Used car dealer experience
Used car dealer experience
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Matt UK

Original Poster:

18,084 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
A few weeks back I'm scanning the classifieds for a snotter. See something that fits the bit and only half hour away.
So I call the dealer and have a chat about the car. He gives a description of condition and history, says all of the back history is available and that he can have a look at a p/x.

You'll never guess what...

I turn up at the time agreed and have a walk around. 2 mins later the dealer pops out and acknowledges me. Gives me the key and offers me 10mins to give it a good look over. I inspect the car and it is as described. I test everything, everthing works. He then comes out and points out the bits that are not perfect. Being an 8year old car, there is nothing I would consider worse than normal wear and tear. The history is in a folder on his desk and as described.
He gives me the keys and tells me to test drive for 1/2 hour while he rings around about the p/x. The car feels nice and straight - as described.

I'm interested, so we get on to the cost of change. I've a rough idea of what they are both worth and it needs a service. I give a figure, which is low but close enough to show I'm serious to buy. He laughs and goes high, but not stupid high. I chuckle back. We spar for the next few minutes and shake on a deal we both like. As we have a brew and do the paperwork we chitchat about cars in general - old, new, fast, slow, good, bad. Ready to drive off now and he thanks me for my custom. I in return thank him for the service. All in all, two hours well spent and I now have a snotter that is better suited to the task in hand than the other one.

This was a few weeks back. Since then I have put the old girl into daily service and racked up 2,000 miles pretty quickly. It has been in for a service and check up and my local guy confirms it's a straight car that's been well maintained.

So, there you are. Whilst I look forward to the cool story, bro pictures, I just see that people are quick enough to type up the bad, so why not post the positive experiences on PH when they happen.

ejenner

4,653 posts

210 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
I might object to the idea of an 8yo snotter though.

m44kts

801 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
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Depends what the snotter is, an 8 year old Kia Rio?

Herbs

5,119 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Good to hear and makes a nice change in here wink

Obviously cannot name and shame but name and praise is allowed I believe.

ejenner

4,653 posts

210 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
m44kts said:
Depends what the snotter is, an 8 year old Kia Rio?
Would that be just 1 year out of warranty? Or am I thinking of some other car I don't know the name of?

Matt UK

Original Poster:

18,084 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
ejenner said:
I might object to the idea of an 8yo snotter though.
2004 dag-dag Passat estate with some miles on it.

halo34

2,890 posts

228 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
I had simply the best customer service experience I have ever had from BMW when I bought my 06 3 series from a dealership 190 odd miles away.

That included them driving a courtesy car to me over xmas to ensure I had wheels when they decided to sort my clutch which juddered a bit.

Stunning service wasnt the word and I didnt even spend that much! I have bought cars twice as expensive from Volvo and the service didn't even come close (there was even flowers in the boot when it was delivered, on a transporter, which we for my wife!).

I haven't got round to writing it up like you but it's good to see positive stories for a change, they aren't all bad smile