What is it with car dealers
Discussion
Looking to buy a new (to me) car soon. Spotted a couple that fit the bill and have emailed the dealers with a few questions regarding warranty. Make and tyre tread depth. Service history. Stone chips etc. I have also advised my trade in details.
They don’t seem to bother replying. Now I’m a serious buyer looking to spend up to 25k with my trade in at around 10k.
How they ever hope to sell cars in beyond me. Poor in my opinion
For reference I’m looking at an SLK55 AMG and my trade in is a z4 coupe 3.0si. Mint condition 50k miles
Am I being unrealistic expecting them to have even the decency to reply. Seems odd to me
They don’t seem to bother replying. Now I’m a serious buyer looking to spend up to 25k with my trade in at around 10k.
How they ever hope to sell cars in beyond me. Poor in my opinion
For reference I’m looking at an SLK55 AMG and my trade in is a z4 coupe 3.0si. Mint condition 50k miles
Am I being unrealistic expecting them to have even the decency to reply. Seems odd to me
As a previous Car Dealer (now commercials) I do agree its not good they don't bother to contact back, but on the flip side, even in commercials i get emailed asking these questions, so you go to all the time of replying with every detail, never to hear again. Not even a thank you, or letting you know its not for them.
I would suggest making a phonecall, you will get a much better reception. Too many keyboard warriors send enquiries as night, bored, on the beer, and never respond. A phonecall shows some commitment, and I'm sure you will get a responce then.
I would suggest making a phonecall, you will get a much better reception. Too many keyboard warriors send enquiries as night, bored, on the beer, and never respond. A phonecall shows some commitment, and I'm sure you will get a responce then.
Audi are just as bad, tried to buy a new RS3 from 3 dealers incl the one i bought the RS3 i was driving at the time from, none could not be bothered to call me back even with multiple calls.
BMW the same, 2 dealers told them both i had 5k to put down on an M4 (when they came out) couldnt be bothered to ring me back
Merc rang me back so i bought a car from them lol
BMW the same, 2 dealers told them both i had 5k to put down on an M4 (when they came out) couldnt be bothered to ring me back
Merc rang me back so i bought a car from them lol
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I'm with the OP on this one. What is the point of a car dealer offering email as an option for communication and then not bothering to reply to enquiries?
If its a small set up he is probably busy out and about collecting cars or moving them between his place and the MOT centre or bodyshop or valleter etc not just sitting at a desk waiting to reply to emails - phone them up if you want to progress things.ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I'm with the OP on this one. What is the point of a car dealer offering email as an option for communication and then not bothering to reply to enquiries?
I know what you mean, but looking at it from a dealer's viewpoint. The OP has asked a couple of specific questions which will take 5-10 minutes to get the answers to, then five minutes to draft and send a reply. And that will be the first of dozens of emailed questions, all about different aspects of the car, all will take time to sort out. Personally I prefer to email because i can take the time to think about what I want to know, and I can deal with it when convenient. But for the dealer it is a lot of effort for no return.
Probably because your email stinks of Pain in the Arse, fussy sod, who is never gonna be happy, and is going to turn up to view and kick off about wasting his time when the salesman has failed to tell you about that microscopic 2mm scratch in the lacquer.
And why is everyones part exchange always in 'mint' condition, when invariably once you see it, it isn't?
I think a telephone call in this instance would be better, and then sales can do a walk around of the car whilst you are on the phone, rather than them going out to the car, writing down all this info you require, then emailing it, only for you to come back again with a whole new set of questions.
Admittedly, sometimes when I get these type of enquires, I often think to myself, I would rather sell to someone else who's over the top expectations can be managed, although I sell 3k to 7k max stuff, so expectations are normally lower.
Probably not the answer you are hoping for, but from a salespersons point, sometimes it's in everyone's best interest, not to sell the car to this 'person', but wait for the 'lower hanging fruit to appear'
Sorry.
And why is everyones part exchange always in 'mint' condition, when invariably once you see it, it isn't?
I think a telephone call in this instance would be better, and then sales can do a walk around of the car whilst you are on the phone, rather than them going out to the car, writing down all this info you require, then emailing it, only for you to come back again with a whole new set of questions.
Admittedly, sometimes when I get these type of enquires, I often think to myself, I would rather sell to someone else who's over the top expectations can be managed, although I sell 3k to 7k max stuff, so expectations are normally lower.
Probably not the answer you are hoping for, but from a salespersons point, sometimes it's in everyone's best interest, not to sell the car to this 'person', but wait for the 'lower hanging fruit to appear'
Sorry.
