Was I out of order ? Upset salesman
Discussion
How much of the salesman's time did you spend before lowballing him, 2 hours or 20 mins?
Every salesman has to deal with low offers, surely they teach how to handle it as salesman school before they give you your shiny shoes and Rolex?
I'm having trouble seeing 'he went crazy' actually happening, in a reputable national dealership.
More likely is that he would laugh this off in a friendly way, knowing that the deal is not sunk but you need to meet somewhere in the middle.
If you really think it needed tyres and brakes etc done to reflect the asking price then why not go with "it's strongly priced compared to others I've looked at, I like it but at that money I would want a new set of tyres and brakes on it". They are a national dealer, they can get those things in at cost. Not the 2 grand you want to chip him for. If he's happy to swallow that refurb cost and leave some decent margin in the car he will consider it, otherwise he won't, knowing that someone else might come along and offer the sticker price tomorrow or next week. That's how it generally works.
Every salesman has to deal with low offers, surely they teach how to handle it as salesman school before they give you your shiny shoes and Rolex?
I'm having trouble seeing 'he went crazy' actually happening, in a reputable national dealership.
More likely is that he would laugh this off in a friendly way, knowing that the deal is not sunk but you need to meet somewhere in the middle.
If you really think it needed tyres and brakes etc done to reflect the asking price then why not go with "it's strongly priced compared to others I've looked at, I like it but at that money I would want a new set of tyres and brakes on it". They are a national dealer, they can get those things in at cost. Not the 2 grand you want to chip him for. If he's happy to swallow that refurb cost and leave some decent margin in the car he will consider it, otherwise he won't, knowing that someone else might come along and offer the sticker price tomorrow or next week. That's how it generally works.
PurpleTurtle said:
How much of the salesman's time did you spend before lowballing him, 2 hours or 20 mins?
Every salesman has to deal with low offers, surely they teach how to handle it as salesman school before they give you your shiny shoes and Rolex?
I'm having trouble seeing 'he went crazy' actually happening, in a reputable national dealership.
More likely is that he would laugh this off in a friendly way, knowing that the deal is not sunk but you need to meet somewhere in the middle.
If you really think it needed tyres and brakes etc done to reflect the asking price then why not go with "it's strongly priced compared to others I've looked at, I like it but at that money I would want a new set of tyres and brakes on it". They are a national dealer, they can get those things in at cost. Not the 2 grand you want to chip him for. If he's happy to swallow that refurb cost and leave some decent margin in the car he will consider it, otherwise he won't, knowing that someone else might come along and offer the sticker price tomorrow or next week. That's how it generally works.
I spent 1 hour 20 minutes with him. For me to part with money it takes me a while to decide and he was able to answer all my questions. I might give him a call back and see if there is a better deal to be had. Every salesman has to deal with low offers, surely they teach how to handle it as salesman school before they give you your shiny shoes and Rolex?
I'm having trouble seeing 'he went crazy' actually happening, in a reputable national dealership.
More likely is that he would laugh this off in a friendly way, knowing that the deal is not sunk but you need to meet somewhere in the middle.
If you really think it needed tyres and brakes etc done to reflect the asking price then why not go with "it's strongly priced compared to others I've looked at, I like it but at that money I would want a new set of tyres and brakes on it". They are a national dealer, they can get those things in at cost. Not the 2 grand you want to chip him for. If he's happy to swallow that refurb cost and leave some decent margin in the car he will consider it, otherwise he won't, knowing that someone else might come along and offer the sticker price tomorrow or next week. That's how it generally works.
Alan320i said:
The car was £15998 and I was willing to go to £14000. The salesman came across very good until I told him my offer. Perhaps he is struggling with his monthly target or something. I was quite shocked and would now not purchase a vehicle from a garage from this dealer network.
From the salesman point of view, I asked a lot of questions and he had to go back and forth a good few times. I was very polite throughout and treated him with respect (I am not sure if he deserves that).
No that’s not unreasonable at all, did you have a trade in at all, maybe they weren’t keen on what you wanted to trade them. Poor show if that’s exactly as you described happened though.From the salesman point of view, I asked a lot of questions and he had to go back and forth a good few times. I was very polite throughout and treated him with respect (I am not sure if he deserves that).
PurpleTurtle said:
If you really think it needed tyres and brakes etc done to reflect the asking price then why not go with "it's strongly priced compared to others I've looked at, I like it but at that money I would want a new set of tyres and brakes on it". They are a national dealer, they can get those things in at cost.
If you do this, specify the exact ones you want, or you'll get cheap rubbish!I hate coming to see a car the seller has helpfully put new tyres on, they always expect it to be a point in their favour, but it's such a waste. A set of fresh hedgemaster specials is worth absolutely nothing to me over a worn out set, I'll be replacing them anyway.
hyphen said:
Poor you, a life unlived 
Add it your bucket list.
