Every dark cloud has a silver lining – Golfers help raise Thousands for Charity

A leading North East car retailer defied the weather to raise more than £27,500 for local charities at its annual golf day on Monday 24^th September. With over a month’s worth of rainfall falling on Monday 24^th and Tuesday 25^th September, the Pulman annual charity golf day could have been a wash out before it even started. 

Organisers from Pulman, which runs SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen retailers in Durham and Sunderland, had feared the event would be a washout as gale force winds and torrential rain lashed Chester-le-Street Golf Club. 

 

But scores of hardy golfers from across the UK braved the course to make the event a huge success.

 

And they dug deep at an auction following the day’s play to raise thousands for the regional branch of the NSPCC and the Freeman Hospital. 

Jonathan Lupton - Pro Golfer

Pulman Group Marketing Manager, Natalie Wilson, said: “At the start of the day we seriously considered calling the event off as the weather was so bad and the greenkeepers felt the course was unplayable. But we were determined not to let the biggest event on our calendar be ruined by the weather so we pressed ahead and we couldn’t believe it when all the golfers we were expecting turned up and decided to play.

“After enduring such horrendous weather everyone was in great spirits when they got back to the clubhouse and that really showed when it came time for the auction. They were all so generous with their bidding and helped us raise more money for our chosen charities than ever before.”

 

The golf day itself was stopped early, with only 9 holes being played, the heroic golfers returned to the club house to enjoy hot food and drink and laughs from the local comedian.

Ben Margetts, Community Fundraiser for the NSPCC attended the Pulman charity golf day and commented, “I must admit, I was worried on Monday morning with the torrential rain which was forecasted for the rest of the day. But I was truly amazed by everyone, Pulman for their fantastic persistence and organising the day, the golfers who above all carried on in the heavy rain and to Chester-le-Street golf club who made sure that we could play at least a little golf.

Paul Collingwood

 Last year, Pulman raised a huge £22,000, which over the last year has helped us add another member to our North East ChildLine Schools Service team. This additional member of staff has helped to recruit and train volunteers in the area and enabled us to deliver the service to thousands of children in the region. The ChildLine Schools Service sensitively educates children on the different forms of abuse, how to protect themselves and where they can go for support. We hope that this service will help to protect children from abuse and identify children in need of support sooner. It’s for this reason that days like the one Pulman have organised are so vitally important and can make a life changing impact.” 

Natalie Wilson continued, “we just want to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors including Castrol and Newcastle United, thank you to Jonathan Lupton, the pro golfer from Close House, to Chester-le-Street golf club for baring with us and to all the golfers who made the day possible and helped raised a fantastic and a new record £27,500, in which 100% will go to the NSPCC and NHS Freeman hospital.”

 

To view photos from the day please go to: http://www.pulmanvolkswagen.co.uk/golfday2012/history-2012.php

 

Buying a used car from Pulman is like buying a new car

Buying a used car from Pulman is like buying a new car

Sunderland Echo reporter Stephanie Currie gets first hand
experience on the Pulman Used Cars Website.

BEING a woman can make finding and buying the perfect car a bit daunting. But Pulman Used Cars in Sunderland, who are celebrating the first anniversary of their website, have the answer.

The straightforward and user-friendly website is without doubt the easiest way for us girls to purchase the car of our dreams. It allowed me to understand how to search for a specific car by choosing the make, model and what budget I was aiming for. I was then guided to a page containing my chosen car and within my price range.

So what next? Well, Pulman’s website has four options alongside the image to ensure I made the right decision and knew what the next step was. A choice between enquiring now, printing information, booking a test drive or emailing to a friend made the task easier and I felt they were doing it all for me at the touch of a button.

Marketing Manager, Natalie Wilson said: “We want to help customers choose their perfect car by giving them as many options as possible”. So what would I do if they didn’t have the particular car I was searching for? The ‘Find a car’ link on the website, allowed me to enter my contact details and the specific vehicle I wanted.

I didn’t know what to expect when purchasing a car as I had never done it before, but when I found out that Pulman’s policy is to get in touch with the customer within one hour of them making an enquiry, I was stunned at the impeccable standard of customer service.

