Dealerships driving you mad!

[Leicesterdave]

Let me start this thread by saying that I do genuinely understand a dealership is a business and needs to make money. But it's the way they do it that makes you cringe!
I've found this car 2 hours away from me- emailed them asking for details about the car, don't really want to talk figures until I know at least a few details.
I get the usual email back- car available, but we need a number to talk to you.
So I did give them my number.
I get a call- the figure for my car is ok- and I've asked for £800 off the new one. Ok will speak to his "manager".
They call back- will never be able to discount £800. So that's a non starter then- i politely say I'm not interested.
As soon as I say that, well I'll have another word, if I can discount it by £800 would you be able to place a deposit today to secure the car.
I mean for god's sake, I haven't even bloody seen the car!!!
I was that close to say: Why did you say you couldn't discount the car when then when I tell you I'm not interested you probably could do it!
How can they look at you! What a job!
I know this is fairly standard practice, but I find it silly!

[Soovy]

Ah yes. We need a deposit as there's someone else coming to see it.....

[homerjay]

I hate car salesmen. Good ones are few and far between.

What really bugs me is them leaving to speak to someone after you make an offer.

Ffs, can I speak to someone who can actually make a decision!

[Leicesterdave]

And it's that unique laugh they have- they pretend to be your best friend and I can see a mile off what they're trying to do. They just want your cash and the majority don't give a st about you!
It would be nice to meet a genuinely nice bloke, honest and fair. I never take the piss- I actually never as for a "discount". I introduce the idea by saying " I'd like to achieve a figure which is fair for the both of us." Ok it's still asking for a discount but I'd like to think it means i'm not an arsey type of customer and he knows I won't take the absolute piss.
If only most of them could be honest, it's all I ask!!

[Rich_W]

I think you started it with the "can you knock £800 off" part. maybe YOu should have gone and looked at it before trying to negociate. No wonder they thought you were ready to proceed...

[Jonny671]

homerjay said:

I hate car salesmen. Good ones are few and far between.

What really bugs me is them leaving to speak to someone after you make an offer.

Ffs, can I speak to someone who can actually make a decision!

Well, in all honesty.. Can you imagine a salesman going, yeah no problem heres £800 off the car.. And then going and talking to his MD? Wouldn't be too pleased I can imagine.

[homerjay]

Jonny671 said:

homerjay said:

I hate car salesmen. Good ones are few and far between.

What really bugs me is them leaving to speak to someone after you make an offer.

Ffs, can I speak to someone who can actually make a decision!

Well, in all honesty.. Can you imagine a salesman going, yeah no problem heres £800 off the car.. And then going and talking to his MD? Wouldn't be too pleased I can imagine.

my salesmen know what our bottom line is, why dont they?

its not fookin rocket science.

[Leicesterdave]

Rich_W said:

I think you started it with the "can you knock £800 off" part. maybe YOu should have gone and looked at it before trying to negociate. No wonder they thought you were ready to proceed...

I don't disagree- No point travelling 2 hours to see a car I ain't likely to get a discount though! I still don't see it from their point of view though. If they were to buy their own car, would they really buy a car they hadn't see just because they asked for a rough idea on a discount?

[Rich_W]

Leicesterdave said:

Rich_W said:

I think you started it with the "can you knock £800 off" part. maybe YOu should have gone and looked at it before trying to negociate. No wonder they thought you were ready to proceed...

I don't disagree- No point travelling 2 hours to see a car I ain't likely to get a discount though! I still don't see it from their point of view though. If they were to buy their own car, would they really buy a car they hadn't see just because they asked for a rough idea on a discount?

I think standing there in front of them makes them a little more likely to negociate though. On a related note, if the car is one you REALLY want. A little travelling isn't the hardship it used to be.

[Leicesterdave]

Rich_W said:

Leicesterdave said:

Rich_W said:

I think you started it with the "can you knock £800 off" part. maybe YOu should have gone and looked at it before trying to negociate. No wonder they thought you were ready to proceed...

I don't disagree- No point travelling 2 hours to see a car I ain't likely to get a discount though! I still don't see it from their point of view though. If they were to buy their own car, would they really buy a car they hadn't see just because they asked for a rough idea on a discount?

I think standing there in front of them makes them a little more likely to negociate though. On a related note, if the car is one you REALLY want. A little travelling isn't the hardship it used to be.

It is the model I want and the spec I want- but will the exact car they have on the forecourt be up to scratch is a different matter! A 4 hour round trip is still a pain if within 5 minutes of getting there you notice something not right.

[Zad]

A few years ago there was a "behind the scenes" TV programme at some dealership chain or other. It showed the training the salesmen were given. The first time the salesman goes away to "talk to the boss" they usually go for a coffee or a pee. They come back, knock off £2:50, say you can have some Halfords floor mats and 6 months tax. It was interesting to see the whole process, about how they try to make you feel obliged to them, give you coffee that is too hot so you have to wait around for it to cool etc.

[slipstream 1985]

what if the car had been at exact market value..? youd have walked away if you didnt think you were getting a "deal" or a discount

[tstain]

slipstream 1985 said:

what if the car had been at exact market value..? youd have walked away if you didnt think you were getting a "deal" or a discount

good point. the only way to deal is in person.