Went into Stratstone Woodford to look at a 2006 Supercharged today and the service I got left a lot to be desired. The salesman treated us like he was doing us a favour by giving us the light of day. When I asked about the car we came to see, he started to name drop about who the previous owner was. I really don't give two who the previous owner.

What is it with Land Rover dealers feeling the need to name drop? Is it meant to make me feel special? Another dealer I saw today was going on about the different previous owners of the cars he had in stock. Whilst he feels special that he bought a Ferrari California from a footballer who was bored of it, I really couldn't care. I don't even follow football and wouldn't know a Spurs player from an Arsenal one. At least the other dealer wanted to sell me a car.

The dealer sat there, looked on the web a few times (not even the internal stock list) and talk to his mate. It was obvious that because were were not buying a new car, he wasn't interested in doing business. He had the audicity to suggest we put a deposit down for the car sight unseen (I know some people don't mind doing this and I would if the car was like a demonstrator). In the end, he didn't have the car in stock (it was off getting resprayed) and his attitude was crap. We walked and his business card got filed away. It is a shame really as they came highly recommended by the guy I did the Land Rover Experience with.

It was in stark contrast to the service I got at Beadles Sidcup. I would recommend anyone who lives down there to go to Beadles instead.

How many times have I experienced that??

The recession clearly doesn't affect some dealers Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Trouble is, you go to a Land Rover dealer because you WANT to buy one. A friend of mine was recently buying a new car. She couldn't make up her mind between a Toyota Aygo, Pug 107 or Citroen C1! Even though they are all the same bloody car! The various dealers she visited ad to actually "work" for their money,

LR dealers know that if you have walked through the door you know what you want, you're not trying to decide whether to go for a LR or a Ford because LR are in a league of their own. It's also unfortunate that the garages are all franchises and answer to no one, so poor service goes un-punished. 

Thanks Dan and Adam. It is unfortunate, especially when first impressions count.

Try Lookers Bishops Stortford

Thanks ELD70. I bought a car from an independent in the end.

For servicing, I will keep Lookers in mind but will try Beadles Sidcup first. I have read good things on other sites about them.

I have also heard good feedback about Beadles Sidcup

i wont be using them again have bought three cars through stratstones in last 8 monthes and they couldnt even be bothered to return my call after enquiring about new range rover SHOCKING.