What’s happened to the car salesman?
Discussion
Today I walked in to a well known London Ford dealership ready to buy a mustang. Went into showroom and waited for a rep to introduce himself, 15 minutes of looking round showroom later and still no salesman. Eventually walk over to desk and just get one word answers to questions from sales guy. No offer of test drive, not even a cuppa? The sales guy literally didn’t even get off his backside to show me round the car.
Is this how it goes at car showrooms now? Is the pay that bad no one gives a toss? Couldn’t be bothered to buy there in the end..
Is this how it goes at car showrooms now? Is the pay that bad no one gives a toss? Couldn’t be bothered to buy there in the end..
MacD1 said:
Today I walked in to a well known London Ford dealership ready to buy a mustang. Went into showroom and waited for a rep to introduce himself, 15 minutes of looking round showroom later and still no salesman. Eventually walk over to desk and just get one word answers to questions from sales guy. No offer of test drive, not even a cuppa? The sales guy literally didn’t even get off his backside to show me round the car.
Is this how it goes at car showrooms now? Is the pay that bad no one gives a toss? Couldn’t be bothered to buy there in the end..
The same thing that has happened to the rest of us. Under the guise of "right-sizing" and "economic troubles" staff numbers have been cut whilst work has been increased. So the salesmen are run off their feet dealing with more umming and ahhing customers than they can deal with. Is this how it goes at car showrooms now? Is the pay that bad no one gives a toss? Couldn’t be bothered to buy there in the end..
Its at the point where you need to make an appointment, they rarely have enough staff to deal with that, let alone walk-ins. My BMW dealer chopped an extra £500 quid off after negotiations because I didn't waste his time (rare thing these days to find a customer who knows what they want).
Also to be fair, at a BMW dealership, the receptionists/greeters deal with your beverage requirements.
I worked at a Ford dealership for a couple of summers in the parts department 20 years ago and those guys were on it on the forecourt. Was expecting the same but was left disappointed.
You are right about staff numbers and people running about, it was very much like that. I work in sales and was looking forward to having a bit of craic with rep and getting myself a deal hahaha, no such luck, can get better deal online ...
You are right about staff numbers and people running about, it was very much like that. I work in sales and was looking forward to having a bit of craic with rep and getting myself a deal hahaha, no such luck, can get better deal online ...
Had similar experience today, went to local Skoda garage as need something for a daily hack but also 4wd, and wanted to have a look at Kodiak and vrs estate. Couple of salesmen sat watching some you tube videos and laughing, didn’t even bother to come and say hello whilst I had a mooch, and were having a fairly graphic description about what happened on their night out last weekend. I have to admit to actually being genuinely lost for words, after 10 minutes decided it was time to depart.
Two,other salesmen outside admiring my car, but even they didn’t say a word.
Wouldn’t have been a sale today, but I can guarantee that if Skoda is the answer then it won’t be coming from them
Two,other salesmen outside admiring my car, but even they didn’t say a word.
Wouldn’t have been a sale today, but I can guarantee that if Skoda is the answer then it won’t be coming from them
Edited by Oil Trash on Friday 24th November 16:05
I was new car shopping earlier in the year and was stunned at how uninterested most of the sales people seemed to be in me as a customer. The worst one was at Mazda, I had booked in a test drive of the MX-5. They even called me the day before to check I was still coming and make sure to bring my licence etc. then I showed up on time, talked to the guy for half an hour about finance options and discussed the car asked questions etc. he was very bored and evidently didn't like me but I was being friendly.
and then I asked to test drive it and he told me that I could only test drive the car if I agreed to a PCP! I laughed and then there was an awkward pause and I realised he wasn't joking.
I asked him why he thought I was going to sign a purchase deal with a car I have not even sat in let alone driven, and he told me it was standard procedure and they had a policy that customers can only test drive cars after buying them, due to "insurance" or some BS. I was stunned.
I drove off and found another Mazda dealer, vented my frustration at them and they went out with my for a test drive although the salesman there was very grumpy and uninterested. I found that to be the case with most salespeople... the only ones that were any good were the Ford salesman and the Fiat/abarth sales guy who was my age.
