Test drive etiquette

[ChasW]

I also think that the test drive is far less common event these days. My Dad was a car enthusiast and when he was in the market for a new car we would spend days going around dealers and trying out different models before deciding. I read somewhere that over 50% of BMWs are ordered for the first time are without a test drive. I was quite shocked.

[markmullen]

Anyone in future who gets upset that they found a legitimate test drive difficult to get should be referred to this thread to see why some dealers get sick of their time being wasted by people like the OP.

[markmullen]

MattHall91 said:

Wow everyone on here is way too honest.

Here's how - LIE!

"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"

test drive

"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."

Never call.

Aren't you the same chap who wanted to get into car sales but was worried you'd earn fk all?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It's clowns like the OP who risk reducing the amount you earn in this job, no intention of buying, want to waste your time and fuel.

[Mark-C]

markmullen said:

Anyone in future who gets upset that they found a legitimate test drive difficult to get should be referred to this thread to see why some dealers get sick of their time being wasted by people like the OP.

Whilst I understand your ire at some of the comments on this thread what has the OP suggested that is wrong?

[CCM604e]

markmullen said:

Aren't you the same chap who wanted to get into car sales but was worried you'd earn fk all?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It's clowns like the OP who risk reducing the amount you earn in this job, no intention of buying, want to waste your time and fuel.

So not wanting to piss a dealer off, buyer ready to purchase, yet still wanting to test a couple of cars out (that might not even be at the dealer - none in stock, different brand etc.) - what's the best way to go about this?

[Tuvra]

Riknos said:

Ignore all the dealers on here with a chip on their shoulder - (there are a lot of them!).

Such as?

markmullen said:

Anyone in future who gets upset that they found a legitimate test drive difficult to get should be referred to this thread to see why some dealers get sick of their time being wasted by people like the OP.

Ohh yeah

I think the OP worded it wrong, the fact that he is willing to consider all brands and models in this section means that the car may actually be a real proposition. Just depends on the car exceeding expectation I guess? I wouldn't consider him to be a complete time waster, a time waster would be someone that would turn down the car regardless of how good the car was e.g. someone who couldn't afford it.

[Butter Face]

u0362565 said:

Got a couple of questions, I've booked to test drive a model of car I'm interested in but probably have no intention of buying this particular car, I'm looking at different manufacturers/models all within the same class of car and want to try one of each first which I don't think is unreasonable. So do dealers see this as wasting their time? I will make this clear before we drive that this is the case to save him making a huge effort to try to sell it to us, but you have to start somewhere!

Wait, what? really?



Whe you really have to ask questions like this, the test is to apply it to your own job, would you be happy to spend time and resources in your job for absolutely no net gain for yourself or the company you work for? To leave at the end of the day thinking 'well I didn't actually achieve anything but I sure did help that guy who will go spend his money somewhere else'

Mental.

Although, just to clear up, is this a used car on a forecourt or a new demonstrator at a main dealer? If it's the latter, it's not so bad, just say you're not buying at the moment but want to drive for a feel or something like that.

If it's the former, it's not cool.

Edited by Butter Face on Wednesday 20th May 09:51

[Sad Ken]

Riknos said:

Ignore all the dealers on here with a chip on their shoulder - (there are a lot of them!).

Certainly sounds like it.

I've went to look at a car with maybe 5-10% intention of buying it, would have happily admitted I'll probably not be buying it, and yet the dealer taking the time to do a test drive, and being a thoroughly nice chap swung me towards being seriously interested. Didn't buy the car, but looked at others purely because of him, and recommended him to family members.

Are all the salesman preoccupied with instant sales for that weeks commission?

[LouD86]

Why are you wasting time driving a car you wouldn't buy?

Best thing to do, whittle your option list down to the 2-3 you think you want, then find the cars that you would buy if they drove right, and drive those.

No point in driving something totally different!

[Pwig]

Unfortunately with the way the pay structures are set up in the motor trade that is all they can do.

If you think that the average staff turnover in the motor trade is 80% you will see why salesmen normally only think short term.

[Pwig]

That was in reply to Ken by the way.

[CCM604e]

LouD86 said:

Why are you wasting time driving a car you wouldn't buy?

Best thing to do, whittle your option list down to the 2-3 you think you want, then find the cars that you would buy if they drove right, and drive those.

No point in driving something totally different!

But by the strange logic in this thread, you are wasting someones time by test driving a car you won't be buying.

[Sheepshanks]

MattHall91 said:

Wow everyone on here is way too honest.

Here's how - LIE!

"I'm really interested in this car and it's just the spec I'm looking for. Blah blah blah"

test drive

"I'll be looking to place a deposit after I've moved jobs next week, so I will call then. Thanks, bye."

Never call.

If you want to get them really interested, start off by asking "how much a month would this cost me, mate?"

[Sheepshanks]

Sad Ken said:

Are all the salesman preoccupied with instant sales for that weeks commission?

They're probably pre-occupied with not getting fired.

The way it works isn't the customer's fault though - why should we care?

[ChasW]

Still it takes a competent sales person to work out whether it's worth engaging him or not. Why keep blaming the punters? There are tyre kickers in most markets. I recall my parents putting their picture postcard thatched country cottage on the market. They had loads of viewings, weekend after weekend. Mostly people out for a Sunday drive and being nosey. The estate agent had not qualified any them.

[Butter Face]

Sheepshanks said:

Sad Ken said:

Are all the salesman preoccupied with instant sales for that weeks commission?

They're probably pre-occupied with not getting fired.

The way it works isn't the [b]customer's [\b] fault though - why should we care?

You're only a customer once you've bought, so if you're a time wasting asshole who lies, drives a car and doesn't buy, you're not a customer, you're a time wasting asshole.

[Sheepshanks]

:shrug: Fair enough.

[Big_Dog]

Surely car sales is a speculative occupation. A chance to sell the car to the OP is what you have when he turns up. If you just want to take the money and be sure of a sale with every customer then open a newsagent.
Not trying to be offensive but a chance to sell is a chance to sell. Alternatively you sit there all day wondering where the punters are.
(30 years in sales)

[twing]

tomsugden said:

Why do you want to test if the lights work, on a car you have no intention of buying?

My first thought too!

[Megaflow]

An open question for the dealers on this thread.

I am looking to buy a car, outside of £1000 sheds the value is irrelevant IMO, but I have never driven this model of car before, how do you suggest I test drive the car to make sure it suits me before purchasing?