... that expects car sales people to at least show (a) a bit of respect (b) a reasonable knowledge of their marque and (c) at least appear vaguely interested in selling cars!

 

On Saturday I subjected myself and my wife to visiting a VW dealer, a Skoda dealer (who has supplied my last 2 Superbs) and a Seat dealer, all in Ipswich.  First off, the VW dealer.  Lady on reception greeted us warmly and when I explained we were interested in looking at the Tiguan they had in the showroom, she invited us to go ahead, open all the doors, have a good sit in, etc.  When finished we were approached by a sales person.  I explained my situation (current Superb is on PCP which ends next April.  I am considering either a Tiguan, an Ateca or Octavia all with the 1.4/1.5 TSI engine with cylinder deactivation and understand that there may be a long wait, hence looking at my options now, not waiting until March).  Salesman then proceeds to extol the benefits of GAP insurance, dent insurance and paint protection.....  He then checks his stock list to get me interested in a R line diesel 4WD with DSG as they have plenty of those available - he even checked with his manager who has a "secret" list of other cars he is not privy to.  This leaves us hanging around for 10 minutes (must be a long list).  Not surprising, no 1.4 petrols to be had.  He then looks over my Superb, compliments me on its condition and takes it for a short test run (with me as passenger) to "check the gearbox is OK".  The test consisted of putting the car in sixth gear at 20 mph!  WTF!  This is MY car he is abusing.  After another lengthy spell at his desk (with him disappearing regularly) my wife points out that, no, we are not ready to order, we need to do a long test drive of at least 2 hours.  Sharp intake of breadth from the salesman - "we don't normally do that, after all someone from the dealership has to accompany you as it is illegal for you to drive on your own with trade plates".  Really?  Just about every demo I have driven in the past 20 years I have been given the keys and told to enjoy the drive!  A test drive has been arranged but I'm expecting it to be in an R line diesel 4WD with DSG so quite what that will tell me about the Tiguan I'm interested in, who knows?  I'm very tempted to stick it into top gear at 20 mph......

 

(pause for breadth)... then onto the Skoda dealer.  They were expecting me as the meeting had been arranged and this was a far more pleasant experience.  Although the purpose of the meeting was allegedly for "an account review as required by Skoda 'cos you are on PCP finance" we all know it was an opportunity for changing my car early.  I sat in an Octavia SEL (very nice and more plush than the Tiguan) and a 2 hour test drive has been arranged, no problem.  The salesman will do his utmost to get a car closely matching the model I'm interested in (SEL petrol, manual).  He did lose some points for insisting the current 1.4 150 PS Octavia has cylinder deactivation, until he checked with someone.

 

(pause for another breadth).... then onto Seat after a much needed break for lunch.  Walk into showroom, ignored by all staff.  Spot an Ateca in the far corner so go and have a look.  After a few minutes sales guy comes over asks if he can help - I explain that we are just finishing looking at the car and will be done in a couple of minutes.  His reply?  "Well I might be busy with another customer then".  Anyway, we tracked him down (not difficult, apart from one other couple the place was deserted) and I explained the situation.  He had a brief look on his system but again no petrol models in sight in the specification I want.  I then asked him when it was likely the Ateca will get the new 1.5 TSI engine and his reply? "Seat don't tell us anything, they keep us in the dark, probably won't know until the day before".  Ho hum.  He then asks me why I'm interested in an SUV as I currently have an estate, then recommends I buy a VW Passat!  I explained that no, I'm interested specifically in the Ateca and could I arrange a 2 hour test drive?  Apparently this is unheard of but he will see what he can do.  He scribbled my name and phone number on a scrap of paper and explained that as two sales persons had left he probably wouldn't be able to ring me so as an afterthought took my email address as well.  Not holding out much hope of a follow up communication from him.

 

Now, maybe this is how it has always been and because I really love my Superb and feel it is too soon to consider parting with it I am finding fault with car sales people.  Previously I have yearned for a  particular car, in fact set my heart on it and no amount of gap insurance spiel or complete indifference would dampen my enthusiasm.  As it is, my wife and left came home from the experience last Saturday relieved it was over!

A great salesperson is one who actually cares about what you want, rather than what he can flog you today.

Let's know if you find one.

Buddy, you've met him.

 

Anyone who can flog modern Peugeot's in Australia must be a genius.

Is it just you? Probably by now yes.

 

It's the norm that I go to a forecourt and know more than the dealer about the car.

