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[Pmacca2000]

I was a loyal customer to my local VX dealer from the age of about 21 when I bought my first new car, I couldn't understand how the dealers were slated when mine couldn't do enough to help.
There was always banter and when I started taking my dads omega in it was normally followed by mechanics saying how nice she was etc.

Unfortunately I had a seatbelt problem with my Vectra 1.8 SRi and I called them a week before it was due in to say it would need a rear seatbelt for the MOT, I was thinking they'd get the belt or ask to see it but no, the day before it's due in I get a call from the new service manager saying he needs the car now!
I was less impressed when I was given a 100,000 mile Astra estate that had suffered quite a lot of abuse and I kind of lost my sense of humour when I got a call the following day saying the car needed a seatbelt and they needed the Astra back.
After that the manager rang every day asking "can we keep it another day?"and after a week I finally got the car back.
I don't want to seem cynical but when I complained the manager said parts are no longer over night unless your prepared to pay a premium, weeks before the old manager was able to get parts over night and if he couldn't he'd try to help. 
What are they doing ?
I went to a dealer up near me and waited over 15 minutes for a parts gue to come to the counter and they weren't  busy.
Earlier this month I was relived of £114 and quarter of a tank of fuel (the light was on) by a nother dealer who took four days to tell me Vauxhall no longer service parts for the Omega.
I was unimpressed before I had to que watching a receptionist playing with her hair rather than letting the service guy know 4 people were waiting.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I have a few dealers nearby, the closest being Evans Halshaw who appear to be the single most incompetent bunch of idiots I have ever encountered and confirm this every time I am forced to go in there.

Slightly further afield is Pentagon who are marginally better.

The dealer in Melton Mowbray (Aston) were always good for parts but, in the last five years they seem to be staffed by petulant children who are only capable of selling you Irmscher dust caps............and are certainly totally inept when it comes to operating EPC!

[Pmacca2000]

I'm not naming names but the dealer in chelmsford,Essex, was dire for customer service, I still can't see how a car goes to a dealer with a lock fault and comes back with no fuel?, the one in tiptree was really good and it was nice to go there until a management change and the ones around MK are def and uninterested in helping despite the fact they are payed to serve the customer and ironically there lack of interest must rub off on profit margins and ultimately there wages ?
I only wanted polish, it took over 30 minutes, god knows how they'd cope with complicated issues like giving someone change z!

[2boxerdogs]

My local dealer Taylors of Spalding supplied my 2.6 CDX new to it's first owner, he traded it in for a New Insignia in 2010 when I bought it from them. To be honest I couldn't fault them they looked after the car excellently in the 5 years I owned it & never ever had a problem with it the only things I had to replace were tyres hbv & exhaust system. Never ever had a problem with parts , even got headlight protectors & genuine Omega mats with no problems. They were quite surprised when I took the Merc in for the MOT & told them I had sold the mig. Always found the staff very helpful & knowledgeable.

[neil74]

I went to my closest dealer (evans halshaw) asking for parts and told we'll order them and let me know when they arrive. it goes without saying i'm still waiting for the call...

[TheBoy]

in the last five years they seem to be staffed by petulant children who are only capable of selling you Irmscher dust caps............and are certainly totally inept when it comes to operating EPC!

Is that around the time the last parts person retired

[TheBoy]

My "local" dealer (20 miles away) is always helpful if I get through to the usual parts bloke. Nothing is too much trouble, although a lot of stuff for Omegas do need ordering in now.  But usually banging on my front door with the parts within 2 or 3 days of my phone call .

Now, the place I used to use nearer to were I worked - Evans Halshaw in Milton Keynes - were the rudest, most unhelpful, fraudulent, arrogant bunch of retards I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with.  I was glad when I heard they had lost the dealership in MK.

Every visit ended up in arguments, because they were purposely obstructive, due to sheer laziness.  Even going in to buy service items often resulted in "Nah, you'll have to drive to Bedford mate". They wouldn't even arrange to get stuff from Bedford to MK, as that meant effort on their part.

[TD]

My local dealer was Skurrays.....

Waste of space....My 2.2 went there 8 times for them not to change the cam sensor!
On the last time the service manager even told me a blatant lie that they had changed it! and refused to further look at the problem unless the lpg system was completely removed.....yeah right like that was going to happen!
After that I went to see TB who correctly diagnosed the cam sensor.....sensor changed by my local back street garage and working again as it should!

Skurrays have disappeared now.....good! Branches are now called 'Now Vauxhall' I think ..... I hope Skurrays went bankrupt! 

