The story of the 'hobo' going into the dealership to buy....
Discussion
Not as glamorous, but at least it really happened.
Somewhere in the 90's I worked for Mitsubishi. At the Brussels Motorshow a middle aged, somewhat scruffy man came over. He lingered around a Pajero, untill finally one of our salesman approached him, expecting nothing. To his surprise the man immediately ordered not 1, but 2 full option Pajero's for his children. He paid a 30% account in cash. After the sale was concluded, he announced he was now off to buy a Bentley, which apparently he really did.
Somewhere in the 90's I worked for Mitsubishi. At the Brussels Motorshow a middle aged, somewhat scruffy man came over. He lingered around a Pajero, untill finally one of our salesman approached him, expecting nothing. To his surprise the man immediately ordered not 1, but 2 full option Pajero's for his children. He paid a 30% account in cash. After the sale was concluded, he announced he was now off to buy a Bentley, which apparently he really did.
Reminds me of when a friend and i visited 'hyper-fi' in Barking. We were both 17 odd, both had tracksuits on and generally looked out of place in the shop.
We were avoided by all members of staff, treated like white noise (or white trash lol) in there for about 15 minutes until my NEC-9A mobile phone rang.
within minutes of me taking the call i had the 'can i help you gentlemen with anything' from a middle aged salesman.
This was around 1989 when people just didn't have mobiles.
Joke was on them though, neither of us had a pot to piss in but we were living at home with no rent or bills so £50 a month for airtime was perfectly acceptable
We were avoided by all members of staff, treated like white noise (or white trash lol) in there for about 15 minutes until my NEC-9A mobile phone rang.
within minutes of me taking the call i had the 'can i help you gentlemen with anything' from a middle aged salesman.
This was around 1989 when people just didn't have mobiles.
Joke was on them though, neither of us had a pot to piss in but we were living at home with no rent or bills so £50 a month for airtime was perfectly acceptable
I've had a mixed experience. I went into Southampton Audi looking to order a new RS4. The receptionist with a polite look of disgust at me in shorts and flip flops enquires as to what it is I want exactly so I just said I'd like to talk to a sales chap. Junior salesboy is swiftly dispatched, he introduces himself and I ask to order a new RS4, cue ear to ear grin from him and and a you can't be serious look from her. Stupid woman didnt have the wherewithal to notice me pulling up in an RS5 bought from the same dealership from one of their sales managers before he got the job.
On the opposite end of the scale my girlfriend and I walked in to hunters Land Rover in Southampton as she quite fancies a defender. Sales chap whisks her away to show her what they have, meanwhile whilst poking around a new full fat Range Rover dressed like a hungover student a salesman comes over to me and chats about the car for a good 15 mins even after I told him I'd just ordered a car and couldn't afford a Range Rover even if I hadnt. Really helpful, polite and if I do ever have the money and desire for one I would gladly go back.
Tldr: audi bad, Land Rover good but that's no surprise is it?
On the opposite end of the scale my girlfriend and I walked in to hunters Land Rover in Southampton as she quite fancies a defender. Sales chap whisks her away to show her what they have, meanwhile whilst poking around a new full fat Range Rover dressed like a hungover student a salesman comes over to me and chats about the car for a good 15 mins even after I told him I'd just ordered a car and couldn't afford a Range Rover even if I hadnt. Really helpful, polite and if I do ever have the money and desire for one I would gladly go back.
Tldr: audi bad, Land Rover good but that's no surprise is it?
R36vw said:
It's the old saying 'never judge a book by its cover'
But I'm not gonna bash the car salesman, shows it can happen in all forms of sales.
Similar thing happened when me and the missus were buying a house. Walked into a show home jeans/t shirt to get info and spec, was priced at 500k. I said we weren't sure of the location but keeping open minded. Saleswoman suggested we have a look at the development further up the road (we knew of it and were all starter homes at 130k)
The penny clicked on what she was implying and the missus was gobsmacked....My response was "why would I want a starter home if I've come to look at what you have to offer?