Big chains are about moving stock not selling you a particular car and they are under pressure to sell extras like GAP and paint protection because they generate more profit for the dealer than the car sales probably.

 

Same story with having to run to the 'boss' to ok things, it's normal practice though I'm not sure how it's supposed to sell a car.

 

They do get upset when you call out this BS.

 

My suggestion is to tell them up front what you want. If it's reasonable and they're not interested or start playing games, leave.

 

There are lot more salesmen than car-salesmen out there. They've moved from phones to cars to insurance etc. They makes their money by moving product whatever it is.

 

Now you know the game you can work around it.

I find dealing with a car salesperson a somewhat demeaning and insincere experience.

Mostly a time wasting charade of who is wasting who's time.

Why can't we simply put out a tender ?.

40 minutes ago, Ryeman said:

Why can't we simply put out a tender ?.

Isn't that what these new fangled online lease companies do...?

Sorry to hear of your poor experience by the way. Had the same myself, one Skoda dealer was, whilst a bit abrupt, to the point and cheaper then the rest who were as you describe, completely disinterested.

6 minutes ago, Andacami said:

Isn't that what these new fangled online lease companies do...?

Out here, no idea 

Is it just me?  Part 2....

 

So today I did my test drives of a VW Tiguan and a Skoda Octavia.  Fortunately for me, the VW dealer decided that a salesman did not need to accompany me for a 2 hour test drive and so off I went on the start of a planned route (A14 west to Bury St Edmunds, A134 to Sudbury, across to the A12 then A14 back to dealership).  It was a great plan but 10 miles into the drive I came to a standstill on the A14 due to a serious accident and that is where I remained..... for the next 2 hours!  Finally the police released the cars and smaller commercial vehicles and so I headed the wrong way along the west bound A14 back to Stowmarket, carried on to Copdock, a comfort and lunch break at Tescos (living the high life!) then over to Hadleigh before heading back to the dealership.  The Tiguan was OK but nothing special, plus it gave me low back pain within 20 minutes.  Having spent 2 hours exploring the inside I'm not convinced the interior quality is any better than an Ateca.  I was particularly concerned at the worn fabric covering the door pulls/ arm rests in a car that has covered less than 7K miles.  

 

Then onto Bristos Skoda.  An Octavia 1.6 TDI SE Estate was waiting for me on the forecourt.  A test drive westbound was best avoided so instead I drove through Ipswich, along the A14 to Felixstowe, drove around Felixstowe then back onto the A14 and up the A12 to Woodbridge then the Orford road to Rendlesham forest before heading back.  In contrast to the Tiguan I found myself repeatedly saying to myself "this is a good car" and "this is impressive".  The road noise was fairly good, certainly no worse than my Superb, the ride through towns was fine and the handling engaging.  I returned to the dealership feeling I have enjoyed the Octavia far more than the Tiguan.  My only concern is that the SEL model I am interested in will have 17" wheels not the 16" wheels fitted to the SE, which may affect the ride noise and quality.

 

Meanwhile, the SEAT salesman (remember him? The one who wanted me to buy a Passat and was doubtful he would be contacting me?) has rung me twice in the past 2 weeks, to reassure me that I have not been forgotten but the dealership will not be getting an Ateca demo until the new registration in September.  Faith in SEAT has been somewhat restored!

 

The saga continues....

 

Glen

 

 

On 8/18/2017 at 21:46, Glen Mansbridge said:

So today I did my test drives of a VW Tiguan and a Skoda Octavia.  Fortunately for me, the VW dealer decided that a salesman did not need to accompany me for a 2 hour test drive and so off I went on the start of a planned route (A14 west to Bury St Edmunds, A134 to Sudbury, across to the A12 then A14 back to dealership).  It was a great plan but 10 miles into the drive I came to a standstill on the A14 due to a serious accident and that is where I remained..... for the next 2 hours!  Finally the police released the cars and smaller commercial vehicles and so I headed the wrong way along the west bound A14 back to Stowmarket, carried on to Copdock, a comfort and lunch break at Tescos (living the high life!) then over to Hadleigh before heading back to the dealership.  The Tiguan was OK but nothing special, plus it gave me low back pain within 20 minutes.  Having spent 2 hours exploring the inside I'm not convinced the interior quality is any better than an Ateca.  I was particularly concerned at the worn fabric covering the door pulls/ arm rests in a car that has covered less than 7K miles.

