Don't Alfa dealers want to sell cars?
Discussion
Bearing in mind I want to change my wife’s Alfa this was amazing!
Conversation just went something like this.
"I’m calling about the 3.2 Spider you’re adverting on your web site, ad’ says it's got cloth interior but knowing Lussos come with leather can you tell me what colour it is?"
Them, Spider? long pause, lots of rummaging "which Spider?"
"The black 3.2.”
"We don't have a 3.2 only a 3.0."
"Right” says I, “what colour interior has that got?"
"Err.. Don't know... Oi Dave what's the colour of the inside of that Spider." after a while the answer came back "Black".
"What about the carpets?" I said, "Errr Black".
So having established it’s black with black and black, I said, “Right, what else is there of interest about the car?” (thinking it might have a CD stacker or something extra.
Them "Nothing". So I put down the phone!
Now you'd have thought the conversation might have gone along the lines of "Certainly sir, are you specifically interested in a black Spider? This ones very nice sir 8,000 miles on the clock, etc. would you to arrange like a test drive? What are you driving at the moment? ( a black 2.0 Spider as it happens but they didn't seem interested in knowing that) Can I take your details sir for our records please? Etc.
I feel sorry for the poor bloke they are selling it on behalf of because by the sound of it they are selling it on a commission basis and couldn't give a toss. Anyone here selling a black 3.0 Spider in the Tewksbury area?
Rich...
Conversation just went something like this.
"I’m calling about the 3.2 Spider you’re adverting on your web site, ad’ says it's got cloth interior but knowing Lussos come with leather can you tell me what colour it is?"
Them, Spider? long pause, lots of rummaging "which Spider?"
"The black 3.2.”
"We don't have a 3.2 only a 3.0."
"Right” says I, “what colour interior has that got?"
"Err.. Don't know... Oi Dave what's the colour of the inside of that Spider." after a while the answer came back "Black".
"What about the carpets?" I said, "Errr Black".
So having established it’s black with black and black, I said, “Right, what else is there of interest about the car?” (thinking it might have a CD stacker or something extra.
Them "Nothing". So I put down the phone!
Now you'd have thought the conversation might have gone along the lines of "Certainly sir, are you specifically interested in a black Spider? This ones very nice sir 8,000 miles on the clock, etc. would you to arrange like a test drive? What are you driving at the moment? ( a black 2.0 Spider as it happens but they didn't seem interested in knowing that) Can I take your details sir for our records please? Etc.
I feel sorry for the poor bloke they are selling it on behalf of because by the sound of it they are selling it on a commission basis and couldn't give a toss. Anyone here selling a black 3.0 Spider in the Tewksbury area?
Rich... 
but anyone in Tewksury will know! Anyway, your offer sounds interesting, do you work for an Alfa dealer Pwig? Rich...
Thirded. F'ing useless. I hear Mangoletsi are reasonable, but one dealership are so clueless I wouldn't buy a car that had ever past through their hands. Company user received the 'dirty air filter' trick, pulling a fuse rather than fixing an electrical fault, four goes at mending a minor paint fault that should have been picked up at pdi, incorrectly fitted tyre and countless other areas of more minor incompetence 
Im in the motor trade (i run an all makes used car operation) so I deal with all franchised dealers when i have to.....bought a 156 2.0 TS in last year, full AR history 49000 miles...engine went bang.........looked through the history car had a full engine rebuild at 39000 miles at Alfa dealer in Preston.as the rebuild was 12 months and 2 weeks before it went bang they would not honour the warranty!!!
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
Im in the motor trade (i run an all makes used car operation) so I deal with all franchised dealers when i have to.....bought a 156 2.0 TS in last year, full AR history 49000 miles...engine went bang.........looked through the history car had a full engine rebuild at 39000 miles at Alfa dealer in Preston.as the rebuild was 12 months and 2 weeks before it went bang they would not honour the warranty!!!
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
Im in the motor trade (i run an all makes used car operation) so I deal with all franchised dealers when i have to.....bought a 156 2.0 TS in last year, full AR history 49000 miles...engine went bang.........looked through the history car had a full engine rebuild at 39000 miles at Alfa dealer in Preston.as the rebuild was 12 months and 2 weeks before it went bang they would not honour the warranty!!!
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
Total crap .until they sort out the dealer network they will never compete properly with the likes of BMW, AUDi etc.
margo said:
Thirded. F'ing useless. I hear Mangoletsi are reasonable, but one dealership are so clueless I wouldn't buy a car that had ever past through their hands. Company user received the 'dirty air filter' trick, pulling a fuse rather than fixing an electrical fault, four goes at mending a minor paint fault that should have been picked up at pdi, incorrectly fitted tyre and countless other areas of more minor incompetence
I had an awful experience with Mangoletsi a few years ago. As a result, I refuse to have anything to do with them, even though it was a decade ago and it may well have been an isolated experience. This may be petty of me, and I would love to believe that they have completely changed their modus operandi, but the name will always leave a sour taste in my mouth, no matter how many good reports I read...
