Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.

[33q]

We have been car looking for for a few days.

One comment from a salesperson was ‘straight lines sell cars’ as she started to tidy up the forecourt.

Sort of makes sense but I’ve never heard it said before.

[Butter Face]

Yes it’s a management ‘thing’

Straight lines, balloons, boots open etc etc

Makes the forecourt look prettier and makes people buy cars!

[Dolf Stoppard]

jamei303 said:

BrabusMog said:

Haven't you wasted more time by simply typing all this out? I really don't get this type of attitude, if you really wanted it then surely you'd be on the phone trying to get it sorted. It reminds me of when I ask a few of the younger guys in my team why XYZ report isn't done yet, "oh well I emailed Joe Bloggs for some info last week but haven't heard back..." which is followed by a polite response from me of, "well, you're now late with your report, have you called them to find out what is holding up the info?" "Oh, errr, I marked it urgent but, uh, errr..." Sometimes a quick call is far quicker than a quick email (or pontificating online about wasted time).

Well, after HTP99 replied earlier I decided that it wasn't normal to keep customers waiting after a test drive, or if it was, it was indicative of a general incompetence. So based on that I emailed my spec to someone whose email address I had at a different dealership. He replied in less than 10 minutes with a quote which I immediately accepted and we will get everything sorted today.

No doubt instead of posting here I could have phoned up the test-drive dealership, and I'd now be worrying about popping into town later in case I lost signal on my phone and missed them calling me back.

They've either lost my details, decided to do some delaying tactics for some reason, or just misinterpreted my desire to buy. :shrugs:

Edited by jamei303 on Thursday 23 January 13:41

I'm with you. I think if a salesperson wants to sell you a car they won't keep you waiting - they'll be in touch. If you don't hear from them, they're not bothered. When it's happened to me I've gone elsewhere. Generally, you'll end up with the same or better deal, while the salesperson will have lost a sale. Their choice.

[silentbrown]

I'm surprised to see a fair number of delivery mileage Audi RS6's for sale with non-franchised dealers.

What's the story likely to be there? Bought to flip, or main dealers 'encouraged' by manufacturer to take a car as a demo that they know they'll struggle to shift, so getting shot of them to independents ASAP?

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Chaps - any thoughts on what should be 'essential' on a new, tax-free (and LHD) Volvo V60? I like the T5 FWD R-Design. Petrol, auto, snazzy blue colour.

The chap here recommends the light and loading space packages, and I've added the heated screen, emergency tire (sic) and rear view camera. Will I regret not adding anything else?

I'm flexible on just about everything, but after 18 months on the continent I can see the benefits of being LHD, and tax-free purchases always change the dynamics.

Grateful for opinions.

[Fast Bug]

33q said:

We have been car looking for for a few days.

One comment from a salesperson was ‘straight lines sell cars’ as she started to tidy up the forecourt.

Sort of makes sense but I’ve never heard it said before.

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. If you turn up and the pitch looks a mess it can give a bad impression.

I have forecourt OCD, it doesn't matter what you're selling, it needs to look neat and tidy, cars lined up neatly, wheels straight and clocks reading the correct time. Little things, but they bug me if they're not right

[Swampy1982]

Good morning gents

Off to see a 320d (67 plate) in the morning, thinking of jumping ship from audi to bmw and dont really have any bmw experience.

Are there any key things to look for when I look it over tomorrow, cant see any recalls on them and seem fairly reliable cars from all the reviews I've read.

Any help/advice appreciated.

[Chozza]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Chaps - any thoughts on what should be 'essential' on a new, tax-free (and LHD) Volvo V60? I like the T5 FWD R-Design. Petrol, auto, snazzy blue colour.

Polestar optimisation ? ( or is it optimization where you are )

I'm assuming you are adding to drive - rather than for any increase in re-sale ( not worth it )

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Chozza said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Chaps - any thoughts on what should be 'essential' on a new, tax-free (and LHD) Volvo V60? I like the T5 FWD R-Design. Petrol, auto, snazzy blue colour.

Polestar optimisation ? ( or is it optimization where you are )

I'm assuming you are adding to drive - rather than for any increase in re-sale ( not worth it )

Correct, it would be for me, probably for long-ish term ownership. The Polestar adds a lot to the cost so I'd discounted it.

[Buster73]

Any Porsche salesmen on here ?

[Bemmer]

I know we have ago at these car salesman (and I'm not one) as"stealers, liars,cheats and scumbags" etc but reading into it some customers seem to be joining in with the same tactics these days and must also be a nightmare to sell too......

[itcaptainslow]

Bemmer said:

I know we have ago at these car salesman (and I'm not one) as"stealers, liars,cheats and scumbags" etc but reading into it some customers seem to be joining in with the same tactics these days and must also be a nightmare to sell too......

Working in car dealership service departments for nearly ten years changed my perception of the British public, and not for the good...

[jamoor]

itcaptainslow said:

Bemmer said:

I know we have ago at these car salesman (and I'm not one) as"stealers, liars,cheats and scumbags" etc but reading into it some customers seem to be joining in with the same tactics these days and must also be a nightmare to sell too......

