The story of the 'hobo' going into the dealership to buy....
Discussion
Not very spectacular but a colleague did come in to work one day saying that he didn't feel he was being taken very seriously by a salesman at BMW and thus had bought a 645 coupe to "show him".
I never did think that was the brightest way to get revenge. I always thought driving in with a new car from somewhere else would be more appropriate if it had actually bothered you that much.
I've never personally had a problem anywhere so sadly lack first hand stories of comeuppence.
I never did think that was the brightest way to get revenge. I always thought driving in with a new car from somewhere else would be more appropriate if it had actually bothered you that much.
I've never personally had a problem anywhere so sadly lack first hand stories of comeuppence.
Dapster said:
Great story in Sir Michael Caine's autobiography of how he and Terrance Stamp, when penniless actors, were chucked out of Jack Barclay's showroom for wasting their time putting fingerprints on the Rolls Royce's and vowed to get their own back. A few years later, Caine and Stamp were famous and making proper big money. They shared a flat in Fulham and woke one morning amidst empty champagne bottles and leggy blondes, so went for a walk to clear their heads.
Unshaven, hungover and looking a mess, they went into Jack Barclay again. They were stopped on the door by the snotty doorman who didn't recognise them, and asked "is there anything I can get for you sir?". Stamp pulled out a torn up piece of paper from his coat pocket and read from it. "Er, let's see" he said "um, milk, bread, newspaper, cigarettes, oh, yes.... 2 Rolls Royce's please". They paid cash and drove them home - apparently just to piss of the door guy!
A few years ago I spoke to Porsche salesman who said that he had had 2 wide boys in tracksuits and trainers pay for 2 911 Turbos using cash stuffed into carrier bags. Apparently they had sold a nightclub for ££££ and it was all totally legit!
I indeed sold cars to a few interesting characters in the 90's - a family who lived life on the road, but appeared to travel with huge amounts of cash. His son, then 17, drove a brand new Ferrari 355 and had another in case he sold the first one. This son knew Glasses guide inside out and could recite cars / years and values off the top of his head. Unshaven, hungover and looking a mess, they went into Jack Barclay again. They were stopped on the door by the snotty doorman who didn't recognise them, and asked "is there anything I can get for you sir?". Stamp pulled out a torn up piece of paper from his coat pocket and read from it. "Er, let's see" he said "um, milk, bread, newspaper, cigarettes, oh, yes.... 2 Rolls Royce's please". They paid cash and drove them home - apparently just to piss of the door guy!
A few years ago I spoke to Porsche salesman who said that he had had 2 wide boys in tracksuits and trainers pay for 2 911 Turbos using cash stuffed into carrier bags. Apparently they had sold a nightclub for ££££ and it was all totally legit!
I understand that of recent times you need to declare all cash payments over £7,000 - might be wrong though.
I think anyone using the words "night club and £100k in cash" would probs raise an eyebrow!
Devil's Advocate but..
Whilst it's true that there will be outlier cases of lottery winners or suchlike walking in, and as a general rule you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, imagine how many chancers and test pilots these dealerships must deal with on a daily basis? Particularly the supercar dealers.
Whilst it's true that there will be outlier cases of lottery winners or suchlike walking in, and as a general rule you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, imagine how many chancers and test pilots these dealerships must deal with on a daily basis? Particularly the supercar dealers.
I suspect most of the stories are unverifiable as are mine.
I only have two personal experiences to relate. The first was trying to buy a new Honda where I was treated with a fair degree of nonchalance until we sat down and he took a few details. Seemed that salesman put a huge store by your postcode.
The other was at Bramley, who many of you will know do not sell cheap cars. On that occasion I think I was rather expertly qualified by the guy I spoke to. To this day I don't know how he did it, because the car I was in (passenger) was nondescript and parked up the road and I was in standard non-label casual clothes. I suppose the other possibility was that they treated everyone the same way but I'd guess that could quickly become difficult for a place like that. Will never know I guess!
Only ever heard the stories about someone's multi-millionaire uncle buying a fleet of Mercs after the BMW salesperson ignored him. None have survived any probing so I'm a bit of a sceptic.
I only have two personal experiences to relate. The first was trying to buy a new Honda where I was treated with a fair degree of nonchalance until we sat down and he took a few details. Seemed that salesman put a huge store by your postcode.
The other was at Bramley, who many of you will know do not sell cheap cars. On that occasion I think I was rather expertly qualified by the guy I spoke to. To this day I don't know how he did it, because the car I was in (passenger) was nondescript and parked up the road and I was in standard non-label casual clothes. I suppose the other possibility was that they treated everyone the same way but I'd guess that could quickly become difficult for a place like that. Will never know I guess!
