Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.
Discussion
lenny007 said:
A few years back i bought a used X-Trail from the main dealer in Sunderland. The car had to be transported there from another branch in the country and (reasonably i thought) they charge me the transportation costs to have it delivered (which was deducted from the purchase price if i bought it).
Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, b
ks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.
I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
Wow they gave you the car for free! Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, b
ks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
lenny007 said:
A few years back i bought a used X-Trail from the main dealer in Sunderland. The car had to be transported there from another branch in the country and (reasonably i thought) they charge me the transportation costs to have it delivered (which was deducted from the purchase price if i bought it).
Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, bks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.
I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
Never leave a hand over to anyone else except a boss manager. That other sales guy couldn't give a monkies about you or the second key, he isnt being paid on the deal, it is a favour. He hoped you would accept t and drive off.Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, b
ks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
Obviously the SM told him different as he is paid on the deal too. Also, there is no such thing as 0% finance.
Don't get involved with spare keys, ain't got time for any of that.
If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
I didn't lose it or break it.
Cars come with all sorts, one key, 3 keys, broken keys, house keys etc.
I don't de value a part ex if it only turns up with one key, it's a waste of time asking customer anyway, cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
If I had to spend time sorting spare keys out for all the cars that pass through my hands in an average month, I would never get anything else done!
TBH, the kind of stuff I deal in, it generally does not cause much of an issue anyway, fair enough if you are dealing in the more prestigious or expensive stuff.
If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
I didn't lose it or break it.
Cars come with all sorts, one key, 3 keys, broken keys, house keys etc.
I don't de value a part ex if it only turns up with one key, it's a waste of time asking customer anyway, cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
If I had to spend time sorting spare keys out for all the cars that pass through my hands in an average month, I would never get anything else done!
TBH, the kind of stuff I deal in, it generally does not cause much of an issue anyway, fair enough if you are dealing in the more prestigious or expensive stuff.
Edited by Mexman on Thursday 23 November 17:15
Calmchap said:
lenny007 said:
A few years back i bought a used X-Trail from the main dealer in Sunderland. The car had to be transported there from another branch in the country and (reasonably i thought) they charge me the transportation costs to have it delivered (which was deducted from the purchase price if i bought it).
Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, bks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.
I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
Car arrives, we started negotiating and once the usual suspects of paint protection polish etc had been removed, we agreed a price.
Come day of collection, the sales person i was dealing with was off and one of the new car sales team did the hand over. I walked in and once i overcame the smell of aftershave, the slicked back hair and pin stripe suit we started the handover.
Signed all the paperwork and he went out stating "i'll get the key and bring the car round". Key, as in singular.
I enquired where the other one was and he stated "it's what it came with so it's what you get". Obviously wanting to have a second key in case anything happened to the first, i asked if they would supply one and was told "it'll be £195 for the key and coding".
I'd just spent £15K on the car (luckily on 0% finance) and was told "tough, it's another £195".
Now i'm not one for confrontation but at this point, my exact words were "i tell you what, b
ks to your car and i'll be on my way" which to be fair didn't phase laddo who said "fair enough, do what you want" and then he left the office.I was putting my paperwork back in the folder for my car when he rather sheepishly came back in to the office and told me that "as we've signed all the paperwork over to you, we can't sell the car to anyone else".
After being informed "well that's your problem not mine" his attitude changed considerably and that the confirmation that the dealership would be providing the car FOC.
I later found out that he'd trotted off to the dealer principles office when i was putting my paperwork away where he was informed of his predicament.
I wouldn't mind but the used sales chap was spot on and couldn't have been more helpful.
The other incident which springs to mind was going to a Ford main dealer and being jumped on by half a dozen sales chaps from the used section during the walk from the parking point to the showroom, whilst being totally ignored by four chaps in the new car section (they were more interested in trying to tap up the receptionist).
Mexman said:
ain't got time for any of that.
