Main dealer vs Specialist

[nerlam]

Just had my 4.0HC chimaera serviced (a 30k job). I've only had the car for a year and bought it from a well known dealer with a full TVR history. Agonised for ages about whether to go dealer or specialist, as I'm sure most of you have done, weighing up extortionate dealer prices but maintaining a full TVR history. Plumped for the "safe" but expensive route in the end and took it back to where I bought it, in the expectation of top notch service to match the top notch prices.
Picked it up and paid my £750 (30k service + MOT). The car hadn't been washed, an indicator bulb which needed replacing was replaced with one the wrong colour and the clutch action which was silent before now operated with a coffin lid type creak. I did e-mail them expressing my disapointment but got a fairly dismissive reply.
Have I got unrealistic expectations in terms of service? Is it worth the cost to keep a full TVR history?

[bjwoods]

Depends on the main dealer... Age of the car.... length of time you intend to keep it.. (if first few years and you might resell, you generally would get a better price from soneone that doesn't understand about specialists)

As with most manufacturers, some main dealers are better than others (same for independants)

Word of mouth and personal experience means somes dealers are MUCH busier than others. I still don't know how my dealer gets the polishing too look so much better when I do it.....

B

>> Edited by bjwoods on Friday 13th June 14:04

[icamm]

OOOOOUUUUUUCCCCCCCHHHHHH. £750 for a 6000mile (30k) minor service and MOT is waaaaaaaaaay over the top. It shouldn't even cost that much for a 12k major service. Unless you had other work done as well.

Definately would not touch a main dealer that charged that sort of price.

Never mind the email and dismisive reply. Get the pen out and write a stifly worded letter mentioned lawyers and trading standards.

Hand deliver it and suggest that they can check the defects (eg clutch squeek) for themselves before you leave but that you won't be leaving until you have a date for when they will put it right FOC (including a free loan car for the day).

Then when they have fixed it all DO NOT EVER take it back to them. Find out on here where your best local independent is and use them.

>> Edited by icamm on Friday 13th June 15:38

[angusfaldo]

Never mind the email and dismisive reply. Get the pen out and write a stifly worded letter mentioned lawyers and trading standards.

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I wouldn't be so hasty. Mediation has to be better than outright aggression here.

You have to start with the assumption that they care about maintaining their customer base so I'd be inclined to telephone the general manager and talk through with him what your expectations were when you brought in the car. You can say just what you said in this thread about wanting the best possible service for your car etc etc. Give them an opportunity to fix the situation. In fact it would probably have been better to do this before emailing them in the first place. It's easy for someone to fob off an email. Not so easy on the telephone.

Apart from that, you most certainly were ripped off for a service at that price. Amazing that they're still in business.