New month, new dealership

As I have said in a previous post, I’ve changed jobs. That means that it is no longer viable to use Arbury Leamington. 

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

The dread battery issue rises from the dead

Yep.  You guessed it.  That sodding battery issue on the monster has reared its ugly head.  Again.  Thankfully, my superstar co-workers at my new company helped me out and jump started the little horror last night, and I have the car booked in with Arbury Peugeot next week.  

But, to be on the safe side, I have the little kick starter kit in the car, in case the little horror decides to repeat the incident from last night.

So this now leaves me with a dilemma..  Do I stick with my little monster (which in fairness to the car, is 6½ years old) and has less than 60k on the trip, or do I let myself be swayed and take the plunge with a new 208.  

Which has more features (I know - more to go wrong) and has updated / better fuel economy, or do I stick with the known car, that is aging, and starting to become unreliable and starting to land me with large garage bills.

And yes - I am getting a feeling of DeJa'Vu with this.  It was the same situation with the 207, and it was the gearbox having major (and expensive) issues that pushed me to go to the 208.  

In fairness, the gearbox is excellent on the 208, but this time, it's the electrical issues that are starting to be annoying (not to mention expensive - the last repair was the main engine fan management control unit that cost me £230!)

There is another fly in the ointment with this as well..  I've changed jobs, and it's a pain in the neck to get to Arbury Leamington, to get the car serviced and MOT'd.  In the past, I would get the car into them for about 08:30 and then walk into work and collect the little monster when I finished at 17:30.  

But now I am working away from the Leamington area, it means that I have to get the car picked up from home and get a lift into work.  Now that might not sound like a major issue, but to me, it is. 

Simply because I am a control freak when it comes to knowing who has driven my little monster - and I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people who have driven it.  So relinquishing the keys to an unknown driver (ok - they work for Arbury, but that's not the point) is hard for me.

So, do I stick with Arbury (who I have dealt with for the past 18 years), or do I look for a dealership nearer my workplace, as it would be easier to drop the car off and arrange a lift into the office.  Again, it's something that I need to consider. This weekend, there will be a lot of hard thinking about the options - especially the possible change of car (and possibly the dealership).

Ah well, nearly end of lunch, so guess I'd better drag myself into working mode.

Back whenever.

Karen

Search all day, search all night

 for the answers that never betray

Answers that seem to be right

Car Troubles - Part 2

Just when you thought it was safe to restart the Monster.... 

The battery strikes again. I went to unlock the Monster, and no response from the plip.  So several muttered curses later and it was the same as yesterday.  No click, no response from the dashboard.

So another call to the breakdown people and a mechanic was duly sent out to the Monster.

He got the car started, and then suggested that I let the car idle for about 30  / 45 minutes.  

I suggested that I gave the Monster a good run up the motorway with no stops, as that would make sure that there was a reasonable charge, and he agreed with that - provided I didn't stop or turn the car off.

My partner also sorted out a replacement battery for the Monster, in case this one is a dud.  They will have it in stock tomorrow (but fingers crossed that I don't need it)

So all I can do now is wait and see if the battery holds the charge overnight.  

Ah well, the chutney calls.

Back with photos...

Karen

The dead of night
You're saying words you can't recite
A sea of noise so empty
Get on your way
There's no excuse for the delay
Before it's just a memory