Intimidated going into car showrooms?

[bigbob]

No need to ever be intimidated. Car salesmen are like all salesmen - some are great, some are average and some are a waste of space. This has no correlation to the price point of what they are selling.

 

[Tipmethewink]

Main dealer: "Well, it's possible we might be able to find something more in-keeping with your price range."
Me: "Righto. Thanks, then."

Yes, that's much more my style.

 

[NickP]

I don't get this at all, as has been pointed out already, they are just sales people, regardless of if I am wasting their time they should offer a good service, be able to answer my questions, other than buying a house a car is generally the second largest purchase most people make. Therefore, treat them like estate agents, to be honest I couldn't care less if they think I have the money or not, I wouldn't be there if I wasn't interested and its not like they are fighting customers away with a stick!

 

[mjheathcote]

Reminds me of the time back in the 80's when me (17 at the time) and my my dad walked into a new local Lotus dealership one Saturday morning, wearing jeans and t shirts.
The salesman 'couldn't find the keys' to the new model Excel in the showroom when my dad asked to sit inside...the salesman then asked my dad what he was driving at the moment 'the Lotus Excel parked outside'...the salesman didn't notice us arriving...'oh I've just found the keys sir!!'
Yes the new dealership lost the sale at that point!

 

[Parisien]

World is full of judgemental T**TS!


P

 

[Parisien]

I don't get this at all, as has been pointed out already, they are just sales people, regardless of if I am wasting their time they should offer a good service, be able to answer my questions, other than buying a house a car is generally the second largest purchase most people make. Therefore, treat them like estate agents, to be honest I couldn't care less if they think I have the money or not, I wouldn't be there if I wasn't interested and its not like they are fighting customers away with a stick!

OOOoooohhhhhh.................we 2nd hand buyers don't quite fit the required A1++ profile..........for such an exclusive marque....


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[NickP]

OOOoooohhhhhh.................we 2nd hand buyers don't quite fit the required A1++ profile..........for such an exclusive marque....


P

But we pay the same servicing cost as someone who buys new..... Besides, I have bought new cars, just not Maserati's, I have experienced similar in Audi/BMW and Mercedes dealerships.

 

[safrane]

I won't even talk to a sales person until I have set in my mind I intend to buy...just say I'm fine, Having a look and I will let you know if I need your help thank you.

 

[Andyk]

Is it just me or do other people feel intimidated going into car showrooms? I've never really shopped for a car before, especially one that costs so much money, but even just wandering around outside makes me feel uncomfortable. It's so bad that on a number of occasions I've driven up, looked through the window and driven off again without stopping, it's a proper nuisance. Just me?

Just think that most of them can not afford the car you are buying.....

 

[mjheathcote]

Just think that most of them can not afford the car you are buying.....

When I had my Lotus Elise I took it to my main dealer for a warrantee recall, JCT600 in Leeds.
While waiting in the showroom full of Ferrari's got talking to one of the salesman. Nice guy, drove a Mondeo, openly said most of the buyers bought them on the never never!
For some reason you think because they sell Ferrari's, they go home in one, the truth of course they are no different to the salesman selling Fords in the same dealership next door!
Several years later went to the same dealer for the launch of the new Lotus Evora. Went for a test drive, the guy who took me out was a storeman at the dealer during the week!

 

[Dan!]

I won't even talk to a sales person until I have set in my mind I intend to buy...just say I'm fine, Having a look and I will let you know if I need your help thank you.

This is the way to do it.
In my younger days I was normally ignored by the salesmen anyway.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Buy where you're comfortable buying and from someone you want to strike a deal with. If the sales guy is an @rse you'll not want to do a deal anyway, so spend enough time in non-commit mode at main and indie dealers to figure out who you like and who you feel deserves the commission from your hard-earned cash. And if you still can't find someone then from personal experience I have no hesitation in directing you to (self-confessed Maserati nut) Nareman at Nuvola in Shepherds Bush. I dare say there are other decent, honest and enthusiastic dealers on ths forum but I haven't bought a car from them so can't comment. Not yet, anyway.

/Adam

 

[Emtee]

I know what you mean TMTW. When I was researching my first Trident I felt similarly.

I'd initially set my mind to a 3200, but as these weren't in the dealer network anymore my first visit was to a local dealer showroom where I went to look at a couple of 4200's. I rather shyly told them I was just looking and then spent an hour or so getting used to how the cars are in the flesh (very different to researching them on PH for sure!). After that I went to see a couple of private 3200 sales where questions were much easier to ask, but as a result of that I realised it was actually a 4200 I wanted and so when I saw one that appealed that happened to be in a showroom, I called ahead and spoke (at some length) to the sales rep. When I subsequently visited to view the car he knew I was coming and it was a whole different ball game. He was already engaged in the process when I got there and so there were no airs and graces on his part, but at the same time knowing full well that the sale wasn't secured.

