ed the dead

Pugeot (or however you spell it, stupid name anyway) are a bunch of @rseholes

In my opinion (expericance) anyway

RB170

I’ve been looking at new cars for the wife and have visited nearly every dealer for 30 miles or so. The impression I get from most of them is one of “ I’m doing you a favour selling you this car”

Audi
Would you buy a car from a salesman that said “Are you sure you can handle one if these (A3 1.8) “ when he found out my wife drove a 206 1.4.

Nissan
Tried to get help from a salesman but there were only two and they busy watching the TV.

Toyota
Nice people, would buy a car from them

VW
Walked into the showroom and instantly felt uncomfortable, couldn’t find a sales person so proceeded to test the suspension on a new Beetle….still no sales person so we left.

Citroen
OK …ish but didn’t have a demo car (VTS) and didn’t know when they would get one so my wife took out a VTR and apparently the salesman was attempting to teach her how to drive i.e. approaching a roundabout he says “Now here you have to give way to the right” NO **** !

Peugeot
So far up themselves with the 206 that they keep forgetting that they work for a French company.

Renault.
You bunch of ignorant to55ers. I asked for a test drive in a 172 sport and was told “You don’t need to test drive it, we don’t do test drives because the people that buy this car know a driving experience when they see it” ????????? *****.

Mitsubishi
Felt like gun fight at the OK coral when I pulled up in my RB5. Everyone started staring, the mechanics came to the front of the workshop the sales people were up against the glass of the show room and the Renault dealer next door turned away sharply when I glanced his way. Nice people though but a bit paranoid felt like I was being interrogated.

Subaru
What can I say superb dealer but no superb small car…

Fiat
No demo cars and apparently the Punto HGT is “All the car I’ll ever need”. LOL

Merc
F***OFF. These people need a slap

Ford
“Awright guv can I interest you and you ova harf in this lovely little Puma only one previous owner low mileage” Arthur Daileys or what, I visited 3 Ford dealers and they were all the same.

Looks like I’ll be heading back to Toyota so can anyone tell me what the Yaris is like…..

Mike

BryanC

Not done the rounds of dealers for a while - but when I was trying to decide EVO VI or P1, the thing that swung it for me was definitely delaer attitude. The Mitsubishi dealers wouldn't even give me the time of day.

Tossers.

RichieB

Mike,

My wife had a Yaris and then passed it onto her sister who still has it. It's a great little car, better than VW's in my opinion. Nice technology and assorted little touches that women like, like. Plenty of little cubbies to put umbrellas / hairbrushes / spare shoes etc. We had a dark green GS which looked really smart.

What I really enjoyed was the fact that for a 1 litre, it was amazingly nippy. Beat loads of bigger cars from the lights....well up to 30 mph anyway Also, for a runabout with character that does 45mpg av, you can't go wrong mate.

The re-sale's handy, and Toyota dealers are nearly as good as Subaru. If we were in the market for another small car, we'd have a Yaris again.

IMHO

Rich

Andrew O'Hara

I've also been looking at a new car for the wife, either a BMW 325ci or an Audi S3.

The reception I've got from local dealers is:
BMW took all the details 2 months ago and I'm still waiting their phone call, obviously they don't want my money.

Audi: "You can have a friend of the Sales Manager's car, its 8 months old on a 'W' don't know what extras and its list price, yes that was list price for a second hand car" needless to say I told them to go forth and multiply!!

I only want to spend £25K with them!!

I decided to go North and the difference is unbelievable. An Audi dealer in Ayr, Scotland said he has two new S3's coming in for stock, both with the right extras and over the phone he promised to supply a fully loaded car for less than the list price of a standard car, also he would deliver the car by transporter to my home address which is 350 miles away.

From now on if I buy a UK car it will be from Scotland.

I can't believe the attitude of certain dealers when you want to spend a few quid with them!

The only BMW dealer that has been helpful and not pushy is Stephen James in Enfield, they may well get my money if a deal can be cut.

