There is no doubt that Audi provide interiors of rare quality and generally well made mixtures of largely familiar components.

What they also seem to have successfully achieved is a perception of status which induces an arrogance in some of their drivers and many of their staff. Their current policy of making SUVs in a succession of even more bloated sizes has led to too many people who have vehicles far too large for their skill and environment which is a nuisance in a city like St Albans. I also don't like their very brash DRLs which appear to be designed by the guy who created Dame Edna's specs.

They are deliberately overpriced and I'm sure wouldn't encourage any custom based on value-they prefer people who don't want cheap.

After buying six cars from my friendly Skoda dealer (West End Skoda) I expect the same service when ever I approach any car dealer.

Having begun to think of what could replace the Yeti with (99% likely to be another Skoda from West End!) I have looked in two Audi dealers ... one in Edinburgh and one in Striling ... still waiting for someone to approach me after probably 30 minutes stamping around in both! Landrover .... two locals ones as above, no one in the least interested, third one in Bannockburn was up for a chat and giving the info required. How much does it cost them to say 'hello ... can I help you?'

When I purchased our Octavia a few years ago I ordered a Black Magic Touch Up Pen. There was a paper sticker over it I peeled it back and it revealed a painted on Audi cicles logo and the colour was Audi Volcano Black, I would bet the snob value of buying this identical paint from Audi would have been around 40% higher in cost than the re-labelled Skoda part. It makes you wonder what other parts the Audi owners are being ripped off for when they could find a cheaper Skoda alternative.

[

This reminds me of a few other experiences longer ago.

Subaru/Lotus (same dealer, different visits) - both excellent; no pressure but no hesitation in offering a test drive of a good length. Toyota - appalling - had to physically corner one of the sales****s just to unlock a showroom car to see the inside! Land Rover were great - straight out in an Evoque without an appointment and again helpful and friendly. BMW were worst of all - our commercial director has an M3 and as I was passing the dealer asked me to drop the spare key in as it was in for a service. They wouldn't let me park at the dealer - had to go to a Pay and Display 100 yards away. Then I was studiously ignored until I barged into one of the glass offices and demanded to see the manager. He was very apologetic but the experience was enough to ensure I'll never buy a BMW. I was in a suit and everything. Scum, the lot of them.

After buying six cars from my friendly Skoda dealer (West End Skoda) I expect the same service when ever I approach any car dealer.

Having begun to think of what could replace the Yeti with (99% likely to be another Skoda from West End!) I have looked in two Audi dealers ... one in Edinburgh and one in Striling ... still waiting for someone to approach me after probably 30 minutes stamping around in both! Landrover .... two locals ones as above, no one in the least interested, third one in Bannockburn was up for a chat and giving the info required. How much does it cost them to say 'hello ... can I help you?'

Have you ever graced Arnold Shark at the other end of Broxburn with your presence? (Assuming that's the West end you mean Ofcourse ). What a stark contrast in sales techniques. When looking for my current Skoda (yesyes, it's not a Yeti, but I come in peace) stopped in there on the way by for laugh, pounced on within minutes of stepping out of the car, 'sales'man already armed with possible trade ins for what we arrived in , which wasn't what was being exchanged anyway .

Also, West End now run the Skoda just around the corner from Audi in Sighthill, but I trust you knew this

I always find it funny that people pay a premium for an A1, A3 etc. and depending on model engines, gearboxes plus suspension could actually be from Skoda

TP

No, we're not snobs, we just know a good deal when we see one. I was staying with friends near Nottingham a few years ago & they liked the Octy L&K estate I had at the time. They'd had Astras for quite a few years, fancied a change, so on my recommendation, headed for the nearest Skoda shop. Big mistake. Unfortunately for me & the garage, we were totally ignored by all sales staff, even when sniffing around the show models, opening doors, boots, sitting inside to gauge space, you know, the usual thing. I apologised to my friends on behalf of Skoda owners, but not the dealers, as I had always had great service from the dealers I've used. Needless to say, Skoda's loss, Vauxhall's gain.

Donkeys years ago a friend took charge of his first (small) dealership-ended up running Dovercourt- but then at an early stage of his career. First day he turned up he walked in to the showroom and was ignored by a salesman just sitting at his desk reading a paper. Waited a minute or two and then went over to the guy and asked his name and added "hand over your keys and clear your desk"

The woeful treatment you -and I -have received is the fault of management.

At about that time I went to look at a Golf and the salesman couldn't be bothered to even show me one let alone try to help.

His boss should have been shot for tolerating useless behaviour.

I had exactly this ^^ experience here at a VW dealership, must write to them and thank them; it was after my visit there that I found the Skoda garage :-)

I suspect that the vast majority of car salesmen are born pessimists, I wonder what they think a potential customer looks like.

