Annoyances about car dealers

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

I've always been honest with them in wanting a test drive and they have always responded well. The last time I bought a new car from a dealer (2003) I was comparing the Mazda 6 with the Honda Accord Euro and that's exactly what I told both dealers. Neither had a problem with me testing their cars. I had made up my mind on the Honda but just wanted to test the Mazda anyway. Sure the Mazda guy was disappointed when I later told him I went with the Honda, but reasonable sales people accept that they won't make a sale every time. I'm sure he didn't have any trouble moving his 6 on to someone else. Treated respectfully, in both directions.

I'VE NEVER DRIVEN A HSV . i'm a ford person , unlikely to buy a HSV however i'd like the chance to be swayed . i have asked if it was possible to test drive these cars a few times to dealers . each time i have been told no and walked out .
if i was selling my house and a realestate agent wanted to show it to potential buyers and i said no . no one is to look at it unless they buy it 1st. then i think the house down the road would most likely sell and mine would not . this is the attitude that many dealers have . and i think that is wrong . but perhaps it's just me .

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ive never test driven a car till i was serious about talking turkey.. i've even refused a drive because i wasn't ready to get serious... because of this honesty ive developed an excellent relationship with my dealer, when i want a drive he knows i'm serious, no questions asked, its available when im ready. He also knows im not big on mucking around and playing the negotiating "game" so we usually get to a good deal quickly... its one of the benefits you get from showing loyalty to your dealer if they treat you well.

i think the difference in our view is . i dont see why you have to be a serious buyer to test drive a car. and i'm not looking for a relationship with my car salesman . but thats ok.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ive never test driven a car till i was serious about talking turkey.. i've even refused a drive because i wasn't ready to get serious... because of this honesty ive developed an excellent relationship with my dealer, when i want a drive he knows i'm serious, no questions asked, its available when im ready. He also knows im not big on mucking around and playing the negotiating "game" so we usually get to a good deal quickly... its one of the benefits you get from showing loyalty to your dealer if they treat you well.

im with you mate. i wouldnt want to waste a persons time if i wasnt deadly serious about buying a car that day, and your dealer I think did the right thing by letting you drive the car when you were ready to talk the talk.

I feel though that a dealer needs to assess the customers intentions as best he/she can within the first 5 mins IF that customer is wanting a test drive. I guess its a matter of asking the right questions at the right time, and being respectful about it.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i think the difference in our view is . i dont see why you have to be a serious buyer to test drive a car. and i'm not looking for a relationship with my car salesman . but thats ok.

I'm not particularly looking for a relationship with my dealer either, it just happens to be a situation that's worked out ok.
No, you don't have to be a serious buyer to test drive a car, but it makes it harder for dealers to sell cars to SERIOUS buyers if their test cars are monopolized by time wasters, so logically there needs to be some kind of pre qualification to justify their time..... every salesman and dealership has a different way of assessing the merits of each particular customer, some are just better at it than others......
At the end of the day the salesman is measured on cars sold, not test drives given.....

[Full Noise]

I’ve never test driven any new car that I’ve purchased. I don’t see much of a point because it wouldn’t have made any difference to me anyway. I’ve had many dealers offer me test drives in cars but I’ve refused because if I don’t like the car, I’m not going to waste their time or mine.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I'm not particularly looking for a relationship with my dealer either, it just happens to be a situation that's worked out ok.
No, you don't have to be a serious buyer to test drive a car, but it makes it harder for dealers to sell cars to SERIOUS buyers if their test cars are monopolized by time wasters, so logically there needs to be some kind of pre qualification to justify their time..... every salesman and dealership has a different way of assessing the merits of each particular customer, some are just better at it than others......
At the end of the day the salesman is measured on cars sold, not test drives given.....

mate dont get me wrong . i see your points, but i do have a reserved opinion about dealer practices . it often may not be the salesmen , but the dealership policy. however multimillion $$$ car companies should in my opinion be able to afford to market 40to 100k vehicles appropriately, by allowing them to be driven by anyone who fits into buyer catagory. i understand an 18 year old on p plates by himself being knocked back to test drive an xr6t or v8 but not an xt. on responsible selling but anyone over say 21 should have an oportunity to be able to try before you buy , because the buyer makes a lot more sacrifices and commitment buying a vehicle then a salesman does by offering a test drive .
obviously the best markewting approach would be to have a demonstration vehicle available to be driven by the public , in any form without discrimination. surely this approach would sell more vehicles . i would think the number of sales would be more important than the test drive to sale ratio.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