In my experience SGT has proved the best Alfa dealer in the country. I've found their servicing to be excellent and they are friendly people to deal with. However, I know other people who profess to having bad experiences with them. When all is said and done I suspect that the truth is that any dealer of any car can make a human cock-up that leaves a customer permanently dissatisfied, and we all have differing levels of tolerance. The perfect dealer, much less the perfect Alfa dealer, just does not exist.
Alfa dealers are awful.
Yes, all dealers can make mistakes. You can't please all of the people all of the time, however, reference to the JD power surveys speaks for itself. It is the dealer network which is the biggest issue with customers.
Fiat group cars are often blighted with minor problems and niggles, which many customers are prepared to forgive. Italian cars are often bought with at least some emotional judgement. What the dealers (& Fiat) fail to understand is that it is how you deal with these issues that will affect the customers attitude towards their products and not necessarily the problem itself.
In my experience, something is seriously amiss in the manner in which these dealers treat their customers. As the original post suggested the 'attitude' of Alfa dealers is appalling. I have personal experience of a number of Alfa dealerships, and have yet to experience a level of service the marque deserves and needs.
Regards, Neil
Yes, all dealers can make mistakes. You can't please all of the people all of the time, however, reference to the JD power surveys speaks for itself. It is the dealer network which is the biggest issue with customers.
Fiat group cars are often blighted with minor problems and niggles, which many customers are prepared to forgive. Italian cars are often bought with at least some emotional judgement. What the dealers (& Fiat) fail to understand is that it is how you deal with these issues that will affect the customers attitude towards their products and not necessarily the problem itself.
In my experience, something is seriously amiss in the manner in which these dealers treat their customers. As the original post suggested the 'attitude' of Alfa dealers is appalling. I have personal experience of a number of Alfa dealerships, and have yet to experience a level of service the marque deserves and needs.
Regards, Neil
I never quite believed the whole "Alfa dealers are awful" thing, but then i never had cause to use one till last summer.
My 156 broke down in North Wales - the gearbox gave up after about 85k miles. Shipped off to the dealer and I thought I may as well get it serviced while it was there. Took about ten phonecalls over three days to get them to say they would do it - front office staff excellent but the service people didn't seem to want the business.
I picked it up a week later and handed over around £1200 for all the work - and the car was still covered in bird s**t from the previous week. "We have cleaned it sir, it's just got dirty again"
Their reputation is well deserved. As is the cars for reliability but still a good drive.
>> Edited by limpsfield on Monday 29th March 08:53
My 156 broke down in North Wales - the gearbox gave up after about 85k miles. Shipped off to the dealer and I thought I may as well get it serviced while it was there. Took about ten phonecalls over three days to get them to say they would do it - front office staff excellent but the service people didn't seem to want the business.
I picked it up a week later and handed over around £1200 for all the work - and the car was still covered in bird s**t from the previous week. "We have cleaned it sir, it's just got dirty again"
Their reputation is well deserved. As is the cars for reliability but still a good drive.
>> Edited by limpsfield on Monday 29th March 08:53
There is a dealership I know (won't mention any names as I don't believe this is the place for it) that until a few years ago used to be a Ford franchised dealership. They lost the franchise as a result of incompetence on their part - Ford had so many complaints that they just told them to get lost.
They stayed open however and instead became a Fiat/Alfa dealership (plus Seat and Hyundai). Part of the process was that they bought out the local (smaller) Fiat dealer and thankfully kept their staff. I knew the head mechanic reasonably well and on the basis that I trusted him to get things done right bought my car from them (that and the fact they were the only people who would take my Integra R from me).
To say I was unimpressed is a major understatement - for the first year I only managed 5000 miles as the car spent more time in their workshop than it did on the road. This was topped off by someone driving into the back of it resulting in even more time in the workshop! They'd fix one thing (sometimes they couldn't even do that) only to create two more problems - it sounds like a cliche but it really did happen like that. It was only when I had a word with my friend that anything ever came out right.
Now for the scarey part - it seems Hyundai told them to get lost too (presumably for much the same reason) last year and incredibly they got the Ford franchise back as a replacement. Somehow despite actually getting worse over the past few years they have convinced the powers at Ford that they really can do better. My only guess is that Ford are really desperate (they must be to take on these clowns again) for dealerships. Not only that but somehow they have acquired a Peugeot deal as well.
