OPC's Refusing test drives
Discussion
Jsut been looking on the Lotus topics and read that soemone else had the same problem as me with their Porsche dealer. i.e. they didn't offer a test drive.
Basically my porsche dealer from my office is a twenty minute drive round a one way system or a five minute walk, so I walked.
Made matters worse by being able to pay for the car in cash without having to do a part ex/finances. Bloke nicely ushered me away without offering a test drive or even offering to let me sit in the boxster he ahd available. So as a result I ordered a Lotus (my true love anyway)
Wasn't like I was driving up in a battered astravan and wearing pikey clothing either.
Has anyone else suffered from this sort of attitude when they went to buy their first Porsche?
Basically my porsche dealer from my office is a twenty minute drive round a one way system or a five minute walk, so I walked.
Made matters worse by being able to pay for the car in cash without having to do a part ex/finances. Bloke nicely ushered me away without offering a test drive or even offering to let me sit in the boxster he ahd available. So as a result I ordered a Lotus (my true love anyway)
Wasn't like I was driving up in a battered astravan and wearing pikey clothing either.
Has anyone else suffered from this sort of attitude when they went to buy their first Porsche?
Oddly enough when I bought my first Porsche (a new Boxster from JCT 600 Newcastle) I did pitch up in an old shed (well, Golf Mk2 worth less than a Boxster rear-window!) and got fantastic service. Got a test drive no problem and a week later they drove a Boxster to me (over 30 miles away) so that I could drive it on roads I know. I guess it worked though 'cos a few years later I traded up from a Boxster to a 911 (albeit not from an OPC).
Drop the sales manager a line - perhaps they'll be able to do something to recover your lost confidence!
Drop the sales manager a line - perhaps they'll be able to do something to recover your lost confidence!
I generally find it's better to arrange an appointment and test drive by telephone, that way they know exactly what your intentions are. Even better get your secretary to phone and make your appointment 
I have never been refused or not offered a test drive after a repeat enquiry on a vehicle or during a pre arranged appointment, but then I also have never been offered a test drive if I just walked in on my lunch break either.
OPCs like to think they are corporate giants and have their little daily morning meetings so that everything is organised and scheduled.
I have never been refused or not offered a test drive after a repeat enquiry on a vehicle or during a pre arranged appointment, but then I also have never been offered a test drive if I just walked in on my lunch break either.
OPCs like to think they are corporate giants and have their little daily morning meetings so that everything is organised and scheduled.
These people should treat anyone that walks thru' the showroom door as a potential customer - even if spouting about the virtues of the elise. They should be confident in showing their (superior) product, and at the same time giving a better perceived image of themselves - god knows, they need to....
Deutscher said:
If they did that, they'd spend their day driving dreamers around...
exactly right. I think it's naive to think you can turn up to such a dealership and just be taken out in a £50k+ car. Of ocurse there are exceptions, but try and empathise with the dealer and imagine how his day is taken up...!
It's not just the OPCs - I organised a visit to view a car at a well-respected independent. Having looked the car over, I then asked for a test drive. They had obviously decided that I was not worthy and turned me down, so I went and spent my cash elsewhere.
No regrets as it turned out, because I got a much better condition and well-loved car for my £40k - theirs' was a dog in comparison and only a couple of k cheaper. But I'll obviously never go anywhere the independent in question again - was most miffed at the time.
No regrets as it turned out, because I got a much better condition and well-loved car for my £40k - theirs' was a dog in comparison and only a couple of k cheaper. But I'll obviously never go anywhere the independent in question again - was most miffed at the time.
Deutscher said:True - but todays daydreamers - tommorrows customers.......
If they did that, they'd spend their day driving dreamers around...
A good saleman can see through the blaggers anyway - and besides, if they've nothing better to do......
I've had 4 Porsches in the last 5 years from OPC's, 2 of them new. After hearing and seeing the way customers are refered to / treated, I'll do my best not to deal with them again - hence my last car coming from an independent.
mbutchers said:
True - but todays daydreamers - tommorrows customers.......
Yes, but if you spend today driving deamers around, you'll spend tomorrow on the dole. Sales is all about targets, and saying that you've won a customer for two years down the line doesn't usually help your cause.
agent006 said:Well - it would seem that they lost a potential customer here - lesson learnt - I don't think so.......
True - but todays daydreamers - tommorrows customers.......
Yes, but if you spend today driving deamers around, you'll spend tomorrow on the dole. Sales is all about targets, and saying that you've won a customer for two years down the line doesn't usually help your cause.
Considering the dealers charge a 20% bid-offer spread on their cars they should offer test drives for free...Simple answer is to buy privately,even if you buy a bit of a dog the money you save you can spend on the car...Also ,where do dealers get their trade-ins from?.. invariably from people whose cars are rubbish they cant sell them privately!!
Not many dealers like to show unprepared cars to customers...reason is that 'invariably' they are abused and a bloody mess.a bit of dealer tarting,wheel refurbing, and a half-useless warranty does the job..bingo 15-20% mark-up.Best car for a dealer to buy in is a perfect service history,impeccable documentation car that needs a cosmetic revamp.In my very humble opinion of course!
mbutchers said:
Appointment at the dentist, doctors,bank, brothel.......why not car dealer??
Yep but people who walk in off the street are expecting to courier some poor bugger from the dealership around in a car worth 50k+ with potentially a talent vs conceit deficit.
When todays dreamers become tomorrows customers, they can have a testdrive tomorrow imho
Anyway, I've never had a problem getting a test drive, but I do always call ahead.
>> Edited by DanH on Monday 23 January 17:46
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff