Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: feeutfo on 26 June 2008, 13:12:13
-
My vx dealer is... Good/Bad,
because... of what they did/didnt do or say. You get the idea. Dont hold back now...
Or has this been done already?
-
My local one is totally unhelpful if they can't book you in to remove your shirt. Not interested if you want to give them part #s.
On the other hand.... the next nearest (Perrys at Preston) have been fantastic. The lads on the part counter really know their stuff and seem to know most Omega part #s off the top of their head. They really went out of their way to locate an odd-ball switch I had on my pre-facelift, going as far as getting a production line bin check in Germany!
-
My vx dealer is a con man because they want to charge rediculous prices for rediculos tasks.... that are not what they say they are! >:(
Have had it with them over the years.... tis no more... I am making a stand to try and learn for myself... with the help and upport of OOF :y
-
Parts dept are very good, 1 knows his stuff better than the other though. Service dept is not even as good as useless & try to convey the image that they're all knowing, when they don't! :-? :y
-
My Vx Dealer wont quote Trade Club prices over the phone (which is fairy snuff, as I could be anyone), so that he can try and charge full retail when you get there.
Then when you complain to the assistant on the desk, the manager like's to remain a smart ass coz you cant get to speak to him.
-
Andy at "Drive" Bury St.Edmunds - the best.
Member of the forum - so knows his Omegas, can do payment over phone and send goods in post (or on van if you live close ;))
Highly recommended.
PS. Trade prices too :D
-
Mine are Very good.
Know my voice, so automatically give trade / tradeclub prices
Like the fact I normally give them part numbers
make a fuss of the little fella whenever I take him
generally have a good stock, and soon get what they havent.
This is a small trade place on an industrial unit, do servicing, repairs, parts, but no sales. Maybe that is why they are good to deal with
-
My local dealer is the single most incompetent, useless waste of space about (belongs to a certain large group whose name relates to a Biro and the symbol of wales).
E.g.
A good friend had her Corsa serviced there (at large cost) and they told her she needed new brake fluid and a load of other bits. This I then sorted for her, however....
.....when doing the work I found play in the steering column (excessive) due to a loose pinch bolt, coolant filler cap not, both rear hand brake cables corroded (MOT failure corroded!) and a host of other bits!
....to top it off, her friend popped round last night with her Corsa which had been for a service as well, she was told the disc's and pads needed changing (16K miles!) so I measured them and they are not warped and have 3mm wear left so only need new pads!. They also said the front tires were illegal yet they have 3mm minimum tread (on the edges, more in the centre) plus they wanted 60 quid a tyre.....for a Corsa!
.....and don't even get me started on the parts department.
The alternative dealer in a local town is totally different, still would not take my car for any repair work there....but the parts department are pretty efficient.
-
i have 3 vx dealers within a 10 mile radius and consider all 3 of them fairly useless.
-
My local one is totally unhelpful if they can't book you in to remove your shirt. Not interested if you want to give them part #s.
On the other hand.... the next nearest (Perrys at Preston) have been fantastic. The lads on the part counter really know their stuff and seem to know most Omega part #s off the top of their head. They really went out of their way to locate an odd-ball switch I had on my pre-facelift, going as far as getting a production line bin check in Germany!
Your nearest would be Moorland motors, i used to work there in the late 90's, which one do you go to Ansdell road or Garstang rd?
-
With the exception of one guy my lot are useless, again they are a large company who have outlets all over the UK and they have no interest in customer service at all.
Me and the parts manager have had 'words' in the past, this was due to me going in there with a list of part numbers, his issue was i had a copy of EPC, so the next time i went in there i did the ususal customer thing and asked fro the thing that connects to the whatjamacallit....he went even more ballistic ;D
The parts dept is the whore of the dealership, it gets screwed from all directions and the people who work in there are condsidered to be uneducated and at the bottom of the food chain (certainly that's the perception i got when i worked in the dealers) however a really good parts person will have a multitude of skills that include mechanical knowledge, product knowledge and the ability to communicate with some customers who clearly shouldn't be under the bonnet, let alone driving the bloody car.
