I'm done with using Murray Lotus for good! It gets worse!

[SAJ]

Carlisle a ball-ache, Saj? But what do you call your saga above with a "local" dealer? Stand back a bit from this and consider your options.

Also, public flaming appears not to be much help now either so it's time for a new strategy perhaps.

If I can make KH on Sat, Tut, I'd be keen to meet the David Hayton team too.

The principal though is that if I'm to fork out £80k+ on a new car I shouldn't then have to travel 120 miles each way just to get a problem fixed under warranty. Sorry but I shouldn't have to do that when buying a new car at that price unless I choose to, not because I'm forced to due to my local dealer providing crap service.

The point of the public flaming is:
1. Because they have caused me a ball ache
2. Others are warned about the despicable service they could receive
3. They didn't admit any fault other than not fitting the carpet
4. Left my car with all sorts of issues
5. Made no attempt to resolve this

The public flaming is well and truly deserved. It may not fix my situation but they don't deserve to get away Scott free.

[mxvx]

Carlisle a ball-ache, Saj? But what do you call your saga above with a "local" dealer? Stand back a bit from this and consider your options.

Also, public flaming appears not to be much help now either so it's time for a new strategy perhaps.

If I can make KH on Sat, Tut, I'd be keen to meet the David Hayton team too.

Here we go again. How is it a strategy?!?! Is he not entitled to share his experience, good or bad?

He is frustrated and after reading the last two threads he has every right to be.

[BigD]

The public flaming is well and truly deserved. It may not fix my situation but they don't deserve to get away Scott free.

Totally agree Saj, keep at it. I'd be going to the judge or whatever he's called at the daily record too. Yours is not the only story of don't care attitude from MMC.

The Carlisle dealer is worth considering if you want to stay in a lotus. Let's face it are any other brand dealers locally any better?

[tut]

Timing is 1300 - 1700 Campbell.

tut

ps:- if anybody else would like to do the Trackday then let me know.

[rossybee]

Carlisle a ball-ache, Saj? But what do you call your saga above with a "local" dealer? Stand back a bit from this and consider your options.

Also, public flaming appears not to be much help now either so it's time for a new strategy perhaps.

If I can make KH on Sat, Tut, I'd be keen to meet the David Hayton team too.

Here we go again. How is it a strategy?!?! Is he not entitled to share his experience, good or bad?

He is frustrated and after reading the last two threads he has every right to be.

Agree here, it's not strategy, SAJ has been more than patient and professional in his approach. He is entitled to air his grievances, and where better than here?

SAJ - if Hayton are to capitalise on MMC's ineptitude, then for their top end clients (ie someone like yourself buying an £80k lotus) why not sound them out on the provision of covered transport to collect and deliver your car in the event of warranty and/or servicing work?

Ironically my father had this exact service from his then new (and the first batch of 40) very unreliable Aston DB7 in 1995......that was from MMC!!!

ETA when I had my TVR the dealer I used was in Hexham (bloody marvellous btw) but a once a year trip there wasn't such a hardship as the roads are fun! Sometimes they'd meet me in Lauder or elsewhere south of the Capital to swap mine with a courtesy car. There are ways and means.

[c8rkh]

I know what you're saying but if for instance I was to buy the Evora 400 Spyder whenever it shows up from another dealer, it would be a ball ache to have to pop down to Carlisle just to get the warranty work done as there is no way I want to go near MMC again.[/quote]

I think you're lucky to have a dealer on your doorstep Saj and if others took this attitude then there would be no Lotus drivers north of Perth surely? I live near Dundee so a 65 mile trip, over the Forth Bridge and the usual traffic nightmare that that means when trying to get the car in for a service in the morning. However, it did and does always give me an excuse to come home via the "long way" and some of the lovely roads in Fife away from the traffic etc...

It didn't stop me buying the Lotus and does not stop me taking it to MMC/CMC to get it serviced etc.. Is it a ball ache? Yes. But that's not the dealers fault. I'd have had the same problem with A Porsche, Maserati, Bentley etc. It reminds me to speak to Craig to get him to move his premises to somewhere central like Dundee! hahahaha.....

Plenty of guys who live in Aberdeen and beyond, they've had to put up with the ball ache for years of driving to Edinburgh for warranty and service work and yet they still remain loyal to the brand. Please don't use distance as an excuse to leave the brand, as I said, you've had it easier than many metaphorically speaking re location of the dealer

[PhilA]

I went to Hethel once to get stuff done - the quality of service was as expected.
It kinda makes u think that there should be SLAs for Dealerships - and if they dont keep to it, then force Dealers to pay for transportation down to Hethel for real fix - i.e. to Lotus Cars run servicing/ warranty.
Perhaps Lotus Cars could establish such a centre bit further north.


i like this - because it shows up reality of experience with the dealer.
the argument to not give a considered review, if applied to other scenarios, would lead to no reviews on hotels/ eateries/ products, etc.
Its a win-win situation for dealers - do a great job and get free good advertising.
If you are not doing good, expect others to know about it - so dont suck at it!

