The Car Salesman's Thread

[HBFS]

POORCARDEALER said:

We sometimes do this....A. We might not want the car in part exchange so it saves each others time. B. See if we are both in the right ballpark pricewise again so not to waste each others time.

Seems fair enough, I'm just a bit frustrated! I wanted to get out and see some motors but no one wants me to see 'em.
Hopefully I'll have the bloke from available car call me back soon.


Any VW dealers out there?
I'm curious to know how you value p/x's? I was in a VW dealership, and the salesman was absolutely insistent that they're able to tell what optional extras are on the car from the registration. Which I ain't buying, can anyone clarify?

[Dalto123]

I've got a question. Why have some dealers adopted this tactic of making customers agree to buy or pay a deposit on a car before letting them test drive it? To be honest it really annoys me and probably stops a possible sale in its tracks. It's happened to us twice when looking at a car we intended on buying, having called ahead and agreed on a test drive and taken a long journey to look at the car and have the dealer say this to us really is taking the pi55.

[POORCARDEALER]

Dalto123 said:

I've got a question. Why have some dealers adopted this tactic of making customers agree to buy or pay a deposit on a car before letting them test drive it? To be honest it really annoys me and probably stops a possible sale in its tracks. It's happened to us twice when looking at a car we intended on buying, having called ahead and agreed on a test drive and taken a long journey to look at the car and have the dealer say this to us really is taking the pi55.

Because many people use dealerships for drives etc before buying from leasing companies etc etc (new cars).

In your situation it seems ridiculous.

[markmullen]

T5R+ said:

Can you gents/ladies drop a few more of these types of stories into the thread.

I had an old buy buying a brand new Shogun at £32k. I quoted him for the towbar with single electrics he needed but he balked at the £375 +VAT for a proper one.

A week later he limped in at 5mph, he'd gone to fit the towbar from his old 4x4 himself and had cut the wiring loom putting it into limp mode.

Worse was yet to come though when we got it up on a ramp, he'd used No More Nails to glue the towbar on as the fixings were different on the new truck.

He was going to tow fully laden beast transporters with it, imagine the carnage if the glue had given up.

[daemon]

markmullen said:

T5R+ said:

Can you gents/ladies drop a few more of these types of stories into the thread.

I had an old buy buying a brand new Shogun at £32k. I quoted him for the towbar with single electrics he needed but he balked at the £375 +VAT for a proper one.

A week later he limped in at 5mph, he'd gone to fit the towbar from his old 4x4 himself and had cut the wiring loom putting it into limp mode.

Worse was yet to come though when we got it up on a ramp, he'd used No More Nails to glue the towbar on as the fixings were different on the new truck.

He was going to tow fully laden beast transporters with it, imagine the carnage if the glue had given up.

Bloody hell. Not so much 'if' the glue had given up - 'when'

Thats madness.

[IrrElephant]

Went in for an hour today to see a customer to finalise a deal, finance done, deposit taken, going home again.

Many of you in today? Anyone have a Beetle Convertible in stock they want to trade out

[Ari]

Dalto123 said:

I've got a question. Why have some dealers adopted this tactic of making customers agree to buy or pay a deposit on a car before letting them test drive it? To be honest it really annoys me and probably stops a possible sale in its tracks. It's happened to us twice when looking at a car we intended on buying, having called ahead and agreed on a test drive and taken a long journey to look at the car and have the dealer say this to us really is taking the pi55.

Because they think you're a time waster. Sorry, but that's the only reason I can think of. I've never ever been asked for a deposit prior to test drive, and I've never heard of anyone asking for it either.

Out of interest, what sort of cars were these?

[Dalto123]

Ari said:

Dalto123 said:

I've got a question. Why have some dealers adopted this tactic of making customers agree to buy or pay a deposit on a car before letting them test drive it? To be honest it really annoys me and probably stops a possible sale in its tracks. It's happened to us twice when looking at a car we intended on buying, having called ahead and agreed on a test drive and taken a long journey to look at the car and have the dealer say this to us really is taking the pi55.

Because they think you're a time waster. Sorry, but that's the only reason I can think of. I've never ever been asked for a deposit prior to test drive, and I've never heard of anyone asking for it either.

Out of interest, what sort of cars were these?

It was my dad, he went to look at a Maserati firstly. Had spoken to them on the phone, agreed a test drive, got there and told us to pay a deposit or go, then suddenly said the car had broken down (even through we were stood next to it and it was running fine ), they where a complete joke to be honest, so we left them quickly.

The second dealer is really what I based my quiery on. I had spotted a TVR Chimaera 4.5 on the net from a former TVR dealer/ now independent specialist. Dad called them up, had a chat, seemed like a nice group of people and understood my dad wanted a test drive (which they agreed to) and knew I would be coming along too. We went along, and again were very nice people. I chatted to them too, they even said I knew my stuff about the TVR. They treated us very well showing us around the dealer/servicing area until the test drive when they told us to buy the car, or dad wouldnt drive it. Felt pretty miffed as we had made a long journey there, and test pilots wouldnt do that. They lost some business there.

[Ari]

If you have to commit to buying the car prior to test drive then there's no point in the test drive, since you've obviously committed to buy it at that point. I can't see anyone agreeing to that so, for whatever reason, they must have decided to blow out the deal.

Interesting that two separate dealers did it to you.

[Ari]

surveyor said:

Is the Pendle the get them in the car and driving. Become their best friend, and the common enemy is the sales manager rubbish?

If so it was alive about 2.5 years ago... And fking annoying.