Revealing the extent of work they go to achieve customer satisfaction Natalie explained: “We also go the extra mile to make it more convenient for the customer. Let us do the hard work”.

The website also has an option of where you want to pick the car up from or view it, making it easier for the customer to get to.

The success of the website, which is updated daily, can be seen in the statistics, as they receive 2500 unique visitors a week. Not only have they created the perfect search website, they have made it more accessible to potential customers by creating a mobile version which can be accessed anywhere.

Stephanie Currie behind the scenes at Pulman, looking at
the diagnostic machine works

Buying a used car from Pulman is as close to buying a brand new car as you can get and I was shown the rigorous checks the cars go through. Firstly the car is checked via DVLA and finance companies to check the complete history of the car, to ensure it hasn't been in a severe accident and that there is no finance left to pay on the car.

Once the car is given the external okay, it then goes through numerous internal checks by Pulman including making a note of any cosmetic damages and the service history of the vehicle. Next the workshop process ensures that the car, which they are going to retail has been thoroughly checked and is as close to new as possible. The diagnostics machine allows the engine and vital parts to be assessed and if anything needs replacing, brand new parts are ordered and fitted the next day.

Natalie said: “We don’t want to just do enough, we want to give customers the confidence that they are buying a decent car, a car that has been fully checked. We on average spend £700 towards ensuring each car is up to our high standards before it is available to the customer”.

Once the car has been checked, it’s sent to the valeting bay.

Sales Manager, Gavin Dawbney said: “We try to make a used car experience as close to a new car experience as we can. We find out the customer needs and tailor to their requirements, whether it be fitting a Bluetooth kit or some nice new alloys. We are here for help and advice, not just through the sale of the vehicle, but throughout your ownership of the vehicle. Giving the customer one point of contact for all their vehicle requirements.”

Not exactly being in the know when it comes to cars, I was informed that there is a no quibble 30 day exchange with each used car, guaranteeing that you are buying a car you can trust, from a company that wants the best for you.

Entering the Pulman garage I felt as though I knew nothing about buying a car and would be unsure what I was purchasing. However, within minutes of talking to the staff I was convinced I could have complete peace of mind when I was buying a used car at Pulman.

(Part of an Advertisement feature with the Sunderland Echo who came to Pulman and did the survey. Stephanie Currie: Reporter, Dave Allen: Photographer)

Pulman Crossbar Challenge at Newcastle United

Ryan Kelsey and Phil Pearson took centre stage at the Newcastle United verse Liverpool football game for a chance to win the brand new Pulman Volkswagen up!

Phil Pearson and Ryan Kelsey

After an online video which generated over 30,000 views after only 3 weeks, starring Jonas Gutierrez, Danny Simpson, Mehdi Abeid and Ryan Taylor, Phil Pearson and Ryan Kelsey were the two lucky people chosen to take part in the Pulman crossbar challenge.

Ryan Kelsey commented: “It was a dream come true to walk onto the sacred pitch. Surprisingly I wasn’t as nervous as what I thought; it was a brilliant moment stepping out in front of 50,000 fans. Both my wife and myself had a fantastic day.”

Both Ryan and Phil won two tickets to watch the game live, an exclusive backstage tour before the game, to take part in the Pulman crossbar challenge at half time and a signed Newcastle United T-Shirt.

Phil Pearson commented: “It was great to have the opportunity to take part in the crossbar challenge; I was even more excited to go to the game and step onto the pitch. The day was great especially with the backstage tour beforehand.”

Both Ryan and Phil had three chances to hit the crossbar from the 18 yard line. If they hit the bar twice they would have won the brand new Volkswagen up! Ryan came very close hitting the bar once and was millimetres away from hitting it a second time. CLICK HERE and take a look at the attempts.

