Alfa Romeo Main Dealers
Discussion
It's such a shame as this brand is really based on passion and the irrational. (not irrational like a supercar - but against its rivals)
Poor service instantly kills that passion and leads you back to the more reliable and more reserved German brands.
Feel for the OP - should have been a joyous magical occasion picking up the car and it's ruined.
Poor service instantly kills that passion and leads you back to the more reliable and more reserved German brands.
Feel for the OP - should have been a joyous magical occasion picking up the car and it's ruined.
Seems it's nothing new - I remember a story from some years ago of Alfa getting a new UK MD and he embarked on a tour of the dealerships. It was typical that he was left standing there for 30-45mins. He wasn't amused.
I suppose they're stuck with the crap dealerships - who would want to take on Alfa?
I suppose they're stuck with the crap dealerships - who would want to take on Alfa?
chopper602 said:
G u l f said:
There's no Alfa dealer in Edinburgh, imagine that! There's two Mercedes and two BMW sites in Edinburgh alone! For central belt and whole south Scotland our nearest Alfa dealer is Newcastle!
The is an independent Alfa dealer within half a mile of where I work. Alexanders of Thornaby are excellent and nothing is too much trouble (sales and service). I'm on my third Alfa from there, from the same salesman and when they were a Saab dealer, my wife bought one of those too!Edited by chopper602 on Monday 22 July 11:05
I'm not an Alfa customer but if customer loyalty and the amount of work a place has are a guide to being good then Alexander's are worth a look.
euphoricmess said:
It's such a shame as this brand is really based on passion and the irrational. (not irrational like a supercar - but against its rivals)
Poor service instantly kills that passion and leads you back to the more reliable and more reserved German brands.
Feel for the OP - should have been a joyous magical occasion picking up the car and it's ruined.
I agree 100%.Poor service instantly kills that passion and leads you back to the more reliable and more reserved German brands.
Feel for the OP - should have been a joyous magical occasion picking up the car and it's ruined.
I've had a number of Alfas both new and used since my first car was an Alfetta 1.8 of 1977 vintage. I always accepted the issues and character they came with and probably would today if I had any faith in a dealer who could fix anything major or had any interest in keeping a buyer coming back.
I last tried to buy an Alfa last summer - a Giulia QF - and contacted my nearest dealer which is about 90 miles away. I'd bought an Abarth from them about 6 months previously on the day of seeing it so had a degree of relationship with them. I spoke to the same salesman, told him what I was after, that I was ok with a factory order of if something close was in the system that was ok.
Then - nothing. I chased a response about 3 times and was told that they were looking at it. I never got as far as final figures despite asking and contact just ended. I got the distinct impression that unless you turned up and bought what they had there was no interest. What they would have been like with a problem I hate to think and in the end that is what put me off.
I ended up buying an M4 CP that was in stock but I still really want a QF.
Just had a call from Alfa Milan to apologise and see if they could organise a test drive. I'm a stubborn git though so told them to do one. Mentioned reading stuff like this thread and the fact I have little confidence in a dealership in the UK and therefore would not want to make a purchase with them.
Fair play for ringing. They took the details to speak with dealership but we know nothing happens.
Fair play for ringing. They took the details to speak with dealership but we know nothing happens.
LordOfTheManor said:
unless something is done about it there will be no Alfa Romeo Dealerships in the uk - Why the big show at Goodwood if they can't get it right at home?
It’s a downward spiral. Whist I can think of two good dealerships, most are terrible & propped up by other volume selling marques.Alfa sales have bottomed out. Two decent (yet under-developed) products that very few people other than die hard Alfisti buy.
Very few transient company car “buyers” will come back.
As a long time Alfisti, it saddens me. My wife too.
I simply can’t see how Alfa can survive in the U.K.
Having worked in Customer Service/Experience (CX) for the vast majority of my career I would love to work for *any* dealership to help them understand how important it was to improve their CX and what impact it can have on sales.
