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!

They arent interested in cash sales!

Hire purchase and finance is what they want! Money isnt a bargain chip at all

Wasnt cash but was paying in full there & then with a debit card but i know what you mean,just spoke to my sis,he has rung her asking if we want to go back & have another look at the car,the price is open to some discount now.........lol,she told him to bog off! ha ha.

We have people come into work who are clearly after free advice and are not intending to buy from us. They get treated the same way as everyone else with the hope of converting them to our business.

IMO that is how they should look at it. "Sorry Sir we may not be able to match the online brokers price, but lets take you for a test drive and see if we can persuade you to buy from us, instead".

Bet she had nothing better to do, as well!

The wife and i Bought a bmw 120i back in 2005 from calderdon in inverness. The salesman was brian and he could not have been any better than he was, Considering we drove there in a renault megane 2003. Never at any point did the car ot the clothes we had on make any difference to how he treated us.

Have to say our local BMW dealer (Knights Stoke on Trent) are excellent always dealt with the same sales person.

Brought a new Mini Cooper off them for the wife in Sept 2009, then traded this against a new 1 series in April 2012. Both times faultless.

Popped in a couple of months ago to look at the 3 series as I can take one as a company car. Was in there a few minutes before the same sales person popped over to see what they could do to help. Explained I was just looking at the 3 series but wouldn't be buying myself as it would be a company car. Still offered a test drive in the exact spec car I have the option to take.

Stoke Audi total C**P was in the dealership for 20 minutes looking at a A4 S line. No one even bothered to come over or even acknowledge we were there and we were the only people in the dealership.

It's definately the dealer rather than the brand.

I don't dress flash, walked into an Audi dealer (having parked up right by the window looking at them in a Fabia Greenline II) and got a test drive there and then in a TT-RS.

Week later went to Nissan for a blast in a GT-R, again turning up in the Greenline Fabia.

Yet my local Land Rover place I've used for around 10 years and having already bought a couple of new Defenders there still seem completely unable to take me seriously or even contact me with details of new models when I go in a bit before and ask them to contact me when the info comes out. Hopeless.

The established salemen were not even interested in selling me the two Defenders so I bought them both off the new kid on training, which with the 2nd hand cars came to four vehicles he sold us in three years.

I think I'm supposed to wear a suit or something to be worth talking to. Not while I work for myself!

What it is with some dealerships in these hard times! Popped into a vw van centre in Hatfield recently to look at a few transporters. Not one person could be bothered to even look up to see me walking around the showroom. About 4 months ago my sister asked for some help buying a 10 plate zafira. Found one in borehamwood at a good price so popped down to have a look. Took ages for someone to come out eventually this cocky jumped up t**t comes out to talk us through the car, would of been nice if he knew what he was talking about!! So the cars up for 9995 and her trade in valued online around the 950 mark minimum. So we sit in the dealers ( drinking water, Skoda plyed me with plenty of proper coffee ) for around an hour haggling. With the talk, test drive and sit down chat we must of been there over 2 hours! They offered 950 px and she had 9k cash, do you think they would knock off the 45 quid- what a nightmare!! I told him outright that i know what im doing buying cars and dont need the constant bull**** stories about what/how/when/why its worth such and such which he didnt like so I say to my sister that were leaving and out comes the salesman offering 1100 for the px. What a complete waste of both our time bearing in mind she was only after 995 for it. When we said yes to the deal the salesman was like a kid that had been slapped by his mum sulking! If it wasn't such a good car ( as far a zafiras go ) we would of been off like a shot.

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

I turned down the Freemasons (seriously). You have to believe in a supreme being and apparently Susannah Reid doesn't count.

Off topic but sort of connected with the feel of the thread

People do make assumptions based on how you look though.

Today was a prime example. For work, I usually wear a pair of very faded

camo combat trousers and a sweatshirt which is coated with small

blobs of mastic and paint, today was no exception.

I arrived at my job and found an Audi A4 S line on an 07 plate

parked in the two spaces allocated to the house I'm working in.

There's easily room to park 2 cars there but this guy had decided he was

having them both, (sort of) neither of which he's entitled to park in as the

area is private property. I however have the owners permission to park there

as I am working in their house.

There was just about enough room for me to squeeze my van in there

leaving the Audi owner just about enough room to get back in his car.

I was tempted to fully take up the space to the right of his car which

would have meant he would not have been able to open his door at all.

I resisted the temptation though.

Half an hour after I started work there was a furious banging on the back door

so I come down to see the bloke whose car it was standing there red faced

and spoiling for an argument. So he got one, he was told in no uncertain terms

he wasn't supposed to be parked there and that if he'd taken up the one space

on the left instead of straddling them both then there would have been no problem.

As it turns out, he was quite a big fat bloke and he would have found it rather

difficult to get into his car through the drivers door given the space I'd left him

(enough for a normal person) After some shouting I grudgingly agreed to move my van.

