Dealer Test Drive Etiquette?
Discussion
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?
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?
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
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
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.
Although disappointed I wasn't given the option to test drive, I do understand to a certain extent. And had I of turned up and all the salesman were busy, cars out and it there was ice on the roads I'd have understood even more. But the place was empty and it was about 5 degrees outside (not the coldest day of the year by any stretch). I couldn't see a valid reason as to why I wasn't given the opportunity to drive one, in fact even look in one, as the salesman had to "go out" No attempt to even find someone else who had the time to assist me? But it wasn't just the test drive, it was the lack of enthusiasm as a whole that I found poor.
And I'm not sure it's quite the same to compare an arrangement I had with a client to going to a car dealer though? In that respect I was going to see my customer, in that instance I was the customer and in a completely different line of business. If I was selling cars I'd expect people to turn up and want to drive them prior to parting with their hard earned.
And I'm not going to go out of my way to get the guy lynched! I'm simply not going to buy a car through him.
And I'm not sure it's quite the same to compare an arrangement I had with a client to going to a car dealer though? In that respect I was going to see my customer, in that instance I was the customer and in a completely different line of business. If I was selling cars I'd expect people to turn up and want to drive them prior to parting with their hard earned.
And I'm not going to go out of my way to get the guy lynched! I'm simply not going to buy a car through him.
outofstepuk said:
When you get to drive a V12V at about 5 degrees on cold corsas, your view of the conditions might change.
Maybe he had to visit a client he had already made an appointment with? Or pick up his kids from school? You're assuming his reason to "go out" isn't as valid as yours for wanting what you wanted right now.
I completely back your decision not to buy from anyone you don't like the service from, I often make similar choices. I just think it's rough complaining online without a the other side having a right to defend themselves.
Aston Martin Works advertise clearly state opening times for the Sales department and do not state by appointments only, surely its not unreasonable to expect to be able to turn up and talk to someone in sales during those times? If he had a prior engagement that is fine and I'm sure it was a valid one, but to do so without having someone else there to take over is unprofessional. I'm not saying if that's the failing of the sales person or if it was the company for not having sufficient coverage. Maybe he had to visit a client he had already made an appointment with? Or pick up his kids from school? You're assuming his reason to "go out" isn't as valid as yours for wanting what you wanted right now.
I completely back your decision not to buy from anyone you don't like the service from, I often make similar choices. I just think it's rough complaining online without a the other side having a right to defend themselves.
Bottom line AM dealers are thinly spread out, it should be assumed any person going in there may well have traveled some distance, so to me anyone leaving there feeling as though they've been an inconvenience, felt as though they weren't taken seriously as a buyer, not worthy of a salesmans time and their journey was a complete waste of time? It is inexcusable so whatever reasons an individual could give in defense is only going to point at a failing elsewhere. Hands up, in hindsight I should have called ahead, hence why I started this thread, to find out if that's the norm and next time I find myself near a dealer I'll know whether to just pop in or save my time and get home to put my feet up.
Pothole said:
It's the 21st century way.
OP, didn't you ask the person in front of you if there was anyone else you could speak to or did you just expect him to make all the running? Perhaps his pressing need to leave distracted him from prostrating himself in front of your enormous ego.
You're a customer, not God. Just because the commodity you wish to purchase is expensive shouldn't make you any more or less important than the bloke in the pub up the road who wants to taste a beer before maybe, or maybe not, buying a pint.
(I'm very tired, I've never worked in car sales. 15 years of high end furniture and homewards retailing left me with pretty poor impressions of customers.)
No big ego here, I don't even earn the money to warrant a £100k car purchase! And I work in sales myself OP, didn't you ask the person in front of you if there was anyone else you could speak to or did you just expect him to make all the running? Perhaps his pressing need to leave distracted him from prostrating himself in front of your enormous ego.
You're a customer, not God. Just because the commodity you wish to purchase is expensive shouldn't make you any more or less important than the bloke in the pub up the road who wants to taste a beer before maybe, or maybe not, buying a pint.
(I'm very tired, I've never worked in car sales. 15 years of high end furniture and homewards retailing left me with pretty poor impressions of customers.)
J12KJR said:
Totally agree with this, I would have thought long and hard as to whether the V12S I eventually purchased was the right car for me based on subsequent drives in cold damp conditions on the Corsas.
I always thought that coming from 20+ years of TVRs (Sagaris as the final one) with no traction control or ABS that I would have difficulty with maintaining traction in a rear drive car so long as I was careful with the lead boot. Those Corsas make you think again though and hence Pilot Super Sports are going on at the weekend.
