Sheffield TVR dealership
Discussion
There are lots of rumours as to why dealers are giving up or being pushed out - these include:-
- Having to cover a big percentage of the warranty work out of the dealers pockets and the speed six engine being a bigger hit than rover lumps.
- Having to take a certain no of new cars pa from the factory.
- able to make more money outside of the dealer network
- Hrly labour rates as a result of the above stuff getting a bit silly.
All a bit of a shame cos there were lots of dealers that we all generally liked but are now dropping out. Sure it will all be ok though!?!? Things change and things move on.
- Having to cover a big percentage of the warranty work out of the dealers pockets and the speed six engine being a bigger hit than rover lumps.
- Having to take a certain no of new cars pa from the factory.
- able to make more money outside of the dealer network
- Hrly labour rates as a result of the above stuff getting a bit silly.
All a bit of a shame cos there were lots of dealers that we all generally liked but are now dropping out. Sure it will all be ok though!?!? Things change and things move on.
It's a murky area trying to find out these things. Reports were of Hillfoot unhappy about the costs of warranty work they were incurring etc.
Why do you ask?
Well.............
I did wonder if it was anything to do with, now how shall I put this..... ummmmm.
Attitude / competence?
I tried on three different occasions to arrange a test drive of their demo Chimera back to back with their demo Tuscan. On each occasion I was fobbed off. I kept giving them the benefit of the doubt and asked them to contact me when such I drive would be possible surfice it to say they have never been it touch. (12 months ago now)
Further to this I have e-mailed them with a specific question to which they never responded.
I have given them all my personal contact details but they failed to notify me about any open days. (I am aware that they have had at least two).
I offered to put something together for the opening of "Swordfish" i.e. TVRCC convey to premier and maybe local media coverage and their attitude seemed to be "couldn’t be cared less".
I felt as through they were treating me like a nineteen year old XR2 owner with a baseball cap on the wrong way round and was left with the distinct impression that had I turned up in a porker and speaking with a strange lisp things would have been a tad different.
For my money this sort of attitude is not what TVR's are about and I can’t help wondering if the failure to recognise that was a factor in there downfall.
For the record I should state that I'm 44 years of age with a clean driving licence, full no claims, have been a member of the TVRCC for about ten years I currently drive a "H reg" 400SE and have every intention treating myself to a new Chim or Tuscan one day but even if “Hillfoot” still had a franchises it would have been the last place on Earth to get my business.
While I’m on the soapbox I’ll also throw in that while searching for the 400SE I visited seventy percent of the TVR dealerships in the country and Hillfoot was not alone in bad customer service…….
No names no pack drill.
Who was the best??????
Personally I would give second place too the "Brooklands" dealership outside of Exeter.
First place however by a long chalk goes to Fernhursts and in particular Graham Munt (if he's still there) Ironic that they have recently opted to trade independently of the factory, the plot thickens.
Why do you ask?
Well.............
I did wonder if it was anything to do with, now how shall I put this..... ummmmm.
Attitude / competence?
I tried on three different occasions to arrange a test drive of their demo Chimera back to back with their demo Tuscan. On each occasion I was fobbed off. I kept giving them the benefit of the doubt and asked them to contact me when such I drive would be possible surfice it to say they have never been it touch. (12 months ago now)
Further to this I have e-mailed them with a specific question to which they never responded.
I have given them all my personal contact details but they failed to notify me about any open days. (I am aware that they have had at least two).
I offered to put something together for the opening of "Swordfish" i.e. TVRCC convey to premier and maybe local media coverage and their attitude seemed to be "couldn’t be cared less".
I felt as through they were treating me like a nineteen year old XR2 owner with a baseball cap on the wrong way round and was left with the distinct impression that had I turned up in a porker and speaking with a strange lisp things would have been a tad different.
For my money this sort of attitude is not what TVR's are about and I can’t help wondering if the failure to recognise that was a factor in there downfall.
For the record I should state that I'm 44 years of age with a clean driving licence, full no claims, have been a member of the TVRCC for about ten years I currently drive a "H reg" 400SE and have every intention treating myself to a new Chim or Tuscan one day but even if “Hillfoot” still had a franchises it would have been the last place on Earth to get my business.
While I’m on the soapbox I’ll also throw in that while searching for the 400SE I visited seventy percent of the TVR dealerships in the country and Hillfoot was not alone in bad customer service…….
No names no pack drill.
Who was the best??????
Personally I would give second place too the "Brooklands" dealership outside of Exeter.
First place however by a long chalk goes to Fernhursts and in particular Graham Munt (if he's still there) Ironic that they have recently opted to trade independently of the factory, the plot thickens.
Well given that it hasn't been a TVR franchise for a long time now and their disaffection with the whole thing, I' can't say I'm that surprised.
As for the who's the best dealer thread
It's all down to the relationship you build with the dealer. For every dealer I've heard glowing reports about I've heard horror stories and vice versa. Talk to/email people offline, visit the dealers you are considering using and make up your own opinions.
As for the who's the best dealer thread
It's all down to the relationship you build with the dealer. For every dealer I've heard glowing reports about I've heard horror stories and vice versa. Talk to/email people offline, visit the dealers you are considering using and make up your own opinions.
Sheff,
I have to concur about hillfoot's sales approach. I had a spookily similar experience. - to thier cost.
Still to be honest, I have just bought er indoors a new Audi, and I had an identical experience. - "basic" sales skills such as actually returning calls, good manners and interest seem to be badly missing.
I guess it all boils down to finding someone you can work with, and stick to it.
I have to concur about hillfoot's sales approach. I had a spookily similar experience. - to thier cost.
Still to be honest, I have just bought er indoors a new Audi, and I had an identical experience. - "basic" sales skills such as actually returning calls, good manners and interest seem to be badly missing.
I guess it all boils down to finding someone you can work with, and stick to it.
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