Given the mixed reputation of Alfa's dealer network, I thought my recent experiences would be interesting.
I've been to an Alfa dealer, a VW dealer and a Seat dealer in the last couple of weeks (I know, it sounds like the start of a gag), to look at alternative company car options. The VW dealer was lukewarm about selling me a Scirocco, didn't have a brochure, wasn't keen about helping me to locate the right engine variant to test drive, and wasn't apparently keen on trying to find out what the contract hire rates were. The Seat dealer was happy to provide a brochure for the new Exeo, would have given me contract hire rates had they had them, but then proceeded to tell me that there would be no test drive until I had committed to source the car through them (ie signed on the dotted line). Now I thought the key word in the phrase test drive was test...
In the Alfa dealer, we were made welcome, including our 10 year old daughter. There were plenty of brochures - Mito, GT, 159, whatever you need sir. The following morning (we visited on a Sunday afternoon) the fleet manager rang me, talked to me, rang back with a quote for a 159, which he then e-mailed to me. And then said that when I was ready they would lend me a car for the day - and bring it to my work - becuase no one could be expected to choose a car they had not driven. So congratulations Alfa, and Guest Motors of Willenhall. Proper service - who do you think is most likely to get my business?
