View Full Version : GK SEAT, Derby
Sooty torques
26-08-2003, 18:11
So far, so good. Very helpful, polite and informative. Don't care that I didn't buy the car from them or that it is a parallel import. See how it goes, time will tell.
muddyboots
27-08-2003, 12:10
Did you manage to get a courtesy car from them ?
Sooty torques
27-08-2003, 12:33
Hi muddy,
No, still trundling around in the Leon - all SEAT UK wanted me to do was take it to another dealer's for a second opinion and let them have a good look at it seeing as Willoughby's are being such wasters. Waiting now for SEAT UK to decide what to do (not holding my breath...) after (when?) GK get in touch with them. :grump:
Glad to read elsewhere that your trip to Autoworld was (eventually) successful. Would have gone to Autoworld myself but not being at work means it's a drag from here and GK is much closer. Arosa's not a bad motor at least with more than the 1.0 under the bonnet; I was loaned an Arosa 1.4 Sport (petrol) a year or so ago and that really moved - providing you revved it well of course! ;)
muddyboots
27-08-2003, 12:42
I just read your post about the headlamp lens saga - that's a couple of posts that have put me off Willoughbys now.
It's good to hear of another good dealer in the vicinity; and that they don't have a daft import attitude...
I never mentioned to Autoworld that mine was an import - unless they ask, I don't see why I should make a point about it. Though I presume they noticed the non-UK options and the dutch dealer stamp in the service book, but nothing was said.
You will find just as many bad posts about GK I am afraid. I got extrmeley bad service from them and was most annoyed seeing as they are just down the road from the college I work at. Couple of other people have had bad experience's as well.
On the other side I have had A1 service from willoughby, so sadly like many Seat dealers it seems to be luck of the draw time of the month ect!!
Why they cannot be more consistent in their service amazes me, I found the couple of Vauxhall dealers I dealt with when we owned Vauxhalls to be way better than the two Seat dealers named above.
Sooty torques
28-08-2003, 10:24
Bugger! Just what I wanted to hear...
I never had any problems with the Citroen dealers I used in Notts and Derby for 7-odd years (other than the cost!!!).
I have no argument with the lass on reception who is very helpful, or the mechanics who have been fine. Only time I have problems appears to be when the service / parts manager and especially the 'assistant' look at the paperwork and discover that it's a full UK spec parallel import; i.e. I didn't buy it from them. :mad:
I've searched the other posts about Notts/Derby dealers and it's depressing reading... To be fair with Willoughby's, John the service/parts manager has been generally OK, occasionally very helpful - it is the younger 'assistant' who has been the unhelpful one. Have reported my experiences at Willoughby's to SEAT UK Customer Services on more than one occasion... was never treated this way by the Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen dealers that I've used over the past 23 years of car ownership. :(
Time will tell with GK - I'll give 'em a go and if they are iffy with me then I'll try Autoworld in Chesterfield (like muddy) which is much closer to where I work (you and I are in very similar occupations I think...).:p
muddyboots
28-08-2003, 10:56
If you like using vi then I think we could well be in similar occupations...:D
Originally posted by Sooty torques
Bugger! Just what I wanted to hear...
I never had any problems with the Citroen dealers I used in Notts and Derby for 7-odd years (other than the cost!!!).
I have no argument with the lass on reception who is very helpful, or the mechanics who have been fine. Only time I have problems appears to be when the service / parts manager and especially the 'assistant' look at the paperwork and discover that it's a full UK spec parallel import; i.e. I didn't buy it from them. :mad:
I've searched the other posts about Notts/Derby dealers and it's depressing reading... To be fair with Willoughby's, John the service/parts manager has been generally OK, occasionally very helpful - it is the younger 'assistant' who has been the unhelpful one. Have reported my experiences at Willoughby's to SEAT UK Customer Services on more than one occasion... was never treated this way by the Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen dealers that I've used over the past 23 years of car ownership. :(
Time will tell with GK - I'll give 'em a go and if they are iffy with me then I'll try Autoworld in Chesterfield (like muddy) which is much closer to where I work (you and I are in very similar occupations I think...).:p
Yep well I do hope you get on with them better than me. I think it is about time Seat got it's dealers kicked into shape. Ford and Vauxhall got stuck in with some of their poor dealerships.
