|
Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Feb 7, 2010 14:36:25 GMT 2
Hi all
After reading what Ronnie said in "Lada wanted - reliable enough for a lady driver ...I have thought long and hard if I should comment about the quality of the rebuilt Lada"s and have decided to do so.This is all from my own experience. Before starting remember if you are like me and stay far from the supplier a guarantee is of limited value."
This thread is not to knock any supplier but to give Lada owners piece of mind when going to a supplier.
Rate it or hate it, state whether you recieved good or bad service and who was responsible for the good or bad service
Regards Ari
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 7, 2010 15:32:13 GMT 2
Hi Ari
You are correct It is not my intention to knock any supplier. Most of my concerns could have been attended to easily if it was a matter of just popping down the road. I also realize the quality of labor available leaves a lot to be desired, and no one can do all the work themselves and run a business. I must also point out I love the vehicle
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 7, 2010 18:57:30 GMT 2
Good idea Ari - I will install a Poll facility under this topic, where members will be able to answer different questions.
This means that "voters" will stay anonomous when polling.
I will consider as many questions possible, and will reply as soon as possible.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Feb 7, 2010 19:09:44 GMT 2
Hi Danie
The poll is a good idea, will give some additional questions if necessary.
Regards Ari
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 8, 2010 6:26:40 GMT 2
Hi All I concidered some possiblilities, and to avoid any legal implications, I think the best way to handle this issue, is the following:
1. If any owner is unhappy about any servive / advice by the agent, the issue must be discussed with the particular agent.
2. If the owner still do not get any "joy" from the agent, feel free to report the incident under this topic.
3. I will then contact the agent, and will will report back to the Forum.
I hope this arrangement will be acceptable.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 8, 2010 13:07:49 GMT 2
Hi Danie,
Your proposal I am sure will be acceptable to all. As you said my list is an honest appraisal of the rebuilt vehicle. Also the rebuild can only reflect the amount of work which can be done for the money paid. A TOTAL rebuild would be so expensive, I doubt if any one would be prepared to pay the end cost in the Lada market. I did report to the dealer the matter of the brakes and the broken fan belt on the way to the coast, and anything else i will report to them at the end of the month when I pay a visit to JHB at the end of the month.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 17, 2010 13:04:53 GMT 2
Hi Danie .
As mentioned earlier I ordered a radiator cap (and front wheel bearing locking nuts) from a dealer on the 12 TH January. I also phoned early this month to remind them to send my Invoice so I could pay and then they could dispatch them by courier. I sometimes wonder if these Agents really want the business as I am still waiting. I was told at my last call "I will attend to it at once." Will see what transpires when I visit them later this month.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 17, 2010 18:16:32 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Sorry to hear about this problem.
I guess you are referring to the agent who you bought your Lada from. I honestly hope there is a very good explanation from them about this issue - an "after sale service" like this is simply not acceptable.
Please keep us updated about this issue.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 17, 2010 19:09:48 GMT 2
Hi Danie
What makes it worse is I have already spent R60000 with them you would think they would jump to attention.
Regards
Ronnie.
|
|
|
Post by hotstuff on Feb 18, 2010 8:14:31 GMT 2
hi ronnie good luck with that. this is why we as a group should look out for ourselves and not rely on some other outsider who does not give a damn. I hope that one day i will be able to help you all out with regards to spares i am looking into it so will keep you all posted.
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 20, 2010 7:48:39 GMT 2
Ronnie, I did not want to pass any comments immediately after your previous post, because I thought it could easily create an incorrect message to everyone.
Having said that, keeping quite could easily be seen as an incorrect message as well.
While I can feel your disappointment, I hope that the agents also visit this website - and hopefully they will realize that ignorance and bad service will be reported on this forum in future. Hopefully they will also realize that we will not hesitate to report good "value for money" service either.