[Nick W]

These are not new, or uncommon problems with any main dealer. Virtually all of them are simply not interested in old parts, and new car owners don't deal with the parts department.


In the six years I've owned my car, I've bought 4 things from the local dealer: spin-on oil filter converter(at £10 it wasn't worth making the two I needed), a crank sensor, top radiator hose(at £23 it wasn't worth trying to find a used one that wasn't turning to jelly) and 8 trim clips. Everyone of these parts had to be ordered, and the reason I used the local dealer rather than the 'closest' TC dealer was I passed them several times a week whilst working. I still see no reason to buy standard readily available service parts from a dealer.

[TheBoy]

My local dealer was Skurrays.....

Waste of space....My 2.2 went there 8 times for them not to change the cam sensor!
On the last time the service manager even told me a blatant lie that they had changed it! and refused to further look at the problem unless the lpg system was completely removed.....yeah right like that was going to happen!
After that I went to see TB who correctly diagnosed the cam sensor.....sensor changed by my local back street garage and working again as it should!

Skurrays have disappeared now.....good! Branches are now called 'Now Vauxhall' I think ..... I hope Skurrays went bankrupt! 

It was Skurrays I was praising above (now Eden, since the owner of the 3 Skurrays branches sold up due to demands of Vauxhall).  Just shows, depends on the mentality of the staff.  I'm lucky that the parts guy is good, and have dealt with each other for several years, as he was at Bridge in Banbury when they did TC.

[TheBoy]

In the six years I've owned my car, I've bought 4 things from the local dealer: spin-on oil filter converter(at £10 it wasn't worth making the two I needed), a crank sensor, top radiator hose(at £23 it wasn't worth trying to find a used one that wasn't turning to jelly) and 8 trim clips. Everyone of these parts had to be ordered, and the reason I used the local dealer rather than the 'closest' TC dealer was I passed them several times a week whilst working. I still see no reason to buy standard readily available service parts from a dealer.

Assuming cost is competitive, I buy whatever is best for the car. For instance, I won't entertain the idea of non GM brake pads or discs - been there, found it expensive and inconvenient. Also, due to the hassle and setup costs, I'll only use GM wishbone bushes, and GM steering idlers.

And most (but not all) service parts work out cheaper from dealer, and I save so much of my precious time as I don't have to waste time trapsing around shitholes like Banbury, Bicester and Milton Keynes - one phone call, and its at my door on the agreed date, without silly delivery charges.

Factors and Halfords have a place in life as well. As do the likes of online tyres, ETS and Eternal exhausts etc etc.

For me, its what is best/cost effective for the car, and if it means less wasted time and hassle to call the dealer, that adds to the cost effectiveness

[VXL V6]

The parts departments vary dramatically from dealer to dealer, some are excellent, some are average, some shouldn't be trading.

[Doctor Gollum]

Similarly the staff that work there

[Pmacca2000]

Sadly the new dealer in Mk is no better, from what a lot of you are saying this is a massive problem and dealers used to be told customer loyalty could earn them about £100,000 in profit over that customers driving life.
It's said that being difficult is far harder than being helpful and I can't help but think Vauxhall need to rehabilitate there dealer network or start removing franchises.
I have family in Essex and underwoods of tiptree used to know there customer base and let me have a look under my cars when they were on the ramp and would be really helpful in the way they spoke to you.
They used to be interested and if the service manager was replaced I'd like to use them again and book the omega in while I'm in that part of the world but I'm not prepared to tolerate poor customer care and while they are rotating staff every few years I really have no hope of building a positive relationship with them.

[YZ250]

It was Skurrays I was praising above (now Eden, since the owner of the 3 Skurrays branches sold up due to demands of Vauxhall).  Just shows, depends on the mentality of the staff.  I'm lucky that the parts guy is good, and have dealt with each other for several years, as he was at Bridge in Banbury when they did TC.

Is that Langford Lane?
Always found the parts guy really helpful there. If I phone up to enquire about a part and they have it in stock, I say I'll be in later to get it. He must trust me enough to know that I'll turn up as when I get there he has already put it under the counter ready for me. 

They are also listed as TC now on TC website. I popped in there last week to pick up some parts and asked if they were TC and, although he was a bit vague, he said they were on some bits. In fairness, he was always pretty fair with the price anyway. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Stevens Vauxhall in Horsham used to be fantastic,  Crawley less so... Frosts in Chichester ok if you spoke to the right person, but now no longer a Vauxhall dealer...