 

I am convinced that Volkswagen`s build quality isnt as good as it used to be? My horrible Polo had loads of rattles as did a Golf I test drove. Whereas my Octavia feels like a tank...rattle free and good quality. I think Volkswagen are playing on their perceived quaity.....and people are paying for that privilege.

Edited 21 August, 20178 yr by threadbear

I have to say my perception of VAG quality before I bought one was rather higher than the reality I experienced.

 

Having bought my second ever brand new car in '14 (a SEAT-badged Skoda), I was less than impressed by the squeaks creaks and groans that developed during it's (somewhat easy) life.  The previous new car was a FIAT which did have a squeaky shock absorber for its whole 10 year life, but the VAG machine broke down more expensively and at a younger age than the FIAT ever did.

 

My prime reason for buying VAG was a massively discounted price, and so it is with the replacement, another Skoda-built SEAT.  

The quality doesn't justify the RRP, but with 42% off I can live with it.

I am hoping the Great Wall are successful in doing a deal with Fiat Chrysler and buying Jeep.

 

After Brexit a Chinese Manufacturer building mid to large SUV's in the UK might be a good option over some of the overpriced stuff built by European, North American  and Indian owned companies.  That is if they went on to build Jeep's in the UK or at least assemble them here.

Chinese quality assurance married to Italian build quality what could possibly go wrong...

 

 

It looks like the Chinese will pick up the American Company for as little as some of the VW Group is going to be sold off for just shortly.

 

The Media interest that the Great Wall Motor Company talks with Chrysler / Fiat seems to be on a day where it stops the Alleged Corruption of someone in the  senior management from being such an obvious news story.

 

Seems a better strategy than VW's to deflect from scandal stories and prosecution of executives which is ever few weeks release another story on an Electric Microbus being build sometime never.

6 hours ago, Awayoffski said:

It looks like the Chinese will pick up the American Company for as little as some of the VW Group is going to be sold off for just shortly.

 

The Media interest that the Great Wall Motor Company talks with Chrysler / Fiat seems to be on a day where it stops the Alleged Corruption of someone in the  senior management from being such an obvious news story.

 

Seems a better strategy than VW's to deflect from scandal stories and prosecution of executives which is ever few weeks release another story on an Electric Microbus being build sometime never.

You mean it's a smoke screen George.

Emailed a dealer about a car on Monday to ask a bit about it's history. Done through their own website.

Got an automated acknowledgement then...nothing.

 

Not shocked.

So, test drives in three cars (Tiguan, Ateca and Octavia) have been done and the winner is..... (drum roll).... the Octavia.  I had a third test drive in an Ateca on Wednesday (2 litre diesel with DSG and 4WD) and although it was a nice drive, I felt the Octavia is "more me", in the way it looks and drives.  The fact that it is cracking value for money compared with the other two and I don't have to wait 6 months is a bonus.  So, I'm going for an Octavia 1.5 TSI SEL manual in quartz grey with interior light pack, sunroof and spare wheel.  I'm currently in discussion with Bristos Skoda in Ipswich but also have some offers via carwow.

 

Of all the sales people I have dealt with in this process, Alison Larke, at the SEAT dealer in Bury St Edmunds has been excellent and I would have no hesitation in recommending potential Seat buyers in the area ask for her. 

On 8/8/2017 at 23:22, camelspyyder said:

Buddy, you've met him.

 

Anyone who can flog modern Peugeot's in Australia must be a genius.

Anyone who can flog modern Peugeot's in COVENTRY must (also) be a genius

As for SKODA,locally. Any dealer trying to flog me a £160 fuel pipe replacement with approx £160 labour charge ,to fix a 50p flexible pipe( from TPS= "pipe fuel flexible ,cut to length") is a dealer to forget.

Edited 25 August, 20178 yr by VWD

On 21/08/2017 at 17:07, Awayoffski said:

It looks like the Chinese will pick up the American Company for as little as some of the VW Group is going to be sold off for just shortly.

 

The Media interest that the Great Wall Motor Company talks with Chrysler / Fiat seems to be on a day where it stops the Alleged Corruption of someone in the  senior management from being such an obvious news story.

 

Seems a better strategy than VW's to deflect from scandal stories and prosecution of executives which is ever few weeks release another story on an Electric Microbus being build sometime never.

 

I am surprised that Trump#45 hasn't said a few words of wisdom on the sale of All American Jeep to a Chinese firm. 

Yes that would be typical US reaction... conveniently ignoring the fact that Chrysler / AMC have previously been kept afloat by investment / owners from Japan, Germany and Italy.