I am thinking of buying a new Superb Estate and I have looked at the prices from Broadspeed and Drive The Deal. Some years ago I bought a Volvo through Broadspeed and it was a good experience.

The lengthy delivery times are a disincentive but while there are some cars about for early delivery at local dealers, they are not in the specifications I want.

I have found that in a couple of cases salesmen have become incensed at the mere mention of Broadspeed and terminated the discussion.

If I find a dealer with a car I want, what would be a reasonable compromise on price and should I come clean on my knowledge in discount prices at the onset? What have others achieved?

Once I'd decided exactly what model and spec I wanted I was upfront about using the Internet to discover current prices from DriveTheDeal etc and the salesman was not phased at all. Predictably we discussed the value of a real salesperson that you could look in the eyes compared with a virtual one online but he was prepared to come very close to DriveTheDeal.

So don't be afraid to show that you've done your research as it will pay off. Also use the Internet for 'extras' like car mats, GAP insurance, protective finishes etc.

Coming from a main dealers point of view the internet sites can be a bit of a nuisance.

We give the test drive, work out the figures but Mr Internet Site is cheaper. It can become a bit frustrating.

BUT from a customers perceptive, you want as much car for the best possible price.

As you said, if you find the car you want, I would tell them, you may not get the same price as an online broker but it could be close.

Just a footnote: Current lead times to be quoted on a like for like with your current Superb are around 12 - 16 weeks.

I am thinking of buying a new Superb Estate and I have looked at the prices from Broadspeed and Drive The Deal. Some years ago I bought a Volvo through Broadspeed and it was a good experience.

The lengthy delivery times are a disincentive but while there are some cars about for early delivery at local dealers, they are not in the specifications I want.

I have found that in a couple of cases salesmen have become incensed at the mere mention of Broadspeed and terminated the discussion.

If I find a dealer with a car I want, what would be a reasonable compromise on price and should I come clean on my knowledge in discount prices at the onset? What have others achieved?

An incensed salesman does not show good customer service, it was obviously too much trouble to enter possibly lengthy negotiations.

When I decided I wanted a VRS CR170 DSG in late 2009, I gathered as much info as I could and got internet prices.

I had made my mind up on the actual spec I wanted before I test drove it.

Armed with the DTD price I rang round several dealers, some were not interested in matching prices or even discussing it.

Eventually I found a dealer who was willing to negotiate and deal over the phone. They came within £200 of the DTD price and still gave me a good price for my P/X. Once all the deal and prices were agreed I went over to the dealer and had an unaccompanied test drive in a manual VRS and then a Superb CR170 DSG to try the auto box.

Happy with the way they drove, I then signed the deal. 13 weeks later in Jan 2010 I took delivery of my VRS from Progress Skoda Bedford. Very happy with the service I got from them even though I got a massive discount( No VAT, 0% finance and approx £1000 discount)

Some dealers are more switched on in trying to do a deal

Most people would prefer to by direct from a salesman, especially a helpful one like Lee in the post above.

Sadly, all too often it comes down to price. I bought from Autoebid after trying direct with dealers and online brokers.

Once you commit to a deal with a broker you get a call from a skoda main dealer salesman who is no different to the one you would meet by going direct. Luckily I ordered a greenline se in Platin and they had one on the way. Its arrived at the dealers this week so I will be collecting 3rd March. Hopefully!

I have found that in a couple of cases salesmen have become incensed at the mere mention of Broadspeed and terminated the discussion.

As someone who bought through Broadspeed 18 months ago I can fully understand this, I too feel incensed at the mention of their name, once they have your money all you get is a pack of lies off them, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone other than my neighbour (he is a total ass##le)

But for a dealer to do this.... why would you want to give them a penny's worth of commission if they are that arrogant? they have in fact done you a favour so you can steer well clear of their dealership.

As someone who bought through Broadspeed 18 months ago I can fully understand this, I too feel incensed at the mention of their name, once they have your money all you get is a pack of lies off them, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone other than my neighbour (he is a total ass##le)

Thats what put me off with some brokers - paying them.

Drive the deal don't require any payment - the dealer pays them.

I seriously considered using Drive the Deal for my new Superb and got a quote to use as a benchmark before speaking to dealers. In the end I ordered the car from a dealer who was prepared to negotiate a discount on the 0% VAT deal and give me a decent price for my Octavia.

As others have said, do your research. If you would rather buy from a dealer, decide how much more than the broker price you are willing to pay and walk away if the dealer isn't willing to negotiate - there are plenty out there who will.

I seriously considered using Drive the Deal for my new Superb and got a quote to use as a benchmark before speaking to dealers. In the end I ordered the car from a dealer who was prepared to negotiate a discount on the 0% VAT deal and give me a decent price for my Octavia.

As others have said, do your research. If you would rather buy from a dealer, decide how much more than the broker price you are willing to pay and walk away if the dealer isn't willing to negotiate - there are plenty out there who will.

Thank you for these useful comments; I have a dialogue going with a couple of dealers.

I bought my car through a dealer, I was very clear with them what my expectations were as to the price I wanted to pay and that I had checked the prices on the internet (at the end of the day the car is going to come to you through a dealer so the margins are achievable).

I didn't quite get the internet price but it was close enough for me, and the dealer service made up for the difference!

There are some horror stories about using the usual internet suspects but don't doubt that on the whole MOST customers are happy (or they wouldn't be in business very long).

I found it best to go and sit down face to face. Most dealers just didn't seem interested in returning my calls (this I really DIDN'T understand) so I went to them. This way the dealer gets to know your face and that you are in fact looking to buy a car rather than wasting their time.

At the end of the day it's YOUR money and you can choose how to spend it. Find a good dealer who is prepared to be sensible with the price and you'll probably not only buy this car from them but your next one as well!!

Good Luck!

Will anyone share the name of a dealer who might offer a car at around the on-line price?

Will anyone share the name of a dealer who might offer a car at around the on-line price?

Search on Google for Skoda Mansfield

I did a lot of research and had quotes from Broadspeed and Drive the Deal for my Skoda Combi, delivered June 2011. In the end I purchased the car from Allams at Epson and paid around £400 more than the best Internet quote. I had to collect the car, around 100 mile trip, only £20 train ticket, but it was a good experience and Allams were excellent. The car was perfect and has proved to be so for the first 8k. For me it was just the peace of mind. I sold my existing 5 series estate privately as the P/X offer was dissapointing. My local dealer, where I tested the car, could not get within £1000 of the Allams price.