It made my mind up instantly I was not buying through this developer.
Before I left said " I suppose I could go there and buy half a dozen and knock them through... by the way love looks like these aren't up to the standard or size to suit us" .........total silence in the office...
my missus couldn't stop laughing on the way out. Saying I'd been too polite.
I blame the missus...she was shabbily dressed
Wow, you showed them! But I'm not gonna bash the car salesman, shows it can happen in all forms of sales.
Similar thing happened when me and the missus were buying a house. Walked into a show home jeans/t shirt to get info and spec, was priced at 500k. I said we weren't sure of the location but keeping open minded. Saleswoman suggested we have a look at the development further up the road (we knew of it and were all starter homes at 130k)
The penny clicked on what she was implying and the missus was gobsmacked....My response was "why would I want a starter home if I've come to look at what you have to offer?
It made my mind up instantly I was not buying through this developer.
Before I left said " I suppose I could go there and buy half a dozen and knock them through... by the way love looks like these aren't up to the standard or size to suit us" .........total silence in the office...
my missus couldn't stop laughing on the way out. Saying I'd been too polite.
I blame the missus...she was shabbily dressed
honest_delboy said:
I rolled myself in dog excrement, filled my pockets with vomit, donned my hat of meat and went to visit the local Ferrari dealership. I was amazed the salesman wouldn't let me in their showroom let alone test drive their new F50.
I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Brilliant! I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Ari said:
honest_delboy said:
I rolled myself in dog excrement, filled my pockets with vomit, donned my hat of meat and went to visit the local Ferrari dealership. I was amazed the salesman wouldn't let me in their showroom let alone test drive their new F50.
I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Brilliant! I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Ari said:
honest_delboy said:
I rolled myself in dog excrement, filled my pockets with vomit, donned my hat of meat and went to visit the local Ferrari dealership. I was amazed the salesman wouldn't let me in their showroom let alone test drive their new F50.
I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Brilliant! I went back on my Raleigh Boxer and did a skid in their car park, then a wheelie followed by an endo. My chain came off but one of the salesmen helped me and I was on my way back home for tea.
Well I've just been totting up, and between myself and Mrs WR we have bought well over twenty brand new cars, plus quite a few used ones over the last thirty odd years, everything from Morgans, Mercedes to Fiat Uno's and Panda's.
I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
Wacky Racer said:
Well I've just been totting up, and between myself and Mrs WR we have bought well over twenty brand new cars, plus quite a few used ones over the last thirty odd years, everything from Morgans, Mercedes to Fiat Uno's and Panda's.
I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
Wow you really bought 20 brand new cars?I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
With your own money or company money?
When looking to buy a Cayman, I spotted one for sale at a Saab garage in Ayr. Spoke to the salesman on the phone, then drove (40 mins) to view the car. After a good luck around (in jeans & t-shirt), and during our 10 min chat, he enquired if I was after a Cayman. I answered honestly that it was either a Cayman or M3, but that I had never driven one but really fancied one. I then asked if I could have a test drive.
Him: "No, sorry I'm the only person in today, there's nobody else to look after the shop"
Me: "What about the receptionist?"
Him "No, she can only do the desk"
Me: "Ok, no problem; can I arrange a test drive for another day"
Him: "I think you should go home and think about it, if you're interested give me a phone later"
Me: "I'm stood in front of you, I'm interested?"
Him: "You mentioned that you were interested in another, you have to be pretty much buying this car before we let you drive it"
Me: "I'm not buying a car that I can't test drive!"
I drove off, never phoned him. A week later I flew down to London and bought another Cayman with a debit card (at almost double the price). Didn't think much of his sales skills!
And yes, I' pretty sure that I had showered that morning too!
Him: "No, sorry I'm the only person in today, there's nobody else to look after the shop"
Me: "What about the receptionist?"
Him "No, she can only do the desk"
Me: "Ok, no problem; can I arrange a test drive for another day"
Him: "I think you should go home and think about it, if you're interested give me a phone later"
Me: "I'm stood in front of you, I'm interested?"
Him: "You mentioned that you were interested in another, you have to be pretty much buying this car before we let you drive it"
Me: "I'm not buying a car that I can't test drive!"
I drove off, never phoned him. A week later I flew down to London and bought another Cayman with a debit card (at almost double the price). Didn't think much of his sales skills!
And yes, I' pretty sure that I had showered that morning too!
rallycross said:
Wacky Racer said:
Well I've just been totting up, and between myself and Mrs WR we have bought well over twenty brand new cars, plus quite a few used ones over the last thirty odd years, everything from Morgans, Mercedes to Fiat Uno's and Panda's.
I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
Wow you really bought 20 brand new cars?I have to say every buying experience in every case (as far as I can remember) has been first class, the salesmen/women could not have been more helpful, and the after sales service very satisfactory.
So I think it is rather unfair to tar all salespeople (hate that PC word) with the same brush.
Obviously, there are some dodgy ones out there, but we haven't seen any.
With your own money or company money?
Plus around fifteen motorbikes.....again, no problems with the dealers, with one exception, (a Triumph dealer who messed me about, when he sold a two year old bike for me SOR) and didn't want to part with the cash. I got it eventually. They are no longer Triumph dealers after going bust, but have re-emerged selling other marques.
btw, here's an interesting receipt for a new 3 litre Capri I bought in 1978
Some of these posts are very amusing indeed, so to add to the woes are my experiences...
Shockingly poor example of arrogant sales reps and staff members in the 1980s. How about push biking all the way from Nottingham to Cooper Cars showroom in Syston, in those days they not only sold BMW but also Ferrari and other marques. The reason for my riding this long distance on my bike was because a friend of my father who had purchased several cars from them had told me that they had a silver Lamborghini Countach in the showroom, so I rode over from Nottingham which took several hours and walked into the showroom then spotted the Countach.
Unfortunately all the sales reps then disappeared from sight and the receptionist spotted me and gave me a long lecture about not touching the car, though luckily enough for me a potential customer overheard the conversation, then came over to me and asked whether I wanted to take a look inside, then lifted the door so that I could take photographs for which I have been eternally grateful. I have never forgotten this incident even though it occurred over 30 years ago, and when I mentioned how poorly I was treated by the Cooper Car staff in Syston, my fathers friend stopped buying cars from them.
Moving on a few years...
In the 1990s my father was looking to buy a 4x4, he spotted a Nissan 4x4 which I forget the name of. He rang the dealer and arranged a meet. On the due day we drove over, only to be told that we could only drive the car if we first agree to buy it. My father says that the purpose of the test drive is to determine whether it is acceptable - and bear in mind he was genuinely interested in buying, well after a lengthy debate the sales rep allowed us to drive it. Unfortunately the experience was not very good at all, and not helped by the negative attitude adopted by the sales rep. He eventually worked his way through a Range Rover diesel, then moved onto a Toyota Landcruiser, which in hindsight he should have purchased in the first place.
And the salesmanship gets worse...
Move on a few years and I was looking to buy a small van so phoned up the local Vauxhall dealer and spoke to a fantastic sales rep who agreed a time and date for me to take the van out for a test drive. Father drops me off at the dealership and drives off, I walk in, ask to speak to the rep who isn't on site, and then am dropped on by the aggressive sales manager who tell me he doesn't know me from Adam and refuses point blank to give me the keys to this relatively inexpensive sooty van. Well at this point I give up, pull out my phone and ask my father to come and pick me up again. A couple of hours later the poor sales rep gives me a call to apologise for the actions of the sales manager but by then I've been over to the Toyota dealership and ordered one of their vans.
