Disgraced - JC's

[minidriver#1]

Disgraced

John Clarks in Dundee...

today was the final straw.

Here is my history with this garage to date

Bought the car from JCs Dundee in April 2003. Since then it has been back FIVE times for an air bag light which finally seems to have been solved.

I went to get quoted for paintwork repair for vandal damage and they were a full £500 dearer than Grassicks, so i went to Grassicks instead where the customer service was outstanding.

They have damaged my custom front splitter, which to their credit they replaced immediately but the hassle and loss of work hours at the office is irreplaceable.

Today i was in for a wheel trim replacement, a 20 minute job at the mosy since i have done it myself before, but on this occassion i didnt have clips so i let them do it. i was in there for 1 hr and 10 minutes. 30 minutes to do the job and 40 minutes to get the job form so that i could pay. Not once did they apologise. During those 70 minutes i watched the three guys on the desk laughing at customers, sharing jokes amongst themselves, the management sitting smug in their glass enclosed office, the mini salesmen doing nothing and the receptionist drinking coffee, while i was told to sit down and wait till the job form had been filled. Perhaps i should have insisted on them paying me £33 labour costs for half an hour of sitting around looking at smug BMW sales monkeys.

They are quite happy to charge 44 pounds to do a simple job but they cant stretch their ethics far enough to offer an apology or discount on their extortionate labour rates. Is it any wonder i go to Grassicks for any major work now.

I'd like to exclude the mini guys and one of the mechanics from this as they have been nothing but helpful in the time i have had the car, but the rest of them, disgraceful.

[Mini Martyn]

Ooops Sorry about the last post, was just getting a bit annoyed with these people, i am trying to book in for a steering problem, these people just dont call you back either!!??

[The Dogfather]

It's not just Dundee.

<Letter removed>

PM me if you want to see a copy.

[The Dogfather]

I have since received an apology from the dealer principal but I won't be taking my car back to JC Aberdeen ever again!

[Julz]

I'm going to wait until I get my 4th opinion next week before writing a similar stroppy letter! Who did you actually send your letter to BDM??:sleepy:

[choc]

my mini one went in 2 jc aberdeen under a year old with a back brake problem ,i had noticed the discs were in poor condition ,roddy stuart came out and looked at them and said the alloy wheel cleaner i use was damaging the discs but i told him he was speaking rot ,the car went in and it was discovered that the rear calipers were indeed not working so they replaced my discs under warranty ,he obviously knows what he is talking about ,not!!!

[Wul]

Julz - A bit of friendly advice - try not to go too public on here till you get sorted out - will help you in the long run methinks. :)

[minidriver#1]

its a shame because from the start they used to be really helpful.

[The Dogfather]

Julz - Lee Henderson the dealer principal.

Perhaps we (NMS) should collectively write to MINI customer services regarding the poor service from JC both Aberdeen and Dundee.

[GAJ]

quote:Originally posted by bad dog mini

Perhaps we (NMS) should collectively write to MINI customer services regarding the poor service from JC both Aberdeen and Dundee.


Em - No! If individuals wish to write collectively then that is up to them but pleas do not mention NMS.

[Scottie]

just a note of caution here folks. Agree with Wul.

Similar situation on one of the other forum I use re another make of car VW.

Chap had terrible problems and posted almost everything on the site.

of course the dealership used the forum they used and quoted all his posts lawyers were involved and user really came unstuck.:disapprove:

Just be careful all the legal stuff re what's posted up etc. Calling people names etc.

Quoting Spy's on the inside can get other prople in real trouble.etc

Sad we may think but thats just how it is I guess.

[The Dogfather]

GAJ - I meant we as a collective of NMS users not on behalf of NMS.

[minidriver#1]

Scottie, yes you are right, i was raging at the time of the post and have calmed down a bit since. i've edited my posts :)

[The Dogfather]

Kinghorn and Sleepy have also had issues. Perhaps we should invite the dealer principals to meet with a group of us to discuss the problems we've had.

[Scottie]

quote:Originally posted by KJ_innit

Scottie, yes you are right, i was raging at the time of the post and have calmed down a bit since. i've edited my posts :)


good lad KJ,

was only looking out for us.

as winston churchill once said

"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"

we all have to be a wee step ahead;)

[Monsta Mo Mini]

As Fiona has mentioned - airing your dirty laundry in public might make you feel better at the time but it can lead to all sorts of problems for you as the complainant. In the first instance keep it private and only once you've exhausted all other avenues of diplomacy should you be justified in going public - trading standards being your first port of call.

Sadly these dealerships are more likely to send me a solicitor's letter than actually sort out the customer service issues within their own organisations.

[Julz]

Well, my post is now deleted just to be on the safe side!:clown:

[KINGHORN]

not gonna say a thing except that i was in today and even the services manager hasent appologised yet,
lets just say
papers
trading standards
and bmw gb will all be contacted

[sleepyrascal]

quote:Originally posted by bad dog mini

Kinghorn and Sleepy have also had issues. Perhaps we should invite the dealer principals to meet with a group of us to discuss the problems we've had.


