Alexanders - Stockton

Just wanted to thank Alexanders for the superb service I have just received.

Benfield in Newcastle had my Spider for a total of 5 weeks and in the end told me there was nothing wrong with it.

Alexanders had it and have fixed everything. One of their Technicans refused to be beaten and even stayed late to fix my arm rest cool box.

Brilliant service, highly recommended.

I will never go near Benfield again, but I will be using Alexanders, and I will no doubt buy my next Alfa from them.

The Sales guys are brilliant as well, even had a test drive of the Brera S.

Well done guys, and thanks for everything.

Oh this is so refreshing to hear. I am having problems with said Newcastle dealer.

See this if your interested:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ml#post1900203 (Fuel gauge not working - dealer problem)

I said I would never use Benfield again after I bought a new 156 from them, I have used them again and nothing has changed.

I read recently that the top guy of Alfa UK had visited every dealers in the country and was getting rid of the dross. I hope they are on the list.

I would highly recommend Alexanders. Pop down and see them, they are just down the A19/A66 so easy to get to.

I've had 14 months of hassle, including Solicitors letters to and fro with Benfield, and they are simply useless.

Long may it continue!

Nice to hear a good news story about a new dealer. I've had a couple of little parts from them (oo-err) and they's been nothing but polite & courteous when I've been in.

Hear-hear - I'm another more than satisifed Alexanders customer.

Good pre-and post-sales service with service reps and technicians that do seem to care.

Alexanders were/are a good Saab dealer and they are a good addition to the AR family for all in the North East.

Very good to hear. Ive been in for a new badge and chatted to a couple of the sales lads, they seemed friendly and helpful.
Hope their service carries on this way.

Happy days! It's just a shame about their typically astronomical labour rates. :dis:

Originally Posted by Rosso145

Long may it continue!

What? Benfields being useless?

I'm sure it will by the sounds of it!

Originally Posted by Mr-T

What? Benfields being useless?

I'm sure it will by the sounds of it!

That reply was akin to the utterings of good service!!

Originally Posted by bacon

Very good to hear. Ive been in for a new badge and chatted to a couple of the sales lads, they seemed friendly and helpful.
Hope their service carries on this way.

I too have been in for a few bits and bobs, the fella on the parts was a great help on a few occasions, they aren't cheap but they are friendly, quick and ring you when they say they will.

Rob from sales is happy to chat to anyone about Alfas, even if he knows he isn't getting a sale out of. Seems to be an enthusiast for the marque, not just your typical car salesman out for his commission.

Originally Posted by Roswell

Happy days! It's just a shame about their typically astronomical labour rates. :dis:

Alfa UK charge them massive amounts for tools they'll never use, a flashy dealership full of glass, they have to recoup the money from somewhere. Unfortunately it means it isn't viable for a lot of us to take our cars there, I can hardly justify taking my car to a garage at all knowing how little its worth, its just throwing money down the drain. What are Saturdays for though 'eh, if not to get your hands mucky and the spanners out

"Hands mucky and spanners out".........whenever I get brave and try to fix something I usually end up 'phoning Justin 30 minutes later.

Originally Posted by Rosso145

"Hands mucky and spanners out".........whenever I get brave and try to fix something I usually end up 'phoning Justin 30 minutes later.

It only took me 4 weeks to put my car back together, who said persistence doesn't pay off

The trouble is, I wouldn't be able to put it back together in the right order.

I did mangage to change some brake pads once though.

Everything I took off I put a bit of masking tape on and wrote on it what it came off, and taped all its screws/nuts/bolts to it. Helped mightily with sorting out the wires for the radiator fans, headlights, spotlights, etc, I'd have been in a right mess without those labels, just trying to randomly plug things back together

When doing the rear pads the pistons are a nightmare to wind back as I don't have a tool. Must invest in one. Front pads is an easy job though..

Originally Posted by Roswell

Happy days! It's just a shame about their typically astronomical labour rates. :dis:

out of interest, does anyone know what their hourly rate is ?

Originally Posted by bacon

out of interest, does anyone know what their hourly rate is ?

I'd guess at £75+.

I called them this week for a price on a rad for my GTA, feared the worst when my first two calls weren't even answered. Got through third time though and they were very helpful, though I didn't take them up on their offer of £320 for a radiator!

Originally Posted by PR

I called them this week for a price on a rad for my GTA, feared the worst when my first two calls weren't even answered. Got through third time though and they were very helpful, though I didn't take them up on their offer of £320 for a radiator!

Is that including fitting and VAT?

Incudes VAT but not fitting, that would be around 3 hours I believe, so probably another £250-£300 on top of that!

I got one cheaper from alternative autos in Huddersfield, will be fitted by my local man a week next thurs. (see thread in GTA section for more info!)

Originally Posted by PR

Incudes VAT but not fitting, that would be around 3 hours I believe, so probably another £250-£300 on top of that!

I got one cheaper from alternative autos in Huddersfield, will be fitted by my local man a week next thurs. (see thread in GTA section for more info!)

You'd be hard pushed to find a more expensive radiator!

BMC's fitting times for a 2.0 was one hours so I gues the GTA is considerably fiddlier; either way I would give a dealer a wide bearth.

Originally Posted by Rosso145

You'd be hard pushed to find a more expensive radiator!

BMC's fitting times for a 2.0 was one hours so I gues the GTA is considerably fiddlier; either way I would give a dealer a wide bearth.

Jus took about 1.5-2 hours fitting mine on the V6.. £50 cash, inc new coolant.

Rad was £80 off eBay (Aaron Radiators)

Yep.....about an hour or so to do mine too.

Maybe Alfa employees are told to "go slow"?