Calling into a Dealership just to pass the time....
Discussion
Following on from the thread on the SWOT analysis of a Peugeot dealer.
Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
The nearest I've come to visiting a dealership other than going to see a specific user car they have in stock is a visit to Mercedes World at Brooklands and once stopping out Romans International when it was closed and peering through the window at the exotica.
Everyday I drive my BMW past the new shiny BMW/MINI dealership and often walk right past their front door when taking a lunchtime stroll and it never crosses my mind that I'd be welcome to walk in to check out what a 1-series or 5-series is actually like in the flesh.
Despite spending millions on advertising, marketing and shiny dealers why do I as an enthusiast not feel the need to visit?
Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
The nearest I've come to visiting a dealership other than going to see a specific user car they have in stock is a visit to Mercedes World at Brooklands and once stopping out Romans International when it was closed and peering through the window at the exotica.
Everyday I drive my BMW past the new shiny BMW/MINI dealership and often walk right past their front door when taking a lunchtime stroll and it never crosses my mind that I'd be welcome to walk in to check out what a 1-series or 5-series is actually like in the flesh.
Despite spending millions on advertising, marketing and shiny dealers why do I as an enthusiast not feel the need to visit?
Truckosaurus said:
Following on from the thread on the SWOT analysis of a Peugeot dealer.
Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
The nearest I've come to visiting a dealership other than going to see a specific user car they have in stock is a visit to Mercedes World at Brooklands and once stopping out Romans International when it was closed and peering through the window at the exotica.
Everyday I drive my BMW past the new shiny BMW/MINI dealership and often walk right past their front door when taking a lunchtime stroll and it never crosses my mind that I'd be welcome to walk in to check out what a 1-series or 5-series is actually like in the flesh.
Despite spending millions on advertising, marketing and shiny dealers why do I as an enthusiast not feel the need to visit?
Because you'll be seen as a time-waster to the salesman if you walk in, look around with no intention of buying? Seems to be a common complaint from those in the trade on here. Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
The nearest I've come to visiting a dealership other than going to see a specific user car they have in stock is a visit to Mercedes World at Brooklands and once stopping out Romans International when it was closed and peering through the window at the exotica.
Everyday I drive my BMW past the new shiny BMW/MINI dealership and often walk right past their front door when taking a lunchtime stroll and it never crosses my mind that I'd be welcome to walk in to check out what a 1-series or 5-series is actually like in the flesh.
Despite spending millions on advertising, marketing and shiny dealers why do I as an enthusiast not feel the need to visit?
Whenever I am in a dealership (for a service or something) I'll wander round and look at all the cars.
If I'm looking for a sporty convertible, I'll still take some time to look at all the other models to see what's what just in case the 4 door saloon technology has something to offer.
I will occasionally drop in a dealership if I'm vaguely thinking of changing mine just to see if there's something worth changing it for.
But, generally the answer is No.
I don't drop into a dealership just for fun.
If I'm looking for a sporty convertible, I'll still take some time to look at all the other models to see what's what just in case the 4 door saloon technology has something to offer.
I will occasionally drop in a dealership if I'm vaguely thinking of changing mine just to see if there's something worth changing it for.
But, generally the answer is No.
I don't drop into a dealership just for fun.
Provided I'm not mad busy I've no problem with people coming in for a browse and a chat. Even then we're always happy to open cars up for people to sit in and poke around..
10 minutes and a cup of coffee is appreciated by a salesman (assuming we're not talking Hyundai) just as much as it is someone that might buy a car from me some day or pass my business card to a friend.
10 minutes and a cup of coffee is appreciated by a salesman (assuming we're not talking Hyundai) just as much as it is someone that might buy a car from me some day or pass my business card to a friend.
I used to be in the Audi and BMW showrooms all the time - when I was around the area and had time to kill.
Some of the salesmen knew me by name.
Didn't chat to them unless they were free - and always told them I am just looking. No one seemed to mind.
And I did buy my M3 from the BMW dealership and used to get my previous Z4 serviced there most of the time.
Occasionally, the sales bods would try to show me around some of the cars that they think I might be interested in.
