Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all (Vol. 2).

[brianward]

Milner993 said:

It's a strange rant because you're completely clueless about how the motor trade works and yet you have a arrogance about you.

Don't stick your new vehicles reg into WBAC you might be in for a shock!

Its not a strange rant though... Nothing strange about what I said. Not sure where you equate there is arrogance in any of my prior posts apart from that 'rant'.

My new vehicles I have always leased, well aware the value of trade compared to retail as soon as its driven off the forecourt.. I would never buy brand new... Ever.

Yes you are correct I am absolutely clueless about second hand car sales hence the original post? Not sure what offended you about that question for you to then sarcastically thank me for never dealing with second hand traders like yourself.

I have now been put in the picture about the WBAC prices and how it works so I understand why the difference is so vast as there are multiple mark ups to take into account before it gets to me as the consumer.

From some of the informative posts rather than the sniggering ones I can make an informed decesion. Do I want to pay £22k for a car I would only be given £16k for the next day should my leased factory order arrive... No I don't.

Good Evening.

[e-honda]

I think your question might have antagonized some car dealers who are a bit stressed out after a bank holiday weekend.

[papa3]

brianward said:

Its not a strange rant though... Nothing strange about what I said. Not sure where you equate there is arrogance in any of my prior posts apart from that 'rant'.

My new vehicles I have always leased, well aware the value of trade compared to retail as soon as its driven off the forecourt.. I would never buy brand new... Ever.

Yes you are correct I am absolutely clueless about second hand car sales hence the original post? Not sure what offended you about that question for you to then sarcastically thank me for never dealing with second hand traders like yourself.

I have now been put in the picture about the WBAC prices and how it works so I understand why the difference is so vast as there are multiple mark ups to take into account before it gets to me as the consumer.

From some of the informative posts rather than the sniggering ones I can make an informed decesion. Do I want to pay £22k for a car I would only be given £16k for the next day should my leased factory order arrive... No I don't.

Good Evening.

Is your lease via a broker?

[Auto810graphy]

e-honda said:

I think your question might have antagonized some car dealers who are a bit stressed out after a bank holiday weekend.

Why would dealers be stressed after the weekend, the good ones take it off to be with their family.

[anonymous-user]

Auto810graphy said:

...Dave now cleans it, puts right the worn out front tyres, services, new MOT, warranty, ...

Come now, I thought this was an honest thread

[HTP99]

Auto810graphy said:

e-honda said:

I think your question might have antagonized some car dealers who are a bit stressed out after a bank holiday weekend.

Why would dealers be stressed after the weekend, the good ones take it off to be with their family.

Whilst I'm far from stressed, we were open over Bank Holiday I ended uo working all 3 days; Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we sold nothing all weekend, saw the odd person who may buy but I'm positive if we weren't open on both Sunday and Monday they would have found another day to come.

Bank Holidays are largely a waste of time and have been for years and what's funny is we get a day of in lieu for working a Bank Holiday, this lieu day is generally taken on a more productive day than the Bank Holiday, plus a normal day is longer than a Bank Holiday, so actually being open on a Bank. Holiday is ultimately less productive than being shut.

[Dan W.]

Worked the sunday and monday.

got 2 deals from it so not a complete waste of time, But many tyre kickers about just wanting a chat which is fine killed some time, few tried to be test drive on cars they have no interest in buying they were quickly booted into touch.

[resolve10]

Dan W. said:

Worked the sunday and monday.

got 2 deals from it so not a complete waste of time, But many tyre kickers about just wanting a chat which is fine killed some time, few tried to be test drive on cars they have no interest in buying they were quickly booted into touch.

Honest question, how do you tell if they are serious or not, and how do you get rid of them diplomatically?

I will admit as an 18-19 year old, I used to sometimes test drive cars I was not in a position to buy. I never really had any trouble getting test drives, and a couple of places I went to I went back and bought cars from in future as they had treated me well.

Now I have the opposite problem, where I can afford a certain car but feel like bad asking for a test drive. Maybe it's guilt from my younger days!

[Dan W.]

resolve10 said:

Dan W. said:

Worked the sunday and monday.

got 2 deals from it so not a complete waste of time, But many tyre kickers about just wanting a chat which is fine killed some time, few tried to be test drive on cars they have no interest in buying they were quickly booted into touch.

Honest question, how do you tell if they are serious or not, and how do you get rid of them diplomatically?

I will admit as an 18-19 year old, I used to sometimes test drive cars I was not in a position to buy. I never really had any trouble getting test drives, and a couple of places I went to I went back and bought cars from in future as they had treated me well.

Now I have the opposite problem, where I can afford a certain car but feel like bad asking for a test drive. Maybe it's guilt from my younger days!

Usually experience and asking a few qualifying questions reveal if they are actually in the market.

Getting rid of the ones i think are messing isnt too hard.

for example i was working on my own sun & mon, so those who were i felt were time wasters i just explained im on my own today and have pre booked appointments so if you are seriously in the market for this vehicle i can make time for you now or re book so i can give you more time to drive and look at doing a deal.

then the excuses usually come out at that point.... well im not in the market currently... we are just out shopping killing time....

the wifes best friends daughter is possible looking at one of these next year...