Natalie Wilson, Marketing Manager at Pulman commented, “the whole day was fantastic, I only wish that either Ryan or Phil would have won the car, unfortunately that was not meant to be this time. However we look forward to providing more win a car competitions’ in conjunction with Newcastle United in the future.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Ryan and Phil for taking part in the Pulman crossbar challenge, along with Newcastle United and Just Out Marketing who produced a fantastic video which started this whole fantastic journey.”

For more information on the new Volkswagen up! visit www.thevolkswagenup.co.uk 

SUNDERLAND SEAT RETAILER NAMED UK'S BEST

Sunderland car retailer Pulman SEAT has been named as the dynamic Spanish brand's Dealer of the Year after just one full year of trading.

Pulman SEAT named SEAT Dealer of the Year

The Southwick dealership won the accolade for its outstanding overall performance and was crowned by SEAT UK Director, Peter Wyhinny, at a major conference.

Ecstatic Pulman bosses then returned to the retailer's Burntland Avenue showroom where they popped open the champagne for an impromptu celebration.

They also toasted team member Alex Paget, who was named SEAT's Used Car Manager of the year at the same time.

A delighted Mike Pulman, Managing Director of the Pulman Group, said: 'This is an incredible achievement and was only possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of each and every member of the team.  I'm really proud of what they've achieved and they should all be proud of themselves.

Mike Pulman and the team celebrate

'The Dealer of the Year award not only looks at how we're performing as a business it also, more importantly, takes a customer-eye view of how we're doing in the areas that matter the most.

‘The Pulman promise is to deliver a fantastic customer experience every time, and winning this award is testament to how hard each member of the Pulman team work on achieving our promise.

'To have won means we must be doing things right and we now need to work even harder to ensure our standards don't slip.'

Awards judges scrutinised all areas of operation for every dealer in SEAT's 125-strong UK network across a 12-month period before selecting Pulman SEAT as their winner. This included detailed analysis of the retailer's performance against sales targets as well as its customer service scores.

Alex Paget named the Used Car Manager of the Year

Meanwhile, Alex Paget scooped the used car award following an equally tough process, during which his turnover of stock was closely monitored and his customer service skills were put to the test by a series of mystery shoppers.

Alex said: 'This award is not just recognition for me but for the whole of the hardworking team here at Pulman.

‘It’s also validation of our approach which is to make the experience of buying a used car every bit as fantastic as buying a new car.’

Max shows Newcastle United’s quartet how it’s done.

Jonas Gutierrez, Danny Simpson, Mehdi Abeid and Ryan Taylor all took part in the Pulman Volkswagen crossbar challenge video, a competition made famous by Soccer AM. It’s a humours and fantastic short-video of the four Newcastle players attempting to hit the crossbar, then at the end young Max shows the quartet how it’s done.

The video was produced to help celebrate the new Volkswagen up! competition by Pulman Volkswagen. Pulman and Newcastle United joined forces to create a fantastic competition. The competition is a crossbar challenge at the Newcastle vs Liverpool game in which two lucky people will have the chance to win a brand new Volkswagen up!

Natalie Wilson, Marketing Manager at Pulman commented, “We have a fantastic partnership with Newcastle United, and when the new Volkswagen up! was launched, first thing we wanted to do was to offer this car in a competition.

After speaking with Newcastle United, we both jumped at the chance to create the halftime crossbar challenge to win the new up!. We can’t wait for the game on the 1^st April and will definitely be wishing the contestants luck to win the car.”

Julie Stout from Just Out Marketing commented: “Making the video was great fun, everyone at Newcastle, the players and of course young Max were fantastic! We were really honoured that we were asked to do the video.

Danny Simpson tweeted: “I personally think the acting was pretty good”. It’s a great video and a fantastic competition to win a brand new up!, which has just been launched by Volkswagen as their new city car. Already receiving rave reviews and winning the WhatCar small car of the year award.

Take a look at the video and let us know what you think at www.pulmanvolkswagen.co.uk/up

Car raises thousands for NSPCC at auction

Children from a Newcastle primary school have helped raise thousands of pounds for the NSPCC by decorating a car for a charity auction.

Hania and Nyah from St Catherine’s RC School in Newcastle were winners in an artwork competition organised by motor retailer Pulman to celebrate 25 years of the NSPCC’s ChildLine service.   