I’ve never test driven any new car that I’ve purchased. I don’t see much of a point because it wouldn’t have made any difference to me anyway. I’ve had many dealers offer me test drives in cars but I’ve refused because if I don’t like the car, I’m not going to waste their time or mine.

i test drove a few new vehicles with the intention of purchasing , and hated them , a small nissan , and a kia . for my wife , i noticed that one floated all over the road , the other was like driving a sardin tin , this was before we ended up buying our el xr8. if i was happy witrh the test drive of the new vehicle small cars then i would of purchased them as we were trading a small car in . the old trade we had was a much better built car then the newer ones we are looking at . so i'm glad i'm not like you .

anyhow . i'm not justifying my opinion in debates anymore . i'll leave it there .

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

so i'm glad i'm not like you .

I’m glad that you’re not like me too.
I’ve only ever purchased a Tickford Fairlane, two XR8s and a GT-P new so I had my mind made up long before I visited the dealer.

I’d never consider any small car from Nissan or any Kia so I’d never waste my time test driving one.

[mrbaxr6t]

When I actually did buy a car from a car yard (only ever done this once) I found the car online and it was over an hours drive away, I called them and told them I was coming to see the car, I also told them the distance I will be traveling to see the car, they were very understanding and when I arrived about half hr late btw the car was there washed with the keys in it and half a tank of fuel in it. I arrived told them who I was and they knew guy said "you need to talk to xx, he took your call" he come over instantly said "lets go for a spin and see what you think yea?" at this point he had sold the car provided it wasn't a bucket, I drove it and it went well, everything worked as it should so when we got back we did the paperwork. No stress no bullcrap - I spose he must have assessed I was genuine because I was prepared to travel quite a distance to see this car. That car was by no means a new car I don't buy new cars on principle they depreciate something chronic in the first 2 to 3 years, so I buy ones 2 to 3 year old.

Had to square things up and post my one positive experience.

[hdj80]

Well this is my rather annoying experience so far in trying to buy a FG XR6T ute.

Firstly, 3 dealers....no demo's in stock. General impression - disinterested

Next, Metro Ford Asst sales manager rings and says yeah can get am 08 in this colour with this option set. I told him I though his pricing was off and that I was interested if he wanted to rethink and also confirm whether pre or post Sept build date. No call back......hmmm disinterested.

Using Discount New cars website which just refered my enquiry to Metro ...trying to a price for an 09 manufacture. Missed call from rep...rang sales reps mobile, left a message. 3 days later no return call. Same dealer message from Customer Service section...missed call, returned their call & left message, tried again...left message. Tried again left message. Hmmmmm I think METRO FORD Brisbane can GGF if this is their version of sales assistance.


But this is the best laugh. Using a car broker at my credit union for a price. Comes back with a price that is at best average of $40844 for an 09 XR6T ute with metallic paint and auto. I then said, no want Lux Pack as well. Rang me today and said ...thats an extra $5400 for the option pack. My reply...mate thats a $4000 option pack according to Ford's website. He insists that can't be right.

So anyway I have come to the conclusion that Brisbane ford dealers have no real desire to sell new cars at present.

I am now looking south and will fly down and pick one up rather than get stuffed around locally by apparent morons.

If all Ford dealers are like this I think me and Mr Holden will have a chat...surely they can't be worse.

[fordomatic]

hdj80, me too mate, especially the 6litre, dont get me wrong im a ford man but not scared to drive a holden if they offer something better and easier to buy.

[4Vman]

If you think holden dealers are any better to deal with you're in for a very sad awakening....

[Poetic Justice]

Interesting comments regards test drives. Wonder if this is just for your more performance type cars?

I work for a Toyota dealer, and a common rule of thumb between our sales department is that you wont sell if you don't get the customers bum on the seat and out for a drive. My management basically force it down our throats that we wont sell if we don't test drive.

[DanielXR8]

Mazda have a "road Trip" once a year, where several car carriers of the entire range turn up at a dealer for a day or two. My local dealer lets me drive any of the cars from Mazda that I want from this. He understands that I won't buy then and there, but it is an excellent opportunity to try the different models and settle on the ones I am interested in and Mazda is footing the bill anway.
It is an excellent promotion and always ends up generating sales for our local Mazda dealer.

The car I have now I purchased a couple of years after testing the same model car during a road show. The car left a strong positive impression and when I was ready to buy, I knew exactly what I wanted. Also have recommended a number of other cars to friends etc, based not just on the reviews, but having actually had a chance to sit in and drive them during a road show.

