Window shopping

[Jimmyybob]

What are your experiences of looking at top end cars in showrooms,i know some people who simply want to have a look at Ferrari's and Lamborghini's who have been almost marched out of showrooms.
Who are your best and worst.? Has anyone been to Jack Barclay to see a veyron.?
I think is definitely a snobbery about some dealers.

[Jonboy_t]

Without wishing to appear encouraging to 'snobby' dealers, they are there to advise genuine buyers on supercars (or cars in general for that matter) so shouldn't be spending their time on people who aren't going to be parting with their hard earned.

That's what car shows are for!!

[carlove]

i've been to a fancy dealer with Ferraris and Lamborghinis and other supercars that also had a Saab stock i booked an appointment to look at the Saab that i was thinking of buying at the time and i think spent longer looking at super cars

[inman999]

I'd be surprised if these top end dealers sell more than 1 car a week.

Think if I worked in a place like that I'd prefer talking to somebody even if they obviously don't have any means or intention of buying than playing another game of solitaire.

[jb9193]

inman999 said:

I'd be surprised if these top end dealers sell more than 1 car a week.

Think if I worked in a place like that I'd prefer talking to somebody even if they obviously don't have any means or intention of buying than playing another game of solitaire.

If that... It's about managing a client base when it comes to that kind of job though; catching up with potential (repeat) customers, maintaining relationships with high end clients in the interest of incremental business.
It would be unproductive to talk to someone about cars for ages without the prospect of buying (Unless of course they know potential customers!) There won't be time for Solitaire if you're good at your job.

[Complex]

There's plenty of friendly supercar dealers up and down the country that'd be happy for you to have a look round their cars. Though I don't think it's fair or realistic to expect them to allow you to stand in their showroom gazing over something you can't afford, but take it as a favour if they've no problem with it.

May well be worth making a polite phonecall prior, asking if they mind someone taking a look at their cars without intention to buy, the worst they'll say is "Sorry, no", which will save you a trip down to the dealer, and them a trip from their desk to come and confront you face to face over it had you turned up.

[Jimmyybob]

I like the tip about seeing the cheapest car in the showroom first.
I think these days its quite difficult to tell who has money,there are no doubt scruffy looking teens whos parents are loaded and are happy for them to spend 0000 on posh cars.

[AndrewW-G]

inman999 said:

I'd be surprised if these top end dealers sell more than 1 car a week..

They sell a significant number of cars sight unseen, due to the schedules of some of their customers.

A few months ago, whilst chatting over lunch with one London based dealer / salesman I know, I was told of a rather wealthy client, who doesn’t even call the dealer himself to place an order, his driver / valet, simply does it, shortly after picking the current one up, to ensure that they have the very latest model! No need for a deposit and the invoice is then sent to his office for payment! . . . . . . . . For me, a rather amusing insight into how the other half live!

[FezzaDude]

i've not had a bad experience so far. Last summer me and my brother pulled up to a swanky showroom in a very battered old Corsa to view a gallardo (which I was genuinely interested in buying). Sales man saw us parking up, treated me as a serious buyer and allowed for me to take a test drive without hesitation. Nice to see that they didn't jump to conclusions based on car I was driving. Not sure other dealers would have reacted in the same way!