And for all this the dealers pay peanuts, when i finished my time in the trade i was working in the parts dept due to an accident i had a few years earlier, i loved it but the conditions and pay was crap.
-
I don't take my car to main dealers. The only time I ever have, years ago when I was concerned about a warranty, they failed to replace the dipstick after an oil change and sprayed my engine bay in oil. Lucky I had a quick peek under the bonnet when I got home to make sure all was well. :o
However, in my brief Vauxhall ownership I have been amazed that I can go into my local parts department and ask for a specific part (usually a common one prone to failure!, eg crank sensor, HBV, door locking motor), I can specify the registration number, VIN, engine number, etc. and they still can't find the right part. :o I am starting to realise why people quote so many part numbers here.
In a previous life I used to go into Ford garages and ask for obscure parts. When they asked for VINs, etc. I'd tell them "er.. I'm building a kit car - try a mid to late 80's Sierra, etc.". They'd roll their eyes, tap on their PC for 10 seconds and then show me a diagram of exactly the part I was after. They'd then go out the back and get it. It was normally in stock, too, even parts going back to the Escort Mk. II / Cortina era. I don't think I ever got a single part that was incorrect, either.
Kevin
-
My local stealer parts dept helpful & good. Dont know about workshop - dont use them.
-
Skurray's Swindon - parts dept at both outlets very helpful, take ABS TC without hesitation and give "normal" trade discount on non-TC items. I've always had good advice from them , and they've pointed out "specials" I'm not aware of..... :y :y
Never used the workshops, so can't comment.
-
My local Caffyns Vx dealer is all modern and plush, surrounded by other main dealerships, but with staff who are all too busy to even greet you when you first make eye contact with them.
Two months ago I went there to ask for a second opinon on what was wrong (electrically) with my dash as I had lost all power to it after removing the unit for bulb replacement. After waiting a good 10 minutes (no other customer in front of me) to be acknowledged, I explained fully my problem, but they told me, in a very dismissive manner, that there was no one to help me and I would have to book the car in for the next available appointment (7 days away!). It was then added that it would cost the standard rate of £75 per hour to investigate the problem.
Typically I thought sod (I'm being polite here!) that, and just drove home to investigate further myself. That is when I learnt all that was needed was a new fuse 14, which I already possessed in my stock of spares!
Over thirty years of extensively using main dealerships for servicing my company cars, and for parts for my private vehicles, I have witnessed a serious deteriation of customer service levels (I have considerable professional training, experience and knowledge of this skill to be able to assess) and a growth in what I would call 'just a job' staff! The committed, highly skilled, proud and efficient staff that I used to see regularly in many of these dealerships has declined dramatically and now you are very lucky indeed to find even one.
So often I have found that my understanding of general mechanics and the parts I require to sort a particular problem out, are way beyond far too many of these staff who serve me with stupid waffle as they think I as a women know nothing! All they seem to now understand is what is on the system, with you explaining and detailing the exact part you need, or the "complete unit" to be removed and replaced. So often of course the manufacturer has stopped selling single, simple, replacement parts prefering to sell these "complete units". An example recently of this was I need a single nylon bearing cap (value 25p?) for a wiper system on my old Toyata; "oh no madam we don't sell those separately and you will have to buy the whole unit at £126"! **x!!= bollards! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
That's another rant over! ;D
-
My local one is totally unhelpful if they can't book you in to remove your shirt. Not interested if you want to give them part #s.
On the other hand.... the next nearest (Perrys at Preston) have been fantastic. The lads on the part counter really know their stuff and seem to know most Omega part #s off the top of their head. They really went out of their way to locate an odd-ball switch I had on my pre-facelift, going as far as getting a production line bin check in Germany!
Your nearest would be Moorland motors, i used to work there in the late 90's, which one do you go to Ansdell road or Garstang rd?
Neither any more even though Peter S is a friend!
Did Dave Whittle still work there in the late 90s?
-
rubbish, never have what i need, and charge way too much for everything that cant be got on TC
-
I have used my local dealer for a number of years for servicing and other repairs. I (naively, perhaps) thought that the Omega was a little more complicated that your average Mondeo/Vectra and that a dealer might know a bit more than an average back street garage and that they would also have access to TechII etc.
