Dealer competence
Discussion
You may have seen my earlier posts regarding a TVR franchised dealer who supplied my used 1999 Griff two weeks ago.
A quick summary:
Turned up to collect the car and although they claimed it had been serviced and had stamped the book - they had not actually serviced it.
I took their Tamora demonstrator whilst they sorted it out.
4 days later they delivered the car to me - 4 hours later than promised with a number of faults including the engine running badly, a badly split roof seal, no fuel in the car, ice sensor u/s, clock damaged, dashboard bulb blown and the spotlamps pointing skywards. All the tyre pressures were also wrong.
They have agreed to settle my bill with my local TVR specialist to sort things out.
In addition I have now realised that the new Toyo tyres they had fitted to the front of the car are speed rated V and are not suitable for the car.
They have now also agreed to pay my bill for having these replaced too.
Although I should finally have the Griffith I wanted in the condition it should have been when I bought it - I have been staggered at the appalling quality of this dealer's service. I am not out of pocket - except in terms of telephone calls and huge amounts of time. But the level of expertise and ability to get simple things right is sadly lacking and I will be contacting TVR direct for them to follow up on this.
I would never return to them for a service and I would not buy another car from them.
Happy to name them off line if anyone is interested.
A quick summary:
Turned up to collect the car and although they claimed it had been serviced and had stamped the book - they had not actually serviced it.
I took their Tamora demonstrator whilst they sorted it out.
4 days later they delivered the car to me - 4 hours later than promised with a number of faults including the engine running badly, a badly split roof seal, no fuel in the car, ice sensor u/s, clock damaged, dashboard bulb blown and the spotlamps pointing skywards. All the tyre pressures were also wrong.
They have agreed to settle my bill with my local TVR specialist to sort things out.
In addition I have now realised that the new Toyo tyres they had fitted to the front of the car are speed rated V and are not suitable for the car.
They have now also agreed to pay my bill for having these replaced too.
Although I should finally have the Griffith I wanted in the condition it should have been when I bought it - I have been staggered at the appalling quality of this dealer's service. I am not out of pocket - except in terms of telephone calls and huge amounts of time. But the level of expertise and ability to get simple things right is sadly lacking and I will be contacting TVR direct for them to follow up on this.
I would never return to them for a service and I would not buy another car from them.
Happy to name them off line if anyone is interested.
Congratulations on maintaining your faith, when lesser mortals would have folded! It'll prove worthwhile every moment you get to drive the Griff
Some of us are very lucky to have dealers and independents who are 150% enthusiastic, professional and have a customer first ethos. Like most things its a "people deal with people" thing - but we need to reduce the bad experience and talk up the good service.
TVRs are reliable and dealers do care!
Some of us are very lucky to have dealers and independents who are 150% enthusiastic, professional and have a customer first ethos. Like most things its a "people deal with people" thing - but we need to reduce the bad experience and talk up the good service.
TVRs are reliable and dealers do care!
I'll give a couple of clues, but I don't want to fall foul of Ted's rules.
The name:
_ _ _ _ _ and Queens
The location:
Derek _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (the retired racing driver)
or
Dionne _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (the soul singer)
Remember this is just my experience and my opinion. I would now advise anyone to inspect their car post service to ensure that work has been carried out. Didn't think I had to do that with a TVR dealer though!
The name:
_ _ _ _ _ and Queens
The location:
Derek _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (the retired racing driver)
or
Dionne _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (the soul singer)
Remember this is just my experience and my opinion. I would now advise anyone to inspect their car post service to ensure that work has been carried out. Didn't think I had to do that with a TVR dealer though!
with regard to Hawthornes, I was put off them when they charged more for a part than Station Hill did for the same thing, they did not want to help out with information, Station Hill in Farnham did and they gave the correct information. The service aftercare at Station Hill is realy great and they are always happy to help even when no money is being passed over. Now that has got to be good hasn't it?
. Anyways now you've got the car enjoy it and watch out for them GATSOs 
Well, I think it is wright to inform people to look about for bad service, it is the only way forward as we are talking about a load of money here, and it is equally important to big up good service.
I am glad to see the the dealer involved did titdy up it's mess that also has to count for something.
