Stratstone Volvo-Preston & Manchester Closing End Of October

[Multiplex]

Things are getting harder for Pendragon.

Heres a clip from the Times....

Over at car dealer Pendragon, a team of advisers from KPMG has been drafted in as concerns mount over deteriorating trading and heavy debts. The company’s main banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, are worried that if trading does not improve it risks breaching banking covenants next year.
The firm, led by chief executive Trevor Finn, is drawing up contingency plans to present to the banks in the next few weeks. They include the sale of property assets or, in the worst case, a debt-for-equity swap.
Pendragon, the UK’s largest Vauxhall dealer, has a market value of just £30m. It is understood the company has used close to £400m of the £550m of debt available to it through a credit facility and loan notes.

[Paddler Ed]

Had an email come through today with the following with a list of what they had and at what prices.

Here's a link to it.

[foggyjames]

I'm predicting a lot more of this in the coming months. I'm very tempted to buy one of the 3 year old V70 D5s they're going to be desperate to sell...or...at those prices...maybe even stretch to a new one!

cheers

James

[Nuisance]

Well personally I say good riddance.

I've long been dissatisfied with them as a dealership.

Having had the good fortune to experience the services of excellent privately owned dealerships such as MRG and Triangle, my opinion of Stratstones is exceptionally low, and certainly not publishable on this forum.

I live in Blackburn and we find ourselves right in the middle of a huge Volvo desert now. It has been a PITA since Stratstones closed the Accrington branch some time ago. Even to get to the Preston branch it was over an hours journey as they are right on the other side of the city.

Since they switched to the Preston branch, they've failed to call me back when I call for parts, and 9 out of 10 times when I do call for a parts enquiry nobody answers the phone.

I'm exceptionally glad that Stratstones and all their crappy management are now looking for a job. They should have been out of work long since.

It is indeed a shame for their staff on the ground. It cant have been easy working for such a bunch of **********. I hope all the good staff manage to get their jobs back when the dealerships re-open under a new owner.

[T5MPH]

Having now lost all the volvo dealers in manchester, does anybody know any
decent, reliable independent service providers in this area?

[southportvolvo]

Come and see us! A bit out the way, but we provide a loan car free of charge or spend a couple of hours shopping in sunny Southport!

www.southportautocentre.co.uk

[Volvo-in-my-blood]

I won't be shedding a tear. The salesperson at Stratstone Bury that I had the misfortune to deal with will be lucky if he finds a new job, if my experience is anything to go by. I'm always saddened when a decent dealership goes, but from my experience, that wasn't one.

I don't want to go into specifics but I don't think Volvo UK would have been impressed with the list of issues I detailed in the Customer Satisfaction survey!

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by T5MPH

Having now lost all the volvo dealers in manchester, does anybody know any
decent, reliable independent service providers in this area?

Not used them personally but have been recommended:

Trevor Burgess, Mottram Rd, Hyde 0161 368 9911
Read View Garage at Huncoat nr Accrington 01254 234382
Hallmark Volvo in Stockport, Canal Wharf, Wharf Street Stockport
SK4 1UD (top of Lancashire Hill off Portwood roundabout), 0161 429 0008
http://www.hallmarkvolvo.com/


I've booked mine in tomorrow for 4 yr, 60k service with:

Howard Horwich, Newhaven Buisness Park, Eccles, Manchester M30 OHH
0161 707 9224
http://www.hhorwich.co.uk/

just down the road from where I live so very convenient.

[Finbo]

I have to say that the link provided by Paddler Ed to special offers of new and unregistered cars from Stratstone's has some great buys.

If I had the money, a brand new XC70 D5 SE for under £20k or a new XC90 D5SE for 25K is fantastic value for money (savings of £10K+ on list price!!).

It makes you wonder what the knock on effect will be to second hand values though.

[Tony g6hbq]

Well the savings are REAL and no problems with low PX , New V70 D5SE arrives 23rd December.......................................... ..............................................
Why Did I link at that link
Now totally skint

MY08 D5 SE Geartronic
Titanium with rear spoiler and specially reupholstered 2 tone Leather.
Winter Pack.