Is this me or has anyone else had the same exemplary customer service treatment from Julian and Bob at Winchester Cars in Sheffield? I saw the car in a magazine and called to find out more Me: Could you tell me something more about car XXX advertised in Autotrader? Julian: Sure, its red, its done 30 thousand miles (repeating everything on the ad) Me: Hi, I can see those details on the website, could you tell me how many owners has it had and where was the car originally sourced? Julian: Umm Let me ask my colleague Bob, can I take your name and number? Ill get him to call you back right away. Name and Phone number duly provided, and 5 hours later nobody had bothered to call. Me: Hi, I called earlier. Nobodys called me back; can you provide me the details? Julian: Sorry, whos this? Me: I called earlier about car XXX, and you said youd get someone to call me back. Julian: Oh, sorry, whats your name and number? Ill pass you over to Bob. Name and number duly given, again. Bob: Hi, the car is red, itd done 30 thousand miles blah blah blah Me: Hi, I know all that, didnt Julian asked you about my enquiry about how many owners has it had and where was the car originally sourced? Bob: Um Let me check and Ill get back to you right away! 2 Weeks later! Nobody called Me: Hi, I called 2 weeks ago on this car XXX, and Bob had promised to get back to me right away. Do you have the information now please? Julian: Oh sorry, Ill have to check with Bob and Ill get him to call you right away. Four days later, nobody called Me: Hi, I called a few days ago asking for information on car XXX? Is Julian or Bob around? Julian: Sorry, didnt get a chance to call you. I think the car is sourced from YYY. But I dont have the log book to verify as the owner has yet to fax it over. Me: Well, why didnt you call him and find out? At the meantime, would you mind sending me some detailed photos on the car: close-ups on centre console, dashboard and leather upholstery? Julian: Ok sure. Two days later the photos finally arrived. But instead of photos that I asked for, they send me a bunch of generic photos which are absolutely useless as a guide to gauge the condition. But Im still willing to travel the 190 odd miles to see the car, and have begun to make travel arrangements. I though I would call and tell them that Ill be coming to see the car. Me: Hi, this is { }, Ive received the photos on the car. Bob: Sorry whos this? Me: Bob, Im the one whos been in communication with you for the last few weeks regarding car XXX. Bob: Oh, its sold. Me: What! Bob: I think its sold. But let me check with Julian. Ill get back to you in two minutes. Well, three hours later Me: Hi, Im still awaiting Bobs reply. Receptionist: Bobs with another client. Hell call you in a minute. Guess what? Nobodys called yet Is this the normal behaviour of car salesmen trying to sell a £50+ car? Has anyone else encountered the same abysmal treatment by Winchester Cars?
To be honest, Winchester Cars have always struck me as less than hospitable. Please note, I've never bought from them, but they've always been less than happy allow us a browse around their showroom, while all the other dealers in the area (Graypaul in particular while they were down there, and the recent Porsche dealership) were more than happy to let us nose around their latest models. To be fair, the owner is a petrolhead, he did the last Gumball 3000 in his 360 as far as I know (we happened to be passing as he was having the car returned on a flatbed, with a knackered clutch, and helped push it to safety off the dual carriageway), but we've never felt welcome in his dealership. Perhaps because we aren't carrying ~£80k to drop on a car that day, which is fair enough, I'm still grateful to Graypaul for treating us as if we were potential customers, even though we clearly just wanted a closer look at the cars.
Dear Comrade mdfer360, Count yourself as fortunate that you didn't buy the car. There are plenty of dealers genuinely keen to offer an exemplary service both before and after sale. Their reputation depends upon such behaviour and a good business is underpinned by it. Do you know how long Winchester Cars have been in business? With kind regards, 512 Tea Are - Tea Arse - Tear Arse
The funny thing is I had the cash sitting in the current account and was ready to pay for it there and then as soon as I see the car. Now this whole experience has put me off them for good. What a way to p*ss-off a potential current and future customer.
