Dealer Test Drive Etiquette?

[Ken Figenus]

I always make an appointment in advance if I want a test drive - can save hanging about/returning!

1 AM dealer who gave me a rubbish pre-booked test drive asked me why I didn't buy a car from them. I told him of the useless 10 mins on a motorway test drive in return for 2 hours of my time and that I'd mentioned a follow up proper test drive (like wot Porsche gave me in a 911 4S for the morning to the DP (which never happened). At least the guy asking me actually cared why I bought elsewhere...

[whirlybird]

Several weeks ago I just happened to be passing AMW, after a failed attempt to see a V8V that was for sale? in Olney. Arrived in my sons very scruffy Polo, and dressed in my best Builders Trakies & T-Shirt, ambled in. Was pleasantly surprised by the lady on reception who firstly offered to get me a cuppa, then arranged for a salesman to have a chat with me. ( at this point is was not in a position to consider a purchase until some promised funds had materialised ) despite this, the salesman not only showed me around a car that would fit my expected budget, but offered to arrange a test drive there and then. I simply explained that until I was in the position to fund outright the purchase I,d refrain from the drive. My funds have materialised and I see they have a car very close to my wish list. My plan is to pop by in the next few days to discuss further. :-)

[avinalarf]

whirlybird said:

Several weeks ago I just happened to be passing AMW, after a failed attempt to see a V8V that was for sale? in Olney. Arrived in my sons very scruffy Polo, and dressed in my best Builders Trakies & T-Shirt, ambled in. Was pleasantly surprised by the lady on reception who firstly offered to get me a cuppa, then arranged for a salesman to have a chat with me. ( at this point is was not in a position to consider a purchase until some promised funds had materialised ) despite this, the salesman not only showed me around a car that would fit my expected budget, but offered to arrange a test drive there and then. I simply explained that until I was in the position to fund outright the purchase I,d refrain from the drive. My funds have materialised and I see they have a car very close to my wish list. My plan is to pop by in the next few days to discuss further. :-)

You were very lucky,dressed like that......very scruffy.
If I'd been in charge I'd shown you the work mens entrance or told you to sod off.

[CSK1]

I've learned in my business not to judge people by their clothes. I've seen some mega rich guys turning up in scruffy T-shirt and shorts.
Anyway, when I was looking to buy a V12VSR, I popped in the Cannes showroom to have a look at some cars and discuss my potential purchase. When I walked in, some guy walked out and when enquiring with the other salesman, the guy told me, ah I'm awfully sorry but the Aston Martin salesman just walked out, you will have to come back. When asked if I could have a drive in their V12VSR demo they had outside and which was for sale, he told me no you will have to come back. Gave him my business card, as he didn't call me back, I gave him a call and he said he was just going on holiday for a couple of weeks and would I mind giving him a call upon his return?
Well I didn't and he didn't call me either.
So ended up buying my car elsewhere and have it serviced in Lyon which is a bit further away from where I live but the service is great even though I didn't buy from them.
There are clearly some dealers to avoid!

[AstonExige]

whirlybird said:

Several weeks ago I just happened to be passing AMW, after a failed attempt to see a V8V that was for sale? in Olney. Arrived in my sons very scruffy Polo, and dressed in my best Builders Trakies & T-Shirt, ambled in. Was pleasantly surprised by the lady on reception who firstly offered to get me a cuppa, then arranged for a salesman to have a chat with me. ( at this point is was not in a position to consider a purchase until some promised funds had materialised ) despite this, the salesman not only showed me around a car that would fit my expected budget, but offered to arrange a test drive there and then. I simply explained that until I was in the position to fund outright the purchase I,d refrain from the drive. My funds have materialised and I see they have a car very close to my wish list. My plan is to pop by in the next few days to discuss further. :-)

Sounds like you got to speak with the "good cop" half of that sales department

[whirlybird]

avinalarf said:

You were very lucky,dressed like that......very scruffy.
If I'd been in charge I'd shown you the work mens entrance or told you to sod off.

Thats what I expected to happen !!!!!! but as Mrs W always says, you can't judge a book by its cover " ( or some old cr*p like that ) I,ve now test driven several cars, including one at an independent, one private, and one from a generic sports car dealer nr Norwich, who couldn't be arsed to get the car out of the showroom, despite given 48 hours notice of my arrival, did get to drive his bosses Supercharged V8V, but thats not what I was looking to buy. The AMW salesman was SS, by the way, Next time I,m there its red trousers

[avinalarf]

CSK1 said:

I've learned in my business not to judge people by their clothes. I've seen some mega rich guys turning up in scruffy T-shirt and shorts.
Anyway, when I was looking to buy a V12VSR, I popped in the Cannes showroom to have a look at some cars and discuss my potential purchase. When I walked in, some guy walke d out and when enquiring with the other salesman, the guy told me, ah I'm awfully sorry but the Aston Martin salesman just walked out, you will have to come back. When asked if I could have a drive in their V12VSR demo they had outside and which was for sale, he told me no you will have to come back. Gave him my business card, as he didn't call me back, I gave him a call and he said he was just going on holiday for a couple of weeks and would I mind giving him a call upon his return?
Well I didn't and he didn't call me either.
So ended up buying my car elsewhere and have it serviced in Lyon which is a bit further away from where I live but the service is great even though I didn't buy from them.
There are clearly some dealers to avoid!