Its a brilliant form of marketing and would do very well for Ford to emulate-especially for the peformance models. Classic catches ads on the telly just aren't as good.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by SCUD

Interesting comments regards test drives. Wonder if this is just for your more performance type cars?

I work for a Toyota dealer, and a common rule of thumb between our sales department is that you wont sell if you don't get the customers bum on the seat and out for a drive. My management basically force it down our throats that we wont sell if we don't test drive.

Few people do purchase a car without a test drive but even if I'm only spending $10k+ on a car there's absolutely no way in the world that I would buy it without taking it for a good spin first - and then there's no point in negotiating with me until I've done that.

A few dealers wouldn't allow me a test drive of a vehicle I was considering last time I was shopping for a new car so I'd turn round and walk straight off the yard. Seemed to have shocked a couple of them but couldn't understand how they expected to make a sale without allowing me to try a demo first.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Mazda have a "road Trip" once a year, where several car carriers of the entire range turn up at a dealer for a day or two. My local dealer lets me drive any of the cars from Mazda that I want from this. He understands that I won't buy then and there, but it is an excellent opportunity to try the different models and settle on the ones I am interested in and Mazda is footing the bill anway.
It is an excellent promotion and always ends up generating sales for our local Mazda dealer.

I know Ford get a whole bunch of people from our company to do a test drive of new models (not sure about the FG though since I don't drive a company car so don't get invited...)

About 6 months ago, the company organised at least 8 manufacturers (who allow fleet discounts to our employees) to display and allow test drives of a select range of their cars setup in our visitor's carpark. A few I remember from the email were Ford, Holden, VW, BMW, Mercedes and Toyota. Never got a chance to check it out as I was on the road. :(

[Busted]

Originally Posted by falconboy

Salesman may get sick of the tyre kickers, but thats no excuse to treat everyone who walks through the door as one. Do these guys really think the majority of the general public head into a car yard because they like to be hassled by a slimy little lying toe rag salesman for fun? Apologies for that comment to the 3 or 4 honest, respectful car salespeople in the country, I'm sorry I haven't met you yet.

So its not OK for me as a salesman to "treat everyone who walks through the door as one" but its OK for you to treat all salesman the same before you meet them?

Let me tell you how it works for me. You come in my yard and you will get treated like anybody before you. I'll be the nicest guy you'll meet ever. I'll let you go at your own pace and you will have a test drive before you get a price on the vehicle your looking at or trading. It takes me 15min to do this inc the drive. I will ask you if you like the vehicle. your next answer is where I decide what we do next. If you like the car I will ask you if you would like to buy the car. If you say No (Now just determined your a tyer kicker) its been nice talking to you today if theres anything ells I can do for you let me know here is my card it has my Mobile No on it have a nice day.

Now that may seem rude but sales peaple get paid crap. We make our money from selling and if we spend all day with peaple who think that we don't care about time your wrong. In the 20min I just outlined 2 peaple have walked into the yard & the other sales guys are now talking to them & they do want to by somthing. you just stole my chance to make a living.

We get called all sorts of names by peaple that don't know us or who have had bad dealings with other salesman.
I am proud to be A salesman & proud to say I'm a good one. My customer satisfaction is rated as A+ in the Ford dealer network.If you don't know thats top 10%. You don't get this by chance. The dealer ship I work at is AAA rated. Thats sales service & parts. This is voted on by you the customer. If your sick of being treated like tyre kickers stop being tyre kickers. You have siting in front of you all the info on every make and model in the country spend your time asking your questions on the net. Get answers from peaple that own the things. If you like to drive before you buy come in have a drive but don't have a drive then think about it. The thinking should be done before you walk into the yard.
My customers send there freinds & familey to me. I don't even prospect any more as I don't need to. So as you read this and think its all crap think about this last year I sold 93 new ford's & 56 new Kia's plus 82 used vehicles. 231 vehicles & i work in a country town.
I don't think I'm doing it wrong & I dont deserve to be called a slimy little lying toe rag salesman

[falconboy]

You must be one of the 3 or 4. Its nice to meet you at last.

Ok, Ok, I get your point. I will now exclude large dealerships from my stereotyping, and just include Sydneys western suburbs fly-by-nighters. They seem to have the majority of the cars I'm looking at, and I am YET to meet one that isn't a slimy lying toerag. Thats not an exhaggeration either.