Only ever heard the stories about someone's multi-millionaire uncle buying a fleet of Mercs after the BMW salesperson ignored him. None have survived any probing so I'm a bit of a sceptic.
I went into an Audi showroom a few months ago to have a look at the new S3. There was no way could I afford to buy one but I'm a petrolhead and we do things like this that normal people don't understand. Anyway, I was dressed pretty reasonably, t-shirt, jeans and converse and I always keep my self well groomed. Not one person said anything to me... It was like I was invisible. I got more attention when I visited Porsche & Bentley (In one day 
) dealerships wearing pretty much the same outfit. I mean its f
king Audi for Christs sake, what if I wanted to buy a poverty spec A1 (not that I would ever waste my money on a tarted up Skoda Fabia)????
) dealerships wearing pretty much the same outfit. I mean its fking Audi for Christs sake, what if I wanted to buy a poverty spec A1 (not that I would ever waste my money on a tarted up Skoda Fabia)????Edited by Swanny87 on Monday 13th October 13:52
A friend of mine was in the final throws of her life due to cancer, so decided she was going to treat herself one final time.
So, feeling worse for wear, she headed to a Merc dealer in Manchester, where she was asked "if she could actually afford one of our motor cars". This was before she'd told the saleswoman what she was after.
Leslie wasn't one to mouth off or complain, but she did leave there and then and headed to another Mercedes dealer. Upon arriving, she was treated as you'd expect, when spending £100,000 up front on a new CL.
She didn't go back to the original dealer, but after telling the salesman what had happened, she was reliably informed that the original saleswoman was made aware of her recent purchase.
Sadly, she only got use of the car for a few months.
So, feeling worse for wear, she headed to a Merc dealer in Manchester, where she was asked "if she could actually afford one of our motor cars". This was before she'd told the saleswoman what she was after.
Leslie wasn't one to mouth off or complain, but she did leave there and then and headed to another Mercedes dealer. Upon arriving, she was treated as you'd expect, when spending £100,000 up front on a new CL.
She didn't go back to the original dealer, but after telling the salesman what had happened, she was reliably informed that the original saleswoman was made aware of her recent purchase.
Sadly, she only got use of the car for a few months.
Durzel said:
Devil's Advocate but..
Whilst it's true that there will be outlier cases of lottery winners or suchlike walking in, and as a general rule you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, imagine how many chancers and test pilots these dealerships must deal with on a daily basis? Particularly the supercar dealers.
Absolutely.Whilst it's true that there will be outlier cases of lottery winners or suchlike walking in, and as a general rule you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, imagine how many chancers and test pilots these dealerships must deal with on a daily basis? Particularly the supercar dealers.
And also, to these 'hobos' - why don't you just have a wash / put some effort into looking presentable when you go to a dealership?
Poor personal hygiene and/or a lack of interest in your appearance isn't something to be admired - even if you do have endless funds available.
I use the same salesman who i bought a 320i off 6 years ago when hungover, dressed in baggy jeans, t-shirt, and dirty trainers. He was the only salesman who would talk to me on the day, the rest shunned me.
I have subsequently over the years probably partly paid for his summer holidays. Brilliant chap, still takes the piss out of me now about the day i turned up looking a mess and stinking of sex.
I have subsequently over the years probably partly paid for his summer holidays. Brilliant chap, still takes the piss out of me now about the day i turned up looking a mess and stinking of sex.
BobSaunders said:
I use the same salesman who i bought a 320i off 6 years ago when hungover, dressed in baggy jeans, t-shirt, and dirty trainers. He was the only salesman who would talk to me on the day, the rest shunned me.
I have subsequently over the years probably partly paid for his summer holidays. Brilliant chap, still takes the piss out of me now about the day i turned up looking a mess and stinking of sex.
You sound as if you are proud of yourself? What's that all about?I have subsequently over the years probably partly paid for his summer holidays. Brilliant chap, still takes the piss out of me now about the day i turned up looking a mess and stinking of sex.
Doesn't always happen as you expect.
We're currently selling a 28ft yacht. A chap approached the broker offering cash and seemed a little eccentric. Didn't appear to the broker to be the typical buyer but seemed legit ebough. Went through all the processes, surveyors report and what not and at the end a suitcase of cash was offered. The problem arose when the marina, as per their terms, refused the yacht a berth or use of the facilities until it was insured.
But for the buyer, who had no fixed abode, it was impossible to get insurance without an address and the marina couldn't/wouldn't let him use that as the address.