Four years down the line he now knows me (I don't use them for servicing by the way), he knows how I want to progress with my car purchases (within the context of my budget, timescale and of course force majeure) and he calls me every now and then to keep in touch when something interesting comes to light. That's how I got the nod on my MCV.

If there's any single thing in that process that I think made a real difference, it was speaking to the guy on the phone to ask my questions and then arranging to visit.

Maybe I was lucky and happened upon a conscientious salesman, but I'd like to think not. Anyone in this neck of the woods that wants to figure it out can probably work out who I'm talking about. I'd recommend him without blinking. He turned out to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, tactful and personable.

 

[Tipmethewink]

If there's any single thing in that process that I think made a real difference, it was speaking to the guy on the phone to ask my questions and then arranging to visit.

I think that's great advice, I shall give that a go, thanks very much.

 

[Parisien]

Nice info and experience there Miles....good to know there is still qualty guys working in MDs


P

 

[mark taylor]

it dosen't matter whether they are maserati, landrover, audi, merc, toyota, ford or any other main dealer...i have been to alot in my short time on this earth, building my way up the ladder of dreams...each showroom are very similar, with most of the salespeople actually believing that they personally own the cars they are selling and that you the lowly, not quite suited and booted enough for their liking individual, are not worthy of stepping into their shiny showroom full of pretentious, unpromising individuals that in fact never meet our expectations....my experience go in there showing you mean business that you have done this many times adding to your collection of cars....with a bold upright stance and positive walk, and they'll eventually come down from their non existent ivory tower and provide you with the dream you had wished for....befriend them but remember they are not your friend...they are the enemy!!
Does anyone think i like car salesmen by the way?
Honestly i have had some good experiences, but also bad in the attitude department....just treat them with the same that you receive.
Happy hunting

 

[JPJPJP]

as has been said previously, the capability of a sales person is not correlated with the price of the item she is selling

and, its fair to say, not all customers / propects are easy for any sales person to deal with

I find it useful to call ahead and say that I am travelling to see a (or a couple of) specific cars, where I am in my buying process and what I expect to happen in my visit (test drive / discussion about finance / general mooch about different specs to help me decide).

If the sales person is a tw4t on the phone (not happened), I would simply go elsewhere or, if they had potentially the right car, call back and ask to speak to a sales person other than the tw4t

If I have bought a car from that dealership / group already, I would mention that and I would expect them to accommodate my requirements without hesitation

If I rocked up unannounced on a Saturday afternoon and all the sales people were busy, I wouldn't expect anything other than to mooch around with no assistance

 

[mark taylor]

you are right jpjpjp, They have a very hard job, lots of knock backs, lots of wasters, its easy to deal with those if you know how to. I was involved in sales for over 15 years (escaped now) and i believe that corporate training has a part to blame in the "robot feel" that some experience when dealing with certain types of salespeople...if they threw away their training manual and just dealt with a customer on an individual basis, finding out their needs, making them feel comfortable with them and the company they are about to buy from, then show/sell the product that is relevant to the buyers needs and price range, and don't hide anything, then i believe that those who do not posses or use these skills will fall by the wayside and leave it open to dedicated, professional salespeople that we once used to find.
Having a 19 year old estate agent for example with little training come to your home and try to explain to you all of life's experiences, market trends all through a boring sales presentation on a laptop, which most does not have any relevance to me, but they have to plow on regardless etc, is going to wind some people up..."if he/she sat down and carried out the individual customer service that i previously mentioned and just talk in plain language then i for one would gain alot of respect for those that do, and furthermore they would sell more, easily and gain recommendation.
The best service lately i had from a main dealer was from Guy Salmon, Land Rover, Thames Ditton...very good all round, went the extra mile...will not go elsewhere now...that was after dealing with their namesake dealership near Maidstone, (service dept good....sales extrememly appaling...had four bad years with them until i realised drive a little further for better service), and another dealership in north kent...(couldn't add up!..long story and i think i have droned on enough now)

 

[alfaowner]

I understand what you are saying with regards to how you are made to feel. When I go an purchase anything expensive, I feel that way. Not a confidence issue, it's because I am as common as they come, well, I live in Essex after all, it still feels like yesterday when I stepped out of my XR2 hahaha (feel free to take the pi22!)

i wasn't taken seriously at all until I whipped out the debit card. I was wearing trainers, t shirt and ripped up jeans. I understand why they thought I was a time waster, I would have done from the other side.
I turned up in an Alfa Giulietta after admitting coming directly from Nandos, I don't think the salesperson was snotty at all, he just didn't realise I actually was going to buy anything from him right until the card came out. I didn't need him to sell me anything, right then, he was an order taker.

If it helps, let me know when you want to go, I will go in and lower the standard so you can go in wearing your shorts and clip on hair and look like a good contender for a sale LOL

 

[2b1ask1]

Hello Alfaowner and welcome to the forum to another Romfordian!!!