Well I think here is the answer:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/23/study-how-car-dealers-treat-customers-is-more-important-than-pr/

I can only but agree.

As I pointed out in my email to Skoda, I think James is the best car salesman I have ever dealt with period.

(and I'm the best customer he has ever had )

Mike

This is, of course, not restricted to car salesmen. It can apply equally to veterinary surgeons, and architects, to double glazing executives, and your doctor.

There's a saying in sales that people buy people first, and we all respond to being made to feel special.

However, there is a substantial minority for whom the only thing that matters is the bald cost of the article or service.

This is, of course, not restricted to car salesmen. It can apply equally to veterinary surgeons, and architects, to double glazing executives, and your doctor.

There's a saying in sales that people buy people first, and we all respond to being made to feel special.

However, there is a substantial minority for whom the only thing that matters is the bald cost of the article or service.

That is so true.

I will always pay a little more for great service than have no service and pay the lowest price - and if possible support british industry as well. An example- Just found a wonderful Vineyard down in Kent at the weekend - Biddenden Vineyards. Great wine/cider/apple/pear juice at reasonable prices.

Shame Skodas' aren't made in the UK by Red Ken & his crew

Mike

Shame Skodas' aren't made in the UK by Red Ken & his crew

Then we would all be driving Nissan Cashcows. They were designed in the Nissan design centre in Paddington Basin in London and are built in Sunderland. A more British car you can't really get - and no the MINI is a BMW with German bits imported from there! (though in saying that I don't know what percentage of either is actually really British!)

Hi

Incredible though it may seem James was the only Skoda salesman (or sales executive) who bothered to come back to me following an enquiry. As soon as I mentioned 1.2 DSG to the three or four others I got the glazed look of disinterest. Apparently there was little chance of getting one and certainly no hope of a test drive.

James sorted a test drive, was pleasant to deal with, and won the order, even though Allams is a 250 mile round trip for me.

To some extent the car sold itself once we were able todrive it, but Skoda UK have done themselves no favours with either unhelpful answers or no answers at all when I've contacted them.

I think I should have haggled harder though, may have let James have too easy a time there!

Fred

I think most dealers will make you feel special if you pay up and look happy. The test is if you're getting a good deal and they still treat you well.

I've had dealings with 2 dealers.

The first hadn't noted that I had made an appointment to test drive the Yeti, and having driven nearly 50 miles I was told the Sales Manager had taken it away for the weekend. Agreed they did eventually bring a car to the house, but they had blotted their copybook by then.

The second, I saw their demo on the website, sent them an email enquiry, which was answered promptly and politely, followed up with a phonecall. Went to see the car, again 50 + miles away, sensible figures were discussed, and they had a sale.

Now if someone asks me which dealer I will recommend, guess which one gets my vote?

When I was a sales manager I always told my reps that if they treated a customer poorly a dozen more would here of it, but if they did a good job only a couple would BUT which one caused an increase in sales figures at the end of the month?

we have had three cars from James now.....he is always helpful and does exactly what he tells you he will do, always happy to see you and he will go out of his way to find a car or test drive for you.....guess where I will be going next time I change my car

It's really surprisingly simple. The secret to success in long term selling is to focus on the customer and his/her needs. No fancy footwork, no BS, have a good product and serve the customer. Come to a reasonable price agreement and do what you say you are going to do.

The big surprise is that it seems to be so rare in the car sales business.

James just does what he is supposed to do - tries to find ways to satisfy customers.

It sounds as if James is the same as my local Skoda dealer. Yeti is my 4th car from Grey Gables. The service is great, the staff are brilliant.

Grey Gables is a nice family owned business and it's an old company, like ourselves!

EDIT- I hope someone from Skoda reads this.... Makes me sound like some kind of urban legend!

Edited 24 November, 201015 yr by Allams Skoda

I bought mine from Faintree Garage in Bridgenorth, another old family business.

I've worked for 3 Skoda garages all family owned and all brilliant, the one time I defected to Vauxhall it was a large company and was terrible, you couldn't give people the experience or service they wanted/deserved. Vowed never to go back to an operation like that. People like to deal with people not faceless corporations.