Does the car dealership matter to you?
Discussion
I was wondering what people's thought are when it comes to buying a car from a dealership. Does it matter to you how they treat their customers post sale, how they treat their employees etc? Or if you find the right car at the right price then those things are not important? Would love to get your thoughts on this.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
In my experience all dealerships are largely the same - i.e. a bit crap - but some are definitely worse than others.
These days I just decide based on the vehicle and any manufacturer-backed warranties etc, the actual dealership is just a coincidence (as I am yet to find one worth being loyal to).
These days I just decide based on the vehicle and any manufacturer-backed warranties etc, the actual dealership is just a coincidence (as I am yet to find one worth being loyal to).
TruthHurts20 said:
Would a website that does research on your behalf of car dealerships help you with your decision?
Research on what?Buying a car is 99% about price.
I know what car I want, I therefore compare spec and price using existing websites.
Once I find the car, I go and buy it. The only thing putting me off is a particular negative dealer - i.e one that looks dodgy.
If anything, I get annoyed that car dealerships are so flash. I look around at coffee machines, posh furniture, etc, etc and wonder how much of it I'm paying for in price - particularly in the service department.
Muzzer79 said:
Research on what?
Buying a car is 99% about price.
I know what car I want, I therefore compare spec and price using existing websites.
Once I find the car, I go and buy it. The only thing putting me off is a particular negative dealer - i.e one that looks dodgy.
If anything, I get annoyed that car dealerships are so flash. I look around at coffee machines, posh furniture, etc, etc and wonder how much of it I'm paying for in price - particularly in the service department.
Well the market is competitive with so many similar cars at roughly the same price who deserves your cash? This is for both new and used cars. Would you pay slightly more if you knew the dealer had positive reviews or pay less if you knew the dealer had a few poor customer reviews? If the car was roughly the same spec. Buying a car is 99% about price.
I know what car I want, I therefore compare spec and price using existing websites.
Once I find the car, I go and buy it. The only thing putting me off is a particular negative dealer - i.e one that looks dodgy.
If anything, I get annoyed that car dealerships are so flash. I look around at coffee machines, posh furniture, etc, etc and wonder how much of it I'm paying for in price - particularly in the service department.
Have only bought twice from a main dealer. The first an excellent deal on a new Honda S2000 from a very moderate size business that had been around for ages. Charming service at time of sale & afterwards.
The second time was when trading in the Honda for a nearly new Audi cabriolet from a vast London main dealer. Superior attitude from salesman & was messed about for nearly an hour while they evaluated my trade-in. Would have walked but the Audi after a long search was exactly the specification I sought. But they did exchange cars locally to save me a trip into London.
Otherwise always from long established independent dealers who rely on their reputation, the majority of their business being repeat sales.
Currently run a Mercedes & the moment the warranty ran out it was straight to a local independent Mercedes specialist with a world-wide reputation & staff who are real enthusiasts & factory trained. And ... I still get coffee & biscuits & a leather sofa to flop into while I wait for a bill substantially less than the poncy main dealers.
So yes the car dealership does matter to me.
The second time was when trading in the Honda for a nearly new Audi cabriolet from a vast London main dealer. Superior attitude from salesman & was messed about for nearly an hour while they evaluated my trade-in. Would have walked but the Audi after a long search was exactly the specification I sought. But they did exchange cars locally to save me a trip into London.
Otherwise always from long established independent dealers who rely on their reputation, the majority of their business being repeat sales.
Currently run a Mercedes & the moment the warranty ran out it was straight to a local independent Mercedes specialist with a world-wide reputation & staff who are real enthusiasts & factory trained. And ... I still get coffee & biscuits & a leather sofa to flop into while I wait for a bill substantially less than the poncy main dealers.
So yes the car dealership does matter to me.
VW Leicester have an utterly atrocious service premises. It's shared with their van sales and you simply cannot get parked without a ton of hassle. Coupled with the collective IQ of Leicester being about three and idiots leaving their cars all over the place blocking the way out, it makes what should be relatively painless into an absolute pain in the arse.
You know what? I rarely factor in the aftersales as a decision in any sale. And I imagine 99% of lease/PCP customers do either.
I have on a few occasions been introduced to the service staff on the bum-lickery sales handover 10 out of 10 scores process. For instance my local BMW dealer has 6 service agents - are they going to remember me in a years time? On the whole any main dealer service department is good in dealing with average situations.
I have on a few occasions been introduced to the service staff on the bum-lickery sales handover 10 out of 10 scores process. For instance my local BMW dealer has 6 service agents - are they going to remember me in a years time? On the whole any main dealer service department is good in dealing with average situations.
My last experience was two years ago buying used from a BMW dealer some distance from me. The salesman could not have worked harder to win my business and ensure I left the showroom happy. Even when I called 11 months later for his advice on a warranty issue he offered to pursue it for me. When I am next in the market and his franchise has a suitable vehicle I'll give him a chance again.
ChasW said:
My last experience was two years ago buying used from a BMW dealer some distance from me. The salesman could not have worked harder to win my business and ensure I left the showroom happy. Even when I called 11 months later for his advice on a warranty issue he offered to pursue it for me. When I am next in the market and his franchise has a suitable vehicle I'll give him a chance again.
vikingaero said:
You know what? I rarely factor in the aftersales as a decision in any sale. And I imagine 99% of lease/PCP customers do either.
I have on a few occasions been introduced to the service staff on the bum-lickery sales handover 10 out of 10 scores process. For instance my local BMW dealer has 6 service agents - are they going to remember me in a years time? On the whole any main dealer service department is good in dealing with average situations.
Thanks, good to know. I have on a few occasions been introduced to the service staff on the bum-lickery sales handover 10 out of 10 scores process. For instance my local BMW dealer has 6 service agents - are they going to remember me in a years time? On the whole any main dealer service department is good in dealing with average situations.
Yes, I won't deal with the big PLC run dealers, instead do a bit of homework to find an independent franchisee.
It comes from twenty years of having worked for both types of operations selling cars and respective levels of attention given to both pre-sale preparation and post-sales aftercare.
Looking at stuff that's beyond the dealer networks in terms of vehicle availability, first port of call is to search the private market and aim to find something.
Only if that yields no results would I go further into looking at dealers first, accompanied by a bit of web research to establish general opinion and experiences.
Traders are the last resort as in effect you get to pay a dealer's price but have in effect the same legal redress if required as with a private sale, the worst of both worlds.
It comes from twenty years of having worked for both types of operations selling cars and respective levels of attention given to both pre-sale preparation and post-sales aftercare.
Looking at stuff that's beyond the dealer networks in terms of vehicle availability, first port of call is to search the private market and aim to find something.
Only if that yields no results would I go further into looking at dealers first, accompanied by a bit of web research to establish general opinion and experiences.
Traders are the last resort as in effect you get to pay a dealer's price but have in effect the same legal redress if required as with a private sale, the worst of both worlds.
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