Which is a shame in a way, as I have been a customer of Arbury for about 18 years… Now comes the main reason for the change – and it’s not because I no longer work in Leamington…
It was because of the way I was dealt with when I dropped the monster into Arbury to get the battery charging issue looked at by them.
I suspected that things were not going to go well when the monster was booked in. The girl on the service desk was less than helpful, and seemed to go out of her way to make it difficult for me to get a booking…
Mum was kind enough to offer me a lift into work, then go home and pick the monster up, and drop it into Arbury, simply because they couldn’t collect the car until the middle of this month. And I need a reliable car.
Because of Mum dropping me into work, she wouldn’t be able to get the car into Arbury before 10am at the earliest. So, the first time that was offered was 09:00.
Not possible, as Mum would still be heading home from dropping me off at work (I start at 08:30), and then had to hope that the little horror would start so she could get it into Arbury…
So, she grudgingly made the appointment for 09:50 (I got the feeling she was hoping Mum wouldn’t be able to make it by then, and she could send her away, as she had missed the drop off time.)
Unfortunately for her, I was able to get the day off and drove the monster in myself, with Mum acting as recovery driver. I walked in at 09:30, and the look on her face was priceless. I don’t think she expected me to be able to get in by 09:50.. Let alone 20 minutes early….
I booked the monster in and was told that I was going to be called when the car was ready. OK – not an issue. Until 16:00 comes, and there is no call. So, I call, and am told “oh, the car is still in the workshop – we’ll call you as soon as it’s ready, but we won’t be able to wash it for you.”
I wasn’t worried about the car being washed – I wanted to know if there was an issue with the sodding battery… 16:45 comes, and there's no call… As service closes at 17:30, this is now starting to worry me, especially as traffic in Leamington is a nightmare between 16:30 and 18:00.
I make the decision to get a lift to Arbury… And I am still trying to get through to the service desk whilst Mum is driving. I finally get through at 17:15 (when we are about 10min in Leamington traffic) from the dealership.
“Oh yes – the car is ready. We were going to call you.”
Like hell. So, I walk in, and get the details from the service team, and pay for the diagnosis - the battery has a low charge.
No, really? I wanted to know if the damned alternator was playing up and not charging the battery… Not be told something that I could have been told my local motor factor store for a lot less money.
Then came the final insult. Once I had the keys, the service team member who had sorted the keys (and the payment) walked out with me to the monster…
Which had been washed and valeted. And it was obvious that it had been done a while, as the car was dry – not just because it had been wiped down with a chamois leather, but it had been long enough for the car to dry completely.
The scent of fear was in the air, as I just looked at the car, and quietly asked how long it had been ready, as I had been waiting for a call.
The silence was deafening, and that was the final straw for me.
Now normally, I would have had a feedback form – asking how they had done, was I happy, etc... Not this time.
Probably for the best, as I would have slated the service reception. The workshop staff are brilliant as normal – but service reception?
I am sorry, but they have gone from outstanding, to needs drastic improvement. And as I am considering a new 208… Well, the Arbury has lost that sale as well as the subsequent servicing that I would have had done.
Ah well, time to call this quits – I need to get my phone on charge as it’s making pathetic beeping noises at me again.
Back when I get chance…
Karen
In these days of no trust
Evermore hostility
We're all living
Under the same old sky
'Cause we're all living
We're telling the same old lie
In these days
In these days
In these days of no trust
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