After all the dealer is the face of Seat and poor dealer service will put you off having another one. It was the dealer that put me off ever having another Peugeot.
Chaps, my 10,000 miler is looming. Any more to report on the GK vs Willoughby's vs Autoworld comparison?
muddyboots
19-09-2003, 07:43
Maybe you should give Autoworld a try. I've been happy with their service so far, and no-one else has posted any adverse comments.
Sooty torques
19-09-2003, 17:59
Feel-> My Leon goes in to GK on Tues 23rd for the new headlights to be fitted (Hurrah!) & for me to pick up a courtesy car so will know more after I collect my Leon on Weds pm. Mind you, it's not like I'm having a service or anything, so don't hold your breath... Perhaps you may be better off following muddy's advice and giving Autoworld a go. Will try out GK's sales chappies 'cos I'm really tempted with swapping the 110 TDI for one of the 130 TDI's. :)
Well I can vouch for the GK sales chappies. Very helpful when I was looking to buy. Told them I had no choice over which dealer the car would be sourced from, they still helped. Had two LCR's in, both Onvi. One was unregistered, the other was sold, so no test drive, but they let me look around the sod one - but wouldn't start it for me (fair enough). They even rang W's 'cos they thought that they had a demo in...
Seems like there's little choice between them, probably come down to who will do pick up drop off/DECENT courtesy car/be able to get me in/drop the oil while I wait...
I had my 10K service for my Leon Cupra at GK.
Seeing as the car was 6 months old, I expected them to just do an oil change, but they also did the 12 month inspection as well without me asking.
They charged me for washer fluid when it was already full.
They told me I needed a new rear tyre due to a puncture on the inside sidewall. Of course I was skeptical, but I had no time to take it anywhere else before going on a long journey so I let them do it. Cost 120 quid, which in hindsight is not bad (my 2 new fronts cost 105 each with shopping around), although that might have been before VAT.
I was disappointed that the car was not washed and that there was gunk left all over the new tyre from fitting it. Didn't look like going on for 300 quid well spent.
I complained in a questionnaire sent to me by SEAT, and requested a reply, but didn't get one. Concequently, I'm going to give Premier SEAT (Stoke) a try next time.
It's a shame really, as previously when I had a problem with one of my wheel arch liners GK were really helpful.
I was at GK yesterday looking at a TDi Sport.
Was very pleased with them up until they gave me a rediculous trade in price for mine and wouldn't reduce the price of their car by more than £500 (£11495 for an 02 plate Ibiza covered in deep scratches is rediculous!)
Sooty torques
25-09-2003, 10:15
Well doesn't look as if they'll get my business for a new Leon SE 130 TDI... Wasn't even prepared to discuss any discount or reduction on list price and then started telling me that my Leon will be only worth about half of what I think it's worth 'cos it's an import! Oh well, tins and drivethedeal have quoted me £14,200 and £14,350 OTR for UK sourced Leon with cruise so guess where I'm more inclined to go... Shame really that they weren't even inclined to haggle or offer me some goodies to tempt me.:confused:
Take it or leave it seemed to be the sales guy's attitude. So I'll leave it.
Sooty, what was the salesman's name?
Sooty torques
25-09-2003, 20:42
toXXin-> Haven't a clue... Did look at the sign on his desk, but can't remember I'm afraid. Had grey hair, slim, early-mid 40's at a guess. Nice and pleasant, but obviously not in the mood to play ball! Gave me sales blurb, catalogues and price lists though, and suggested that I wait for the 150 TDI Leon (a la europe) which he reckoned would be out in the UK soon...:p
You walk in and his desk on your left, in the corner?
Sounds like Gary Miller to me, the guy who "helped" me.
