My experience, has been good with Vines. When the facelifted GS was in launch week in Feb 2008, as I live near to Coopers TW I popped in and tried for a deal, but nothing was forthcoming. The salesman at that time Graham was frustrated but constrained by the sales manager.
I then made contact with Alex at Vines in Guildford. Some straight talking was had and a very good deal was struck over the phone and all went according to plan, even Graham at Coopers told me to go for it! The first service was sorted no issues. But given the distance I then went to Coopers for the 6K service (at agreed price) and some warranty work, and they were very good especially considering I had taken my business elsewhere.
For the 12K service I tried SL M/cycles as they were upping their game quite hard and trying to recover their reputation, again all was good with the service as stated on time at the agreed price, with some warranty work without issues.
I dropped her off on one day to collect her the next (my choice) and that coincidentially was when they were bought out and became Vines SL, so I dropped her off to one dealer and effectively picked her up and paid the bill to another dealer. Since the change the salesman Alex has transferred across to SL from Guildford, and the original salesman from Coopers has also gone there.
So when I saw a thread from Cannon's stating they wanted to pay top money for PX's and give the best deal it re-ignited my interest to look at buying a new 2010 GS. I checked out the best offers from Cannons and others, spoke to Alex at Vines and again had an up front chat. All I can say is that I have ordered a new 2010 GS at a seriously good price, that the others shied away from. Having sold my bike privately in the meantime only meant that the deal was even better as we had clearly defined basic PX price and new discounted price. There was a slight issue when the exact spec could not be found in time to register before the end of the month and the quaterly target deadline, but with a pragmatic approach on both sides we were able to resolve it and keep both sides happy with the deal (although Graham the other salesman is probably wishing he had made the sale as he has missed out twice now).
I pick up the new bike next week so I will keep you posted, but I have found all three dealers to be spot on, but Vines top out of the three. Just my experience.
JH
I then made contact with Alex at Vines in Guildford. Some straight talking was had and a very good deal was struck over the phone and all went according to plan, even Graham at Coopers told me to go for it! The first service was sorted no issues. But given the distance I then went to Coopers for the 6K service (at agreed price) and some warranty work, and they were very good especially considering I had taken my business elsewhere.
For the 12K service I tried SL M/cycles as they were upping their game quite hard and trying to recover their reputation, again all was good with the service as stated on time at the agreed price, with some warranty work without issues.
I dropped her off on one day to collect her the next (my choice) and that coincidentially was when they were bought out and became Vines SL, so I dropped her off to one dealer and effectively picked her up and paid the bill to another dealer. Since the change the salesman Alex has transferred across to SL from Guildford, and the original salesman from Coopers has also gone there.
So when I saw a thread from Cannon's stating they wanted to pay top money for PX's and give the best deal it re-ignited my interest to look at buying a new 2010 GS. I checked out the best offers from Cannons and others, spoke to Alex at Vines and again had an up front chat. All I can say is that I have ordered a new 2010 GS at a seriously good price, that the others shied away from. Having sold my bike privately in the meantime only meant that the deal was even better as we had clearly defined basic PX price and new discounted price. There was a slight issue when the exact spec could not be found in time to register before the end of the month and the quaterly target deadline, but with a pragmatic approach on both sides we were able to resolve it and keep both sides happy with the deal (although Graham the other salesman is probably wishing he had made the sale as he has missed out twice now).
I pick up the new bike next week so I will keep you posted, but I have found all three dealers to be spot on, but Vines top out of the three. Just my experience.
JH
