Just thought I'd share the following with you and challenge anyone to beat this as the most amazing exchange I've had with a dealership ever.

Background - I'm looking to get a new car for March ish and like the look of the M135i 3 door auto. SWMBO has the Fabia so I'll still be on here :-) I've previously had a 1 series and like them a lot. I've been on the configurator and BabyBMW forum to see what others have said and what discounts I'd likely get. I did this 6 years ago when I bought my last one new. I basically specced one up from the cheapest broker I could find. Went to the dealer and said if you can match that I'll give you a deposit today and you'll be getting my service business etc.. for the next 5 years. They said, "You'll order it today then?" "Yes," I replied. Handshake etc.. That dealer was Oxford BMW.

Today - I thought I'd do the same. Went to the garage and was asked by a Lisa if she could help? "Do you have an M135i to test drive." She wasn't sure but asked a colleague who actually knew what stock they had. So we went to her desk and spent the next 15 minutes going through the obligatory data inputting exercise. Name, address, do you have a part exchange? etc.. It was at the end of this I said "and if you can match the best broker pricing online we're good to go."

"No discounts on this model, we only get 1 per quarter" Obviously a lie but nevertheless I didn't expect her to say ok straight away. She then implied there might be 5% discount available so we're half way there.

"OK then" I said, "how about this test drive while I mull things over?"

"Well," she said, "as I think you will just order one online I'm not going to let you have a test drive."

WTF!

"So that's that then?" I asked. "You're not going to let me drive your car and are prepared to lose a £35k order for £1,300?"

"Yes"

Clearly the recession doesn't affect Woods Group that they can turn down this order and all the subsequent servicing work they would've got. When I do get a new BMW, it'll never cross their threshold so they've lost that business too.

Do I have this wrong?

Actually strangely enough i went to a BMW dealers yesterday and had a bad experience, one salesman who seemed like he wasn't interested in talking to me giving me short sharp answers and doing nothing to sell the product to me, while the receptionist sat there swigging her can of coke and reading her magazine.

Totally put me off BMW im sorry to say.

Strangely when SWMBO bought hers the salesman couldn't do enough to sell her a £12k used 116i. I was quite surprised just how ready they were to do a deal to get the sale. Credit to SWMBO she actually haggled, she's learning bless her. That was at John Clark in Dundee.

On the radio this week too BMW has been advertising deals. I didn't think BMW did 'offers'.

I can understand their reluctance for you taking advantage of their demonstrator and then potentially going and placing an order online (presumably when they can't offer you the same price?) but who knows how the numbers stack up for them At the end of the day, there are plenty of dealers out there. I've always been treated exceptionally well at the 3 BMW dealers I've used, despite having cars at the "poverty" end of their range. Salesman/service were attentive, knowledgable and nothing was too much trouble.

Conversely, the Skoda dealer in Bournemouth was one of the worst dealers I've ever dealt with, closely followed by a Skoda dealer in Southampton.

Perhaps it's something to do with the sea air?

Chris

Conversely, the Skoda dealer in Bournemouth was one of the worst dealers I've ever dealt with, closely followed by a Skoda dealer in Southampton.

Perhaps it's something to do with the sea air?

Chris

That wouldn't be Sparshatts of Botley would it? SWMBO and I went in last year as she was interested in a Yeti. Couldn't be less helpful if he'd tried and never called back with info we asked for despite leaving several messages for him. On the flip side, their servicing and parts people are pretty good.

That wouldn't be Sparshatts of Botley would it? SWMBO and I went in last year as she was interested in a Yeti. Couldn't be less helpful if he'd tried and never called back with info we asked for despite leaving several messages for him. On the flip side, their servicing and parts people are pretty good.

Ah it wasn't them actually - it was the one down by St Mary's

I did have experience of Sparshatts years ago with the Scooby though and wasn't that impressed. They did redeem themselves (slightly) by sponsoring a Subaru event we arranged raising money for Mencap though

Chris

Ah it wasn't them actually - it was the one down by St Mary's

Chris

Oh, Freeborn. 'nuff said Not sure they sell Skoda's now, think they are ****roen only now.

I can understand their reluctance for you taking advantage of their demonstrator and then potentially going and placing an order online (presumably when they can't offer you the same price?) but who knows how the numbers stack up for them At the end of the day, there are plenty of dealers out there. I've always been treated exceptionally well at the 3 BMW dealers I've used, despite having cars at the "poverty" end of their range. Salesman/service were attentive, knowledgable and nothing was too much trouble.

Conversely, the Skoda dealer in Bournemouth was one of the worst dealers I've ever dealt with, closely followed by a Skoda dealer in Southampton.

