DGW

Andy vRS

Gordon lamb are winding down the Skoda franchise. They are primarily Mitsubishi. When dealing with the service department I found them to be unhelpful and unknowledgeable and also they bull ****. I asked if Fabia vRS had any problems with anti roll bar bushes. I was told no - they hadn't heard or come across any problems. When they carried work out on my car they fitted front suspension struts incorrectly and left a foreign bolt amongst the components causing further damage. I consistently went back to have the same things rectified and they claimed that couldn't find anything. So I took it to clock who discovered ill fitted parts and random bits found where they shouldn't be.

I would advise people to wait for Clock Chesterfield to open on Pottery Lane or use JBS for service work.

Andy

__________________
Currently sporting a Alfa 156 JTDm Lusso.

DGW

Originally posted by chesoctavia - 30-09-2003, 11:33


I have been a Gordon Lamb customer for over a year with two services and one small repair. Excellent service, much better than a certain VW dealer in the Doncaster area I used for my last car!

DGW

Originally posted by skomaz - 30-09-2003, 13:17


Yep would recommend them. Had our Fabia two and a half years now and they've generally been friendly and helpful

DGW

Originally posted by Ic3man - Mon Oct 4, 2004


Bought a pre-modded Octavia Vrs demonstrator from here. Was given plenty of time to look around the forecourt before I was approached by Adrian (as it turns out he was a Mitsubishi salesman of the same franchise). He was great form the start although because his concern were mitsubishi's he was lacking in the more technical knowledge of the car, so anything he was unsure of he did his best to find out. He certainly had his hands full because I had taken my four year old son and wife with me to look around. I was asked if I would like to book a test drive (which I did for the next day). I was sold on the car as soon as I pressed on the loud pedal but I tried my best to seem uninterested which I don't think worked because I couldn't hide my grin. I was even taken into the staff cantein to view the write up of in 'The Sun' to read the interview with the guy who desgned the Octy by Mark (I think thats his name). Adrian wasn't pushy at all and the whole buying experience was relaxed, even when the inevitable haggling began. I got the price I wanted for my old car (Mazda 323F) which was well above the price he had been offered by the auction house. He also flattered the car I had rather than degrade it to bring down the value, which impressed me as I would have taken great offence had my old 'beloved' been abused. He expertly kept my son occupied while we chatted about the car, financing issues etc


Aftersales


Unfortunately a mix up through lack of internal communication resulted in me not getting the alarm fitted that I wanted and a guess had to be made as to whether I wanted a different alarm that would be worked from the skoda keyfob. They assumed I would, which was the wrong decision. This was put right with one call to Adrian and I'm due to have the correct alarm fitted this wednesday (6th October). I am also still awaiting an ammended warranty cover note explaining that the modified Skoda that I have purchased will still be covered by the warrenty Skoda provide. I'm sure that this will arive in the post (as advised) because the car manual (of which there was a shortage) duly arrived 2 days after asking for it.


All in all a very good purchase from a very good salesman which, if the customer service continues through to aftersales, I'll be most impressed with.


**Note**


Gordon Lambs of Chesterfield are due (next autumn I think) to lose the sales side of the Skoda franchise but will continue to hold a parts and servicing franchise on behalf of Skoda.

DGW

Originally posted by Kaiserb_uk - Sat Nov 6, 2004

A friend (who works for Honda) recommended the Fabia as he knew I was looking at (2nd hand) Golf TDIs, within a week Steve from Gordon Lambs was on the phone asking if I wanted a test drive.


Can't praise him enough, the guy's a star. Got me my brand new vRS in black within my deadline (changing jobs and losing a company car) and made the whole process as enjoyable and exciting as it should be. It did make it a bit hard to haggle though when I couldn't wait to sign on the dotted!


Within a week, had the engine management light come on (put the foot down a bit hard when I should have been running it in) - arrived unannounced at the dealers first thing next morning, they checked it over there and then, problem solved, no problems since.


Would (will?) probably go all the way back (currently relocating down south) in 3 years to get a new one.

DGW

Originally posted by VRSvirgin - Wed 29 Dec, 2004

Bought Black Furby VRS in October 2004, very happy with car itself and sales process. Had only paint and cruise as extras and the dealership managed to get within £250 of an internet price i'd been quoted, so was happy to pay the extra for the 'Dealer' relationship.


However very unhappy about the service side. Car developed a fault with the Elec Windows. Took car in Mid november, when i picked it up, was told.. " yes there is a fault but we can't fix it now, it will have to be rebooked in "(bearing in mind i'd had to take time off from work to drop it off and pick it up, i wasn't pleased about this).. I booked it in for late november (almost 2 weeks wait) and had a courtesy car - Fabio 1.2. It took 2 days and when it came back, the passenger lock hadn't been reconnected - therefore couldn't open passenger door. I took the car back, after some appauling telephone calls and they fixed it there and then, only to drive away now with a central locking fault. I took the car back the following weekend and it then has had all locks replaced.


While I am not griping about the initial fault, i understand new cars may have some initial issues. It is the two occaisions i drove away after the car had been checked, with new faults that the service centre had caused. There is currently a letter on the Skoda reception detailing the problems that they have had with staffing, but i still expect them to at least check all the components they have been working on are still functioning, after working in the area..


Needless to say, they won't be getting any of my services and i won't be going back to them for any other issues.


Shame, as the sales service was great, so much better than my previous experiences with a Fiat dealer in London

DGW

Originally posted by Ic3man - Thu Mar 24, 2005

After covering 12,000 miles my front tyres were in need of changing so after recieving quotes of around £150-200 per tyre for continental sport contacts I asked Gordon lambs what there price would be. £110+vat was the price I was quoted! I asked them to double check as this was alot cheaper than the other quotes I had recieved and they confirmed that was indeed the correct price. Unfortunately they had none in stock while some warranty work was being carried out so I asked them to order me two and call me when they arrived.


THREE WEEKS later I received a call and again asked for confirmation of the price so I booked my car in to have them fitted. Upon arriving I quiried the price once more and they then informed me the tyres were infact going to cost £360! To say I was a little upset is an understatement!


I could understand that the sales woman was new but ffs four times I had asked them to confirm the price and I had also waited 3 weeks for the tyres to arrive only to be informed that a mistake had been made once I was at the dealer without so much as an appology from them. The parts sales manager (Russel) offered to sell them to me at cost which was apparently £136 per tyre. I find that hard to believe as I have since enquired on the net and the cheapest I have found the tyres to be are £91! I just hope they get there act together otherwise I will be taking my car elsewhere for more major work such as servicing because if they can't get a simp0le thing like tyres right what hope (and faith) do I have with them fettling with my engine!

DGW

Originally posted by Andy vRS - Wed Jun 29, 2005

I went to Gordon Lamb Skoda to buy a Fabia vRS. I was told no we don't do discount and we are getting rid of the Skoda franchise anyway, so we can't order cars from factory. So i went to Clock and dealt with Steve who used to be a Gordon Lamb [who is back at Lambs now as a Renault salesman !!]. He was great and sorted me out with a new black Fabia with cruise for £11700 including the cherished transfer. When the car arrived [pre-delivery] - i checked the car out, and noticed it had tyres on with no rim protector. Very unusual for low profiles. So i requested that Steve change them with the showroom car. He said he would see what he could do. I then had to chase him a few days later and he said there were no vRS's to swap tyres with - but i can collect my car tomorrow.


So the following day i went down - and there it was, the same vRS in the showroom as when i bought mine !!! Not happy about that, but everything else seemed okay and i went on my way.


Within 2 weeks my exhaust was knocking. I had a look and noticed a braket had broken - so i took it into Clock and they were cool about it and put a new exhaust on under waranty.


Then my suspension started knocking, so i booked it in with Lambs, with a car. They established it was the anti roll bar bushes and the link rods. But they needed to order the part and i came back 2 weeks later. But i had had problems with 1 tyre wall. It looked to be almost to the metal [5000 miles on the clock] so i reported it as a problem with the suspension. The idiot of a service advisor said it had nothing to do with the components that were broken, and commented on how strange it was. So little comfort there. I spoke to Skoda and they said it is a performance car and unlucky. So lambs screwed me there. Now 3 months since i picked the car up and 6500 miles on the exhaust knocks [again] and the cruise has given up ! So i called lambs and the same ***** was on the the phone - such a hard person to speak to - no comment either when i said "i have spent all this money on a new car and all i am getting is a lot of shrugged shoulders !!!!"