I challenge you to get temporarily get suspended from pistonheads by end of this week.
Back in 1982 when I was young whipper snapper I was thrown out of a pub because I did a crap in a urinal due to the toilets being out of order. Another customer walked in just as I was wiping my backside. He was horrified and told a bouncer. The bouncer came in and lifted me up and threw me out the back door. Add it your bucket list.
I challenge you to get temporarily get suspended from pistonheads by end of this week.
I would expect maybe 500 -750 off a car that value depending on how well it's priced.
In the OPs situation I would have pointed out that the wheels require refurbishment (£350) and tyres need doing (£350) and Brakes need replacing (£250) and perhaps offered just under asking price with the above work to be completed as part of the deal.
That is assuming the tyres, brakes and wheels were shot and actually needed doing as opposed to making it like new.
In the OPs situation I would have pointed out that the wheels require refurbishment (£350) and tyres need doing (£350) and Brakes need replacing (£250) and perhaps offered just under asking price with the above work to be completed as part of the deal.
That is assuming the tyres, brakes and wheels were shot and actually needed doing as opposed to making it like new.
Alan320i said:
I went out to buy a Mercedes A180cdi recently from a reputable dealer who has a network of garages throughout the UK. The salesman was very informative and put my mind at ease. The car advertised for too much money so I offered £2000 less for the vehicle and he went crazy. He told me it was worth the full asking price all day long. I told him that it was not due to the alloys all needing refurbished, front brakes needing done and also the tyres all needing replaced.
The salesman marched off in a mood and got his manager. The manager said I was crazy to think they’d sell the car for that money. I explained the reason for my offer and the manager asked me to leave the premises. I agreed to do so and left.
Two days later the salesman phoned me back and asked if I would still be up for doing a deal. I told him no due to their attitude and the way they treated me. The salesman said I was out of order and he has strict targets to hit and my offer tipped him over the edge. I reminded him of my rationale and then asked him not to contact me again.
It’s been years since I’ve purchased from a dealership so I am interested to hear if anyone else has had this issue ?
About 15 years ago, I went to view a second-hand BMW at an Indie dealer not far from my home town.The salesman marched off in a mood and got his manager. The manager said I was crazy to think they’d sell the car for that money. I explained the reason for my offer and the manager asked me to leave the premises. I agreed to do so and left.
Two days later the salesman phoned me back and asked if I would still be up for doing a deal. I told him no due to their attitude and the way they treated me. The salesman said I was out of order and he has strict targets to hit and my offer tipped him over the edge. I reminded him of my rationale and then asked him not to contact me again.
It’s been years since I’ve purchased from a dealership so I am interested to hear if anyone else has had this issue ?
We spent around half an hour looking around the car, went for a test drive. I liked it.
I think it was up at £13995. In my best Wheeler-Dealer patter, I offered £13000. He very nearly frog-marched me away. He was truly insulted and all he could repeat was
"Waste of time. Have you seen the spec on this thing?!?"
OP - your approach was professional but making an offer nearly 15% less than asking price is......bold. The dealer shouldn't have been unprofessional in how they spoke to you or in the second call, but I think you should have walked when viewing the car rather than trying to lowball him
(It sounds pretty shagged anyway)
55palfers said:
I wonder, has anyone ever had a car salesman offer an insultingly low price on your p/ex?
Yes, every time I have enquired. They seem to price them assuming they are seriously broken and don't bother to investigate beyond the most cursory visual inspection. If you are trading in an absolute shed then I guess you'll get a fair price but for anything nice and well looked after then forget it and sell privately.Alan320i said:
I am a new member who joined a couple of days ago. I’ve looked through the forum and want to be apart of it.
I do not have the appearance of a troll. How can you make that assumption when you don’t even know me ?
You go to buy a car that is not rare or limited in number, there are a fair few to choose from across the UK. You pick a car that has no service history, poor alloys, knackered brakes and needs new tyres. What is your thinking behind that? I do not have the appearance of a troll. How can you make that assumption when you don’t even know me ?
Why didn't you just walk away with your £15k?
joshcowin said:
You go to buy a car that is not rare or limited in number, there are a fair few to choose from across the UK. You pick a car that has no service history, poor alloys, knackered brakes and needs new tyres. What is your thinking behind that?
Why didn't you just walk away with your £15k?
To be fair, many of those things might not be stated in the advert so you wouldn't know until you see it. Used car dealers are hardly known to be liberal with the truth.Why didn't you just walk away with your £15k?
Alan320i said:
HustleRussell said:
I don’t think it was the offer you made which made the salesman irate, but your awful tumblr tier baby talk.
P.S. does anybody believe this actually happened?
Please don’t make a mockery of me. If you do not have anything constructive to say then please reframe from doing so on my thread. Thank you P.S. does anybody believe this actually happened?
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