Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.
Discussion
ITP said:
Wouldn't be surprised if the 51k mile car which was advertised at 49k miles was the dealer trying to capture people who put 'up to 50k miles' in an autotrader search....
In reality, condition will matters more than 2k miles but its the mindset that would put me off. What else will they bend the truth on?
Its one of my pet hates adverts with those sorts of mileages..... its lazy and seems they cant be arsed to check it, we always put exact miles 49,521 miles In reality, condition will matters more than 2k miles but its the mindset that would put me off. What else will they bend the truth on?
Were you born a pathological liar, or did you get special training?
This may sound harsh, but honestly the number of times I have been told X, Y or Z about a car and it's been completely untrue. Two main dealer examples (6 examples, 2 dealers)
Q: Does it have a full service history? A: Yes. It didn't. (VW)
Q: I presume it only has one previous owner, being a VW approved used? A: Yes. It had two.
Q: Is the used warranty cover the same as a new car warranty? A: Yes. No, it isn't. (VW) Advertising standards upheld my complaint on this one, as that statement was in writing as well, but a dealer was still saying it when I went back to check later.
Statement - it's mint, no damage at all. Fact: Bumper was damaged front and back. They did repair it once I pointed it out. (LR)
Statement - it has a full service history. Fact - it was not recorded on the LR data-base. They updated it, but I was never convinced if it had the actual service or not (LR).
Statement - those free mats you want to throw in will cost me £200, but I will meet you half way and bump the price by £100 to include them. Utter BS - they were £50, so I paid MORE. Yep, totally suckered on that one (LR)
There is still benefit going to a main dealer, because when it goes wrong, you can use these things against them more effectively than elsewhere, but there are a high number of unbelievable sharks out there.
This may sound harsh, but honestly the number of times I have been told X, Y or Z about a car and it's been completely untrue. Two main dealer examples (6 examples, 2 dealers)
Q: Does it have a full service history? A: Yes. It didn't. (VW)
Q: I presume it only has one previous owner, being a VW approved used? A: Yes. It had two.
Q: Is the used warranty cover the same as a new car warranty? A: Yes. No, it isn't. (VW) Advertising standards upheld my complaint on this one, as that statement was in writing as well, but a dealer was still saying it when I went back to check later.
Statement - it's mint, no damage at all. Fact: Bumper was damaged front and back. They did repair it once I pointed it out. (LR)
Statement - it has a full service history. Fact - it was not recorded on the LR data-base. They updated it, but I was never convinced if it had the actual service or not (LR).
Statement - those free mats you want to throw in will cost me £200, but I will meet you half way and bump the price by £100 to include them. Utter BS - they were £50, so I paid MORE. Yep, totally suckered on that one (LR)
There is still benefit going to a main dealer, because when it goes wrong, you can use these things against them more effectively than elsewhere, but there are a high number of unbelievable sharks out there.
Thirsty33 said:
Were you born a pathological liar, or did you get special training?
This may sound harsh, but honestly the number of times I have been told X, Y or Z about a car and it's been completely untrue. Two main dealer examples (6 examples, 2 dealers)
Q: Does it have a full service history? A: Yes. It didn't. (VW)
Q: I presume it only has one previous owner, being a VW approved used? A: Yes. It had two.
Q: Is the used warranty cover the same as a new car warranty? A: Yes. No, it isn't. (VW) Advertising standards upheld my complaint on this one, as that statement was in writing as well, but a dealer was still saying it when I went back to check later.
Statement - it's mint, no damage at all. Fact: Bumper was damaged front and back. They did repair it once I pointed it out. (LR)
Statement - it has a full service history. Fact - it was not recorded on the LR data-base. They updated it, but I was never convinced if it had the actual service or not (LR).
Statement - those free mats you want to throw in will cost me £200, but I will meet you half way and bump the price by £100 to include them. Utter BS - they were £50, so I paid MORE. Yep, totally suckered on that one (LR)
There is still benefit going to a main dealer, because when it goes wrong, you can use these things against them more effectively than elsewhere, but there are a high number of unbelievable sharks out there.