They stayed open however and instead became a Fiat/Alfa dealership (plus Seat and Hyundai). Part of the process was that they bought out the local (smaller) Fiat dealer and thankfully kept their staff. I knew the head mechanic reasonably well and on the basis that I trusted him to get things done right bought my car from them (that and the fact they were the only people who would take my Integra R from me).
To say I was unimpressed is a major understatement - for the first year I only managed 5000 miles as the car spent more time in their workshop than it did on the road. This was topped off by someone driving into the back of it resulting in even more time in the workshop! They'd fix one thing (sometimes they couldn't even do that) only to create two more problems - it sounds like a cliche but it really did happen like that. It was only when I had a word with my friend that anything ever came out right.
Now for the scarey part - it seems Hyundai told them to get lost too (presumably for much the same reason) last year and incredibly they got the Ford franchise back as a replacement. Somehow despite actually getting worse over the past few years they have convinced the powers at Ford that they really can do better. My only guess is that Ford are really desperate (they must be to take on these clowns again) for dealerships. Not only that but somehow they have acquired a Peugeot deal as well.
I believe Alfa is slowly making an effort to change the dealer situation. I work for a Saab dealer in Reading, this dealership has been owned for a long time by an independent company called Whitequay. The original Alfa Romeo dealer in Reading lost its franchise within thelast year or two.
Whitequay have managed to get themselves the Alfa franchise, which essentialy means it should be run to Saab standards ! Now if Alfa would get there spare parts suply sped up a bit things would be much better.
Whitequay have managed to get themselves the Alfa franchise, which essentialy means it should be run to Saab standards ! Now if Alfa would get there spare parts suply sped up a bit things would be much better.
interloper said:
Now if Alfa would get there spare parts suply sped up a bit things would be much better.
Exactly, when I refer to the dealer network that includes the Fiat side of the bargain. From what I've seen many dealers do start out with the best intentions. They soon find that the support from the manufacturer is not what it should be. I hope your organisation (and Fiat) proves me wrong, I do not write these comments as a dig at Fiat, more a plea for better times. I love their cars, but I like many have been bitterly disappointed in how they treat their customers.
Regards, Neil
Spot on!!
Parts supply....the most annoying thing is when you are told a small silly part is on back order from Italy.car off road, they dont ring you and let you know it has arrived.
That said I had an immobilised Renault Laguna last year , off the road for 4 weeks, while Renault decieded to send a key from France.
Surely you can't tar all Alfa dealers with the same brush?
Whilst I DO agree that most (that I've come across) are appauling and not worthy for a re-visit, I will argue that SGT in Taplow are wonderful.
As an Alfa owner for the past 5-off years, I've been dealing with them, and have NEVER had a problem with them at all.
Their sales guys (ESPECIALLY Julian) are very responsive and very friendly, and the service guys are also of the same ilk.
Admittedly - I've never ever had any major work doing - other than usual servicing (and cambelt/variator changes, and rear bearings) but these have always passed off without a hitch.
In fact, if anything, they've done extra work on the car and not charged me for it .... "yeah - whilst we we had that stripped - we changed this for you - but don't worry we won't charge you" ....
Perhaps its the fact that they are also a Scooby/Lotus/Morgan dealer - on the same site - they have to be good to compete with the other brands? I don't know - but I will certainly say they are best by a long way.
And 2nd only to Purslows - the MB dealer in Basingstoke - who are perfect (imho).
K
P.S. - I don't work for any of the abovementioned companies - only a customer - and a VERY satisfied one at that.
Whilst I DO agree that most (that I've come across) are appauling and not worthy for a re-visit, I will argue that SGT in Taplow are wonderful.
As an Alfa owner for the past 5-off years, I've been dealing with them, and have NEVER had a problem with them at all.
Their sales guys (ESPECIALLY Julian) are very responsive and very friendly, and the service guys are also of the same ilk.
Admittedly - I've never ever had any major work doing - other than usual servicing (and cambelt/variator changes, and rear bearings) but these have always passed off without a hitch.
In fact, if anything, they've done extra work on the car and not charged me for it .... "yeah - whilst we we had that stripped - we changed this for you - but don't worry we won't charge you" ....
Perhaps its the fact that they are also a Scooby/Lotus/Morgan dealer - on the same site - they have to be good to compete with the other brands? I don't know - but I will certainly say they are best by a long way.
And 2nd only to Purslows - the MB dealer in Basingstoke - who are perfect (imho).
K
P.S. - I don't work for any of the abovementioned companies - only a customer - and a VERY satisfied one at that.
Pleased to hear there are good ones about.usual problems with Alfa dealers occur when something serious happens like engine failure when you are a week out of warranty..........there is little or no goodwill.where as BMW or Merc would sort it with goodwill.
I love to cars but hate the dealers/parts supply situation.
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