Service at Sheffield Audi...

[PNH80]

Alright fellas...

Haven't been on the site for a while because of car hunting, moving house etc but i got round to booking in the car for a slightly late service at Sheffield Audi. It's the new custom built 'Gilder Group' facility in the Norton area. I had dealings with the old Gilder's place before they moved and was happy with the service so figured i'd let them do the service.

Firstly, the office staff are very good, prompt phone calls when promised and couldn't be more helpful or knowledgable...Good start.

I opted to let them come and collect the car (saves me spending 2 1/2 hours driving up and down). So the guy turns up in the ******* rain, in workshop uniform (boots and work gear) without any paper mats or seat covers. Nice one! I would have thought that's good manners or am i being picky??
On the upside they picked up the car nice and early and on time so i wasn't left sitting around. I definitely appreciated that, makes a change.

So they delivered the car back maybe 6 hours later, again with no covers on the seats and no floor mats. Considering workshop 'mechanics' had been in and around it i consider that to be crap attention to detail quite frankly. Again, am i being picky or do you agree?
He pointed out that they'd cleaned the inside. Incidentally i had cleaned it myself prior to service (so it was already spotless) and they'd just added some nice scuff marks from dirty boots on the passenger cill.

Now lets get to what these so called 'mechanics' actually do shall we...
The tick sheet they gave me stating everything they'd checked is a bit of a laugh to be honest. I know for a fact the left wiper blade needs replacing but it was ticked as 'OK'.
I'd told them that the aircon was faulty but apparently it's all 'OK' and if it percists to contact their mechanic. I'm guessing they just plugged in the software which said 'OK' and never actually had the common sense to try the aircon properly themselves. The fact is it doesn't get COLD! I asked if the mechanic had actually tried making it go all the way down or if he just measured the temp at a higher level than the outside temperature (which would prove nothing).... He didn't know. What a surprise

Now comes my favourite bit, the interior and exterior general inspection for damage, corrosion, paint work etc.
On the drivers side air vent, one of the 'slats' has come unclipped and it just stays closed. It's obvious to see. It would have taken them all of 20 seconds to clip it back for me....But no.
The rear bumper appears to have been nudged in a car park and the bottom lip (where the bumper is joined in 2 parts) seems to have popped out over the top lip. I just haven't got round to fixing it.... but surely if they're 'inspecting' the condition of the car they'd have at least noted or just popped it back in for me?

I know i'm having a rant here and you may think the seat covers (lack of)broken vent, bumper etc are picky points but i honestly think it's these small touches which make all the difference and keep repeat customers.

I just expected better from a super plush, brand new dealer facility looking to impress. They've given me no reason whatsoever to go back again.
It seemed they'd plugged in VAGCOM and given it a quick hoover without actually LOOKING at my car or using any common sense.

So there we are.... Just thought i'd share that! Has anyone had a similarly disappointing experience or is your local dealer much more attentive to detail? I'd like to know if anyone can recommend dealers in the east midlands and south yorkshire area because i want an alternative for next time!

Thanks for listening to my rant chaps... I feel much better

Paul.

 

[S3 Rav]

i think your spot on there mate.

 

[PNH80]

i think your spot on there mate.

Cheers fella... Glad to know it's not just me being picky! Even my mum's Clio came back with paper mats and seat covers

 

[heliflyer]

i would have to agree with you i recently went with free mot they did find fault so failed the car they wanted 348 plus 54.50 to retest so rang local mot centre they failed same items but charged 165 inc test so they have now also lost me as a customer also after watching my car return to a parking bay half hour previous assistant came to me said it wont be long now ther just cleaning the car,i advised her that the car had been parked up half hour earlier oh she says ill get the keys for you sir wont be returning to gilder in a hurry

 

[jacky]

Hmm this is a similar to Aberdeen Audi.. ive popped in a few times to have a snoop around and generally asking for some advice on cars etc etc..

Last time i popped in I got treated like utter dirt. In Aberdeen there is quite alot of Audis and quite alot of oil money. I have concluded that if your not waving handfulls of cash in their face then you might aswell pop down to the local proton garage cus they will treat you better..