Walking with him back toward the car and the van he muttered something

about how 'someone like me wouldn't know what it was like having a nice car'

to which I replied 'it's people like you that give the rest of us a bad name'

He looked at me with a snooty look on his face and said 'oh yeah what do you

drive then apart from that thing' (gesturing toward my van)

To which I said 'a newer and better audi than you mate' whipped the key out

of my pocket and dangled it at him.

His face was a picture. I then turned back toward the house and left him to

struggle getting into his car. I hope he didn't dent his door on my 'thing'

Bloody Audi drivers!

I have to say it is down to individual salesmen rather than brands or dealerships. The trouble is it puts you off returning to that dealership and usually the brand they represent, as you don't have an alternative place to buy the same brand from.

Worst experience was from BMW hull 2 years ago. I wanted to buy a 6m old 135i them. The car was found on their system but was located in Manchester. I asked how easy was it to view / test drive. He replied 'you don't need to. Would you like to buy if or not'. I was fully prepared to drive to Manchester to have a look but basically told not to bother, all 6m old BMW's will drive like new.

The salesmen rang me a week later to see if I still wanted to buy it. I had great pleasure in telling him I had just bought a brand new vRS.

I'd agree it's the salesman and not the dealership mostly. Been into the same Audi dealer a couple of times. Once to look at an older A4 2.5tdi (before the VRS), the A4 had a flat battery, salesman apologised and offered me a test drive of a brand new A4 2.0. I told him there was no way I'd buy it but he said take it for a run anyway if I liked. Second time we were in for SWMBO to look at an A3, plank of a salesman tried to sell her the car by revving the engine since he couldn't be bothered to move it out.

Have found Vauxhall salesmen to be the most pushy over the years.

Usually I avoid the younger salesmen since they are almost feral and can't see past the 'selling for dummies' training they've had. SWMBOs BMW salesguy was a rare exception.

Edited 8 January, 201313 yr by Aspman

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.

The majority of Sinclair garages are good. Heard a few bad stories from one but the majority good. Skoda always have time for me, rung me when the new Fabia vRS first came out to let me have a go. Couldn't buy it at the time but a year later I did and mainly down to how good the dealer is. All of FRF are an absolute shower. Quite like the look of the new Astra VXR but I'd never get one knowing I'd have to deal with them.

Trainers used to have the Skoda franchise in Gorseinon until I heard that they were being "naughty" with warranty claims. Don't know exactly what but I know first hand that they didn't try to fix my leaking doors the first time, second time it was sort of done but then I had to redo them 6 months later. They didn't last long with Skoda anyway. BMW didn't have much time for me when I wanted to look at the M135i. Used in a year or two it could be an option. Said they didn't have one then when I went outside it was sitting behind some fencing. Won't be bothering again.

Renault in Kidwelly let me test drive a Clio Sport unaccompanied which was fantastic but wouldn't budge at all on the 18k asking price even though I knew of dealers selling them a lot less than that. Renault Cardiff didn't get back to me at all. Mazda was good with the MPS, no problems with test drive and as long as the fuel lasted which in one of those wasn't that long. They drink fuel. Honda Civic Type-R was accompanied and wasn't the best of drives. Constantly pestered to buy even weeks later by phone. They had quite a few there, even a Mugen tuned one in white so I'm guessing they were struggling to sell them.

Think some are better than others and some can't be arsed. Doesn't take much to be friendly and accommodating. Even if the sale isn't made then I could go back in the future if it's a good experience

I had problems with Sytner MINI Oldbury but a quick email to head office sorted most of the problems.

Salesman was great, it's management and after care that needs work.

Skoda Stourbridge was good, so much so that I bought a Fabia that day!

The truly worst experiences that I have ever had have been with my local Mazda dealer, so much so that I now travel 35miles to another.

Mind you, they have not been great...maybe it's all of them...?

....or me..?

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

What they dropped Hyundai too?

What they dropped Hyundai too?

AFAIK, yes. Think it's just ****roen and the motorhomes they do there now. Richmond Hyundai on West Quay Rd.

I went into a BMW dealer in my college uniform and got asked did I need any help lol more courtesy than anything I'd suspect but still shows Alot of manners

Next time don't talk money until you have had a test drive

Issue i had was getting them to even talk to me in the first place!

Right...... When I was suffering a mid life crisis I fancied a Harley- I'd been on Holiday and bought a copy of what bike at the airport before I went. by the end of the holliday it was like a top shelfer-pages all stook together (sun cream!)

