Dealer Test Drive Etiquette?

[AstonExige]

So I had to go and see a client yesterday, figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and took the AM with a view to stopping in at Aston Martin Works on the way home. I'm looking to upgrade to a V12V (as no doubt you've gathered from all my questions of late) and these guys have some nice examples. My biggest dilemma right now is SS vs manual, so my aim was to take a couple out and make that decision.

But the trip proved futile. I was told by the salesman he didn't have time to take me out as he was about to leave (it was 3.30pm) Can I come back Saturday. I pointed out that I was here now, it was dry out and no other potential customers in the showroom, so is now not ideal? Could be raining on Saturday. No, apparently the cold is worse for test drives (it was above freezing) 70 mile round trip to come back.

I come away feeling pretty disgruntled, its not as if I didn't come across as a serious buyer, and I was in my AM and suited and booted. So why the reluctance?

So it's made me wonder, with AM's should I be calling ahead and making an appointment? Do they frown at people just rocking up and wanting to take a car out? I understand that I suppose, but its left me, a potential buyer, with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth and I know I shouldn't rip my nose off to spite my face but if two cars come up for sale, one at Works and the other somewhere else, I'll be going somewhere else first.

Thoughts?

[trigbush]

I would be pretty peeved as well. Maybe he had a pressing engagement but surely they could have organised it on the spot with another rep if he really had to leave. I would maybe complain or post on twitter. A mate did the latter when he pitched up at the Tesla store and found a handwritten note on the door saying "back in five". Elon Musk was not at all impressed and my mate had the head of Belgian sales on the line within an hour offering him a car for the weekend...

[AyBee]

I'd be peeved in your situation as well, but I think most places expect you to phone ahead and book test drives these days.

[divetheworld]

I've made appointments with a dealer and drove over 150 miles only to be told they didn't have the car available I requested.
We just bought elsewhere aswell.

So, even making an appointment doesn't ensure service.

[avinalarf]

divetheworld said:

I've made appointments with a dealer and drove over 150 miles only to be told they didn't have the car available I requested.
We just bought elsewhere aswell.

So, even making an appointment doesn't ensure service.

Just reading your post has pissed me off.
I cannot imagine how I would have reacted had I been you in that situation.
In the word of our fellow forum maestro what a load of Tossers.
Out of interest what did you say to them ?

[AstonExige]

I am kicking myself for not calling ahead, but hoped middle of the day on a weekday, how busy can they be? And the place was empty. Didn't even offer for me to look around either of the cars. Seemed to show interest in showing me what cars were available on his computer. Maybe it was just a bit too cold to go outside :/ Don't get me wrong, he was friendly enough, just didn't show any interest in selling me a car. I do look quite young for my age, perhaps he thought I was a time waster just after a joy ride? But that's why I made a point of going along in my current AM (although he showed zero interest in that too)

So is this pretty much how things are at AM dealers? My current car came from a BMW dealership, I have my car serviced by DAE, so this is my first experience of them. From other marques I know to well not to tarnish all with the same brush, but there does seem to be of a theme here? Maybe I should re-ignite my interest in the California

[Frances The Mute]

divetheworld said:

I've made appointments with a dealer and drove over 150 miles only to be told they didn't have the car available I requested.
We just bought elsewhere aswell.

So, even making an appointment doesn't ensure service.

That's totally inexcusable behaviour.

[avinalarf]

AstonExige said:

I am kicking myself for not calling ahead, but hoped middle of the day on a weekday, how busy can they be? And the place was empty. Didn't even offer for me to look around either of the cars. Seemed to show interest in showing me what cars were available on his computer. Maybe it was just a bit too cold to go outside :/ Don't get me wrong, he was friendly enough, just didn't show any interest in selling me a car. I do look quite young for my age, perhaps he thought I was a time waster just after a joy ride? But that's why I made a point of going along in my current AM (although he showed zero interest in that too)

So is this pretty much how things are at AM dealers? My current car came from a BMW dealership, I have my car serviced by DAE, so this is my first experience of them. From other marques I know to well not to tarnish all with the same brush, but there does seem to be of a theme here? Maybe I should re-ignite my interest in the California

Parts of your post chime with me.
I too look particularly young for my age,especially when I am wearing my ultra tight black denims,black leather rocker jacket,
skin tight black tee and my wife's scarf.
Think Mick Jagger on steroids.
As a retailer I treat my customers as I would wish to be treated myself and find no reasonable excuse for the lack of interest shown in your circumstance.

