Least favourite & most unhelpful dealerships

[shian]

Hodgson, Silverlink, North Shields

The worst service I have ever had from a garage.  Not interested in me or my car because I didnt buy it from them.  

The best so far the dealer at Hexham, went late one night and the service manager came out when parking, knew my name/car/problem.    

only been to Hodgson, Silverlink once, happened to be in the area and dropped in to look at the 3 when i was considering what car to change to, the staff their seemed a little bored and yet not really doing anything

Hexham is good, but have you had the *ahem* "pleasure" of using one of their Courtesy cars? 

[Duc de Pommfrit]

Hello Shian - which courtesy car did you get?  I have had a 626 with crazy vibrating gear stick and just returned the 323 with 120k on the clock last week.  Full marks to the garage because you dont get charged for using them and they did point out which car had the most petrol in after handing me 4 sets of keys.  Springfield Honda charge about £15. 

[shian]

i used the 323 before, earlier this year, i thought that was pretty bad, pretty embarrassing to be seen in.   This time i had the DEMIO  it had a somewhat odd smell, and that kinda furry seats that mean when you sit down in them, and after driving, then want to get out of the seat, you kinda feel like you can't, cos you feel like you are stuck to it... tell you something, i had so many people look at me strangely whenever i got out the car... a sorta "what the heck is that"... funny thing is after i gave it back, i saw loads of Demios about..

Springfield Honda? is that Scotswood road?  when i was looking at Mazda3, i also looked at Honda Civic (old shape) and was thinking about the Type R, their "best" deal was £800 off, which is about half of what i was plugging for, i tried to push him for more as the new (now current) shape would be with us within weeks, and the guy basically laughed in my face, so needless to say i walked out and kept walking... Two weeks later in the local paper an advert for the civic Type R discounted by how much? £2000

[BJ the exile]

Ask the dealership what kind of immpression they want other customers to get if they provide crappy courtesy cars. I would go over it with a fine toothcomb and pick holes; works wonders on the forecourt   

[Duc de Pommfrit]

I turned the Demio down even with half a tank of fuel.  I know what you mean about been seen in the 323, people looked at it when parking!!  I bought an old style civic (was new when I bought it - 54 reg) for work, it was a diesel and the turbo went after 2 years.  Turns out the old Hondas have an Issuzu/vauxhall engine because they didnt build a diesel engine. 

[saint1d]

I actually have had nothing but good experiences of Hodgson at Silverlink.  I didnt buy my 3 from them but they have always been spot on.  We bought my wife's Swift from them, so both cars always go there for servicing.

[RachelB]

I was trying to arrange a test drive prior to ordering my 3. I went to Silverlink Hodgson in October and they told me that they were expecting a 2.2D 185ps in the begining of November, had about 3 weeks to wait and I could test drive for the day. Leasing car sales rep phoned me a couple of days later to take details and arrange date for test drive. I was told to ring the week before to make sure the car was in, I did this and they agreed it was Checking which engine was in stock!!!! The day before I was due to do the test drive (hubby booked days holiday in prep too) I was phoned to say they didnt realise it was the 2.2d i wanted to test drive and that the wouldn't be getting a one in ever!!! None in country for demos they said. They only had the 1.6 petrol!! Did I still want to go ahead with test drive? Well I decided to still do the test drive because of all of the prep hubby had made at work etc and thought I would get the feel for the cars size etc. When we turned up they had managed to find a 1.6d ts2 saloon. Its the hatch i really wanted but still took it out. It wasnt too bad performance wise and still made me want to order my 2.2d through work, so was still a useful day. However we had to change some of our plans as we were supposed to have the car until 5 but had to take it back at 3.

I was maily just so angry at the fact that they had promised me the 2.2 and i had mentioned this several times. When the lease sales rep was talking to me it was as if she just couldnt be bothered. I have had no complaints though with 'jeff' in car sales thought he was very helpful.

[MazMad]

I am giving a great nomination to Waters Mazda Chingford, for deceiving me and  for being incompetent.

My story is already in the forums. Bought used car in excellent quality and got rusting chips on the roof. I pointed the defefct out before sale and they promised to repair, then somehow they "forgot" and tried to wash their hands off after selling me the car. I took the car back and requested a quality repair. Then instead of taking it into the dealership's body shop, they brought Mickey Mouse smart repairer to ruin my roof and make two stains. Dealer is still refusing to repair the roof properly and wants to experiment with smart repairs, so the story continues...

The extended Warranty pack was not from Mazda as agreed with the salesmanm, who was lying and promising things non stop.

Do not buy from this dealer, not recommended!

[BJ the exile]

I am giving a great nomination to Waters Mazda Chingford, for deceiving me and  for being incompetent.