His intention was to live aboard the boat and sail whenever he fancied, didn't have a 'home' didn't want one. Just enjoyed drifting around but working hard in the process to make money.
In the end the deal fell through, which was a shame. We only found out the details after it had all fallen apart. Had we known, we could have offered to launch the boat and navigate it outside the marina on our insurance and hand it over out there. Then it'd be his problem.
So as an aside, if anyone wants to buy a solidly built 28footer for a bargain price, gimme a shout, it's still for sale
We're currently selling a 28ft yacht. A chap approached the broker offering cash and seemed a little eccentric. Didn't appear to the broker to be the typical buyer but seemed legit ebough. Went through all the processes, surveyors report and what not and at the end a suitcase of cash was offered. The problem arose when the marina, as per their terms, refused the yacht a berth or use of the facilities until it was insured.
But for the buyer, who had no fixed abode, it was impossible to get insurance without an address and the marina couldn't/wouldn't let him use that as the address.
His intention was to live aboard the boat and sail whenever he fancied, didn't have a 'home' didn't want one. Just enjoyed drifting around but working hard in the process to make money.
In the end the deal fell through, which was a shame. We only found out the details after it had all fallen apart. Had we known, we could have offered to launch the boat and navigate it outside the marina on our insurance and hand it over out there. Then it'd be his problem.
So as an aside, if anyone wants to buy a solidly built 28footer for a bargain price, gimme a shout, it's still for sale
LordHaveMurci said:
Reminds me of the story a lad working for us told me.
His father is a builder/property developer & needed to spend some cash prior to his year end. Walked into MB main dealer to buy an ML, got treated like muck so walked out & purchased a brand new Lexus instead. He went back with the Lexus when it was delivered to show them.
I don't think it was just people who looked a bit scruffy who Lexus mopped up on that basis, I have a relative who bought his first LS in large part because the customer service was so much better than at the Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes showrooms. He'd had new jags for years before that. Must have eventually forgiven Audi, he's had A8s for some time.His father is a builder/property developer & needed to spend some cash prior to his year end. Walked into MB main dealer to buy an ML, got treated like muck so walked out & purchased a brand new Lexus instead. He went back with the Lexus when it was delivered to show them.
Sold my caterham to a chap who turned up in a pretty battered elise. Decent chap. Had a good long chat about cars, etc.
He liked the car. Didn't try to get me down on price. Wanted the trailer, parts, etc. We agreed on it. Out comes a fist full of notes as a deposit.
Next week he turns up in his mate's 4X4 that looked like it was used for building work.
While signing the V5 we had a good chat again.
Turned out he'd got an McLaren MP4 spyder in the garage at home.
Was glad he didn't negotiate on price!
He liked the car. Didn't try to get me down on price. Wanted the trailer, parts, etc. We agreed on it. Out comes a fist full of notes as a deposit.
Next week he turns up in his mate's 4X4 that looked like it was used for building work.
While signing the V5 we had a good chat again.
Turned out he'd got an McLaren MP4 spyder in the garage at home.
Was glad he didn't negotiate on price!
cptsideways said:
A car trader acquaintance of mine who is rather known for not showering frequently and is very tramp like in appearance & odour went to the local LR dealership to buy a new RR Sport. He had a similar experience not surprisingly, until he showed them the bag of cash!
He swans about in an Aston DB9 as his daily these days, he says he got some funny looks in the Aston Dealership too
So he can afford a DB9 but not a bar of soap? He's got his priorities wrong. went to the local LR dealership to buy a new RR Sport. He had a similar experience not surprisingly, until he showed them the bag of cash!He swans about in an Aston DB9 as his daily these days, he says he got some funny looks in the Aston Dealership too
This was certainly the exact story told by/about Felix Dennis (RIP) the scruffy ex-hippy after making his first tranche of cash (publishing). ISTR it was Rolls Royce's Mayfair showroom.
It must have been a terrible time for posh-car salesmen in the '60s, when all sorts of scruffs turned up alongside the usual clientele. No longer could you judge a man's bank account from his shoes...
It must have been a terrible time for posh-car salesmen in the '60s, when all sorts of scruffs turned up alongside the usual clientele. No longer could you judge a man's bank account from his shoes...
Swanny87 said:
I went into an Audi showroom a few months ago to have a look at the new S3. There was no way could I afford to buy one but I'm a petrolhead and we do things like this that normal people don't understand. Anyway, I was dressed pretty reasonably, t-shirt, jeans and converse and I always keep my self well groomed. Not one person said anything to me... It was like I was invisible. I got more attention when I visited Porsche & Bentley (In one day ) dealerships wearing pretty much the same outfit. I mean its fking Audi for Christs sake, what if I wanted to buy a poverty spec A1 (not that I would ever waste my money on a tarted up Skoda Fabia)????