[RobDown]

I had the same experience a few years back buying an M3. Drove for an hour, turned up at 2.30. Sales guy said "sorry I was just about to go home". Not been back to that dealership since

Very surprised about Works failing though. I'd tweet them

[avinalarf]

RobDown said:

I'd tweet them

I'd tell 'em to feck themselves.

[AstonExige]

avinalarf said:

I'd tell 'em to feck themselves.

LOL

Someone else has kindly taken the time to contact me, the implication being I had a 1 out of 2 chance of getting a good experience whilst at AM Works, looks like I lucked out. As they are just about my most local dealer, I think I will give them another chance, but this time I'll call ahead and make an appointment with the other sales guy.

[RobXjcoupe]

Firstly email Aston customer services stating what happened and what your initial intentions were. Then ask in the email if it's protocol to book test drives in advance as the salesman seemed put out and then name the salesperson as being unable to help until the date given but not actually taking an appointment.
I'm sure Aston Martin customer services will not be impressed. When they reply I'm sure it will be favourable

[JohnG1]

If sufficiently bothered, send a tweet to them and Andy Palmer with an abridged version of this story. I bet you that Andy Palmer will kick someone and you'll receive what you want. He's very into social media...

[avinalarf]

JohnG1 said:

If sufficiently bothered, send a tweet to them and Andy Palmer with an abridged version of this story. I bet you that Andy Palmer will kick someone and you'll receive what you want. He's very into social media...

Nah......lets cut to the chase.
Next time you visit a dealer take Tony Hall with you.
If that doesn't get them moving nothing will.

[RobDown]

JohnG1 said:

If sufficiently bothered, send a tweet to them and Andy Palmer with an abridged version of this story. I bet you that Andy Palmer will kick someone and you'll receive what you want. He's very into social media...

^^This

[HBradley]

I think you've been unlucky.
I've used 4 dealers during my AM ownership & have been thoroughly impressed with the enquiry & test-drive process (including a couple of walk-ins).

[xnetco]

I've had very different attitude from my dealer. They've offered me a car to take away from the weekend and then forgotten I even had it when I returned it on the Sunday.

Try another dealer.

[outofstepuk]

I wouldn't want to take someone out for an unannounced test drive in a V12V if it was as cold there as it was in Bristol yesterday.

Clearly I'm in a minority based on the other replies, but I think it is something that you should arrange in advance, not just show up for on the coldest day of the year. I would suggest the salesman would go out and warm the tires ahead of the test, rather than nervously drive a customer in it. Hardly shows the car in the best light.

Those that have booked, then not had the car available, that's completely different.

The client you were on the way back from seeing, did you make an appointment with them, or just show up?

[avinalarf]

outofstepuk said:

I wouldn't want to take someone out for an unannounced test drive in a V12V if it was as cold there as it was in Bristol yesterday.

Clearly I'm in a minority based on the other replies, but I think it is something that you should arrange in advance, not just show up for on the coldest day of the year. I would suggest the salesman would go out and warm the tires ahead of the test, rather than nervously drive a customer in it. Hardly shows the car in the best light.

Those that have booked, then not had the car available, that's completely different.

The client you were on the way back from seeing, did you make an appointment with them, or just show up?

I agree that an advanced call of an intention to go on a test drive would have proven beneficial to both the dealer and the client.
However I got the impression from the poster that there was a complete lack of interest in his intention of purchasing a car and,for that,there is no excuse.

[outofstepuk]

avinalarf said:

I agree that an advanced call of an intention to go on a test drive would have proven beneficial to both the dealer and the client.
However I got the impression from the poster that there was a complete lack of interest in his intention of purchasing a car and,for that,there is no excuse.

you're getting an impression from the one side that posts on here and didn't get what he wanted. I know neither party, but everyone is pretty quick to want the Sales person reprimanded via his boss on twitter.