OPC car buying experience
Discussion
Over the years I've been given various 'gifts' from golf balls to kids' toys when buying a new Porsche. My 991 GT3 was the most expensive Porsche I've bought yet and when I collected it, I was given the keys and about a quarter of a tank of fuel which indicated a range of 60 miles. When I asked if I didn't even get a full tank of petrol, the response was "No, we don't do that." I couldn't be bothered to argue and just drove away. Is it unreasonable to expect a full tank of petrol when buying a car?
I was and still am annoyed but this was in keeping with the overall experience at my local JCT600 over the last 2 years [mod edit]. I attributed this to the DP as the rest of the staff are the same and ultimately the buck stops at the top. I expect not to have to ask for such small things when buying a car and especially when spending £100k+.
When you've bought a car from an OPC, did the experience meet your expectations? Essentially, was your custom valued or taken for granted?
I was and still am annoyed but this was in keeping with the overall experience at my local JCT600 over the last 2 years [mod edit]. I attributed this to the DP as the rest of the staff are the same and ultimately the buck stops at the top. I expect not to have to ask for such small things when buying a car and especially when spending £100k+.
When you've bought a car from an OPC, did the experience meet your expectations? Essentially, was your custom valued or taken for granted?
Edited by domster on Wednesday 5th February 11:10
I think when you buy any car it should be filled up - though I don't remember noticing with my two Porsches if they were full or not (pretty sure they were). With my Cayman I also got a set of espresso cups. That was East London. Overall the experience with Porsche hasn't been much different compared to, say, VW. Nothing wrong with either, just a bit light on any 'surprise and delight' stuff.
Actus Reus said:
I think when you buy any car it should be filled up - though I don't remember noticing with my two Porsches if they were full or not (pretty sure they were).
Agreed - I will be very surprised (and disappointed) if my GT3 is not filled up when I collect in a few weeks.I even filled up my C4S before I handed it over in a private sale.
It's a small thing that leaves a good impression.
Mike
My experience is the opposite to yours. I collected my first Porsche in September, a new Boxster. Total cost new £39300
The salesman and business manager took their time with me and explained all the details and answered all my questions, I thought the process would take about an hour, it took nearly two hours. Plenty of tea and biscuits for my two daughters and myself.
The biggest surprise however was discovering they had totally filled the petrol tank. I've collected 18 new new cars in the last 38 years and this was the first one with full tank of fuel. To me it will leave a lasting positive impression of the customer service they provide.
The OPC in question is Silverstone
My experience is the opposite to yours. I collected my first Porsche in September, a new Boxster. Total cost new £39300
The salesman and business manager took their time with me and explained all the details and answered all my questions, I thought the process would take about an hour, it took nearly two hours. Plenty of tea and biscuits for my two daughters and myself.
The biggest surprise however was discovering they had totally filled the petrol tank. I've collected 18 new new cars in the last 38 years and this was the first one with full tank of fuel. To me it will leave a lasting positive impression of the customer service they provide.
The OPC in question is Silverstone
They are 1/4 full on a new car.
That's the way it is.
Just think of the cost to a dealer selling 20 cars a week to fill them all up to the top PA.
That would cost £78k to do this.
Then as most garages don't carry large amounts of fuel, the sales man will drive it to your local petrol station, put £25 of the cheapest fuel in and bring it back.
Sadly when you buy a new car fuel now has to be part of the sales process to try and seal the deal always ask for a full tank.
That's the way it is.
Just think of the cost to a dealer selling 20 cars a week to fill them all up to the top PA.
That would cost £78k to do this.
Then as most garages don't carry large amounts of fuel, the sales man will drive it to your local petrol station, put £25 of the cheapest fuel in and bring it back.
Sadly when you buy a new car fuel now has to be part of the sales process to try and seal the deal always ask for a full tank.
mollytherocker said:
Its interesting to hear that a bit of fuel is so important to someone that's just spent 120k on a luxury item!
It would be the last thing on my mind!
As said, if its important to you, make it part of the deal.
One of the many straws that broke the camel's back. I had cause to call Porsche GB Customer Service for a number of other issues but they were suprised to hear about not getting a full tank of petrol. The last thing you should be doing when taking delivery of a new/used car from an OPC is driving to a petrol station. Whether a luxury item or not, a car should be given to the customer by any dealer with everything you need to drive that car. The keys should be on keyrings, the car should be clean, the washer fluid and oil should be topped up and likewise with fuel. To do otherwise is cheap and unbecoming of Porsche as a brand. Some OPCs do it but JCT600 does not. Having spent over £400k with JCT600 at this dealership alone in the last 8 years, I don't expect to have to negotiate for £70 worth of petrol - it should be there just like the washer fluid or the oil.It would be the last thing on my mind!
