Alfa Romeo Main Dealers

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Discussion

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Friday 12th July 2019
quotequote all
Why are they so disappointing !

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Friday 12th July 2019
quotequote all
You are spot on!

I ordered a QF from Palmers and it took them a fortnight from having the car in their compound to check it, while still dirty from transit,
to me begging them to clean it and check it again (without the dirt).

In the end I've told them to stuff it. They were always too busy! perhaps its ME!
perhaps excitement is something they don't do or get to see very often.

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Saturday 13th July 2019
quotequote all
We are not talking posh showroom etc but I didn't expect to have to beg them to get the car cleaned before we collected it.

As we were travelling a long way we wanted the sale to be hassle free!

The sales guy told me previously, that many of their new cars are not free from damage so he would have to correct any issues before collection,

so WHY didn't they get off their backsides and sort it - they weren't even cleaning it themselves they were bringing in a valet company.

Am I being unreasonable?


LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Sunday 14th July 2019
quotequote all
We went on customer feedback at Palmers, they are a three hour drive from us, but because we thought they were the best we purchased from then,
but its been a pretty shocking story so far,

We lost our deposit when we pulled out of the car, but a media company has kindly offered to cover our loss if we spend time with them to cover the story,

Alfa Romeo Customer Services will also receive copies of the correspondence of our experience with the brand.

Fingers crossed - nothing to lose

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Sunday 14th July 2019
quotequote all
This as only just happened, so therefore we don't really know who to try next?

Surely there's a Alfa Romeo Dealership out there that gives a damn, because the one I picked surely didn't





LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Sunday 14th July 2019
quotequote all
We had Matthew who was amazing from the start, then they moved him to another dept, which didn't help but he came back, saying "he was the man to complete the sale, so don't worry". (£60,000 is a small house in my neck of the woods)

The brand new car from Italy had arrived, but it sat in their compound.

It was obvious at this stage Matthew had lost interest in the sale, everyone was too busy, to clean or to tint it,

My new QF was getting old before I had even seen it. (September new reg isn't that far away)

I asked him to personally check it (still trusting him) but if he hadn't even bothered to get it cleaned, whats the point in checking the paintwork for blemishes

Its my fault for getting excited......., I should have had "the not bothered attitude" like everyone else at this dealership
(not including the one lady I spoke to on the phone - who was lovely).

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Monday 15th July 2019
quotequote all
Turns out I'm not the only one that feels this way - thank you to everyone who has contacted me ..

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
quotequote all
After the Palmers experience I'm going to give them a call

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
quotequote all
Spoke to Alfa Romeo HQ and i think it went very well...

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
quotequote all
"Palmers" are refunding my deposit - so its just 3 months of my life is wasted!

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
quotequote all
Thank you so much

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 16th July 2019
quotequote all
Palmers were reluctant to clean my brand new QF, I was begging them in the end ant they still didn't deliver,

when you've waited 3 months its so disappointing.

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Wednesday 17th July 2019
quotequote all
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!)

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Friday 19th July 2019
quotequote all
As one poster has already said Alfa's staff don't seem to stay very long,

Palmers where the same.

The other salesman had only been there a matter weeks, Lee, the DP. had informed me, (unusual for a family business)

but hats off to them for giving younger people a chance.

Its just reassuring when you are spending a lot of money, that the people who you are spending it with,

are staying with the brand. My original salesman was off to MG and best of luck to him.



LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Saturday 20th July 2019
quotequote all
Why do they let themselves down, Hemel Hempstead were the same in the end, but now i'm the customer from hell.

Don't try and straight talk them either, they get so upset and throw all their toys out of the pram.

Perhaps these dealerships need a few more challenging customers to keep them on their toes, to

make their lives a little more exciting, because right now their customers are certainly not feeling the fun.

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Sunday 21st July 2019
quotequote all
A group of motoring journalists are taking up the story, we have today told them our side of the Shenanigans. I don't think Palmers will see the

funny side but people deserve better, it doesn't matter if you paying £10k or £60k. It should still be exciting to buy a new car.

Looking forward to re - ordering mine with someone else, might even change the colour! (originally white, might go black)

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Monday 22nd July 2019
quotequote all
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?

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Monday 22nd July 2019
quotequote all
I don't think there is any helping the guys at Palmers

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2019
quotequote all
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 therewavey

LordOfTheManor

Original Poster:

1,267 posts

111 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2019
quotequote all
If you can talk the talk and walk the walk you deserve to get on in this world.

A passion along with product knowledge is everything. Its so simply really......