Wow sorry to hear you were lied to ... it is quite common in certain places where the sales staff don't last long and move on when they get caught out.This may sound harsh, but honestly the number of times I have been told X, Y or Z about a car and it's been completely untrue. Two main dealer examples (6 examples, 2 dealers)
Q: Does it have a full service history? A: Yes. It didn't. (VW)
Q: I presume it only has one previous owner, being a VW approved used? A: Yes. It had two.
Q: Is the used warranty cover the same as a new car warranty? A: Yes. No, it isn't. (VW) Advertising standards upheld my complaint on this one, as that statement was in writing as well, but a dealer was still saying it when I went back to check later.
Statement - it's mint, no damage at all. Fact: Bumper was damaged front and back. They did repair it once I pointed it out. (LR)
Statement - it has a full service history. Fact - it was not recorded on the LR data-base. They updated it, but I was never convinced if it had the actual service or not (LR).
Statement - those free mats you want to throw in will cost me £200, but I will meet you half way and bump the price by £100 to include them. Utter BS - they were £50, so I paid MORE. Yep, totally suckered on that one (LR)
There is still benefit going to a main dealer, because when it goes wrong, you can use these things against them more effectively than elsewhere, but there are a high number of unbelievable sharks out there.
Not all of us lie and do stuff like that but those that do give the rest of us a bad name.
I'm currently looking at a car that has an autotrader advert date of 04/08/17 so I'm assuming it's been sat at the dealership for nearly six months.
In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
Edited by jayymannon on Friday 26th January 21:07
jayymannon said:
I'm currently looking at a car that has an autotrader advert date of 04/08/17 so I'm assuming it's been sat at the dealership for nearly six months.
In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
Rusty brake discs and seized calipers would be my concern with a car that's stood around for 6 months.In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
Edited by jayymannon on Friday 26th January 21:07
oakdale said:
jayymannon said:
I'm currently looking at a car that has an autotrader advert date of 04/08/17 so I'm assuming it's been sat at the dealership for nearly six months.
In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
Rusty brake discs and seized calipers would be my concern with a car that's stood around for 6 months.In your experience do cars that have sat around this long tend to have any major problems?
I'm thinking battery issues etc.
Or do they get shifted around enough to prevent any major problems? Do batteries ever get disconnected?
I
Edited by jayymannon on Friday 26th January 21:07
Thirsty33 said:
Q: I presume it only has one previous owner, being a VW approved used? A: Yes. It had two.
.
I don't necessarily agree but it is a common point of disagreement
Eyersey1234 said:
When I PXd my old Fiesta against the current one I had done about 800 miles in 2 weeks on the old one and the garage weren't bothered, they probably sent it straight to auction though as it was 12 years old
When the BMW dealer cocked my delivery date up on my new 5 series they gave me a 120 D M sport effort to tide me over , I gave that back a fortnight later with nearly 1300 miles added.They weren't very happy at all funnily enough.
Eyersey1234 said:
When I PXd my old Fiesta against the current one I had done about 800 miles in 2 weeks on the old one and the garage weren't bothered, they probably sent it straight to auction though as it was 12 years old
When the BMW dealer cocked my delivery date up on my new 5 series they gave me a 120 D M sport effort to tide me over , I gave that back a fortnight later with nearly 1300 miles added.They weren't very happy at all funnily enough.
Bet2502 said:
Never been in car sales before but been in various sales for past 15 years. Looking for a new challenge after 10 year.
Been offered a job in a JLR main dealer in car sales. 90% of people seem to say don’t bother. Silly hours. Can end up working for less than min wage. Pressure to sell everything only the car itself. Tyre kickers galore wanting the sun and moon. Spend half your day doing everything except trying to sell cars running after service garage, pdi, invoicing , moving cars etc etc
I understand every job has its pros and cons, is car sales really that bad especially at a main dealer.
What could you realistically be able to earn as an average salesman
Yep.. thats pretty much it! Been offered a job in a JLR main dealer in car sales. 90% of people seem to say don’t bother. Silly hours. Can end up working for less than min wage. Pressure to sell everything only the car itself. Tyre kickers galore wanting the sun and moon. Spend half your day doing everything except trying to sell cars running after service garage, pdi, invoicing , moving cars etc etc
I understand every job has its pros and cons, is car sales really that bad especially at a main dealer.
What could you realistically be able to earn as an average salesman
CS Garth said:
With the previous owner point this is common as people argue 'previous owners' does not include the current one so 1 previous can often be 2 owners.
I don't necessarily agree but it is a common point of disagreement
It's a potential confusion with private sales, but really shouldn't be when buying from a dealer.I don't necessarily agree but it is a common point of disagreement
Don't forget that the V5 shows keepers, which may not be the same as owners.
Well, I've had a 5-star dealer experience this past couple of days.
I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
Chris-DC5R said:
steve-5snwi said:
Depends on the car, i've made sure the correct conti MO tyres have been put on AMGs and Michelin PSS on M135s ... but others have had acceleras... personally I hate it but if on paper you buy a car for £5000 and sell it for £6000 according to HMRC you have made £1000. So thats what you will pay VAT on. Now if it costs you £250 to prep it for sale, then £500 on branded tyres you have only made £250 profit but the Vat man will still take £166 in VAT So your profit is less than £90. Now if your budgets cost £200 you have made an extra £300 ......
For me if it was a dealer I would accept budgets (it doesn't mean i agree with it) but i would not accept it from a private seller as it means they scrimp on running costs. I guess its why i'm out of car sales given the place i worked for loves cheap tyres and replica wheels .......
For me if it was a dealer I would accept budgets (it doesn't mean i agree with it) but i would not accept it from a private seller as it means they scrimp on running costs. I guess its why i'm out of car sales given the place i worked for loves cheap tyres and replica wheels .......
Just to get one thing straight, VAT is a tax on the consumer and not the business. The business activities are, or at least should be measured on net figures with VAT applied which the consumer foots. The business just acts as a third party who collect and transfer over the VAT.
The business will also pay to the suppliers the VAT on the tyres, repairs etc and this reclaim this amount back.
Businesses looking at VAT as a tax on theirselves is hugely flawed and frankly, incorrect.
Sorry to hijack but this is an interesting topic for the traders on this thread...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
renmure said:
Well, I've had a 5-star dealer experience this past couple of days.
I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
you were lucky you got the gaffer, he answers to no one so can authorise what he likes, are you buying it then?I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
renmure said:
Well, I've had a 5-star dealer experience this past couple of days.
I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
Which dealership was it? Sounds like a great experience! If you don't end up buying I'd defo leave them a good rating somewhere like Google for the experience.I've been doing a bit of background reading on the new Civic Type R and popped into my nearest Honda dealer yesterday to look around their Demo car on the front forecourt. It was a busy place, all the salesmen seemed to be with someone, waiting for someone or doing hand-overs but the receptionist was really attentive and said she would try to find someone or find out when someone would be free, but in the meantime she would open up the car and hopefully get someone to me asap.
The guy who came over a few minutes later introduced himself as the DP and asked if I was interested in buying one if it was the right car for me or if I was just looking for information. Either way, he was happy to help. I said I was a potential buyer and he said, "come on, lets take if for a blast" and off we went for about 25 mins of him hammering the car / safely demonstrating the performance of the car on the back-roads. Fast car. Nice guy. Good driver. Really fast car.
Back at the Dealership all the salesmen were still with customers and he joked that he was probably too rusty to try to sell me one and had a couple of meetings to attend but said if I could come back this morning he would have the car fully fueled up and suggested that I take it away for the weekend and speak to a proper salesman on Monday when I brought it back.
So, here I am having had a proper blast in it this afternoon in Type R mode and still got all day tomorrow to make sure Mrs R likes it and can happily drive it in Comfort mode and take it to the supermarket and do the boring stuff.
I appreciate all Dealers can't do the same thing and I guess if I end up not buying one then it's probably not a great way to do it anyhow but, if nothing else at the moment, I'm a potential customer with a really positive feeling about the Dealership.
A few years ago we sold a Megane 225 which had been remapped, despite all the paperwork for the re-map being in the book pack with all the other bills, it was missed when we took it in as a part ex and then sold on.
It wasn't until a couple of weeks later, the purchaser went through all the bills and found the re-map invoice, we ended up buying it back and trading out of it.
It wasn't until a couple of weeks later, the purchaser went through all the bills and found the re-map invoice, we ended up buying it back and trading out of it.