As said, if its important to you, make it part of the deal.
If a full tank of petrol is the last thing on your mind, I guess you don't plan to drive very far when you buy a new car!
Poor show from JCT Porsche. Annoying a customer of 8 year standing over £100 is a bit short sighted.
I don't think it's policy from all the JCT600 franchises. I was filling up at the Shell petrol station opposite the Ferrari showroom last week and they were brimming an unregistered Bentley Flying Spur. I saw similar re a new 458 Italia before Chrisrmas.
Whilst I agree a full tank can no longer be exepected on a base model Fiesta due to the cost of fuel and ever tightening margins, to have such a policy implemented on top end Porsche is bewildering.
I don't think it's policy from all the JCT600 franchises. I was filling up at the Shell petrol station opposite the Ferrari showroom last week and they were brimming an unregistered Bentley Flying Spur. I saw similar re a new 458 Italia before Chrisrmas.
Whilst I agree a full tank can no longer be exepected on a base model Fiesta due to the cost of fuel and ever tightening margins, to have such a policy implemented on top end Porsche is bewildering.
Sierra Mike said:
When you've bought a car from an OPC, did the experience meet your expectations? Essentially, was your custom valued or taken for granted?
Got a Boxster on Saturday but collection still to happen (cue hairdresser poverty pork jokes here 
). I was treated very nicely by everyone and I'd rather they don't fill her up. I like to run my cars on VPower for example. I guess with a top end Porsche expectations can be a bit different.
MJK 24 said:
Poor show from JCT Porsche. Annoying a customer of 8 year standing over £100 is a bit short sighted.
I don't think it's policy from all the JCT600 franchises. I was filling up at the Shell petrol station opposite the Ferrari showroom last week and they were brimming an unregistered Bentley Flying Spur. I saw similar re a new 458 Italia before Chrisrmas.
Whilst I agree a full tank can no longer be exepected on a base model Fiesta due to the cost of fuel and ever tightening margins, to have such a policy implemented on top end Porsche is bewildering.
I've actually been a customer for 13 years and always thought I'd be a Porsche customer for life. There's a big difference between the DP at Brooklands who understands the premium brands he represents and my DP who's come straight from selling Minis to Porsches. Profitability might be good but he's cutting corners on the customer experience and burning bridges. I'm not the only dissatisfied customer. I have other friends who are either leaving the brand or buying Porsches elsewhere. One just had a poor experience with JCT600 so went to Sutton Coldfield and enjoyed a very good buying experience from them.I don't think it's policy from all the JCT600 franchises. I was filling up at the Shell petrol station opposite the Ferrari showroom last week and they were brimming an unregistered Bentley Flying Spur. I saw similar re a new 458 Italia before Chrisrmas.
Whilst I agree a full tank can no longer be exepected on a base model Fiesta due to the cost of fuel and ever tightening margins, to have such a policy implemented on top end Porsche is bewildering.
hdrflow said:
Got a Boxster on Saturday but collection still to happen (cue hairdresser poverty pork jokes here )
I guess with a top end Porsche expectations can be a bit different.
Ahem - why on both counts?! )I guess with a top end Porsche expectations can be a bit different.
The Boxster is an outstanding car and actually has a proper manual gearbox - you did go for manual, right?
There is no such thing as top end Porsche apart from maybe the 918. It should be a standardised experience across the range whether new or used. Everyone is spending money on a car which they'd like rather than need and every OPC should value that custom. Some do and some don't.
Edited by Sierra Mike on Wednesday 5th February 11:50
Poor experience buying mine from OPC. A few faults not done under inspection were left to me to discover and my local OPC (Cardiff) to rectify under warranty.
Cardiff on the other hand have been exceptional, free gifts, courtesy cars and awesome attitude from the service team and I've yet to buy a car from them. No idea about the sales side though.
Cardiff on the other hand have been exceptional, free gifts, courtesy cars and awesome attitude from the service team and I've yet to buy a car from them. No idea about the sales side though.
Interesting reading other posters comments and perceptions....
Personally, whilst I would half expect a used car to be awaiting my collection from the OPC with a full tank of Optimax, I will be collecting my forthcoming new GT3 merely with the standard "factory filled" quarter tankful in the knowledge that the car hasn't been ragged to and from the nearest Shell garage during the crucial running in period......
.......
Personally, whilst I would half expect a used car to be awaiting my collection from the OPC with a full tank of Optimax, I will be collecting my forthcoming new GT3 merely with the standard "factory filled" quarter tankful in the knowledge that the car hasn't been ragged to and from the nearest Shell garage during the crucial running in period......
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