Over the last few years I have been involved in the purchase of no less than 5 new cars across a range of manufacturers. During the selection period we went to a number of dealers to investigate our options. Almost without fail we were made to feel as if.... Select one from the following!

Wearing a Harry potter invisibility cloak

We had trodden in dog sith

We had the plague

We were criminals

We were time wasters etc etc

After a couple of examples of this treatment, we decided to have some fun. On entering a showroom and making "we want to buy a car signals without reaction" we would approach the receptionist or any other person who was most definitely not a salesman and say in a very loud voice things along the lines of.

"Do you employ car salesmen here"

"Can you tell me where I can buy a (insert make and model)"

"Are you closed"

Quite often in these open plan buildings, the manager child would stick his head above his parapet, to see what all the fuss was about.

It was quite amazing to see them squirm after that..

Some up market dealers have a rather anachronistic view that they somehow need to imitate some of the more wealthy potential customers, in a naive view that it will somehow encourage them to feel more comfortable. The disguise is often highly unconvincing, and not to dissimilar from young wannabe recruitment "consultants".

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I think with some 'Sales Execs' it may be more down to the brand/dealership that they work for and are trained to work in a certain way. How they perceive the 'training' to how it should actually happen in real life can be a million miles away.

As stever puts above, it may be a case of "don't pounce on them and they will feel comfortable". Very true, but if you don't even crack a smile your buggered (not literally ). Common courtesy doesn't cost a thing, a quick hello, morning, evening, something, just to quickly catch the customers attention. You don't need to swarm over a customer like a Jack Russell on heat, to coin an old phrase "build it and they will come" - Morning, that's the first building block done and you can go on from there.

Anyway, enough of my teachings for the day, by no means am I perfect, but at the end of the day, any one who steps foot in my showroom gets acknowledged.

On our first visit to Hughes, it looked as if everyone was honestly busy so we helped ourselves to the showroom Yeti - well, to a good look round; they hadn't left the keys in it :evil: . After five minutes or so, another staff member came in (she had just returned from a demo, I think), smiled at us as she passed and said "Hello! Are you alright? Do you need any help?".

Instant rapport.

Anyway, enough of my teachings for the day, by no means am I perfect, but at the end of the day, any one who steps foot in my showroom gets acknowledged.

And gets a prompt reply to an email - even if its only a speculative one!

Popped into my local Jaguar dealer, the man on the service desk was drinking out of a mug that said HOT WATER (with no space) on it in big black letters, except when a hot liquid was put into it the letters HO ER changed to the same colour as the mug. I did laugh.

I don't think that the folks at Audi have ever got over the Skoda badge appearing on parts of their cars and the spares packaging.

They would be even more upset if they took one of the spares out of the packaging to see " MADE IN CHINA " on it.

According to this table:

http://www.am-online.com/new-car-sales-figures/

For 2011, Audi were the 4th highest selling brand:

1 - Ford - 13.81%

2 - Vauxhall - 12.09%

3 - VW - 9.22%

4 - Audi - 5.92%

5 - BMW - 5.91%

.

.

16 - Skoda - 2.32%

Just think what they could do if they bothered to try!!

Popped into my local Jaguar dealer, the man on the service desk was drinking out of a mug that said HOT WATER (with no space) on it in big black letters, except when a hot liquid was put into it the letters HO ER changed to the same colour as the mug. I did laugh.

I don't think that the folks at Audi have ever got over the Skoda badge appearing on parts of their cars and the spares packaging.

My local dealer does Audi, Volkswagen, and Skoda in the one service centre.

But you wouldn't know it. While the parts department carries Mopar merchandise for the Chrysler franchise next door, only Audi and VW logos can be found anywhere in the service area.

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Audi 'salesman' don't sell cars they are not trained for that. They are automated robots.. They are not programed to have a personality or anything else for that matter. They are not judging you, they don't know how too.

Its the ' Audi branding' that sells the car not the 'salesman', in fact the 'salesman/person' is irrelevant. Most people who want to buy an Audi have already made their mind up before walking into the showroom. They simply go up to these 'automated representatives of Audi' and say "I want to but a 'Q7" and that is it, deal done. There is NO SELLING INVOLVED.

Don't take offence, just be patronisingly sorry for them.

Edited 21 March, 201313 yr by MCAMRA

Personally I have used many Skoda Dealers in and around Colchester, VW in Colchester and Audi in Chelmsford. Skoda and Audi have been great in all respects, and I agree audi dealerships are immaculate, but when I wanted some parts from VW they were quite rude and sent me to a shed away from the main building. I headed out of the showroom and went over to Skoda to point at the part I wanted and order it from them.

I wonder why they dont just have VAG dealerships, we all know the cars are very similar. I guess there are too many VW and audi owners who wont admit it?

Audi 'salesman' don't sell cars they are not trained for that. They are automated robots.. They are not programed to have a personality or anything else for that matter. They are not judging you, they don't know how too.