[nikaiyo2]

Blakewater said:

Vorsprung was dropped from the Q3 a few months ago and that's when a salesman confirmed it was due to chip shortages, plus the problem with the supply of sunroofs.

There has been significant glass shortages over the last 12 months, (due in part to 2 of the 3 plants in the UK shutting down for maintenance.)

[lornemalvo]

papa3 said:

brianward said:

Its not a strange rant though... Nothing strange about what I said. Not sure where you equate there is arrogance in any of my prior posts apart from that 'rant'.

My new vehicles I have always leased, well aware the value of trade compared to retail as soon as its driven off the forecourt.. I would never buy brand new... Ever.

Yes you are correct I am absolutely clueless about second hand car sales hence the original post? Not sure what offended you about that question for you to then sarcastically thank me for never dealing with second hand traders like yourself.

I have now been put in the picture about the WBAC prices and how it works so I understand why the difference is so vast as there are multiple mark ups to take into account before it gets to me as the consumer.

From some of the informative posts rather than the sniggering ones I can make an informed decesion. Do I want to pay £22k for a car I would only be given £16k for the next day should my leased factory order arrive... No I don't.

Good Evening.

Is your lease via a broker?

"I would never buy brand new... Ever." Why not? Have you compared the brand new price of a car (particularly through a broker) with the same car up to two years old? I have never been an advocate of buying new, but things have changed, in my view.

[resolve10]

Dan W. said:

Usually experience and asking a few qualifying questions reveal if they are actually in the market.

Getting rid of the ones i think are messing isnt too hard.

for example i was working on my own sun & mon, so those who were i felt were time wasters i just explained im on my own today and have pre booked appointments so if you are seriously in the market for this vehicle i can make time for you now or re book so i can give you more time to drive and look at doing a deal.

then the excuses usually come out at that point.... well im not in the market currently... we are just out shopping killing time....

the wifes best friends daughter is possible looking at one of these next year...

That's interesting. Let's say you're a Ford dealer and I'm looking for an Orange Focus ST manual, but you only have a Grey automatic ex-demo on your forecourt. I'm not interested in that physical car as it isn't the colour or transmision I want, but if I drove it and liked it I might then place an order for a brand new one or a car in group stock. I know that scenario is slightly different at the moment as there isn't really a pool of stock to go at, but how would you handle that enquiry?

[HTP99]

Dan W. said:

resolve10 said:

Dan W. said:

Worked the sunday and monday.

got 2 deals from it so not a complete waste of time, But many tyre kickers about just wanting a chat which is fine killed some time, few tried to be test drive on cars they have no interest in buying they were quickly booted into touch.

Honest question, how do you tell if they are serious or not, and how do you get rid of them diplomatically?

I will admit as an 18-19 year old, I used to sometimes test drive cars I was not in a position to buy. I never really had any trouble getting test drives, and a couple of places I went to I went back and bought cars from in future as they had treated me well.

Now I have the opposite problem, where I can afford a certain car but feel like bad asking for a test drive. Maybe it's guilt from my younger days!

Usually experience and asking a few qualifying questions reveal if they are actually in the market.

Getting rid of the ones i think are messing isnt too hard.

for example i was working on my own sun & mon, so those who were i felt were time wasters i just explained im on my own today and have pre booked appointments so if you are seriously in the market for this vehicle i can make time for you now or re book so i can give you more time to drive and look at doing a deal.

then the excuses usually come out at that point.... well im not in the market currently... we are just out shopping killing time....

the wifes best friends daughter is possible looking at one of these next year...

Yep if you think they are time wasters then just suggest booking a test drive for a later date and word it so that they feel you are doing the best for them, this always weedles them out as they will either say "oh, Errr, I'm not sure what I've got on next week, I'll come back to you"; they never do, or they do book an appointment there and then and either don't show for it or if you call them up to confirm "the appointment for tomorrow", they will either not answer and not come back to you from the left message or sent email (sure fire proof they aren't coming) or if yiu do speak to them, they will suddenly have something else on, so are unable to make it, "I'll contact you when I've looked at my diary/rota, to re book" they invariably don't!

Having done this job for knocking on 20 years and been in a retail environment, dealing with the general public pretty much all my working life, you do develop a sixth sense when it comes to working out who the time wasters are.

Edited by HTP99 on Tuesday 3rd May 11:13

[Dan W.]

resolve10 said:

Dan W. said:

Usually experience and asking a few qualifying questions reveal if they are actually in the market.

Getting rid of the ones i think are messing isnt too hard.

for example i was working on my own sun & mon, so those who were i felt were time wasters i just explained im on my own today and have pre booked appointments so if you are seriously in the market for this vehicle i can make time for you now or re book so i can give you more time to drive and look at doing a deal.

then the excuses usually come out at that point.... well im not in the market currently... we are just out shopping killing time....

the wifes best friends daughter is possible looking at one of these next year...

