Are all Audi dealers unhelpful?
Discussion
tezzer said:
They looked at the cars, and went and asked the receptionist if there was a salesman present to assist, she went into the glass fronted office where 4 of them were stood talking. They glanced across, and carried on talking for another 20 minutes, while they looked further at the A1 and A8.
How do they know it was 4 salesmen? Could have been a salesman, sales manager, GM and a customer for whom they were trying to solve an issue. Could have been 2 salesmen, a sales manager and a trainer from Audi training them on some vital development or safety issue. Could have been the sales manager and 3 guys from Audi. Who knows? Why did they assume it was 4 sales people? Smells completely made up to me.There's never an excuse for not helping someone and in my experience both in the UK and US it rarely happens. Sales people are usually too concerned about their CSI surveys for that. In the above story there is no logic as to why they would do that, it's nonsense.
Because everyone hates us unrepentant and thinks that we rip them off at every opportunity, ignore them all the time and refuse to help and that we have nothing else to do all day except eat bacon butties, and the job is a piece off cake.
Can't do right for doing wrong, yet everyone jumps to conclusions with very little evidence.
And people wonder why we get sometimes get an little arsey and stressy at times dealing with the great British Public.
Can't do right for doing wrong, yet everyone jumps to conclusions with very little evidence.
And people wonder why we get sometimes get an little arsey and stressy at times dealing with the great British Public.
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:09
Mexman said:
Because everyone hates us unrepentant and thinks that we rip them off at every opportunity, ignore them all the time and refuse to help and that we have nothing else to do all day except eat bacon butties, and the job is a piece off cake.
Can't do right for doing wrong, yet everyone jumps to conclusions with very little evidence.
And people wonder why we get sometimes get an little arsey and stressy at times dealing with the great British Public.
It's not hate. Can't do right for doing wrong, yet everyone jumps to conclusions with very little evidence.
And people wonder why we get sometimes get an little arsey and stressy at times dealing with the great British Public.
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:09
Salespeople. There, by definition, to sell. When they don't do that, people get upset. Not doing the actual thing you are a) paid for b) supposed to be good at.
Make sense?
Ok, picture this (and it does happen)
It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:37
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:40
My experience with 2 Audi dealers was horrendous. Walked into the Scotswood Newcastle branch late morning on a Tuesday, sales assistances sat around one desk shooting the breeze wouldn’t speak to me but referred me to the reception desk to take my details and point me to a waiting area.
So I browse around then sit and wait, wait for 45mins, they’re all still shooting the breeze for reference. Speak to the receptionist who just shrugs. I go to leave and no one cares, I leave my number for someone to call me as I want to order a TTRS. Still waiting for the call 3yrs on.
Similar experience with the Silverlink Newcastle branch for the same car I wanted to order.
Ordered it from a dealer via OrangeWheels in the end who were super helpful from the other end of the UK.
So I browse around then sit and wait, wait for 45mins, they’re all still shooting the breeze for reference. Speak to the receptionist who just shrugs. I go to leave and no one cares, I leave my number for someone to call me as I want to order a TTRS. Still waiting for the call 3yrs on.
Similar experience with the Silverlink Newcastle branch for the same car I wanted to order.
Ordered it from a dealer via OrangeWheels in the end who were super helpful from the other end of the UK.
Mexman said:
Ok, picture this (and it does happen)
It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
Surely this is why if you are ready to do a deal and are serious, you would book an appointment with a sales person in advance, rather than just turn up to a dealer and think you are a priority to them.. Also you will find dealerships that have lots of sales people with plenty of time on their hands won't be around for long!It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:37
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:40
G
Mexman. In that situation you take a couple of minutes to explain your schedule to the new customer. Take or get a receptionist to take their details and book them a proper slot where you can give them your time.
As a customer this route would be much preferred over being ignored or treated like crap to get rid of me sooner.
As a customer this route would be much preferred over being ignored or treated like crap to get rid of me sooner.
