Customers! What are they then?
 

When you spend somewhere in the region of 8 thousand pounds on something like a new car would you go to a small family run franchised dealership where you'd normally have every right to expect friendly service from a place that took their time over getting to know you and your needs, giving you good service, even though it cost a few quid extra, or would you take your chances with a big chain of garages with teenage salespeople completely devoid of product knowledge, where nobody remembers your name and you're just another faceless number in their computerised records of people buying their cheap goods?

Are the days of "Customer Service" dead and buried, or do you know somewhere that stands by the maxim "The CUSTOMER is always right"?

while i have voted for small with good customer service. i would only pay a small premium on the purchase. i am much more willing to pay a premium for quality services themselves at a known specialist.

for most things i do the research myself and then look for the best price

Probably going to start a tirade of responses .... but .... add in an option to buy your "car" or what ever from the face less big chain at the best possibly price and then take it to the family run establishment for servicing and looking after.

Here's the first then:D

If you do that the "Family run establishment" goes out of business:(

I think I know where Paul is coming from, you should base your decision on your own experience, always served me well, as has WM Snell, give em a try. Just vote with your feet Paul. Go quietly which shouldn't be difficult without Termis:lol:

[Edited on 4-9-2005 by Dementor]

i guess it depends where your priorities are,,

if you are buying a car etc then facotrs like how often you use it. if its for pleasure, whether or not you interested in cars all comes into play.

some people crave the "attention" relationship that comes with the customer care provided by say a small famuily run business, other people depend on the trust aspect of it when they are not knowledgeable.

yes its nice to go to your local ducati dealer or wherever and know that they remeber your name/ bike and are able to take time to provide a service that encompasses providing knowledgeable advice.
but thats coz im enthgusiastic about my bike, i coulnt give a toss about the car, as long as the works done properly by knowledgeable mechanics etc.

for me buy from a reputable source if you dont have enough expertise to check out the car you are buying( assuming second hand) or if you are buying new i agree with carbon get the best deal from wherever and then get it serviced somewhere else if you prefer. you just need to know that ( be able to trust) you are getting the service that you are paying for by people that are knowledgeable in your specific vehicle. possibly dont opt for a jack of all trades we service anything local garage.

Ditto electricsheep. :)

Depending what we are talking about here, if it is cars then all the profit is in the serviceing and sales of parts. The initial purchase gives very little profit.

So by going to the small family run business with the service and repair works is giving them the most profitable part of car ownership :D

Reading between the lines ...
 

... tell them how they made you feel mate and see if you can't get it sorted. I know from personal experience that it does no good to bottle it up :)

knowing what you were saying at the weekend Paul - vote with your feet!!

As Roy says try another good local family run establishment, like he & I do. W M Snell :cool:

I agree, far better to resolve, and i'm sure things will be fine, life too short to be upset over something small I'm sure