Due to this I've built up a good relationship with the Service Manager who has been there a number of years. For example they fitted a V rated tyre instead of a W and once I'd spoken to him it was swapped to a W at no cost to me.
However their labour rates are pretty high and at the last major service I had the cambelt done and probably spent more than the car's worth at that service!
Don't have much experience of the parts department, but when bits fall off the service department have no issue in getting them, including the heated seat pads that took about 3 months to come in (probably all the way from Germany!).
Mark
-
£65 + v.a.t for labour.
Most of the work done by a spotty 17 year old.
You tell me.
-
I buy the parts from main dealer (no other chance here in
private shops price is extra >:()
(although parts manager is married with my close friend still dont trust him and check the prices from the net before buying :-/ I see some extra price occasions )
For mechanic work- the dealer is only good at big jobs like head gasket change or engine out jobs which needs extra guarantee and the hourly prices here is really cheap compared to europe countries..
So , depending on the job some must be handled in service some must be handled outside..
Paint also is a critical job which I will never trust a dealer..
to give an example .. for a 10 hour job the labour price I need to pay dont exceed 80-100 £.. (but of course the part prices are double)
ps : for cars older than 10 years with opel customer card you have %25 price drop on parts)
-
rubbish, never have what i need, and charge way too much for everything that cant be got on TC
Is that the one near Heinz?
-
An example recently of this was I need a single nylon bearing cap (value 25p?) for a wiper system on my old Toyata; "oh no madam we don't sell those separately and you will have to buy the whole unit at £126"! **x!!= bollards! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
That's another rant over! ;D
That's on a par with the £470 to supply a new door mirror on my Elite. Thank you, Drive Vauxhall in Bury St. Edmunds. :(
OK, I know Andy (B, C, b, x, y, z???) is there now, and he's helped me since, but that quote was 3 years ago and it put me off Vauxhall dealers. Mind you, the parts department at Marshalls in Ipswich were very helpful on the one occasion I bought anything there. :)
I rely on the local garage - the owner is more of a blacksmith than a mechanic (and I don't mean that in any uncomplimentary sense), and he can fix almost anything on any car. :)
The Omega Climate Control defeated him, though. :(
-
My local one is totally unhelpful if they can't book you in to remove your shirt. Not interested if you want to give them part #s.
On the other hand.... the next nearest (Perrys at Preston) have been fantastic. The lads on the part counter really know their stuff and seem to know most Omega part #s off the top of their head. They really went out of their way to locate an odd-ball switch I had on my pre-facelift, going as far as getting a production line bin check in Germany!
Your nearest would be Moorland motors, i used to work there in the late 90's, which one do you go to Ansdell road or Garstang rd?
Neither any more even though Peter S is a friend!
Did Dave Whittle still work there in the late 90s?
Yes Dave was still there when i was there......can't believe that was nearly 10 years ago now.
I was up in Blackpool not long ago, went to see my old place and drove past Moorlands, nothing has changed ;)
-
rubbish, never have what i need, and charge way too much for everything that cant be got on TC
Is that the one near Heinz?
how did ya guess?!!
they even told me you cant get clear side repeaters for the omega
-
Don't usually have any major probs over here with Wilsons.
New lad on the parts is pretty helpful and makes sure to book to my account so I get trade/TC automatically.
Won't comment about the fortnights wait for a crank sensor to come in but he tells me they normally keep em in stock.
-
My brother's Vectra went in on a recall for a Handbrake and while it was there they did a however many point check on the car, rang him at work and told him that his windscreen washer pump was broken, but they could replace it now for only 85 quid.
He declined, picked the car up, brought it round to me where I lifted the pump out, cleaned the filter and completely restored the flow of water to the jets...
85 quid to clean a filter???!!!! I dread to think how many people walk through their doors and get completely shafted.
They swindled me on Trade/TC prices too - but I'm wise to that now and make sure I get the full discount.
