Stratstone Volvo-Preston & Manchester Closing End Of October

[foggyjames]

That's an interesting point actually...perhaps VCUK have given Stratstone the boot.

I would certainly add my name to the list of people in favour of that happening. It strikes me that VCUK have quite a problem with, for want of a better way of putting it, crap dealers. In my experience some are excellent, but far too many are 'troubled'.

cheers

James

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

That's an interesting point actually...perhaps VCUK have given Stratstone the boot.

I would certainly add my name to the list of people in favour of that happening. It strikes me that VCUK have quite a problem with, for want of a better way of putting it, crap dealers. In my experience some are excellent, but far too many are 'troubled'.

cheers

James

Quite agree James.....
I have been a constant critisist of the Stratstones franchise (call it what you want) The Ilford/Barkingside lot closed down a year or so ago which thankfully sent me too lookers in chelmsford who were fab (they closed down, is it me....?) The staff were rude and unhelpful, one of them even ordered his lunch while talking to me.....
Troubled James....?, i think your other description is more accurate.....
Good riddance to bad rubbish, as my Nan would say.....
Cheers
Jod

[foggyjames]

Well indeed. When I finally get around to writing my letter to the MD of VCUK about the excellent day at MRG in July (hangs head in shame...), I will be making this point...

cheers

James

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

When I finally get around to writing my letter to the MD of VCUK about the excellent day at MRG in July (hangs head in shame...), I will be making this point...

Good on you James and if it of any relavence the guy wanted a Big Mac meal with diet coke..... Cheers Jod

[Weezy]

Originally Posted by kevin derby uk

i have a funny feeling stratstone derby will also be closing too, as theres a new office complex do to be built next year. i do know that car sale's and servicing are realy down in derby.mind you £90 lab + vat= what a put off.

Evans Halshaw have taken over from Stratstones of Burton with worse reviews than Stratstones !!!!

[Mercmanuk]

I believe Rybrook at Warrington are the only dealer in the north west that are staying open so thats a trip to Warrington for me, the guys at Stratstone new car sales where great to me but i respect others opinions because the worst customer service by far is Mercedes Benz

There was talk of opening a large center in Manchester for Volvo as VC say they are not happy that they have no representation in this area, they could be losing thousands.

i hope they open one as at the moment the car is running fine and no mist on the front screen as yet LOL....

Regards mark.

[Multiplex]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

That's an interesting point actually...perhaps VCUK have given Stratstone the boot.

I would certainly add my name to the list of people in favour of that happening. It strikes me that VCUK have quite a problem with, for want of a better way of putting it, crap dealers. In my experience some are excellent, but far too many are 'troubled'.

cheers

James

VCUK never had a problem with the dealers involved before Stratstone/Pendragon come along with their so called management team of over-paid under-graduates and ruined everything, not only for the customers but also for some very experienced and long term serving employees within the Volvo franchise.

The problem isn’t "The Dealers" its how they are being managed and told to operate from the powers above!!

Bring back the old days of proper management ie: managers that know how the auto industry operates and care for the customers not their own pockets!

VCUK (or someone) need’s to do something in the areas affected before they lose not only their customers but some highly trained and long term serving employees!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Weezy

Evans Halshaw have taken over from Stratstones of Burton with worse reviews than Stratstones !!!!

That's strange , Evans Halshaw ARE pendragon .. unless things have changed recently ..

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Multiplex

VCUK never had a problem with the dealers involved before Stratstone/Pendragon come along with their so called management team of over-paid under-graduates and ruined everything, not only for the customers but also for some very experienced and long term serving employees within the Volvo franchise.

The problem isn’t "The Dealers" its how they are being managed and told to operate from the powers above!!

Bring back the old days of proper management ie: managers that know how the auto industry operates and care for the customers not their own pockets!

VCUK (or someone) need’s to do something in the areas affected before they lose not only their customers but some highly trained and long term serving employees!

I agree with every single word you say and there is a lot more that could be said of managment techniques and certain named mid managment persons and their 60's style of bullying but certainly not on here ! Regarding your last paragraph they havent cared about either since 2005 only profits at any cost and , customers and loyal long term employees have long gone elsewhere either to family run businesses or to other makes of car ... Lets hope for an upturn in the new year with new managment.

[foggyjames]

For what it's worth...when I said "crap dealers", that was not directed at any particular group of employees. Although I have encountered poor techs (my favourite being the guy who didn't know what an S70 was, and kept asking me if I meant S60...), I have heard very much the same thing re: management from friends working at some dealers. New management & sales staff have been sent in (by VCUK, I believe)...and their techniques are..."alientating".

If you ask me, VCUK would do well to listen to what their customers value - in my case, experience, dedication, and a geniune interest in your car, whether it's an XC60 (my housemate says he saw one 'in the wild' the other day) or a PV. If they were to analyse why customers are so happy with the likes of FRF and MRG, they may start to see a pattern...

cheers

James