I went into Edinburgh Audi the other morning while on my way to look at Heifers to buy. I am thinking of A4 Avant to replace Tiguan. First salesman came out to introduce himself outside but was looking somewhat hungover and quickly cleared off inside as he said it was freezing. Second salesman approached while I was looking at the back badge with 40 and then one with 50 on it and I asked what the new numbers were for. He told me it was their new way of putting the power output of the cars on the badge to streamline it when more electric cars come on stream.
I asked what cc is that car? He said 150hp. I asked what size is the engine in that car? He said 150hp! I just gave up.
I asked what cc is that car? He said 150hp. I asked what size is the engine in that car? He said 150hp! I just gave up.
Mexman said:
Ok, picture this (and it does happen)
It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
Surely you either:-It's 2.30pm and you have 3 handovers this afternoon.
Your first handover is in 10 mins time, and you are frantically running around making sure paperwork is all ready, car fuelled, cleaned and all the other bits you promised to do have been done.
Valeter comes running in saying that he has just scraped the bumper on a fence post around the back or the EML light has just come on whilst he was giving it a final reclean.
Service manager is busy on the phone, techies are all busy on the clock on other jobs.
Your customer is arriving from 2 hours away and is due anytime now and this person buying this 30k, 40k car is known to be a fussy, abrupt person, like he was at the original point of sale.
Another customer walks in and demands your attention to either possibly buy or possibly just pull you around for an hour and waste your time.(could be either)
What do you do?
Quick, time is running out, what now?
You cannot delay or your other 2 handovers are going to run over as well, so you will now be dealing with 3 irate customers, not just one.
Oh and your phone is now ringing, and you have an appointment at 5pm on a car which is a surefire deal as long as you don't balls it up.
Quick, you need to do something now!
What?
We don't deliberately ignore people believe me, but sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that dictate that you cannot possibly start to get involved with dealing with yet another customer.
It happens, there are only so many hours in the day, and occasionally, circumstances all come together to combine, that create a problem that needs addressing immediately, without further interruptions.
This scenario, when involved with cars, is not uncommon, so many different things can go wrong that are totally out of your control, but can create you an absolute world of pain.
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:37
Edited by Mexman on Tuesday 12th February 19:40
1. Completely ignore the walk-in and risk losing a potential sale.
2. Spend 2 minutes speaking to the walk-in, explaining that you're really busy so could you make an appointment for another day. Or say they could wait but it might be half an hour or so, but the receptionist will get them a coffee and make sure any cars they might want to look at are unlocked.
king clue how they stay in business.I had a company A4 years back and it developed an overheating issue. It took the dealer 3 or 4 goes at it changing various things before the heater matrix failed completely.
Each time they said it had been fully road tested etc etc.
Not sure it’s an Audi specific thing, main dealers in general IME are just servicing white goods in tight timescales. They shouldn’t call themselves ‘Technicians’ really.
Each time they said it had been fully road tested etc etc.
Not sure it’s an Audi specific thing, main dealers in general IME are just servicing white goods in tight timescales. They shouldn’t call themselves ‘Technicians’ really.
I know what I would do, and yes you are correct in stating rescheduling the walk in customer is the thing to do.
But then, how many would then be on this forum stating that ' I walked into XYZ dealer in dealersville and the salesman had no time to talk to me or even show me a few cars or test drive me?'
This then gets exaggerated to ' he ignored me, flipped me off, didn't take me seriously blah blah and instead I went down the road and bought an RS, GTi AWD, Twin Turbo, fandango instead.
'Should I pull some donuts on his forecourt for fobbing me off?'
See the trend here?
Now I'm not saying that this is true of all the scenario's in the above posts.
Sure, there is no excuse for deliberately ignoring a potential customer, but I wonder how many of these above stories can be logically explained in another way, as in the example I have given.
But then, how many would then be on this forum stating that ' I walked into XYZ dealer in dealersville and the salesman had no time to talk to me or even show me a few cars or test drive me?'
This then gets exaggerated to ' he ignored me, flipped me off, didn't take me seriously blah blah and instead I went down the road and bought an RS, GTi AWD, Twin Turbo, fandango instead.
'Should I pull some donuts on his forecourt for fobbing me off?'
See the trend here?
Now I'm not saying that this is true of all the scenario's in the above posts.
