Coopers @ Reading

[shugie]

I recently bought a 1150GS from Vines in Guildford and have to say service from start to finish was brilliant

But Coopers in Reading were down right rude!

I went there with a friend to buy 2 1150's or 1200's if we could be persuaded, since it was our local garage. Firstly it took over 20 minutes to be approached and asked if we needed any help (I always test shops etc by how quick they acknowledge you), and then when the bloke asked, it was in a way that suggested that we should leave before stealing anything. He didn't wait for our answer and just served someone else.

It seems that a garage behind a rail embankment in the middle of Reading, next to a Tescos has somehow got the right to be snotty. I would expect this from BMW Henley but not Reading. Get over yourselves.

My mate persuaded two of his friends to buy from Vines instead of Coopers. Good customer service never hurts.

I would avoid Coopers like the plague.

EDIT: Ooops sorry for kicking this thread up.... couldn't see the dates through the red mist!

Pity that Coopers seem to have such a serious issue with senior management and bikes, perhaps they ought to do the honest thing and give that part of the franchise up so that someone else in Reading could take it over as bike only, like SPC.

Are North Oxford also bike only, or a combined car/bike outlet?

 

[Shep]

Are North Oxford also bike only, or a combined car/bike outlet?

Definately car and bike, but Bob the MD is very pro bike and i've found the staff helpful in the past!

No problems with SPC though, we've had our ups and downs, but things seem to have improved over the last two years I have dealt with them, all dealers/retailers have problems its how they deal with those problems that count.

Just a note, I've had to deal with Infinity over the last couple of months over warrantee issues on clothing, so far they have been great very professional and helpfull

Well thats 3 i'm happy with. so perhaps I'm easy to deal with or something,

Shep

 

[Skippy]

SPC too!

Just back from SPC and treated really well. Can't fault them particularly the guys in the back.

They even robbed a part (clutch slave cylinder) from a brand new 12GS (delivered while I was out riding the 1200RT loan) that had sprung a leak.

Annual service £128

Good to see you there btw Shep and yes, seen your residence from way up there somewhere without the aid of a torch! Very nice. Very tasteful.

Skippy.

 

[Shep]

Just back from SPC and treated really well. Can't fault them particularly the guys in the back.

They even robbed a part (clutch slave cylinder) from a brand new 12GS (delivered while I was out riding the 1200RT loan) that had sprung a leak.

Annual service £128

Good to see you there btw Shep and yes, seen your residence from way up there somewhere without the aid of a torch! Very nice. Very tasteful.

Skippy.

Hi Skippy, glad to see you got a result!

And yes its nice to put a face to the name.

See ya soon

Shep

 

[Keba]

Personally, I'd go out on a long journey to borrow a very long barge pole, and then not touch Coopers with it if I was paid to.

I've had several bikes serviced there, and the experience has been anything between 'they take the p*ss' to 'never going there again'.

I've actually found a use for them though - got an insurance 'quote' from them - it was like they had got the quote from BMW Battersea and then multiplied it by 1.7 Needless to say, my bike got fixed at Battersea on that occasion.

They may be closer to me, but the trip into London even when I'm working out of London has been worth it each and every time. I will give SPC a shot now that my current bike is out of warranty though - I keep seeing good things said about them!

Whilst in warranty, my bike goes to Battersea and nowhere else now - they are actually owned by BMW and 90% of the time they do a 'beyond expectations' job on my bike. The other 10% of the time its within expectations, which is a good thing!

 

[Mister]

NOG are top

I bought mine from Coopers 5 years ago, and the front shop staff have all changed, but Tony the mechanic seemed to know what he was doing.
General impression was that they're "OK" but not specially good nor bad.
If you live in Maidenhead or thereabouts, wot about North Oxford ?

My experience is that the guys at North Oxford Garage (NOG) are great and anyone living in the Reading area would be well advised to give them a try

 

[PhoenixGSer]

I live in High Wycombe not far from maidenhead and would always reccomend North Oxford,and have always found them to have loan bikes on offer.
Chris.

 

[MMC]

NOG - top bunch.

Dropped in this morning and had a chat to Phil (Sales Manager). Spoke to Simon, the new guy on Service, and got the bike booked in for Thursday with a loan bike. Simon seems pretty good as well, so fits in with the rest of the NOG crowd.

Definitely a 'recommend' from me - and I'm a picky sod.

MMC

 

[Snooky]

Just back from Coopers, still only 1 guy on bike service and fix, and time to have a look at mine, possibly 3 weeks time mate, can't say any better than that for now...........back to SPC as I doubt I can limp the bike to NOG
Guess I won't be returning any time soon.

 

[shugie]

Just back from Coopers, still only 1 guy on bike service and fix, and time to have a look at mine, possibly 3 weeks time mate, can't say any better than that for now...........back to SPC as I doubt I can limp the bike to NOG
Guess I won't be returning any time soon.

Even when Coopers were in normal mode, a 3 week wait was not that unusual, and I don't think its that unusual at other dealers in the warmer months. Not a lot of committment in one guy is there though?

 

[Snooky]

Managed to get it into SPC tomorrow, and with a loaner as well

 

[Pint6x]

hang about - I heard that Coopers Reading were stopping doing bikes - anyone know if this is true or not ?

 

[Pondboy]

That was the comment from the front desk girl when I went in there last summer as she was trying to shovel me out the car showroom.

They do appear to still do bikes, and I am still waiting for mine to be fixed and serviced by them after my little off in the beginning of February. So far its has taken me 5 calls to get through to someone who knew what the current situation was with my bike.
Please go back, Tim A. PB

 

[shugie]

That was the comment from the front desk girl when I went in there last summer as she was trying to shovel me out the car showroom.

They do appear to still do bikes, and I am still waiting for mine to be fixed and serviced by them after my little off in the beginning of February. So far its has taken me 5 calls to get through to someone who knew what the current situation was with my bike.
Please go back, Tim A. PB

How's the ribs doing PB, will the bike be ready first or you?

 

[Deleted Member I]

I was in there chatting to a guy named Mike. He was very pleasant and professional. Like Tim A before him, they come across as genuine decent sales people.

I did not buy from them because they couldn't get to the right number.

Will try to go into the car dealership in my biking gear to see how they treat you.

 

[Pondboy]

When the bike is ready, I'll be ready. PB

 

[Snooky]

Couldn't say, but there were about 8 bikes outside on 06 plates ready to go, but the bike side of things has moved inside now

 

[Clive]

Will try to go into the car dealership in my biking gear to see how they treat you.

They are usually ok - Mike only deals with new Sales now - all the rest (service/parts/warranty) is dealt with at the "car" desk inside the main showroom area.

 

[Deleted Member I]

They are usually ok - Mike only deals with new Sales now - all the rest (service/parts/warranty) is dealt with at the "car" desk inside the main showroom area.

I just wanted to see if they get snooty with me ... it will be amusing to make a scene in the car showroom if they do piss me off

 

[Clive]

I just wanted to see if they get snooty with me ... it will be amusing to make a scene in the car showroom if they do piss me off

A bit of a test is to have a sit down near the main desk - see how long before the "reception woman" offers you a coffee and biscuits. If it's a day when she has her pins on display she gets an automatic time extension