I want to Buy a new 159.

[alfafang]

I want to buy a new 159 but the nearest sales dealer which can offer a test drive is in Bournemouth !!

I live in North Devon.

Alfa will not deliver one to me or meet we half way to swap.

That means for anyone in Devon or Cornwall you have to go to Bournemouth to nut a car.

How rubbish is that !!

Alfa said take it or leave it. So I asked when they would appoint a new sales dealer for the South west. 1-2 Years

[Alfie GTV]

There is an Alfa dealer on the outskirts of yeovil, should only take an houre or so from Barnstaple.I know they have a 159 there because i passed there a couple of weeks ago.

[badgers_nadgers]

Originally Posted by Alfie GTV

There is an Alfa dealer on the outskirts of yeovil, should only take an houre or so from Barnstaple.I know they have a 159 there because i passed there a couple of weeks ago.

Apparently, they're not longer selling Alfas there, so the one you saw might have been in for a service. Bournemouth is serving the whole of the South West now.

[Kevin Slegg]

Originally Posted by alfafang

I want to buy a new 159 but the nearest sales dealer which can offer a test drive is in Bournemouth !!

I live in North Devon.

Alfa will not deliver one to me or meet we half way to swap.

That means for anyone in Devon or Cornwall you have to go to Bournemouth to nut a car.

How rubbish is that !!

Alfa said take it or leave it. So I asked when they would appoint a new sales dealer for the South west. 1-2 Years

Sounds a disgusting level of service - I've only been waiting for a test drive in a 159 3.2Q4 since August

I wonder why I don't see many on the roads??? (:sarcasm: smilie - whatever that is).

[Alfie GTV]

That,s bad.Alfa don't sell a huge amount of cars as it is, but if people who want to buy cant...well it dont look good.

[Alfie GTV]

Just an after thought, How about the Swindon dealer (fishbrothers) i know they are still trading. maby not much in miles from Devon-Bournemouth or Devon-Swindon but they are pretty good.

[alfafang]

Until they show some commitment to the SW of England they can stick 159 where the sun don't shine .

I will keep my 156 and see what happens.

What made me mad was Alfa UK were not bothered one bit. They said drive to Bournemouth or but something else.

I will send my 156 to Auto Italiana in Exeter for Service.

Its like everything else in the UK the SW of England gets stuffed every time.

[jamieboy]

Originally Posted by alfafang

Until they show some commitment to the SW of England they can stick 159 where the sun don't shine
...
Its like everything else in the UK the SW of England gets stuffed every time.

Doesn't help you, but I think it's just unfortunate timing - part of their drive to improve the quality of the dealer network. It looks like Alfa is taking the sales franchise away from all the dealers in the East of Scotland, so until the new franchises are in place there'll be a fair bit of travelling to be done.

They seem to be taking the view that if you have to drive a long way to a good dealer then you might buy a car, and then buy another, but if you drive a short distance to a bad dealer then you'll likely buy something else.

[PR]

If I were you I would write to Antonio Baravale in Turin, Alfa CEO. I think the address is somewhere on here if you do a search, (though might have been a Mr Kelbfall at the time?). Send it recorded delivery (costs about £4 IIRC). Let them know what their coworkers in the UK are up to.

[alfafang]

I think I will write to the CEO and explain whats happening over here.

At least I might feel better about it then.

The wife says I should forget it and buy the Skoda VRS.

But I just can't do that , it would be all wrong.

[kamran]

If you really wanted a 159 you would travel down.

Alfa aint VW or Ford, its a niche brand, if you want it, you gotta put some effort into it.

[alfafang]

What travel 180 miles to a dealer who doesn't care very much .

I will show commitment Alfa when they show commitment to me.

I have been a Alfa driver for nearly 20 years so I wouldn't doubt my commitment to the brand .

I would however doubt Alfa's commitment to its customers.

[Alfie GTV]

Write the letter, it will make you feel better anyway it's important to voice your views, and hopefully something good will come out of it.
Good luck!!

