Cooper Reading - Comments?

[Chisurz]

If Coopers are selling so many bikes (more than most others, so they tell me), why is it that these pages are so quiet about them?

Could it be anything to do with the fact they keep sending me 'Dear BMW Car Driver' customer satisfaction questionnaires??

Seriously though, why do these pages mention them so little???

 

[shugie]

If Coopers are selling so many bikes (more than most others, so they tell me), why is it that these pages are so quiet about them?

Could it be anything to do with the fact they keep sending me 'Dear BMW Car Driver' customer satisfaction questionnaires??

Seriously though, why do these pages mention them so little???

Most of the locals don't go there much it appears.

 

[Clive]

I have used Coopers for all my services and warranty work. Work gets done - seem fine to me but not really got experience of other dealers to compare against

I guess the only "issue" is that they have started to charge for insurance for loan bikes, so I tend not to bother and get the bus or a lift - but I believe the charge now applies from all dealers.

 

[dave hendy]

Vines also charge for insurance unless you insure it yourself

They also have a policy of giving you a loan bike full of fuel and you take it back the same or £25 fine

 

[Pondboy]

Can't say I am too chuffed with the service managers at the moment.

I've just been back to collect my bike after its second visit to them (to perform warranty work they had not previously picked up on) and was told the battery was knackered and would I like to buy a new one.

As they have had the bike for 74 days out of the last 98 days, I find it beggars belief that :-

A) they did not pick up on the battery problem and
B) the cnuts expect me to pay for a new one at list price when it should have been replaced under warranty if A) was not the case.

Neither time the bike was with them did they bother to telephone me to let me know it was ready.

So the bike is still there and I am writing to BMW Bracknell. Anyone know the name of the Warranty Manager?
PB

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I tried to buy a new GS1150 from them four years ago but the price went up overnight

I was advised that things had changed in the last year so was surprised when they never called me back after I'd taken the time to visit them over the purchase of a new GS1200 so

My GS Adventure is coming from NOG

 

[NeilF]

Anyone know the name of the Warranty Manager?
PB

In November 04 I wrote to

Nick Sharman
Head of Customer Services
BMW (GB) Ltd
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell
RG12 8TA

about my exploding clutch. He acknowledged my letter, but left it to Coopers to sort out overall. I was very pleased with the support I got from Tim Angus over this issue.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[Pondboy]

Cheers Neil,

The letter goes off tomorrow.
PB

 

[Snooky]

Have they got more than one machanic now then? last time I was there I was told minimum of 3 weeks before they could fit me in, and that was during the winter, so normaly not an issue, I just tend to use SPC instead

 

[Pondboy]

NOG have offered me a new battery at cost price. They were amazed at the attitude and stance taken by the service manager I was dealing with at Cooper Reading and were pleased to be able to help out witha deal on a relatively low value item. A big up for NOG.

I'm test riding Cooper's 1200Adv tomorrow to go and collect it

I have already advised Cooper Reading that if the battery problem is due to a fault/short in the wiring loom I expect them to get off their arses and fix it at their cost.

Lets hope this is the end of the matter. PB

 

[MooMoo]

Coopers =

Only ever been in there twice and guess what, ignored twice.
I would rather travel to SPC or NOG.

 

[shugie]

Coopers =

Only ever been in there twice and guess what, ignored twice.
I would rather travel to SPC or NOG.

You obviously weren't scruffy enough to make them want to get you out of their shiny premises fast!

 

[(RIP) Perryhill]

Coopers =

Only ever been in there twice and guess what, ignored twice.
I would rather travel to SPC or NOG.

Things have really gone downhill since they moved the bikes in with their cars. When I rang to find out if they still had anyone who knew about Airheads, the motorcycle service dept said "Airhead, now which model was that?"

I'd really rather support a non dealer person who knew what they were doing than have a cup of nasty coffee from people who don't. Does anyone know of one in the area?

 

[Tim Angus]

I can recommend Garry Webb of Bracknell. Ex aircraft technician and also a courier so he knows how to fix things quick if your job depends on it. Has a number of BMW tools for diagnosis and lots of spares for K series and oilheads.
His number is 01344 860 580. When I ran Cooper Reading ( and everything was done by bike guys ) he was a major parts customer and bought old p/x's off me so may be a good source of a spare hack bike. Has a K1200LT himself with worn out footpegs so top bloke.

 

[(RIP) Perryhill]

When I ran Cooper Reading ( and everything was done by bike guys )

You are sadly missed - at least you knew they were not 2 wheeled Minis!

 

[Whele]

Whilst I realise that my experience may not be typical (according to the postings on this site), but I have found Coopers of Reading to be more courteous and helpful than the North Oxford Garage.

I have used them three times for servicing and replacement part in the last 2 months and would not hesitate to recommend them. The parts guy is knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I am always left with the impression that nothing is too much trouble. However, I was advised by a fellow BM owner not to expect the same levels of service on a Saturday morning when Mr and Mrs Executive and three kids take over the showrooms. It seems (although I may be mistaken) that they don’t have staff dedicated to the bike part of the business, so when the car showroom is busy, bike sales/servicing suffers.

 

[zoltan]

You are sadly missed - at least you knew they were not 2 wheeled Minis!

I had a chat with Ritchie Kelk re:the general situation at Coopers ,after I complained to him in a e-mail that the bike was not ready ,some jobs were not done and the general lack of knowledge and communication from the staff on the front desk (somebody called me about my central locking on my 1200RT?). He is the (new) aftersale/service manager .
They are reorganizing the department (new management ) and there are plans to move the bike section to a new site , maybe Bath Road .
There is ongoing training for new staff etc,etc...
I did mention that Tim used to run the department alone . Maybe you can give them some tips Tim .

I follow a general rule when I am not happy with a service. Complain to the Manager in writing and be reasonable .

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Are they going to move the bikes in with the Minis

 

[Tim Angus]

Highly unlikely, as it was mooted when Bath Road site was originally bought and no one knew how well new MINI would sell. Back then bike dept at GB blew a gasket as they hadn't been told of the plan. Now MINI is so successful there would not be the room. As owners ( Inchcape ) want to keep this prime site at Kings Meadow they may rebuild the whole site and develop it on a number of floors as other dealers have done allocating one to bikes - if they continue with them of course -
One thing is for certain the present situation can not be allowed to continue. Parking is now horrendus for customers, I bought the vast majority of their clothing so they do not carry the required dealer clothing, and with new bike and car models coming GB will demand a bigger site - so the only way may be up. Whatever happens I hope something positive does, customers could ( and have ) go elsewhere but the other sites have their limits also.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Dick Lovett BMW in Hungerford have a new two storey BMW showroom with Mini opposite on the old BMW site but no plans (yet) to sell bikes from either Hungerford or Swindon