Local parts garage now is Go and not had much sense from them over the phone, although I have never physically visited it, which might improve the relationship

Anything I need and can wait for generally comes from Picador in Lyndhurst as it's about a minutes walk from a very nice pub

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Stockton are brilliant most of the time. Parts wise at least - I have had several discussions with the service manager regarding him being an incompetent lackwit...
 I'm slightly biased with Darlo (since I'm marrying one of the service advisers...) - so won't comment good or bad (in case she reads this...)

[Keith ABS]

  Would be good to hear AndyC ,s tak on this discusion. Over to you sir.....

Keith ABS

[aaronjb]

I imagine the problem is the soft fleshy things you have to deal with; humans come in all forms from giant Jeremy Hunts to Mother Theresa.. if you get the latter you'll have a good experience, the former a bad one.  There seem to be ever more of the former and fewer of the latter as the years go on..

[TheBoy]

It was Skurrays I was praising above (now Eden, since the owner of the 3 Skurrays branches sold up due to demands of Vauxhall).  Just shows, depends on the mentality of the staff.  I'm lucky that the parts guy is good, and have dealt with each other for several years, as he was at Bridge in Banbury when they did TC.

Is that Langford Lane?
Always found the parts guy really helpful there.

Yup

[TheBoy]

Sadly the new dealer in Mk is no better

Not even been in there, despite the fact I work in Bletchley.

[Marks DTM Calib]

in the last five years they seem to be staffed by petulant children who are only capable of selling you Irmscher dust caps............and are certainly totally inept when it comes to operating EPC!

Is that around the time the last parts person retired

Not far off, there were a few staff members who remained for a period after but, since they have left its gone to poo.........even the service staff now use EPC and instruct them what to order.   

[TheBoy]

in the last five years they seem to be staffed by petulant children who are only capable of selling you Irmscher dust caps............and are certainly totally inept when it comes to operating EPC!

Is that around the time the last parts person retired

Not far off, there were a few staff members who remained for a period after but, since they have left its gone to poo.........even the service staff now use EPC and instruct them what to order.   

I do try to make it easy for my chap by supplying part numbers when I can (saves me time on the phone as well - he can quote the proces straight away, without having to constantly flick between EPC and the invoicing system).  But I know I can mostly rely on him to get me the right part if I just give him the description.

[zirk]

I had 2 dealers nearby, Arlingtons of Waltham Cross and Browns of Loughton, both within 4 miles of me, the Loughton Parts Man was very helpfull, Trade or Club prices which ever was the cheaper, sadly both have gone now.

[BazaJT]

The present parts staff at my local dealer[Wilsons]are very good and I've had no problems dealing with them.What the servicing side is like I don't know as I've never used them for that.

[Shackeng]

My local dealer was Skurrays.....

Waste of space....My 2.2 went there 8 times for them not to change the cam sensor!
On the last time the service manager even told me a blatant lie that they had changed it! and refused to further look at the problem unless the lpg system was completely removed.....yeah right like that was going to happen!
After that I went to see TB who correctly diagnosed the cam sensor.....sensor changed by my local back street garage and working again as it should!

Skurrays have disappeared now.....good! Branches are now called 'Now Vauxhall' I think ..... I hope Skurrays went bankrupt! 

I can't speak for Skurray's service dept. as I've only used them for MOT's (in Marlborough), but I have always had excellent service and help from their Swindon parts dept in the 18 years since I bought my TD, and they still do TC, or did a few months ago. 'Now Vauxhall'  have lost the plot, in Marlborough anyway, as their admin is appalling.

[Pmacca2000]

I know the dealer in MK is a stones throw from magma park.

[TheBoy]

I know the dealer in MK is a stones throw from magma park.

Yeah, on the Wavendon roundabout .

[johnnydog]

I have been using Perrys Vauxhall in Preston for the last 12 years or so for all my genuine VX parts, and to be fair the majority of parts I get for my Omegas are genuine VX - the service I get from their parts department is excellent. They will research any of my requests for obscure parts, and let me know immediately whether they are available that day through their own network, or if overnight from Luton, or within 2-3 days from Germany. They also have sourced genuine parts from various VX warehouses in Spain and other European VX storage facilities.
I have spent a small fortune over the years, and they give me TC discount everytime which helps. Their staff are all very friendly and many of them have been there for a good number of years which speaks volumes in itself. I know them all by name, which helps when I ring up, and as I have said, I have nothing but praise for them.
In their service department, there are only now 3 technicians that appear to have experience of technical issues with the Omega. They are helpful when it comes to giving me info about any job. The majority of their younger technicians however don't know the front end from the back end of an Omega, which I guess is understandable but it makes you question their individual competence if faced with a complex job. They probably don't see any Omegas these days going through their workshops anyway.
I have no connection with Perry Vauxhall at Preston, by the way, just a long standing satisfied customer of their parts department!
Irrespective of whether you are a regular customer or an infrequent one, there is no excuse for incompetent or poor service however.

