Stratsone Amersham lose Aston Martin?
Discussion
Stratstone Derby soon to get the chop too, apparently around June time. According to them this is nothing to do with their sales performance but, as stated above, Stratstone not being prepared to invest in the facilities. Now that my car is over 3 years old and has had the full BR treatment I will be going there for servicing so I'll cope. New place opening in Nottingham apparently, not sure which group will be running it but I'm sure it won't be Stratstone.
Possibly Sytner in Nottingham.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
EDIT - Definitely Sytner.
https://careers.sytner.co.uk/franchises/aston-mart...
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 1st May 20:32
Near the old Imperial Tobacco site apparently, not far from Graypaul....
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/eastmidlands/news/8...
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/eastmidlands/news/8...
V8V Pete said:
Stratstone Derby soon to get the chop too, apparently around June time. According to them this is nothing to do with their sales performance but, as stated above, Stratstone not being prepared to invest in the facilities. Now that my car is over 3 years old and has had the full BR treatment I will be going there for servicing so I'll cope. New place opening in Nottingham apparently, not sure which group will be running it but I'm sure it won't be Stratstone.
Derby was handy for me for servicing so will either use the Birmingham dealership or Aston Engineering in Derby (they don't do courtesy cars though) going forward. Nottingham is too far. Just had an annual service, MOT and new brakes all round at Derby and it all went really well and reasonably priced. Got some bodywork and wheel refresh work booked with Aston Engineering in the summer (if you get a chance to visit them you should; Aston heaven!!)
I was told most sales were from the Nottingham/Leicester/Coventry corridor hence the move away from Derby. I also understand many of the staff will move too.
I bought my V8 Vantage from Amersham in 2009 but after a few years decided to use Chiltern Aston for servicing instead. I found them far better than Amersham and have built up a good relationship with Ed Barnett in service.
I recently traded my V8 in for a V12s and will be putting it into Ed's care for servicing and remember Chiltern are a fully authorised Aston Martin Service Centre.
I recently traded my V8 in for a V12s and will be putting it into Ed's care for servicing and remember Chiltern are a fully authorised Aston Martin Service Centre.
I didn't mention that the only time I've ever patronised Stratstone was when I took delivery of my 2007 V8V lasr Summer. It had a u/s nearside door latch, which only worked out of phase with the driver's latch, on delivery from Grange Solihull (so much for the 140 point delivery check!). Rather than traipse back all the way to Solihull we agreed that Stratstone would fix it, which they did, FOC, no problem.
I've since been to see Chiltern and the car is going in to them for a service and oil change very soon.
I've since been to see Chiltern and the car is going in to them for a service and oil change very soon.
Having just today been to Bristol rather than the Stratstone that was 2 miles from me in Cardiff I'd love to know what went on and why they lost or ditched the dealership? They definitely used to shift some cars there - although were quite pants with me so I bought elsewhere. And then there was a mate who had to abandon the cutting out Vantage and hardball refuse to have the 'no faults' car back for 6 weeks until they actually fixed it - HQ sorted it in the end...). Can't imagine that was a positive Aston/Stratstone situation...
Bristol was so nice on approach that I drove round the back looking for the tradesman entrance that I was more used to in Cardiff! Nice guys too but I'm paying for their glamour as much as I am their engineering!
Bristol was so nice on approach that I drove round the back looking for the tradesman entrance that I was more used to in Cardiff! Nice guys too but I'm paying for their glamour as much as I am their engineering!
If you are near Derby I'd go along to Aston Enginerring and get them to look after your pride and joy. Fantastic service, great people to deal with and some amazing cars being looked after . Had paintwork and mechanics attended to by them and both done to a very high standard and at a very fair price and trust me I'm really fussy.
Ken Figenus said:
Having just today been to Bristol rather than the Stratstone that was 2 miles from me in Cardiff I'd love to know what went on and why they lost or ditched the dealership? They definitely used to shift some cars there - although were quite pants with me so I bought elsewhere. And then there was a mate who had to abandon the cutting out Vantage and hardball refuse to have the 'no faults' car back for 6 weeks until they actually fixed it - HQ sorted it in the end...). Can't imagine that was a positive Aston/Stratstone situation...
Bristol was so nice on approach that I drove round the back looking for the tradesman entrance that I was more used to in Cardiff! Nice guys too but I'm paying for their glamour as much as I am their engineering!
I aborted my first V8V purchase from AM Cardiff 3 years ago. It was a big step for me then with minor sacrifices on the household budget. Left with an deposit laid down but 10 mins out of the door, I realised I'd just been mauled by a sales shark. It was far from an enjoyable experience and I felt really pressurised by the sales guy. It simply wasn't what I imagined the experience should be.Bristol was so nice on approach that I drove round the back looking for the tradesman entrance that I was more used to in Cardiff! Nice guys too but I'm paying for their glamour as much as I am their engineering!
Made my excuses the next day and to their credit, AM Cardiff refunded the deposit in full.
So this year when the choice to buy a newer V8V came around again, this time with less financial necessary consideration, I really wanted a perfect experience if I was going to buy. AM Bristol gave that perfectly.
I'm starting to sounds like I'm a rep for them, so I'll shut up now
Ken Figenus said:
Ok, may I ask the $64,000 question. Are Bristol a dealer who actually do deals? Or is it windscreen price or the high road like Stratstone?
I didn't ask for a discount but did ask for an additional year warranty and battery conditioner. I know... I know... doesn't exactly make me haggler of the decade, but they made a quick decision ("yes") on an already nicely priced example without fuss. I'm less interested in beating a dealer down on price if they give good service, which they really do.I wonder what will happen with the used stock that Stratstone hold. Technically they still 'own' the assets but will they lose the right to offer them as approved Timeless items? Perhaps they'll go up as standard stock or even sold off to other franchises. Either way - someone's going to take a hit I expect.
I think the closure of the Amsersham Aston dealership has been a long time in the making....for months they've been parking second hand cars (of any make except Aston) on the verge between the main showroom and the road...always thought it was very odd and couldn't believe that Aston would be happy about it.
woodsypedia said:
I wonder what will happen with the used stock that Stratstone hold...
I would expect it to be redistributed among the remaining Stratstone AM dealers, although with Derby closing at the end of the month too there might be more stock than the remaining dealers want, or I'd guess the other AM main dealers could bid on it. 
raceboy said:
woodsypedia said:
I wonder what will happen with the used stock that Stratstone hold...
I would expect it to be redistributed among the remaining Stratstone AM dealers, although with Derby closing at the end of the month too there might be more stock than the remaining dealers want, or I'd guess the other AM main dealers could bid on it. Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff