Insurance, Car Salesmen, and Modern Service

Colin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I ordered a new car in March this year. It is ready for collection tomorrow. I have had to argue with the salesperson to fit the plain number plates I specifically ordered. They FINALLY did as requested but only after 4 or 5 email exchanges Increasingly irritated on both sides.. Despite the fact I am paying cash with no part exchange, they will ONLY accept a bank transfer, and require this a few days before handing over the car, (and before I have even seen it!) The salesperson could ONLY give me the registration number on 8th June (car to be collected on 13th June) So on 8th June I organised the insurance with a company with whom we already have car insurance. I asked for a cover note asap as the Dealers will only release the car on inspection and copying the cover note. The cover note was promised by return., As of tonight nothing has arrived! (What a surprise!!!) I therefore phoned the Insurance Co and asked,politely, for them to email a cover note NOW as we will leave to collect the car early tomorrow. As I said we already have a car policy with the Company. "We suggest you search your portal (their word not mine) for cover" "NO I want you to email a cover note,promised 4 days ago" "We send emails out manually after 24 hours" "NO I organised insurance 4 days ago (the earliest the dealer gave me the reg. no.) and I need the cover note TONIGHT to take to the dealers tomorrow 24 hours will be too late" " Oh hold on while I make enquiries" (note the absence of any apology or the odd "sir") On return the clerk said they would email something in "an hour or so" The Dealer and the Insurers have both been singularly unimpressive. Despite all modern instant communication etc. modern service is absolute CRAP even though I am spending £000's with them. Stand by for more rants if the car is not as EXACTLY ordered and already paid for.
 

ClassicBiker

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
All I can say it wow. I am sorry for your difficulty. I have never heard of such poor customer service ever with regards to a car dealer or an insurance company. I will not rub salt in the wound and tell you my recent experience in getting my wife her new transport. Suffice it to say in comparison it was painless.
I am truly sorry.
Steven
 

Colin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Thanks Steven
I am certainly not picking on Insurance Co's having worked for them most of my life. At 7.35 pm with only 25 minutes to go I have still not got the cover note so am off to phone them again. God help me!
 

Colin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Just phoned them again. Clerk gave personal promise C N would be with me "within the hour" I've heard that one before we shall see. The office closes in 5 minutes!
 

Colin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
A Certificate of Insurance has been emailed, not within the hour but it has come:rolleyes:
 

ClassicBiker

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I hope you aren't holding your breath. I also hope you took note of the names and times when promises were made for that complaint letter you should be writing after all this non-sense.
Keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.
Steven
 

Colin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hi All. Thanks for all the sympathy. Steven I keep a detailed copy of all information given and received over the phone etc. as I have had similar problems before with, sadly/badly, many of the big organisations I deal with. The worst are those with no competition eg licencing authorities, (DVLA) or tax collection (HM R&C). The incompetent insurers have been phoned and firmly advised of the errors etc in the paperwork. THEY HAVE JUST SENT ME ALL NEW PAPERWORK WITH ALL THE SAME ERRORS. Beggars belief..The CEO will be getting my complaint letter as soon as the writing paper stops catching fire as soon as my pen touches it!!! the good news is I have finally collected the car and so far it is excellent and just what I wanted .Phew:p:)
 
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