If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
Do you talk like you type? Like some kind of pound-shop cattle rustler?If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
blindswelledrat said:
Mexman said:
ain't got time for any of that.
If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
Do you talk like you type? Like some kind of pound-shop cattle rustler?If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
I recently bought a cheap car and found that the service from dealers is worse the cheaper it gets (even though I don't think the expensive main dealers are squeaky clean)
But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
Mexman said:
blindswelledrat said:
Mexman said:
ain't got time for any of that.
If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
Do you talk like you type? Like some kind of pound-shop cattle rustler?If its got one key, that's what it came to me with.
End of....
cos invariably if they say it's got two, come handover time, if it's only got one, what are you going to do??
It came to me with one key, and that's how it is,.
]
Dan W. said:
also smacks of lacking in professionalism
its only got 1 key we don't want to spend to provide 2 keys, what else haven't they spent on, places like that tend to do the bare minimum and that's it.
get the car out the door and sod the customer when It goes wrong.
No, it's not like that, when you are dealing with every single make/model of used car under the sun, can you imagine the hassle/time and expense of sorting second keys out?its only got 1 key we don't want to spend to provide 2 keys, what else haven't they spent on, places like that tend to do the bare minimum and that's it.
get the car out the door and sod the customer when It goes wrong.
Easy, if you are a Ford used car dealer, selling only Fords and have your main dealer site next door.
For a small dealer, dealing in all sorts at all price levels... no thanks, that's what it came with.
GriffG said:
My mum wants to buy a Kia picanto from the Kia dealer down by me, second hand.
It costs £7,700, 2017 with 4 thousand miles
What’s the deal with deals these days? Can I haggle anything off this?
Seems to be priced right based on others on autotrader.It costs £7,700, 2017 with 4 thousand miles
What’s the deal with deals these days? Can I haggle anything off this?
If its an approved used at a main agent then I believe that the warranty resets to the full 7 years. Also check if its got a KIA Care service plan and add it on if not.
Edited by KTF on Thursday 23 November 17:34
KTF said:
GriffG said:
My mum wants to buy a Kia picanto from the Kia dealer down by me, second hand.
It costs £7,700, 2017 with 4 thousand miles
What’s the deal with deals these days? Can I haggle anything off this?
Seems to be priced right based on others on autotrader.It costs £7,700, 2017 with 4 thousand miles
What’s the deal with deals these days? Can I haggle anything off this?
GriffG said:
Any point in trying to get anything off the price? Does he have any flexibility on prices or is it a case of wait until someone just comes in to buy it?
Sounds like its an ex demo. which means most likely no margin they just want to move it on.. try offer £7500 and make sure its got two keys 
blindswelledrat said:
I recently bought a cheap car and found that the service from dealers is worse the cheaper it gets (even though I don't think the expensive main dealers are squeaky clean)
But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
You should hear some of the blatant lies that your average customer/potential customer comes out with.But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
Mexman said:
blindswelledrat said:
I recently bought a cheap car and found that the service from dealers is worse the cheaper it gets (even though I don't think the expensive main dealers are squeaky clean)
But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
You should hear some of the blatant lies that your average customer/potential customer comes out with.But one thing I was surprised at was the splipperiness from some of them about defects with the car.
A normal person would have said to me "No, this one hasn't got a FSH, that's why it is priced as such". Or "Mate, this is a cheap car, you are not going to get everything with it". But no. Instead of that I experienced a lot of slipperiness and outright lies. "Does it have a service history?" "Erm, I assume so. Ill check for you and call you back" ....no call back. "Is it Hpi clear?" "Yeah, all our cars are". Of course it is Cat D.
Ironically in both situations I would have bought the car and fully expected problems.Just the fact they were prepared to lie about them meant that I didn't have the energy to go and see the cars and sift through the lies.
Anyway, my question is do these kind of people actually profit from lying or do they just waste thiers, and everyone elses time?
