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Not shocked that these guys are here. Back in 2002, I ordered by nice shiny new X Type. The staff were excellent, sales approach was first class (I hate having sales people jump on me, yet equally hate being ignored because they are watching a football game, which is what tends to happen at the odd BMW dealer...).
Car delivered fine. Not the best presales inspection, judging by the dirt in the recesses of the bodyword, but hey despite what they try to claim the car has been sitting a while (and the price was pretty well discounted). Anyway, first night, noticed an issue with the engine running hot. Got this sorted the following day at Avalon, no problem. First service, well OK expensive (and why did you charge me for washer fluid when I actually did these myself before bringing the car in... wierd). Next service, by now the transition (ultimately to the Stratstone brand, as all the pendragon dealers) has started... Well, if you want to see a prestige, first class car showroom turn into some dodgy back street car lot over night this is a classic.. Next visit to the dealer, a small recall matter. Car came back filthy inside. They did a full valet to put it right (and lent me a pretty fun sporty vehicle for the day whilst this was being done), however I should have seen the signs... The next visit was another recall, and service. I was working away, so explained that I would likely not be able to get back that evening, and agreed to collect the car first thing (8am onwards). No problem, so we agreed that I would make sure the courtesy car was cleaned inside and out, had fuel in and was generally as I would expct it. So, I had a £10 mini valet on the way home, and made sure I popped £10 of fuel in on the morning on the way to Avalon. Well, my car was not available. nowhere to be seen. It is in the compound I am told. I happen to know the compound is behind the dealer's rear car park. So, sat down with a cup of tea and paper, we all forget the keys sometime and the guy with the spare set is late. Having been waiting nearly an hour (yes nearly an hour) the guy with the keys turns up (whilst I can't be 100% certain, I an pretty certain) in a carnival red X Type (at the time, the car was still not as common as now, and I did tend to rather sadly notice other red X Types doing the rounds. Well, when I got my keys (after this guy had apparently returned my car from the compound) I note that the engine is at full operating temperature (I have tried many times, but even in blistering mid day sun it has consstently taken me more than 100 yards to achieve this) and pretty much most of my fuel gone. I smell a rat, did he take my car home for the evening... They were not able to explain this. They also appeared to mislay my wheel nut locks, to which the replacement cost suddenly went from £15 to £65 (over a week, that is some pretty serious inflation...)
But sadly, it doesn't end here. Take your car to any Pendragon dealer / service agent and you are in for an adventure. Another (sister) dealer has had my car over night, and it has returned with mysterious dinks in the wings, scuffs on wheels, and even what looks like a scratch made by some 'bling' on the steering wheel (and I really don't do bling!)
As for buying a car from these guys... well, I won't even try and say something amusing here. Don't. Buy a new car, thier special deals will now end up costing you more than you expect (I could have brought an S Type to replace my car, despite already agreeing a decent deal which suddenly got 'lost', for the bargain amount of £65K.... on a £35K vehicle!). Not to mention, them immediately marking mine up by about £5K... yes, buy a used car from these guys and they will love you forever, as you will surely be making them a mint. They justify the markup by claiming to do a check (yep, I watched them do this once... and £5K for a 25 minute work around a ticklist is pretty good business if you can get it!), give the car a full service (but I am having this conversation conveniently when collecting from a service), will repair the steering wheel (which your dealer network ripped?) and replace a tyre (safety first... although all tyres were in good order, and the one they proposed changing was the newest and least worn of them all!)
Then the service staff have taken a slant on the arrogant side. Apparently Jaguar are now catering for the Bentley customer (you'll have to ditch the plasticy door handles and Ford branded space saver wheels guys!). But I do admit, I like the XJ. I took one for a spin, loved it. But sorry, I am not spending £50K on a car that you have driven me around the block in. Apparently, Jaguar customers are now also not only the Bentley brigade, but also happy to buy an expensive car they haven't even driven more than a mile.
Different story at Colliers, or even Guy Salmon... Just a shame Avalon (sorry now Stratstone) has made Jaguar look like something of a pathetic, useless unfocused shambles of a firm, not knowing thier own direction and seeming not needing customers.... Oh, but aren't they in trouble at the moment...