My story is already in the forums. Bought used car in excellent quality and got rusting chips on the roof. I pointed the defefct out before sale and they promised to repair, then somehow they "forgot" and tried to wash their hands off after selling me the car. I took the car back and requested a quality repair. Then instead of taking it into the dealership's body shop, they brought Mickey Mouse smart repairer to ruin my roof and make two stains. Dealer is still refusing to repair the roof properly and wants to experiment with smart repairs, so the story continues...

The extended Warranty pack was not from Mazda as agreed with the salesmanm, who was lying and promising things non stop.

Do not buy from this dealer, not recommended!

Much sympathy
However
it has been said many times that   " a verbal contract is worth paper it is written on "  always get it in writing
And last but not least  " caveat emptor"  ............  in this world of dog eat dog I am afraid it is up to the buyer to seek out problems and rectify them. I would hazard a guess that a number of members here have sold on with the buyer responsible for his purchase.
I have and hasten to add that when selling I am totally honest in any answers; but would be a fool to play down my sale item.
Same applies to insurance, never volunteer any information not requested as it can sink a claim/ quote. ( watch small print for any excuses ).
I have just had a row with David Lloyd Gym about a contract I have with them regarding membership. The outcome was that they had to withdraw their arguement as they had not prepared/ recorded sufficient details and carried out their admin properly. The threat to sue them for damages was a wonderful experience for me in dealing with the smug b......rd who tried to run rings around me.

[MazMad]

I was about to say the same IvyIIV

BJ the exile, funnily enough I asked to put everything in writing. Then somehow a couple of "know their cars" idiots and a salesman convinced me to trust the "brand" dealer. So there goes my lesson.

I second that great caution should be applied at all times from the customer's side, although in my case we are talking about a large dealership with a Mazda logo and not a backyard crook.

My suggestion to those who want to buy a good used car is to get your quotes and warranty details right. If the brand dealer is not offering a full Mazda inspection and warranty, it's not worth the hustle. Buy cheaper elsewhere, choose your own extended warranty and have an independent inspection on the car for the peace of mind.

[BJ the exile]

I was about to say the same IvyIIV

BJ the exile, funnily enough I asked to put everything in writing. Then somehow a couple of "know their cars" idiots and a salesman convinced me to trust the "brand" dealer. So there goes my lesson.

I second that great caution should be applied at all times from the customer's side, although in my case we are talking about a large dealership with a Mazda logo and not a backyard crook.

My suggestion to those who want to buy a good used car is to get your quotes and warranty details right. If the brand dealer is not offering a full Mazda inspection and warranty, it's not worth the hustle. Buy cheaper elsewhere, choose your own extended warranty and have an independent inspection on the car for the peace of mind.

Not having a pop at you, honest
I feel for you big time
I never trust anybody, sad to say. The bigger the worse they are because the owner is removed from the action so sales force have no real interest apart from salary/ bonus most of the time.

[MazMad]

Not having a pop at you, honest

No worries, I totally agree with you;)

I never trust anybody, sad to say

Rule No.1

[ricky_mzrcd]

I dont like SHAWS in Bangor (N.I). For the simple reason that to save time and fuel i phoned around dealers slightly further afield for quotes and he quoted me list price and said i had to go and see him to do a deal. There 50 miles away.

[hondo]

I have had my Mazda3 Takara 1.6 auto 2008 in at RRG Bury Rd Manchester. They are incompetent in the extreme. Car Was doing 17 to the gallon around town and even on a run i couldnt get more than 28. I took the car in. 20 ins later they said "computer sez No!" they had linked it up to their diagnostic and it said no problems found. I had explained it had a smell of bad eggs and low power so asked the question"have you tested the emissions as it seems to me it MAY be the Cat?. The guy replied I havent but I will if you want me to. How crap is that. After having the car a fortnight they couldnt get better than mpg combined. but still said that was normal. (when i got it from new it did around 38 combined and had don until approx 3 months before i took it in when it started getting progressively worse. Their service was bad...their attitude was worse and I thought things couldnt get any worse. I was wrong. The car Developed a faulty Seat height mechanism (wouldnt raise or lowe simply crunched and grinded). It was with them for 2 months during which time they caled me 5 times to say its fixed only to arrive and find it didnt work at all except on the last occasion when it worked alomost  except it was slipping after every third lift of the lever. they told me they had replaced the mechanism, and also the base, and that it was my operation of the lever (after wich when he showed me he couldnt get it to work...lol...so yeah really down to my operation). They are crap. and the last time I went in to the dealership they had nicked the boot floor/carpet and the parcel shelf!!!.....gone...!!!!   and then the senior technician  said was the parcel shelf in it when you brought it?....  Needless to say a complaint is in with Mazda. Its currently been referred to regional service manager who im told will contact me within 10 working days...I will update. dont touch RRG Bury road Manchester with a mucky stick peeps!...

[Bob1958]

JCT600 Wakefield

http://www.mazda3forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=6749.0