Perhaps it's something to do with the sea air?

Chris

But that's what a demonstrator is for IMO, it should be in their best interest to let you drive it. No matter what. Who buys a car without driving one, unless your stupid IMO lol

Usually tho I don't discuss price until after the test drive

Edited 7 January, 201313 yr by wilsy7

I suppose it just comes down to rather than the marque having arseholes for dealers its just if a dealer is an arse he's an arse!

Skoda in Swansea are fantastic as are the Merc, VW and Audi dealers owned by the same group and the group that owns the Volvo, Mazda and Vauxhall dealers well lets just say the less said about them the better!

Sadly Trainers BMW of Swansea fall into the arsehole category.

A few will of heard me tell this tale. This is set 96/97 pre millennium bug, silly money being earnt by contractors, I was still learning...

A contractor friend, just over 6', bald as and short on his own words, not to dis-similar to Dr Evil from Austin Powers... Anyhow he got fed up decorating one afternoon, jumped in his m3 and drove to the local Porsche place, still in his decorating clothes.

Upon arrival he liked the look of a special posrche inside, lots of nice extras, looked the part. He asked one of the salesmen for info, he gave him the price. Prodded once more for a little bit more information he was told the price again.

Not being a many of many words he walked over to another desk, no doubt the youngest guy in the showroom. "you all work on comission correct?"

"Yes" came the reply.

"I'll buy that one then; pointing to the 68k Silver Porsche, thank you. "

Apparently the other guys face was a picture. I tell you now it was a lovely motor and of course this goes to show no matter who walks in, they could be your next best customer, a customer and more importantly an envoy, the dealer rep gets to decide if thats positive or negative.

Re the buying online, it 's a very common occurrence, even the Skoda guys I talk to are experiencing it. Spend ages working out a deal, then comes the reveal "Can you match drive the deal" while producing some papers from pocket.

This wastes everyones time, including the buyer. Although I'm led to believe their is less and less in any car new now, more so in the aftersales *cough* servicing.

But that's what a demonstrator is for IMO, it should be in their best interest to let you drive it. No matter what. Who buys a car without driving one, unless your stupid IMO lol

Usually tho I don't discuss price until after the test drive

My thoughts too. Even if you don't buy the car from them, if they're your local dealer chances are they'll be getting all service/warranty work (unless they alienate you!). . .

Only been into BMW once so far (to get some engine coolant) and they were pretty busy, but the parts guy seemed alright. Fast and polite, not really much else I could expect really. Not sure what the sales people were like, but they get good reviews.

BMW cars are emense.

The dealershpis are crap. same for Mini.

my misses wanted to test drive one a couple of months back. we had a Fiesta ST 09 plate to trade in and it showed we wernt short of cash either.

They refused her a test drive because they didnt think they would actually buy one LOL dicks.

How wrong they where! lost out on a sale.

I've experienced similar tbh, in BMW, Ford and Honda...

BMW wouldn't give me the time of day.

Honda wouldn't let me test drive a Type R GT (even though I had the money in my account to buy)

Ford, salesman was an obnoxious git, "oh you won't be able to afford one of these", "very well" I then walked out, rung a dealer from down south, got a very good trade in figure and I did the deal on a 6 month old Focus ST...

Drive into the original garage a few weeks later, the salesmanship face was a picture as he started quizzing me, it dropped further when I told him I bought it outright

just over a year ago,myself and my dad went to look at a new fabia(for my dad).He was looking at a straight cash sale.We went to our local dealership,done test drive and haggled a bit on the price.Dad was happy so i asked for a full tank of petrol.A firm no we only put £10 in the tank,company policy he said.I argued your getting £12,000 today,cash.Cut a long story short we both walked and they also lost my custom in the process...

A few will of heard me tell this tale. This is set 96/97 pre millennium bug, silly money being earnt by contractors, I was still learning...

A contractor friend, just over 6', bald as and short on his own words, not to dis-similar to Dr Evil from Austin Powers... Anyhow he got fed up decorating one afternoon, jumped in his m3 and drove to the local Porsche place, still in his decorating clothes.

Upon arrival he liked the look of a special posrche inside, lots of nice extras, looked the part. He asked one of the salesmen for info, he gave him the price. Prodded once more for a little bit more information he was told the price again.

Not being a many of many words he walked over to another desk, no doubt the youngest guy in the showroom. "you all work on comission correct?"

"Yes" came the reply.