That's interesting. Let's say you're a Ford dealer and I'm looking for an Orange Focus ST manual, but you only have a Grey automatic ex-demo on your forecourt. I'm not interested in that physical car as it isn't the colour or transmision I want, but if I drove it and liked it I might then place an order for a brand new one or a car in group stock. I know that scenario is slightly different at the moment as there isn't really a pool of stock to go at, but how would you handle that enquiry?

Depends on a few things, I would certainly qualify a few things first, Part exchange coming in ? how is the car being funded ? are you able to place an order soon if you like it or are you looking in the future

If i get a positive vibe i would certainly test drive the person if i have the time. or would certainly make time for a appointment for them if i didnt have the time that day.





I

[anonymous-user]

I always phone up in advance and book a test drive, it just makes the whole process a lot easier. Just turning up and expecting a test drive is usually very awkward as often there will be nobody free or they won't actually have the car you want available to test. Best case scenario is usually they manage to dig out a filthy dirty salesman's car and come out with you for a five minute drive around the block.

Last time I went for a test drive I had phoned in advance and the car was waiting for me when I arrived. The salesman gave me the keys, let me go off on my own and I ended up ordering one from him.

I hate accompanied test drives, again it is almost like they see you as a time waster and want you gone as soon as possible.

[COM31E]

Joey Deacon said:

I always phone up in advance and book a test drive, it just makes the whole process a lot easier. Just turning up and expecting a test drive is usually very awkward as often there will be nobody free or they won't actually have the car you want available to test. Best case scenario is usually they manage to dig out a filthy dirty salesman's car and come out with you for a five minute drive around the block.

Last time I went for a test drive I had phoned in advance and the car was waiting for me when I arrived. The salesman gave me the keys, let me go off on my own and I ended up ordering one from him.

I hate accompanied test drives, again it is almost like they see you as a time waster and want you gone as soon as possible.

I've always found that this route is the one to go down. The only time I've turned up on-the-spot was with a friend who was looking for a 6-Series, and a local independent had one in. We actually just went to look at the car, and were clear about not buying or committing to buy anything that day.


He let her test drive it, regardless, clear in the knowledge it may not net him any sale. As it happens, she did go and back and buy that car, but it wasn't in the bag at the time. I've since bought a car from there, another BMW, as it goes, and used my usual route of making an appointment to drive the car.

[valiant]

Joey Deacon said:

I hate accompanied test drives, again it is almost like they see you as a time waster and want you gone as soon as possible.

One of the great things about buying a car during covid was that you were allowed to test drive on your own.

I get why main dealers have to normally accompany you on a predefined route but it was so much more informative for me to be given the keys, told to come back in 30-45 minutes so I could try the car on a selection of roads, get used to the seats and generally see if I gel with it rather than 10 minutes around the block.

Like you, arranged in advance and the car was waiting for me out front. Quick sit down to show licences and whatnot and told to go off and enjoy myself. It also gives the dealer an opportunity to properly appraise my trade-in so there’s less chance of them being given a lemon.

Worked brilliantly and I bought the car.

Would be happy if this remains the norm.

[HTP99]

valiant said:

Joey Deacon said:

I hate accompanied test drives, again it is almost like they see you as a time waster and want you gone as soon as possible.

One of the great things about buying a car during covid was that you were allowed to test drive on your own.

I get why main dealers have to normally accompany you on a predefined route but it was so much more informative for me to be given the keys, told to come back in 30-45 minutes so I could try the car on a selection of roads, get used to the seats and generally see if I gel with it rather than 10 minutes around the block.

Like you, arranged in advance and the car was waiting for me out front. Quick sit down to show licences and whatnot and told to go off and enjoy myself. It also gives the dealer an opportunity to properly appraise my trade-in so there’s less chance of them being given a lemon.

Worked brilliantly and I bought the car.

Would be happy if this remains the norm.

We've stuck with unaccompanied test drives, must admit I prefer them as I hated doing test drives, they just bore the crap out of me and you get those awkward silences, I think generally people prefer to be left alone to do their own thing, I will explain how to adjust the seats, steering wheel, point out the bits they may not be used to and how they work, as opposed to just throwing them the keys and saying "it's over there, knock yourself out", whilst pointing in the general direction of where the car is.

Some want us to go with them, which is fine and anyone under 21 or over 70 isn't covered under our insurance unless accompanied.

Whilst they are out I can get on with the other stuff that I need to do.

Edited by HTP99 on Tuesday 3rd May 13:13

[Dan W.]

We go on 100% of test drives with our customers as our insurance doesnt allow them on there own.

I actually quite like going with them, always tend to have a laugh and joke and happy to answer any questions they may have,

We can do longer drives 30 mins plus if requested but i think we have maybe done 2 of those this year, We are finding lots of people are actually buying cars without test drives these days, maybe 30% ish

[Fast Bug]

I see Cazoo's value has taken another kicking, its Nasdaq value has gone from an opener of $7bn in August to closing at $1.06bn yesterday. Average gross profit per unit down to £124 for Q1 this year.

Didn't they say they were aiming for £3000 per unit not that long ago?