I don't see a problem as long as you make it clear you're just wandering around, not looking to buy right now.
Some of the salesmen knew me by name.
Didn't chat to them unless they were free - and always told them I am just looking. No one seemed to mind.
And I did buy my M3 from the BMW dealership and used to get my previous Z4 serviced there most of the time.
Occasionally, the sales bods would try to show me around some of the cars that they think I might be interested in.
I don't see a problem as long as you make it clear you're just wandering around, not looking to buy right now.
Opulent said:
Because you'll be seen as a time-waster to the salesman if you walk in, look around with no intention of buying? Seems to be a common complaint from those in the trade on here.
Let the salesman know you're only there for a look around and they'll be more than happy not to hassle you. Here, anyway.Truckosaurus said:
Following on from the thread on the SWOT analysis of a Peugeot dealer.
Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
No. Does anyone from here, as a motoring enthusiast, ever just turn up at a car dealership just to have a nose around the latest models without any intention of buying?
I've had a look around models whilst being served at the parts counter for example, or whilst waiting for a friend but frankly don't see the point in window shopping for something I can't afford!
Occasionally I'll pop in to them and have a browse. Working in design it's useful to have a look at competitors cars and understand how they solve problems and what technology they use.
I usually tell the salesman I'm just there to have a look and am not planning on buying. If they want to carry on chatting at that point then I'm happy to as well, but I like just having a look around.
I usually tell the salesman I'm just there to have a look and am not planning on buying. If they want to carry on chatting at that point then I'm happy to as well, but I like just having a look around.
A few weeks ago I had a Saturday to myself and decided to drive to Bell & Colvill to buy a mug. I was there for over an hour chatting over a coffee to the salesman and a visiting Lotus rep. Bobby Bell even came over so say hello. I'd bought my Elise from them a few months previously so they knew I wasn't going to buy a car but they were still friendly and accommodating- but of course as soon as a real customer showed up they went back to work.
I then went to buy my mug to find that it had been discontinued.
I'll wander into showrooms if I've got time to kill- as long as you tell them you're just browsing where's the harm?
I then went to buy my mug to find that it had been discontinued.
I'll wander into showrooms if I've got time to kill- as long as you tell them you're just browsing where's the harm?
I do drop in every now and again to nosy around the cars- there's a Porsche dealership next to Audi, then around the corner is a Ferrari/Maserati dealership. To be fair though, I do use the Porsche dealership to service my car; am considering an Audi for a future family car and had been considering an R8 as a replacement for the 911. I couldn't resist the Ferrari/Maserati dealership; the sales guy in there was brilliant- had a good discussion about some of the older Ferraris, and he knows that I am a potential future customer so treats me accordingly.
Chicane-UK said:
No.
I've had a look around models whilst being served at the parts counter for example, or whilst waiting for a friend but frankly don't see the point in window shopping for something I can't afford!
You don't have to be window shopping for something you can't afford, you can just be there to have a look round the cars.I've had a look around models whilst being served at the parts counter for example, or whilst waiting for a friend but frankly don't see the point in window shopping for something I can't afford!
sinizter said:
I don't see a problem as long as you make it clear you're just wandering around, not looking to buy right now.
Indeed although I sometimes feel that dealers would be better off if they let people browse rather than try and pounce on them the moment they walk through the door. It does seem odd that in nearly any other shopping environment you are free to browse and can simply tell a sales person you aren't interested and they will back off and let you be.
dave
aka_kerrly said:
Indeed although I sometimes feel that dealers would be better off if they let people browse rather than try and pounce on them the moment they walk through the door.
It does seem odd that in nearly any other shopping environment you are free to browse and can simply tell a sales person you aren't interested and they will back off and let you be.
dave
On the contrary, from my desk I can see the forecourt and showroom.. I see people arrive, look at a car, look at the spec in the window, look around again and then leave.. You get complaints if you don't offer them help, and you get complaints if you offer them help It does seem odd that in nearly any other shopping environment you are free to browse and can simply tell a sales person you aren't interested and they will back off and let you be.
dave
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