[Mr Gav]

Evans Halshaw have all the Vauxhall dealerships around here, Wass`s were great and had a good parts team until that shower of sh1te took over, The dealers around a mile from me were incompetent before Evans Halshaws took over so it goes without saying I`ve never been in there since.

I had the misfortune to have the Nemo serviced two years ago (Evans Halshaw also have the Shitroen dealership), not an experience I want to repeat as they weren`t going to release my van until payment had been made, but this had been done two hours prior to me going to collect it by the companies plant manager, I was all ready to drag the service manager over the counter due to his attitude as he wasn`t checking the correct account and telling me I would have to get a taxi home 

It also turned out that they hadn`t fitted the pollen filter correctly, which was found by another dealership after I kept getting a water leak in the passenger footwell, bunch of incompetent baffoons 

[Pmacca2000]

Good luck to the Omega Barron, I guess you've guaranteed a good staff discount ?
In all fairness I hope everything goes well on the day and after. 

[Pmacca2000]

It's annoying that after 16 years or so of buying and running Vauxhall cars from what was my local dealer they are unable to get parts over night without allowing me to pay a "premium" yet some of you can still get parts over night I'm guessing without extra charges?
The frustration for me is that you could have an understanding at underwoods and then when your getting on really well with the parts and service departments, management rotate staff so you'd go in there one day and know no one.
Further more I'd like the service manager to explain how it is that my parts can't be overnight yet (with out extra charges) yet some of you seem to be getting this service as a matter of course?
The old service manager told me he could do me a cambelt service for £80 less than book as I was a good customer, the current manager needs to be replaced, some of the staff there are frightened to engage in humour there in case they upset anyone, it's very sad concidering how they used to be and that customer care is far down the list of priorities.

[TheBoy]

Further more I'd like the service manager to explain how it is that my parts can't be overnight yet (with out extra charges) yet some of you seem to be getting this service as a matter of course?

Depends on their setup. Most dealers will happily do FoC overnight, or even same day, if a part is in stock localish ithin that dealership, as then have vans flying between branches.

If coming from Vauxhall's warehouses, they will likely charge a premium for rapid delivery, and if you're getting a good price, their wont be the margin for them to swallow that...

[Pmacca2000]

I'm struggling to understand how the replacement of a manager can dictate that, the seatbelt I had pre warned underwoods about took a lifetime.
On a more positive note, for the last couple of days my CD has been warning me the coolant was low, not sure why but there we are.
I popped into Thurlow Nunn, a place that didn't impress last time to buy the coolant and I'm guessing the service manager opened the door and guided customers to the service area, even asked if I was after parts and had I rung the bell?
Even the parts fella was quickish and helpful.
Makes me wonder if they've been on here?
The added bonus was the comments from some of the staff walking past my car on there way into the workshops, look after that etc.

[TheBoy]

Need some suspension parts quickly. So get an idea of factor prices, then call local dealer at 9:20am. They don't have them, but would have them by the afternoon if I gave go-ahead before 11am.

Picking them up tomorrow morning (could have had them delivered to my door Monday, but a) wanted maximum flexibility next week, b) having not left the premises in 2017 yet, I'm climbing the walls to get out ).  Cost? Significantly cheaper than the likes of euroshiteparts best ever blink-and-you'll-miss-it sale price - not that they could get their pattern versions for an estimated 2 weeks.


But, as said earlier, I rate my local parts department.

[Pmacca2000]

Iso eather my dealer is lying because they think they'll get away with it or VX allow franchises to do what they want?
The more people reply to this thread the less time I have for the service manager and the more I think they don't want customers !

[omega2018]

The added bonus was the comments from some of the staff walking past my car on there way into the workshops, look after that etc.

I'll translate for you:

look after that nice big luxury motor, too old for anyone to notice, take it out for the afternoon and red line it

[Pmacca2000]

To prove a point, my mate owned Wilbury Service centre in hitchin.
My CD was making a grumbling noise from cold and as it's due a water pump and cam belt soon I took it in and the WBMSC tread tells the story.
Wilbury, a non Vauxhall dealer can get the replacement parts overnight yet my normal franchise dealer takes a few days??
My normal service manager is I think it's clear to see less than interested in customer care?

[Pmacca2000]

After my last visit to thurlow nunn in MK I popped in to see about a cheap to run runabout and after establishing my Omega was not for sale I have had plenty of support and friendly guidance regardless of the fact I won't be buying any time soon.