Well, I ordered, no I THOUGHT I'd ordered a New Defender through a competent dealership, but my cursed luck failed me again!
After, getting excited about buying a new vehicle to replace my trusty, but, ageing Terrano, I'm now not that bothered whether my Defender turns up at all.
Should've had my new motor on July 31st, but there were problems on the production line, apparently.
The salesman i shook hands on the deal with, left the company, and although i was aware of this, it's caused problems.
All through the summer, I tried to contact the new fella who'd taken up my aquisition, but he was either on courses, holiday or somewhere other than the garage.
When I finally met up with him, he told me there had been a problem on the production line, which i'd heard about, and then he couldn't get a Defender in the Rimini Red i'd ordered, would i like one in a different colour? Well, no, I woudn't.
But why, I asked him, was there a 110 Station Wagon, running around Forfar, where I was currently driving buses?
"It must have been a pre-production model, before there was problems with that paint colour, but i'll get back to you on that".
A week or two later, our neighbours get a new Ford C-Max, and I ask what colour it is and am informed, "Tango Red"
I phone the garage and ask, "Does Ford still own Land Rover"?
"Yes sir, why"
I tell him of my neighbours new car which is painted suspiciously in the same colour as my intended new vehicle, (Tango Red/Rimini Red, what's in a name, right?)
"So, can't a lorry be dispatched from Land Rover at Solihull, to Ford at Halewood and blag a few hundred litres of paint, so as at least my new Defender can get finished"?
"I'll get back to you"
No answer after another few weeks, so I pick up the brochure, and dial the number, and get through to a lovely girl who will deal with my problem, and get back to me if I can give her a week today (Friday). Excellent.
Following week, no returned call, so I phone her up and told she's on a long weekend til Tuesday, but a note will be left to contact me,
Wednesday, got my girl, yes, she's phoned the garage for information, and my order has not long been placed, about 3-4 weeks previously.
Additionally, the garage was supposed to call me of the situation, with regards to my car. NOPE!!
Went to the dealership today, and the salesman was off. "Do you want to know what he's doing? asks his assistant, "I couldn't give a toss, where's my Defender"??? sez I.
Which prompted this little chappy to scurry off in haste, and seek out the General Manager.
He has a word or two with me, checks his computer, and offers me apologies and a £250 discount for my troubles.
So, I'll let you know on Monday what the outcome is.
Keep smiling, and don't let the <edit> get you down. :lol:
So, 3 weeks go by with no contact, so I phone Land Rover