I have had problems with JC Bad Dog, but nothing like whats posted on this thread. JC have always managed to get it sorted in the end without to much trouble. I wouldn't say the are the worst because i've been to the aberdeen Honda dealership! What a clown factory that is!!

[Big Col]

I'm not sure I'd do the contacting in that order if you want anything from JCs KH. Papers should be a last resort.

[The Dogfather]

Perhaps its all dealers, which would explain why DTI are putting together a super complaint against the entire industry.

The fact of the matter in my case is they charged for work that wasn't carried out. Which is an offence under the trade descriptions act.

[The Dogfather]

KH - Col's right (god that hurt!)

First put you compliant in writing to the dealer principal cc. to MINI customer services (I have the address if you need it), if that doesn't work write direct to MINI CS asking them to intervene.

If you're still not getting any joy - get some advice from Trading Standards. You might get a good response because they will be trying to show that they are tackling the dealer problem, it's good PR for them!

A word of advice the P&J in Aberdeen will not do anything that could undermine their advertising revenue from John Clarks/Specialist Cars so you would have to try national press/media - BBC Watchdog would be a start.

[euan]

It's sad when it comes to this, I just cannot believe the state of some (so called) customer relations. It's not just in the car industry but in general in this country. I'm all depressed now.

Mind you, the depressing feeling has been slightly lifted but the highly amusing scene of the office girls running around after a small (I mean small - it's body is an inch long) mouse has been seen scurrying about. All the heads go up over the cupboards like a mexican wave as it runs down the office :)

[KINGHORN]

i stressed to the servises manager that i was not happy with the way i had been treated and all he said was, thats your opinion

[The Dogfather]

Kinghorn - Write to the dealer principal telling him of the Service Managers attitude.

[Steve74]

BDM & Julz,

I had a big prob with my MCS when I got it and had to get BMW GB involved. Then wrote a stroppy letter detailing 9 faults with the car and quoting various contract law elements. Worked a treat, got the stuff fixed then I promptly changed dealer. I could not believe they tried to get me to pay for a 700 quid warranty fault which they were in the process of part redesign. Fckers!@

[KINGHORN]

paul can you send me that address, and also if you want you can send me some pointers on what to write,

cheers
darren

[redpoint rallying]

Its a shame that the Mini experience can be tainted by less than good service from the dealer.

Just by way of a wee bit of balance (and I do sympathise with those who have shared their nightmares here) but I'd have to say that my dealings (so far) since I got my 03 'S' from John Clark Aberdeen have been outstanding.

The car has been serviced correctly, a small number of warranty issues were dealt with swiftly, the car has been valeted each time and I have been 'chauffeured' into town and collected while the work was carried out. I have even turned up on spec without appointment and had issues dealt with while I waited.

When the powers steering malfunctioned in my driveway, the car was collected on a low loader, repaired overnight and delivered by low loader back to my driveway.

Each time I have been offered a courtesy car.

I have been in on a number of occasions to ask technical advice regarding the rally car and they have always had time for me. (and no, they are not...and will not sponsor me!)

I hope others have had as good a service as I have experienced and those who havent manage to get things sorted out.

Dont let it detract from enjoying the car...

Cheers!

[minidriver#1]

^^ word. JC's dundee did let me loose for 48 hours with their JCW Cooper S an experience i wont forget for a long time. I dont think VW garage would let me loose with a golf GTi or the Merc garage loose with one of their higher spec cars. that takes a bit of trust.

[redpoint rallying]

Yup....they also gave me a weekend test drive of an 'S' before I bought one.

Hope you guys get things sorted out satisfactorily.....and that JC Abn dont let me down now!!

cheers

[G2 - S]

Off topic but any of you guys in Aberdeen free for tonights 'inpromptu' meet? Go on - have a peek in Meets!

[minidriver#1]

its tonight? i thought it was friday.

[sleepyrascal]

quote:Originally posted by KJ_innit

its tonight? i thought it was friday.


It is Friday.

But tonight we are just randomly meeting up at the beach. about 9:30.

[minidriver#1]

hmmmmm i'm tempted to venture up to Aberdeen.

[c_me_swim]

Where at the beach and who is all going? I Might be up for it. Good to meet all the gang!

[sleepyrascal]

quote:Originally posted by c_me_swim

Where at the beach and who is all going? I Might be up for it. Good to meet all the gang!


http://www.newminiscotland.co.uk/snitzforums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4396

[Jeff]

Sorry to hear about tha KJ, I haven't had any problems with JC'S Dundee apart from when they tried to charge me an extra £600 for the car when I got it because the cost of parts had went up however I had a signed agreement from 6 months before I got the car, needless to say I didn't pay the additional costs!

[bpirie1000]

Interesting reading these posts ....

I had my car dented by them and they have Kerbed one of my wheels and I am less than chuffed. maybe we sould collaberate and sort out these problems. Maybe even speak to the press?? Just an Idea...

Cheers