John Clark VW Commercial - Edinburgh

[Daveb999]

I chatted with someone from the Aberdeen branch due to lockdown and limited sales force at the moment. The guy was very helpful, everything seemed good. Put down a deposit but wanted to see the VW T6 Ocean 2017 before buying (Deposit was refundable). Managed to sort something out, which I thought was decent of them, given they are closed at the moment.

I went to view the van....

Remember this is only a 3 year old, VW approved van.

First things that the dealer would have probably sorted out
- Bald tyres x3
- Service overdue

Others
- Two scratches along entire passenger door.
- Various chips and scratches on multiple areas of bodywork
- Other car door obviously hit back side of van, leaving dent and marks
- Sat nav/radio screen severely scratched
- Interior was in poor shape overall.

The photos on the company website look to have been doctored. The scratches etc do not show up, I did wonder why a couple of the photos looked weird. No photos of the rear interior, this was the main reason for me wanting to see before purchase.

I have spoken to the Aberdeen sales manager and he has apologised (He hadn’t seen the van, or its condition) and assured I will get a refund of deposit. I have attached one photo, if VW Edinburgh query this I have many other photos I can put up to back up my claims.

I wouldn’t go back to them. I was hugely disappointed in this

I have since spoken with Darren at JCT600 VW Sheffield and look to have secured a new T6 Ocean from them.

 

[larrylamb]

I chatted with someone from the Aberdeen branch due to lockdown and limited sales force at the moment. The guy was very helpful, everything seemed good. Put down a deposit but wanted to see the VW T6 Ocean 2017 before buying (Deposit was refundable). Managed to sort something out, which I thought was decent of them, given they are closed at the moment.

I went to view the van....

Remember this is only a 3 year old, VW approved van.

First things that the dealer would have probably sorted out
- Bald tyres x3
- Service overdue

Others
- Two scratches along entire passenger door.
- Various chips and scratches on multiple areas of bodywork
- Other car door obviously hit back side of van, leaving dent and marks
- Sat nav/radio screen severely scratched
- Interior was in poor shape overall.

The photos on the company website look to have been doctored. The scratches etc do not show up, I did wonder why a couple of the photos looked weird. No photos of the rear interior, this was the main reason for me wanting to see before purchase.

I have spoken to the Aberdeen sales manager and he has apologised (He hadn’t seen the van, or its condition) and assured I will get a refund of deposit. I have attached one photo, if VW Edinburgh query this I have many other photos I can put up to back up my claims.

I wouldn’t go back to them. I was hugely disappointed in this

I have since spoken with Darren at JCT600 VW Sheffield and look to have secured a new T6 Ocean from them.


View attachment 58580

Not a good example at all, could be a rental van that's been traded in or bought at auction. You did right to walk away, glad you are sorted now.

 

[Perfectos]

That’s one of those new screens when you have to use a chisel to access it ! And you must be under five !

 

[Meoncoast]

not a good example as said by @larrylamb. Many more fish in the sea.

 

[AlisonF]

So it seems the issue is Clark Commercials Sales in Edinburgh putting a job to their Aberdeen department? I’m asking because I have had issues with Aberdeen (and Edinburgh, separately), and was under the impression things in Aberdeen were improving.
Would be grateful to hear more (but if you are mentioning names please PM to be fair).

 

[ArunAlec]

I chatted with someone from the Aberdeen branch due to lockdown and limited sales force at the moment. The guy was very helpful, everything seemed good. Put down a deposit but wanted to see the VW T6 Ocean 2017 before buying (Deposit was refundable). Managed to sort something out, which I thought was decent of them, given they are closed at the moment.

I went to view the van....

Remember this is only a 3 year old, VW approved van.

First things that the dealer would have probably sorted out
- Bald tyres x3
- Service overdue

Others
- Two scratches along entire passenger door.
- Various chips and scratches on multiple areas of bodywork
- Other car door obviously hit back side of van, leaving dent and marks
- Sat nav/radio screen severely scratched
- Interior was in poor shape overall.

The photos on the company website look to have been doctored. The scratches etc do not show up, I did wonder why a couple of the photos looked weird. No photos of the rear interior, this was the main reason for me wanting to see before purchase.

I have spoken to the Aberdeen sales manager and he has apologised (He hadn’t seen the van, or its condition) and assured I will get a refund of deposit. I have attached one photo, if VW Edinburgh query this I have many other photos I can put up to back up my claims.

I wouldn’t go back to them. I was hugely disappointed in this

I have since spoken with Darren at JCT600 VW Sheffield and look to have secured a new T6 Ocean from them.


View attachment 58580

If it’s same one as on their website the photo of the passenger side looks like it’s been photoshopped badly.... that or it’s got a 3 foot dent!

 

[Daveb999]

If it’s same one as on their website the photo of the passenger side looks like it’s been photoshopped badly.... that or it’s got a 3 foot dent!

Haha, yup, thats the one. I pointed it out but funnily enough no reply

 

[Daveb999]

So it seems the issue is Clark Commercials Sales in Edinburgh putting a job to their Aberdeen department? I’m asking because I have had issues with Aberdeen (and Edinburgh, separately), and was under the impression things in Aberdeen were improving.
Would be grateful to hear more (but if you are mentioning names please PM to be fair).

I was really happy with the service provided by the Aberdeen sales manager so wont be giving out his name. He was covering the Edinburgh queries as well as Aberdeen during Covid. The Edinburgh sales guys need a kick up the butt for the way the van has been advertised. When I get my new van I wont be going anywhere near them for servicing etc

 

[Seaview]

Sounds like a lucky escape from that Cali. Aberdeen do run a rental fleet so perhaps it was from that fleet and didn’t receive typical Cali care from a private owner.

