Reg Vardy Sheffield - CR@P!

[rt172]

The AA bloke who rescued me a couple of weeks back nicked the key to get the centre cap off the wheels. This was annoying, but only a little plastic thing, so I went to Reg Vardy who said theyd sell me one for a mere £25!!!! I asked why so much, and they said it is "because it comes with 4 bolts". Bizzare.

Anyway, I decided to put the spare wheel on to match the other new tyre I had put on after my blow out. I thought that if I nipped down to my local dealership that they would take pity on me and change the wheels over. I drove in and before I was even allowed to park I was stopped and asked what I wanted. The schmuck who "greeted" me suggested I call the AA and ask for it back. I explained that I needed the wheel changing immediately as I was supposed to be going on a business trip and the idiot told me that there "is no one here who can do that" and that Id need an appointment as the tool to get the hub cap off is "specialist equiptment"!!!!

Eventually he let me park but only after doubting my sanity that someone at a Renault dealership might be able to change a wheel. In the end, they left me sat in their reception for an hour and when I asked what the feck was going on they said theyd done it right after Id turned up but had forgotten to tell me. They then charged me £15 for the "work"!

This makes me so angry. Every time I go there I get treated like dirt rather than a customer. Funny thing is that they have signs everywhere saying "It takes months to get a customer and seconds to lose one". How very, very right they are.

Anyone else had any dealings with these cretins?

Rhys

 

[rt172]

I must be pissed at them. Just sent them the following!

I have a Clio 172 and my local Renault dealership is Reg Vardy, Ecclesall Rd. Sheffield. I also bought my last car from you as did my parents. I considered myself a customer of Vardys until yesterday even though the level of service is generally awful, the staff are lazy, rude and incompetant and they wouldnt know customer service if it bit them on the exhaust pipe. What follows is a copy of a post I have put on the General forum of http://www.cliosport.netwww.cliosport.net; a club with many past and potential future customers of Reg Vardy. This post deals with the experience I had yesterday when what should have been a simple matter of courtesy to a customer resulted in the company losing me as a customer for good.

Given the level of service I have experienced over the last year, it will not suprise me if I do not receive a response to this mail. Hopefully this will be read by someone who has the power to provide a useful local Renault dealership for me, but I certaily wont hold my breath. Instead, I will exercise my right to free speech and let my friends and colleagues know what a poor company Reg Vardy is.

Sincerely,

A very, very annoyed ex-customer

 

[Craggy]

mad ed!

 

[timrud]

Ive just been down there. I need two new door locks that will match my key. Have to come from France. They were quite helpful I found, must just be you Rhys lol!

P.S. Craggy saw you on Monday, was in Johns Red Scooby in Donny, we pipped you, I think you saw us, but wasnt sure, as I was expecting you to come and have a little race

 

[LeeH]

My dealings with reg vardy on ecclesall road have been mixed rhys, they were good with servicing but my last visit was not so appealing. there is a thicko who trys to get you to move as soon as you drive into the car park, he communicates in grunts and groans. i told him i was picking up a part but he still told me i had to move. i felt like telling him that it was the customers like me that pay his wages! any way the part was overpriced but it arrived when they said it would.

 

[ChavyBoy]

Rhys why dont you just phone up the AA mate and get them to send you back the wheel cover key just out of interest ? They will have a record of teh person who visited you mate !

 

[matt4478]

Rhys

I bought my 172 from these apes and would indeed agree that they are rude and lazy. Unfortunately, Ive yet to find a dealership thats better! At least when they damage my car (in the process of fixing unrelated things) they eventually own up to it and get it sorted...

Im going in next Wednesday to get a quick pre-trackday service, so Ill watch em like a hawk! I dont think its normal that I should have to argue with a dealership over who damaged which bit of my car - only at Renault eh?

Matt

 

[abbs_172]

I bought my cup 172 from Reg Vardy and well they were mailto:sh@t">sh@t to say the least, Im still waiting for my spare key and I have had my car for 3 weeks nearlly 4!

Also when I went to collect my car they hadnt got the log book as it had been lost and I had been waiting for 14 weeks and the car had been at the garage 1 week whilst I was on Hliday so there were no excuses!

However, they have give me 2 free services for the inconvienece they have caused me!

Think Ill be going to York next time!

 

[rt172]

ChavyBoy - good idea. Will give them a call. Cheers.

Just remembered that in the past they have:

a) told my mother to her face that she was just being "...a typical stupid woman..." when she said her new Laguna started intermittantly accelerating when she pressed the brake pedal. There was then a Renault recall for exactly this problem....!

b) they kept me waiting for three hours to have a key coded after telling me that they would do it while I waited and that it would only take 30 minutes.

c) every time I go there they tell me they have washed my car as a courtesy, but never, ever actually have. I have no idea whos car they are washing, but it certainly isnt mine.

d) told my mother that they had serviced her car when they hadnt. The reverse parking sensors were supposed to be replaced at the same time, and they took the wrong customers car, serviced it and stuck a note on it saying that the car they were working on didnt have reverse sensors and that the customer must be mistaken.