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Visitors to the site are reminded that the details contained within user comments are uncorroborated and as such should not be read as fact but as the opinion of the person who left the comment.
Comments:
Car delivered fine. Not the best presales inspection, judging by the dirt in the recesses of the bodyword, but hey despite what they try to claim the car has been sitting a while (and the price was pretty well discounted). Anyway, first night, noticed an issue with the engine running hot. Got this sorted the following day at Avalon, no problem. First service, well OK expensive (and why did you charge me for washer fluid when I actually did these myself before bringing the car in... wierd). Next service, by now the transition (ultimately to the Stratstone brand, as all the pendragon dealers) has started... Well, if you want to see a prestige, first class car showroom turn into some dodgy back street car lot over night this is a classic.. Next visit to the dealer, a small recall matter. Car came back filthy inside. They did a full valet to put it right (and lent me a pretty fun sporty vehicle for the day whilst this was being done), however I should have seen the signs... The next visit was another recall, and service. I was working away, so explained that I would likely not be able to get back that evening, and agreed to collect the car first thing (8am onwards). No problem, so we agreed that I would make sure the courtesy car was cleaned inside and out, had fuel in and was generally as I would expct it. So, I had a £10 mini valet on the way home, and made sure I popped £10 of fuel in on the morning on the way to Avalon. Well, my car was not available. nowhere to be seen. It is in the compound I am told. I happen to know the compound is behind the dealer's rear car park. So, sat down with a cup of tea and paper, we all forget the keys sometime and the guy with the spare set is late. Having been waiting nearly an hour (yes nearly an hour) the guy with the keys turns up (whilst I can't be 100% certain, I an pretty certain) in a carnival red X Type (at the time, the car was still not as common as now, and I did tend to rather sadly notice other red X Types doing the rounds. Well, when I got my keys (after this guy had apparently returned my car from the compound) I note that the engine is at full operating temperature (I have tried many times, but even in blistering mid day sun it has consstently taken me more than 100 yards to achieve this) and pretty much most of my fuel gone. I smell a rat, did he take my car home for the evening... They were not able to explain this. They also appeared to mislay my wheel nut locks, to which the replacement cost suddenly went from £15 to £65 (over a week, that is some pretty serious inflation...)
But sadly, it doesn't end here. Take your car to any Pendragon dealer / service agent and you are in for an adventure. Another (sister) dealer has had my car over night, and it has returned with mysterious dinks in the wings, scuffs on wheels, and even what looks like a scratch made by some 'bling' on the steering wheel (and I really don't do bling!)
As for buying a car from these guys... well, I won't even try and say something amusing here. Don't. Buy a new car, thier special deals will now end up costing you more than you expect (I could have brought an S Type to replace my car, despite already agreeing a decent deal which suddenly got 'lost', for the bargain amount of £65K.... on a £35K vehicle!). Not to mention, them immediately marking mine up by about £5K... yes, buy a used car from these guys and they will love you forever, as you will surely be making them a mint. They justify the markup by claiming to do a check (yep, I watched them do this once... and £5K for a 25 minute work around a ticklist is pretty good business if you can get it!), give the car a full service (but I am having this conversation conveniently when collecting from a service), will repair the steering wheel (which your dealer network ripped?) and replace a tyre (safety first... although all tyres were in good order, and the one they proposed changing was the newest and least worn of them all!)
Then the service staff have taken a slant on the arrogant side. Apparently Jaguar are now catering for the Bentley customer (you'll have to ditch the plasticy door handles and Ford branded space saver wheels guys!). But I do admit, I like the XJ. I took one for a spin, loved it. But sorry, I am not spending £50K on a car that you have driven me around the block in. Apparently, Jaguar customers are now also not only the Bentley brigade, but also happy to buy an expensive car they haven't even driven more than a mile.
Different story at Colliers, or even Guy Salmon... Just a shame Avalon (sorry now Stratstone) has made Jaguar look like something of a pathetic, useless unfocused shambles of a firm, not knowing thier own direction and seeming not needing customers.... Oh, but aren't they in trouble at the moment...
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