Can't forget to mention Lavender Hill Garage, excellent service and David M is a top man, but the wife doesn't want an Impreza, because she says she can borrow the P1 if she wants to

Edited cos I cant spell



[This message has been edited by Andrew O'Hara (edited 23 March 2001).]

chuckster

Copy of a letter I just sent.
You may be able to tell I was pleased, and suprised frankly, Spencer is a young guy in a suit and a Rolex, I look like a wreck:

To the Manager, Veritas Audi,
Just a note to say how pleased I was with the job Spencer did handling my custom.
I turned up at the site to kick tyres on VW’s and ended up having a look around an S4 you had on the forecourt. Spencer came out to ask if he could help and I said I was amazed at how much second hand S4’s were. I thought this, coupled with the fact I was dressed very scrappily and had turned up in £4k’s worth of Escort would be enough to put any salesman off - not so in Spencers case. Anyway, after a test drive of the S4, I went away to think about it and drive all the competition.
When I called back to enquire about the S4 which I eventually bought Spencer answered all my questions and was thoroughly professional. I turned up to drive it when it was nearly dark in soaking wet bike leathers looking like a drowned rat - again not looking like the most obvious potential customer. Had a drive and bought it. Spencer took the deposit, gave me a brochure on Supaguard to let me read and make a decision on it and set to work getting the car ready.
My wife picked the car up on the following Tuesday and I have to say it was immaculately prepared, very hard indeed to tell it’s a 2.5 year old car.
The only issue I am currently aware of is that the CD changer cassette was not present in the car, and Spencer dispatched that the day after it was noted.
Great job Spencer, here’s hoping it’s the start of a good relationship.
In terms of customer service I rate him right up there with the best. The workshop did a great job too.
And I’m pleased there are so many bikers there - ;-)
Best Regards

RB170

Nice to see someones doing it right...

Chuckster where is this Audi Dealer? I need to go there.

Mike

chuckster

sarfend innit?(Or Southend for snobs ) They are a twin site VW and Audi. It's a good road because you go past Merc, Ford and BMW on the way down the A127 towards Sarfend, so easy to do all your comparisons.
Regards
Chuck

IWatkins

Mike,

The Yaris is a great car. The 1.3 (GS I think) is even better.

Handles well, looks OK, good equipment levels, Toyota reliability etc.

Rich is right, woman love it because of all the storage holes etc. My missus took one look inside one and said, yes, she would buy it if she was in the market for just that reason.

Totally practical car.

Cheers

Ian

MRK

RB get this weeks Autocar. Great article on small cars.


M

Scott J Davies

Most London dealers are sh1te that I have been two.

The only ones that have been good were, the Landrover garage in Highgate, proper down to earth people and dare I say it Hexagon BMW in Kentish Town. Needless to say Dangerous and LH are the friendliest/best service I have had from any organisation.

I don't just find it with car dealers, I find it London general, its hard to find people to spend your money with.

Mike, get a pink Justy, just up your street M8, he he he he.

sickboy

I found the Mitsi dealers very accomodating.

So much so that when I asked to test drive an Evo VI, he said he couldn't get a demo car in for a couple of months!, but was expecting a new customers car to be delivered.

I could drive that if I wanted.

What a nice chap :O :O

RB170

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Scott J Davies:
<B>

Mike, get a pink Justy, just up your street M8, he he he he.[/quote]

You forget Mr Davies that I know where you live so I will get the pink Justy and park it IN your street right outside your house. :

GranTurismo

My experiance is that most of them are fools.

Volvo,
Ignored me

VW wanted to sell me a Diesel

Audi wanted to know the name of my company car buyer

BMW were good

Toyota were good

Mazda were very good when my missus got a 323

Subaru are fantastic

Nissan ignored me

Vauxhall were very nice and offred me the car for the weekend (Vectra SRI but Im better now)

Lotus was okish but not overly friendly, he did a double take when he sae me drive off in the Scooby.

The niceste people I have been to are Broughtons who sell Rolls, Bently, and TVR. My mate got a Elise from them and I asked if they ever got any Scoobies in as PX. The said sometimes they did and actually phoned me back each time until I said I had noe found a Scooby. Just ONE of the cars they sell is worth more than the stock list of most dealers that looked at me like dirt, but these guys were great.

So im not surprised that the industry is shagged.

IWatkins

GT,

I also found Broughton's to be really nice people. I dropped in there one day in my heap, looking like death warmed up (which was the case).

I went in because they were doing that TVR for the day for £99 at the time (which I didn't bother with in the end).

However, I had a good look about and a sales man came straight across and asked if he could help. I said, "Too be totally honest, I cannot possibly afford anything here". He said, "Ahh, but sir, one day you might, and then I would hope you would think of coming here". Totally honest bloke, and I liked that. He was even kind enough to let me have a look at various cars, sit in them, start a few up for sound effects etc.

And yes, when I do win the lottery etc. I will be down there for another look purely on that event.



Cheers

Ian

Cheeky Jim

Yep, in a similar situation, looking for a new car for the Wife. We traipsed around a whole stack of garages one Sunday recently, some were helpful, some not so...we were looking at all sorts of different cars..