If you are not satisfied with the agent's response / service during your visit, please feel free to send us a full report. I am prepared to contact the agent in this regard, and will report back to the forum.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by hotstuff on Feb 20, 2010 10:31:45 GMT 2
What happened to freedom of speech, we should be able to voice our opinions as we feel needed. why cover up for other peoples mistakes..................sorry my 5 cents here
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 20, 2010 11:03:30 GMT 2
Hi Danie
As Mike says report good and bad as you see it. The size of an order should not alter the service. I know my order is small but the first one was not. As far as the vehicle is concerned I blame myself for not inspecting the work as it progressed,that way my concerns could have been addressed at the time. A follow up phone call to see if you are happy with the vehicle would also be nice.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 20, 2010 13:37:58 GMT 2
Hi Mike / Ronnie Perhaps I have been misunderstood - I do not have a problem with freedom of speech at all. In fact, I believe that there is enough evidence that quite a number of current, and previous Lada owners have reason to be unhappy about the standard of service, as well as quality of technical advice in the past. As long as this website reflects a well balanced image of reality, and nobody "knocks" the suppliers without having a personal bad experience with a particular supplier, I think constructive contributions by members could cause a major improvement in the quality of service delivery in general. The suppliers should definately be aware of the fact that they would not be able to "get away" with an unethical business practice, poor service, or "stupid" advice to Lada owners. Just a reminder - we should also remember that all of us are restricted to a certain extend - as far as freedom of speech is concerned. Rules of this forum in this regard can be viewed here: " You agree, through your use of this forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of ANY law. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless this forum, and any related websites to this forum. " The complete set of rules for this forum can be found here: locsa.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=registerI am sure everybody will understand. Regards Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 20, 2010 16:51:45 GMT 2
Hi Danie,
I think all any one wants, is for a supplier to realize, that all customers are important and are treated as such. Lets face it we need each other. I am sure my supplier has plenty of satisfied customers otherwise they would not stay in business. Perhaps I caught them on a bad day.The supplier may have a problem I don`t know about, but they do have my cell no.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 20, 2010 21:16:20 GMT 2
Ronnie, there is no excuse for a poor service to you, or anybody else.
Hopefully all owners will realize that we should stand together, and that, as you said , we need each other. The sooner more owners join this forum in large numbers, the better for all of us. It is obvious that if we do not look after ourselves, nobody will.
Perhaps all problems started when this forum "died" two or three years ago. The fact that there was no organized activity by Lada owners in South Africa, gave the Suppliers a perfect opportunity to do whatever they wished.
If this forum "dies" again, we would have nobody to blame, other than ourselves.
Regards
Danie
|
|
Hercules
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
Posts: 785
Location: Gauteng
Town: Benoni
Registered: Oct 2, 2009 11:55:41 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
|
Post by Hercules on Feb 22, 2010 19:51:38 GMT 2
Hallo Danie.
I agree fully with you, the more people participate on this forum the better for everybody driving a Lada. This is the only way that we will survive and keep our vehicles running. The agents also make money out of other ventures they running and are not really interested in us, otherwise they would also participate on this forum and support us with advise where shortfalls occur.
Regards.
Hercules
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 22, 2010 20:45:51 GMT 2
Hi Hercules
The ventures you are referring to, is a reality which should not be ignored. The local guy works on all makes of cars, and Ladas seem to be a small part of his business.
Having said that, I do not have any problem if they have other ventures as well. As long as we can get a quality service, and parts at affordable prices, I would be more than happy.
The other ventures are probably one of the reasons why the Agents are not active on this Forum. It would be more profitable for them to spend their time on "other ventures" , rather to be involved here.
This is why it is so important for us get involved, help each other, and to keep this Forum going..........
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 23, 2010 11:37:07 GMT 2
Hi Danie.
