Arnold Clark Sucks
READ HERE WHAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY
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Bought
a Renault Laguna from Arnold Clark at Bishopbriggs
Glasgow and could not believe the after sales service I received
They
still owe me £12 which they overcharged me when I bought the car
I
tried in vain to have various
faults repaired under warranty and eventually had them fixed by a local
garage.
I cant understand why they are so big as I have heard countless stories of really poor service
20.12.2003
I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A BRAND NEW PEUGEOT 106 FROM
ARNOLD CLARK. I ASKED FOR THE NORMAL COLOURS WHEN I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T
HAVE ANY. I WAS OFFERED BLACK WHICH IS AN EXTRA 300 OR ONE IN SAHARA
YELLOW WHICH WOULD COST AN EXTRA 300. TRYING TO STAY CALM I CHOSE THE
YELLOW AND AGREED TO PAY ANOTHER 300 FOR A SUNROOF. THIS BROUGHT THE
FULL PRICE OF MY CAR FROM 4998 TO 5698 MINUS 100 TRADE - IN. I COLLECTED
MY CAR 1 WEEK AFTER THE REQUEST AND LOW AND BEHOLD BUT THERE IS NO
SUNROOF, IT TOOK ME 4 DAYS AND NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS TO GET THAT MONEY
BACK. I THOUGHT THIS WAS IT FINISHED, HOW NAIVE. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A
LETTER FROM STRATHCLYDE POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THEY ARE IN POSSESSION
OF MY PROPERTY AND SO FAR THEY HAVE BUILT UP OVER A 100 IN HOLDING FEES.
WHEN I DOUBLE CHECKED THE REGISTRATION LOW AND BEHOLD IT IS MY OLD CAR
THE ONE I TRADED IN FOR 100. THE POLICE ARE NOW EXPECTING A PAYMENT FROM
ME TO GET THIS CAR RETURNED. MY PARTNER HAS ALSO RECENTLY PURCHASED FROM
ARC A BRAND NEW PUNTO. HE WENT FOR THE 0% FINANCE HE WAS ADVISED BY ARC
THAT THEY COULD OFFER HIM A BETTER DEAL AND HE WOULD PAY LESS BY GOING
WITH THE 5% BECAUSE THEY REDUCED THE PRICE OF THE CAR AFTER GOING OVER
ALL THE FIGURES IT LOOKED LIKE HE WOULD SAVE AT LEAST 500. WHAT THEY
FORGOT WAS THE EXTRAS AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A LEAST 500 MORE.
ONCE AGAIN ARC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS ONLY SPECIFIC COLOURS AND THEY
WOULD ALL COST AN EXTRA 300.
WE HAVE BOTH BEEN RIPPED OF BY THIS COMPANY BUT NEVER
AGAIN I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM ARNOLD CLARK. AND HAVE
RECOMMENDED TO EVERY ONE I KNOW NOT TO BOTHER.
23.12.2003
I must admit it was a shock to come
across this site.
I was about to purchase a BMW from this man.
Just as I was about to surf the net to
purchase a car at Arnold Clarks, thanks to you I didn't.
Alot of customers are kept in the dark about
how this family of cowboys operate with virtually no bad press in the
newspapers. How can the newspapers live with themselves
advertising for this man. When I found out that the staff are on
virtually nothing per hour (just above the minimum wage), with hardly
enough money to feed themselves and their families and we the customer
are lining the pockets of this family. I ask myself how does this
family live with themselves and get away with it. Ripping the customers
off.
It is not a surprise that the morale of
employees is at an all time very very low indeed. Come on Arnold
Clark! put your wages up or loose your business altogether. Is
this site not evidence enough for you dear old chap. I earn a
healthy salary and indeed as a good businessman. I believe if
you treat your staff well, then you will reap the respect and rewards
yourself. Its speaks for itself.
The advertising is very deceiving on
national television. I thought this was a very reputable company.
Gain back your respect old man and advertise that salaries will increase
in your adverts and salvage back your self respect. You built this
business up yourself, please don't loose touch with inflation rates and
reality, gain your respect back that you so well deserve. Then sit
back and see what happens.
27.12.2003
Dear Sir,
I bought a Fiat Brava from our Arnold in September 2002.
The salesman made a big deal about the car having to have an MOT before
he could sell it to me, but later reported it had "sailed through
with flying colours". Imagine my horror, therefore, to be told that
it needed just under £800 worth of work done to it to get past this
year's MOT.
I was even more horrified upon questioning this amount,
to be told that, in fact, not all the work was MOT related, but that I
had, apparently, authorised this in the telephone call I got from their
Glasgow Allison Street Receptionist. Needless to say an argument ensued,
because the conversation was preceded by the receptionist informing me
that the following was a list of things needing done to get the car
through its' Test. My argument was, that in the best principles of
Customer Care, telephonists should repeat and verify customers'
understanding of anything that there appears to be doubt about - this
did not happen. After protracted argument and threats by me to go to the
newspapers and telephone Mr. Arnold himself, they agreed to reduce the
bill to £593.
I am still not happy that the car needed this much work
just a year on from apparently "sailing" through such a Test,
which leaves me questioning just exactly what level of work was done on
the car at the point of sale. The story is not over, however, as when I
picked the car up from AC, it would not start, and now runs like a bear
with a sore a**e. In fact, it is in a worse state than when I took it in
for the work.
To add insult to injury, the radio cassette unit, which
had stopped working, is currently missing from the vehicle. AC sent it
to a "specialist", but I reneged on paying £70 to £100
(estimate) and requested it be returned un-repaired. The unit was not
back from the specialist when I went to pick up the car from AC, and to
date (some 3 weeks later), they do not seem capable of telling me where
it actually is at present. I am claiming a new radio cassette unit from
them, however, they have refused to entertain this notion so far,
preferring to "investigate the matter thoroughly" before
agreeing to anything.
After I get redress from them over the radio, I intend
never to darken their doors again. A thoroughly poor customer experience
is how I would describe this.
29.12.2003
if these stories didn't screw up everyone's lives they
would be funny. anyways I have bought 2 cars from AC + have had the
usual problems with the aftercare or lack of it) soon as they have your
signature + drive off your something they scraped off your shoe. anyways
I had a 3 year old ford ka from new bought elsewhere) and fancied
something bigger with a diesel engine for economy. over to Arnolds Citroen
and seen a couple of used trade ins..all seems ok..then I notice that
all the lacquer on the whole side of the car is peeling
off..(alarm bells. accident)"ahem your not going to sort that
1st?" I asked...nope "are you going to drop the price to
reflect that then?" nope... sod that pile o shite..the other one
had more rattles than a 1st birthday party on the test drive so sod
that..(these 2 cars are on the front entrance btw) then I spotted a nice
one at the end. test drive went ok(tyres were flattish ..but smart ass
says ."yea but they only flat at the bottom" anyways I!
nto the lions den..+ what will you give me for my
immaculate little ka? FSH 1 owner etc... hahah £2300 your avin a laugh
m8..so then he sees im about too leave + ups it to 2500..fuk that ya
twat.get serious (where do they get these numbers?) anyways I says ill
call ya ...3 days later I see the same car for £500 less..+ they gave
me £3400 for mine...ermm that's £900 more. moral is..dont go near
AC..they know fuck all about anything to do with cars or people.
30.12.2003
me and my wife went round a few
Arnold Clark garages and to be
quite frank our car a t Reg Clio is in far better order[
as
we look after it] than nearly all cars at Arnold's dealerships. if
they don't have
bumps they have scrapes or dents inside there are fag
burns on the seats or torn bits
you get the usual that will get
sorted line but it never does
my advice is buy private. you
can always tell a car that has
been looked after it will be
well polished and nice and tidy
inside well tyred serviced etc
Arnold Clark don't give a toss
what car they sell as long as
they reach there targets for
the month as I have been a mug
conned by Mr. Clark this is why
I am fore warning any people
who are considering buying a
car because of cheaper prices
don,t.what you might save clarky will get it back plus a
lot more because you will have
to have your car serviced at a
Arnold Clark franchise[ new car] or your warranty will be
void and boy will he charge
well you have been warned;;
bye and good luck
30.12.2003
I made the mistake of buying a new shape Renault megane form the Bishopbriggs branch, this car was bought in April with 32 miles on the clock, within the first day the airbag warning light came on, I called the garage and was told not to worry as it was under warranty, then day 5 the brakes started to squeal, then the car would not start (when pressing the clutch) I put the car in for repair got it back to find the airbag light still on, I then had to rebook the car in (Week 2) to have the airbag light looked at, the alarm needed fixed as it kept going off, and the gearbox was vibrating in third gear, also it kept losing power. when the car came back out they said that the car was mass produced and I should except these faults, I then got the trading standard involved who where very slow to help, the car went in for a 5th time and I was then accused by Jim McGoldrick of tampering with the car, this is when I noticed that I only had 3 months tax on the car instead of the 6 months that I had paid for.