Not sure how long they've been in business. But if this's the way that they handle their customers, I wonder how long they'd last.
Dear Comrade mdfer360 M8, My advice is to dismiss it from your mind just as soon as you can. Such behaviour is intensely irritating. But there are other cars and other dealers most of whom are wishing to under pin their hard won reputation with customers they have brought happiness to. Try and forget the whole incident - we've all had it at some time or another and I say again that it is just so absolutely infuriating. You'll feel better in the morning M8 - g'night. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are - Tea Arse - Tear Arse
Leave it then mate. The only reason I mentioned the fact that we weren't in any position to buy, was that the Graypaul Ferrari (now Landrover/Mini (?) in Attercliffe), were happy to let us look around the showroom and display cars, despite looking like stereotypical students, while Winchester didn't want to know unless we were wanting to buy then and there. I suppose that's fair enough really, but it wasn't nice. I'd also like to congratulate the new Porsche dealership in Attercliffe, for being thoroughly hospitable and welcoming without first verifying my earnings and financial standing.
they probably never owned the car it was probably on slae or return as most of the smaller dealers do this
Im still waiting for a call back from Foskers after ringing them twice 6 weeks ago......still nothing! Even if their car is the best in the world they've blown it! They obviously have more customers than cars! Funny how its still for sale though!
When I bought my current car, BMW 330i, I originally ordered it from Winchester cars, and when I went to collect it, after paying the draft found it had damage to the rear door. They tried to persuade me to keep it but I was not having it and got my draft back, and eventually my perosnalised number plate. Would never ever deal with them again
Sounds like terrible service, it really greives me hearing tales like this. I had a bad experience when trying to source a turbo, a southern company 'HWM' treated me like poo. The hoes. Have you tried Verdi, Manu et al? Thanks MOD.
beats me in this day and age how any company can hope to survive without first class service. may they all go down the tubes together and let the good guys prosper!
Just incredible - totally incredible. The market is very competitive, and people expect so much more at the top end. Just goes to show there are plenty of unsuspecting newbies buying cars from them and not knowing any better.... doh!
I live in Chesterfield, about 12 miles south of Sheffield, believe me they have a pretty bad reputation in the area. Would'nt entertain giving them any of my hard earned cash. Whereas Graypaul as somebody mentioned earlier are superb, were accross the road until their move to Nottingham. Always had my car serviced with them cannot fault them whatsoever.
If this is what they're like before you hand over any of your hard earned cash then imagine how disinterested they're going to be if you have any problems that need resolving
Why on earth did you bother to persue the car, after the first time they didn't return your call? There are loads of cars out there, try looking for someone who actually wants to sell you a car, let THEM do all the chasing around, remember it's a buyers market, and you are in the driving seat! Me, I couldn't be ar##ed with people like that, they are obviously making far too much money to want sell you a Ferrari!!
were you looking for a ferrari? cause having seen your post, i looked at their website, and lets face it, they are not a ferrari dealer, not even a specialist, so they ain't gonna show any passion for the marque. I guess you've got to take your chance when buying a prestige car from an organisation who are there to purely make money....someone had their attention over you who were willing to jump the queue for a 430 or a gallardo or a bentley gt - if you're after a ferrari then you'd go somewhere else where they've got support/backup
I had exactly the same experience. To be fair to them though they did open up between Christmas and new year for me to have a look and left me in the workshop, but when I got there the car that they had advertised as mint (8000 miles) and with Full Ferrari History turned out to need loads of paintwork and despite the fact that it was 7 years old had only had 3 services 1 of which was a cambelt 4 years ago. Needless to say I had a wasted journey and won't be going back to them
Moral of this story: DON'T EVER BUY A CAR FROM THEM. IF YOU HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME PURCHASING THE CAR IMAGINE THE NIGHTMARE YOU WILL HAVE TRYING TO SORT A PROBLEM OUT!! Good luck in finding the right car.