The main business at lada centurion is V W beetles And this is where the attention will be focused.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Feb 23, 2010 17:28:21 GMT 2
Thanks Ronnie, at least for the first time we now all know what is really going on.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Feb 23, 2010 20:24:07 GMT 2
Hi Danie
When I was at Centurion I was told that if they had only Lada they would have been out of business. Even the rebuilds they only do now to order as it is not easy getting finance for clients. Under the circumstances you can understand why they had to diversify. The Lada part I am sure must be small. Does any one know how many Lada`s were sold here over the years?. I think Vanchester used to import them, in batches of 300. Incidentally I still have a copy of Vanchester`s original price list showing the prices of the vehicle and accessories
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Feb 23, 2010 20:46:27 GMT 2
Hi
I want to say that I got exellent service at Wild Africa 4X4 (in Lynnwood str Pretoria) where they fixed my shock absorber mounting.
Regards Ari
|
|
|
Post by lada & korean parts on Feb 27, 2010 2:06:51 GMT 2
unfortunatly it doesn't matter where you go,you always hear of bad service....... never hear of the good service ;o)
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Mar 3, 2010 18:04:13 GMT 2
Hi all
paid a visit to Lada centurion today. The reason i did not get my parts was they "FORGOT."I did purchase front wheel bearing nuts as the ones on mine have been hammered to death. Price is 45 Rand each. I found very little sign of any Lada activity. Plenty of VW activity. Overall I was not very impressed. On their web site you see what looks like a good set up. I can only think that was their old premises as nothing here is clean or tidy. I personally would only use them for spares, though from past experience it could be a long wait.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Apr 9, 2010 17:37:22 GMT 2
Hi All This is why I wanted new front hub nuts for my (rebuilt) Lada. I eventually got round to greasing and adjusting them today. Regards Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by danie on Apr 9, 2010 20:52:53 GMT 2
Well, I guess somebody made very sure that that nut will never be used again.................. Regards Danie
|
|
|
Post by lada & korean parts on Apr 10, 2010 2:14:32 GMT 2
YOIKES.....
|
|
|
Post by danie on Apr 10, 2010 8:06:20 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
According to their website they do fit new front wheelbearings, as well as new discs, new shocks, etc. on their rebuilds:
.....................
It looks like if that nut has been used several times before - which makes me wonder if they ever bothered to change any components, as indicated on their website.
If they did not even replace a cheap nut , I am worried that they might be fooling the public with false information on their website.
Regards
Danie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Apr 10, 2010 9:50:04 GMT 2
Hi Danie I will comment as far as I can re work done as per their sales list. 1. The tyres are not new 2. neither clutch master or slave are new.Clutch kit I do not know 3. Brake master and slave cylinders are not new.Rear shoes are not new.Front pads look new. 4. side shafts not serviced (I have already replaced one boot shortly after taking delivery of the vehicle) Intermediate shaft I do not know. 5. Gearbox Do not know but feels very good. 6. It does have new shocks. 7. Major service and wheel alignment. Filters oil etc looked new however I have serviced it myself. 8. Disks not new. wheel bearings not new aftermarket NTN 32008 9. Idler arm bushes. may be new, can`t tell. 10. SA thermostat was fitted. IT IS NOT A THERMOSTAT!!!!! and has been replaced by me. 11. the vehicle was nicely resprayed. When collected the brakes were terrible. I did not reach Pennington that night due to a broken fan belt and the Lada slept on the side of the highway till the next day. The tow bar we paid extra for was poorly made nothing was straight I cut it to pieces and re welded it myself. (I have photos of it in case I need them) The upholstery was of poor quality and poorly done. I have since stripped it out. I could go on and on but what is the point. I urge any one thinking of going the rebuilt route to think carefully about it. A good question to ask is would I go this route again? >: NO NO and NO again. As I have said before I still love the Lada. Regards Ronnie
|
|
|
Post by ronnie on Apr 10, 2010 12:09:17 GMT 2
Hi Danie
If you count the number of times the nut has been locked into place it is at least 9 times. 30% of the circumference is actually missing.
Regards
Ronnie
|
|