Jay Parkinson at Carshop Swindon - Outstanding
The entire business model is geared to optimal customer satisfaction. From someone to greet you at reception and usher you to your required person or service, to the flexible approach they all seem to have in order to really find the right car for you and your requirements/wishes.
The team leaders, are real support for their staff but also for us and consistently keep abreast of the process while never being intrusive. This lets us focus on our main goal... getting the perfect car. :-)
But I really must give a special mention to Jay Parkinson. Not at ALL your usual salesman. A SAINT!!
Intelligent, great attention to detail and kind. Funny sense of humour and very easy going. A bit of a quirky character but he will go the extra distance for you.
In my case, he went ABOVE and BEYOND to help me find the car I needed. I had very specific requirements about seat support, ideally, they needed to be leather, electric, with full lumbar support and memory seats (because Husband and I might share the car occasionally and there's nothing worst than getting your seat just right and then someone changing the setting.) AND, it needed to drive well and be fun to drive.
The trouble is - car brands do not make it that easy. Seats are never a spec that stand out alone. They come in 'packages'. This means that no web-site will actually have a search for my specific criteria. It's literally like finding a needle in a haystack.
I visited the shop three times in total and had two cars brought to Swindon from other Carshop dealerships thinking they were the ones. In between visits, he would look for cars with the right specs, go test drive them for me and feedback. When the cars I had had transferred arrived, he did the same and gave me his honest opinion. Answered all my questions. His input was invaluable. He cared, he was always respectful, no matter who quirky my demands were, and was always patient.
It paid off! I got the perfect car with seats that are so comfortable and ergonomic that I would rather sit in my car than on my couch!
I love that place so much that it is now our go-to dealership. We never buy new since the depreciation is too much of a loss. This gets us great cars at a great price. Husband's car is next and we're looking for the kids' learning car too. Jay's got me visiting for another little spell but it's unlikely to be as difficult this time around. ;-)
The financing was easy and straightforward. I've even had a private reg put on which they sorted for me.
Honestly, you can't go wrong. And if you're very lucky, Jay will be looking after you.