Alright...alright......you win .....definitely a Top Trump winner.
"Popped into the dealer In Cannes......having it serviced in Lyons."
Going away to have a sulk.....sitting here....freezing cold.

[Jon39]

avinalarf said:

You were very lucky,dressed like that......very scruffy.
If I'd been in charge I'd shown you the work mens entrance or told you to sod off.

The dealer did well.

As you know Steven, in these days of 'dress down', people never know when they are standing next to a multi-millionaire.

[outofstepuk]

Jon39 said:

The dealer did well.

As you know Steven, in these days of 'dress down', people never know when they are standing next to a multi-millionaire.

I get basically ignored in BMW, Merc etc as I guess I don't fit their monthly lease profile, but high end dealers always come straight over. Maybe they are worried about my grubby mitts on their cars

[CSK1]

avinalarf said:

Alright...alright......you win .....definitely a Top Trump winner.
"Popped into the dealer In Cannes......having it serviced in Lyons."
Going away to have a sulk.....sitting here....freezing cold.

Well, Steven I'll sell you a property in St Tropez and you can have the same lifestyle! :-)

[Ken Figenus]

Jon39 said:

The dealer did well.

As you know Steven, in these days of 'dress down', people never know when they are standing next to a multi-millionaire.

So true! I do a lot with National Lottery winners and gave 4 separate and very down to earth winners a lift to their hotel after a charity gig yesterday. All were dressed very casually and extremely normally - no rip off watches even! You would never have known - but one actually owned the hotel and was still cadging a lift!

[omfgmynamewontfi]

I had a very flatulent salesman at an Aston Martin dealership

absolutely ghastly man

[cayman-black]

omfgmynamewontfi said:

I had a very flatulent salesman at an Aston Martin dealership

absolutely ghastly man

OMFG i don't believe you.

[avinalarf]

CSK1 said:

avinalarf said:

Alright...alright......you win .....definitely a Top Trump winner.
"Popped into the dealer In Cannes......having it serviced in Lyons."
Going away to have a sulk.....sitting here....freezing cold.

Well, Steven I'll sell you a property in St Tropez and you can have the same lifestyle! :-)

Is that what you do ,an upmarket estate agent ?
OK sell me a property in Cannes and make me a partner in the biz.
I speak French,German and Italian so I'll be an great asset to you ,let alone my legendary selling powers.

[avinalarf]

omfgmynamewontfi said:

I had a very flatulent salesman at an Aston Martin dealership

absolutely ghastly man

Was it John McPharter ?
I know him well,nice Scottish gentleman ,apparently he tunes his bagpipes to the sound of his farts.

[South tdf]

Was in my local AM dealer last year having some warranty work done and just browsing the demos when the salesman offered “if you want to take any out give me a shout and I will get the keys” and this is despite me buying my car direct from a friend who was days away from selling it to the dealer for stock.

On the other hand I have been treated totally opposite by Porsche salesman with the worst being when picking up a new 997. The car was not ready despite being told it was and after 2 hours waiting they gave me a 1.0 Polo to go home in as customers might want to drive the demonstrators during the day…

Back on subject from hearing various experiences with high end dealers I would probably now phone ahead to book a test drive.

[CSK1]

@Steven, so as not to hijack this thread, you can PM me.
Note: I only do St Tropez and surrounding area.

[RobDown]

The moral of the story is always dress down when going to an AM dealership; I always like to be the scruffiest person in there (it comes easily to me!)

[AMDBSVNick]

RobDown said:

The moral of the story is always dress down when going to an AM dealership; I always like to be the scruffiest person in there (it comes easily to me!)

I can relate to this, Rigger Boots are the way to go

[AOK]

whirlybird said:

Thats what I expected to happen !!!!!! but as Mrs W always says, you can't judge a book by its cover " ( or some old cr*p like that ) I,ve now test driven several cars, including one at an independent, one private, and one from a generic sports car dealer nr Norwich, who couldn't be arsed to get the car out of the showroom, despite given 48 hours notice of my arrival, did get to drive his bosses Supercharged V8V, but thats not what I was looking to buy. The AMW salesman was SS, by the way, Next time I,m there its red trousers

I've called in to visit SS on a few occasions wearing trainers, trackie bottoms and a t-shirt. I just find that's what I'm most comfortable in and, in turn, I think it makes them more comfortable. SS is a true gent and would never judge anyone on appearance.