[ORSM-XT]

WOW

u guys should come to the country, come to see me in shepparton and I'll look after you. Not all Car Salesman are sharks.

I started at my dealership a year ago when I was 16. and they Trained me up real good and didnt teach me any bad habbits.

When I was looking for my car they told me to go to ford and look around hop in and out of cars and ask for a test drive. So I did, i walked around for 20-25mins opened doors, hopped in and sat down, pretened to be a race car driver and nothing. I walked in and asked for the used car salesman at reception. She called him and told him there was a customer here interested in an XT falcon. He turns up at the front desk and I was still standing there, and asked the receptionist where is the customer???? I was right there.

1st thing he asked me was when will u buy? I said today. He asked how much money have you got? I said will you show me through a couple of cars 1st, then he told me to wait and he will be back. 10 mins later I see him drive out with another customer.

I said thank you to the receptionist, showed here my cheque for $1,000 deposit and let her know I was going to buy a car at my dealership (i didn't told them i was a sales cadet and sell cars) and then I left. Literally the next day I bought my car. Then I drove around there when I got it (with my dad ofcorse) and ask for the same guy. Flashed my keys and said 'You missed out on a sale)

sorry I bored you,

Cheerz,

[ORSM-XT]

Originally Posted by Busted

So its not OK for me as a salesman to "treat everyone who walks through the door as one" but its OK for you to treat all salesman the same before you meet them?

Let me tell you how it works for me. You come in my yard and you will get treated like anybody before you. I'll be the nicest guy you'll meet ever. I'll let you go at your own pace and you will have a test drive before you get a price on the vehicle your looking at or trading. It takes me 15min to do this inc the drive. I will ask you if you like the vehicle. your next answer is where I decide what we do next. If you like the car I will ask you if you would like to buy the car. If you say No (Now just determined your a tyer kicker) its been nice talking to you today if theres anything ells I can do for you let me know here is my card it has my Mobile No on it have a nice day.

Now that may seem rude but sales peaple get paid crap. We make our money from selling and if we spend all day with peaple who think that we don't care about time your wrong. In the 20min I just outlined 2 peaple have walked into the yard & the other sales guys are now talking to them & they do want to by somthing. you just stole my chance to make a living.

We get called all sorts of names by peaple that don't know us or who have had bad dealings with other salesman.
I am proud to be A salesman & proud to say I'm a good one. My customer satisfaction is rated as A+ in the Ford dealer network.If you don't know thats top 10%. You don't get this by chance. The dealer ship I work at is AAA rated. Thats sales service & parts. This is voted on by you the customer. If your sick of being treated like tyre kickers stop being tyre kickers. You have siting in front of you all the info on every make and model in the country spend your time asking your questions on the net. Get answers from peaple that own the things. If you like to drive before you buy come in have a drive but don't have a drive then think about it. The thinking should be done before you walk into the yard.
My customers send there freinds & familey to me. I don't even prospect any more as I don't need to. So as you read this and think its all crap think about this last year I sold 93 new ford's & 56 new Kia's plus 82 used vehicles. 231 vehicles & i work in a country town.
I don't think I'm doing it wrong & I dont deserve to be called a slimy little lying toe rag salesman

Thats the stuff.

I only sold 36 in my 1st year but being 16 and 17 through out the whole year. our small dearlership has 6 salesman and sell between 30-60 max a month. This month has been my best month so far selling 10 cars. All my customers I work with are happy, and even one customer who came over from england after selling opel for years. Told me I was the best salesman he has ever met.

That meant alot to me, and I hope to continue and get more compliments like this. But I want to double 36 cars this year.

Cheerz,

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by ORSM-XT

Thats the stuff.

I only sold 36 in my 1st year but being 16 and 17 through out the whole year. our small dearlership has 6 salesman and sell between 30-60 max a month. This month has been my best month so far selling 10 cars. All my customers I work with are happy, and even one customer who came over from england after selling opel for years. Told me I was the best salesman he has ever met.

That meant alot to me, and I hope to continue and get more compliments like this. But I want to double 36 cars this year.

Cheerz,

MATE , I bought my GT off a young bloke , best salesman i ever met . got my sale , beat all the others that were selling cars for years . age isnt relevent . politeness is . glad to see as a salesmen , you know how some customers, ( or potential custemers get treated) i bet some salesman lose thousands over bad attitudes . thanks for your input .

