Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all (Vol. 2).
Discussion
bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
I was only thinking about this today while sat in a Mercedes showroom. I did notice that the majority of the customers visiting the showroom were not what you would traditionally call smartly dressed. One looked like a rock band drummer, one was clearly a farmers wife and another was generally a bit scruffy. Not a suit, tie or brogues to be seen. A definite jeans and trainers trend. At least two of these, from what I could see, were collecting cars they'd bought.I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
It struck me that times and attitudes have changed, or at least they looked to have there. The sales staff (transaction managers as they were called) were mostly young females in rather good looking 'Men in Black' suits with no high heels or revealing clothes which was the norm in the past.
Definite step forward.
ro250 said:
Wills2 said:
AmitG said:
Ari said:
That's fantastic! 
Reminds me of the "VIP day" events that one of my local dealers used to run all the time. They went to great lengths to create an air of exclusivity- By invitation only!
- You must RSVP else you won't be allowed in!
- Showroom closed for the duration of the event - no hoi polloi!
- Massive discounts only for VIPs! (but we won't tell you what they are until you turn up)
And then, inevitably, extending the balloons-in-showroom-period for another week "due to unprecedented demand".
minghis said:
bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
I was only thinking about this today while sat in a Mercedes showroom. I did notice that the majority of the customers visiting the showroom were not what you would traditionally call smartly dressed. One looked like a rock band drummer, one was clearly a farmers wife and another was generally a bit scruffy. Not a suit, tie or brogues to be seen. A definite jeans and trainers trend. At least two of these, from what I could see, were collecting cars they'd bought.I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
It struck me that times and attitudes have changed, or at least they looked to have there. The sales staff (transaction managers as they were called) were mostly young females in rather good looking 'Men in Black' suits with no high heels or revealing clothes which was the norm in the past.
Definite step forward.
For a brief moment I thought I was in a Candid Camera episode.
It's hard to judge customers these days, I'd think.
bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
A salesman should Never judge someone by how they dress, more often than not they have more money than someone in shiny shoes wearing a Rolex.I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
Think this has been discussed in quite a few separate threads on PH in the past.I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
It's unlikely to be part of the brand training. It's just salespeople having to make a quick judgement on "is this person likely to buy a car from me today? or is he/she going to take up two hours of my time doing an extended test drive and buy nothing at the end of it?"
They could end up spending a long time with someone who is not a serious buyer, and during that time they could have missed someone else coming through the door who is ready to buy immediately.
Inevitably they'll get it wrong occasionally, and miss out on the eccentric millionaire who happens to dress like a tramp but wants to buy three brand new Range Rovers.
But I imagine their instinct for this kind of stuff is pretty accurate once they've been doing the job for a long time.
stevemcs said:
A salesman should Never judge someone by how they dress, more often than not they have more money than someone in shiny shoes wearing a Rolex.
spreadsheet monkey said:
They could end up spending a long time with someone who is not a serious buyer, and during that time they could have missed someone else coming through the door who is ready to buy immediately.
Inevitably they'll get it wrong occasionally, and miss out on the eccentric millionaire who happens to dress like a tramp but wants to buy three brand new Range Rovers.
I don't think he would be at all eccentric. Inevitably they'll get it wrong occasionally, and miss out on the eccentric millionaire who happens to dress like a tramp but wants to buy three brand new Range Rovers.
I think he would be stark, staring mad.
Wills2 said:
ro250 said:
Wills2 said:
AmitG said:
Ari said:
That's fantastic!
Reminds me of the "VIP day" events that one of my local dealers used to run all the time. They went to great lengths to create an air of exclusivity- By invitation only!
- You must RSVP else you won't be allowed in!
- Showroom closed for the duration of the event - no hoi polloi!
- Massive discounts only for VIPs! (but we won't tell you what they are until you turn up)
And then, inevitably, extending the balloons-in-showroom-period for another week "due to unprecedented demand".
bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
IME I'm not sure they do (look down at scruffy customers).I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
When i go to dealerships I'm usually dressed in my weekend clothes so jeans a polo shirt/hoodie and boots. Just my normal weekend clothes, never a suit/tie. I can't say I've ever noticed any negative looks or experiences.
Countdown said:
IME I'm not sure they do (look down at scruffy customers).
When i go to dealerships I'm usually dressed in my weekend clothes so jeans a polo shirt/hoodie and boots. Just my normal weekend clothes, never a suit/tie. I can't say I've ever noticed any negative looks or experiences.
I like to make an effort to be intimidating - cocktail dress, very high stiletto heels, elbow length gloves. When i go to dealerships I'm usually dressed in my weekend clothes so jeans a polo shirt/hoodie and boots. Just my normal weekend clothes, never a suit/tie. I can't say I've ever noticed any negative looks or experiences.