Lamb's are the worst i have ever experience of any dealer ever.


Post moderated by DGW.

DGW

Originally posted by sharkrider - Wed Jun 29, 2005

ok... I have bought Citroens for my last three new cars, but fell out with the dealer in Worksop (stonacre) and went here to buy a Fabia vRS. walked in and got a mistubishi salesman and not a skoda one, but the differences were amazing! I told them how it went at ciroen, and how i wanted them NOT to be like that. They were very accomodating, no pushy "sign today" crap, they were friendly helpful, and I had an enjoyable car buying experience for the first time in years!!! I don't know about servicing if They are loosing the skoda side.... I've been reccommended the garage in Sheffield, so I'm gonna go there......

TaviaRS

Had mine serviced there yesterday.

All done as it should have been, to an agreed price, and all finished on time. Nothing demanding admitedly, just a 120k service.

I'll use them again.

__________________
A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast.

Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

andy2407

Just bought a 2nd hand Octy II 2.0 TDi Elegance from this garage.
I live 1.5 hrs drive away, but I saw the car on the Skoda UK website listing of used cars.
I gave them a call, and they talked some sensible pricing over the phone - I didn't want to travel all that way based on the screen price.
Travelled down last Wednesday and the car was ready for a test drive, which confirmed it was the one I wanted.
Signed up there and then, and arranged delivery two days later for Friday.
I dealt with Charles Rick, who gave good service. I travelled down by train to pick up the car and he offered to pick me up at the station. The car had been fully serviced and valeted as agreed, and they enabled the anti-hijack feature for me (and at no charge).
They also offer a 7 day free insurance in conjunction with Norwich Union, which enabled them to get a cover note and tax the car prior to me picking it up. No committment on my part to take out NU insurance - it just gives them the opportunity to quote.
Despite previous mentions of them losing their Skoda dealership, they have remained a fully approved dealer - I understand they have transferred from another site to their current premises.
No problems so far and would highly recommend. Will post again if the situation changes, but fingers crossed it wont.
Oh - and they made me a proper brew (not that machine rubbish) and offered me Rich Tea biscuits!

__________________
The future's bright
The future's mellow
Now with a little zest of Washbrook added

TaviaRS

Just been and had some work done - new wheel bearings and front wishbones. Booked it in last week for today.

Got their before they opened, but there was someone there to look after me and they took it in - better than some who make you wait until their opening time. The receptionist was very helpful.

Arranged for it to be ready at about 16:30. Had a 'phone call mid afternoon to let me know it may be a bit late as one of their ramps had brokendown, so could I come in about 5ish. Nice to be kept informed, ulike certain other dealers who had me hanging around

Had a "proper" coffee as I got there about 16:45. At 5 the paperwork came through and I played a game of guess the bill - I was only £6 out Didn't get a prize though

The mechanic who'd worked on the car came through and had a chat about the work done and about the car (and how VAG-Com is better than the dealer tool ).

All in all a very pleasant experience.

I know they read this board, so I'll say a public "thank you".

__________________
A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast.

Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

Nick_H

The earlier posts here about GL winding down as a Skoda dealer are wrong ! I've just purchased a new Octavia from them and can assure they are still their !!

Nick_H

Well we picked the new motor up this morning and are delighted with it. I think however that I need to mention the service provided by Nick at Gordon Lamb in Chesterfield.

Right from the start he has kept me informed via email or telephone regarding the orders progress. This I’ve discovered is a rare thing !

The car was superbly presented when we arrived in Chesterfield. It had been raining overnight and the car had been kept in the service bay so it was nice and clean.

The spec was spot on. Nothing has been overlooked.

Nicks attitude was very professional, friendly and upfront.

Their had been a slight delay in delivery ( Skoda’s end ) and my wife was delighted when Nick nipped in the back and produced a VERY nice bouquet of flowers as an apology even though it was out of Gordon Lambs control.

All in all a very pleasurable experience. Fantastic service by Nick above and beyond anything I’ve experienced from other dealers.

Gordon Lamb, Chesterfield – 10/10 Well done.