Seems like a good idea

[monkey]

Apologies if this has already been talked about, but someone just told me about a site that I think is a really good idea. You can go on and review the performances of Garages. For me it is great for two reasons:

1) I can sing the praises of my local village Garage who I would trust with everything (with the possible exception of Mrs Monkey)

2) It has given me a chance to have a pop at my local Alfa dealer who frankly are villains

Go here if you want to have your say

http://www.autoadvisor.co.uk/

[Jay (Team Cannonball)]

All Alfa dealerships are villains in my experience, my local Alfa independent specialist is excellent though.

[monkey]

All Alfa dealerships are villains in my experience, my local Alfa independent specialist is excellent though.

In my experience, I think I have to agree I'm afraid.

[Big G]

All Alfa dealerships are villains in my experience,

Definately second that sentiment. Last time I took mine to an official dealer was for the 72K service (timing/cam belt change). Had to phone them late afternoon to check on progress only to find out they hadn't even started, so 2 days without a car & having to scrounge lifts
When I eventually picked it up they told me the crankshaft seal was on the way out as there was some oil weeping from the bell housing, and that they would do the job and while they were at it they would change the clutch aswell. Now considering that its an engine out job to change anything like that I could just imagine what that bill would be @ £70ph labour . I told them where to go on that one. Oh, and they also added that they were unable to fit a new air filter as the bolts to the housing had rusted (why they hadn't had them soaking in WD40 overnight I have no idea) something my local tyre place did for me no problem.
Well the old motor is coming up to its 108K service soon, still on the same clutch and using less than 1ltr of oil between service intervals. So that £1000+ job was really necessary wasn't it!!
Bunch of crooks the lot of them, should be locked up and the keys thrown away. Better still, send them all off to Iraq and bring our boys home instead, see how they like being shafted for a change

[Andy Zarse]

Agreed and they can take the theiving swines from Gatwick Subaru with them on the flight from Brize Norton too.

[Robbo]

All Alfa dealerships are villains in my experience,

Definately second that sentiment. Last time I took mine to an official dealer was for the 72K service (timing/cam belt change). Had to phone them late afternoon to check on progress only to find out they hadn't even started, so 2 days without a car & having to scrounge lifts
When I eventually picked it up they told me the crankshaft seal was on the way out as there was some oil weeping from the bell housing, and that they would do the job and while they were at it they would change the clutch aswell. Now considering that its an engine out job to change anything like that I could just imagine what that bill would be @ £70ph labour . I told them where to go on that one. Oh, and they also added that they were unable to fit a new air filter as the bolts to the housing had rusted (why they hadn't had them soaking in WD40 overnight I have no idea) something my local tyre place did for me no problem.
Well the old motor is coming up to its 108K service soon, still on the same clutch and using less than 1ltr of oil between service intervals. So that £1000+ job was really necessary wasn't it!!
Bunch of crooks the lot of them, should be locked up and the keys thrown away. Better still, send them all off to Iraq and bring our boys home instead, see how they like being shafted for a change

You will insist on buying tempremental Italian crap.........
What you need is quality German engineering!!

[geoffd]

Will the reviews be moderated I ask?   

If not how long before the site gets sued for some slanderous comments written by a disgruntled customer?

[monkey]

You will insist on buying tempremental Italian crap.........
What you need is quality German engineering!!
[/quote]

Thing is I have never really had a problem with the cars and I am on my fourth Alfa, its the dealers I really struggle with.

I also have a Mercedes (that's German) and it has been a bit of a nightmare, suspension, gear box, air con (actually easily the worst car I have ever owned) – never again I’m afraid, and the dealers are every bit as bad. I don't know how many times I have called before a service and told them specifically that a bulb needs replacing or the tailgate washer is leaking and then you pick the car up and they say 'your tailgate washer is leaking if you bring it back next week we can fix it' drives you nuts. All my cars go to the local independent garage now where I get a service I can trust and depend on.

[monkey]

Will the reviews be moderated I ask?   

If not how long before the site gets sued for some slanderous comments written by a disgruntled customer?

I think so, I was told that the comments I had sent would be read and if considered suitable would be posted, or words to that effect.

[Russ]

Apologies if this has already been talked about, but someone just told me about a site that I think is a really good idea.

Thanks monkey. I have indeed added some comments to the site. The 'CrownHill' vauxhaul garage in Milton Keynes has been reviewed. I was not impressed.

I now stick with independants without question.

[Nordic]

Sounds like a good idea, there is however maybe a fatal flaw.

What is there to stop, say the theiving swines from Gatwick Subaru ( ) posting glowing reviews about their own service?

This could throw into doubt any good reviews a garage gets, and maybe Gatwick Subaru will be reviewing other garage's in the area in less than glowing, but incorrect terms?

Just a thought.

[smokie]

Without wishing to appear sensitive or overly politically correct, your attention is drawn to geoffd's important point about moderation of slanderous comments. The web site owners, moderators, Uncle Tom C and all can be taken to the cleaners for that kind of thing.

So, please feel free to express your views on other sites but not here. Naming and shaming is a no-no, and posts may be edited without notice.

Thanks
 

[vqdave]

Agreed and they can take the theiving swines from Gatwick Subaru with them on the flight from Brize Norton too.

hmm a commer and a subaru, a man of taste like myself, rootes and a subaru power.
scooby wise JCT 3000 in twickers have been pretty good and bulldog twyford are also good.

[Big G]

You will insist on buying tempremental Italian crap.........
What you need is quality German engineering!!

Oi...my Italian crap has never been tempremental...desperately reaching for some real wood . Its the dealers I have a problem with, they seem to think they can pull the same tricks and charge the same sort of prices as your 'quality German engineering' dealers, when all they are selling is tempremental Italian crap 

[monkey]

You will insist on buying tempremental Italian crap.........
What you need is quality German engineering!!

Oi...my Italian crap has never been tempremental...desperately reaching for some real wood . Its the dealers I have a problem with, they seem to think they can pull the same tricks and charge the same sort of prices as your 'quality German engineering' dealers, when all they are selling is tempremental Italian crap 

I was once charged £75.00 to change a headlight bulb on an Alfa 75

Like a mug I paid it. The dealer that ripped me off went out of business, that or they retired to the Bahamas