On occasions Audi think they are better than everyone else, snobby almost..

On a brighter note i have had a very pleasing experience with Perth Audi.. Very helpful indeed and i eventually ordered my new A3 through Perth even though i stay Aberdeen.

Thanks
Jacky

 

[h5djr]

If you fancy driving as far south as Huntingdon, Huntingdon Audi have always provided me with excellent service both with sales and service. When I take my car to them for service, the technician always comes out of the (very clean) workshop with paper floor covers and a seat cover just to move it into the workshop. If ever I been out on a test drive with a technician for any reason he's always used a seat cover.

They have always cleaned my car very well and done everything asked of them and always ring me to say as soon as the car is ready. They have also been helpful in small ways without charging. For example, when I had a problem getting the radio out on my previous A3, I called in and one of the technician came out and released it from the dash for me using their Audi keys, which were much better than my Halfords version.

I have used them for all 7 of my A3s since 1998 and have never had any problems or cause for complaint with the level of service from either sales or service. Throughly recommended.

 

[PNH80]

Cheers for the responses... I just wanted opinions as to whether my expectations were reasonable to be honest....and it seems they were.

I can't help but think it's just lazy car mechanics nowadays. Not necessarily the fault of the individuals but general company or branch policy.
Seems to be a case of whack VAGCOM on and do as it tells you. Painting by numbers really with no common sense.

I recall some one on here having an issue with a dealer over the heated seats not getting hot and there was no common sense used in that case either.

Heliflyer.... Any ideas where you'll be taking your car next time? Derby? Nottingham? Sad thing is i have no confidence they'll be any better. I see you've got a 2.0T quattro... I've never seen another around here, what colour is yours? 3 or 5 door?

Dave.... I'd have no problem at all taking my car any distance within reason as long as the dealers were quality and deserved the business. I'd probably travel to a well respected dealer and arrange an extended test drive in a car for the afternoon while they serviced mine in future.

It's a real shame because i keep trying to stick to Audi as i like the brand and company image but as soon as i regain a bit of trust in them, they let me down again! Just not good enough really.

I checked under the bonnet yesterday and there's still bits of leaves and general dust/dirt ontop of the engine. Could they not just run a duster over it when replacing wiper fluid etc?! Aparently not! Enough said i think...

 

[heliflyer]

yes poss derby but will have to find someone who would recommend them first mine is silver 3 door where abouts you Ian

 

[Matt]

Sod letting them come and pick the car up. He could of been thrashing the life out of it all the way there and back for all you know

 

[h5djr]

I can't help but think it's just lazy car mechanics nowadays. Not necessarily the fault of the individuals but general company or branch policy.
Seems to be a case of whack VAGCOM on and do as it tells you. Painting by numbers really with no common sense.

[\quote]

It does seem to be the case, particularly with larger organisations. Huntingdon Audi are part of the Vindis Group which is still headed by the two sons of the guy who founded it. The now have a number of dealerships for Audi, VW and Skoda in this area but it's quite normal to see one of the brothers at one of them just checking everything is as it should be. And both of them are quite happy to talk to any customers who may be there to see what they think of the place and do they have any problems. I'm sure that must help. Also a lot of the staff have been with them for many years which is also a good point.

In the workshop at Huntingdon the two Audi Master Technicians have both been with the garage ever since I've been going there, as have the Service Manager and Assistant Service Manager. On the sales side I have used the same 'salesman' for all my A3s. Mind you he is a nephew of the Vindis brothers and he is now the Local Business Development Manager but he is still happy to deal with his own group of original customers.

 

[hollows wife]

this isnt really a free plug but my brother and his mate own an independant vag group garage ,mates brother is ex doncaster vw master tech .

they do repairs ,servicing etc have all vw diagnostic tools and only use vag group spares , so not to invalidate any warranties

but there around half the cost of vw .

and close to rotherham


and if they cant fix it they,ll tell you not lead you on a wild goose chase for weeks


hope i havent broken any rules there