And before anyone nods off, the reason for me purchasing the van was because I had been over to the sporting car section of Sytner in Nottingham which was located behind the main building flogging BWW cars and sold a real eclectic mix of sports cars...
So here is the story for one of the best sales encounters...
One summers day back in 1993 I was getting fed up of warm drinks so decided to drive down in the works pickup truck to the local Comet store in Arnold and buy a fridge, after haggling with the manager I managed to buy a bargain so was well pleased with myself. At this point, and for reasons unknown (well probably because it was a Friday and the weather was gorgeous) I decided to drive into Nottingham to the Sytner dealership which in those days used to sell not only BMW but some very flash sports cars from other brands. So I park up and walk into the showroom in my jeans and figure that either the sales reps will ignore me, or someone will come out. Well the showroom is packed solid with cars from every marque and every price range, and right at the back is the Porsche with my name on it begging me to buy it. At this point a salesman comes out and chats we me, he's very apologetic about the number of cars in the showroom blocking any potential test-drive, though nevertheless offers excellent advice, then suggests that if I come back on Sunday he will have the car ready for a test drive. So on Sunday I arrive and the Porsche is sat gleaming in the car park. So I hop in and off we go. At this point he suggests I drive the car wherever I want for however long I choose. So I took it for a long test drive and it really ticked all the boxes. After a bit of haggling I finally bought the car of my dreams.
The sales rep was fantastic, though I ought to mention he is now the franchise director at Sytner Group For Ferrari and Maserati, and well deserved may I say, his name, Mario Vignali, and I have to say he's probably one of the best sales guys I've ever purchased a car from.
Shockingly poor example of arrogant sales reps and staff members in the 1980s. How about push biking all the way from Nottingham to Cooper Cars showroom in Syston, in those days they not only sold BMW but also Ferrari and other marques. The reason for my riding this long distance on my bike was because a friend of my father who had purchased several cars from them had told me that they had a silver Lamborghini Countach in the showroom, so I rode over from Nottingham which took several hours and walked into the showroom then spotted the Countach.
Unfortunately all the sales reps then disappeared from sight and the receptionist spotted me and gave me a long lecture about not touching the car, though luckily enough for me a potential customer overheard the conversation, then came over to me and asked whether I wanted to take a look inside, then lifted the door so that I could take photographs for which I have been eternally grateful. I have never forgotten this incident even though it occurred over 30 years ago, and when I mentioned how poorly I was treated by the Cooper Car staff in Syston, my fathers friend stopped buying cars from them.
Moving on a few years...
In the 1990s my father was looking to buy a 4x4, he spotted a Nissan 4x4 which I forget the name of. He rang the dealer and arranged a meet. On the due day we drove over, only to be told that we could only drive the car if we first agree to buy it. My father says that the purpose of the test drive is to determine whether it is acceptable - and bear in mind he was genuinely interested in buying, well after a lengthy debate the sales rep allowed us to drive it. Unfortunately the experience was not very good at all, and not helped by the negative attitude adopted by the sales rep. He eventually worked his way through a Range Rover diesel, then moved onto a Toyota Landcruiser, which in hindsight he should have purchased in the first place.
And the salesmanship gets worse...
Move on a few years and I was looking to buy a small van so phoned up the local Vauxhall dealer and spoke to a fantastic sales rep who agreed a time and date for me to take the van out for a test drive. Father drops me off at the dealership and drives off, I walk in, ask to speak to the rep who isn't on site, and then am dropped on by the aggressive sales manager who tell me he doesn't know me from Adam and refuses point blank to give me the keys to this relatively inexpensive sooty van. Well at this point I give up, pull out my phone and ask my father to come and pick me up again. A couple of hours later the poor sales rep gives me a call to apologise for the actions of the sales manager but by then I've been over to the Toyota dealership and ordered one of their vans.
