1st service done here .

1.squeeky clutch pedal not attended to.

2 exterior temp not working,so replace the mirror,still not working,so they lose the exterior cover.

3 service manager tells me not to worry its only a bit of plastic !

4 and its just a fiat.

won't be back.

I unfortunately have to balance the good review of ACG, with a not so good one of ACE.

ACE is my nearest Abarth dealer, only 10miles from my home... so naturally was my first port of call when looking to buy a 500.
I need to set the scene that initially we thought about an F500 1.2 Sport, although I had my concerns that it would just be too weak for anything out of town... so was also considering an A500 (along with some other cars in the A500 bracket).
On 1st visit we had a look around the showroom & arranged a test-drive for the following evening.
Next evening we were taken out in a 1.2 Pop.  For 5 minutes.  Shared between my wife & I driving.  Around the immediate industrial estate only.
The reason I was given for not being allowed to have a proper test drive was that there was not enough fuel.  Maybe it's just me, but I don't find this a suitable excuse for a test drive which has been arranged 24hrs in advance, and shows lack of preparation and suggests that we were not valued as customers.
Anyway, we made it clear after that test drive that a 1.2 sport was not for us & that we would be looking to buy an Abarth500 instead.  There was no offer of a test drive in an A500 (in fact, the salesman said that they didn't like taking their one outside because they need to get it all cleaned up again afterwards).

When we mentioned that we were now looking for an A500, the salesman advised that he didn't know much about them, he was used to just selling the cars off the lot & that the specialist was busy.  So, my wife & I had to guide him through the spec/options (lucky I'd done some research).  When the Abarth specialist became available, we were not offered the opportunity deal with him... so had to plough on with the original sales guy.

We discussed finance & were given a headline % figure... which on a number of occassions I tried to clarify whether that was APR or Flat rate (so I could work out how it compared to the market & other manufacturers offers).  We were told it was APR, which I felt must have been just wrong.  I later worked out that their figures were about 3% off what they were advising us for the APR (compared to loans available on the market).. so I reckon it WAS a Flat Rate I was being told as the headline %.  Had I believed them & not done my own digging I would have been mistaken in to thinking they were offering a competitive APR... when in fact it was not even close to what personal loans were available.  That's not on.

Anyway, we declined any finance but put a deposit down against a car which was apparantly already ordered by ACE, and were told it would be ready "beginning of June, but possibly end of May".  That worked out as 4 weeks wait which was fine, as it would be before our holiday.  After about a week or 2, I tried calling ACE on a number of different days to try and get a status code/update to make sure the car was progressing... but each time I hit a brick wall.  Either getting no call back, being told I needed to speak with my salesman who was on a day off, next day I was told I needed to speak with the Abarth specialist who was on his day off, then I went down in person & was told the systems were down...
I finally got told that it had slipped a couple of weeks (still no status code though), however I recon that the initial date given may have been fudged... which was undoubtedly a factor for us placing the order there & then (had we known it was going to be delivered near our holiday time, I would have likely held off & ordered one for the new reg#'s later this year).  The date given at time of ordering may have been an honest mistake, or a tactic to get an order, I can't honestly say.

Once it was clear the date was getting very close to our holiday, I asked if they had any others coming earlier, or in stock that weren't necessarily the same colour or spec, that we could consider changing to.  I was told catagorically 'No, there are none, you will just need to wait but we are sure it will arrive before your holiday'.  Now, for a salespeson, a request like that from a customer is an open invitation to upsell... getting them in to a higher spec more expensive car... so naturally I thought that answer must have been correct.
Imagine my surprise when I found out a day later that there were at least 6 brand new A500's of varying spec just 40 miles away at another dealership... which was part of the same dealership group !!

That was pretty much the nail in the coffin for ACE as far as I was concerned.  From test drive, to status queries through to alternative car sourcing we just did not feel valued at this dealership.  There is no fuzzy feeling that you normally get when buying a new car.  It's more than a transaction, it should be an experience (memorable for the right reasons).  My wife & I are were left with the impression that they do the bare minimum to get a sale, and once it's in the bag.. job done, move on.  I won't even go in to the reaction from the Sales Manager when we cancelled & requested our deposit back.. we got it in the end though.

Baring in mind this dealership is on the old AC-Motorstore site, I don't think they have really moved their mindset on from that kind of bang 'em out customer transaction.
I am really gutted to be writing that, because it would have been so much easier to have an Abarth dealership within 10miles of my house that I felt valued at.  

Thankfully, ACG is only about 30-40miles away and operate in such a different manner.  ACE need to take lessons from them.

Andy.

Finally thought I'd better post my dealer feedback.

We did go on there on a few occasions to look at regular Fiat 500s, mostly to check the boot size and whether the car seat would fit in the back (I was downgrading from a Honda CRV). At this point I was a just a small car wannabe, looking wistfully across at the Abarths. We always chatted to Stevie and found him knowledgeable and passionate about Abarth.

Anyway, I started looking at specs and affordability and realised I could get an Abarth. That was it, on the day I sold my previous car I popped in, saw a brand new A500 to the exact spec I wanted and signed up there and then. Unlike some forum members I only had to wait 5 days, but still can't quite believe I signed up for the car before I had a test drive. Stevie took me out for a spin and I knew I had made the best decision. I realise how mad it sounds and dealers get criticised for being stingy with test drives but like everyone says on here; popping in + test drive = ownership. 

There were some negative points on the day of collection, the car wasn't ready so I had to go shopping and come back that afternoon. It only had an egg cupful of petrol in it, just enough to get me home.

I received a customer satisfaction email from Arnold Clark after a couple of weeks. I filled it in with feedback as per above and said they could have at least offered me some car mats and perhaps a full tank of petrol and that would have changed my experience from average to impressed. The following morning the Dealership Manager called to apologise and offered free car mats. Not needed as I had already got some from ebay. He invited me in to choose an alternative. I went in and got a remote controlled Assetto Corse racing car and kids t-shirst (it's all about the kids - the racing car has gone to Santa!!)

It was a nice touch and has made up for the disappointment on the day (to quote SJH 'he's here, he's here' - oh no he's not, come back in 4 hrs!!) 4 hours is not too bad in the scheme of things I could have been waiting for a ship to come in from Italy.

Had it in for a blue and me fault last week (static) and it was fixed no problems and washed and cleaned.
 

Just dealt with them getting my A500. Overall a pretty nice experience. Didn't take out any of their service cover thingy's, so won't have to deal with them for a while (unless of warranty issue). Ryan (salesman) was decent though, quite a friendly chap.

Happy customer so far though, well done ACE!

I had my first visit to this service area. This was for my 36,000 service. I received very good attention from John at the desk and I asked prrior to work being done if I can use the oil I brought with me (the correct oil for my esseesse). They said I could use it and when I received the bill I was quite pleased at the reduction due to this. I paid some 3276 when I expected over £400.
I will visit again as I felt I was provided with good information and kept up to date with what was happening. I also enjoyed the surroundings and a with a tea or coffee.

A500, 281 miles on clock.
- In for warranty work - tracking was out, steering wheel not straight and slight pull to the right and new rear badge to be fitted (part of the purchase deal as one on car was scratched)

Booking in - all very swift, a week and a bit after I called, nice, polite, took down the issue details, no concerns here.

Drop Off - 8am, a bit rushed but they were busy, explained my issue.  Wanted to talk it through / talk a bit tech but the lady wasn't up for it, eg she didn't know what I was on about.  I did advise 'No wash/valet'.

The call -  got the call around 1:30pm to advise car was ready.  I wanted to discuss the outcome but could tell it was just a quick call and they weren't really up for any discussion... not good IMO, bit hey-ho everyone's busy these days!!

The Pick up - they close at 5:30pm, and I arrived at 5:25pm (damn trains, I stop, 5 mins, can't even do that), no queue, polite lady (same as before), brief discussion about the work done, advised complimentary check was carried out, fluids topped up, no wash carried out as per instructions.  Taken out to the car, handed keys, lady left and I checked the car thoroughly for any marks, etc....  all looking good.

Drive Home - was expecting to find that the tracking wasn't sorted or still not right, but to my surprise - did I judge too quickly - it was bang on.  I'm anal when it comes to things like tracking, knocks, squeaks, etc and this was a good job.  You expect a good job but over the years I've come to expect to return the car and get into a bit of a 'chat' about my expectations v's the service provided, but in this case I'm one happy A500 camper.

So, Arnold Clark, this time you get 7.5/10.

Result!!!!

ok, 1st service done, 12 months in.   Here is the review:

A good 2-3 unanswered calls to get through to service dept.
When booking car in, asked for price based on car, milage, 1st service etc etc.  Quoted full service needed and £350 price.  Had to challenge and tell them what the service needs are (milage based, 18k is full service, oil & filter between etc etc).    Lots of checking, finally got ok to book in as low milage service for £141. Told could only have this once in the first 3 years !!   W!! 

Turned up on day at 10.30 as agreed.  Hand over all ok.  Asked for car back by 1pm if possible.  Advised all ok, will be ready for me at 1pm.

Back at 1pm.  Car all ready, washed and hoovered.  Paid and off I went.  Sorted.

Got a feedback form online from the garage post service so completed and highlighted all the service type issues and that they needed to better understand the intervals.  Follow up call received from service manager with apology and they have full checked service needs for Abarth 500 and I was right.  So if I dont get to 18k by next year, only need another oil and filter service with possibly a polin filter.  Fab.

So, over all, not bad at all once over the initial mis-information.   7 out of 10.