Interesting comment about Skoda in todays newspapers

[K1W1]

In the Drive section of today's Melbourne Age (and I assume the SMH) there is a story about Opel starting up in Australia.
Within the story there is a comment about Skoda being a brand that has spent a lot of money and not got very far in this market. I think it reflects the disappointment that many of us probably feel about the relative lack of sales to date but it's interesting that this perception has carried into the motoring press and is now being spread into the wider market.

[Gti Dave]

Man that's a real bummer. I gues I've been in denial all this time then. But in Skoda's defence, i have been seeing a lot more Skoda's recently though (but no where near as much as mk6 Golf Gti's and Golf R's though)

[woofy]

I would say one of the biggest issues is complete lack of any shred of service from Skoda HQ. Followed closely by very low or non existent stocks since 2008. They make it too hard to own one.

[Gti Dave]

I would say one of the biggest issues is complete lack of any shred of service from Skoda HQ. Followed closely by very low or non existent stocks since 2008. They make it too hard to own one.

I second that since just getting some simple replacement plastic clips or badges meant ordering from NSW every time with nil parts locally. From the sounds of it I think they only have general parts that are part of the maintanence programme and that's about it.

[stormshark]

Its a bummer, i have been thinking of a Skoda Octavia VRs Wagon for some time now,i regularly scope your section and this is my exact concern(service and backup,not resale) particularly being in the provinces. These guys should be treating existing owners with kid gloves, not just for repeat sales but to "Fly the Flag!". Will be a very hard decision i think, when really the decision should mainly be about the quality of the product which i think speaks for itself- shame about the post purchase stuff .

[hmoon101]

It really is a bummer and the after sales service from any Skoda dealer is very poor. Sometime last year, I needed to buy a bottle of VW G12+ coolant for top up the reservoir. After I sent 5 emails to all Skoda dealers in VIC, I only had one reply, saying that "VW G12+ coolant is a VW product and please contact nearest VW dealer. We do not carry any VW stuffs".
I ended up buying a bottle on evil-bay and have been questioning about the customer service of Skoda products. I know the product itself is very good and speak for itself but I am still not convinced to buy another Skoda after three years of warranty on my Octavia expires.

[woofy]

Parts get in relatively quick, I had two new headlights in the early days, and the grill that covers the front tweeter speakers was replaced in a day after telling them about it. It all depends on what bits you need.

[dArK5HaD0w]

It really is a bummer and the after sales service from any Skoda dealer is very poor.......
I know the product itself is very good and speak for itself but I am still not convinced to buy another Skoda after three years of warranty on my Octavia expires.

its a shame u got the wrong end of the stick, but it doesn't mean u can go on and generalise that comment across all skoda dealers!

i've got an awesome dealer and great service here - Colin @ Lennock Skoda. Highly recommended.
quick to help, checking up on you and friendly service.

[dru]

I also got superb service with Wes @ Trivett Skoda! Can't recommend him enough

[gldgti]

Even though the top management is clearly doing something wrong - for those of us "in the know" it realyl shouldnt make owning a skoda any more difficult.

for instance, if you know a part is a vw part, then chase the vw part through a vw parts supplier. OK, so body panels or trim parts are going to have to come through skoda, but anything mechanical can come straight through VW. I know it doesnt help the "ordinary user" but surely enthusasts can manage.

I've been buying all my service parts through aftermarket suppliers anyway (tooley imports).