I don't know if its because of my age (20) they don't take me seriously but even if they think I'm just there for a laugh - I mean, what 20 year old has anything better to do than mope around car dealers and go for the tamest drive of your life - I just don't get it. Have some professionalism. I was stunned to be honest.
and then I asked to test drive it and he told me that I could only test drive the car if I agreed to a PCP! I laughed and then there was an awkward pause and I realised he wasn't joking.
I asked him why he thought I was going to sign a purchase deal with a car I have not even sat in let alone driven, and he told me it was standard procedure and they had a policy that customers can only test drive cars after buying them, due to "insurance" or some BS. I was stunned.
I drove off and found another Mazda dealer, vented my frustration at them and they went out with my for a test drive although the salesman there was very grumpy and uninterested. I found that to be the case with most salespeople... the only ones that were any good were the Ford salesman and the Fiat/abarth sales guy who was my age.
I don't know if its because of my age (20) they don't take me seriously but even if they think I'm just there for a laugh - I mean, what 20 year old has anything better to do than mope around car dealers and go for the tamest drive of your life - I just don't get it. Have some professionalism. I was stunned to be honest.
My colleague booked a slot to view a v60
Last weekend, turned up, salesman and his son playing games on there phones,
Turns out the car was sold the day before
And nobody bothers to phone him to let him no,
He wasn’t impressed as he had travelled 40 miles with the wife to look at the car, probably was going to purchase, they now won’t ever get his buisiness again and a complaint has gone off to volvo uk
Last weekend, turned up, salesman and his son playing games on there phones,
Turns out the car was sold the day before
And nobody bothers to phone him to let him no,
He wasn’t impressed as he had travelled 40 miles with the wife to look at the car, probably was going to purchase, they now won’t ever get his buisiness again and a complaint has gone off to volvo uk
I would also add that when I was looking for my fun car - booked a test drive with ford for the v8 mustang, dealer in Swindon is not my favourite but limited numbers can supply mustang, so swallowed my bile and went in for my 09:00 appointment - told oh xxxx will just be a few minutes have a seat, after 45 minutes he appeared, and said oh we will have to be quick I have another appointment at 10:00and can’t be late.
My wife was fairly appolegic at this point, but then proceed to have a 10 minute drive, each for 5 minutes, and nowhere with a limit higher than 40mph. And this is just one reason I now have the Cayman
Porsche dealer fantastic arranged 3 difference test drives and treated us both with respect, unlike the jaguar salesmen whomtold mynwife when test driving the f-type that “it’s a powerful car so don’t be too afraid of it, but drive sensibly ‘
My wife was fairly appolegic at this point, but then proceed to have a 10 minute drive, each for 5 minutes, and nowhere with a limit higher than 40mph. And this is just one reason I now have the Cayman
Porsche dealer fantastic arranged 3 difference test drives and treated us both with respect, unlike the jaguar salesmen whomtold mynwife when test driving the f-type that “it’s a powerful car so don’t be too afraid of it, but drive sensibly ‘
captain_cynic said:
The same thing that has happened to the rest of us. Under the guise of "right-sizing" and "economic troubles" staff numbers have been cut whilst work has been increased. So the salesmen are run off their feet dealing with more umming and ahhing customers than they can deal with.
Its at the point where you need to make an appointment, they rarely have enough staff to deal with that, let alone walk-ins. My BMW dealer chopped an extra £500 quid off after negotiations because I didn't waste his time (rare thing these days to find a customer who knows what they want).
Also to be fair, at a BMW dealership, the receptionists/greeters deal with your beverage requirements.
German dealers typically use appointments, I can see the attraction as (a) the customer wont get messed around like the OP and (b) people who make appointments are more likely to be serious and less likely to waste the salesmans time. I guess the risk is that you will lose, pretty much completely, people coming in on spec and buying on a whim. Unsure how significant this factor is.Its at the point where you need to make an appointment, they rarely have enough staff to deal with that, let alone walk-ins. My BMW dealer chopped an extra £500 quid off after negotiations because I didn't waste his time (rare thing these days to find a customer who knows what they want).
Also to be fair, at a BMW dealership, the receptionists/greeters deal with your beverage requirements.
