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What happened to the western lounge?

3K views 26 replies 9 participants last post by  westernparts 
#1 ·
I just noticed that the Western dealer lounge has gone. Have they left the forum?
 
#3 ·
Does this mean Western are getting closer to dropping Alfa? I started worrying when I found SEATs polluting the Edinburgh showroom upstairs, and last time I was in, the used car section downstairs had been turned over to Suzuki. If this means they're dropping it and AC is coming back, there isn't an ice cube chances in hell that I'll buy an Alfa! I used Clarks for my last Alfa. They were so bad, it's taken 15 years for me to consider another one...
 
#4 · (Edited)
I've got the horrible feeling that you could be right on this. In Edinburgh, most of the long-serving Alfa-dedicated staff (apart from Gavin in Parts) have gone off to pastures new and their replacements don't seem to have much interest in the marque, certainly if the amount of messing about I've had recently trying to get a simple repair done on our Giulietta, :(.

Now that the 159 is out of warranty, it goes to McLennans at Loanhead and I'll be doing likewise with the G come October. I'm completely with you on the AC front - wouldn't let them touch a wheelbarrow so if the rumours are true, I won't be buying another new Alfa anytime soon.
 
#5 ·
I've posted a question to that fact on their Facebook page but I doubt I'll get a reply. They also haven't updated that page for over a month either. Worrying times, and bloody typical, just as I'm ready to take the plunge again! Might have to wait for the new Civic Type R as I just can't quite bring myself to buy the Golf R, good as it seems to be. In my years of driving, I've only ever had a proper passion for a handful of marques. Alfa, Honda and, to a slightly lesser extent, Mazda (for the rotaries....I love rotaries!).
 
#7 ·
With the news that the Giulia is another 3-4 years away, I really don't blame them. Sad times, yet again!!!
 
#8 ·
With the news that the Giulia is another 3-4 years away, I really don't blame them. Sad times, yet again!!!
On that timescale, that means that I've got to endure at least another 4 turbo blow-ups on the 159 before I can trade her for a Giulia, :eek: :rant:.

Don't think so! In the words of Duncan Bannatyne, "Ahm oot". :cry:
 
#9 ·
Damn, Sent them an email the other day as I wanted to discuss a workshop repair but no responce.

Mixed feelings about this. I have limited experience with Western but i always remember it being hard to get a responce from them, whether it is a workshop quote or a brochure.

Arnold clark on the otherhand. Will bend over backwards to sell you a car but won't let you have any money off. and the aftersales is appalling. (though Kemnay are doing a good job so far).
 
#10 ·
Some better news today, thankfully! Got a reply on Facebook and I'll post it up here in its entirety...

"Hi Alistair

Thanks very much for your nice comments re our Colinton Road Dealership, I can assure you we are definitely not giving up the Alfa Romeo Franchise,
We have been working hard cementing our relationships with our customers and Alfa Romeo, we are consistently being awarded top dealer on New car volumes, so something must be working,
Alfa Romeo have some fantastic in fact unbelievable customer offers on at present this is great news for us and our customers.
We have been as you have suggested added additional Franchises at Colinton Road with Seat and Suzuki, these Franchises have been introduced at Colinton to compliment our current offerings.
I hope this puts your fears too rest. Regards Neil Burgess F.I.M.I General Manager."
 
G
#11 ·
They're no longer traders on here, a decision which was always going to happen with Chris and myself leaving the company.
As for comments re them being slow to respond :rolleyes: try phoning them. Works for most folk. Using a forum that was hardly used due to the fact that all those who operated it had full time jobs to do as well, are you surprised. The forum always took a back seat as the financial returns were miniscule in comparison to the official channels of communication and enquiries.

I get a little bit riled when I see folk moaning on here or on Facebook re poor service etc and the 1st the dealer knows about it is through that medium. Speak to the dealer direct. If you've dealt with them then you'll have a phone number. I would much prefer speaking to someone re any issues rather than sounding off on the tinternet.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned.......
 
#12 ·
I was in Perth today for a service (well the car was). When I was waiting for the car the boss, Neil, came over for a chat and I mentioned the Western lounge. As Graham said it didn' really have the pay off that they had hoped for and they don't have the time to be constantly on top of it. Also no danger of them giving up on Alfa up there, they even have a 4C on order for the showroom:D
 
G
#13 ·
Chris, Malky and I spent a huge amount of our own free time on here. It cost £600 a year to be a trader. It was never going to last at those prices.
We did what we could at the time, but this tiny little section was never able to generate enough money to break even, never mind paying a wage.
 