Mexman said:
Probably because your email stinks of Pain in the Arse, fussy sod, who is never gonna be happy, and is going to turn up to view and kick off about wasting his time when the salesman has failed to tell you about that microscopic 2mm scratch in the lacquer.
And why is everyones part exchange always in 'mint' condition, when invariably once you see it, it isn't?
I think a telephone call in this instance would be better, and then sales can do a walk around of the car whilst you are on the phone, rather than them going out to the car, writing down all this info you require, then emailing it, only for you to come back again with a whole new set of questions.
Admittedly, sometimes when I get these type of enquires, I often think to myself, I would rather sell to someone else who's over the top expectations can be managed, although I sell 3k to 7k max stuff, so expectations are normally lower.
Probably not the answer you are hoping for, but from a salespersons point, sometimes it's in everyone's best interest, not to sell the car to this 'person', but wait for the 'lower hanging fruit to appear'
Sorry.
If I am spending up to 25K on a car I feel I have a right to be a fussy sod. As for the z4 it IS mint and could go in the showroom as is. And why is everyones part exchange always in 'mint' condition, when invariably once you see it, it isn't?
I think a telephone call in this instance would be better, and then sales can do a walk around of the car whilst you are on the phone, rather than them going out to the car, writing down all this info you require, then emailing it, only for you to come back again with a whole new set of questions.
Admittedly, sometimes when I get these type of enquires, I often think to myself, I would rather sell to someone else who's over the top expectations can be managed, although I sell 3k to 7k max stuff, so expectations are normally lower.
Probably not the answer you are hoping for, but from a salespersons point, sometimes it's in everyone's best interest, not to sell the car to this 'person', but wait for the 'lower hanging fruit to appear'
Sorry.
Anyway I have rang them and asked if they could kindly respond to my questions. Let’s see if they do
Mr lestat said:
If I am spending up to 25K on a car I feel I have a right to be a fussy sod. As for the z4 it IS mint and could go in the showroom as is.
Anyway I have rang them and asked if they could kindly respond to my questions. Let’s see if they do
You can be whatever you want to be, true. But no-one is going to rush to deal with a fussy sod in any walk of life tbh.Anyway I have rang them and asked if they could kindly respond to my questions. Let’s see if they do
Good news is the slk55 is a fabulous car. Great choice. Mine is 4 later this year and ive no idea what i'd buy instead. Good luck with your search.
Mr lestat said:
If I am spending up to 25K on a car I feel I have a right to be a fussy sod. As for the z4 it IS mint and could go in the showroom as is.
Anyway I have rang them and asked if they could kindly respond to my questions. Let’s see if they do
Apologies but I think that is the issue. The salesman has assessed you correctly as (in your own words) a fussy sod and therefore potentially difficult to deal with. Anyway I have rang them and asked if they could kindly respond to my questions. Let’s see if they do
Regardless good luck finding the car you want I’m sure it’s out there
Osinjak said:
I was just about to say don't let Mexman see this thread, it'll be turned on its head and the prospective buyer will be solely to blame.
I never said that, but experience tells me the truth, like it or not.After last bank holiday Monday, I arrived to 8 email enquiries.
I replied to all of them, by 9.30am on the Tuesday morning, and ones which gave telephone numbers, called also.
Not one person out of the 3 that left a number answered their phone.
Guess how many sales I made out of these 8 enquiries?
None, nada, zilch.
Emails enquiries are generally poor, and are the lowest performing enquiry, as apposed to a phone call, or a walk in.
Now you may not like that Osinjak, but that is the truth of it, like it or not, and unless you are a secret motor dealer on the side that knows better, then in afraid you will have to bow to those of us who do this day in, day out.
I will respond to all email enquiries, as quickly as is possible, but if I am on the pitch with a customer, doing a handover, fuelling a car, transporting a car to bodyshop, or valeter, or the myriad of other jobs I have to do and organise, then an email enquiry will be dealt with when the time arises to gather the information requested and a reply sent.
I very rarely am sat at my desk waiting for an email to ping through, they will get looked at when time allows.
The keyboard has created the problem, while many in business do a lot of dealing purely via electronic media in an honest and straightforward manner , dealing with the public in the motor trade is a whole different matter .
An acquaintance has recently started selling higher end classic and performance cars and motorbikes via the Internet and is having a robust education about false promises from buyers .
An acquaintance has recently started selling higher end classic and performance cars and motorbikes via the Internet and is having a robust education about false promises from buyers .
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