Sure, there is no excuse for deliberately ignoring a potential customer, but I wonder how many of these above stories can be logically explained in another way, as in the example I have given.
Sparkzz said:
Had a bad one a few years ago when my (lottery winner) 22 year old mate was looking for a car.
Went to Audi and inspecting the R8, salesman comes over and asks us to stop "making the place untidy"
Went to BMW over the road, bought an M6 and had a bottle of champange.
This really didn't happen did it.?Went to Audi and inspecting the R8, salesman comes over and asks us to stop "making the place untidy"
Went to BMW over the road, bought an M6 and had a bottle of champange.
Mexman said:
Sparkzz said:
Had a bad one a few years ago when my (lottery winner) 22 year old mate was looking for a car.
Went to Audi and inspecting the R8, salesman comes over and asks us to stop "making the place untidy"
Went to BMW over the road, bought an M6 and had a bottle of champange.
This really didn't happen did it.?Went to Audi and inspecting the R8, salesman comes over and asks us to stop "making the place untidy"
Went to BMW over the road, bought an M6 and had a bottle of champange.
Teesside Audi/BMW.
I know it's the internet, but it really did happen. It was PCP rather than cash sale, but all the same.
LooneyTunes said:
Our local dealer's lack of service has directly resulted in nearby dealers selling:
Alfa 146 (instead of S3)
SLK (instead of TT)
Saab 9-3 Convertible (instead of A4)
Touareg (instead of A6)
Haven't even managed to get a test drive out of them... so didn't even bother going back to look at what they had last time I ordered a new car.
Seriously? Are you saying you wanted a 146 but bought an S3 instead and the same for the others. Why not order your preferred option from somebody else. Or are you saying you couldn't get a test drive, which is slightly different.Alfa 146 (instead of S3)
SLK (instead of TT)
Saab 9-3 Convertible (instead of A4)
Touareg (instead of A6)
Haven't even managed to get a test drive out of them... so didn't even bother going back to look at what they had last time I ordered a new car.
If I wanted to buy, for example, a Mercedes E63, I wouldn't buy an Audi RS6 just because a Mercedes salesman/woman ignored me. Seems a strange way to buy things if you ask me.
I had a superb experience with Newbury Audi.
Spotted a nearly new S5 on their website at lunchtime on a Weds, rang in to ask to take a look on my way home from work. Fast forward to 5:30pm and I’m out with the sales chap on a drive.
Back to dealership, ran through some finance options (was looking at a 60/40 split of deposit/finance), holding deposit down as I wanted to go back the following Saturday with the missus so she could have a drive.
I got back home that evening like a kid at Christmas. Missus says “Don’t worry about me, I’m sure the car is fine”. Sorted a bank loan to accompany the deposit with a better rate than Audi finance could offer.
Quick phone call the next day to say no need for the second drive, ‘thanks, but no thanks’ for the finance numbers and a bit of quick negotiation to reach an agreeable final price.
Funds transferred Thursday, car picked up at 0900 Saturday AM after a small amount of gentle sales pitching of GAP, Alloy and paint protection products and whatever. Nothing pushy whatsoever.
Couldn’t have been easier to be honest
Spotted a nearly new S5 on their website at lunchtime on a Weds, rang in to ask to take a look on my way home from work. Fast forward to 5:30pm and I’m out with the sales chap on a drive.
Back to dealership, ran through some finance options (was looking at a 60/40 split of deposit/finance), holding deposit down as I wanted to go back the following Saturday with the missus so she could have a drive.
I got back home that evening like a kid at Christmas. Missus says “Don’t worry about me, I’m sure the car is fine”. Sorted a bank loan to accompany the deposit with a better rate than Audi finance could offer.
Quick phone call the next day to say no need for the second drive, ‘thanks, but no thanks’ for the finance numbers and a bit of quick negotiation to reach an agreeable final price.
Funds transferred Thursday, car picked up at 0900 Saturday AM after a small amount of gentle sales pitching of GAP, Alloy and paint protection products and whatever. Nothing pushy whatsoever.
Couldn’t have been easier to be honest
Edited by MDJ on Tuesday 12th February 20:53
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