Evans Halshaw

I had a terrible experience with Evans Halshaw at Darlington. I had a phone call out of the blue from one of the salesmen who informed me they had some wonderful deals and would I be interested in coming in to discuss this? I initially said no, as I am very happy with the car I have now. However I did eventually agree to go to the garage.

To cut a long story short, I agreed to view a vauxhall astra that was located at a different branch. I was told I had to pay a 100% refundable deposit. The very pushy salesman went to great lengths to reassure me that the deposit was refundable if I didn't want the car. After all as he said, if I didn't get my deposit back, I wouldn't be very happy and I would make sure I told other people not to go to Evans Halshaw.

When the car arrived, it had double the mileage that the salesman had told me it actually had. I said I didn't want the car because of this. I was assured I would get my deposit back and left the salesroom. A few days later I got a further call from the salesman saying he had located another astra for me and had arranged for it to be brought up from another branch. I agreed to view it and after test driving it felt pushed into saying I would buy it.

I changed my mind about the car and have subsequently discovered that my deposit has not been refunded. I spoke to the branch and the showroom manager was extremely rude. He told me I had already been informed that I would not be getting my deposit back (not true)! Also that I had broken the terms of the agreement (also not true, don't even know what agreement he's talking about)!

I wrote a letter to the MD which I know was delivered on 23/05/08, I have post office proof of the delivery. I still have not heard anything and am very disappointed by this.

The overall service was poor, a very very pushy salesman who was desperate for a sale at any cost. Very shoddy service from both the salesroom manager and the MD. Is this really a way to build good customer service? I certainly don't think so. So now, I'm doing exactly what the salesman said I would do - I'm warning as many people as possible not to shop with Evans Halshaw. They are con merchants.

13/06/08. Today I banked a cheque from Evans Halshaw for the full amount of my deposit. I have no idea if this is in response to the letter I sent the MD or if it has been due to pressure from the Darlington and Stockton times (a local newspaper). I know the garage were refusing to take calls from the newspaper.

I received a call a couple of days ago from a young man at the garage, who I have not previously had any dealings with. He was checking that they had the right address to send it to. Funny that neither the salesman or the sales manager phoned!!!

I haven't had a reply from the MD so cannot be sure that the refund is a result of the letter I sent but I suspect it was.

Well there you go folks, complaining long and loud does sometimes produce the required results.