I got treated perfectly well in the Audi dealership in Bolton and bought a car from them. It was a £13,000, year old A3. Having said that, I did make a prior appointment. it may well be that busy dealers focus more on booked appointments than walk ins.) dealerships wearing pretty much the same outfit. I mean its fking Audi for Christs sake, what if I wanted to buy a poverty spec A1 (not that I would ever waste my money on a tarted up Skoda Fabia)????Edited by Swanny87 on Monday 13th October 13:52
It's the same with Mercedes and BMW dealers though. They sell brand new cars for six figure sums but they try to appeal to everyone by advertising approved used cars from £6,000 that even people who live on council estates who have straw in their clogs can afford and they advertise special servicing deals for older cars that people might otherwise take to independent garages. They may, though, have a higher rate of people daring to go in as test pilots of stuff they can't afford than the really prestigious dealerships. I remember someone on here a few years ago saying he was test driving a Noble for a laugh when he couldn't afford it and then stuffing it and having problems with the dealer and insurance afterwards.
The snobbery though reminds me of Penny on Come Fly With Me.
http://www.bbcamerica.com/ministry-of-laughs/video...
mph1977 said:
i think a lot of this represents the pretensions of the minimum wage commission hungry slaves that work as salesmen in the average car dealers
I'd bet it more accurately represents the land of make believe. How many stories seem to end in "...until he/she showed them a bag of cash" or "...took it back to show the salesman what he bought" and how many times did that actually happen?It's funny that it's always a "mate" involved in these stories, and is never the actual person teling the story.
mph1977 said:
i think a lot of this represents the pretensions of the minimum wage commission hungry slaves that work as salesmen in the average car dealers
Whilst I'm certain some are true, I am also certain that some are credible sounding but ultimately working class fantasies intended to improve feelings of self worth and to dissuade disregard for poorer looking people less one risk being embarrassed very occassionally.I'm not in the market for a fleet of Rolls Royces, but have never felt my credibility has been doubted in any "premium" type car showrooms, bar my nearest Jag dealer which I had bought from twice before suffering a change of ownership. The new owners were from lower-market cars and started covering cars in vinyl graphics advertising low monthly finance payments and mailing out marketing correspondence in glossy silver envelopes rather than white ones. Only then did I suffer any disinterest from a salesman.
As a keen DIY mechanic, I frequently venture out looking like I'd just survived an explosion in a soot and grease factory if I need a new widget half-way through a job but in general I'm fairly tidy otherwise. I'd never turn up at a car dealer looking like that. I know I can afford the sorts of cars I like and I could turn up just to generate such a true-story as above, but frankly I would be deliberately misrepresenting myself with the sole aim of misleading the salesman in to misjudging me to allow me to teach him a lesson in prejudice. I feel that would make me a bit of a d
head.I once tried to buy a new KTM (motor bike) in the Exeter main dealer and all the salesmen ignored me and the other half as they were to busy chatting. We really did try to get their attention but they were having none of it.
Bought a Husky instead (best dirt bike I ever had) but did go back a few months later to look at bikes for my wife - we had zero intention of buying from them, but enjoyed wasting quite a bit of their time before we told them of our previous visit and leaving. That time she bought a Yam....
Also, many moons ago when I was spotty oik but earning large amounts (with very little time off) I tried to buy a Fiat 131 sport and was effectively thrown out as a timewaster. I bought a boring, but very reliable Toyota instead and looking back, probably the best thing for it as the Fiat would have dissolved before it was a year old!
When I became a car salesman, I always treated everyone the same - lots of folk round here look like tramps (me included) but have cash coming out of every orifice (unfortunately, I don't qualify on the cash front ).
Bought a Husky instead (best dirt bike I ever had) but did go back a few months later to look at bikes for my wife - we had zero intention of buying from them, but enjoyed wasting quite a bit of their time before we told them of our previous visit and leaving. That time she bought a Yam....
Also, many moons ago when I was spotty oik but earning large amounts (with very little time off) I tried to buy a Fiat 131 sport and was effectively thrown out as a timewaster. I bought a boring, but very reliable Toyota instead and looking back, probably the best thing for it as the Fiat would have dissolved before it was a year old!
When I became a car salesman, I always treated everyone the same - lots of folk round here look like tramps (me included) but have cash coming out of every orifice (unfortunately, I don't qualify on the cash front
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