Working in car dealership service departments for nearly ten years changed my perception of the British public, and not for the good...

Problem is people are there involuntarily.

Noone wants to visit a car service department for any reason whatsoever.

[Bemmer]

jamoor said:

Problem is people are there involuntarily.

Noone wants to visit a car service department for any reason whatsoever.

Same can be said of the doctors or dentist but the attitude will be totally different I suspect...

[itcaptainslow]

jamoor said:

itcaptainslow said:

Bemmer said:

I know we have ago at these car salesman (and I'm not one) as"stealers, liars,cheats and scumbags" etc but reading into it some customers seem to be joining in with the same tactics these days and must also be a nightmare to sell too......

Working in car dealership service departments for nearly ten years changed my perception of the British public, and not for the good...

Problem is people are there involuntarily.

Noone wants to visit a car service department for any reason whatsoever.

But of course, I totally get that. However it doesn’t give the customer the right to be abusive, threaten violence and in one case, spit at a member of staff.

Before anyone says anything about customer service, we were in the top ten of dealerships of that particular manufacturer in terms of positive customer survey feedback, so I like to think we were at least reasonable and making some people happy.

Fortunately the violent, abusive nutters were in the minority, but you still got quite a few who would just simply refuse to accept responsibility for the costs involved in maintaining a car and/or lie about how something got damaged when it was plainly obvious they knackered it.

For balance though, some of our customers were truly delightful people who I had some great chats and laughs with. It was particularly wonderful when you got one these just after dealing with an unreasonable screamer.

[James_33]

Genuine question here as it's something that may be normal to others but a complete first time for me, is PCP anxiety an actual thing? I was reading up on possibly one day doing some sort of PCP deal and the words PCP anxiety came up where new customers are excited by the prospect of their new car, but then are absolutely petrified to drive it for fear of damaging it and then been shafted at the end of the contract.

Are the people who do these hand back checks really as brutal as some of the stories i have read, because if so i doubt i would ever be tempted in to a main dealer at all?

[jamoor]

Bemmer said:

jamoor said:

Problem is people are there involuntarily.

Noone wants to visit a car service department for any reason whatsoever.

Same can be said of the doctors or dentist but the attitude will be totally different I suspect...

Frankly the healthcare industry is at the top of the food chain. The public has the utmost respect for the Medical Profession, and has always been throughout history.

The automotive industry is right down there at the bottom unfortunately.

[jamoor]

itcaptainslow said:

jamoor said:

itcaptainslow said:

Bemmer said:

I know we have ago at these car salesman (and I'm not one) as"stealers, liars,cheats and scumbags" etc but reading into it some customers seem to be joining in with the same tactics these days and must also be a nightmare to sell too......

Working in car dealership service departments for nearly ten years changed my perception of the British public, and not for the good...

Problem is people are there involuntarily.

Noone wants to visit a car service department for any reason whatsoever.

But of course, I totally get that. However it doesn’t give the customer the right to be abusive, threaten violence and in one case, spit at a member of staff.

Before anyone says anything about customer service, we were in the top ten of dealerships of that particular manufacturer in terms of positive customer survey feedback, so I like to think we were at least reasonable and making some people happy.

Fortunately the violent, abusive nutters were in the minority, but you still got quite a few who would just simply refuse to accept responsibility for the costs involved in maintaining a car and/or lie about how something got damaged when it was plainly obvious they knackered it.

For balance though, some of our customers were truly delightful people who I had some great chats and laughs with. It was particularly wonderful when you got one these just after dealing with an unreasonable screamer.

TBH you get the nutters in anything. Which brand of car are you selling as I'm willing to bet that that will dictate how many nutters come in through the door.

[Rewe]

itcaptainslow said:

Before anyone says anything about customer service, we were in the top ten of dealerships of that particular manufacturer in terms of positive customer survey feedback, so I like to think we were at least reasonable and making some people happy.

Amen. Customer service in the motor industry is definitely something that has changed for the better in recent years! Brilliant for most of us, but I guess the more polite and helpful attitude can be misinterpreted as weakness by mouth breather chancers!

[Tim bo]

James_33 said:

Genuine question here as it's something that may be normal to others but a complete first time for me, is PCP anxiety an actual thing? I was reading up on possibly one day doing some sort of PCP deal and the words PCP anxiety came up where new customers are excited by the prospect of their new car, but then are absolutely petrified to drive it for fear of damaging it and then been shafted at the end of the contract.

Are the people who do these hand back checks really as brutal as some of the stories i have read, because if so i doubt i would ever be tempted in to a main dealer at all?

Had no issues whatsoever with Porsche, BMW or Mercedes in handing back PCP cars. Can't speak for other manufacturers.

Have handed back and walked away with equity cash, and have traded in for new models, both mid-way through the PCP term and at full term. They value the car realistically.

Edited by Tim bo on Sunday 26th January 19:30