SLK/R171: Quality of Dealer Communications (UK)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5
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From: Wiltshire, UK
SLK 350 replaced with E320 CDI
Quality of Dealer Communications (UK)
Hi,
I've been following the posts on this site and on other SLK forums and am continually impressed with the feedback that most people seem to be getting from their dealers during the ordering and delivery process. I'm just wondering if anybody in the UK has received good service in the run up to owning their car, or whether this quality of service only exists outside the UK?
From my perspective the process has been poor throughout.
As an example, my car was ordered back in January, and at the time estimated delivery was Spring next year. I heard nothing until mid-August when I get a phonecall on a Monday and told I need to have my specification in by Friday of that week, as the car is now due to be built in October!!! This is despite my not receiving any brochures, the offer of a test drive, or indeed anything from my dealer.
I managed to hold off my specification an extra couple of days until I had received a brochure through the post and until I had test driven the car, but the whole process felt far too rushed. If I had more time I would have chosen different options to what I have. I tried to add rain-sensing wipers to the order a week or so later, but was told it was too late - the specification was final.
Anyway, having heard nothing in the intervening period, I phoned the dealer yesterday to see when they expect to receive the car and was told 'anytime now'. The sales person went on to say one had come in that morning they thought might have been mine. I pressed further to try and ascertain what 'anytime now' actually means, and eventually the sales person agreed to make a phonecall and get back to me. An hour later, I was told that the car would actually arrive at the end of the month, but that was only an estimate, and nobody could say when the car was likely to appear.
I'm starting to imagine the dealer phoning me three weeks after the car has arrived to ask why I haven't picked it up yet - after all they have never initiated contact with me.
Has anybody else had 'communication' issues with their dealers or am I just fated?
Paul.
I've been following the posts on this site and on other SLK forums and am continually impressed with the feedback that most people seem to be getting from their dealers during the ordering and delivery process. I'm just wondering if anybody in the UK has received good service in the run up to owning their car, or whether this quality of service only exists outside the UK?
From my perspective the process has been poor throughout.
As an example, my car was ordered back in January, and at the time estimated delivery was Spring next year. I heard nothing until mid-August when I get a phonecall on a Monday and told I need to have my specification in by Friday of that week, as the car is now due to be built in October!!! This is despite my not receiving any brochures, the offer of a test drive, or indeed anything from my dealer.
I managed to hold off my specification an extra couple of days until I had received a brochure through the post and until I had test driven the car, but the whole process felt far too rushed. If I had more time I would have chosen different options to what I have. I tried to add rain-sensing wipers to the order a week or so later, but was told it was too late - the specification was final.
Anyway, having heard nothing in the intervening period, I phoned the dealer yesterday to see when they expect to receive the car and was told 'anytime now'. The sales person went on to say one had come in that morning they thought might have been mine. I pressed further to try and ascertain what 'anytime now' actually means, and eventually the sales person agreed to make a phonecall and get back to me. An hour later, I was told that the car would actually arrive at the end of the month, but that was only an estimate, and nobody could say when the car was likely to appear.
I'm starting to imagine the dealer phoning me three weeks after the car has arrived to ask why I haven't picked it up yet - after all they have never initiated contact with me.
Has anybody else had 'communication' issues with their dealers or am I just fated?
Paul.