Every time I go there something surreal or stupid happens. Its worse than bloody McDonalds for cretins/sq.ft.

Rhys

 

[GR7]

Rhys

As long as people tolerate this ridiculous lack of customer care and service, garages such as Reg Vardy will continue to behave in this way. I wouldnt give people like that my money, I would rather go elsewhere where my custom is valued!

I think that you have done the right thing by sending a letter of complaint to Renault, as I am sure that they would prefer their customers to be treated with the respect and level of care they deserve.

You pay your money and take your choice!

 

[PaulG]

Garages seem to be as bad as each other. At the one in York today, the engineer working on my car said to me "so do you like it then", to which I replied, "yeah, its great apart from the odd rattle".

"Ah well", he said, "its not a bmw or a mercedes is it?"

Oh well thats alright then.

 

[Cup172]

My mum got her megane from there and what bunch of mailto:w@@kers">w@@kers had the same attitude of "stuipid women". Car wouldnt start sometimes, therefore my mums fault for being female. Found out it was a fault on the crank sensor. When she went to pick it up we had to wait an hour cause they were busy.

Anyway got my cup from nottingham, still unsure cause their so salesman like and leave a trail behind them. dont know what service I would get if I had a problem.

Anyway my mums of Renault for life now! glad im not

 

[paddymph]

Rhys, your right.

I had to go to Renault today to book my car in for a minor warranty job, and (how weird is this) a complete goon just walked up to me as I was TRYING to drive in and asked me what I wanted??!!! what the???? Is he a mechanic? No. Does he know anything about my 172? Doubt it.

Hope your email to em works as I think they do need a kick up the ass! Let us know how you get on....

Paddy

 

[Craggy]

cup 172 where you from????

 

[Cup172]

Live in Nottingham now but once came from sheffield lived up the north end

 

[abbs_172]

Sheffield Reg Vardy in my opinion should all be shot !

I was promsied a spare key today and some "extras" such as what they all are fing useless!

However the service department are quite good as they tigthned up my handbrake and washed my car and warned there is a spate of Robberies taking place in the Sheff area ! The thieves are after wheels! !!!!

 

[Craggy]

why dont you come to donny when we have a meet??, loadsa people want a good look at a cup, your motor will be flavour of the day!

 

[abbs_172]

When is the meet in Donny?

Are we all Boy Racers or Clio lovers? Cant be doing with any sh*t like Novas etc!

Just Clios!and there owners!

 

[timrud]

Craggy I may pop accross to Donny, bring Johns scooby along too so you can have a little race (to 30 officer). Tried to reply to your PM but your inbox is full!

 

[Craggy]

well, if we meet on the warner brothers cap park there will be the usual cruisers in there gangs but not all are boy racers, a lot are just mates, but theres different gangs, not all together, would be sound if there was a load of clios together, we could talk clio,and if anyone wants to bait any of the boy racers who kick about they can. some ok roads about there for people to "appreciate" eachothers cars performance too. well lit up in parts too(the car park). so everyone wins. we need confirmed numbers and a date though which would help.



craggy

 

[Craggy]

alrite tim, just remedied the inbox problem, come along mate, and brig john too, i wouldnt mind a ride in a scoob, i always seem to race them but havent had much of a passeger ride in any.

 

[abbs_172]

When is the Donny meet and are there many Clio owners in my area?

Im awaiting my membership through!

Cant wait to have that nice little sticker in the back of me car!

 

[Craggy]

whats your area mate?, if its s.yorks theres loads of us, its just hard gettin everyone together at once!

 

[abbs_172]

My area is South & North Yorks as I work in Sheff and live near York!

 

[James Palmer]

Yes they are w**k! They:


Failed to move my car of the main road after I told them it was there. This resulted in a parking ticket. (they paid in the end!)
Told me the car was secured in their rear car park the next day, even though I had collected it and it was outside my house!
Said I was imagining faults on my car.
Generally treated me like crap.
Left the O/S/F locking wheel bolt loose, to the point where it came out of the wheel.
Tried to charge me £490 for a standard renault thatch cat1 alarm, when renault leeds quoted me £275 fitted.
Poor service, no regard for the ISO9002 customer service charter, ignorant staff, poor management, and above all - no where to park your car!

f**king useless, wouldnt give them the steam of my piss.

 

[GR7]

Garages like that would not survive here as nobody would bother using them!

 

[Cup172]

Yeah but if its the only one in the city theres no real choice. Pain in arse as the staff know it.

Going to drive to reg vardys now just to get told off for going. Pathetic. Actually got asked what i wanted when I wandered into BMW with a mate, turned up in an AX though, didnt have an M3 on offer

 

[GR7]

Maybe if Renault knew just how bad they are they would remove their franchise and let someone else deal with the Renaults.

 

[cleetus]

Have bought 3 Clios from them in past, and had no problems, although tried to buy a 4th recently and salesman went a bit "Carcraft" on me. Never used parts or servicing dept before,dont think ill do in future now after reading these posts.