>> Edited by paulu on Thursday 11th April 12:28
I am glad to see the the dealer involved did titdy up it's mess that also has to count for something.
>> Edited by paulu on Thursday 11th April 12:28
It's no surprise about this lot Andrew. The other Andy GB1390 has had the same sort of dreaful service from them as you with his Tamora. The idiots even scratched it and broke the spoiler when they serviced it and then denied it!!! 
TMS have been superb with me and I would recommend them to anyone, but you can only take as you find....
TMS have been superb with me and I would recommend them to anyone, but you can only take as you find....
Heres an 
Why don't we, or those who would like to be involved, set up a PH TVR Dealership??? (With Teds consent on the use of the name of course!)
That way, it will be run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts and all our bad experiences can be learned from to make good experiences for everyone else, which, sadly, it seems is exactly where alot of dealers today are tripping up!
There are obviously some good apples on the tree, but these are few and far between!!
Why don't we, or those who would like to be involved, set up a PH TVR Dealership??? (With Teds consent on the use of the name of course!)
That way, it will be run by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts and all our bad experiences can be learned from to make good experiences for everyone else, which, sadly, it seems is exactly where alot of dealers today are tripping up!
There are obviously some good apples on the tree, but these are few and far between!!
You'll need cash to:
Order 5 cars a month regardless of whether they sell or not.
Premises, completely kitted out with ramps, bays etc.
Any peculiar equipment that TVR use for diagnostics
Marketing etc etc etc.
I'd love to do it and have discussed it with a mate in the trade already but the outlay means that getting return on investment is going to take years.
Great idea though, I'd be up for it like a shot!
Matt.
Order 5 cars a month regardless of whether they sell or not.
Premises, completely kitted out with ramps, bays etc.
Any peculiar equipment that TVR use for diagnostics
Marketing etc etc etc.
I'd love to do it and have discussed it with a mate in the trade already but the outlay means that getting return on investment is going to take years.
Great idea though, I'd be up for it like a shot!
Matt.
...but surely no matter how much care a new 'PH' dealer would offer, there'd eventually still be some bad press from someone, and that spreads like wildfire... I cant think that anyone is actually 100% happy with their dealer / servicing provider 100& of the time...
what a pessimist eh ?
Regards
Ed
what a pessimist eh ?
Regards
Ed
That's exactly why my car is at Thames Valley Racetech as I type. Run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. And to make some money out of all those people fed up with the 'less helpful' dealers, which is fair enough.
These guys stand or fall by their reputation - whereas being a franchised dealer brings with it a certain amount of business in itself.
As for the 'Regal' lot - yes, to their credit they have agreed to pay to put right their mistakes. I remain astonished that some of the mistakes could happen though.
These guys stand or fall by their reputation - whereas being a franchised dealer brings with it a certain amount of business in itself.
As for the 'Regal' lot - yes, to their credit they have agreed to pay to put right their mistakes. I remain astonished that some of the mistakes could happen though.
Andrew, I've vowed never to give this dealer any money again. I'll use them for fixing problems (warranty work) but not for servicing.
I know that we only hear from people who've had problems but I've asked around at my local TVRCC meets and no-one has a good word to say about them!
They even wanted to charge me £315 MORE for 18" wheels for my Tamora than TMS have quoted! And I'm supposed to be a valued customer who's bought 2 TVRs from them!
One of their problems is that they're not enthusiastic about the margue. I was in there last week and the Salesman handed me Autocar and asked if I'd seen the latest Tamora read test. I asked him if the Tamora was reviewed favourably to which he replied "I haven't read it"!
Enough said!
Cheers....... Andrew
I know that we only hear from people who've had problems but I've asked around at my local TVRCC meets and no-one has a good word to say about them!
They even wanted to charge me £315 MORE for 18" wheels for my Tamora than TMS have quoted! And I'm supposed to be a valued customer who's bought 2 TVRs from them!
One of their problems is that they're not enthusiastic about the margue. I was in there last week and the Salesman handed me Autocar and asked if I'd seen the latest Tamora read test. I asked him if the Tamora was reviewed favourably to which he replied "I haven't read it"!
Enough said!
Cheers....... Andrew
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