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

[thecremeegg]

BrabusMog said:

TheDukeofBork said:

I used to be in the hospital medicine racket.

Back around the turn of the century I had a surgical colleague with a very lucrative private practice. However, a couple of failed marriages (with kids in private education) and an expensive hobby flying helicopters meant he had to clear £16k a month before he had any spending money.

I understand it isn't easy for everyone and circumstances change etc but 40% of my pay always goes straight into savings and if there's anything left at the end of the month that gets bunged in as well. Each to their own but I wouldn't be able to function if I was worried about cash!

You clearly earn a lot of money to be able to save 40%, congrats. Not sure why you need to save so much though?

[The Mad Monk]

thecremeegg said:

You clearly earn a lot of money to be able to save 40%, congrats. Not sure why you need to save so much though?

Retire early?

Have a more comfortable retirement?

If you can do it without having to scrimp, why not?

[Osinjak]

thecremeegg said:

You clearly earn a lot of money to be able to save 40%, congrats. Not sure why you need to save so much though?

Why wouldn't you if you could?

[DeWar]

Osinjak said:

Why wouldn't you if you could?

I’m not talking about the 40% saver on this thread - he has his own incomings, outgoings and priorities to consider. However, just to answer this question generally - because you might die before you get to take advantage of it.

Edited by DeWar on Sunday 28th June 11:28

[BrabusMog]

DeWar said:

Osinjak said:

Why wouldn't you if you could?

I’m not talking about the 40% saver on this thread - he has his own incomings, outgoings and priorities to consider. However, just to answer this question generally - because you might die before you get to take advantage of it.

Edited by DeWar on Sunday 28th June 11:28

But if I don't then I can have a care free retirement I don't live like a monk but I also don't go to Mexico / Barbados twice a year and then Dubai for a 5 dayer like a lot of my friends do. I could do it and I don't give a toss what others do with their money but my dad drummed it into me from a young age to spend what I am comfortable with and not what I have.

[LetsTryAgain]

Let’s all save up, so our savings can be raped by the Government as they attempt to pay some of the bills their policies have ran up.

[DeWar]

BrabusMog said:

But if I don't then I can have a care free retirement I don't live like a monk but I also don't go to Mexico / Barbados twice a year and then Dubai for a 5 dayer like a lot of my friends do. I could do it and I don't give a toss what others do with their money but my dad drummed it into me from a young age to spend what I am comfortable with and not what I have.

I absolutely get that. 20% of my income goes into a pension pot and I save a bit on top of that, so whilst I’m not at 40% squirrelled away it’s not that far off. I was just suggesting a reason, in response to the question, why some people might not be so careful about financial security. It was probably a somewhat hyperbolic response.

[BrabusMog]

DeWar said:

BrabusMog said:

But if I don't then I can have a care free retirement I don't live like a monk but I also don't go to Mexico / Barbados twice a year and then Dubai for a 5 dayer like a lot of my friends do. I could do it and I don't give a toss what others do with their money but my dad drummed it into me from a young age to spend what I am comfortable with and not what I have.

I absolutely get that. 20% of my income goes into a pension pot and I save a bit on top of that, so whilst I’m not at 40% squirrelled away it’s not that far off. I was just suggesting a reason, in response to the question, why some people might not be so careful about financial security. It was probably a somewhat hyperbolic response.

Apologies for the thread diversion there, by the way!

[Osinjak]

DeWar said:

Osinjak said:

Why wouldn't you if you could?

I’m not talking about the 40% saver on this thread - he has his own incomings, outgoings and priorities to consider. However, just to answer this question generally - because you might die before you get to take advantage of it.

Edited by DeWar on Sunday 28th June 11:28

Lol!

[TTOBES]

Having read the "why do dealers take cars home?" thread, I would like to know how sales people deal with their local parking restrictions or CPZ when they are changing cars every couple of months (or sooner) and don't have off street parking?

Do you simply deal with the council as usual for a new permit every time you change car? Do you find free parking nearby?

Another question. Are there any VW sales on here who can say when the manual Polo GTI is coming to the UK?

[832ark]

Question for anyone specialising in MINIs - looking at a Jan ‘20 JCW Countryman for my wife, 1800 miles, only option I think is H/K audio. What should I be looking to pay? I’m aware of the facelift Countryman landing very soon, are they keen to shift their ex demos at the moment?

Thanks in advance!

[Flog123]

Are extended test drives ( 24hr + ) off the cards at the moment with the current situation?

To be brief, Mrs. Flog wants another Volvo, PCP on XC60 is coming to end, we will be taking another one.

Same dealership we got this one from, don't want to let us have a XC40 for an extended test drive 'we dont really do them anymore' , so we can see if we can live with the smaller car.

Mrs. Flog is extremely busy with work and hasn't got time to go to said dealership, when they are open ( reduced opening times.)

[Josman92]

Question re ford main dealers used car sales... I've never had to try so hard to buy a car!
Multiple dealerships all with different cars have lied to me, called me a lier, blanked me, been vague and rude, the list goes on. This is at the point of enquiring through to buying (paid for but not yet collected). I'm not sure why I'm still trying to buy a ford, well, I do, its the car.
Anyway, I'm currently at the negotiation stages and the salesman has told me all fords are price fixed by head office to ensure they are always a low fair price (i have been told this before), this means there is absolutely no haggling on price, the price is the price. Fine, but I then can't get anything else from them, no fuel, tyres, servicing unless it's actually due etc!
I have never experienced buying a used car in this way, where the salesman is just there to take payment if you want it and say goodbye if you don't. And I thought it was a buyers market at the moment!
Is this just a bad sales tactic or is this price-fixing and give nothing away policy a thing now?

[Mexman]

Josman92 said:

Question re ford main dealers used car sales... I've never had to try so hard to buy a car!
Multiple dealerships all with different cars have lied to me, called me a lier, blanked me, been vague and rude, the list goes on. This is at the point of enquiring through to buying (paid for but not yet collected). I'm not sure why I'm still trying to buy a ford, well, I do, its the car.
Anyway, I'm currently at the negotiation stages and the salesman has told me all fords are price fixed by head office to ensure they are always a low fair price (i have been told this before), this means there is absolutely no haggling on price, the price is the price. Fine, but I then can't get anything else from them, no fuel, tyres, servicing unless it's actually due etc!
I have never experienced buying a used car in this way, where the salesman is just there to take payment if you want it and say goodbye if you don't. And I thought it was a buyers market at the moment!
Is this just a bad sales tactic or is this price-fixing and give nothing away policy a thing now?

It's a sellers market at the moment.
They know you want the car, why do they need to discount it?
Every 100 quid they discount by will cost the salesman around 15 quid in lost commission pay.
Tyres and servicing, need only to be done if due or overdue, if it does not need servicing, why would they service it again?
It sounds like you are haggling for a discount AFTER the deal has already been agreed?

[Triumph Man]

Why, when advertising a car with climate control, do so many salespeople set the climate to some ridiculous setting? Why is it never left on auto, and why is the temp either “HI”, “LO”, or “32”?

[HTP99]

Josman92 said:

Question re ford main dealers used car sales... I've never had to try so hard to buy a car!
Multiple dealerships all with different cars have lied to me, called me a lier, blanked me, been vague and rude, the list goes on. This is at the point of enquiring through to buying (paid for but not yet collected). I'm not sure why I'm still trying to buy a ford, well, I do, its the car.
Anyway, I'm currently at the negotiation stages and the salesman has told me all fords are price fixed by head office to ensure they are always a low fair price (i have been told this before), this means there is absolutely no haggling on price, the price is the price. Fine, but I then can't get anything else from them, no fuel, tyres, servicing unless it's actually due etc!
I have never experienced buying a used car in this way, where the salesman is just there to take payment if you want it and say goodbye if you don't. And I thought it was a buyers market at the moment!
Is this just a bad sales tactic or is this price-fixing and give nothing away policy a thing now?

The "all Ford's are price fixed by head office line", is likely not strictly true, it's just a way of saying "no discount" and deflecting the reason from them.

TBH it sounds as though you are making it hard to buy the car, not them making it hard, if you want it, can afford it and it's priced correctly then buy it, it sounds as though you want a discount or bits (that don't need doing), just because "well everyone should get a discount or something thrown in", it's not like that now. You are probably coming across as an irritation to them and I wouldn't be surprised if you push them far enough for them to refuse to deal with you.

I just do not get this divine right that some believe they should be getting when it comes to discounts or bits thrown in when it comes to buying a used car, when there is absolutely no reason for a dealer to do it, sure if their car is a bit over priced and this can be proven, they may price match but they absolutely do not have to.

Don't forget also that "bits thrown in" still generate a cost against the car, so it's the same as a discount.

[Butter Face]

I agree with HTP, also, if multiple people are calling you rude or hard to deal with, there’s a common denominator there, and it’s not them.

[HTP99]

Triumph Man said:

Why, when advertising a car with climate control, do so many salespeople set the climate to some ridiculous setting? Why is it never left on auto, and why is the temp either “HI”, “LO”, or “32”?

LOL, I've a collegue who always turns auto off, drives me bloody mad if it's my demo and he's using it for an errand.

As for "LO", setting, mines generally set there as I like a cold car, my car is never set below 18, I seem to recall being told on training that 21 is the optimum, no chance its just way to warm for me.

[mfmman]

HTP99 said:

Josman92 said:

Question re ford main dealers used car sales... I've never had to try so hard to buy a car!
Multiple dealerships all with different cars have lied to me, called me a lier, blanked me, been vague and rude, the list goes on. This is at the point of enquiring through to buying (paid for but not yet collected). I'm not sure why I'm still trying to buy a ford, well, I do, its the car.
Anyway, I'm currently at the negotiation stages and the salesman has told me all fords are price fixed by head office to ensure they are always a low fair price (i have been told this before), this means there is absolutely no haggling on price, the price is the price. Fine, but I then can't get anything else from them, no fuel, tyres, servicing unless it's actually due etc!
I have never experienced buying a used car in this way, where the salesman is just there to take payment if you want it and say goodbye if you don't. And I thought it was a buyers market at the moment!
Is this just a bad sales tactic or is this price-fixing and give nothing away policy a thing now?

The "all Ford's are price fixed by head office line", is likely not strictly true, it's just a way of saying "no discount" and deflecting the reason from them.

TBH it sounds as though you are making it hard to buy the car, not them making it hard, if you want it, can afford it and it's priced correctly then buy it, it sounds as though you want a discount or bits (that don't need doing), just because "well everyone should get a discount or something thrown in", it's not like that now. You are probably coming across as an irritation to them and I wouldn't be surprised if you push them far enough for them to refuse to deal with you.

I just do not get this divine right that some believe they should be getting when it comes to discounts or bits thrown in when it comes to buying a used car, when there is absolutely no reason for a dealer to do it, sure if their car is a bit over priced and this can be proven, they may price match but they absolutely do not have to.

Don't forget also that "bits thrown in" still generate a cost against the car, so it's the same as a discount.

It's a sample size of one I know , but I bought a used Focus from a Ford dealer 9 months ago and the whole purchase was nothing like described above. Dealt with immediately as a walk in, test drive and purchase in one visit, no hard sell of finance or GAP etc, litttle bit of negotiation on price and p/x and a couple of extras thrown in. Could Ford have entirely changed their dealers process in less than 12 months?

[HTP99]

mfmman said:

HTP99 said:

Josman92 said:

Question re ford main dealers used car sales... I've never had to try so hard to buy a car!
Multiple dealerships all with different cars have lied to me, called me a lier, blanked me, been vague and rude, the list goes on. This is at the point of enquiring through to buying (paid for but not yet collected). I'm not sure why I'm still trying to buy a ford, well, I do, its the car.
Anyway, I'm currently at the negotiation stages and the salesman has told me all fords are price fixed by head office to ensure they are always a low fair price (i have been told this before), this means there is absolutely no haggling on price, the price is the price. Fine, but I then can't get anything else from them, no fuel, tyres, servicing unless it's actually due etc!
I have never experienced buying a used car in this way, where the salesman is just there to take payment if you want it and say goodbye if you don't. And I thought it was a buyers market at the moment!
Is this just a bad sales tactic or is this price-fixing and give nothing away policy a thing now?

The "all Ford's are price fixed by head office line", is likely not strictly true, it's just a way of saying "no discount" and deflecting the reason from them.

TBH it sounds as though you are making it hard to buy the car, not them making it hard, if you want it, can afford it and it's priced correctly then buy it, it sounds as though you want a discount or bits (that don't need doing), just because "well everyone should get a discount or something thrown in", it's not like that now. You are probably coming across as an irritation to them and I wouldn't be surprised if you push them far enough for them to refuse to deal with you.

I just do not get this divine right that some believe they should be getting when it comes to discounts or bits thrown in when it comes to buying a used car, when there is absolutely no reason for a dealer to do it, sure if their car is a bit over priced and this can be proven, they may price match but they absolutely do not have to.

Don't forget also that "bits thrown in" still generate a cost against the car, so it's the same as a discount.

It's a sample size of one I know , but I bought a used Focus from a Ford dealer 9 months ago and the whole purchase was nothing like described above. Dealt with immediately as a walk in, test drive and purchase in one visit, no hard sell of finance or GAP etc, litttle bit of negotiation on price and p/x and a couple of extras thrown in. Could Ford have entirely changed their dealers process in less than 12 months?

I can imagine, from what he's posted, that Josman92, has likely come across from the off as a bit of a knob, he sounds self entitled and has had the same issues at "multiple dealerships"..... mmmmm!

Sounds like he's trying to renegotiate too once he's agreed figures and actually also paid for the car, definately a knob! The dealer is probably going "why are we dealing with this guy, he'll be grief ongoing, should have told him when we had the chance that we didn't want to do business with him"

I will say though that my local Ford dealership is crap, whenever I've popped in for a look at the latest whatever or just fancied a bit of mystery shopping, I have always been blanked.

Edited by HTP99 on Tuesday 30th June 08:06