-
my vx dealer is missing a brain cell because he wont accept trade card despite being registered on the trade card website and part of a group that do accept trade card, so i have to order my parts from their sister franchise 20 miles away who then have it ferried over to them for me to pick up.
i dont lose out and the sister franchise (which is actually nearer to home, but the vx in question is round the corner from work) are a fantastic bunch who are super helpful.
strange, either side of the same coin and all that... :o
-
My 'local' stealer Seward's (part of a 'multinational' they claim) is worse than useless. Even when you actualy take the car into them (only did this once!) they STILL can't get the right part. Only use them when all else fails. (£75 + VAT per hour!!!!)
Have a local mechanic, knows his stuff, quite well up on Omega's and sensible (£30 per hour inc VAT) labour charges. Still need to be on top of them though, as given a chance they will all try it on.
-
a fool to themselves, then. Use 2 myself service dept. in reading is a joke. Wanted to know service intervals and what needed doing re cam belt when i fist got the my cdx about 6 years ago. Stood in Q among all the angry people, you should have heard the storys of other customers, every single customer had serious complaints. Got to the front desc after about 30 mins
"Oh not sure, book it in and we'll have a look" 75 an hour to check if i need a service/cam belt? They actually gave alot more valuable info in what they said, we will not help you in any way unless you spend a shed load of money, and if your stupid enough to book it in we will cock it up and use the opportunity to charge a load more money to correct our own mess.
Had to go back to them later with a suspected servotronic power steering solenoid failure and needed tech 2 to diagnose to make sure. Booked it in, they said it needs new wishbones! Right thanks for the info, but what did tech 2 say? Oh you dont need that sir, that will be 400 sobs to do wishbones, when do you want to book it in! Listen sunny i booked this in for tech2. But dont you want your wishbones done sir. NO, I WOULD LIKE TECH 2 PLEASE. I wanted them to diagnose before i payed 75 sobs for a new solenoid in case it wasnt that and i needed to get my money back. They gave me a print out with p# on. Took to parts dept. Ordered part and asked if i could get my money back if the part did not solve the problem? No! But its your own diagnosis, dont you trust your own diagnosis? He went out the back to speak to them, well they will not budge but i will just have to risk it. And have had no prob. with parts guys since.
Slough burnham similar, i work in slough so its easier. Parts lads very helpfull with me, esp. Cameron, good chap. Just, never let a dealer work on your car,ever, you WILL get shafted, and the local hoodies will do a better job....
Ar... thats better.
-
Total waste of space, 90% of the parts I needed to sort the manifold gasket is NOT a stock item and needed to be ordered, granted it was there the following day but thats not really that good.
Freds engine rebuild, We went to get a rear crank oil seal, .....NOT stock yet a small factors had a FAI one in stock. There is only ONE dealer in wolves and they have a large amount of franchises,
Evans *********, I'll let you do the detective work
-
Funnily enough i worked for a local Vx dealer part time all I did was deliver brand new cars throughout Eng Scot & Wales, the mechanics were ok as were the parts no probs there , but regarding getting quotes for like the simplest jobs & say programming a key (even if you have a fob already) were absolute thieves in end got one done at another stealership just out of town for less than half the price, great if you wanna buy a new car but getting older ones repaired was like they just made the prices up as they went along, even with my discount at the time never did have anything done there !!
-
Skurray's Swindon - parts dept at both outlets very helpful, take ABS TC without hesitation and give "normal" trade discount on non-TC items. I've always had good advice from them , and they've pointed out "specials" I'm not aware of..... :y :y
Never used the workshops, so can't comment.
Drove Rd one has closed now.......which i used to find the most helpful in the parts dept :(
However i have used the workshops........
4 attempts by Drove Rd to fix 'the cam sensor problem' ....didnt fix it
4 attempts by West Swindon branch for the same problem......still didnt fix it, then washed their hands of it saying it was an lpg problem.......and lied to me saying they had changed the cam sensor >:(
W Swindon also tried to charge a neighbour of mine for breaking a tool trying to undo a bolt :o
>:(
-
31 posts so far and only 2 of them positive. No suprise really. Does anyone from VX read any of this? Do they give a rats? Course not. Muppets. Shame is the bad drag the good down with them.