So maybe this was just a sales ploy then, he knew that should I have driven the car on that day there is a good chance I wouldn't have bought? That makes sense. Still, there could have been other things he could've done so I didn't leave there feeling disgruntled and like I'd wasted my time. If I was in his shoes I'd have taken me out there, sat me in the car, started it up and dangled the carrot. Talked the car up and encouraged me to come back to experience the best bit. Then taken down my details, booked in an appointment and got on the phone again today to add to my enthusiasm further.I always thought that coming from 20+ years of TVRs (Sagaris as the final one) with no traction control or ABS that I would have difficulty with maintaining traction in a rear drive car so long as I was careful with the lead boot. Those Corsas make you think again though and hence Pilot Super Sports are going on at the weekend.
avinalarf said:
"Good afternoon my dear chap,my name is Aston Exige and I'm awfully sorry to trouble you but I'm very interested in exchanging my Aston for a V12V like what the one what you have here and possibly if I grovel a tad you might even deign to give me a weeny little test drive.......chum.
" Are you avinalarf matey ? You come in here at 3.30 in the afternoon,as I'm just about to go round to my bird for a bit of rumpty tumpty and expect me to waste my time on selling you a car. No way Hosey. Anyway it's bleedin" cold out and those V12V's are bloody death traps when it's cold,especially if their not correctly shod with XPveryexpensos.
" Oh,I'm terribly awfully sorry old chap to have troubled you,would you please let me know how I may arrange a test drive in your esteemed establishment ?"
"Certainly, it's quite easy innit. We require prospective punters to write a letter ,in triplicate,addressed to the Head Negotiator for the Aston Martin Brand. Then we throw all such letters into our Silly Sods Basket and if and when we have time we will fish one out,it might be yours,you gotta be innit to win it. "
" Are you avinalarf matey ? You come in here at 3.30 in the afternoon,as I'm just about to go round to my bird for a bit of rumpty tumpty and expect me to waste my time on selling you a car. No way Hosey. Anyway it's bleedin" cold out and those V12V's are bloody death traps when it's cold,especially if their not correctly shod with XPveryexpensos.
" Oh,I'm terribly awfully sorry old chap to have troubled you,would you please let me know how I may arrange a test drive in your esteemed establishment ?"
"Certainly, it's quite easy innit. We require prospective punters to write a letter ,in triplicate,addressed to the Head Negotiator for the Aston Martin Brand. Then we throw all such letters into our Silly Sods Basket and if and when we have time we will fish one out,it might be yours,you gotta be innit to win it. "
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 
My faith has been restored. A couple of very kind members got in touch with me via email following this thread, recommending some dealers / salesman to deal with.
Called Martin at Aston Martin Wilmslow. Told him of my intention to upgrade to a V12 and also of my indecision around a manual or sportshift. He said best thing is to drive them back to back, he has both up there so I'm more than welcome to come along and drive them both. Arranged to go up there on Tuesday.
Spoke to Lloyd at Aston Martni in Bristol. (They have a red V12s I like.) Again very helpful, spent loads of time on the phone helping me and suggested I come down to have a chat and a drive.
So my faith has well and truly been restored. Having spoken to both these guys for a relatively decent amount of time I'm confident had I of just turned up I would have had a lot better experience than I did at Works. Having said that I've also been advised to speak to SS at Works by a number of people so suspect I was just unlucky last time. So I will give them a call when I'm next in that area.
Big thanks to everyone who took the time to post on this thread, the advice has been great. Extra big thanks to those that got in touch with names and dealers to call.
Called Martin at Aston Martin Wilmslow. Told him of my intention to upgrade to a V12 and also of my indecision around a manual or sportshift. He said best thing is to drive them back to back, he has both up there so I'm more than welcome to come along and drive them both. Arranged to go up there on Tuesday.
Spoke to Lloyd at Aston Martni in Bristol. (They have a red V12s I like.) Again very helpful, spent loads of time on the phone helping me and suggested I come down to have a chat and a drive.
So my faith has well and truly been restored. Having spoken to both these guys for a relatively decent amount of time I'm confident had I of just turned up I would have had a lot better experience than I did at Works. Having said that I've also been advised to speak to SS at Works by a number of people so suspect I was just unlucky last time. So I will give them a call when I'm next in that area.
Big thanks to everyone who took the time to post on this thread, the advice has been great. Extra big thanks to those that got in touch with names and dealers to call.
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