When you tell a dealer the 'c' word...
Discussion
Edinburger said:
BMW put me in touch with a sales guy who is the named contact for this particular lease company and he grudgingly spoke to me and promised to email info and organise a test drive but - predictably- I haven't heard a dickie bird.
When I was looking at company cars I contacted my then local BMW dealer and was upfront about my motives and asked if they had the models of cars I was interested in to have a look around. They couldn't have been more helpful and they even arranged unaccompanied test drives for me which sold me on the car. Perhaps they were assuming that even if they didn't supply the car they'd still pick up subsequent servicing/warranty work or maybe they were just nice people? 
Chris
Garybee said:
I thought this was going to be the other 'c' word. If you want to buy a car without finance it has the same effect.
I thought the same, When going to a particular dealership recently, They tried to chat me up with finance at 9.0%! When I said I had the full amount in cash, they then suggested they had a 'pot of money' that they can give better deals to special customers or whatever, so the finance would be 4.4% instead of 9?????They don't like cash anymore
Edit; Sorry OP I sidetracked, Just don't mention your looking for a company car, get your test drives sorted
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th February 19:33
andymc said:
Pothole said:
sparks_E39 said:
A relative had a Mercedes dealer refuse to let him pay outright for an E350d. Unbelievable. That's the sort of "C" I thought you meant.
Utterly, so I don't.Echoing the above post, they were not happy about the cash.
If you insist, however it has been brought up before on here by other members. They would not honour the deal if he paid outright. I'm sure they would of taken the full amount had he persisted but not at the price discussed with him, but he managed to buy it from another dealer 70 miles away.
Edited by sparks_E39 on Sunday 19th February 19:36
Butter Face said:
FWIW, I test drove someone today who works for the NHS and gets her car through their scheme, nothing in it for me at all, but she called up, explained the situation and promised me no hassle and just wanted a quick test drive so I oblidged. But I'm a nice guy like that 
CCS scheme? Been very effective that, there's very little fat in the cars we provide under that framework.Just pretend you're a private buyer and don't mention the c word. I lease my cars and go to dealers under the false pretence of being a private buyer to get a test drive. I say I'm interested in buying on a PCP deal and even let them do the figures. Once done I tell them I'll think about it. You'll get loads of phone calls afterwards though from dealers trying to seal the deal.
Edinburger said:
Rich_W said:
Jimmy Recard said:
Why would their franchise not get paid?
We usually arrange company cars through the local car dealer. A mix of Audis, Land Rovers and Mercedes right now. All from the local dealers.
I daresay the OP is going through "LEX" or whoever. Whereas you go through whoever your local dealers fleet sales person* is. Who WILL make money on the deal, so worth them making an effort. The Amazon John Lewis thing is spot on. Imagine it like buying a Sony TV. Who you buy from is who will make the effort. Not who makes it.We usually arrange company cars through the local car dealer. A mix of Audis, Land Rovers and Mercedes right now. All from the local dealers.
(*As a rule fleet sales men are pretty odd!
)The funny thing is, I've bought two cars from this dealer over the years and their service has been decent.
Very different when it's a company car though!
Don't be shy about company cars, it makes the testing process MUCH better in my experience.
Get your list, draw up a shortlist of three from visiting dealers without actually driving them just like you would if your were a normal punter.
Then, instead of phoning garages direct and going through all your financial history to book a 20 minute accompanied spin around the block, phone up the lease company who handles your account, tell them the three cars you want to test drive and they will then deliver them to your home address for a proper test drive. When I say proper test drive, I normally get 3 to 4 days in each car.
Where's the issue?
Enjoy your new car.
Get your list, draw up a shortlist of three from visiting dealers without actually driving them just like you would if your were a normal punter.
Then, instead of phoning garages direct and going through all your financial history to book a 20 minute accompanied spin around the block, phone up the lease company who handles your account, tell them the three cars you want to test drive and they will then deliver them to your home address for a proper test drive. When I say proper test drive, I normally get 3 to 4 days in each car.
Where's the issue?
Enjoy your new car.
If you run out of test drives with your lease company, fill in the form on the manufacturer's website, ticking the company car box, and they'll get someone in fleet sales from the local dealer to sort you out with a test. I did this with Mercedes on a GLC220d - they organised an accompanied test within a couple of days and followed up a couple of days later asking if I wanted an extended test.
(Didn't in the end, as my car list only bought me a GLC with plastic seats)
(Didn't in the end, as my car list only bought me a GLC with plastic seats)
sparks_E39 said:
andymc said:
Pothole said:
sparks_E39 said:
A relative had a Mercedes dealer refuse to let him pay outright for an E350d. Unbelievable. That's the sort of "C" I thought you meant.
Utterly, so I don't.Echoing the above post, they were not happy about the cash.
If you insist, however it has been brought up before on here by other members. They would not honour the deal if he paid outright. I'm sure they would of taken the full amount had he persisted but not at the price discussed with him, but he managed to buy it from another dealer 70 miles away.
I've realised there's no point in arguing about it, and there's often an incentive for taking the finance too. Just take it and then withdraw a few days after delivery. Makes it a much nicer transaction, and next time you go back the salesguy will have moved on anyway.
it does tend to sour the negotiations.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff