Servicing at Snells

[YMFB]

I would just like to show my appreciation for the customer service and machine servicing provided by W M Snell at Alton. I chose Snells because other Forum users had made positive comments on here. Snells serviced my ST4 (low mileage with belts) when they said, loaned me a courtesy machine and the service was completed within the time quoted, no aggro and a pleasant experience.

I am a satisfied customer who will definitely return, it was well worth the hours ride each way.

Well done Snells

[Dementor]

I'll second that, only trouble is every time I go in for a 2 year service I seem to come out with a new bike:D

[barnsey]

Its good to hear some praise for the dealers, however, when i went into snells in alton, i wasnt very impressed. i asked for a price for a service on my S4 monster and was told that they cant give me a price until after they've done the job ?!? as 'all bikes are different' then when i asked if i could speak to the acutal guy who would be working on my bike as i had some questions and was told he was busy servicing a ford mondeo ?!?!? specialist knowledge eh??

I asked a few questions about like would they pull out the cams to check the rockers etc. and the guy on the counter had not time for me at all, he just said they would do whatever needed doing so don't worry.

This didn't install me with any confidence.

they may give you a bike to ride home on and be very polite when they take you money but I wanted to know what they were REALLY going to do to my bike and know body there could / would tell me.

I know we dont like to put dealers down on here but this is just my first hand experience.

[Gaz 748]

I use Snells every year for servicing my 748R

Great guys, great sevice.

Also hear good things about Moto Rapido.

[Dementor]

Sorry to hear of your experience Barnsey, but I have purchesed all my Ducs from Snells (8) over the past 10 years and they have done all the servicing, and not one complaint. Give em another go, I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

[Brent]

Always taken my bikes to them as well, and always had good service.

[barnsey]

Snells certainly seem to be popular, and i'm really not one to 'name and shame'.

My concerns are that whilst they are happy to sell you a bike and seem very polite and nice, do they guys in the workshop really know what they are doing?? when you drop you bike in for a service how do you know what's been done? its all based on trust and when the man on the front counter wont even let you speak to a mechanic i feel nervous.

i think maybe they are a bit old fashsioned and are very friendly to the customers they know. equally, when you've got to know them you understand their ways.

I am one who likes a specialist dealer, one who will take the time with me and be able to talk in detail about servicing or tuning. I really dont like the idea of a workshop that does any bike, mopeds, 3 wheelers, cars, vans, mots etc, working on my bike.

Dementor: I have tried them a couple of times, once in person and once on the phone but when i called to ask about having the cams 'dialled in' and timed properly i was told, after a long silence, "i dont think they need to be done on Ducatis, not sure, if you call back later i'll call Ducati and find out". That is NOT a good sign.

just because they've been there for years doesnt mean they're any good does it?

[Dementor]

Barnsey, you must go where you feel happy, I can only say it as it is from my experience, and do not hesitate in recommending them.

As for working on "other" makes of bike and types of vehicle, it's a business and I'd rather they did that and survived than try and be a Ducati Only operation, how many of those have we seen go to the wall over the past few years?

Good luck.

[barnsey]

Dementor: You have an excellent attitude, that i think i'll adapt.

We should go where we feel comfortable to spend our hard earned cash. (and it is hard earned!!!)

You are quite right, we speak from our own experience, and i certainly wouldn't try to put off anyone who is a happy customer of snells.

Good luck to them (as long as they keep getting away with it, JOKE!!!!! hehehehe)

B.

[psychlist]

Snells provide an excellent service at an excellent price with excellent customer focus. Both their bike mechanics are Ducati trained (and Paul is an old DSC Hampshire group member) and all their biking staff ride Dukes. I'd recommend them to anyone :)

[Stu748R]

I bet that they would be horrified by this tread,all i can say is that if you feel that bad about your treatment then tell them and they will put it right as they are so wonderfully old school and correct and for all the right reasons.

[Henners]

Snells are a family business run in a family way - they are spot on in their attitude and have survived when many have perished over the years by doing what they say they will do, when they say they'll do it and how they say they'll do it. They're a business and they need to make a profit but they don't overcharge and if you become a regular you'll enjoy all that has to offer. Anyway if a mechanic can service a Ducati a Mondeo must be a piece of p!$$ :lol:

Highly Recommended :) :) :)

[doogalman]

I can understand Barnsleys feelings. i have had the same in the past elsewhere. Not just serviceing but bike purchase. If they are not going to make some effort at first contact then i walk away with my money (Not a lot but hard earned).
You should not have to be a regular to be greeted with help and efficiency!

[jeff st4s]

You should not have to be a regular to be greeted with help and efficiency!

I agree, but at the end of the day some "sales people" have the ability to hit it off in a first meet scenario, making you feel comfortable and willing to spend, that after all is there job.
I can see where the complaint is coming from, but I have found Snells to be a friendly bunch of people, but ultimately I bought my first Ducati elsewhere as I felt it offered me what I wanted.
At the end of the day we sometimes choose things on that first impression we make of someone, if it happens on a "bad day" then this may cloud any choices we make.

[Henners]

Customers are always right ........ unfortunately :)

[doogalman]

Customers are always right ........ unfortunately :)
Surely thats preferential in the main to the dealer allways being right. It's just nice to get greeted with good mannered , knowledable staff, (never been to Snells so i'm not pointing the finger in their direction). Without the punters the dealers would have a hard time.

[TopiToo]

Hello

Maybe we all need a DSC badge in a little black wallet
(just like the MFI) :lol:

as you walk in the door flash your badge and say

"Iam from the DSC" :)

Just a though, I'll get me coat . . . .


TopiToo

[YMFB]

I can understand Barnsleys feelings. i have had the same in the past elsewhere. Not just serviceing but bike purchase. If they are not going to make some effort at first contact then i walk away with my money (Not a lot but hard earned).
You should not have to be a regular to be greeted with help and efficiency!

I bought my bike from 3X and used them for the first two services, not again. Snells didnt know me from "Adam" I did mention however that I am a member of the DSC but having heard them talk to other customers I got the impression that the excellent quality of service I received is their standard. It maybe that someone could give an equally good report on 3X but i for one know where I am going in the future and if Snells happen to have what I want when I want it next time I would certainly be happy to buy a bike from them.

As for dialling in the cams and talking to the mechanic, firstlty I wouldnt have expected the counter staff to necessarily know the answer to that and the mechanics are not, to coin a phrase "Customer facing" they are spending their time being hands on whatever it is they are repairing/servicing.

Just my opinion