Its the ' Audi branding' that sells the car not the 'salesman', in fact the 'salesman/person' is irrelevant. Most people who want to buy an Audi have already made their mind up before walking into the showroom. They simply go up to these 'automated representatives of Audi' and say "I want to but a 'Q7" and that is it, deal done. There is NO SELLING INVOLVED.

Well I have to admit in my last three cars I only test drove the one I knew I was going to buy. I read enough car magazines and know enough about cars to know what I want. So with my previous car (an Audi) I was one of these sad people that just walked in knowing what I wanted right down to the last option and colour. All I needed the "audimatronic robot" for was to play two dealers against each other to get the best discount. Which I got at Docklands Audi London.

So all in all I really do not care how they treat me in there - though all things being equal I would of course prefer a decent experience. If you are so fickle as to not buy the exact thing you want because some sales person slighted you, then I'm sorry you will end up owning an inferior car or not the one you really wanted. You only deal with said salesperson for a few hours but will own the car for many, many hours and years more. So why on earth base your view of the brand and the specific car you're after on the sales experience at one dealer? Utter madness.

My view is to do your own homework, know what you want to the last option, visit forums like this and only walk into a dealership knowing exactly how much you should pay for exactly the car you want.

I wonder why they dont just have VAG dealerships, we all know the cars are very similar. I guess there are too many VW and audi owners who wont admit it?

Go and ask any combined Chevy and Opel dealer in Europe this question. They STRUGGLE like mad to shift the Chevies BECAUSE they are sold under the same roof as the Opels with which some of their cars share many parts - most are Korean in origin though. Most people realise all VAG cars share bits but in my view a big secret to their success is exactly the fact that they have separate dealers (even though next to each other some times) to keep each brand's identity. It's entirely psychological and doesn't make sense but that is just how the human mind works.

Have a look at this article on Automotive news. Or click here:

http://shar.es/jQz79

(Automotive news is sub only so sometimes their URL links work and sometimes they don't - so just shout if it doesn't and I'll paste the article).

My view is to do your own homework, know what you want to the last option, visit forums like this and only walk into a dealership knowing exactly how much you should pay for exactly the car you want.

I'm the same, do your homework..choose the car...and then find a dealer who wants to do a good deal. If they cant do a good deal, walk out and find someone who can. Any salesman worth his salt, will not care if you are dressed as 'biffo the clown' or 'Mr Tumble' he just wants your sale.

Edited 21 March, 201313 yr by MCAMRA

Well I have to admit in my last three cars I only test drove the one I knew I was going to buy. I read enough car magazines and know enough about cars to know what I want. So with my previous car (an Audi) I was one of these sad people that just walked in knowing what I wanted right down to the last option and colour. All I needed the "audimatronic robot" for was to play two dealers against each other to get the best discount. Which I got at Docklands Audi London.

So all in all I really do not care how they treat me in there - though all things being equal I would of course prefer a decent experience. If you are so fickle as to not buy the exact thing you want because some sales person slighted you, then I'm sorry you will end up owning an inferior car or not the one you really wanted. You only deal with said salesperson for a few hours but will own the car for many, many hours and years more. So why on earth base your view of the brand and the specific car you're after on the sales experience at one dealer? Utter madness.

My view is to do your own homework, know what you want to the last option, visit forums like this and only walk into a dealership knowing exactly how much you should pay for exactly the car you want.

As always, Johann, good sense, but our power as consumers depends on exercising choice. I choose not to deal with people who treat me as a dope. In almost every purchase you can choose who to deal with.

I'm the same, do your homework..choose the car...and then find a dealer who wants to do a good deal. If they cant do a good deal, walk out and find someone who can. Any salesman worth his salt, will not care if you are dressed as 'biffo the clown' or 'Mr Tumble' he just wants your sale.

If Mr Tumble walked in here I think I would have to question both my sanity and his

The Audi showroom I went to in Canary Wharf was quite good.

I turned up in a jumper and jeans driving a Fabia Greenline.

Parked right outside the showroom window in one of the display spaces

They took me out for a test drive in a TT-RS and I put a deposit down there and then on a new one.

Mind you, while haggling the sales manager did walk outside and proceed to ask all his minions who the Skoda belonged to.

When I told him it was mine, he said they were quite good cars Skodas, part of the same group.

So they are not all that bad.

Never got the car though... took a test drive in a GT-R two weeks later.

By comparison I was in Romford Audi a few months before and they were uptight.

Wouldn't even knock £400 off the S5 in the showroom so I could have it there and then.

In hindsight, probably a good thing.

BTW, Audi are better than Skoda.

They do have a nicer interior and a better choice of options amongst other things.

It's just that the price does not reflect the difference IMO.

You pay 20-30% more for a car that's 5-10% better.

For me the only reason to get an Audi is if you want one that does not have a Skoda/VM clone brother.

Like the S5, TT-RS, R8 etc...