Getting potential customers in the car and driving is just common sense surely? You've got to get them wanting it, build desire and all that. (Which is why I don't understand the whole "can't drive unless agree to buy" thing above).

[stuwalsh]

POORCARDEALER said:

Dalto123 said:

I've got a question. Why have some dealers adopted this tactic of making customers agree to buy or pay a deposit on a car before letting them test drive it? To be honest it really annoys me and probably stops a possible sale in its tracks. It's happened to us twice when looking at a car we intended on buying, having called ahead and agreed on a test drive and taken a long journey to look at the car and have the dealer say this to us really is taking the pi55.

Those always more interested in the test drive are usually buying cars via brokers who, in saving on their overheads, encourage their punters to simply visit their local dealer and blag a drive. The customers of the large lease companies, (Leaseplan etc.) get extended loans via manufacturer fleets or from dedicatied fleet dealers resources. The worst customer is the one who has droppoed out of a company car scheme and using a one man broker working out of his conservatory at home. I used to send them back to their brokers informing them that instead of a 20min drive round the block they were able to arrange 1 week loans using fleet but only via their broker. Some brokers even had the gall to ring me and complain!!

Also why do so many come in demanding specific spec cars, especially convertables, on specific weekends to coincide with friends weddings etc?

[Deva Link]

Ari said:

If you have to commit to buying the car prior to test drive then there's no point in the test drive, since you've obviously committed to buy it at that point. I can't see anyone agreeing to that so, for whatever reason, they must have decided to blow out the deal.

I understand the test pilot argument, but it doesn't really hold water with cars that are no longer available, such as TVRs.

I guess you could agree to buy, subject to satisfactory test drive, and then just say no afterwards.

[T5R+]

markmullen said:

.............A week later he limped in at 5mph, he'd gone to fit the towbar from his old 4x4 himself and had cut the wiring loom putting it into limp mode.

Worse was yet to come though when we got it up on a ramp, he'd used No More Nails to glue the towbar on as the fixings were different on the new truck.................

[Jacko 325]

HBFS said:

Seems fair enough, I'm just a bit frustrated! I wanted to get out and see some motors but no one wants me to see 'em.
Hopefully I'll have the bloke from available car call me back soon.


Any VW dealers out there?
I'm curious to know how you value p/x's? I was in a VW dealership, and the salesman was absolutely insistent that they're able to tell what optional extras are on the car from the registration. Which I ain't buying, can anyone clarify?

I don't work for VW but I'm sure they have a similar system and yes you can tell everything that car came out of the factory with (assuming the reg hasn't been changed after it's first registration of course) not sure why it's so hard to buy that!

[surveyor]

Ari said:

Getting potential customers in the car and driving is just common sense surely? You've got to get them wanting it, build desire and all that. (Which is why I don't understand the whole "can't drive unless agree to buy" thing above).

Not the test drive that annoys. I get that.

It's the making the sales manager the common enemy and the salesman your mate...

[HBFS]

Jacko 325 said:

HBFS said:

Seems fair enough, I'm just a bit frustrated! I wanted to get out and see some motors but no one wants me to see 'em.
Hopefully I'll have the bloke from available car call me back soon.


Any VW dealers out there?
I'm curious to know how you value p/x's? I was in a VW dealership, and the salesman was absolutely insistent that they're able to tell what optional extras are on the car from the registration. Which I ain't buying, can anyone clarify?

I don't work for VW but I'm sure they have a similar system and yes you can tell everything that car came out of the factory with (assuming the reg hasn't been changed after it's first registration of course) not sure why it's so hard to buy that!

I guess that makes sense, the guy just seemed iffy! Can anyone clarify this, I'm still not convinced!

[Ari]

surveyor said:

Ari said:

Getting potential customers in the car and driving is just common sense surely? You've got to get them wanting it, build desire and all that. (Which is why I don't understand the whole "can't drive unless agree to buy" thing above).

Not the test drive that annoys. I get that.

It's the making the sales manager the common enemy and the salesman your mate...

I presume the idea is to give the customer the impression you're on their side and doing the very best for them. I've never heard of it before this thread so maybe someone will be able to enlighten us further.

[Ari]

Jacko 325 said:

I don't work for VW but I'm sure they have a similar system and yes you can tell everything that car came out of the factory with (assuming the reg hasn't been changed after it's first registration of course) not sure why it's so hard to buy that!

Mercedes dealers can access what's called a Data Card which has every option specced when new. They get this from the VIN, and they can get that via a quick HPI, which they can do with the number plate, even if it has been changed.

[Ari]

Deva Link said:

Ari said:

If you have to commit to buying the car prior to test drive then there's no point in the test drive, since you've obviously committed to buy it at that point. I can't see anyone agreeing to that so, for whatever reason, they must have decided to blow out the deal.

I understand the test pilot argument, but it doesn't really hold water with cars that are no longer available, such as TVRs.

I guess you could agree to buy, subject to satisfactory test drive, and then just say no afterwards.

You do get "test pilots" who's only purpose is to have a go in a flash car.

If a dealer is pretty sure they've got one of those they can block the test drive by insisting on a deposit, safe in the knowledge that a "test pilot" will bail out at that point.

However if they've misjudged a serious customer then they're likely to lose out, so they have to be pretty sure it's a waster, or someone they just don't want to deal with for some reason.

[Zwolf]

Ari said:

Mercedes dealers can access what's called a Data Card which has every option specced when new. They get this from the VIN, and they can get that via a quick HPI, which they can do with the number plate, even if it has been changed.

Ditto BMW and Volvo, so it's hardly a stretch to imagine VAG operate similarly. Dealer visits, services, warranty recalls and dates and mileages thereof also feature.