Delivery Delay on my new Alpine
Discussion
K800 RUM said:
Stuey110x2 said:
Received this from Alpine UK via Alpine Solihull -
“Unfortunately, we don’t have anymore information. I would advise that they be sceptical of misinformation of forums. As mentioned yesterday, just because their vehicle went to factory, does not mean any work was done, it was more a precaution. The advantage of us being a small brand means the vehicles can be sent back and checked properly rather than having the cars looked at upon arrival at import centre like would happen for a budget brand”
That is a rather arrogant response. I would counter that by saying why not get it right first time & get all the checks done before you dispatch the car to another country. “Unfortunately, we don’t have anymore information. I would advise that they be sceptical of misinformation of forums. As mentioned yesterday, just because their vehicle went to factory, does not mean any work was done, it was more a precaution. The advantage of us being a small brand means the vehicles can be sent back and checked properly rather than having the cars looked at upon arrival at import centre like would happen for a budget brand”
I feel for you, all the excitement building of looking forward to a new car & then months of delays. I hope it arrives in perfect condition.
It is frustrating, tempered only by decent Spring weather taking a little longer to materialise than expected!
That being said, over my previous 4 years of Alpine ownership I’ve become somewhat accustomed to a certain laissez-faire attitude towards their customers.
All part of the charm…!
That being said, over my previous 4 years of Alpine ownership I’ve become somewhat accustomed to a certain laissez-faire attitude towards their customers.
All part of the charm…!
"All part of the charm"
I admire you for being so laid back, I would be spitting feathers.
I am used to more of the world of Caterham cars & hear some rather shocking stories of their complacency when buying new.
I still have this burning interest and desire to own an Alpine (hence reading this forum) but time has drifted and although I can afford it I don't know if I can bare to part with the 7 after 16 years, mine was home built. It would have to go to free up space and provide some funds.
I admire you for being so laid back, I would be spitting feathers.
I am used to more of the world of Caterham cars & hear some rather shocking stories of their complacency when buying new.
I still have this burning interest and desire to own an Alpine (hence reading this forum) but time has drifted and although I can afford it I don't know if I can bare to part with the 7 after 16 years, mine was home built. It would have to go to free up space and provide some funds.
K800 RUM said:
I still have this burning interest and desire to own an Alpine (hence reading this forum) but time has drifted and although I can afford it I don't know if I can bare to part with the 7 after 16 years, mine was home built. It would have to go to free up space and provide some funds.
My laid back attitude may begin to wither quite rapidly if it takes another month! A 7 and an A110 would be a great combination though…. shame you can’t have both!
I was at the Factory in Dieppe for a tour .
I was amazed at the sheer number of cars there waiting to be shipped ,Im talking possible 400 lots with bits missing like front lights etc
the test track was full and any spare space down the side of the factory most had white covers on them ,just as well because seagulls were s
tting all over them.
On a better note the factory tour was fantastic a must do for an Alpine owner.
I was amazed at the sheer number of cars there waiting to be shipped ,Im talking possible 400 lots with bits missing like front lights etc
the test track was full and any spare space down the side of the factory most had white covers on them ,just as well because seagulls were s
tting all over them.On a better note the factory tour was fantastic a must do for an Alpine owner.
Edited by Andrew-b54kj on Friday 28th April 18:51
Stuey110x2 said:
That being said, over my previous 4 years of Alpine ownership I’ve become somewhat accustomed to a certain laissez-faire attitude towards their customers.
All part of the charm…!
I’ve just left the employment of Renault (today) so I feel I can safely now say that this is an understatement. Renault/Alpine are woeful at keeping promises when it comes to customer deliveries etc. Times will be regularly missed, deliveries late, cars damaged with absolutely no idea on when they will be fixed.All part of the charm…!
It is absolutely no shock to me that Alpine will build a car, ship it to the UK, realise that it’s broken and take it all the way back to fix it and try to spin it as them doing the right thing!
Andrew-b54kj said:
I was at the Factory in Dieppe for a tour .
I was amazed at the sheer number of cars there waiting to be shipped ,Im talking possible 400 lots with bits missing like front lights etc
the test track was full and any spare space down the side of the factory most had white covers on them ,just as well because seagulls were stting all over them.
On a better note the factory tour was fantastic a must do for an Alpine owner.
Very unfortunate all round and of course compounded by the transport strike - a sorry situation particularly for those waiting.I was amazed at the sheer number of cars there waiting to be shipped ,Im talking possible 400 lots with bits missing like front lights etc
the test track was full and any spare space down the side of the factory most had white covers on them ,just as well because seagulls were s
tting all over them.On a better note the factory tour was fantastic a must do for an Alpine owner.
Edited by Andrew-b54kj on Friday 28th April 18:51
My main question is how did you manage to get a factory tour?
I thought that was impossible!