I had to travel from Dundee, and agree it logistically a problem. Going to N Englandshire would be too ...

[campbell]

Saj. And others. For avoidance of doubt: I am not having a go at any strategy etc. I don't condone Murray's apparent failings. And I'm not wearing a moderators hat.

I would just like Saj to be happier with his lot(us)

Sorry if I was unclear. Hasn't had my coffee when I posted...

[mwmackenzie]

Carlisle a ball-ache, Saj? But what do you call your saga above with a "local" dealer? Stand back a bit from this and consider your options.

Also, public flaming appears not to be much help now either so it's time for a new strategy perhaps.

If I can make KH on Sat, Tut, I'd be keen to meet the David Hayton team too.

The principal though is that if I'm to fork out £80k+ on a new car I shouldn't then have to travel 120 miles each way just to get a problem fixed under warranty. Sorry but I shouldn't have to do that when buying a new car at that price unless I choose to, not because I'm forced to due to my local dealer providing crap service.

The next/new strategy Saj is to get Lotus to approve CMC to do warranty work! They seem to manage anything and everything with a smile, then get your £80K Evora

[tenkfeet]

When Craig was at MMC having warranty work done was such a positive experience. My experience was Lotus minor quality issues were not a problem as they would just be fixed.

[SAJ]

I know what you're saying but if for instance I was to buy the Evora 400 Spyder whenever it shows up from another dealer, it would be a ball ache to have to pop down to Carlisle just to get the warranty work done as there is no way I want to go near MMC again.

I think you're lucky to have a dealer on your doorstep Saj and if others took this attitude then there would be no Lotus drivers north of Perth surely? I live near Dundee so a 65 mile trip, over the Forth Bridge and the usual traffic nightmare that that means when trying to get the car in for a service in the morning. However, it did and does always give me an excuse to come home via the "long way" and some of the lovely roads in Fife away from the traffic etc...

It didn't stop me buying the Lotus and does not stop me taking it to MMC/CMC to get it serviced etc.. Is it a ball ache? Yes. But that's not the dealers fault. I'd have had the same problem with A Porsche, Maserati, Bentley etc. It reminds me to speak to Craig to get him to move his premises to somewhere central like Dundee! hahahaha.....

Plenty of guys who live in Aberdeen and beyond, they've had to put up with the ball ache for years of driving to Edinburgh for warranty and service work and yet they still remain loyal to the brand. Please don't use distance as an excuse to leave the brand, as I said, you've had it easier than many metaphorically speaking re location of the dealer

So that's fine but on the basis you choose to do that before you buy the car as then you have assessed all the pros and cons before you buy and hence why I'm say this 'may' now be the last Lotus I own as I may not think the pros of owning the car out weight the cons of maintaining it. For those coming from Aberdeen I guess all have weighed up the pros and cons of having to travel down to Edinburgh before buying and have accepted that. I'm just saying potentially that may be enough to make me look else where at a different manufacturer.

Saj. And others. For avoidance of doubt: I am not having a go at any strategy etc. I don't condone Murray's apparent failings. And I'm not wearing a moderators hat.

I would just like Saj to be happier with his lot(us)

Sorry if I was unclear. Hasn't had my coffee when I posted...

Yeh I knew you weren't having a go at the "strategy" and all the rest.

Carlisle a ball-ache, Saj? But what do you call your saga above with a "local" dealer? Stand back a bit from this and consider your options.

Also, public flaming appears not to be much help now either so it's time for a new strategy perhaps.

If I can make KH on Sat, Tut, I'd be keen to meet the David Hayton team too.

The principal though is that if I'm to fork out £80k+ on a new car I shouldn't then have to travel 120 miles each way just to get a problem fixed under warranty. Sorry but I shouldn't have to do that when buying a new car at that price unless I choose to, not because I'm forced to due to my local dealer providing crap service.

The next/new strategy Saj is to get Lotus to approve CMC to do warranty work! They seem to manage anything and everything with a smile, then get your £80K Evora

It woud be great if Craig could be some sort of Lotus approved repair and service centre - then you could buy your Lotus from anywhere with the piece of mind that CMC is there when things go wrong.

Maybe we should petition Lotus to do that

[c8rkh]

Understand Saj, I guess when ot was on your doorstep then not, is a big enough ball ache to be a factor. I actually did not really think about the location of MMC when I bought mine. just wanted the Evora full stop and nothing else mattered But accept we are all different and as others have said I can see why you are not impressed, it would just be shame if you had to tolerate an inferior driving machine after your lotus as a result

[SAJ]

it would just be shame if you had to tolerate an inferior driving machine after your lotus as a result

Hence why the Evora isn't going anytime soon.

[mwmackenzie]

Saj, Just buy the 400 Hairdresser edition soft top when it comes out mate, it'll be so good you'll not need any warranty repairs so it doesn't matter who you buy it from.

[SAJ]

Saj, Just buy the 400 Hairdresser edition soft top when it comes out mate, it'll be so good you'll not need any warranty repairs so it doesn't matter who you buy it from.

you sure you've owned a Lotus before.....