Fiat paid and arranged for an independent inspection to be carried out on my car, they found 14 faults with this car (Arnold Clark with the most experienced Renault Technicians in Scotland did not agree with the independents report)
At this point nearly 3 months later I had the judge (Sunday mail) involved as well as the trading standards, as well as the finance company (Fiat). in September I was offered a new Renault Megane this car was a different colours and had a bigger engine 1.6 V V T?
I had been told by Mr. McGoldrick that this was the only car available to me in the uk and if I wanted a new car I would have to pay an extra £1200.00 pounds. the finance company agreed to give me all my money I had paid to the previous car to help, as this was nearly £1000.00 pound it sounded a good option.
I picked the New Renault megane on the 18th of September, and noticed that it still only had 3 months tax. this was pointed out to the salesman (Arthur Daily????) who spoke to Mr. McGoldrick, when he returned I was offered a full six months when the tax ran out (Gullible me did not get this in writing)
The car seemed great for the first 3 weeks, I also received a call from McGoldrick to see if the car was performing okay (Nice caring salesman) this is when he asked me to go into the garage to sing a new finance document as the original had been lost?
I looked into this and I tried to exercise my rights in returning the car, This is when McGoldrick Called me a conman and a liar, and that he would take me to court for £5800.12p hire charge for the two cars, this is when my wife panicked and told me to sign a new document (She who must be obeyed).
During this time the finance company found the document and executed it.
Then right on queue the car started to play up. 1st the Clutch starting problem came back, then the passenger seat runners snapped while my wife was sitting in it banging her of the dashboard, then the internal sill runners kept popping up, causing a trip hazard, the brakes started squealing, and the bonnet was out of line, Cd jumping,
As I did not want to go to Bishopbriggs, Renault UK Insisted that I go to Arnold Clark Pollok haws, to have the car repaired.
When I picked up the car I notice that they had joined a wire under the clutch which was a hazard as it was hanging down and caught your foot when pressing the clutch, the sill runners where still popped up, and the passenger seat was still not locating properly,
As I was unhappy with this, I was asked by the finance company to return the car and they would make sure the garage repaired the car to my satisfaction, they also arranged an inspection for there piece of mind.
I went to Australia for 3 weeks and left the car to be repaired from the 14th of November to the 8 th of December.
When I returned I did an inspection of the repairs only to find none of them had been done (Shock to the system, System Over HEAT) I when totally mental (Not Swearing) I demanded to see the service manager John Soutar who told me that the cars were mass produced and these were not faults, I left the garage without the car keeping the finance company up to date.
I was offered a hire car from the Finance but against my better judgement I collected the unrepaired car on the 12th of December so my wife could do some XMAS shopping.
While I was in the garage I was speaking to Duncan McPhee about the possibility of changing the car to another make and model, this is when I was offered a Volvo C70 Y Reg, I looked at the car and Duncan gave me a Price subject to the settlement figure. I left the garage a new man with the prospect of Getting rid of "MEGAN".
On the Sunday afternoon I was washing the car when I got a metal splinter in my hand, on closer inspection I noticed it was the same colours as the car, I did a slight bit of detector work and found out that some one has cut a chunk of metal out of the internal sill approximately 4 inches long by 4mm deep (This was to stop the sill runners popping up) But did not work.
On the Monday morning to cover my back I called the finance company, and made them aware of the cut to their car, and as I was going to be put into the Volvo I would not be taking the matter any further.
Duncan McPhee then called me to say I could be put into the car for a £1000.00 deposit and an extra £85.00 per month.
I nearly died and then questioned him regarding the cut car, he pointed me to my lawyer stating I will never walk into any Arnold Clark garage again, and that it was me who cut the car.
I've had the car inspected on the 23rd of December by the same inspector who did the car previously. And I also have an appointment with a lawyer on the 5th of Jan.
I hope to take these bampots all the way and im quite willing to go on a tried and tested Lie detector to prove my innocence, and I then intend to go to the TV and show People what kind of Man ARNOLD CLARK MBE (MY ARSE) Really is.
I hope ive not taken up to much of your time, but I felt you would like this story. I will keep you up dated with any developments.
If you have any information that may help fell free to e-mail back.
30.12.2003
