Glyn Hopkin, Romford
http://www.glynhopkinabarth.co.uk/
288/298 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Greater London, RM6 6EE
Phone: 0208 983 8588
Fax: 0208 590 7728

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I can second that - I found Claire great to deal with. The only downside, is that as she is (was), on her own when I bought mine, so getting through on the phone was difficult.

Otherwise, all good.

I picked my A500 up last Friday from Claire, who has been approachable, friendly and very professional throughout the whole process, from my first visit, to test drive, to order, to collection. She has kept me up to date, put up with me popping in (any excuse), (and she may have even seen me lurking about in the car park amongst all those lovely Abarths, during those difficult waiting days!!)
Of course, she didn't need to do any 'selling', but she genuinely loves these cars, and that comes across immediately. As has already been said, if there's something she's not sure about, she'll say so, find out from someone who does know, and get back to you as soon as. We all appreciate this quality of service...makes the whole experience of buying a new car that much more pleasurable!
Thanks Claire !!!

It is very rare for me to lose my rag and being typically English, never complain, always "yes that's fine" even if it isn't really. Once in a blue moon something really gets my goat and I just can't let it go by without venting my frustration.

I must preface my comments with the fact that I absolutely love my car and the brand has my full support. I want Abarth to be as successful as possible (just so long as no one else near me has one ). However for the brand to remain a success it has to be backed up by a dealer network that feels as enthusiastic as we do. I think it is fair to say that my experience with Vospers when I bought my P&J certainly reflected that. It was the best service anyone could wish for and many others have said the same.

My problem is with Glyn Hopkins in Romford, more to the point the servicing department. I have heard plenty of good reports about the sales team (Claire in particular) but quite frankly their servicing department has fallen way way short of anything like an acceptable service.

A couple of months ago I had an issue with an airbag failure warning. I dropped the car off on the way to London and they kindly gave me a lift to the station afterwards. Good so far. Picked the car up in the evening and drove it home and the warning message came back on just before I pulled onto the driveway. I accept that sometimes you get niggly problems that come and go, frustrating as they are. Booked the car back in and they loaned me a courtesy car. Near enough 2 weeks later my car is ready. It took a while but nothing to moan about. In fact filled in a customer survey ticking all the boxes as excellent. A few weeks later and surprise surprise the problem comes back. Had to wait a couple of weeks for the dealer to fit me in with a courtesy car and went along on Saturday to drop the car off. After a 20 min drive to Romford I am told that there has been a mix up and there is no courtesy car available. They had a note that I had one booked but for some reason it wasn't put on their computer system. At this point some may have let off a little steam but not being one to make a fuss I said "mistakes happen". Not unreasonably I asked them to re-book me in but this time they can pick up my car from home and drop off a courtesy car at the same time. They agreed to do it and I was booked in for Friday (tomorrow).

This is where it gets interesting......I ring up this afternoon to check that everything is ok for tomorrow and they expressed surprise that I had a courtesy car booked (losing my rag now!). They tell me that they will ring me back. Sure enough they call and they tell me....wait for it...... the courtesy car has been involved in an accident and won't be available! If that was the case (and I don't believe it for one moment) then why did no one think to contact me, particularly as my wife had cancelled overtime at work to stay in. Calmly but very firmly I said it is not good enough and want something done about it as I had been messed around so much.

Just before 5:30 this evening I get a call from the service manager to say that he can't spare anyone to come out tomorrow as we are "out of the area" and the guy that booked it all in for me was on holiday so he is a man down. No apology made, which is insulting enough, and no effort whatsoever to redeem themselves. Instead the manager goes on to blame the absent member of his team for the mix up and said he (the absent member of staff) will have to come and pick the car up when he gets back from holiday next Wednesday! I am 38 years old and like to think I have a modicum of intelligence. So what kind of manager blames their staff and takes no responsibility for their firm's c*ck-up. At this stage I may have used the odd expletive but somehow managed not to slam the phone down. After venting a little frustration the manager tells me there is nothing else they can do. Absolutely F*cking pathetic (feel better for that). The trouble is that because the Abarth dealer network is still in its infancy there are no other options locally which means I have to deal with these muppets. Needless to say the service (£212 for a low mileage service!) I had also booked in is in no way going ahead with them, but unfortunately I have little alternative when it comes to the warranty work without having to do a lot of travelling.

It really does sadden me that I have to write this missive but if I share my poor experience on the forum then some of you that have bought your cars from Glyn Hopkins will perhaps think twice before having any work done there. This is not even a one-off situation as the car has been back for the same fault 3 times and they have managed to mess up the courtesy car twice. I am not an awkward sod who demands the earth, a simple apology would have been something but the way the manager has dealt with the situation is nothing but unprofessional.

My rant is now over and hope that something good comes of it.

Admin: thread retitled to make it easier for others to find.

Likewise - not hugely impressed with service side of Glyn Hopkin. Sales excellent and enthusiastic.

Sales - synopsis - casual attitude, lack direction from management, lots of unknowledgeable/untrained non-technical staff. Whilst I have faith that the tech guys know their job, the front of house does little to inspire me that they do.

Apart from my rant about low-mileage service costs, frankly it peevs me to pick up my car, uncleaned, service book chucked on the back seat, no courtesy mats, with whoever put it there having cranked the stereo up to full blast. The manager not being bothered to give me an invoice on asking, left me even less inspired.

I am not anal, nor over-protective over my car, but the expeirience was over all, poor value for money - £260 for an oil change, and a disappointing look behind the pleasant sales front of house of the Abarth brand.

Had my Abarth 500 a week (used) on 16K miles. My usual Fiat dealer wouldn't touch my car so went to Romford as it was the most direct from Essex. After reading the forum on servicing costs, I was a little perplexed at the £468 quote for the second service. I had also noticed that my nearside sidelight was miss-aligned and asked them to have a look at this during the service. Got there about 9.30 with two children... was originally told on the phone when I booked it in that the service would be about 2 and a half hours... took kids into Romford... Garage called at 2.45 (which I missed) and again at 3.00pm as I saw my car being roadtested. To secure the side-light was a 'bumper-off, re-glue the bracket affair requiring an overnight stay. Unfortunately there was no courtesy car available... the car was now out of the workshop and so couldn't now be left... So had to rebook. Positives, car is improved with the service, was washed on handing back, offered the side light repair on dealer warranty even though I did not buy the car with them, nor was it registered with their garage... listened well, polite staff, offered a no obligation quote for a service plan... 25% discount and £32 per month.