Does anyone here do this? I don't know why, but I like the idea of test driving motors with absolutely no intetion of following it through.... However I just couldn't do it.... Is it me adhering to some morals, or what?

Maybe its just me being in the situation of never wanting to get rid of my car, but I just couldn't bring myself to walk into a dealer, go for a spin, then walk away, "bye!" - Almost feels like stealing.

I might put morals aside for the new octy vRS though. "boy, this is slow!"

Yup, turned up at a TVR dealership in my suit and had a go in a cerbera after a bit of waffle to the salesman. Eventually got invited to one of their sales/trackdays too

Does anyone here do this? I don't know why' date=' but I like the idea of test driving motors with absolutely no intetion of following it through.... However I just couldn't do it.... Is it me adhering to some morals, or what?

Maybe its just me being in the situation of never wanting to get rid of my car, but I just couldn't bring myself to walk into a dealer, go for a spin, then walk away, "bye!" - Almost feels like stealing.

I might put morals aside for the new octy vRS though. "boy, this is slow!" [/quote']

*cough* they are

really was nice turning up at college in a brand new focus lol! Haven't tried it on with skoda as i want to keep on their good side... but a superb for 24h really does appeal!

I've been doing this for a couple of years now - just don't do it too often as they might remember you.

Amazing how much staff turnover some dealers have.

The key is to express an interest in a slower model and let them upsell to you - they'll all do it

I had a whiz in the Alfa GT 3.2, it was great - I was up front with the salesman and told him that I wouldn't be even looking for a new car for a couple of years. He was fine about it.

Quite fancy a drive of the Focus ST - Ford are having a Test Drive bonanza sometime in January so I might go then.

I don't really like the idea of wasting a salesperson's time myself.

but a superb for 24h really does appeal!

Go for it, managed to do 450 miles:thumbup:

Don't feel bad about test driving it's good fun:thumbup:

Only ever test driven one car without any intention of buying it. It was an Honda S2000 and the local dealer has a guy who's job it is to take poeple out on test drives at the weekend. That way you dont waste salesmen's time.

I wouldnt do it at the weekend if I was going to prevent the sales guy earning his comission though.

Having said that, Motorworld VW in Oxford have their ex-demo Golf GTi with DSG up for sale............ very tempting.......

Don't feel bad about test driving it's good fun:thumbup:

And don't forget that whilst you might not be in the market for a particular car now you may be soon - I drove the Furby on the back of the Auto Express Greatest Drives thing just so I could slate it - didn't want one at all.

Our local Skoda dealer just gives you the keys and lets you get on with it:eek:

I don't really like the idea of wasting a salesperson's time myself.

They are still getting paid, and you never know, they may just talk you into it

*cough* they are

without scientific type tests and video evidence i think that this should be stricken from the record

I guess it happens in all sorts of trades, probably the motor trade more but I sell telephone systems and it really opened my eyes during the first couple of months.

Travel to see someone, spend a couple of hours on site, back to the ffice to draft the quote and email/post the quote back so it could take up to a day of traveling and working for the customer to say "we're not bothering anymore".

Then again it could be my sales technique or the Skoda giving the wrong impression to the customers .

Myself I would never waste any sales persons time. I did actually feel quite bad when the bloke from Derek Slacks Skoda put a lot of effort in and was really prompt with the quotes when my boss just went to another company and leased the car. I felt like ringing up and apologising for wasting his time!

I guess it happens in all sorts of trades' date=' probably the motor trade more but I sell telephone system and it really opened my eyes during the first couple of months.

Travel to see someone, spend a couple of hours on site, back to the ffice to draft the quote and email/post the quote back so it could take up to a day of traveling and working for the customer to say "we're not bothering anymore".

Then again it could be my sales technique or the Skoda giving the wrong impression to the customers .

Myself I would never waste any sales persons time. I did actually feel quite bad when the bloke from Derek Slacks Skoda put a lot of effort in and was really prompt with the quotes when my boss just went to another company and leased the car. I felt like ringing up and apologising for wasting his time![/quote']

Pretty much sums it up Dave.

Sales staff are paid a low basic with the rest of there salary made up from bonus's based on sales and profit retained in those sales.

A salesman's basic will quite often be below £10k.

There is nothing wrong with just roadtesting for the sake of it, and indeed based on the way the salesmen deals with you it could lead to a sale at a later date.

However there are a small number of people who will come in and take a great deal of a salemans time going into fine detail of what they want spec etc getting finance quotes roadtesting and even locating a suitable model for them.

I'm thinking of a particular case where a customer was looking for an A8 - went down all the avenues including introducing himself to the service dept and enquiring about maintenance and the like

We had finace papers lined up and found a suitable car in Glasgow, the guy was like o yes fantastic cant wait I'd love that one.

The salesman used his day off to go and collect the car himself,as the transport company couldnt get it.

We get the car ready and valeted and he comes down - roadtest's this car and says he loves it -BUT he's going to buy a mercedes "because all his friends have them"

Fair enough you might think,untill one week later - in he walks large as life having parked his NEW A8 outside,in he comes finds the salesman involved and ask him if he would run him through the controls ????

Why? - he used a broker to find the car -- saved a whole £800 but the car was delivered by truck dropped on his drive and he was left to his own devices -- no handover or guidance on the many systems on the car.

I thought the salesman was going to deck him !!

Sales staff are paid a low basic with the rest of there salary made up from bonus's based on sales and profit retained in those sales.

A salesman's basic will quite often be below

He would have done better to admit the reason for not buying it rather that telling some BS. Stupid fool.

He would have done better to admit the reason for not buying it rather that telling some BS. Stupid fool.

Exactly - if he had I think the salesman would have been fine about it -- and probably would have glady helped him, we can't always match deals - that's the way it is -- but what a jerk the guy was.

We got our own back tho - he had to bring the car in for Warranty work,we booked him in no problem, offered him a courtesy car - no problem.

On the day in he comes -- have you got your drivers licence Sir ?

Yes here you go!

Oh dear, I see you have a ban on your licence ?

Yes - so!

If you want to get home before tea - you best start walking - you cant have a courtesy car with a driving ban within the last 5 years.

Not for me!

*Must not drive better model - will want one* :mecry:

:bike:

LOL

Mo

Driven Lotus Elise and MG TF on a whim but the Lotus was a story that broke my heart. The salesman left me in the showroom for fifty minutes although I'd booked the drive and was so embarresed about it he invited me to Snetterton for a Lotus buyers trackday. Must be some sort of devine intervention as my car packed up on the M11, never got there.

If the garage are happy for you to drive something why not take advantage. I'm forever getting updates on new models from various car companies, and there is often an test drive invite in it.

I don't take them up very often, but it can open your eyes and make you look at things differently.

Whilst I have respect for a salesman's time (being one myself, although not cars), I'm sure they only do it because it is a proven way to sell cars, and a way to make people change their mind about a particular model or brand.

When I was looking for my last company car, I went to the local Toyota dealer, as the Avensis is our "benchmark" car, setting the monthly lease value which we are allowed. I just fancied a quick 20 mins to get an initial impression but when I told them it was going to be a company car (with no guarantee of them getting the business) they seemed to lose interest in taking me out, and just took my details to pass on to Toyota fleet. Then a few weeks later I got a fone call from the fleet department to say they would be delivering me a car at work the following day. It was the exact model, engine and spec I was considering, and they left it with me for 3 days. The driver had driven nearly 200 miles to drop it off, followed by a colleague who was taking him back. There was 3/4 tank of diesel, and they said to just leave them enough to get to the nearest filling station. Great service, but after 20 mins I had decided I didn't want one - they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if the dealer had given me a quick spin!

I've blagged a drive of the Mk5 GTI, The New Focus, A Vectra GSi, which was funny 'cos when the salesman asked me what i thought, I told him that My MK2 16V was quicker (Which it was) and just got in my car and drove away

Hopefully going to go for a play in a Phaeton with me Dad next weekend!!!! Have you seen the deals on them!!!