Member Since: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 183
South Australian Dealerships
Following the letter from Prestige/Black Forest informing us lucky owners of Land Rover products that they are no longer in the Family, has anyone had notification from LR Australia about the new dealership arrangements for Adelaide? And have any country dealerships also parted company?
It would be reassuring to know officially from LRA that Solitaire are taking on the burden - it might even be classed as common courtesy - after all, we own what Ford think is a premium vehicle, and most of us have become dependent on regular visits to the dealer's workshop to keep our pride and joy on the road.
And perhaps Solitaire could let us know how they intend to handle the franchaise?Ex Defender 110 200Tdi owner.
21st Jun 2007 3:31 am
Tony
Member Since: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 183
WOW! This post really had an impact! Not one response!
Nobody in Adelaide really care who sells and services their cars, or worry about what we pay?
Everybody content to wait until some office-bound hero at LRA gets around to telling us what our future holds?
All content to continue to pay premium prices for our vehicles and receive somewhat less than premium support?
All of the above?
I don't necessarily aim these criticisms at the Dealer network, but from where I sit, it seems LRA management may be the ones requiring a change. Producing a glossy magazine filled with fashion statements is no substitute for getting out and meeting a few customers, then acting on their complaints. Neither is a 'survey' form prepared by a PR company with questions designed only to show a glowing image. I've owned Landies continually for the last 14 or so years, but never seen or heard of anyone from HO.
In the unlikely event that anyone from LRA reads this, I'm still happy with my D3. But lurking in the back of my mind is the doubt about it's potential to self-destruct down the track. It has not been trouble-free, and some of the truely idiotic design 'features' make me think that the blokes who signed off the design had not been too far out of town. "Travel to work on the bus" is a term sometimes used. So I keep the number of my friendly Oriental Conveyance dealer in my phone - I don't even own a Tojo, yet I get regular prompts from both the dealer and the company. Maybe he'll get a call sooner rather than later.
So now that the steam pressure has dropped to safe levels, I'll finish - but not without reminding LRA that buyers vote with their feet. Only a small percentage of dissatisfied owners complain; the rest buy somewhere else. Shame that what is such a damn good car is not given the chance to gain the market share it deserves.Ex Defender 110 200Tdi owner.
22nd Jun 2007 10:35 am
garryc
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 259
Adelaide dealer
I phoned LR "Customer assist" line today and asked who is going to handle warranty claims come midnight this coming Saturday. The new Solitaire workshop is not ready and LR should have the courtesy to notify all customers of what is happening. It appears that South Australia is the only state where the dealer is being changed They said they will get back to me today and I will post the result. I can only say that I have had excellent service from both Prestige and Black Forest since 1994 and Black Forest is one of the consistently highest rating dealers in Oz. I think it is something to do with ford(lower case intended) being broke and chasing $'s whichever way they can.2013 D4, E-diff, Vision pack
Never propose to a Yak
25th Jun 2007 2:54 am
garryc
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 259
Dealer
LR rang me to say that they would be sending a letter out within 2 weeks I asked them as the current dealer hands over as of midnight on June 30th what do I do for a breakdown or warranty? They weren't able to tell me I rang the new dealer and even though their new workshop wn't be ready until mid July they will handle any problems at their current one. Hmmm!2013 D4, E-diff, Vision pack
Never propose to a Yak
26th Jun 2007 12:26 am
Tony
Member Since: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 183
Fantastic service! Right up to the fine standard we have come to expect from Land Rover Australia. Ex Defender 110 200Tdi owner.
26th Jun 2007 11:13 pm
garryc
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 259
Dealer
Received a letter from LR today dated 26th, outlining new dealer and arrangements. Was that because of my phone call yesterday?2013 D4, E-diff, Vision pack
Never propose to a Yak
27th Jun 2007 4:53 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
Re: South Australian Dealerships
Tony wrote:
has anyone had notification from LR Australia about the new dealership arrangements for Adelaide? And have any country dealerships also parted company?
don't know about country dealerships but Volvo in Adelaiade has been put in the same boat as BF by PAG. since I am on the corporate plan I have to use Solitaire (according to LRCC ) does anyone know what they are like regarding servicing and their general attitude to warranty work etc. and what mechanics have they picked up since BF has not lost any employees to them.
