Dealers Good news and bad news

Excelsior · 24th May 2008, 20:01

My new used Civic has duly landed, all the way from Cardiff to Halifax. Turn around time was very impressive all told, and they managed to get my personalised plate on in just a week. So, process wise, many plus points.

Outside, the car looked great. Good as new. Inside, however, was less than stellar. It was just... manky. Crumbs in cracks, dust, marks, all sorts. It was a real let down, in stark contrast to the finish on the outside.

Now, the driver immediately agreed that this was not valeting of a standard you might expect when paying over ten thousand pounds for a vehicle. Whilst I will be able to get it valeted at a local Honda dealership at the original dealership's expense, it's just hassle I hadn't expected. Oh, and they owe me a set of mats... ho hum...

In the interests of balance, I should point out that the local dealer actually did infinitely worse in that they almost put me off one altogether!

illegalhunter · 24th May 2008, 20:09

Its not a great start for you

psykik · 24th May 2008, 20:46

Excelsior - hopefully you got a bargain in cardiff, and when its valeted "properly" you will rightly have that WOW factor you should have had to start with....do get the valet done and take some pics of your new spaceship!

Enjoy!

angie4m · 24th May 2008, 20:50

Not a great start and yes hassle for you. I would be asking for some kind of compensation too like some accessories?

Jobo · 24th May 2008, 22:59

LOL! Love the last line of your post!

Please don't let it take the shine off your new car...

Definitley push for freebies/compensation.... Times are hard and dealers can't afford to be complacent...

Welcome and I hope you get sorted.

HappyMan · 24th May 2008, 23:41

Oh dear! Talk to the dealer and try and get something sorted. It may not have been up to standard - but you do own a civic. Some consolation?

okehciv · 25th May 2008, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie4m

Not a great start and yes hassle for you. I would be asking for some kind of compensation too like some accessories?

Think angie is on the right track with her comment, when you get it sorted pop down the road for the next meet

and you can show off your spaceship.

Excelsior · 27th May 2008, 21:42

And back to the bad I'm afraid. Local dealer very helpful, they called the Cardiff dealer, and... the Cardiff dealer didn't authorise the valet. Clearly a lack of communication given the manager agreed it on Friday. Apparently made some comment about it having a few thousand miles on it, so it's bound not to look spot on. That's not going to wash, my wife's latest vehicle is second hand too and was spotless when it was delivered - with flowers.

Called them, was promised a call back, didn't get it today. Now, my wife is going to call them tomorrow as she's on maternity leave. They are going to be in a world of hurt

Oh, and there's also the small matter of some sort of rattle from the front left somewhere when I get up around 70. Plus it could be my imagination, but it seems to pull to the right when going slowly. But then I'm still getting used to it, far more lively ride than my old Accord.

HappyMan · 27th May 2008, 22:11

If in doubt take the car to your local dealer and have them check the car over regarding the rattle and pulling to the right.

I am sorry but how much does a valet cost in the great scheme of things for them to just authorise it? Let's hope your local dealer can take over the care of the car and do better for you.

God help the cardiff dealer after your wife has been on

Dimplyred · 27th May 2008, 22:12

Regardless of how many miles it has done, you have the right to expect it is clean when you take delivery.

Tell you wife to give them hell.

Excelsior · 31st May 2008, 15:47

Well, she came,she saw, she kicked a$$. They were less than forthcoming, it has to be said - they even booked in the valet at the local branch without reference to what was a suitable date for me! At least the local branch will now supply the mats at the same time. An annoying start, I'm hoping the local dealer will restore my faith a little...

angie4m · 1st June 2008, 13:49

Lol! How is it that when a woman goes to buy a car some guys want to talk to the male with her (if there is one) but when a woman goes into complain about something they seem to take notice.

At least you've had a result from them, even if it did take the Mrs getting it!

nellz_bassettshonda · 1st June 2008, 22:47

[quote=Excelsior;188280]

Sounds too familiar to me !! ( cardiff I mean

)

Excelsior · 5th June 2008, 19:15

Well, just when I thought it was safe. Took the car into Halifax this morning, seemed promising, said they'd call me when it was ready. Did they heck. I turned up half an hour before they closed, and the guy expressed surprise that I was back - despite us having said that we'd play it by ear collection wise, hence the call.

