Contacting dealers via the website

[gaz1234]

Have tried this on a few occasions, normally not getting any reply.
Phoning tends to be hassle too, not getting calls returned etc.

Just wondered if others get this exceptional customer service?

[Jazzer]

Serious buyers don't usually approach dealers this way, so such approaches, while not usually being ignored, are not taken that seriously.

I'm friendly with a Dealer Principal who tells me that a fair chunk of such approaches are from drunk guys at unusual hours of the day!!!

Edited by Jazzer on Friday 1st March 11:52

[Wills2]

Emailing won't get much of a response. I always find that a phone call is the best 1st contact, as you can arrange a time and tell them what you are interested in rather than just wandering in off the street and finding them all busy.

[skeeterm5]

I find dealers attitude to email plain stupid. I conduct massive amounts of business via email as does the rest of the world but not car dealers.

If they dont want contact by email, dont put an email address on the advert or website! <rant off>

S

[Rick101]

skeeterm5 said:

I find dealers attitude to email plain stupid. I conduct massive amounts of business via email as does the rest of the world but not car dealers.

If they dont want contact by email, dont put an email address on the advert or website! <rant off>

S

+1

My first contact is usually an email. If they can't be arsed to respond, I go elsewhere.

[scoobyc]

I'm another with lots of bad experiences with this. I work shifts, so often an email is a lot easier as I can fill it out during the night and outside working hours. Last year I was looking for an S3 and an M6 and the lack of response was appalling but it's not just limited to these dealers/brands I'm afraid. I also visited half a dozen dealers having spent 2 days travelling about and left my details with spec of cars I wanted, I had one reply offering me a diseasal.....

[Wills2]

I've bought 2 cars this year and had zero issues, the phone is a wonderful invention.

[scoobyc]

Wills2 said:

I've bought 2 cars this year and had zero issues, the phone is a wonderful invention.

So as a "simple salesman" (from your profile) you're not interested in email sales then?.....

[Wills2]

scoobyc said:

Wills2 said:

I've bought 2 cars this year and had zero issues, the phone is a wonderful invention.

So as a "simple salesman" (from your profile) you're not interested in email sales then?.....

Nah fk em!

But being serious I really don't think that email is a great way to make contact about a car if you're not known to the dealer, as from the posts on this thread indicate no one answers them.

Not saying it's right but...

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 1st March 21:37

[scoobyc]

Just a shame that a very helpfull medium isn't taken that seriously by the dealers then imho. You can ask several questions quickly (eg service details, work carried out, condition etc) instead of phoning and then them having to go away check and then get back to you. Maybe it's the putting things in writing that scares some away....

[Wills2]

Lots of buyers in my industry try and hide behind email, it's not the best way to conduct business and difficult to build a relationship over email.

I go mental in the office as people who are 20 feet from each other email each other all day long and then tell me they are waiting for an answer, well get up and speak to them!

[NBTBRV8]

Email has always worked well for me, I usually get a phone call back in response within an hour or too.

[Wills2]

NBTBRV8 said:

Email has always worked well for me, I usually get a phone call back in response within an hour or too.

Yeah but they knew you were money bags on the hunt for a GT3!

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 1st March 22:23

[NBTBRV8]

Wills2 said:

Yeah but they knew you were money bags on the hunt for a GT3!

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 1st March 22:23

Now now Wills. I had the same experience when looking to trade my E46 M3 in on a 335i some years ago. Ever since I get spammed by the dealer with all their sales promos.

Basically it comes down to how progressive the dealer is and keen for sales.

[deanuk75]

Rick101 said:

+1

My first contact is usually an email. If they can't be arsed to respond, I go elsewhere.

+2

The dealer that responded to my contact got the business. The other, that couldn't be bothered, got nothing.

It gives the impression that the dealer only wants to do business on their terms, and as a buyer that's not a situation I'm going to get myself into.

[stats007]

Always via email - as I've just discovered to my benefit when a dealer tried to renege on items we'd discusssed.

[Rick101]

deanuk75 said:

Rick101 said:

+1

My first contact is usually an email. If they can't be arsed to respond, I go elsewhere.

+2

The dealer that responded to my contact got the business. The other, that couldn't be bothered, got nothing.

It gives the impression that the dealer only wants to do business on their terms, and as a buyer that's not a situation I'm going to get myself into.

My experience with Redline Harrogate was good.

Day 1 2pm - Send email noting interest in 3 cars in stock.

Day 1 3pm - Phone call from Redline and a chat confirming what I'm looking for

Day 2 - Visited dealer. Test drove the likely candidate. Paid list price.

Day 3 - Drive away happy.

[Wills2]

NBTBRV8 said:

Now now Wills. I had the same experience when looking to trade my E46 M3 in on a 335i some years ago. Ever since I get spammed by the dealer with all their sales promos.

Basically it comes down to how progressive the dealer is and keen for sales.

Agreed.

[Tony B2]

My experience has been positive.

On the 3 occasions I have used this as the first approach I have had very quick responses, either by email (with extra pictures of the car that I had expressed an interest in) or by telephone. The telephone responses resulted in a deal on a new M3 and a deal on an AUC 330.

So 3+ out of 3 for me.

And that Wills2 bloke is a terror, was the inspiration for The Office, I believe....

[Wills2]

Shouldn't you be out photographing holes in your car?