Falls apart a bit with female sales people though.
Sheepshanks said:
I like to make an effort to be intimidating - cocktail dress, very high stiletto heels, elbow length gloves.
Falls apart a bit with female sales people though.
See, if you were a dealer I'd be inclined to pay you a visit. To buy a car of course, nowt else. No sirree.Falls apart a bit with female sales people though.
There's a shortage of new/pre-reg stock which is driving up the prices of used cars. All new orders seem to be on lead times of 3 months or more. If you can afford to wait for a factory build it's a very good time to buy a brand new car. I'd personally avoid anything nearly new at the moment.
I would expect over the next 6-12 months as things start to get back to normal there will be an adjustment in the market. Either used cars will settle down in value again or they will stick the same and new cars will go up by 10-15%. The current gap is unsustainable, as soon as new car stock starts to build up again nobody would buy a nearly new car at current prices so something will have to give.
I would expect over the next 6-12 months as things start to get back to normal there will be an adjustment in the market. Either used cars will settle down in value again or they will stick the same and new cars will go up by 10-15%. The current gap is unsustainable, as soon as new car stock starts to build up again nobody would buy a nearly new car at current prices so something will have to give.
Super_G said:
Oracle salesman.. have car values gone up? I received a call from the dealership I bought my car from and they were offering 3k more than I expected. Are car prices likely to stay up? The dealership said there was a national shortage of cars. Thank you.
Not a salesman, but there is a well-documented shortage of used cars right now. There have been a few threads about it on PH.https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/355110/used-car...
https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/used-car-b...
spreadsheet monkey said:
Super_G said:
Oracle salesman.. have car values gone up? I received a call from the dealership I bought my car from and they were offering 3k more than I expected. Are car prices likely to stay up? The dealership said there was a national shortage of cars. Thank you.
Not a salesman, but there is a well-documented shortage of used cars right now. There have been a few threads about it on PH.https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/355110/used-car...
https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/used-car-b...
A week later the price had increased to £25,800. it is no longer being advertised on AT so I assume it's been sold......
Joey Deacon said:
Plus the new model will be released soon, as anyone who has ever bought a brand new car that is a run out model knows, the first time you see a new model on the road it suddenly matters.
Didn't bother me when I bought my Fabia II as a run-out model. Mainly because I knew I had paid nearly half the price of the new model for mine! I actually paid £1k less for it than an identical one at Trade Centre Wales with 20k on the clock. bmwmike said:
Why do some sales people look down their noses at customers, say, if they are a bit scruffy? Is it a part of the brand training, or just a personal thing?
I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
Can't see this being the case, since when did anybody 'dress up' to go to a car dealership?I'm a naturally scruffy type and perhaps a bit sensitive, though i do find it amusing. Not just cars, for sure, happens in other industries too.
Once got told a car I was looking at was the MD's personal vehicle and that it could comfortably accommodate a set of clubs (golf, presumably) in the boot. Ok, cool, but is it any good for the tip run?
If you do genuinely look scruffy and you are aware of it, along with acting all 'Faux-naif' by asking how good is it at a tip run, then don't be so surprised when people look down on you.
Countdown said:
i went to see a car a couple of weeks ago which was on sale for £24,800. i said i was keen on it and would come back the following week for a test drive. When i got back home the price had increased to £25,300. The salesman told me that the dealership had put all prices up by 2% and there was no room to negotiate. I told him i would think about it, smug in the knowledge that he would be phoning me back.
A week later the price had increased to £25,800. it is no longer being advertised on AT so I assume it's been sold......
Sadly there are more buyers than stock available at the momentA week later the price had increased to £25,800. it is no longer being advertised on AT so I assume it's been sold......
Fast Bug said:
Sadly there are more buyers than stock available at the moment
The big dealers groups, especially, must track days in stock - wonder how those figures are comparing to pre-covid?I guess it's likely the same as property - pretty well everything is selling in days, unless there's something wrong with it or the price is out of whack.
Fast Bug said:
Sadly there are more buyers than stock available at the moment
I changed cars recently and was told this by the supplying dealer, so expected to see my part-exchange up for resale quickly - of course I've been nosey and checked their website (Lookers) frequently as well as AT and PH to see what they put it up for.10 weeks down the line and I've not seen it anywhere, and it's showing as untaxed - I know there is no way of knowing but if dealers are struggling for stock why wouldn't it be retailed?
A 4yr old Merc CLS with FMBSH in great condition in resale silver - would have thought if struggling for stock the dealer (Audi) would have put it up as they were selling other PX-ed Mercs, BMWs etc, or shipped it off to one of Lookers MB franchises.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff