The car purchased 8 weeks ago was for…
The car purchased 8 weeks ago was for the most part ok despite being a truly garish colour. This was chosen by choice but very very reluctantly, and was the primary reason the car had been unsold on the forecourt for months, as confirmed by the salesman, although they will obviously now deny this to add to their many existing deceptions. Whether or not I saw the colour before buying is irrelevant - it remains an eyesore of a colour.
Our concerns were raised when the salesperson advised me to dismiss the Manufacturers official timing belt change interval recommendation [time], and base it only on miles. The vehicle was far the required mileage for a change but overdue on time. Reckless at best. The garage has since claimed to be only following the service book (printed 11 yrs ago), yet most recent VW advice supersedes this, and the garage knows this, but ignores it to save cost of changing the belt itself. Appalling.
We were then assured that the v5 would be urgently sent off on payment day. It wasn’t; I found out by chance it was actually sent almost a week later meaning delay over the Christmas period. Concerns peaked when the same salesperson looked me in the eye to confirm that the tyres were brand new, making a point of going out to check them himself. Only they weren’t brand new at all but part worn – an indisputable fact. They have since claimed having an invoice means the tyres were new, but they simply were not new, as photographic evidence taken at delivery shows. A tyre fitters confirmed this too.Very very confused at why Buckinghams continue to lie about this, and then have the sickening audacity to claim the buyer is lying. Can a photo lie? No.
Disgusting they believe they can pull the wool over buyers’ eyes. We never received any explanation for these unnecessary deceptions despite requesting it. A number of emails to the sales team for explanations were ignored, as were number of attempts to contact the General Manager. All evidenced by email. Shortly after the General Manager was conveniently revealed as on extended sick leave, and would not be in contact at all. My reasonable believe is this was yet another deception.
Just when it couldn’t get any worse, the Service Manager became involved despite there being no Service issue, who also began being deceptive and making wild accusations. What is it with Buckinghams - Is it in the training? He seemed totally ignorant to the fact that his help was NOT sought, only that of the absent General Manager - the ONLY person with the required authority. Difficult to see why that was so hard for him to understand. One can only assume he could not accept he did not have the required authority. Since then the sales team have again claimed they have been in touch - sadly yet another fabrication, as an email trail clearly shows they were repeatedly asked to justify their deceptions, but didn’t. Thereafter the Service Manger wouldn’t stop contacting us when specifically asked NOT as to be bordering on harassment, to the extent he had to be warned off with the threat of involving the police. There was nothing bizarre about this, it was regrettably the only way to get respite as his argumentative contact of keeping unnecessarily replying became anxiety inducing, which at best was offensive, naive and patronising. His argumentative nature underpinned Buckinghams total unprofessionalism. The garage since claimed it was sent ‘rude’ emails. It must then have a sensitive disposition, as it wasn’t sent anything offensive at all as the email trail shows.
Overall the most unrecommendable, disconcerting & appalling experience matched only by the weakest excuses ever encountered, and multiple deceptions. The worst purchase I have ever made. Don’t be taken in by positive reviews elsewhere that tell half the story. Looking back through their 1 star ratings, the word ‘lie’ crops up countless times. Nothing Buckinghams state can be trusted sadly; any response they make here or elsewhere is simply further fabrication, deception, and unsubstantiated denial which they will cook up in a desperate attempt to exonerate themselves publicly. Buckinghams have since asked 'what can they do'. How about not lying to buyers. Truly worthy of bringing to the attention of Trading Standards. Spend a little extra and go to a main dealer.
March 5, 2019
Unprompted review