#17 ·
More likely to buy from Edinburgh and Tony and Gordon seem decent guys, but might shop around for the best deal...
 
#18 ·
Didn't know where else to put this but I was in Western Edinburgh today when a large transporter pulled up outside and Tony said it's cars from Western AR Perth who closed down, almost out of the blue, yesterday! Apparently, since they lost Saab, and probably the 159/Brera/GT, they've been struggling and the decision was made yesterday. All the cars are going to Edinburgh but no news of a new dealer further north. That leaves Scotland with only two dealers now! I thought the worries were over! Not sure if giving a deposit over is a good idea or not now!
 
#21 ·
Hi Ali,

This official announcement was being carefully considered and written, probably during your visit to Edinburgh today. Sad News

Perth Dealership Closure

The Western Alfa Romeo dealership in Perth will close on 30th June 2014. Regrettably, it has not been possible to rebuild the business after the collapse of the sister franchise, Saab, in 2011. We have worked very hard to find a suitable alternative franchise to replace Saab in Perth with no success, and after almost 3 years of declining sales volumes the business is no longer a commercially viable operation as a stand alone Alfa Romeo dealership.

Eastern Western Motor Group would like to sincerely thank our Perth customers for all of their loyalty and support over the years. We will be delighted to continue to serve our Perth customers from our Edinburgh and Glasgow dealerships.

Similarly, we would like to thank the loyal team of staff in Perth for their contribution to our Group over the years. We are working with them during this difficult time to help find new careers within our Group or with other employers.

For any customer queries regarding this issue, please contact us on perthinfo@westernalfaromeo.co.uk or on 01738 444555.

PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT EFFECT OUR EDINBURGH OR GLASGOW DEALERSHIPS AND WE REMAIN FULLY COMMITTED TO ALFA ROMEO AT THESE LOCATIONS
 
#20 ·
That's what Tony and the tall sales manager said when a transporter full of Giuliettas pulled up outside Edinburgh. The 8C is being shipped down as well. No idea where they'll all go, though. Edinburgh have ridiculously limited space now they do Seat and Suzuki as well. I had to park 3 streets away to even pop in for info. They seemed really very shocked as well about Perth. Not sure if they're actually closed now but the announcement was made yesterday and the exact words were "Perth is no more". Sad times.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Such a shame. I hope you all find a new position ASAP. Met most of the Perth folk at the Scottish Italian Car Days and all really nice folk. Alfa really are leaving dealers high and dry at the moment. Two regular models, one of which needs a wheelchair, and a sportscar you can't actually buy, is just not enough. With new models still, theoretically, 18 months away (and those are 18 Italian months so let's say 2 years plus) I can see more chains either shutting their Alfa dealers or changing them to something else.
 
#25 ·
I spoke too a friend who works in Edinburgh, they got told Perth closes in 90 days then the stock arrived "err now its 30days".No car dealer can survive only selling two models, that's why Edinburgh sell Seat and Suzuki. Being new too Alfa I shocked to find so few dealers, my car was in Edinburgh today getting a water leak fixed and I was impressed with the service. Fingers crossed Edinburgh will be ok.
 
#26 ·
I doubt Edinburgh will close but I'd be more concerned whether, now they have two volume manufacturers on site, they'll continue giving over so much space to Alfa. I get the same growing sense of frustration from the staff with Alfa as many owners and potential owners, myself included, have on here.
 
#27 ·
Edinburgh still alive and kicking!

Tony and Gordon(dedicated Alfa Sales Team) are as passionate as any regarding the Alfa brand. You only have to look at Tony and he's covered with Alfa Cufflinks, Tie Pin, drinking out of a Alfa Mug and writing with a Alfa pen!

We have Ian who's now on the service desk. Ian has worked on Alfas all his days and was a Dealer Expert Technician(DET) before he moved onto the service desk. Ian knows everything you need to know about Alfas!

Then you have my good self looking after the Parts side :cool:

Yes we now have Seat and Suzuki on site and also still service and supply parts for Saab. We have designated sales staff for each brand(apart from Saab obviously) and the Service and Parts looking after the 4 brands. So yes its a bit more busier(and the car park) but when Alfa run with 2 models for what the last 3 years you can understand why the powers that be made those decisions.

However with the 4C and reports of the eventual new models arriving in the not so distant future, the future is bright..... The future is ALFA! :thumbs: :inlove:

We have recently got our own Edinburgh Section on the Forum so if you have any enquires be it Sales or Service related I will make sure they will get past on.


We all look forward to building better relationships.

Gavin
 
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