So I ring the Harley dealer at Worcester on the Thursday and arrange a test ride on the Sunday explaining I had no part ex when I made the booking. SWMBO wanted to go shopping so came along with the kids and dropped me off at the dealers. So we were on 'her' time, i.e. 1/2 hr late. Into the dealers I go and some nice lady asks if she can help. I explained that I'd rung and booked up a test drive on the Thursday and appologised for being a little late. No problem, she'd go and find the salesman and he would be with you shortly. I see her talk to some bloke and expect him to come and see me. No such luck. 1/2 hr later I've had enough of looking at the harley clothing, so I go and ask her where the salesman is. she confirms it was the bloke she talked to earlier and was surprised he'd not seen me, by now he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually he comes back into the showroom and I again expect him to come over. You know the answer.... he goes and makes himself a coffee then starts taliking to some of his harley mates. I eventually get p*ssed off so go across and introduce myself in a not impressed voice. His opener was I was late, to which I replied not as late as him because by now I'd been waiting for over 1 hour. The fool then asked me what I'd come to test drive! I suggested he go and look in the diary and find out for himself. Things were going swimmingly. Not. Trouble is SWMBO was away with the transport and I was miles from anywhere....with no mobile-left it at home. So Johnny salesman comes back. Sorry the Dynaglide piece of Americana you've booked a test drive on is out .... on a test drive. Nice. when will it be back I asked. tonight was the reply. Great. so he gets another HD Dyna out, 'very similar' according to him. So off I go. I use the term lightly. after a series or roundabouts and 40 limit I get to 'the open road' and follow a few cars. Nice piece of straight, nothing coming. Time for an overtake me thinks. Open throttle. 1500cc of Americas finest does....nothing! apart from growl. So I return to the dealer, brakes are cr*p, handles like a barge. You're back quick he said. Yes I replied, I can tell within the first mile or so if I like a bike (of not). What did you think he asked.

Well, It didn't go, it didn't stop and it didn't handle, but it looks nice parked up, says I. By some miricle SWMBO turns up. We leave. Another dream shattered.

I bought my 123d M sport from Eastern BMW in the luxury car village in Newbridge. From the very first visit and the £220 Venture photo vouchers and chocolates on collection I was treated like Royalty. Buying a £25000 car in a garage that sells £80000 M devision cars I was treated no differently.

Peter Vardy was the exact opposite. When I mention the condition of the cars he said " if you buy the car ill have the front end fully re painted". " this car hasn't been through the workshop yet" etc. Then a few days later in his follow up. I told him I wasn't interested anymore he got a snooty down the phone saying I've wasted his time and was a complete tit. Guess I won't be back there again. I might not of purchased in that particular time but there's always another time but he ruined that for himself. Shocking really.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk whilst in a taxi rank

It seems everyone has a story to tell and I know I should never mention the financial aspects of a deal until after the drive but it just came about while waiting for them to bring the car around to test. I'd said I'd heard there were some good deals to be had.

What's clear from the above is that this type of experience really isn't limited to a certain brand of car, or even group of garages but individuals. Short-sighted, ignorant, sometimes rude individuals. I think that the training offered must be geared to getting the deal done today rather than see the bigger picture and form a relationship. I know that some customers are difficult to deal with and some sales-guys must become cynical to this but how do you know that the guy with the ripped jeans and £10 Casio watch won't drop £30k on a new car?

On reading the tales above I was reminded of a time long ago I test drove an A4, and whilst driving I asked him some questions about the 3 Series and C Class (engine and DPF type stuff) and he gave me a patronising laugh and asked if I knew I was driving an Audi? He was properly tickled that I was so stupid to ask such things. It was then that I pointed out that I work (at the time) in IT and that a good account manager would need to know their competitors product inside and out, would have learnt cribs sheets of the good and bad points of all products in the marketplace and know what awkward questions might be asked and know how to answer them. Only the lazy, useless, unsuccessful ones would expect the product to sell itself. I said I now know why your still selling cars at your age and not running the franchise. That was towards the start of the test drive so the next 15 minutes were in almost total silence except for my wife (at the time) leaning forward from the back seat and asking the occasional question but looking at me for the answer.

FYI, I bought a 330i and kept it for 4 years :-)

I get treated differently depending on if my wife is there or not, my dress sense never changes jeans t shirt and trainers, I'm generally unshaven too, if I wear one of my nice watches occasionally a salesman may notice but on most visits I am greeted with a look that says "call security", however if my wife is with me what a different story!!! We are pounced on from the moment someone sees us lol, I guess unlike me the salesman can tell tailored clothes, jimmy choo shoesand bags from matalans finest!!!!!

I get treated differently depending on if my wife is there or not, my dress sense never changes jeans t shirt and trainers, I'm generally unshaven too, if I wear one of my nice watches occasionally a salesman may notice but on most visits I am greeted with a look that says "call security", however if my wife is with me what a different story!!! We are pounced on from the moment someone sees us lol, I guess unlike me the salesman can tell tailored clothes, jimmy choo shoesand bags from matalans finest!!!!!

Same as scratchcard touts on holiday it's easier to get a sale when both halves of a couple are there. The excuse "I'll have to run it past the wife" doesn't apply do there is more chance of a sale there and then.

If you go abroad where there are those scratchcard gits try it. Walk alone then walk with your wife. No one will bother with you if you're on your own.

mmmm BMW salesman, A few years ago I was interested in the 1 Series when they first come out. On hearing from other people that the rear seating was really tight I made a visit to the local Bavarian showroom, in my lunchtime, just to try out the rear seat for space, found a sales guy and asked if I could check out the space in the car and no that was not possible he said "please take a seat at my desk and I I'll take a few details from you" after 40 mins. I had enough of answering questions and having a lecture on why BMW cars are good at this and that, I just said don't bother and walked out, as others say it could been a sale for him but some people just don't listen.