Is this the usual standard from an Alfa Dealer
Discussion
After reading the various Brera posts today we decided to pop and have a look at one at a dealer in Bristol. So I called this morning to see if they had one in the showroom. Yes said the man I spoke so we said we would pop over.
Anyway we got to the showroom and we were approached by a sales person who was very knowledgable about his product and indeed about the cars we already owned. We decided to let him appriase out existing Citroen and were about to start talking about a deal when another sales man (actually a sales spiv) barges in and tells the chap we were speaking with that I was his customer and heres some money go and get lunch.
Both my partner and I sat there in absolute disgust. Then sales spiv (who couldn't sell a car to save his life) went off to find out what the Citroen was worth. Our disgust then turned into amazement as he returned to ask the question "We need to know how much you want for your Citroen". I couldn't believe that in this day and age dealerships existed that had to resort to that old chestnut.
I have tried to call the dealership all afternoon to speak to the original chap to say how sorry I was for him and to go on the record that his spiv of a colleague isn't going to get a sale from us.
So congratulations to the one and only Alfa/Fiat/hyundhai dealer in Bristol, you really are a pile of cr*p. I do sincerely hope that someone from Alfa reads this because their superb 159 and Brera are being badly let down.
Anyway we got to the showroom and we were approached by a sales person who was very knowledgable about his product and indeed about the cars we already owned. We decided to let him appriase out existing Citroen and were about to start talking about a deal when another sales man (actually a sales spiv) barges in and tells the chap we were speaking with that I was his customer and heres some money go and get lunch.
Both my partner and I sat there in absolute disgust. Then sales spiv (who couldn't sell a car to save his life) went off to find out what the Citroen was worth. Our disgust then turned into amazement as he returned to ask the question "We need to know how much you want for your Citroen". I couldn't believe that in this day and age dealerships existed that had to resort to that old chestnut.
I have tried to call the dealership all afternoon to speak to the original chap to say how sorry I was for him and to go on the record that his spiv of a colleague isn't going to get a sale from us.
So congratulations to the one and only Alfa/Fiat/hyundhai dealer in Bristol, you really are a pile of cr*p. I do sincerely hope that someone from Alfa reads this because their superb 159 and Brera are being badly let down.
In all fairness it's not the dealer but rather one individual; if you're that bothered, obtain the names of the individuals concerned and a letter addressed to the boss/manager/principle/whatever expressing your feelings.
If the dealers don't know what their staff are up to, how can they ever imprive their overall image?
And, IME it's far from their "usual" standard given recent form. Our local Alfa Dealer has moved on leaps and bounds over the past year or two, and now they're fine, even having the decency to chat with a grubby stoodent oik like myself
>> Edited by SCOOTERMAN on Saturday 1st April 17:00
If the dealers don't know what their staff are up to, how can they ever imprive their overall image?
And, IME it's far from their "usual" standard given recent form. Our local Alfa Dealer has moved on leaps and bounds over the past year or two, and now they're fine, even having the decency to chat with a grubby stoodent oik like myself
>> Edited by SCOOTERMAN on Saturday 1st April 17:00
Sorry I should have said that I have every intention of complaining. I am debating if that should be to the Dealer Principle or to Alfa Romeo UK.
They did tell me the price of the Brera, I think it was around the £24-25K for the car in the showroom. it was a Brera SV in Silver with the 2.2 Petrol Engine. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.
I am quite sure we would have taken our discussion further although based around a diesel GT or 159. The Brera is a real beauty but I need something with a bit more of a practical car.
They did tell me the price of the Brera, I think it was around the £24-25K for the car in the showroom. it was a Brera SV in Silver with the 2.2 Petrol Engine. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.
I am quite sure we would have taken our discussion further although based around a diesel GT or 159. The Brera is a real beauty but I need something with a bit more of a practical car.
I've moaned on here before about bad dealers, but I'd agree with pwig (no, really!) that it was a bad individual rather than a bad dealer per se. In my experience, Alfa Romeo UK are not that interested in any issues you have with dealers, and they'd just refer you to the dealer principal. I'd go back, and just refuse to deal with the fool.
CatherineJ said:Me too, to the point where I'm trying to convince myself that I should swap the GTV for a GT.
I was quite smitten with the GT.
CatherineJ said:Simple, call the reception and surreptitiously get the name of the salesman, then write to the dealer principal and c.c. Alfa Romeo UK. There job done. The dealer principal will be most upset because by the sound of it he may have lost him a potential sale! Just do it
I am debating if that should be to the Dealer Principle or to Alfa Romeo UK.
Rich...I had a similar experience but in reverse ie. the guy at the Mazda dealer was so bad I had to explain to him how to sell me the car!!! 
The salesman from the local Alfa dealer near Gatwick was excellent and although he obviously wanted to sell me a car with a good amount of profit it was a thoroughly professional experience.
As pointed out, it's all about individuals not dealerships.
The salesman from the local Alfa dealer near Gatwick was excellent and although he obviously wanted to sell me a car with a good amount of profit it was a thoroughly professional experience.
As pointed out, it's all about individuals not dealerships.
Two years ago i went to an alfa shop in Bristol so prob the same one. Guy i spoke to, greying and in his late fortys or fiftys. Well, to be short i bought a new 156 Sporswagon oil burner. But from another dealer! You see I was under the impresion that i was special 
when i went in these places. The Bristol guy made me feel ####.
So i'd spend 1/2 an hour ringing the dealers and see who can be bothered to ring back!
On the other hand there was someone in the Alfa dealers on the way to cardif from bristol ( taking the old road ) He was willing to give time even though he didnt think there was a sale in it. You could try them?
when i went in these places. The Bristol guy made me feel ####. So i'd spend 1/2 an hour ringing the dealers and see who can be bothered to ring back!
On the other hand there was someone in the Alfa dealers on the way to cardif from bristol ( taking the old road ) He was willing to give time even though he didnt think there was a sale in it. You could try them?
los angeles said:
... can anyone guess if my friend ordered a Brera? 
Depends how much he wanted one?
I never understand this?
I agree the salesman sounded rude and off hand, but the way I see it is that you only ever need to deal with him once. It seems these days that so many people need their egos massaging before they will buy a car. I'm not having a pop at you or your friend here, but it just seems a repeated theme - "the ABC marque salesman was rude so I bought an XYZ marque car instead".
I've been to see a Brera today. The salesman (at Brighouse) was well informed, friendly and helpful, but not intrusive, and I really like the car!!
But I would have liked it just as much if the bloke had been rude and offhand as well....
los angeles said:We had the exact opposite experience. Turned up unannounced, and were given a thorough demonstration of the Brera by an enthusiastic and well-informed salesman - the recently appointed 'Alfa specialist' at a big Fiat-Alfa dealership in Edinburgh (and one whose service department I've criticised on here in the past).
stuff about a bad Alfa dealer
While I was pawing at the Brera and the GT, my wife (who was considering changing her Megane) decided a 147 was the way forward. The salesman was keen without being pushy, answered all her questions, sent us on an unaccompanied test drive for just over an hour, and the end result is she's hopefully picking it up on Friday.
I don't know if we just got lucky or if there is a conscious improvement programme in place, because I know not all the salesman in this dealership are as good, but I couldn't fault this guy.
Incidentally, I think there was a big dealer day out at Rockingham on Thursday, so if that's when you went then maybe that explains it a little.
los Angeles said:
if the dealer had spat in our faces, told us we were scum, and ripped the pockets off our jackets, we'd have been so impressed as to buy a car each.
Is that a Mercedes dealer you've just described?
No, I didn't meant that at all.
I meant that if I really want a car, and I really like it, it's the car that matters to me, not the person trying to sell it to me. I see it that if you really like and want a car, but choose not to buy it because the salesman is rude, it's a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face.
wombat rick said:
I meant that if I really want a car, and I really like it, it's the car that matters to me, not the person trying to sell it to me. I see it that if you really like and want a car, but choose not to buy it because the salesman is rude, it's a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face.
I might still buy the car... but I'd make sure I bought it from someone else.
Went to the said Alfa Dealership today to have my GTV looked at..
walked through the sales department looking for the services area...
had some very strange looks (21 and in my builders clothes ie rags
) guy at the desk was very helpful and pointed out the direction i should have gone...even complimanted me on the condition of my car..
walked through the sales department looking for the services area...
had some very strange looks (21 and in my builders clothes ie rags
) guy at the desk was very helpful and pointed out the direction i should have gone...even complimanted me on the condition of my car.. _Batty_ said:
walked through the sales department looking for the services area...
Yes - its not that obvious since they relocated the service dept around the corner.
Odd move IMO, as whilst you're waiting for your car all you have to entertain yourself is out-of-date car mags, whereas before you'd have naturally been strolling around the showroom. Lost opportunity?
pdV6 said:
walked through the sales department looking for the services area...
Yes - its not that obvious since they relocated the service dept around the corner.
Odd move IMO, as whilst you're waiting for your car all you have to entertain yourself is out-of-date car mags, whereas before you'd have naturally been strolling around the showroom. Lost opportunity?
good point..hadn't thought of that..
Brera looks very nice, but not as nice as i thought it could have been...
i was very impressed with the 159, very very nice car.
lots of neat details, and the headlights look awesome.
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