Because of an increased focus on CX for many companies over the past few years a lot of them have invested in improvements/process changes and other initiatives but main dealers don't even recognise there's a problem, and even if they did they'd only ever hire someone to fix it who already has motor trade experience so it's a case of the blind leading the blind.
It doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon either.
Because of an increased focus on CX for many companies over the past few years a lot of them have invested in improvements/process changes and other initiatives but main dealers don't even recognise there's a problem, and even if they did they'd only ever hire someone to fix it who already has motor trade experience so it's a case of the blind leading the blind.
It doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon either.
Squadrone Rosso said:
It’s a downward spiral. Whist I can think of two good dealerships, most are terrible & propped up by other volume selling marques.
Alfa sales have bottomed out. Two decent (yet under-developed) products that very few people other than die hard Alfisti buy.
Very few transient company car “buyers” will come back.
As a long time Alfisti, it saddens me. My wife too.
I simply can’t see how Alfa can survive in the U.K.
I think this is the main issue. It is not the dealers priority. I rarely see an Alfa on my commute and its not because i dont see cars priced comparatively or more. They are so uncommon and the companies act that way, which only hastens the demise of the brand. Out of all my mates, they all thought i was insane for getting an alfa as they have that rep from years back of falling apart and you have to drive past 3 or 4 audi/merc/bmw dealers to get to them.Alfa sales have bottomed out. Two decent (yet under-developed) products that very few people other than die hard Alfisti buy.
Very few transient company car “buyers” will come back.
As a long time Alfisti, it saddens me. My wife too.
I simply can’t see how Alfa can survive in the U.K.
The car should not be sold like a fiat or jeep or whatever. It is a product that the experience is as important. You are not buying a car, you are buying a bit of romance, you accept some flaws, thats what makes it so alluring in some senses. They just sell you a car.
LordOfTheManor said:
This morning has seen another turn of events,
"Palmers" Matthew actually, decided to give a review on Google of my old company, telling people I had earned 1.8 million last year according to
Companies House and to avoid the business. (since been removed), all in retaliation for the negative feedback received from me.
So business owners beware, "Palmers" will play dirty if you upset them. (This has never happened anywhere before)
Alfa Customers Services has asked "Palmers" to release the car to another dealership but "Palmers" refused. (No shock there!)
This is just incredible what a shambles this dealer is they should not be in business. Such a shame as the car is epic."Palmers" Matthew actually, decided to give a review on Google of my old company, telling people I had earned 1.8 million last year according to
Companies House and to avoid the business. (since been removed), all in retaliation for the negative feedback received from me.
So business owners beware, "Palmers" will play dirty if you upset them. (This has never happened anywhere before)
Alfa Customers Services has asked "Palmers" to release the car to another dealership but "Palmers" refused. (No shock there!)
I too would want to collect a perfect gleamingley clean car.
Dont give up Lord.
There are good and bad dealers for every brand to be fair. I had a huge variation in service levels last year when looking at a variety of cars across several different marques. It was a thoroughly depressing experience in the main but when you do find a dealer with staff who are motivated and know their product it makes a huge difference. The value of the car involved makes little difference either in my experience. Some of the worst service I have had has been at the high end and some of the best at the low end.
With sales staff employed on very low basic and commission making up a lot of their earnings it is little wonder that people will move around a lot and don't really have any affinity or passion fopr what they are selling. Overall dealer margins are incredibly small these days for many brands so it must be difficult to attract and retain good people.
With sales staff employed on very low basic and commission making up a lot of their earnings it is little wonder that people will move around a lot and don't really have any affinity or passion fopr what they are selling. Overall dealer margins are incredibly small these days for many brands so it must be difficult to attract and retain good people.
That more comes with the idea that cars salesmen are few and far between. Most you find in dealerships are finance salesman. They couldn't give a s
t what car you buy, or how happy you are with it. Do you understand the finance, good. Thanks.
Bought my current car from a guy who got a hard on for cars. He could talk about the brand he sold, their competitors, pros and cons, bhp, torque whatever about cars.