Toyota - Good, quick to respond and help with quotes.

Ford - Okish, quote was a bit poor and the standard of cars on their forecourt was attrocious - flat tyres, rusty brake discs etc

Alfa Romeo - Ok, didn't offer a quote, had to ask for a brochure etc

Mazda - Good, enthusiastic, happy to talk.

Suzuki - Cack. Stood there for 10 mins- ended up walking out.

VW - Cack - As Suzuki.

Trade - Sales - We bought her current car from them - Very busy and we just looked around - Prices are brill!

It's a funny old game init?!

Jamie

CB

I'm glad it is not just me. So many car dealers at completely on another planet.

It is the people though.

1.I've been ignored in BMW Cooper Thames Ditton when looking for a new BMW.

2. BMW in Cobham (Zak I think his name was) was very helpful and followed up my visit with a polite letter.

3. Lexus Guildford were delightful. I even took the guy out in my STI as he was so interested.

4. All Ford dealers I've dealt with have been very bad and I'm amazed that Ford still sell cars.

5. Subaru. Well this is a funny one. I went into Bell and Colville (Leatherhead way) with my girlfriend a couple of years ago when I was looking at Impreza's. We were dealt with my the Sales Manager who could not have been nicer, more polite and genuine if he had tried. We had a lenghly test drive and were sent away with a lovely set of brochures etc. However, looking to spend around 18K there was nothing in that price range that I fancied and asked him if he could call me when some more came in (which he said would be there in around a week). Well a week later I saw their advert and sure enough there were 2 Impreza's at around 18K. But no phone call. The next week there were 3. But still no phone call.

Result? I bought elsewhere.

I don't know what it is with many car dealers. As for Mercedes? well I know someone has already had a bad experience, but mine could not have been nicer. I walked into Mercedes-Benz Woking Motors (in Hersham) with my girlfriend on a Saturday morning. So we were both in casual cloths (not that it should make any difference). As we are both 27 I guess we are not the normal age group for Merc buyers. However they were very helpful. And they have continued to be helpful when servicing.

So my award for the best car dealer I've ever dealt with??

Mercedes-Benz Woking Motors - For being such a nice group of people to deal with. Rest assured, any future Mercs will be from you.

CB
P.S. I hope some people from the motor trade read this thread. It will be an eye opener to them. I work in IT and Customer relationships are very important.

g man

I dont know why we let these dealers wind us up , whether we are spending £1000-£50000 we are all MUG PUNTERS to them.....(not mentioning certain dealers)....so dont let these badly dressed,bad breathed, bods get under our skin, if they dont serve ya just walk out the door (they must be doing allright!!..its not bricks and mortar so stuff em! G MAN

Dave Bullock

My award for best dealer goes to Bowker BMW in Preston.
I had been in other BMW dealers and felt like I wasn't good enough to drive a beemer.
Turned up at Bowker in my painting scruffs (holy jeans and a multicoloured t-shirt!!!) after a phone call from wifey. All the salesmen were busy but one broke off from his customer sat us down, poured us a coffee and then got one of the mechanics to open up the car that we were interested in. A few minutes later he took us for a test drive and we bought the car.
All the time we owned that car I couldn't fault the service from this excellent dealer.


Worst dealer, IGW Subaru in Bolton who have just gone bust and done everone a favour!!

sonu

Guys,

I think the reason many dealers get away with crap service is because a large percentage the buying public are willing to accept poor service.

Many of the dealers expect the customer to chase after them.

How about we create a list of recommended dealers. My favourites:

Subaru: Lancaster 7Oakes

Mercedes: S G Smith, Crystal Palace

Mazda: the dealer in Beckenham, London

I've yet to find a good BMW dealer.

Thanks

Sonu

RB170

Found a good un

Went to Warwick Wright (Thinks that's it) In Edgware yesterday, Peugeot dealer. Walked in and instantly a sales person tells us to "Feel free to have a look around sit in the cars etc and if we need any help he'll be more than happy to assist"

The Mrs wanted to test drive a 206 Gti so the sales man drove one round to the front and we spent half an hour thrashing the nuts off it.

They ended up with an order for a 206 Gti and we ended up feeling much happier about buying a new car.

Just goes to show that it doesn't take much to be a good car dealer.

Salesman's name Peter Tang.