[falconboy]

Originally Posted by ORSM-XT

u guys should come to the country, come to see me in shepparton and I'll look after you. Not all Car Salesman are sharks.

You're probably right, but come to Sydney, deal with a lot of our smaller car yars, especially in certain areas that have a large numbers of dealers on main roads near each other, and you'll see why they have such a bad reputation. You'd walk before buying a car from most of them. Its funny because its the densely populated areas with a lot of car yards that seem to have the worst service - you'd think with the amount of competition it would be the opposite.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by RATT

When you let customers test drive how they want without following dealership safety and policy guidelines

Why is it that each time I went to test drive a Falcon, the sales guy insisted on going with me, he picked the route, and made sure it was short and o very limited use in assessing the car?

When I test-drove my GTI, a car which was in such demand at the time there was an 8mth wait and they could have turned people away, I didnt need to take the rep, I had it for as long as i wanted and there was no restriction on where i took it?

And when I returned it, the rep didnt behave as if the sale was a fait accompli, and they didnt carry on like i had just been given the keys to an Aston.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by blueoval

i wouldnt want to waste a persons time if i wasnt deadly serious about buying a car that day

i disagree. its a big purchase, you have the right to compare models - that includes driving each of them.

[mad cow]

hey orsmxt that dealer would have to be daryl twitt wouldnt it? i had the same problem when looking to buy my territory. i know a few people who have bought off them and their after sales service is even worse than the sales. which yard do you work for anyway? you may as well give yourself a plug and when im looking for my next ute i will come and see you.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by b0son

i disagree. its a big purchase, you have the right to compare models - that includes driving each of them.

true, buts thats not my arguement. Im saying why bother wasting someones time in comparing models IF your not serious in buying? But just being a tyre kicker. Its more of an ethical issue. Not ready to buy a car, then why test drive with no intention of buying any of those cars your testing?

[RATT]

Originally Posted by b0son

Why is it that each time I went to test drive a Falcon, the sales guy insisted on going with me, he picked the route, and made sure it was short and o very limited use in assessing the car?

When I test-drove my GTI, a car which was in such demand at the time there was an 8mth wait and they could have turned people away, I didnt need to take the rep, I had it for as long as i wanted and there was no restriction on where i took it?

And when I returned it, the rep didnt behave as if the sale was a fait accompli, and they didnt carry on like i had just been given the keys to an Aston.

I can't speak for all dealers and manufacturers, but when I first entered the industry I was trained to always go with the customer and follow a certain route.
Why? Firstly to talk to the customer and build a relationship all the while ensuring the customer gets the most out of the test drive. Secondly the specific route is there mainly for safety reasons. If the salesperson and customer aren't back after a certain amount of time we know where to look first. An example of how this works is when I worked at a Holden dealer in Sydney in 1997, a salesman on a test drive had a knife pulled on him and the two blokes stole the car. The salesman started walking back along the test drive route and the salesmanager managed to find him.

[gtfpv]

IT would be very hard to buy a gt or f6 , if you werent sure which one you wanted wouldnt it . imagine walking into a dealer and saying you want to test drive both to compare . ?? how would they distinguish wether your a tyre kicker or not . seeing that seems to be the devine rule in sales . dont let someone drive a car unless they can assure yuo they're buying it, dont let someone sit on the lounge in the shop unless they'e going to buy it .
all BIGSCREEN TV SHOPS ARE now going to be sold through car dealer ships . the new policy is to have an extensive range , but none are to be switched on for a demo unless the customer puts his money down 1st , the customer must point to the tv he wants swithed on after commiting to buy the said TV 1st . otherwise he is wasting the dealers time . GERRY HARVEY is reportly SELLING UP SHOP as he now cannot compete with car dealers .

[ORSM-XT]

Originally Posted by mad cow

hey orsmxt that dealer would have to be daryl twitt wouldnt it? i had the same problem when looking to buy my territory. i know a few people who have bought off them and their after sales service is even worse than the sales. which yard do you work for anyway? you may as well give yourself a plug and when im looking for my next ute i will come and see you.

Thanks mate,

yeh it was, I didnt want to name and shame but it happens.

I outsold all the other salesman this month! I'm quiet happy and so are my customers. I work at Ken Muston. I sell Subaru, used and Isuzu Ute.

PM me and let me know when your comeing in. I'll look after you.

Cheerz,

[mad cow]

sounds good, the wife said i can update the ute next year if im a good boy. i actually looked at a territory at your yard when i was looking for one but it was only a 5 seater, damn..