Firstly, thanks to Mexman and all the others taking their time to answer the 'public's' questions - however crazy they may seem. I've been reading this thread since just after it started and it has been very informative.
I've finally got a question that maybe hasn't been properly asked yet. I'm fortunate enough to be able to look at buying used prestige car (Maserati GranTurismo vs AM DB9). Probably 7-10 years old, and hopefully with a bunch of bills to back that up. A few years ago, I bought a Ferrari 456M, which I stupidly sold before the prices doubled, but it had a box file of receipts and proof that its 3 owners had looked after it.
I'm interested in your advice on how to avoid buying a car, which might have been used in the 'supercar hire' market - you see lots of these advertised these days and I'm not willing to buy anything that might have been abused or clocked, as was mentioned a few pages ago. Do any of you take these sorts of cars in for px and what do you look for?
A secondary question - I presume you pay a bit more for cars with lots of history - but how much more? 10%?
Thanks!
I've finally got a question that maybe hasn't been properly asked yet. I'm fortunate enough to be able to look at buying used prestige car (Maserati GranTurismo vs AM DB9). Probably 7-10 years old, and hopefully with a bunch of bills to back that up. A few years ago, I bought a Ferrari 456M, which I stupidly sold before the prices doubled, but it had a box file of receipts and proof that its 3 owners had looked after it.
I'm interested in your advice on how to avoid buying a car, which might have been used in the 'supercar hire' market - you see lots of these advertised these days and I'm not willing to buy anything that might have been abused or clocked, as was mentioned a few pages ago. Do any of you take these sorts of cars in for px and what do you look for?
A secondary question - I presume you pay a bit more for cars with lots of history - but how much more? 10%?
Thanks!
Like the customer who phones up the other day kicking and screaming that the 3 year old Ford Focus that he purchased from us 7 months ago (with a six month warranty) has now got a knackered clutch and gearbox failure.
OK, it's out of warranty, but let's have a look at it.
"Have you been towing anything?
"No", clutch is slipping and gearbox is not going into 1st or 3rd, and it's really noisy in the others.
Car turns up with a dirty great detachable tow bar fitted, which it did not have at the point of sale, and he had removed the swan neck before returning it to us.
Anyway, car goes into workshop, up in the air, and I kid you not, the back end of the car was as rotten as the proverbial pear.
Everything was covered in a thick layer of silt, mud and sand.
The inside of the car had more sand than the Bristol channel.
Quizzed the customer as to what the car had been used for, and all we got out of him was "a four year old Focus gearbox should not fail, I want it replaced/fixed...
Turns out one of the workshop guys, found some of his business cards in the car, and yes, he runs a boat launching, jet ski, catamaran business down here in Cornwall from a caravan park on the coast.
The car was totally knackered, rotten, silt and sand everywhere, probably inside the gearbox also.
Told him, warranty had expired and that we would not be helping him with repairs/paying for it, or even contributing anything.
OK, it's out of warranty, but let's have a look at it.
"Have you been towing anything?
"No", clutch is slipping and gearbox is not going into 1st or 3rd, and it's really noisy in the others.
Car turns up with a dirty great detachable tow bar fitted, which it did not have at the point of sale, and he had removed the swan neck before returning it to us.
Anyway, car goes into workshop, up in the air, and I kid you not, the back end of the car was as rotten as the proverbial pear.
Everything was covered in a thick layer of silt, mud and sand.
The inside of the car had more sand than the Bristol channel.
Quizzed the customer as to what the car had been used for, and all we got out of him was "a four year old Focus gearbox should not fail, I want it replaced/fixed...
Turns out one of the workshop guys, found some of his business cards in the car, and yes, he runs a boat launching, jet ski, catamaran business down here in Cornwall from a caravan park on the coast.
The car was totally knackered, rotten, silt and sand everywhere, probably inside the gearbox also.
Told him, warranty had expired and that we would not be helping him with repairs/paying for it, or even contributing anything.
Edited by Mexman on Thursday 23 November 18:14
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