Mike

Wolfsburger

There are good dealers and there are bad dealers regardless of brand. To say all BMW dealers are bad is like saying all Subaru dealers are good. Now I know you lot are baised but I got treated like dirt in a Subaru garage and treated well when I took my Girlfriend to a Ford place.
In case you`re wondering I was told that the Impreza Turbo didn`t need to be driven as it`s reputation spoke for itself. I asked the salesman if he tried on his jeans before he bought them but he said that was different. I eventually went elsewhere for a drive and was impressed so it`s horses for courses as they say.
I have to drive past a VW dealer to get to the one I now use because of poor service, voting with your feet is the easiest and most satisfing way of dealing with these cretins.
By the way, I have also visited Broughtons Rolls/Bently dealership in Walsall and they were great, easy going blokes who obviously loved their job and the product they were selling. Saw a nice Arnage, up for £90,000....I was only £89,000 short!

Paul Wilson

The thing is these crap dealers should be told they are crap. When you have bought your new car, from a dealer other than your nearest one, I would go in and say "look at my nice brand new motor that I have just bought. Didn't buy it from you because you were crap and treated me like ****e"

Once that has happened a few times , I bet that they would change their attitude.

Maybe the reason why a lot of dealers suck is that no one has told them?

Sbradley

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Paul Wilson:
[B]...When you have bought your new car, from a dealer other than your nearest one, I would go in and say "look at my nice brand new motor that I have just bought. Didn't buy it from you because you were crap and treated me like ****e"...
B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I've done that with Imperial Alfa Romeo in Croydon. Before I sued them (long story) and when I was still trying to get a sensible result. It always helps if you do it on Saturday lunchtime when the showroom is full as well

FWIW, round my way I can say:

Alfa - Cr*p. Fiat as well.
BMW - Mediocre. take it or leave it.
Mercedes - Can't remember their name (Brighton Road, Croydon) but very helpful.
Mitsubishi - Wide as a barn. Helpful but full of sh*t.
Subaru. Spring Park Motors. Possibly the nicest dealers ever. Anywhere. Except for...
Suzuki. Premier Suzuki, West Wickham. As long as you only want two wheels, that is.
Ford. "I am not a number - I am a free man!" Um, no. you're a number, mate. What sort of Mondeo do you want?

Chris L

I'm still amazed at the attitude of some dealers to their potential customers.

Always remember the story a couple of years ago when my mate Errol was looking to buy his new car. He is a 6Ft 5 West Indian who has lived over here for years and speaks with a broad north Yorkshire accent (funniest thing you've heard and he won't mind me saying that ). Anyway, Errol is a very successful guy - originally an electrician, but now in structured data cabling. He's in the market for a smart car - looking at top range Mercs etc. The attitude he got from most of the dealers was unbelievable - he was ignored in a number of the dealerships and told in one or two others to effectively bugger off.

They simply felt he wasn't serious!! He ended buying a very nice Jag XK8 because they were the only people who took him seriously.

Another ex-colleague of mine (City type - loads of cash) always goes to car dealerships in his worst clothes, looking a right scruffy sod, just to gauge the dealers attitude.

Moral of the story: Don't judge people by their looks - very dangerous thing to do. Don't get intimidated either - who's giving who the business?? Walk away and find another one.

Cheers
Chris

[This message has been edited by Chris L (edited 26 March 2001).]

RichardC

Chris L are u the same Chris L who worked with Errol and had a Peugeot 205 GTI?

If so u know who I am, I had the Blue Peugeot 205.

Chris L

Richard - no way!!

Certainly am mate - drop me an email! Are you driving a Scoob now?

Chris

Mungo

FWIW:

Peugeot - Warwick Wright, Chiswick - Frank Workman is the most condescending man I have ever come across.

Subaru - Vale Motors, Wincanton - Ed, the young salesman was excellent, couldn't have been better. His manager was a complete pr*t and I had to specifically ask not to speak to him on the phone.

Hyundai - dealership, Barnes - nice chap, although I didn't really want his car.

Renault London, Park Royal - didn't get to speak to a sales rep so I left.

Audi - HWM, Walton - sh*te. Didn't seem to be bothered about selling anything. Left me waiting in the cold for 20 minutes after I'd had a good sit in the car, so I left.

Ford - I think all of their salesmen come from Dagenham. Pretty rough and ready, but will always give you the time of day.

Vauxhall - Lance Owen, Richmond - pretty good, let me have loads of time and made me feel very comfortable.

BT52

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Mungo:
<B>FWIW:

Peugeot - Warwick Wright, Chiswick - Frank Workman is the most condescending man I have ever come across.

[/quote]

Arthur at Walchry in Walton was very nice and helpful.