Trenton's of Hull: A great dealer?

[Phill137]

I read with interest the glowing reviews of Trenton's in Hull.

My experience was the complete opposite, as when it took my new imported car into them for some warrenty work (Door rattle, whistling windscreen and faulty trip computer) they did not manage to mend any of them.

Further to this they managed to damage and scratch the bumper near the rear wheel arch badly, presumably whilst parking the car overnight in the reduced storage space they had while their depot improvements were taking place. When i immediately informed them of the damage (before moving the car) i was fobbed off and it was only with several representations to the depot manager (Mark) that they agreed to mend the damage. Previously he agreed to pay half the full retail proce of the repair until i challenged them to show me their CCTV tapes.

I had to travel to Hull twice to make them agree to pay for the damage, and a third time to get the repair done. Begrudgingly they said that a central fund for SEAT paid for the damage.

It's not that i mind an accident happening with my car, or the person responsible to not own up becuase this is life, but the following treatment by the garage's management and the assumption that their guys could never have done the damage was annoying and unprofessional.

I therefore will not buy any more cars from them, and had all three problems immediately repaired by the SEAT dealership in Wakefield (Thornes) with infinitely better service.

In my opinion a partially poor dealership network is a serious problem for SEAT UK as dealers such as Trenton are giving other guys a bad name, and devaluing what is essentially a well designed brand.

[Dark Analyst]

I have found Lincoln is just as bad. How do these places manage to keep the franchises?

[Rustys Seat]

well as I have said before give us a chance to try and restor your faith in the Seat network!!!!

[danny842003]

all dealers have some bad days (not well explained but i no wot i mean).
You might have just been unlucky. I was working in the pub the other night and some1 asked me where i worked full time i told him. he then started to tell me about wot hastle he had there. Now i no that the dealer where i work is a good dealer. but its going to have some bad incedents with customers. just percentage wise.

[Phill137]

Hi Danny,

I totally agree that they don't treat everyone badly, and they were perhaps having a bad day, but any dealer will be nice to you when you tell them you want to buy a 15 grand car from them, or offer them the chance of some lucrative warranty or servicing work.

The real test of a good dealer is when you have a problem that won't provide them some money if they solve it.

Had they agreed to repair my damage immediately i would probably be writing a review praising their attitide when the chips were down.

I guess this message board is not about trying to get an objective view of how happy people are with dealers as a whole, becuase it just shows individial cases, which are usually really good or really bad.

i suppose if they treat everyone badly they'd be out of a job eventually.
Phill

[edz]

I have an airbag fault which they (Hull Trenton) have not sorted out. They replaced a slip-ring or something but the light is still on. It's a little worrying for me as obviously the airbag is quite important whilst driving around. I think they need to replace the airbag itself and that their VAG-COM is no good when it comes to diagnosing faults. I wonder how many more visits to this dealership it will take to sort out this fault. I also just had my car serviced at the Newcastle dealership and they told me the temp. sensor also needs replacing. Maybe I should give Wakefield a try instead?

[stuarttunstall]

Originally posted by Phill137
In my opinion a partially poor dealership network is a serious problem for SEAT UK as dealers such as Trenton are giving other guys a bad name, and devaluing what is essentially a well designed brand.

I can only offer the total oppersite opinion to you, both now and in past threads I have put on this forum. I have now purchase two cars, a 1.4 Ibiza, and my current Leon Cupra from Trentons, and I can only say that the service I have recived is First class, I have never had cause to complain.

They have ALWAYS been polite, professional and always willing to help, even at short notice, as I have done today, reported a fault today, being fixed at 8am tomorrow, and that appies to EVERYONE in the dealership.

I feel that this dealership is a credit to the Seat network, and I shall continue to take my custom to them based on 2 years and 40000 miles of Seat ownership, and excellent service, pity some others are not as good.

I am sorry that you have had a bad experiance, but Mark and all his staff have always been able,and willing to assist me with any problems I have had.

Cheers

Stuart

[edz]

Maybe I should have made it a bit clearer in my post. I just think that it is the diagnosing and sorting out of faults which they don't seem to be very good at (in my experience) and yes I have dealt with them for one or two other faults and parts and they have been okay in those instances.

When it comes to reception and dealing with you in the showroom the service has been in my experience very good. They are welcoming and hospitable. But in my opinion it is what goes on behind your back not just in front of your eyes which counts! If I cannot trust them to repair my car then it is a big problem for me! Trust is very important when it comes to dealerships!

[stuarttunstall]

All I can say is that in 2 years or so, I have been 100% happy with all aspects of there service, and I have never had cause to complain, and trust all of them 100%.

Stu

[Phill137]

Stuart,

You're obviously a big fan of theirs and with good reason if you have had faultless service for two years.

I don't think any dealer gives bad service to everyone, but i just wanted to record their reaction to the problems that arose with my car. Searching through this forum you can usually find one person claiming the dealer is great, and another saying the same dealer is appalling.

I buy 2 or 3 cars a year (for my business). My Leon is my first import and first SEAT. I went to Trentons to get my faults fixed as the main reason, but i suppose i had one eye on seeing if they were people i wanted to buy cars off in the future, as well as gauging if the saving on an import compared to the loss of dealer service . My experience led me to believe they were not people i wanted to deal with so their response has ended our relationship and potentially cost them a few quid in lost future sales.

EDz: Thornes in Wakefield have been ok so far so i'd reccommend you gace them a try.

Phill

[stuarttunstall]

I agree, we have all had good and bad service from a variety of suppliers, and on this occasion you have had cause to complain, but does that mean that tey will continue to offer you this service? but as I say upto yet, I have only had a 100% first class service from Trentons, and untill or if I do, I will continue to recommend there services, and use them myself.

Stu

[Phill137]

Stu,

I think you are highlighting the problem with this board. it's not that people are saying this dealer is universally appalling- it's just people are logging personal opinions.

I notice that searching for Hull and Trenton shows other strings where you immediately jump to the defence of Trentons. This is fine but there is no point in blindly stating you have had great service every time, as that fact is undisputed by everyone.

Equally, i am not trying to tell you (or any other existing customers) not to shop at Trentons.

The point of this board is to provide a bit of feedback for new people who are looking to choose a dealer and wish to read a bit about them.

Tell me again that you have had '2 years excellent service' again if you wish, but it's a fact well documented above, and is unlikely to change my view of Trentons.

Have a good one.

Phill