 

[rt172]

James - "f**king useless, wouldnt give them the steam of my piss." - lol! So true!

Looks like the odd person has had a not terrible experience, but by the looks of it they are generally very, very bad. Anyone know of any better Renault garages in the surrounding area (Chesterfield / Rotherham???)

Rhys

 

[rt172]

timrud - when was that? Was it Tuesday?

Rhys

 

[ChavyBoy]

Quote: Originally posted by rhys172 on 30 October 2002


ChavyBoy - good idea. Will give them a call. Cheers.

Just remembered that in the past they have:

a) told my mother to her face that she was just being "...a typical stupid woman..." when she said her new Laguna started intermittantly accelerating when she pressed the brake pedal. There was then a Renault recall for exactly this problem....!

b) they kept me waiting for three hours to have a key coded after telling me that they would do it while I waited and that it would only take 30 minutes.

c) every time I go there they tell me they have washed my car as a courtesy, but never, ever actually have. I have no idea whos car they are washing, but it certainly isnt mine.

d) told my mother that they had serviced her car when they hadnt. The reverse parking sensors were supposed to be replaced at the same time, and they took the wrong customers car, serviced it and stuck a note on it saying that the car they were working on didnt have reverse sensors and that the customer must be mistaken.

Every time I go there something surreal or stupid happens. Its worse than bloody McDonalds for cretins/sq.ft.

Rhys

Rhys what a bunch of butt wipes mate. There must be some kind of onbudsman for this type of complaint like insurance companies have an onbudsman that deal with complaints from customers and they give impartial advice and are independent of the companies you are dealing with.

 

[rt172]

ChavyBoy - I dont think there is, unfortuantely. I suppose Trading Standards are the closest thing, but it isnt illegal to be a bunch of feckless morons (pity), so there probably isnt much they can do. When it comes down to it, you pay your money and you take your choice, which is why Im not going near Reg Vardys again and I will avoid Renault Dealerships in general as much as possible.

On the other hand, why sit back and take this crap?! We all belong to a sizable and growing club (and therefore customer base) of Renault enthusiasts. It seems like there are far too many of us who are dis-satisfied with the Renault dealership network, specifically with the service that they provide. It might be a good idea to gang up on them and send a petition to Renault demanding action.

Rhys

 

[Clio 172 Cup]

There is a Renault UK Customer helpline thingy, which is Renault Hq here in the UK. If you have a complaint then I can get you the number from my who works for em.

I rang it once, bout my warranty on my 21 Turbo, and the service I got after I spoke to these guys was beyond belief. They couldnt bend over backwards enough, plus I got a nice letter of appology. And my next mot was free.

Mail me if ya want the number

 

[rt172]

Quick post script to my previous message:

Vardys have just phoned me up to apologise for Tuesdays fun. Theyve offered me a free service and courtesy car which I have naturally accepted (especially seeing as my 12000 mile service is due in the next month or so!). Im suprised and pleased that they actually bothered getting back to me, so it does look like dropping the name of cliosport.net can work! It will still take some convincing to make me trust them with Nicole but I suppose its a start.

 

[rt172]

Clio 172 Cup - yes please. Ive PMd you.

Rhys

 

[matt4478]

Quote: Originally posted by rhys172 on 31 October 2002


James - "f**king useless, wouldnt give them the steam of my piss." - lol! So true!

Looks like the odd person has had a not terrible experience, but by the looks of it they are generally very, very bad. Anyone know of any better Renault garages in the surrounding area (Chesterfield / Rotherham???)

Rhys

Rhys.

Im from Chesterfield and Im taking my car to Reg Vardys in Sheffield... I think that says it all about the dealers in Chesterfield! To be fair, Gordon Lambs (Chesterfield) might be really good, I just dont know cos I can never get past the dizzy b*tch on the end of the phone who says "Ill have to ask, can I call you back?" about any question you put to her... And they always act like theyre doing you a favour when they actually have a look at the car - thats what theyre paid for FFS!!! At least when you ring Reg Vardys they have a word with the mechanics and can actually give you answers while you wait!

Matt

 

[GR7]

Rhys

Perhaps someone from Reg Vardys has been reading all the praise that ClioSport people have been heaping upon them ~ NOT ~ and have decided to try and put things right!

 

[timrud]

Tuesday for what Rhys? I went to Reg Vardys on tuesday (I think! lol )

Craggy if John comes down he may well let you have a little drive of his car.

Sort a date for a Warners meet and Ill be there if I can (In my cliosport t-shirt )

 

[Tommy]

If its any consolation Caledonia Renault (Preston) are just as crap! Had a grinding on my wiper blades that theyve tried to fix 4 times in the last 12 months. Theyve scratched my car, complained to Renault UK on numerous occassions. Left 3 different phone numbers and they tried one number once. Mailed them quite a few times and their suggestion ... take it to Caledonia Renault (Blackpool). They then had the cheek to give my number to some survey company who wanted to rate Renault Customer services!

And to top it all the grinding noise is still there!

Tommy.