"I'll buy that one then; pointing to the 68k Silver Porsche, thank you. "

Apparently the other guys face was a picture. I tell you now it was a lovely motor and of course this goes to show no matter who walks in, they could be your next best customer, a customer and more importantly an envoy, the dealer rep gets to decide if thats positive or negative.

That is a prime example of the snobbery amongst dealerships/ salespeople in this country. Me and the missus have been to a few showrooms in her hometown of Hamburg. The staff there are much more welcoming and don't seem to care if you come in wearing a top hat smoking a big cigar or if you come in in jodphurs and muddy boots (SWMBO :wonder: ). We were always treated as a customer and listened to.

Sales people in Britain could learn a thing or two IMHO.

I never made it to the showroom!

Turned up in my 12 year old Clio at my local kia dealer in my jeans and polo shirt (Clarkes of Kidderminster) when I was looking for a new car 16 months ago. I parked in the ONLY available place I could which was blocking a few cars in that had obviously been there for some time.

As I got out I was 'greeted' by a 'you can't park there' ****. To which I then politely enquired where should I park then as there was no where else short of blocking the workshop doors that had 'do not park in front of these dooors' on them. He quickly gathered I wasn't impressed with his attitude and started to mellow. Too late! He then asked if 'sir' was bringing his car in for a service (as if i would, it being a 12 year old piece of French **** !). No I replied I was looking to buy a new car, but wouldn't now be buying 1 from them. As he attempted to win me back over i just gave him a go away gesture with my hand (not the 'v's), got back into my Clio and drove off

The look on his face was a picture.

I later went to my Local Skoda dealer, same scruffy appearance, totally different treatment and am now on my 2nd Skoda.

So it's not just the 'premium' end that can be nobbers.

But that's what a demonstrator is for IMO, it should be in their best interest to let you drive it. No matter what. Who buys a car without driving one, unless your stupid IMO lol

That may be what you see a demonstrator as for, but it's only in their best interest if you then go on to buy from them. Otherwise, who picks up the tab if you have a good drive in it, decide you like it and then go online to buy it cos you can get it cheaper?

Would agree with you though - drive the car first then talk money

Chris

BMW seem only interested if you fit the stereotypical owner. It's like joining the freemasons it seems

BMW seem only interested if you fit the stereotypical owner. It's like joining the freemasons it seems

Sounds like the voice of disappointment

Chris

My best mate used to own a 1998 clio 1.2. He fancied a change so we went to the local bmw dealer as he fancied a 5 series. They had a 528i se up for 12995 and he went to enquire. The salesmans reply was come back when you can afford it. No chance of a test drive. Pretty gutted we then headed from Huntingdon to Downham Market where he saw a nice Volvo S80 2.5 tdi SE at 12995. Salesman was better than bmw but still kinda suggested that he couldnt afford it but was much more polite about it. He suggested checking his finances and coming back. So we did. We went home, got his parents and drove back. The salesman was happy for a unacompanied test drive. Drove it, went back, bought it. Job done.

Since then he has had a brand new Volvo S40, a brand new impreza wrx sti, a 06 Volvo S60 D5, a 53 plate Subaru Forrester and picks up a brand new Volvo C30 2.0 petrol R design on friday.

From a Clio to all these cars simply because of the service he gets. He has stuck with the same dealer since....

BMW...not a chance. The look on the salesmans face when we went back a couple of weeks later was a picture...

Auid dealer snobbery is why I bought my Skoda.

Went to the Audi dealer in Leeds looking at fairly new A4 TDI Estates.

They ignored me for 15 minutes as I wandered around then treated me like crap when I said what I wanted.

I went down the road to the Skoda dealer. Bloke walked out the front, lit up a fag, smiled and said "Alright mate, what can I do for you?"

I bought a brand new Octavia vRS from them the next day.

Sounds like the voice of disappointment

Chris

Good god no. I'd rather boil my own head than own a BMW.

I went to look at a citroen picasso for my sis at the weekend,it was priced at £5500,i offered £5000 & said i would pay for it there & then,salesman at citroen said no,£5500 take it or leave it.......we walked away. Forecourt was full of cars for sale,with that attitude im not surprised!

A local garage close to me wanted me to put a deposit down for a test drive! Erm... No!!

Then the one i bought my car from let me have it for a week to see if i liked it before i bought it! Now thats a good garage!!

I looked at a 520D SE (new), tested one, liked it, but didnt want to sign up the same day (it was north of £30k), but the salesman wouldnt refer me to the 'business manager' to get a figure unless I commited to buying it the same day, which is something I would never ever do.

So, walked out, only go back for the free coffee and nibbles if they have something on....

Will NEVER buy from Sytners BMW Nottingham.

RBW.