29th Jun 2007 5:19 am
Tony
Member Since: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 183
The Winter edition of 'Land Rover News' (the emailed feel-good publication from LRA) has just blasted it's way through the ether to a desktop near you. Bringing the very latest information on how management is back-patting itself this quarter, it includes a prompt to buy Belle, Gourmet Traveller and Gourmet Traveller Wine magazines, which will include RR Vogue in the 'Best-of-the Best' sections. A must-read for all red-blooded sons of the outback....
There is a link to winter driving tips - good common sense mainly, and a Dealer Guide, which, guess what? For South Australia Metropolitan, it still lists Prestige and Black Forest
Anyone notice if the lights are still on at 65 Epping Road, North Ryde? See any movement in there?Ex Defender 110 200Tdi owner.
29th Jun 2007 9:27 am
Martin Krutli
Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
South Australian Dealership
AS previously mentioned, Solitaire have been advertising for a couple of weeks in Career One for Land Rover mechanics - so they are definately trying to build their capability.
Also interesting to note that they have submitted an extensive development plan with the Unley Council to build their new Land Rover (and whatever else) showrooms come mtce facilities on Belair Rd. You can see it going up if you drive past.
Cheer.
29th Jun 2007 12:47 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
Re: South Australian Dealership
Martin Krutli wrote:
AS previously mentioned, Solitaire have been advertising for a couple of weeks in Career One for Land Rover mechanics -
but are they D3 capable.
Martin Krutli wrote:
showrooms come mtce facilities on Belair Rd
LRCC told me their facility is on Scotland rd at Mile End which is their new (uncompleted ) premises for servicing. WTF
29th Jun 2007 12:51 pm
Martin Krutli
Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
South Australian Dealership
Yes, I've also heard that they are building a new all singing, all dancing service centre at Mile End. Don't know how the usage of these two facilities will be apportioned.
Cheers.
29th Jun 2007 1:14 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
had my car serviced today by Solitaire
one building is for PDI, the other is for the servicing.
20th Jul 2007 6:27 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Oh really CW ...how did you find the service 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
20th Jul 2007 6:35 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
oi Ive gone to bed remember. will discuss later
20th Jul 2007 6:37 pm
thesettler
Member Since: 10 Mar 2007
Location: Adelaide Hills
Posts: 30
Fax sent to Roger Jory (LR Australia) on 30/6/07
Hi All.
Below a fax I sent to LR Australia on 30/6/07
Re: Notice of Dealership change Adelaide
Dear Mr. Jory,
Thanks for you letter informing me of a dealership change in Adelaide, dated 26/6/07, received on 29/6/07.
I have purchased two Landrover Discoveries over the last five years and established a good customer/dealer relationship with Prestige Walkerville as well as Black Forest Land Rover.
I am extremely disappointed that Land Rover (Australia) puts their customers last (again) and just changes dealership without prior consultation. It really just shows (again) that Land Rover does not and never has considered the interests of customers. Numerous Land Rover owner’s forums already demonstrate and confirm this type of customer alienating behavior.
Cars are purchased and sold by people. Relationships are required to close a deal and maintain a good relationship. An important concept that has obviously not been adopted by LR Australia.
Also, I consider your letter of advising a dealership change on 29/6/07 effective on 1/7/07, which affects all customers as extremely arrogant, given such little notice. At least one month prior to the change would have been adequate and expected.
My friend who owns a Volkswagen Touarak, is extremely unhappy with the service at Solitaire. I am not looking forward to meeting them and allow them to conduct warranty repair work, after all I have heard.
Quite frankly I had enough of the arrogant behavior of Land Rover in general. The driver seat on my Discovery 3 keeps coming down. Every forums reports on this apparent design fault, only Land Rover is cunning enough to tell me that the seat work as designed. Does that mean they are designed to drive customers mad? The entire seat mechanic has been replace but the problem hasn’t gone away, I didn’t think it would. As I explained to your customer representative the lever is positioned where it will be pushed down every time the vehicle is exited. There is no other way to get out of this car!
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They said they will get back to me today and I will post the result. I can only say that I have had excellent service from both Prestige and Black Forest since 1994 and Black Forest is one of the consistently highest rating dealers in Oz. I think it is something to do with ford(lower case intended) being broke and chasing $'s whichever way they can.
I asked them as the current dealer hands over as of midnight on June 30th what do I do for a breakdown or warranty? They weren't able to tell me 
I rang the new dealer and even though their new workshop wn't be ready until mid July they will handle any problems at their current one. Hmmm!