Sooty torques
26-09-2003, 18:19
Yep, his desk was in the corner. Just got off the phone from Premier at Stoke who have given me a reasonable quote for a 130 TDI Leon, works out at £14,650 OTR - much better offer than GK but still not in Tins or DTD league... Will have to visit Stoke and have a chat.
Yeah must be him then...seems very unwilling to do business. It's a shame really as its a great looking dealership!
muddyboots
28-09-2003, 10:14
Sooty
Have you had a look whether What Car have got a decent Target Price for the 130 Leon yet ? 'Cos they'll put you in touch with a UK dealer who will match or beat it.
When I was pricing up the Ibiza, What Car's broker put me in touch with a dealer (funnily enough, Premier in Stoke!) that instantly offered me a decent discount.
It's a good starting point for haggling between dealers.
Sooty torques
28-09-2003, 11:11
Thanks for that muddy. Have used Top Gears website for best prices (who listed tins but not DTD) but not tried the What Car route yet. Her indoors is talking about spending more money on the house so may have to wait a bit... :(
Was staying at the Holiday Inn Express, at the weeekend, and thought that the dealership looked excellent. Cannot comment on service etc obviously, but had a good selection of motors for sale, although they seem to get some EX SEAT UK cars.
All SEAT dealers should look like this and give the marque the recognition it deserves.
Although I am only at the 'deciding' stage so far, the service I have had from this garage has been excellent. Requested a Leon Brochure through the official Seat Website, and had a guy from GK phone me up within an hour saying they did not have any brochures yet because they were being reprinted for new 2004 range.
Visited the dealership the following Saturday, spoke to the guy for about half an hour - very helpful - he even remembered my name when I said I had spoken to someone in the week. He also really encouraged me to drive the actual car I wanted to buy (the Leon Cupra TDi) and didn't try to fob me off with a Leon SE TDi, or a Petrol Cupra.
Brochure arrived on Saturday, with a personal message from the sales guy.
So far I am well impressed - although from what people said, it looks like the figures could be a deal breaker. If VW can give a discount and decent trade in then Seat should be able too as well. But I'll keep my fingers crossed that this all goes as well as the initial stages.
Sooty torques
01-12-2003, 18:38
May I suggest you try Premier at Stoke? Did me an excellent deal (admittedly on a Leon SE 130 TDI) that GK could not touch (weren't even over the horizon...):D
Mmmm, I might just do that. I'll go for a test drive at GK (nearer) and then get figures from a couple of other places. Thanks for the tip.
Just bought my Leon Cupra before Christmas from Premier Stoke. Looked first in Derby, but the dealership didn't seem interested. Took me out for a test drive in a car I wasn't interested in buying since he didn't seem to want to move the other one ,and then proceeded to offer me a stupid price on my car for trade in. Actually told me I had (and I qoute) "the wrong car". That's kinda like telling a bloke in the street that you've slept with his mum, or you reckon his girlfried's a bit on the podgy side... just not done. Anyway, all credit to Stoke. Very helpful, always polite and did everything I asked to sort out the niggles with the car (including replacing one of the alloys and doing a right professional job on the scratches). Also gave me a sensible price on mine, and no trouble getting a courtesy car while the door seals were being done.
Good work guys!
Sooty torques
16-01-2004, 16:00
Congrats on the new Leon Cupra, MikeyH. Welcome aboard. Glad to hear that Premier Stoke gave you good service. :cheers:
I had a good service from GK on Saturday. They gave me a good deal, but I had to have an accompanied test drive which I didn't like as I couldn't really relax.
I phoned Willoughby in Chilwell today to tell them about GK's deal and they matched it, with an armrest thrown in.
I'm going tomorrow lunchtime to order!!! :eek: :D
sportbilly
20-01-2004, 21:46
I must add until today I had not been back to the Derby SEAT garage since it was taken over by GK (was Ilkeston Co-op), seems some staff have changed.
Anyway I called asking about the factory fitted Sat Nav as I have not seen one in the flesh and trying to decide if I will get the SEAT or aftermarket one. Spoke to this guy, he said they had one in a customer car which was going out on Thurs, popped down at lunch time and he and another guy gave me a quick demo, very helpful.