The pair had their designs displayed on a Volkswagen Fox, which was donated to the NSPCC Grand Ball auction by Pulman, raising an impressive £7,000 for the charity.

As well as having their designs displayed on the car, Hania, from year 5, won tickets to a Newcastle United match for four people. Nyah, from year 3, won a signed Newcastle United replica shirt and a football signed by Alan Shearer. 

Pulman Marketing Manager Natalie Wilson said: “We wanted to donate the car as an auction prize and we thought it would be great to involve local children at St Catherine’s to make the car extra special. We had some great entries in the drawing competition and Hania and Nyah both did a fantastic job. There was a lot of interest in the car at the Ball and everyone commented on the brilliant pictures.”

St Catherine’s Head Teacher Michael Ewing said: "Children at St Catherine's are familiar with the work of NSPCC, particularly through the Childline service. Many families have supported their fundraising activities over the recent past, so we were very happy to involve the children in designing the NSPCC logo for the car. 

“Both Hania and Nyah were delighted when they heard the news that their entries had won and they couldn't stop smiling when they saw that their designs had been reproduced on the car. We were so pleased to support this NSPCC project as the work they do helps to improve lives for vulnerable families in the North East."

Pulman are long standing supporters of the NSPCC and co-sponsored the Grand Ball, alongside Newcastle International Airport. 

Pulman have Volkswagen and SEAT retailers across the North East, and for the past 10 years have raised over £200,000 for the NSPCC. Natalie continued: “We are very passionate about giving and helping our local community, and are very proud to support the NSPCC.”

NSPCC head of local fundraising for the North East, Wendy Bates said: “Well done to Hania and Nyah.  Their wonderful designs made the car totally unique.  I’m sure that’s what led to the increased interest in the car at auction and helped to raise such a fantastic amount. Thanks also to Pulman for donating the car. They have supported the NSPCC for a number of years, raising thousands of pounds to help local vulnerable children and their families. It’s thanks to corporate sponsors like Pulman, as well as ongoing support from the public, that the NSPCC can continue to provide services to help vulnerable children and their families.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about supporting the NSPCC can visit www.nspcc.org.uk or call the North East fundraising team on 0191 227 5300.

New Volkswagen Beetle – Now Open for ordering

Introducing the brand new Volkswagen Beetle! Available to order from October 2011 and available for delivery from April 2012. At launch, two engines will be available: a 1.2 litre TSI 105 PS DSG and a 1.4 litre 160 PS TSI.

The fantastic Beetle is lower, longer and wider than its immediate predecessor, giving it a much more dynamic and sporty presence. Its shape, which has more in common with the classic Beetle than the 1998 car, is a modern reinterpretation of the original Beetle.

There has been a great leap forward in technology, with new engines emitting much less CO₂ than the previous model and features such iPod connectivity and Bluetooth phone preparation now available.

Available in 3 trim levels: Beetle, Design Beetle and Sport. The 1.2 litre Beetle and Design trims are available from £16,490. The 1.4 litre Design and Sport trims are available from £19,470. Three other engines – a 1.6 litre TDI BlueMotion 105 PS, 2.0 litre TDI 140 PS and 2.0 litre 200 PS will be joining the Beetle line-up towards the end of 2012.

The standard Beetle trim comes with air conditioning, remote central locking, an RCD 310 CD system with DAB radio and rear Isofix seat preparation.

The mid-level Design trim adds 17 inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone preparation, multi-device interface iPod connectivity, front fog lights, an alarm, leather steering wheel and body-coloured dashboard.

The top of the range Sport specification adds 18 inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, cruise control, sports seats, parking sensors, gloss black door mirrors, dashboard and door panel and climate control.

The Beetle will be available with additional optional extra’s including, satellite navigation systems, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights and the Fender sound pack, offering 400W output and a subwoofer.

 

 
Visit Pulman Volkswagen for more information: www.pulmanvolkswagen.co.uk

Abbey Road, Durham and  Newcastle Road, Sunderland.