Car Salesman Dropped Me Like A Hot Potato

[Tannedbaldhead]

I'm about to choose a replacement company vehicle. The front runner has to pass one make or break selection criteria. I live in a city centre flat where the sole parking space is a small garage. If the vehicle fits I buy it. If it doesn't I don't.
The fleet sales manager dealing with me initially looked on me as a good prospect. I asked if I could take a demonstrator and stick in in my garage to see if it would fit. The salesman replied why couldn't I just measure the garage and check the dimensions of the vehicle. I explained that body shape, mirrors and general visibility and door size could all conspire to make certain smaller cars more awkward to park than some larger ones and the easiest way to check is to drive it in.
Confronted with the possibility that something outwith his control could deal-break the sale the salesman seems to have lost all interest. He has gone from very helpful to always being busy when I call. Suddenly there are no demonstrators available, he is reluctant to provide a second hand example the same size and he claims he'd struggle to let the driver/valeter they have, let alone a member of the sales staff, pop over with one to see if it would fit.
I genuinely am interested in doing a deal. I can't believe a saleman would be put off by a potential dealbreaker where if the car fits (literally) the commission is his.

[Tannedbaldhead]

The dealership is less than a mile away. So handy. It's a shame to have to travel. He doesn't know it won't fit but he's worried that's the case. There is one way to find out.

[Tannedbaldhead]

waterwonder said:

Have you told this guy that he will get the sale if it fits etc?

It sounds like he thinks you're a user chooser and your company car will be bought from elsewhere after he's spent time in your garage.

If this is the case then I kind of don't blame him if it isn't then find someone else who will take your money.

He's b2b fleet sales. There's a deal to be done. I could go elsewhere but it means a 10+ mile trip out then bringing the car back to my flat.

[Tannedbaldhead]

daemon said:

I've never yet had ANY problems buying a car - or getting time with a car salesman - when i wanted to.

Theres clearly more happening here than the O/P is letting on.

I've posted the very same and did so quite recently on a someone not happy with a Mercedes dealer thread. Not only have I not had a problem buying a car I've also been given test drives after fessing up It was a company car sourced elsewhere. The last time I did this the salesman sent me out in the car with a valeter/driver. What's more, when I drove in for my first service he acknowledged and greeted me and asked how I was enjoying my car.

Sorry for disappearing. Was over in Ireland over the weekend and came back to a thread that had grown arms and legs to an extent I didn't know where to start answering so here goes.

My employer has a very punitive personal use charging policy for our company cars. I therefore only use mine for commuting and business use. My next company car options are limited to the colour choice of a base Vauxhall Astra Hatch. At home (or rather at my parents house as I haven't the room) I have a Peugeot 208 and MGTF for private miles. I've decided it's not worth paying tax on a car I don't use and not that fussed about taking a van home. My vehicle of choice given the circumstances is a Dacia Duster Commercial. (A Duster with blanked windows and no rear seats. I checked with the MD and was given the OK to place my order with our accountant (he procures our cars and vans).

Before doing so I contacted the fleet salesman we use. He works for a multi dealer franchise. I mentioned that I had sat in the Duster in the dealer's showroom and that it felt considerably bigger than either the Citroen Nemo or Vauxhall Astra both of which can squeeze (just in the case of the Astra) into my garage: 2100mm at the door and spreading to 2550mm wall to wall. Sadly anything bigger would really start to struggle. The Astra is stated to be 2084mm wide at the mirrors, the Nemo 2019mm the Duster 2000mm. I find the Duster being narrowest vehicle hard to believe. It just doesn't feel it. I mentioned this to the fleet manager who said he'd get me a shot of one to check and put me in touch with the local dealer.

The initial salesman was a Renault van salesman. He doesn't usually have anything to do with Dacias. Isn't sure if he should be involved. Dacia car salesman doesn't have anything to do with vans. Isn't sure if he should be dealing with me and unlike the van salesman hasn't any working relationship with the fleet salesman my company deals with. All of a sudden no car is available.

This is wrong. When your dealership has an impending sale you sell the car.