They're car salesman. It's not like an MBA is an entry requirement; anyone can give it a bash. As a result, the best ones move on quickly, leaving a lot of average people.
As a result, what are you expecting, really? I mean, if you're serious then you should be asking for a test drive. This isn't a teen dance, waiting for the boys to come over and take you by the hand. If you're interested, tell them and see how they get on.
As a result, what are you expecting, really? I mean, if you're serious then you should be asking for a test drive. This isn't a teen dance, waiting for the boys to come over and take you by the hand. If you're interested, tell them and see how they get on.
No I shouldn’t be asking for a test drive, the rep should, it’s part of the sales process of selling a car. I sell cloud computing, I offer test VM’s to prospects so they can test latency speeds...same thing different industry. Appreciate most can “have a go” but come on?
- i didn’t need asking twice at a teen disco either ;-)
A subject that I thought had been done to death already yet the posting reminds me of my life in sales & much time in the company of off-duty car salesPERSONS as we must call them these days.
I have sympathy for both salesperson & buyer.
Forgotten how many hours I've wasted with prospective buyers who don't know what they want or to screw me into the ground for a discount that is nothing short of taking the piss.
My betting is that in the car trade salespersons risk getting lumbered with tyre-kicking dreamers or in the days of the company car some junior sales rep.asking lots of stupid questions expecting to borrow a top-of-the-range demonstrator before ordering the most basic poverty spec. version through his fleet manager. That's just two examples.
As already suggested far better for a SERIOUS prospective buyer to do some research first so as to avoid sounding like a right ignorant prat on the saleroom floor (but don't go the other way & become anorak-like & eager to show off your excessively detailed knowledge), then make an appointment. Sneer however you like about those who work in sales but they are professional i.e. being paid to sell & they respect those likewise who take a professional approach - usually.
Many buyers start off with the wrong attitude & assumptions & exude aggression both in verbal & body language the moment they walk into a showroom, not just car showrooms either but any smart department stores or shops, hotels even. This can be related to being out of their comfort zone, in an unfamiliar environment & inhibited by somebody in a suit who can put a few sentences together. By the way the latter point about suits is why some companies such as Vauxhall had showroom staff dressed in smart casual clothes & no ties. Make what you like of that because I have never ever walked into a Mercedes, Audi or BMW showroom & encountered sales staff in anything other than formal uniform-like regulation white shirt/blouse & black trousers/skirts. Worryingly a bit too military with overtones of seeking world domination of the automotive industry for me to feel too comfortable.
Finally there is always free coffee, biscuits & buns at most main dealer Mercedes showrooms & I have yet to be interrogated as to the reason for my presence - I just act confident as if I owned the place & take care not to waste any salesperson time pretending I'm a possible buyer. I don't always arrive in my Mercedes either sometimes a Honda or on one occasion a mini-bus.
I have sympathy for both salesperson & buyer.
Forgotten how many hours I've wasted with prospective buyers who don't know what they want or to screw me into the ground for a discount that is nothing short of taking the piss.
My betting is that in the car trade salespersons risk getting lumbered with tyre-kicking dreamers or in the days of the company car some junior sales rep.asking lots of stupid questions expecting to borrow a top-of-the-range demonstrator before ordering the most basic poverty spec. version through his fleet manager. That's just two examples.
As already suggested far better for a SERIOUS prospective buyer to do some research first so as to avoid sounding like a right ignorant prat on the saleroom floor (but don't go the other way & become anorak-like & eager to show off your excessively detailed knowledge), then make an appointment. Sneer however you like about those who work in sales but they are professional i.e. being paid to sell & they respect those likewise who take a professional approach - usually.
Many buyers start off with the wrong attitude & assumptions & exude aggression both in verbal & body language the moment they walk into a showroom, not just car showrooms either but any smart department stores or shops, hotels even. This can be related to being out of their comfort zone, in an unfamiliar environment & inhibited by somebody in a suit who can put a few sentences together. By the way the latter point about suits is why some companies such as Vauxhall had showroom staff dressed in smart casual clothes & no ties. Make what you like of that because I have never ever walked into a Mercedes, Audi or BMW showroom & encountered sales staff in anything other than formal uniform-like regulation white shirt/blouse & black trousers/skirts. Worryingly a bit too military with overtones of seeking world domination of the automotive industry for me to feel too comfortable.
Finally there is always free coffee, biscuits & buns at most main dealer Mercedes showrooms & I have yet to be interrogated as to the reason for my presence - I just act confident as if I owned the place & take care not to waste any salesperson time pretending I'm a possible buyer. I don't always arrive in my Mercedes either sometimes a Honda or on one occasion a mini-bus.
MacD1 said:
No I shouldn’t be asking for a test drive, the rep should, it’s part of the sales process of selling a car. I sell cloud computing, I offer test VM’s to prospects so they can test latency speeds...same thing different industry. Appreciate most can “have a go” but come on?
I don't expect the same service from someone at TK Maxx that I would from a John Lewis employee. The latter have far more training on customer service, and the entry criteria is clearly a bit tougher. - i didn’t need asking twice at a teen disco either ;-)
I think you are expecting too much.
Jag_NE said:
German dealers typically use appointments, I can see the attraction as (a) the customer wont get messed around like the OP and (b) people who make appointments are more likely to be serious and less likely to waste the salesmans time. I guess the risk is that you will lose, pretty much completely, people coming in on spec and buying on a whim. Unsure how significant this factor is.
I should imagine that most high end car marques would use appointments. It might be different for a Peugeot or Vauxhall dealer though, I've never bought one of those new. To be fair when I went into the BMW dealer, the only people standing around were the ones that greeted you, asked if you wanted a drink and let your salesperson know you've arrived.
The worst case I've encountered was with a used car dealer (somewhere on the A6...) when I rocked up to have a look at a used S2000. It wasn't "ready" and had a clutch issue and he bluntly asked "why didn't you make an appointment" to which I bluntly replied "who makes an appointment to see a used car dealer", hopped back in my car and left.
captain_cynic said:
The worst case I've encountered was with a used car dealer (somewhere on the A6...) when I rocked up to have a look at a used S2000. It wasn't "ready" and had a clutch issue and he bluntly asked "why didn't you make an appointment" to which I bluntly replied "who makes an appointment to see a used car dealer", hopped back in my car and left.
Mmm, he kind of has a point and you not making the appointment as proven why you should.HTP99 said:
Mmm, he kind of has a point and you not making the appointment as proven why you should.
Not quite sure you get that it was a dodgy used car dealer...Seriously, why would anyone in their right mind make an appointment for a used car... that's just begging them to put sawdust in the gearbox.
captain_cynic said:
HTP99 said:
Mmm, he kind of has a point and you not making the appointment as proven why you should.
Not quite sure you get that it was a dodgy used car dealer...Seriously, why would anyone in their right mind make an appointment for a used car... that's just begging them to put sawdust in the gearbox.
Anyway I stand by my point.
captain_cynic said:
My BMW dealer chopped an extra £500 quid off after negotiations because I didn't waste his time (rare thing these days to find a customer who knows what they want).
I might be misreading this, but do you mean you'd done the deal and then the dealer said "here you go, have another £500 off"?
k off 😂.captain_cynic said:
Jag_NE said:
German dealers typically use appointments, I can see the attraction as (a) the customer wont get messed around like the OP and (b) people who make appointments are more likely to be serious and less likely to waste the salesmans time. I guess the risk is that you will lose, pretty much completely, people coming in on spec and buying on a whim. Unsure how significant this factor is.
I should imagine that most high end car marques would use appointments. It might be different for a Peugeot or Vauxhall dealer though, I've never bought one of those new. To be fair when I went into the BMW dealer, the only people standing around were the ones that greeted you, asked if you wanted a drink and let your salesperson know you've arrived.
The worst case I've encountered was with a used car dealer (somewhere on the A6...) when I rocked up to have a look at a used S2000. It wasn't "ready" and had a clutch issue and he bluntly asked "why didn't you make an appointment" to which I bluntly replied "who makes an appointment to see a used car dealer", hopped back in my car and left.
I would have thought it highly unlikely in this country that if you walked into Aston/Bentley etc that they would turn credible looking people away without an appt.
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