He was brilliant and got why I was there. I'm sure he played some games but I had a great experience and got the car I wanted.
I remember on one visit in to sort some documentation I popped in and he was quick to say "come see this" they had a new customer R8 in a boss colour.
I'd buy another one off him.
t what car you buy, or how happy you are with it. Do you understand the finance, good. Thanks. Bought my current car from a guy who got a hard on for cars. He could talk about the brand he sold, their competitors, pros and cons, bhp, torque whatever about cars.
He was brilliant and got why I was there. I'm sure he played some games but I had a great experience and got the car I wanted.
I remember on one visit in to sort some documentation I popped in and he was quick to say "come see this" they had a new customer R8 in a boss colour.
I'd buy another one off him.
There are good and bad dealers for every brand to be fair. I had a huge variation in service levels last year when looking at a variety of cars across several different marques. It was a thoroughly depressing experience in the main but when you do find a dealer with staff who are motivated and know their product it makes a huge difference. The value of the car involved makes little difference either in my experience. Some of the worst service I have had has been at the high end and some of the best at the low end.
This above is ME! its so scary to know there's two of us out there
This above is ME! its so scary to know there's two of us out there
Hate to say I don't think this is unique to FCA especially with the bigger chains. They all employ young sales people who don't know the product and are stuck drowning due to the poor backup within the dealerships. Targets and insurance sales are everything.
I had a bad experience with Marshall's Kia on a used Abarth, car was a bargain but they didn't do the simple rectifications needed for pick up leaving me in a bit of a spot as I'd arranged insurance etc. Had to reject it and leave but I lost it on juggling the insurance back and forth plus traveling costs. I needed to find another one quick and Motor village in Croydon was my saviour, a long way away but they were straightforward and helpful, did a video walk around, were too busy on a Saturday to take a deposit so kept the car for me on my word until the Monday, took deposit but said of the car isn't what you want when you see it we'll refund it. Long trip down but the car was valeted and kept undercover looked stunning!
Not sure of the same guys are still there this was a year ago.
I had a bad experience with Marshall's Kia on a used Abarth, car was a bargain but they didn't do the simple rectifications needed for pick up leaving me in a bit of a spot as I'd arranged insurance etc. Had to reject it and leave but I lost it on juggling the insurance back and forth plus traveling costs. I needed to find another one quick and Motor village in Croydon was my saviour, a long way away but they were straightforward and helpful, did a video walk around, were too busy on a Saturday to take a deposit so kept the car for me on my word until the Monday, took deposit but said of the car isn't what you want when you see it we'll refund it. Long trip down but the car was valeted and kept undercover looked stunning!
Not sure of the same guys are still there this was a year ago.
Edited by DELTAHPE on Tuesday 23 July 19:02
It is certainly not unique to Alfa in my experience but probably more accutely visible due to their smaller dealer network. I've had poor experiences with Maserati, VW, Citroen and Ford in different parts of the country. Being fairly central in the country I am fortunate and can travel to a large number of dealers with an hour or two of my house. What surprised me most was discovering the amazing difference in standards depending upon the region. I went around a number of dealers in Milton Keynes and the experience was dire with little display stock, no demo cars on site, virtually no space for customer parking etc. I tried the much smaller town of Nuneaton and found, almost without exception, dealers who were far more switched on and willing to cut a deal with a good range of cars on site and pleasant staff with decent product knowledge. With the advent of discounting sites like Carwow things are only going to get worse in respect of customer service as margins are being further squeezed downwards.
I iimagine PH members are not a good indication of the wider customer base for most dealers as we are enthusiasts and therefore more likely to be interested in, and more knowledgeable about, specification details. The average buyer is more concerened with monthly cost than brand history etc.
I iimagine PH members are not a good indication of the wider customer base for most dealers as we are enthusiasts and therefore more likely to be interested in, and more knowledgeable about, specification details. The average buyer is more concerened with monthly cost than brand history etc.
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