So, following on from this topic

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/212444-yeti-handover/

How do you know if you are dealing with a good salesman?

For me a good salesperson will know the product inside out and be able to answer my questions with correct information without the need to constantly refer to brochures/instructions or asking someone else.

They should be able to deal with you until you sign on the dotted line, including any negotiating re price/options etc without having to refer to their superiors.

After all, if their superiors don't trust them not to shaft their company, then it gives me no confidence that they're not going to shaft me.

Often, there are questions I forgot to ask when in the showroom. If I ring the company there is a good chance the salesperson may be busy but if I ask them to return my call I expect them to do so within a reasonable time.

Your thoughts gents?

I agree on all of the above. However in the 20 years of car ownership that I have had, probably 7 cars bought plus a similar number for my wife, I have yet to come across one like this. Most ignore you upon arrival at the dealership, are ignorant of their product and only ring back after 3 phone calls. No industry is as badly served by their salesmen as the car industry.

Of course if you find a good one then they can keep your business for year after year. I have no experience of him but James at Allams seems to fall into this category by all accounts. Good for him.

First you have to accept that the job of the salesperson is to sell product.

The GOOD salesperson tries to find out what the customer wants and needs, and help them satisfy that want/need.

The most important skill of a good salesperson is to keep quiet and listen. (My mother used to say: "You don't learn much with your mouth flapping")

If they are Honest, Earnest, Ethical and Knowledgeable, it surely helps.

You can shear a sheep every year, but skin it only once.

How very true...

If messed about I always walk away.

If given good service I'm a customer for life. Simples...:yes:

I'm still trying to get my head around the whole sheep shearing situation. When did Eric Cantona come onto the site?

You can shear a sheep every year, but skin it only once.

I like that. Very true.

Kitten and I 'feel' the sales person. I don't mean physically touch them, but 'to 'feel their personality we consider ourselves a fairly good judge of character, and we go with that.

If we like the person, and feel their genuinely interested in us as a couple we carry on.

There is a lot to watch out for.........................

1. personality

2. persona

3. attitude

4. carisma

5. knowledge

6. attentiveness

7. interactiveness

8. honesty

These are all traits that make a sales person 'good' and worth doing business with.

Does that make sense???

Having bought 5 cars from the same guy, I know I will get a top deal and the car I want when I want it.

Having looked at a few other cars before ordering my Yeti, I was reminded all salesmen are not as straight in the gait so to speak. The shiney suited salesman is still out there, I simply don't respond to this! I don't need flattery, I don't need flannel, I don't need someone who doesn't know their product ... happily I don't get any of that in my friendly, local Skoda dealer.

I am a loyal soul at heart, prior to buying my current caravan all my 'vans had come from the same dealer. The current one was bought at a larger, flashier outfit. I didn't much like the experience so we are back to the 'old-faithful' dealer for the tourer we have on order.

Having bought 5 cars from the same guy, I know I will get a top deal and the car I want when I want it.

Having looked at a few other cars before ordering my Yeti, I was reminded all salesmen are not as straight in the gait so to speak. The shiney suited salesman is still out there, I simply don't respond to this! I don't need flattery, I don't need flannel, I don't need someone who doesn't know their product ... happily I don't get any of that in my friendly, local Skoda dealer.

I am a loyal soul at heart, prior to buying my current caravan all my 'vans had come from the same dealer. The current one was bought at a larger, flashier outfit. I didn't much like the experience so we are back to the 'old-faithful' dealer for the tourer we have on order.

+1, have now bought 4 octavias and (as of next Monday) 1 Yeti from my local dealer. They have been unfailingly excellent in their service. I spoke on the last two occasions to another dealer in the area and they were absolutely rubbish and so patronising.