Sunday afternoon in a car dealership

[Gizmo!]

Is it really that busy?

I've been to two M-B dealers this afternoon and at one I couldn't find a salesbod to talk to, while at the other I was told there were two people ahead of me in the queue and it'd be about half an hour.

You'd think they'd get some staff in...

[Kiltox]

I think they just can't be arsed on Sundays TBH - I went to a Fiat dealer on a Sunday to test drive a Panda and nobody could be arsed.

[LHD]

Gizmo! said:

Is it really that busy?

I've been to two M-B dealers this afternoon and at one I couldn't find a salesbod to talk to, while at the other I was told there were two people ahead of me in the queue and it'd be about half an hour.

You'd think they'd get some staff in...

But what would you do with all the staff when Comrade Peston causes another economy dip?

Most dealers are running light on staff incase the economy goes even further down the pan.

[Urban Sports]

When I worked from a showroom Sunday was always a good day for potential customers but I reckon most of them on qualification were on their was to the betting shop.

[JonnyFive]

We only have one salesman in on a Sunday.. Sometimes you do get a busy Sunday, and do a few deals.. But other Sundays you'll sit there and watch the leaves blow across the forecourt its that dead.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Sunday

Need to be open because that's when people come and look.

But a lot of people have nothing much to do on a Sunday, so just come and look without any serious intention of buying a car.

Tricky.

[robsco]

Sundays can be depressing. A lot of people slither round, looking at cars they have zero intention of buying, and in some cases feign interest in order to test drive a vehicle they have no intention of buying. The key is to separate the wheat from the chaff, which isn't always easy.

[retrorider]

And when it rains the dealer pitch is the last place the majority of joe public would want to be...

[cuprabob]

Also good for a free coffee or can of coke

[Frog Dog]

robsco said:

Sundays can be depressing. A lot of people slither round, looking at cars they have zero intention of buying, and in some cases feign interest in order to test drive a vehicle they have no intention of buying. The key is to separate the wheat from the chaff, which isn't always easy.

This.

I make appointments for Sunday, at least I'm guaranteed to see a couple of serious people rather than people popping in on the way home from a carvery.

[bazking69]

robsco said:

Sundays can be depressing. A lot of people slither round, looking at cars they have zero intention of buying, and in some cases feign interest in order to test drive a vehicle they have no intention of buying. The key is to separate the wheat from the chaff, which isn't always easy.

From my perspective they often get it wrong and misjudge people purely because they aren't making all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' and coming across keen. If I was spending my money, and a substantial amount of money at that, on a new car, I'd expect the salesman to work for my interest, even if that was just being polite, having a quick chat and handing me a brochure with his business card stapled to the corenr. There is absolutely no reason to be ignoring anyone, especially in the current market. Anyone through the door is a potential customer and acknowlegement and courtesy cost nothing.

[Shotgun Rider]

JonnyFive said:

We only have one salesman in on a Sunday.. Sometimes you do get a busy Sunday, and do a few deals.. But other Sundays you'll sit there and watch the leaves blow across the forecourt its that dead.

Better than tumblelweeds.

[bazking69]

It also seems odd because I am aware that MB dealers have had a much needed kick up the arse of late from those above to pull themselves out of their own arses and change the 'show me the money or fk off' attitude that has blighted them for the last decade. The same decade when their products haven't been mustard....

[robsco]

bazking69 said:

From my perspective they often get it wrong and misjudge people purely because they aren't making all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' and coming across keen. If I was spending my money, and a substantial amount of money at that, on a new car, I'd expect the salesman to work for my interest, even if that was just being polite, having a quick chat and handing me a brochure with his business card stapled to the corenr. There is absolutely no reason to be ignoring anyone, especially in the current market. Anyone through the door is a potential customer and acknowlegement and courtesy cost nothing.

Your point is a valid one, but unfortunately its not always that clear cut. Without meaning to boast, I would say that I have a reasonably good idea of who is a serious buyer and who is out to waste a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. That's not to say that I'm right every time - there are always exceptions - but generally speaking I have a reasonably good record of determining my chances of selling a car to a customer, which is where I earn my money.

Sadly, the people who are out to waste time don't simply come in, have a quick chat and take a brochure/card. They want to drive every single car on the forecourt, then take some time to "think about it", to then reject my calls when I have the audacity to follow them up. In all honesty, I'm willing to lose out on a couple of deals through my own poor judgment, than to spend hours on end with people who aren't out to buy out of courtesy and potentially lose out on a whole lot more.