[BigFoot]

Originally Posted by alfafang

What travel 180 miles to a dealer who doesn't care very much .

I will show commitment Alfa when they show commitment to me.

I have been a Alfa driver for nearly 20 years so I wouldn't doubt my commitment to the brand .

I would however doubt Alfa's commitment to its customers.

Very well said mate.

[alfafang]

The letter is on its way.

I will report back if and when I get an answer.

[Kevin Slegg]

Originally Posted by kamran

If you really wanted a 159 you would travel down.

Alfa aint VW or Ford, its a niche brand, if you want it, you gotta put some effort into it.

Yeah....and if Alfa want customers then they ought to start providing some service e.g. cars to test drive of similar specification that potential customers want to buy - not asking to much is it???

[BigFoot]

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

if Alfa want customers then they ought to start providing some service e.g. cars to test drive

Not after your posts on the 159 and Brera...

[cj romeo]

For business users Alfa will drop off a car anywhere in the UK.

See the business user section of the website.

[alfafang]

I am a Business user and they told me I would have to go to the dealer in Bournemouth.

So they aren't keeping to that promise then.

[cj romeo]

Super.

Well done Alfa, I checked the website and that has actually gone, sorry.

[Padders]

Before Alfa Romeo announced their UK revival plan (Alfa in the UK, the aims), I was wondering what they could do about their appalling dealer network with such tiny sales volumes. It occured to me that they should retain just a few flagship dealerships in those few population centres where they were truely viable, and for everywhere else a network of approved service centres and a couple of full-time mini versions of last year's Alfa Romeo Experience roadshows roving the country giving people like you, Alfafang, the kind of personal near doorstep sales process that would make the difference, and allow the brand to grow sustainably. Those AR Experiences proved that AR can come out of their bunker if they really want to.

Obviously, this doesn't help you now, but if you manage to get that test drive when travelling East for some other reason, don't forget that the Block Excemption Regulations means you can buy yr new car fm who you want, like an importer who delivers to the door, and get it serviced where you want locally, like Auto Italiana, with no warranty implications. And save yourself a packet too!

[badgers_nadgers]

Originally Posted by alfafang

The letter is on its way.

I will report back if and when I get an answer.

Please do. We are too often overlooked in the South West.

[alfafang]

I think Alfa are trying very hard to sort the UK out. They have just gone about it the wrong way.

I realise its difficult for them to get new dealers on board and it takes time but to leave loyal customers like me with no option but to drive to Bournemouth to get a test drive seems very short sighted.

I would be very happy if they ran a road show around the SW and I could test drive the 159 but alas its Bournemouth or nothing I am afraid.

But Thanks padders I have considered buying from elsewhere with delivery direct to my door I just need an extended test drive to confirm its the right car.

I am going to wait and see what happens following the letter I sent. Perhaps a 159 might appear at my door.

[Troll]

Originally Posted by alfafang

I think Alfa are trying very hard to sort the UK out. They have just gone about it the wrong way.

I realise its difficult for them to get new dealers on board and it takes time but to leave loyal customers like me with no option but to drive to Bournemouth to get a test drive seems very short sighted.

I would be very happy if they ran a road show around the SW and I could test drive the 159 but alas its Bournemouth or nothing I am afraid.


But Thanks padders I have considered buying from elsewhere with delivery direct to my door I just need an extended test drive to confirm its the right car.

I am going to wait and see what happens following the letter I sent. Perhaps a 159 might appear at my door.

A guy I work with went on an Alfa test day somewhere in the south west last year, he got to drive the 159 and the Brera.

Bournemouth is nice this time of year, no grockels around, come on down for the day, walk along the beach do a bit of shopping oh and pop in to see Leon @ Meridiens for a 159 test drive, sorted.

Mark

[alfafang]

Got to try and convince the wife and kids to go for a drive to Bournemouth.

Better still I need to find an excuse to go that way on Business.

Its quite nice driving around here at the moment . The emits wont come to the Bude area until Easter then you might as well get your push bike out.