain' you are given a more personal experience.
The DP and owner - Ian Parker is very approachable, Simon Parker - Sales Manger (his son) is young (30's), enthusiastic and happy to talk to anyone that walks through the door - and the 2 sales men (Ryan and Troy) are also excellent and very good at keeping you updated and helping you to make informed decisions.
What makes Kendal even better is that the 'Team' are mostly long term members of staff (Helen - Customer Service), Shaun - Senior Technician (Helen's Husband) and has been there since he was a boy and is in his 40's now
, Andrew - Service Manager and a font of knowledge on parts and part numbers from 944's right through to the new cars and nothing is too much trouble to him.
They are also active with PCGB and support our Regional Show and Concours event providing free food for all visitors on the day.
This sounds like I am an employee on commission, but I am a customer who has bought second hand cars, lots of parts for 944's and 964's and has now progressed to buying new Porsche's from them
The DP and owner - Ian Parker is very approachable, Simon Parker - Sales Manger (his son) is young (30's), enthusiastic and happy to talk to anyone that walks through the door - and the 2 sales men (Ryan and Troy) are also excellent and very good at keeping you updated and helping you to make informed decisions.
What makes Kendal even better is that the 'Team' are mostly long term members of staff (Helen - Customer Service), Shaun - Senior Technician (Helen's Husband) and has been there since he was a boy and is in his 40's now
, Andrew - Service Manager and a font of knowledge on parts and part numbers from 944's right through to the new cars and nothing is too much trouble to him.They are also active with PCGB and support our Regional Show and Concours event providing free food for all visitors on the day.
This sounds like I am an employee on commission, but I am a customer who has bought second hand cars, lots of parts for 944's and 964's and has now progressed to buying new Porsche's from them
We fell out with Bournemouth seven years ago (long story, won't repeat here) and as a result bought the next car from Swindon, and a very good experience it was, too. The following car, our current BGTS also got from Swindon based on our excellent previous experience but the salesman had changed and the result was not anything like as good. They tried some what appeared to be shady tactics come two year service, trying to tell me the car required a full air con drain and regas which is rubbish;walked away from them and had the car serviced at Portsmouth and was treated brilliantly. If I was in the market for another Porsche Portsmouth would be my first choice now.
I have just had my new Cayman S delivered by Edinburgh and I found them very good. Approachable, friendly and helpful. My first Porsche and coming from Audi where I had a great contact I was a little sceptical how Porsche would be. I was pleasantly surprised to be offered extended unaccompanied test drives no hassle. No pressure to order and they were happy when I did. Good updates on delivery etc.. , protected me from the price increase which should have affected my car. Great handover with some nice touches and goodies.
Salesman was great overall and I'd happily go back should I buy another in the future.
Salesman was great overall and I'd happily go back should I buy another in the future.
Ollie1977 said:
Hey all, I know it's not forum etiquette to bad mouth dealers, but after putting a deposit down on a 718 in January for September delivery, I've cancelled my order today. This was to be my first Porsche, and I loved the car, but the dealer tarnished the whole experience. I understand the odd thing is occasionally going to go wrong, but it seems that the cars are so good, some (emphasising some) dealers are complacent/sloppy. And reading others experiences on here too, I'm not the only one who's had issues.
My experience;
- firstly they promised the price was locked down (and promised to put it in writing and never did, after chasing). Maybe my mistake...admittedly, but new to Porsche this seemed fair when I was putting down a deposit.
- then when I read about the price increases here, I checked I was not be affected given nothing in writing. Took two weeks chasing before even an acknowledgement! After I'd finally went in to see them, the salesmen admitted he'd said the deal was locked down and He shouldn't have said it.
- when I went to cancel, the dealer thought the residual values would level out, so told me to hold out
- two months later told my car was coming in July. Great. Agreed a p/x. Day I went in to lock down spec/ finances told me it had gone into build, and not the spec I wanted.
- rang dealer principle (who I knew was in) but left a message to call me. Over a week before a response.
- Back to square one, and told they could get a car for September.
- Went in this week (meeting setup by me, knowing final finances and residual values hadn't levelled out) I learnt car not coming until late October/November. Worst still, the dealer told me car was going into lock down in the next 48 hrs - which given I'd orchestrated the meeting seemed unbelievable ! And there was no financial/discount for all the messing.
Not the experience I'd expect when spending £55k+.
This was the final straw... however there is some good news to all this. While all this was going on, when I was at the PEC, the team there told me Wolverhampton Porsche gets great feedback (Kendal being one of the best), so I engaged with the team at Wolves given not too far from me. What a refreshing experience! Honest, friendly (no arrogance) and do the basics well - return calls, follow up when they say they will, and achieved a slightly better price. The car's planned to arrive in March/April but won't know the true date until their Q1 allocation.
I came to the conclusion, I've waited 7months, another 7 is going to go just as fast. Plus they deserve the business and I trust them to get my car right.
Just wondered what the general experience of others has been? And big up the better dealers...who deserve the business, to help Porsche newbies like me.
My wife and i are collecting from wolverhampton today. They have been great. Decent deal too. Been dealing with Mark Dyer.My experience;
- firstly they promised the price was locked down (and promised to put it in writing and never did, after chasing). Maybe my mistake...admittedly, but new to Porsche this seemed fair when I was putting down a deposit.
- then when I read about the price increases here, I checked I was not be affected given nothing in writing. Took two weeks chasing before even an acknowledgement! After I'd finally went in to see them, the salesmen admitted he'd said the deal was locked down and He shouldn't have said it.