So he then takes about 20 minutes to bring the car round because he'd locked it away for overnight. I then watch as he does a bit more wiping before coming back into the showroom. I ask him if the mats are in - they're not. More time spent as he goes to get some.

And this is the classic bit. As we then walk to the car, he asks why I didn't get it locally. Couldn't get one at the price or the spec up here, I said. Then he says, well, you would have avoided this trouble if you'd bought it locally. Then I look inside the car. Carpets clean, yes, but lo and behold the rest of the car is still as dusty and full of crumbs and crap as it was when I brought it in. So actually I would have had exactly the same trouble as it turns out. What really gets me is they wanted it in for a day "to do a thorough job". It takes quite a lot to make me angry, but he really pissed me off. Offered to take it in again, but I told him I didn't have the time to keep on bringing it back in.

As for my vibration issue, apparently they've done something with the gear cables - but I've no idea if they're in the right place to have been causing the noise.

All this is in sharp contrast to my buying a second hand Accord, far older than this Civic, from the DeVries dealership in York which was a flawless service.

So for all this hassle, I now have a set of mats to call my own and admittedly a shiny car on the outside (pictures going up shortly). But we'll be having a crack at the interior ourselves, on the "if you want a job doing right" principle. Ho hum. Here's hoping others have better experiences...

24th May 2008, 20:01	#1 (permalink)
Excelsior Valve Cap Join Date: 17th May 2008 Location: Halifax, UK Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Good news and bad news My new used Civic has duly landed, all the way from Cardiff to Halifax. Turn around time was very impressive all told, and they managed to get my personalised plate on in just a week. So, process wise, many plus points. Outside, the car looked great. Good as new. Inside, however, was less than stellar. It was just... manky. Crumbs in cracks, dust, marks, all sorts. It was a real let down, in stark contrast to the finish on the outside. Now, the driver immediately agreed that this was not valeting of a standard you might expect when paying over ten thousand pounds for a vehicle. Whilst I will be able to get it valeted at a local Honda dealership at the original dealership's expense, it's just hassle I hadn't expected. Oh, and they owe me a set of mats... ho hum... In the interests of balance, I should point out that the local dealer actually did infinitely worse in that they almost put me off one altogether!

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This thread is about: Good news and bad news, it's in Buying, Dealers and Servicing at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; My new used Civic has duly landed, all the way from Cardiff to Halifax. Turn around time was very impressive all told, and they managed ...

24th May 2008, 20:09	#2 (permalink)
illegalhunter HACKIN & SLAYIN Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th May 2007 Location: In the woods armed to the teeth Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 6 Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts iTrader: (0)	Its not a great start for you

24th May 2008, 20:46	#3 (permalink)
psykik Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 28th April 2007 Posts: 469 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader: (0)	Excelsior - hopefully you got a bargain in cardiff, and when its valeted "properly" you will rightly have that WOW factor you should have had to start with....do get the valet done and take some pics of your new spaceship! Enjoy!

24th May 2008, 20:50	#4 (permalink)
angie4m Moved on Civinfo guru Join Date: 28th September 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,771 Thanks: 17 Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts iTrader: (0)	Not a great start and yes hassle for you. I would be asking for some kind of compensation too like some accessories?

24th May 2008, 22:59	#5 (permalink)
Jobo Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 6th August 2006 Location: UK Posts: 683 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	LOL! Love the last line of your post! Please don't let it take the shine off your new car... Definitley push for freebies/compensation.... Times are hard and dealers can't afford to be complacent... Welcome and I hope you get sorted.

24th May 2008, 23:41	#6 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 2,843 Thanks: 25 Thanked 71 Times in 65 Posts iTrader: (0)	Oh dear! Talk to the dealer and try and get something sorted. It may not have been up to standard - but you do own a civic. Some consolation?