I have approached the Aberdeen dealership twice and ended up buying elsewhere. They acknowledge they have had issues in the past but this has been going on for years and nothing ever changes. Ultimately actions speak louder than words And they for some reason cannot get their act together.

Thanks for highlighting your experience as hopefully it will help others from having a negative Aberdeen dealership experience.

I‘ve bought a bike rack from JCT 600 and they could‘t have been more helpful. Aberdeen on the other hand were way more expensive and wanted to charge a significant amount to fit. JCT 600 on the other hand asked if the van was outside and did we need a hand to pop it on.

Enjoy your new Cali when you get it.

 

[ArunAlec]

Haha, yup, thats the one. I pointed it out but funnily enough no reply

Did you mention Advertising Standards?

 

[MC90]

I needed the Aberdeen Branch to sort out a legacy issue with my Cali that I originally purchased from VW Commercials in Birmingham. VW Aberdeen Service Department were excellent in updating me on the status of the work and I couldn’t fault them at all.

 

[Daveb999]

I needed the Aberdeen Branch to sort out a legacy issue with my Cali that I originally purchased from VW Commercials in Birmingham. VW Aberdeen Service Department were excellent in updating me on the status of the work and I couldn’t fault them at all.

Good to hear and yup, the Aberdeen based sales manager was really good. Just a shame the Edinburgh side of things let them down

 

[Craig Morrison]

I found the Aberdeen branch very unhelpful when I was looking to buy 2nd hand Cali last year, I ended up just walking away and bought ex static demo from Hawco Inverness whos sales department were a joy to deal with

 

[Richy]

I don’t know where to start with Clark’s Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy !!!!
Wouldn’t go near them ever again.

 

[Taf Powell]

I have had barely believable bad experiences with JCC in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen when purchasing new in 2017. I eventually got my vehicle from Aberdeen in 2019. Aberdeen had a new general manager appointed 2018 who was quite brilliant in rebuilding my confidence in the group. I had been deprived of a new vehicle for a year in 2018 thanks to salesmen in both offices mishandling the order with VW Germany (yes! twice in two offices!) In response, and without any denial of rank incompetence the new manager arranged for me to have a series of hire vehicles gratis throughout the lost year and assiduously maintained a personal link Briefly returning to Edinburgh, I had to write to the GM because his branch were very slow in returning my deposit on the van even though they failed to properly make the order. He was less than gracious and a good deal of further time elapsed before the money was repaid without any apology.

 

[Daveb999]

Well after me saying they had been good in Aberdeen..... No refund and no communication / reply on what’s happening with it.

 

[AlisonF]

Well after me saying they had been good in Aberdeen..... No refund and no communication / reply on what’s happening with it.

I’ve found the new general manager in Aberdeen very helpful. But can be very busy. I can PM his details if you want to contact him directly.

 

[Taf Powell]

I should have added that following a trip that finished as lock down began the front tyre of my Cali failed totally at the tyre wall. I sent pictures to JC Aberdeen who recovered Mr Whippy to the shop next day, replaced the tyre as a warranty item and delivered it back. All during lock down.
I learnt they were providing Calis to front line maintenance workers in remote areas that could not find accommodation.

 

[AlisonF]

I should have added that following a trip that finished as lock down began the front tyre of my Cali failed totally at the tyre wall. I sent pictures to JC Aberdeen who recovered Mr Whippy to the shop next day, replaced the tyre as a warranty item and delivered it back. All during lock down.
I learnt they were providing Calis to front line maintenance workers in remote areas that could not find accommodation.

That’s great to hear. Thank you.

 

[California4x4]

I live in South West Scotland just now. Where would anyone recommend taking an Ocean for a service North or South of Lockerbie please?

 

[Daveb999]

I’ve found the new general manager in Aberdeen very helpful. But can be very busy. I can PM his details if you want to contact him directly.

If you could that would be great - thanks

 

[Rubberdubber]

We too had issues with John Clark, Edinburgh, the stitched us over a California they were spposed to keep for us bt sold to someone else before we could even see it. Ended up going to Preston van centre who were excellent with us abnd we got fantastic service an an amasing deal. We went back to JCC for servicing as they are our most local dealer and used them a few times but we were getting poor information from them and found them out to have lied to us on several occasions, so wouldn't use them at all now. There's a VW specialist close to where they are and they are really good. They used to be good when they were Edinburgh van centre but things went downhill and all the good staff left when John Clark took over, interesting so many on here had similar experiences.

 

[California4x4]

We too had issues with John Clark, Edinburgh, the stitched us over a California they were spposed to keep for us bt sold to someone else before we could even see it. Ended up going to Preston van centre who were excellent with us abnd we got fantastic service an an amasing deal. We went back to JCC for servicing as they are our most local dealer and used them a few times but we were getting poor information from them and found them out to have lied to us on several occasions, so wouldn't use them at all now. There's a VW specialist close to where they are and they are really good. They used to be good when they were Edinburgh van centre but things went downhill and all the good staff left when John Clark took over, interesting so many on here had similar experiences.

The VW specialist you mention. Have you had them do any work on your California please?

 

[Tom Rae]

I have just dropped off my T6 Ocean at CC Edinburgh (for a small warranty job) and picked up a courtesy car, a sign written base model VW Caddy van with dirty seats and floor coverings. The saga continues, what do we need to do to get a conscientious dealership serving the East of Scotland?