I'd certainly be keen to do it, but HOW?
The Rotrex Kid said:
Stuey110x2 said:
That being said, over my previous 4 years of Alpine ownership I’ve become somewhat accustomed to a certain laissez-faire attitude towards their customers.
All part of the charm…!
I’ve just left the employment of Renault (today) so I feel I can safely now say that this is an understatement. Renault/Alpine are woeful at keeping promises when it comes to customer deliveries etc. Times will be regularly missed, deliveries late, cars damaged with absolutely no idea on when they will be fixed.All part of the charm…!
It is absolutely no shock to me that Alpine will build a car, ship it to the UK, realise that it’s broken and take it all the way back to fix it and try to spin it as them doing the right thing!
Edited by HTP99 on Friday 28th April 19:31
CliveJ7 said:
Very unfortunate all round and of course compounded by the transport strike - a sorry situation particularly for those waiting.
My main question is how did you manage to get a factory tour?
I thought that was impossible!
I'd certainly be keen to do it, but HOW?
Well even that was a strange occurrenceMy main question is how did you manage to get a factory tour?
I thought that was impossible!
I'd certainly be keen to do it, but HOW?
I asked TIm Jones at Solihull who I bought the car from if it was possible, he said he would ask the question
After 2 or 3 emails back and forward nothing was happening so I gave up on the idea .
Then a month or so later I received an email from someone in Alpine uk asking me to present myself at the factory was all a bit vague But I went with it,
was very relieved when I saw my name on a list with 5 other guys when I got there .
Sorry theirs no pics as your phone gets sealed in a bag before you go in.
Edited by Andrew-b54kj on Friday 28th April 19:40
Andrew-b54kj said:
I'm talking possible 400 lots with bits missing like front lights etc
As you may be aware most car assembly these days depends upon suppliers delivering parts direct to the assembly line on a "just in time" basis. There's no parts stock at the factory.When the system works it's great, but low volume manufacturers lack clout with suppliers and sometimes go "out of stock" with vital components. Hence the situation you describe. They can't afford to stop the production line for a missing headlight but can't ship cars to customers with a missing headlight. Everything flows from there.
Cynics call it "just too late" logistics...
I wouldn’t say Alpine is a small manufacturer. They are part of Renault after all.
But, you’re correct that this is an issue, renault have built cars without some bits which they fit later (some when the car arrives in the uk, others after delivery to customers!) and in other cases, they have just deleted spec from cars if they can’t get the bits any more.
But, you’re correct that this is an issue, renault have built cars without some bits which they fit later (some when the car arrives in the uk, others after delivery to customers!) and in other cases, they have just deleted spec from cars if they can’t get the bits any more.
[quote=Panamax]
As you may be aware most car assembly these days depends upon suppliers delivering parts direct to the assembly line on a "just in time" basis. There's no parts stock at the factory.
When the system works it's great, but low volume manufacturers lack clout with suppliers and sometimes go "out of stock" with vital components. Hence the situation you describe. They can't afford to stop the production line for a missing headlight but can't ship cars to customers with a missing headlight. Everything flows from there.
Cynics call it "just too late" logistics...
[/quot
You are 100% correct and just the way the tour guy explained it and not good for Alpine ,made worse buy French transport strikes.
As you may be aware most car assembly these days depends upon suppliers delivering parts direct to the assembly line on a "just in time" basis. There's no parts stock at the factory.
When the system works it's great, but low volume manufacturers lack clout with suppliers and sometimes go "out of stock" with vital components. Hence the situation you describe. They can't afford to stop the production line for a missing headlight but can't ship cars to customers with a missing headlight. Everything flows from there.
Cynics call it "just too late" logistics...
[/quot
You are 100% correct and just the way the tour guy explained it and not good for Alpine ,made worse buy French transport strikes.
I am usually not that much of a fan of optional warranty plans, and having driven a few completely error-free MX-5's in recent years, £1,500 seems like a lot to me.
As the first PE cars are now six years old, do people actually experience significant problems in the 4-7 year age range, that could be eligible for being solved under this extended warranty plan?
As the first PE cars are now six years old, do people actually experience significant problems in the 4-7 year age range, that could be eligible for being solved under this extended warranty plan?
bram070 said:
I am usually not that much of a fan of optional warranty plans, and having driven a few completely error-free MX-5's in recent years, £1,500 seems like a lot to me.
As the first PE cars are now six years old, do people actually experience significant problems in the 4-7 year age range, that could be eligible for being solved under this extended warranty plan?
Yes- my alternator went and that, alone, has probably justified my decision to extend the warranty. Alpine customer service not great ( Alpine, not the dealers) so don’t be expecting goodwill etcAs the first PE cars are now six years old, do people actually experience significant problems in the 4-7 year age range, that could be eligible for being solved under this extended warranty plan?
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