Service - Better at dealer or indy?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by A lex

Lots of Volvo indies 'rent' VIDA keys from dealers if they need to do s/w updates. Paying for their own £3.5k licence fee per year is not viable.

I know my specialist in Hull pays for a day pass from a dealer up in York. It actually makes the indie more expensive for s/w than the dealer, as a days access to VIDA is something like £40 upfront. That is of course unless you are lucky and someone else visiting the specialist on that day had already paid for the days access key

The only connection between the dealer and independant is that the dealer has to do the software ordering for them , then the independant picks it up on his VIDA Subscription and does the job ...

[A lex]

Originally Posted by Clan

The only connection between the dealer and independant is that the dealer has to do the software ordering for them , then the independant picks it up on his VIDA Subscription and does the job ...

Fair enough. How I described it was how VolTech told me they do it, although he was probably simplifying things to get me out of the door

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by A lex

Fair enough. How I described it was how VolTech told me they do it, although he was probably simplifying things to get me out of the door

Hmmm... given that he used to work for the main dealer in Hull for a long time - it says something if he has to use the dealer in York for VIDA updates!

I believe as a non-franchised dealer you can still buy a properly licensed VIDA software package but certain software and functions (such as programming new fobs) are still "dealer only".

[A lex]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Hmmm... given that he used to work for the main dealer in Hull for a long time - it says something if he has to use the dealer in York for VIDA updates!

I believe as a non-franchised dealer you can still buy a properly licensed VIDA software package but certain software and functions (such as programming new fobs) are still "dealer only".

Ive only tried to use the dealer in Hull once.

I wont be back!

[laundryman]

Still using lancaster Volvo in Reading, where I bought the car. Service is very good which is no surprise seeing as they sell Aston martins, land Rovers and jags on the same site. The other good bit of a regular service is the Volvo breakdown cover that covers Europe and is included. Also as they know what my average milage is, they phone/text me to remind me when next service is due!
Made enquiries to the local indie in Camberley, who cant be bothered to return your call.

[Paul240480]

^^^ I think that camberley one has been subject to debates on here before?

Reading through this it seems there are liked and disliked Mains & Indies.

My old Indy, a couple of times was too booked to do a service, I was soon to go off on hols.... He just, "I can do it next week, leave me a key I'll sort it".
I lived about 8 miles from him. He sent two of his team round to collect my car, took it to the garage , serviced it and returned it home for me.All for the just the cost of the service .
I just popped in some weeks later to pay

[Mistero]

I've been following this thread and just wanted to add that I continue to use and like P&R Cars the Leeds indy on Kirkstall Road, Leeds. I'm not mechanically minded so would rather not attempt a job on the car unless it's simple, so I let P&R do more or less everything on it.

http://pandrcars.com/

I've found Peter and Bob to be completely honest, (in terms of they jobs they can do and can't), value for money and hard working; they have Vida and, (as other threads have indicated), have a relationship / support via a main dealer.

Thoroughly recommended if you're in the Leeds area.

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by A lex

That is of course unless you are lucky and someone else visiting the specialist on that day had already paid for the days access key

And you don't think they wont charge you the "day fee" again ..... they need to make money and that's an easy one, so unless you are on mates rates, my guess is you will pay it again, and again and again ..... everyone that gets s/w that day will pay the "day fee"

[A lex]

Originally Posted by TruckbusUK

And you don't think they wont charge you the "day fee" again ..... they need to make money and that's an easy one, so unless you are on mates rates, my guess is you will pay it again, and again and again ..... everyone that gets s/w that day will pay the "day fee"

Voltech are a good lot. Im certainly not on mates rates, the car see's them once per year usually, whenever I can get to the UK.

Ive had two lots of software from them, once I didnt pay the 'access fee', so I presume someone else already had that day. Second time around, I had to pay it. It turned a 20gbp piece of software into a 60gbp software, which was a bit galling - but its balanced by the fact I saved 100s on the labour rate over the dealer!

[old onions]

As I understand it the costs of setting up the system are a one-off licence of £25k plus a monthly subscription of £50.

Quite an investment, one can understand how the investment is not cost effective unless an independent has enough throughput to justify this.

Andy