Collecting car from a dealer - what to expect?
Discussion
unrepentant said:
Sorry to hear that Erik, not what's required. I assume you reflected that in the survey you got a week later? Whether it's a base XF or Evoque or a Range Rover Autobiography we always try and make the experience as special as possible.
Yes I have given feedback. To be fair the salesman who made the sale to me wasn't in when I went to pick it up, he apologized but left the delivery in the hands of his colleague who didn't seem all that interested to be dealing with me. I also have a Range Rover which I purchased new in 2011 - no red carpet, car was presented outside the showroom however it was a much nicer experience, the salesman knew the model inside out and he has been extremely nice to my wife and I - when we drop it in for a service if he sees us he makes a point of coming over to exchange small talk. Ok I know that's all part of the salesman training but still makes you want to return as a customer, which we will be as going to trade in for a new RR Sport later this year.
I got no big reveal or any of that nonsense. Maybe it was the dealer or maybe they just judged me well. I would have considered that pompous tripe.
The car was extremely well prepared, they were very warm and friendly people and the after sales care has been first class.
Worrying about whether someone will massage you ego with carpets and unveilings seems like judging a marriage on the size of the wedding reception.
I would have felt embarrassed standing in a showroom whilst some minion subserviently pulled a sheet off my car. Everyone gets off on different things I suppose. The very thought of an unveiling for a car makes me cringe, frankly.
The car was extremely well prepared, they were very warm and friendly people and the after sales care has been first class.
Worrying about whether someone will massage you ego with carpets and unveilings seems like judging a marriage on the size of the wedding reception.
I would have felt embarrassed standing in a showroom whilst some minion subserviently pulled a sheet off my car. Everyone gets off on different things I suppose. The very thought of an unveiling for a car makes me cringe, frankly.
jamieduff1981 said:
I got no big reveal or any of that nonsense. Maybe it was the dealer or maybe they just judged me well. I would have considered that pompous tripe.
The car was extremely well prepared, they were very warm and friendly people and the after sales care has been first class.
Worrying about whether someone will massage you ego with carpets and unveilings seems like judging a marriage on the size of the wedding reception.
I would have felt embarrassed standing in a showroom whilst some minion subserviently pulled a sheet off my car. Everyone gets off on different things I suppose. The very thought of an unveiling for a car makes me cringe, frankly.
I too would not want a "reveal" or a cover to be pulled off - I know what the car looks like, and a red carpet really isn't my thing either. What I would have liked is an attentive salesman that knew the car on delivery though versus a few minutes umming and aaahing inside the car seemingly pushing random buttons trying to figure out what they did while explaining them to me. I think purely based on intuition I had a better idea of how the F Type worked than he did !!The car was extremely well prepared, they were very warm and friendly people and the after sales care has been first class.
Worrying about whether someone will massage you ego with carpets and unveilings seems like judging a marriage on the size of the wedding reception.
I would have felt embarrassed standing in a showroom whilst some minion subserviently pulled a sheet off my car. Everyone gets off on different things I suppose. The very thought of an unveiling for a car makes me cringe, frankly.
Like I said the Range Rover delivery was much better - the whole dealership is relaxed and laid back with the sales guys dressed super casual - what was great is he was attentive and really knew each and every feature inside out upon deliver.
EK993 said:
I too would not want a "reveal" or a cover to be pulled off - I know what the car looks like, and a red carpet really isn't my thing either. What I would have liked is an attentive salesman that knew the car on delivery though versus a few minutes umming and aaahing inside the car seemingly pushing random buttons trying to figure out what they did while explaining them to me. I think purely based on intuition I had a better idea of how the F Type worked than he did !!
Like I said the Range Rover delivery was much better - the whole dealership is relaxed and laid back with the sales guys dressed super casual - what was great is he was attentive and really knew each and every feature inside out upon deliver.
Same really. Like I said in my original post I'm not really bothered about the lack of fanfare, I'm more bothered that the car was just out in the Car Park and wasn't really 'shown' to me in any way. Not the end of the world I still loved the car and that's the main thing.Like I said the Range Rover delivery was much better - the whole dealership is relaxed and laid back with the sales guys dressed super casual - what was great is he was attentive and really knew each and every feature inside out upon deliver.
Well, I walked from the station (I declined a lift - it was forecast to be a nice day).
On arrival my car was parked ready for collection - outside. There being no "Handover Area" at this particular dealership.
I was taken inside to sign the paperwork, over which there was some confusion. I had modified the spec some two months previously, but this change was not noted on the original paperwork. Rather, a new set was generated that didn't include the original details of the deal. This took some running around by staff to sort out.
I was then taken to the car and asked to check that I was happy with it. My 12 year old BMW 'shopping car' has better panel gaps, but my car was consistent with others I had examined so I didn't argue. I subsequently had it taken to a Jaguar Bodyshop to deal with some panel alignment issues unique to my car at the dealers expense.
The various features of the car were then explained to me, but I would note that if you have to go to the trouble of this, and a "Quick Start" guide in addition to the Owners Manual you need to rethink the User Interface.