[Jimmy No Hands]

When I bought my RX-8 from a Mazda dealership I was in joggers and a hoodie and with a mate looking pretty casual, strolling around.

I'm surprised the salesman even granted me a test drive, but fair play to him. I did sign the papers the same day.

Edit: To add I still often get ID'd too, so I am quite young looking

Edited by Jimmy No Hands on Sunday 21st August 22:01

[markmullen]

Sundays are either heaving or dead in my experience.

As said, in a main dealer the time wasting nobber numbers increase massive on Sundays.

[Frog Dog]

Jimmy No Hands said:

When I bought my RX-8 from a Mazda dealership I was in joggers and a hoodie and with a mate looking pretty casual, strolling around.

I'm surprised the salesman even granted me a test drive, but fair play to him. I did sign the papers the same day.

Better someone wearing normal clothes on a Sunday than dressed in Sunday best, with all the family on the way back from the pub.....

The most annoying thing is getting interrupted when watching the F1 on iplayer at my desk

[POORCARDEALER]

We have seriously thought about having sundays as appointment only and having a day off.....then we sell three cars like today and forget about that idea.

[bazking69]

robsco said:

Your point is a valid one, but unfortunately its not always that clear cut. Without meaning to boast, I would say that I have a reasonably good idea of who is a serious buyer and who is out to waste a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. That's not to say that I'm right every time - there are always exceptions - but generally speaking I have a reasonably good record of determining my chances of selling a car to a customer, which is where I earn my money.

Sadly, the people who are out to waste time don't simply come in, have a quick chat and take a brochure/card. They want to drive every single car on the forecourt, then take some time to "think about it", to then reject my calls when I have the audacity to follow them up. In all honesty, I'm willing to lose out on a couple of deals through my own poor judgment, than to spend hours on end with people who aren't out to buy out of courtesy and potentially lose out on a whole lot more.

Appreciated, but there is no reason to point blank ignore people which has been the topic of so many threads on here down the years and a massive gripe of mine. I've been into dealers myself just for a gander at new cars, purely becuase I like cars, and have seen and experienced it myself.

While I wouldn't dream of wasting anyones time, and appreciate however that many do, there is still no excuse for ignorance or poor attitude towards customers. And while they are in the shop they are customers. There is no reason why even a blatent timewaster can't be sent on his way with a smile, a brochure to mull over and a card rather than being blanked.

Even if they are a blatent timewaster, they could be a potential future customer, sales (new or used) or aftersales. People do form opinions from first impressions, both of the marque and the dealership. I certainly have.

I did my work experience when I was a kid at a main dealer and spent three days in the showroom (this was long enough to confirm that new car sales wasn't the career for me btw). The guy who was looking after me never ignored anyone, unlike most of his colleagues, and had a routine for 'timewasters' that he had down to an art and took him a minute or two to do and send them on their way, always politely and professionally. He acknowledged everyone. If he had the time, he'd quite happily chat to anyone about anything. The chap now owns and runs a very successful and long established independant used car garage. I even bought a car from him years ago based on previous experience and the fact I liked his attitude towards customers from the outset.

My personal opinion is that new car sales is geared in a way whereby salesmen often look after purely themselves and their department, and often pay little attention to the bigger picture of the brand/company that employs them, which from a business point of view I deem both wrong and naive.

[heppers75]

So here is an interesting tale for you (maybe!) I was in a MB dealer on a Sunday with a friend a few months ago, said friend is a decently well off chap and was after a <2 year old CL AMG. He and I had just played golf and I was driving in the ten year old not tatty but clearly cheap Saab.

Anyway we stroll in after 18 holes in reasonable heat so not to sweet but not in jeans and a hoody. We stroll around for a bit, said sales chap comes up says hello chats for 2-3 mins and let's us get on. Not condescending in anyway a nice bloke and gives us some pointers to the relevant stock.

10 mins later we call him over and ask to test drive the 2010 CL he has and he readily says ok, we go out in it and my friend purchases said car there and then and arranges to pick up a week or so later.

I decided to casually ask him how he knew either one of two blokes in a £750 Saab could buy £70k's worth of MB, his response was you seemed genuine, you didn't want to waste my time oh and I assumed both your watches were real!

ETA - not an attempt at trying to say oooo lovely watch owner I am attempting to say that the good sales persons notice subtle things that matter and make judgement calls on that.

Edited by heppers75 on Sunday 21st August 23:29