27th May 2008, 21:42	#8 (permalink)
Excelsior Valve Cap Join Date: 17th May 2008 Location: Halifax, UK Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	And back to the bad I'm afraid. Local dealer very helpful, they called the Cardiff dealer, and... the Cardiff dealer didn't authorise the valet. Clearly a lack of communication given the manager agreed it on Friday. Apparently made some comment about it having a few thousand miles on it, so it's bound not to look spot on. That's not going to wash, my wife's latest vehicle is second hand too and was spotless when it was delivered - with flowers. Called them, was promised a call back, didn't get it today. Now, my wife is going to call them tomorrow as she's on maternity leave. They are going to be in a world of hurt Oh, and there's also the small matter of some sort of rattle from the front left somewhere when I get up around 70. Plus it could be my imagination, but it seems to pull to the right when going slowly. But then I'm still getting used to it, far more lively ride than my old Accord.

27th May 2008, 22:11	#9 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 2,843 Thanks: 25 Thanked 71 Times in 65 Posts iTrader: (0)	If in doubt take the car to your local dealer and have them check the car over regarding the rattle and pulling to the right. I am sorry but how much does a valet cost in the great scheme of things for them to just authorise it? Let's hope your local dealer can take over the care of the car and do better for you. God help the cardiff dealer after your wife has been on

27th May 2008, 22:12	#10 (permalink)
Dimplyred Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th August 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 4,575 Thanks: 19 Thanked 128 Times in 127 Posts iTrader: (0)	Regardless of how many miles it has done, you have the right to expect it is clean when you take delivery. Tell you wife to give them hell.

31st May 2008, 15:47	#11 (permalink)
Excelsior Valve Cap Join Date: 17th May 2008 Location: Halifax, UK Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well, she came,she saw, she kicked a$$. They were less than forthcoming, it has to be said - they even booked in the valet at the local branch without reference to what was a suitable date for me! At least the local branch will now supply the mats at the same time. An annoying start, I'm hoping the local dealer will restore my faith a little...

1st June 2008, 13:49	#12 (permalink)
angie4m Moved on Civinfo guru Join Date: 28th September 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,771 Thanks: 17 Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts iTrader: (0)	Lol! How is it that when a woman goes to buy a car some guys want to talk to the male with her (if there is one) but when a woman goes into complain about something they seem to take notice. At least you've had a result from them, even if it did take the Mrs getting it!

1st June 2008, 22:47	#13 (permalink)
nellz_bassettshonda Bassetts Honda Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 25th February 2007 Location: Bridgend , South Wales Posts: 330 Thanks: 22 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	[quote=Excelsior;188280] Sounds too familiar to me !! ( cardiff I mean )

5th June 2008, 19:15	#14 (permalink)
Excelsior Valve Cap Join Date: 17th May 2008 Location: Halifax, UK Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well, just when I thought it was safe. Took the car into Halifax this morning, seemed promising, said they'd call me when it was ready. Did they heck. I turned up half an hour before they closed, and the guy expressed surprise that I was back - despite us having said that we'd play it by ear collection wise, hence the call. So he then takes about 20 minutes to bring the car round because he'd locked it away for overnight. I then watch as he does a bit more wiping before coming back into the showroom. I ask him if the mats are in - they're not. More time spent as he goes to get some. And this is the classic bit. As we then walk to the car, he asks why I didn't get it locally. Couldn't get one at the price or the spec up here, I said. Then he says, well, you would have avoided this trouble if you'd bought it locally. Then I look inside the car. Carpets clean, yes, but lo and behold the rest of the car is still as dusty and full of crumbs and crap as it was when I brought it in. So actually I would have had exactly the same trouble as it turns out. What really gets me is they wanted it in for a day "to do a thorough job". It takes quite a lot to make me angry, but he really pissed me off. Offered to take it in again, but I told him I didn't have the time to keep on bringing it back in. As for my vibration issue, apparently they've done something with the gear cables - but I've no idea if they're in the right place to have been causing the noise. All this is in sharp contrast to my buying a second hand Accord, far older than this Civic, from the DeVries dealership in York which was a flawless service. So for all this hassle, I now have a set of mats to call my own and admittedly a shiny car on the outside (pictures going up shortly). But we'll be having a crack at the interior ourselves, on the "if you want a job doing right" principle. Ho hum. Here's hoping others have better experiences...