I drove home. On the way I noted that the passenger door trim vibrated on the lower notes produced by the stereo (a return visit to the dealership provided a partial fix), and the windows didn't close properly as they had not been reset following disconnection of the battery during delivery.
So in summary, scrappy.
While it is in my experience entirely dealership dependent, some are better than others (marques, as well...)
I understand Coventry are very good though.
On arrival my car was parked ready for collection - outside. There being no "Handover Area" at this particular dealership.
I was taken inside to sign the paperwork, over which there was some confusion. I had modified the spec some two months previously, but this change was not noted on the original paperwork. Rather, a new set was generated that didn't include the original details of the deal. This took some running around by staff to sort out.
I was then taken to the car and asked to check that I was happy with it. My 12 year old BMW 'shopping car' has better panel gaps, but my car was consistent with others I had examined so I didn't argue. I subsequently had it taken to a Jaguar Bodyshop to deal with some panel alignment issues unique to my car at the dealers expense.
The various features of the car were then explained to me, but I would note that if you have to go to the trouble of this, and a "Quick Start" guide in addition to the Owners Manual you need to rethink the User Interface.
I drove home. On the way I noted that the passenger door trim vibrated on the lower notes produced by the stereo (a return visit to the dealership provided a partial fix), and the windows didn't close properly as they had not been reset following disconnection of the battery during delivery.
So in summary, scrappy.
While it is in my experience entirely dealership dependent, some are better than others (marques, as well...)
I understand Coventry are very good though.
I've bought a total of 8 Jaguars over the last five years from several dealerships. The experience varies considerably.
I've had a second-hand car beatifully presented and handed over from inside the showroom with flowers and a "reveal sheet" from one dealer.
In contrast, a brand new £70k car handed over in a hap-hazzard fashion in the carpark with bits missing and clearly an inadequate PDI (Fluid levels and Tyre Pressures incorrect).
I certainly know in my own mind now which dealers I'd prefer to use!
I'm always afraid to give negative feedback to Jaguar as falling out with the supplying dealer after the event is not a good idea.
I've had a second-hand car beatifully presented and handed over from inside the showroom with flowers and a "reveal sheet" from one dealer.
In contrast, a brand new £70k car handed over in a hap-hazzard fashion in the carpark with bits missing and clearly an inadequate PDI (Fluid levels and Tyre Pressures incorrect).
I certainly know in my own mind now which dealers I'd prefer to use!
I'm always afraid to give negative feedback to Jaguar as falling out with the supplying dealer after the event is not a good idea.
Thanks for all the replies - it's been interesting to see how different dealers do this. I collected my car this weekend, and I have to say I was somewhat underwhelmed by the experience - although I love the car!
I don't think the car was prepared as well as it could have been, as a couple of things I was told would be sorted during the preparation were not done and the interior of the car isn't as clean as I was expecting. In addition, the gear selector knob was replaced as it was scratched, but they have fitted one from a standard XF rather than the glossy piano black XKR-S version. Also a few things I was told turned out not to be the case - one example being that I was expecting to get 7 days complimentary insurance, however was told 2 days before I was due to collect the car that Jaguar Insurance would not provide cover for my particular car as it was "rare and desirable".
The car was waiting in the showroom when I arrived, however was rolled out into the car park almost straight away, and then after a quick run-through of the various controls I was handed the keys and off I went with 1/2 a tank of fuel. Maybe I was expecting more as it was a really big deal for me, but I felt it was a bit of an anti-climax.
I don't think the car was prepared as well as it could have been, as a couple of things I was told would be sorted during the preparation were not done and the interior of the car isn't as clean as I was expecting. In addition, the gear selector knob was replaced as it was scratched, but they have fitted one from a standard XF rather than the glossy piano black XKR-S version. Also a few things I was told turned out not to be the case - one example being that I was expecting to get 7 days complimentary insurance, however was told 2 days before I was due to collect the car that Jaguar Insurance would not provide cover for my particular car as it was "rare and desirable".
The car was waiting in the showroom when I arrived, however was rolled out into the car park almost straight away, and then after a quick run-through of the various controls I was handed the keys and off I went with 1/2 a tank of fuel. Maybe I was expecting more as it was a really big deal for me, but I felt it was a bit of an anti-climax.
jamieduff1981 said:
That gear selector must have been some retrofit by a previous owner.
My XFR-S selector knob is chrome silver. HTH.
I noticed the original one was scratched when I looked at the car initially, and asked the dealer to replace it, which they agreed to do if the scratches couldn't be polished out. They replaced it with a different knob. Only a very small thing in the general scheme of things, but it is going to niggle me!My XFR-S selector knob is chrome silver. HTH.
It really is down to the dealer and sometimes if you have screwed the last penny out of them there just not interested,i have always tried to get the best deal i can when buying a car as i know sure as eggs is eggs when you go to p/ex the dealer is going to have your pants down does not matter what you paid.Dealers have the option to say no cant do that deal and that way the car should be prepared perfectly and as other posters have said i have purchased cars from 5k to 185k and there is no standard of preperation.I dont blame the valeters or workshop as there giving strict times to get cars ready.
kind regards simon
kind regards simon
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