- when I went to cancel, the dealer thought the residual values would level out, so told me to hold out
- two months later told my car was coming in July. Great. Agreed a p/x. Day I went in to lock down spec/ finances told me it had gone into build, and not the spec I wanted.
- rang dealer principle (who I knew was in) but left a message to call me. Over a week before a response.
- Back to square one, and told they could get a car for September.
- Went in this week (meeting setup by me, knowing final finances and residual values hadn't levelled out) I learnt car not coming until late October/November. Worst still, the dealer told me car was going into lock down in the next 48 hrs - which given I'd orchestrated the meeting seemed unbelievable ! And there was no financial/discount for all the messing.
Not the experience I'd expect when spending £55k+.
This was the final straw... however there is some good news to all this. While all this was going on, when I was at the PEC, the team there told me Wolverhampton Porsche gets great feedback (Kendal being one of the best), so I engaged with the team at Wolves given not too far from me. What a refreshing experience! Honest, friendly (no arrogance) and do the basics well - return calls, follow up when they say they will, and achieved a slightly better price. The car's planned to arrive in March/April but won't know the true date until their Q1 allocation.
I came to the conclusion, I've waited 7months, another 7 is going to go just as fast. Plus they deserve the business and I trust them to get my car right.
Just wondered what the general experience of others has been? And big up the better dealers...who deserve the business, to help Porsche newbies like me.
Seem to have used quite a few porsche dealerships over the years.
Swindon, used 997S, good experience
Silverstone, used 981S, great experience
Reading, new Cayenne D, good experience
Portsmouth, New Cayenne SD, (and sold them my GTS), great dealership.
Bournmouth, GTS 991, ok experience few issues with the car sorted
Guildford, idiots in every respect, given them plenty of opportunities to sell me a car, they never managed it and final straw they damaged the GTS when it went in for a minor warranty issue
Wolverhampton, excellent; collection this morning, wooho! (They are even clearing the car park so my mate can land us there in a Helicopter!!)
Swindon, used 997S, good experience
Silverstone, used 981S, great experience
Reading, new Cayenne D, good experience
Portsmouth, New Cayenne SD, (and sold them my GTS), great dealership.
Bournmouth, GTS 991, ok experience few issues with the car sorted
Guildford, idiots in every respect, given them plenty of opportunities to sell me a car, they never managed it and final straw they damaged the GTS when it went in for a minor warranty issue
Wolverhampton, excellent; collection this morning, wooho! (They are even clearing the car park so my mate can land us there in a Helicopter!!)
Edited by edo on Sunday 23 July 13:13
MartinRS2K said:
Porsche Kendal are my local OPC and being one of the original Porsche UK dealers and also not part of a 'chain' you are given a more personal experience.
Another thumbs up for Kendal as well. We previously purchased 6 Porsches (from various OPCs) before we moved to Lakes. Since living in Cumbria we purchase two cars and our experience with the Kendal folks has been excellent. By far the best dealer we used.Where to start, the OPC I bought my 911 from, sales very good but service...
When your car needs to spend a week in bodyshop sorting out the mess and the arrogance from the dealer is truly astonishing to the point Donald Trump could learn from them.
Customer services very polite but ineffective, still they didn't have far to walk if they wanted to talk to the OPC.
When your car needs to spend a week in bodyshop sorting out the mess and the arrogance from the dealer is truly astonishing to the point Donald Trump could learn from them.
Customer services very polite but ineffective, still they didn't have far to walk if they wanted to talk to the OPC.
Ollie1977 said:
@edo. That last line is brilliant! You must share photos (and of the new car :-)).
My mate leaving!https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=YPan...
Bought a Cayman gts from our nearest OPC, sales were very good but then it all went a bit wrong. After driving car for a week we booked it back in for some issues we found which we were assured by the service manger were real and were backed up by the techs on a test drive. Anything can be repaired we're his encouraging words as we left the car there...FOR 14 WEEKS!
After much to'ing and fro'ing the conclusion that our very real issues were a characteristic and couldn't be fixed...absolutely gutted and totally disappointed by this north west dealer, took car to our next nearest dealer...Wolverhampton...and although we haven't asked them to repair anything they seem a really good bunch of people and they will be getting our trade from now on.
After much to'ing and fro'ing the conclusion that our very real issues were a characteristic and couldn't be fixed...absolutely gutted and totally disappointed by this north west dealer, took car to our next nearest dealer...Wolverhampton...and although we haven't asked them to repair anything they seem a really good bunch of people and they will be getting our trade from now on.
edo said:
Edo thanks for the share, but unfortunately that link doesn't work :-(ellesmereFNC said:
Bought a Cayman gts from our nearest OPC, sales were very good but then it all went a bit wrong. After driving car for a week we booked it back in for some issues we found which we were assured by the service manger were real and were backed up by the techs on a test drive. Anything can be repaired we're his encouraging words as we left the car there...FOR 14 WEEKS!
After much to'ing and fro'ing the conclusion that our very real issues were a characteristic and couldn't be fixed...absolutely gutted and totally disappointed by this north west dealer, took car to our next nearest dealer...Wolverhampton...and although we haven't asked them to repair anything they seem a really good bunch of people and they will be getting our trade from now on.
Pleased to hear above Wolverhampton. What was the characteristic issue with the CGTS?After much to'ing and fro'ing the conclusion that our very real issues were a characteristic and couldn't be fixed...absolutely gutted and totally disappointed by this north west dealer, took car to our next nearest dealer...Wolverhampton...and although we haven't asked them to repair anything they seem a really good bunch of people and they will be getting our trade from now on.
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