And before anyone nods off, the reason for me purchasing the van was because I had been over to the sporting car section of Sytner in Nottingham which was located behind the main building flogging BWW cars and sold a real eclectic mix of sports cars...
So here is the story for one of the best sales encounters...
One summers day back in 1993 I was getting fed up of warm drinks so decided to drive down in the works pickup truck to the local Comet store in Arnold and buy a fridge, after haggling with the manager I managed to buy a bargain so was well pleased with myself. At this point, and for reasons unknown (well probably because it was a Friday and the weather was gorgeous) I decided to drive into Nottingham to the Sytner dealership which in those days used to sell not only BMW but some very flash sports cars from other brands. So I park up and walk into the showroom in my jeans and figure that either the sales reps will ignore me, or someone will come out. Well the showroom is packed solid with cars from every marque and every price range, and right at the back is the Porsche with my name on it begging me to buy it. At this point a salesman comes out and chats we me, he's very apologetic about the number of cars in the showroom blocking any potential test-drive, though nevertheless offers excellent advice, then suggests that if I come back on Sunday he will have the car ready for a test drive. So on Sunday I arrive and the Porsche is sat gleaming in the car park. So I hop in and off we go. At this point he suggests I drive the car wherever I want for however long I choose. So I took it for a long test drive and it really ticked all the boxes. After a bit of haggling I finally bought the car of my dreams.
The sales rep was fantastic, though I ought to mention he is now the franchise director at Sytner Group For Ferrari and Maserati, and well deserved may I say, his name, Mario Vignali, and I have to say he's probably one of the best sales guys I've ever purchased a car from.
Wacky Racer said:
No, bought privately..
Plus around fifteen motorbikes.....again, no problems with the dealers, with one exception, (a Triumph dealer who messed me about, when he sold a two year old bike for me SOR) and didn't want to part with the cash. I got it eventually. They are no longer Triumph dealers after going bust, but have re-emerged selling other marques.
btw, here's an interesting receipt for a new 3 litre Capri I bought in 1978
What's the £330.76 for then?Plus around fifteen motorbikes.....again, no problems with the dealers, with one exception, (a Triumph dealer who messed me about, when he sold a two year old bike for me SOR) and didn't want to part with the cash. I got it eventually. They are no longer Triumph dealers after going bust, but have re-emerged selling other marques.
btw, here's an interesting receipt for a new 3 litre Capri I bought in 1978
Seems a lot of cash.
I think many houses could be bought for that at the time
Back in the 1990's an excellent sales trainer called Frank Atkinson had the contract to go around all the Merc dealerships to remind the salesmen that people in jeans had cash. They were losing too many sales to BMW dealers due to the MB sales rep's attitude.
See the receipt for the capri. I noticed the scribble about underseal. Cars were much more environmentally friendly back then as they just rotted away, some before you had even taken delivery.
See the receipt for the capri. I noticed the scribble about underseal. Cars were much more environmentally friendly back then as they just rotted away, some before you had even taken delivery.
milu said:
What's the £330.76 for then?
Seems a lot of cash.
I think many houses could be bought for that at the time
Car tax. There used to be a specific tax applied to cars.Seems a lot of cash.
I think many houses could be bought for that at the time
You're right it is a lot of money, the cost of cars relative to salaries has dropped markedly and of course the specification, features, economy and most other things have got better at an even faster rate so now you get a lot more car for a lot smaller part of your money.
It's one of the reasons car ownership has risen so dramatically.
TA14 said:
Wacky Racer said:
btw, here's an interesting receipt for a new 3 litre Capri I bought in 1978
Nice to note that you could fill up for about the same price as a pair of number plates.An interesting point on the cost is I bought one of the last 280 Brooklands Capris from Quicks in Bury late 1987 for £11k (discounted) but unfortunately no longer own it.
Is think Tesla have it right. As a customer this is the best experience for me.
The cars sell themselves.
http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-new...
The cars sell themselves.
http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-new...
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