Having read most of this thread its an eye opener to see both sides.
Popped into my local VW main dealer yesterday on an opportunity basis to have a quick look at either a new T-Roc or Polo for Mrs M and a look at GolfGti/R for me.
Receptionist was not at desk when I walked in and everyone was busy, so just wandered around, all the cars were there and open. Sat in a few and looked at space and interior quality. Job done. They even had the new Up Gti which looks great but the seats appear a bit crap. Receptionist arrived as I was doing this and asked if I wanted some help or to speak to someone. I thanked her and explained was just looking round.
Now having read the thread not sure how I'm meant to cope with this.
Do I:
a. Over-react massively because I've been ignored despite sitting in a couple of cars. Flounce off to the nearest Audi dealer, throw money at them and then come back and doughnut my new Q2 in front of them whilst shouting 'losers'??
b. Over-react massively because the receptionist was constantly in my face asking if I wanted help. Write to the DP and start a social media campaign??
Popped into my local VW main dealer yesterday on an opportunity basis to have a quick look at either a new T-Roc or Polo for Mrs M and a look at GolfGti/R for me.
Receptionist was not at desk when I walked in and everyone was busy, so just wandered around, all the cars were there and open. Sat in a few and looked at space and interior quality. Job done. They even had the new Up Gti which looks great but the seats appear a bit crap. Receptionist arrived as I was doing this and asked if I wanted some help or to speak to someone. I thanked her and explained was just looking round.
Now having read the thread not sure how I'm meant to cope with this.
Do I:
a. Over-react massively because I've been ignored despite sitting in a couple of cars. Flounce off to the nearest Audi dealer, throw money at them and then come back and doughnut my new Q2 in front of them whilst shouting 'losers'??
b. Over-react massively because the receptionist was constantly in my face asking if I wanted help. Write to the DP and start a social media campaign??
Madness60 said:
Having read most of this thread its an eye opener to see both sides.
Popped into my local VW main dealer yesterday on an opportunity basis to have a quick look at either a new T-Roc or Polo for Mrs M and a look at GolfGti/R for me.
Receptionist was not at desk when I walked in and everyone was busy, so just wandered around, all the cars were there and open. Sat in a few and looked at space and interior quality. Job done. They even had the new Up Gti which looks great but the seats appear a bit crap. Receptionist arrived as I was doing this and asked if I wanted some help or to speak to someone. I thanked her and explained was just looking round.
Now having read the thread not sure how I'm meant to cope with this.
Do I:
a. Over-react massively because I've been ignored despite sitting in a couple of cars. Flounce off to the nearest Audi dealer, throw money at them and then come back and doughnut my new Q2 in front of them whilst shouting 'losers'??
b. Over-react massively because the receptionist was constantly in my face asking if I wanted help. Write to the DP and start a social media campaign??
Pfft, that's nothing. I was in my local WH Smith yesterday browsing the magazines and not once did a sales person come over and ask if I needed assistance. Shocking, just shocking. Couldn't believe it.Popped into my local VW main dealer yesterday on an opportunity basis to have a quick look at either a new T-Roc or Polo for Mrs M and a look at GolfGti/R for me.
Receptionist was not at desk when I walked in and everyone was busy, so just wandered around, all the cars were there and open. Sat in a few and looked at space and interior quality. Job done. They even had the new Up Gti which looks great but the seats appear a bit crap. Receptionist arrived as I was doing this and asked if I wanted some help or to speak to someone. I thanked her and explained was just looking round.
Now having read the thread not sure how I'm meant to cope with this.
Do I:
a. Over-react massively because I've been ignored despite sitting in a couple of cars. Flounce off to the nearest Audi dealer, throw money at them and then come back and doughnut my new Q2 in front of them whilst shouting 'losers'??
b. Over-react massively because the receptionist was constantly in my face asking if I wanted help. Write to the DP and start a social media campaign??
Osinjak said:
Pfft, that's nothing. I was in my local WH Smith yesterday browsing the magazines and not once did a sales person come over and ask if I needed assistance. Shocking, just shocking. Couldn't believe it.
I bet they tried to sell you a massive bag of Minstrals for a quid at the checkout thoughGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff