Hi,

 

As per my recent thread, I'm in the market for  Skoda Octavia.  I ran a few specs on CarWow, and armed with these, went to my local dealer.

 

I went twice.  The first time, last week, was just to casually look and was brief.  A sales person introduced himself, and we chatted briefly.  That was it.  I later booked a test drive via their central 'chat' interface online.  That was for today.

 

When I turned up, it seems the booking had gone awry, but wasn't an issue as there was literally no other punter at the place.  However, there then seemed to be a mini 'set-to' between two of the staff, as someone else had picked up the request despite the original sales guy being my first point of contact.  So there was a bit of awkwardness while they sorted that out.

 

I then explained what I was after (similar to my thread - Octavia, probably an estate), and that the PCP deals revealed on CarWow looked really good.  E.g. just under 15k for a brand new 1.0 SE at the moment.  Note that this dealer has never issued CarWow quotes.  He then tried to convince me that I really wanted a diesel as they had really good deals at the moment.  I explained I had no interest in diesel for the usual reasons (bottom has fallen out of the market, pollution, actions governments will be taking and so on).  Besides, we really liked the 1 litre unit in our old C Max.

 

He just about sorted out a test drive of a 2nd hand 1.4 that had been brought in, but it was literally 5 minutse, in a straight line down the road, around a roundabout, and back.  No tour of the car features.  No effort whatsoever.  That was it.

 

Do they not want to sell cars at the moment?!  It has left a real sour taste in my mouth re: Skoda (based on one dealer, I know!), but from looking on here, there are local dealers that get much better comments (and are also the ones popping up on CarWow, perhaps there is a link?!)

 

Any thoughts?

Lots of model variants particularly petrol are in short supply or unobtainable at the moment due to WLTP. Things will become clearer after September.

 

My thoughts on buying new....

 

First, read up in the forum before you test on what people rave or complain most about.

 

Don't buy a car without a proper and lengthy test drive. Make sure the car is  really representative of what you are after, i.e. engine, wheels, trim. Ask your wife/partner/friend along too for a second opinion.

 

That way you will make an informed judged decision as to whether you like it and fits your needs and avoid costly disappointment too late.

 

Find another dealer if your local won't accommodate your needs.

 

Beware on occasion a carwow quote can be "creative" in arriving at the price and backpedal once you're in direct contact, just walk away.

 

Use sites like carfile.net, drivethedeal.com, broadspeed and many others to compare.

 

Watch the small print!

 

Good luck and happy hunting!

Edited 18 July, 20187 yr by xman

I have had the same problem with my local Skoda dealer. I spoke to the motability salesman to request an extended test drive to make sure that I would be comfortable in the car. (Superb SEL Executive estate 1.4 tsi dsg.)

This was 5 months before my change date, to give him time to source the exact model for me. He said "No problem", and then didn't reply to any phone calls or request to call me back, - the same with emails.

After 2 months of this I gave up on the local dealer and travelled 20 miles to an alternative dealer who was the exact opposite of the first. Although the car I test drove was not an estate, it was the same  spec as I wanted. The salesman was one of the most helpful I have come across, and I am booked in for a second extended test next week.

Due to this experience, I will NOT be using the local dealer for servicing etc. but will hope that I will be able to use the collect and delivery service of the supplying dealer, or failing that a loan car.

Similar for me. Twice I have tried to buy a Rapid from my local dealer. The first time in 2014 I wanted a 1.2 SE Greentech and the second was last month when I wanted a Spaceback SE Sport 1.0tsi in race blue.

 

In both instances the offer they gave me was a take it or leave it, no room for haggling, ended up getting the rubber ear when i tried to email or call them. In the end I had to drive a good hour away to another Skoda dealer who gave me exactly what I wanted

Lookers have toally lost my custom after 2 years apart, both times I was ready to go in and place an order but needed to talk to someone first - both times promised a call back and nothing. 

 

A dealership a bit away, picked up the slack, helped me with what I wanted to know, arranged a test drive and in the end placed my order.

 

Same again now. Needed info on servicing my car before the lease ends and someone would get back to me and nothing...

 

I gave them a shoddy review when asked how they had done and the dealer felt it was unfair ... 

 

The dealer who placed the order last time is now getting my order again and is even discounting me a bit more for repeat business. 

 

On the flip side, I've been to places where they jump on you like piranhas as soon as you go through the door. 

typical of most main dealers of all makes,weve all been there.