awful dealer customer service

31-01-2003

I have had my 147 2.0 for 3 months now, and since I bought the car new, the Sat Nav has not worked, squeaky clutch, 3rd seatbelt does not work and not my doors wont open and lock properly from the remote (I have to individually open doors with the key).

My local dealer CO OP MOTOR GROUP

has not fixed anything yet apart from the squeaky clutch (at the second attempt mind you).

They had no idea how to fix the sat nav, and had to speak to Alfa technical about the problem.

The resolution is they have ordered a new Sat Nav system, a new aerial and a new body computer for the doors...

This was three weeks ago, and they booked it in the other day for fixing. Lo and behold I got a phone call the day before saying the parts have not arrived, and they would phone me the day after (which I had already booked off work and cancelled my meetings) when they would arrive.

They called. I cried

The parts are not even in the COUNTRY and Alfa can give NO ETA on delivery!!!!

Well, I phone Alfa customer services and they said DA DA DAAAAHHHH....

You have to go through your local dealer, we cant deal with this problem.

So after this wonderful sequence of events, I have a 3 month old car that has never had its Sat Nav working, cant lock and open its doors properly, and cant carry a 4th passer safetly.

Does anyone know if there is anywhere in Nottingham who will give me better service than this bunch of inept monkeys...

(and yes, I am writing a severe letter of complaint to alfa)

rant over, sorry frown

RicksAlfas · 31-01-2003

Sounds about par for the course mate!
Hope you get it sorted soon!

logiclee · 31-01-2003

Nearest alternative is Autoworld at Chesterfield, haven't used them myself yet but have a service due next month.

They have also had bad reports on here though. Looks like we are stuffed for dealer service in Notts.

Lee

31-01-2003

My sympathy is with you.

My 147 from new had the following faults -

Dent in front wing
Cracked windscreen

Went back to dealer who fixed the wing but b*****ed up the drivers window switch and the entire door trim, scratched both wings fitting the new screen and didn't fit the screen properly!

So off it went again and this time they fitted the screen again and sorted out the chips to the tops of the wings when fitting the screen. All well and good i hear you say but no the b*****ds got overspray over the whole car this time!!!!!!!

This was Mangoletsi in Knutsford.

However they have been very good and their servic manager went over the car with a fine tooth comb and found blemishes in the paintwork that i hadn't seen.

Keepyer chin up, it will be worth it in the end!!!

31-01-2003

are Speeds still an Alfa dealer in Notts?

Stori · 01-02-2003

I spayed some Silicon oil (CRC 808) on the Clutch activated switch in my 147(Under dash,on the left of the Clutch pedal on RHD model). Stopped the squeak

Harp · 01-02-2003

I hope this shows everyone that,

IF YOU'RE GONNA BUY AN ALFA

make sure that everything is working before signing on the dotted line!!!

Stori · 01-02-2003

In reality any car you buy whether Alfa or otherwise is going to have problems. More than kikely the problems will not be obvious when the car is new and at the dealer frown

coshh · 01-02-2003

Hi scouse man

You could check out the advice at http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Your+...s+go+wrong.htm wink

Stori · 01-02-2003

I am not surprised that the dealer cannot fix the Sat/nav system and the end result, after conferring with AR, is to replace the System.
The real mistake on some ones part was to book your the car in before the obscure parts are actually available at the dealership. frown

04-02-2003

Thanks for that link coshh, might come in handy...

No Howard, Speeds arent a fiat/alfa dealer anymore, and dont start me on them either. Bought a fiat bravo from there once...not going to start that here

I do realise that anything new can have its faults.

I bought a Playstation2 when they were first released and there was a shortage. I got the last one from WHSmith in Nottingham. Got it home and the DVD player did not work properly. Phoned Smiths they had no stock and wouldnt for 3 weeks. Phoned Sony, and they COURIERED a new PS2 the next day at 8.30 in the morning, and took my old one away without even checking it...

That was a £300 (at the time) product.

The moral of the story is, yes things go wrong, but its the CUSTOMER SERVICE that will make the product even more attractive when you mention it to other prospective buyers.

I dont think Alfa realise this, but Sony certainly do.

BTW, still havent heard about the parts

RicksAlfas · 04-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by scouse_man:
BTW, still havent heard about the parts

<hr /></blockquote>It's called "Back Order".
It means "we haven't got a clue when they'll come".

04-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by RicksAlfas:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by scouse_man:
BTW, still havent heard about the parts

<hr /></blockquote>It's called "Back Order".
It means "we haven't got a clue when they'll come".

<hr /></blockquote>Oh, well thats made me feel better. Cheers.

RicksAlfas · 04-02-2003

You're welcome.
wink

04-02-2003

Scouse_Man,

the dealer experience is key. There are no excuses at all for lousy dealers or service. If it's any comfort, reno dealers are just as bad. because they balls up everything, I can't even be bothered to get some minor warranty work done. It's too much hassle and I hate to say this, they are very, very thick. That's all I can say about them. I won't go into detail, but according to made and sold in the EU aren't built to EU standards (apparently, there's no such thing said the service manager, who's the brains of the operation over there). Going to them depresses me. It's like spending an evening with a bunch of clowns.

I do sympathise.

g

04-02-2003

It's a false economy cutting corners by this much during manufacturing. Every mass produced car is built down to a cost and a compromise on quality has to happen, but surely the warranty claims on Alfa's must far outway the up-front savings they made during production. I know Fiat are strapped for cash but they're just heading in a downward spiral if they continue to reduce the quality.
Alfa had a real opportunity with the current range of cars to turn the corner but in my opinion they blew it, great looks and driving experience is not enough alone.

25-06-2003

You could look at AMC - Alfa Main Dealer in Chelmsford, heard from a few sites thier service is excellent.

25-06-2003

I always find AMC chelms very obliging...If a bit expensive....

I also reccomend Westdrive in Braintree to anyone who lives in Essex If you arent too bothered about an Alfa dealer S/H.
Although not an alfa dealer their service and quality of workmanship is bang on.
I let them do all my servicing and MOT work and a few years ago they carried out an engine change on a 146 for me at a very reasonable rate (warranty job - car supplied S/H by them)...

ABYSS · 26-06-2003

Stori,

My clutch also squeaks specially when cold. Could you tell me where can I spray the silicon oil?