My two local dealers must be doing very well...

Since neither of them seem to want to sell a vehicle, at least not let me take one for a 48hour test drive, I know the new reg's are coming so the drought is nearly over... I'm going to cast the net out a bit further.

Anyone reading this within a sensible distance of Warrington, please drop me a pm.

(Sensible = an hours drive or so; unless I can have it for longer )

I almost know what I want too; conditional on a bleeding test drive, why is it so hard for my local's to understand the concept of an easy sale :S

1.9Tdi R3 or Scout (options discussable versus stock and pre-reg deals )

I had a similar problem with my local dealer on the sales side and the only way I got a decent demo is when I insisted on their Scout as a courtesy car when the VRS went in for a new turbo.

Great customer service but they just didn't want to sell me one!

I ended up in Fareham buying one. I know that may not be an option for you but there are dealers out there who will do what they need to do!

Col didnt spinndrift replace his fabia with one? Could try PM'ing him.

col just go to simpsons @ colne.... then pop in to me for a brew with it......

My two local dealers must be doing very well...

Since neither of them seem to want to sell a vehicle, at least not let me take one for a 48hour test drive, I know the new reg's are coming so the drought is nearly over... I'm going to cast the net out a bit further.

Anyone reading this within a sensible distance of Warrington, please drop me a pm.

(Sensible = an hours drive or so; unless I can have it for longer )

I almost know what I want too; conditional on a bleeding test drive, why is it so hard for my local's to understand the concept of an easy sale :S

1.9Tdi R3 or Scout (options discussable versus stock and pre-reg deals )

I'd give either the Preston or Colne Simpsons dealership a bell, sure they'd be only too happy to help...

They were more than happy for me to test drive as many cars as I wanted

Col didnt spinndrift replace his fabia with one? Could try PM'ing him.

I sure did.

If you don't get fixed up over the weekend Col drop me a line and you can borrow mine for a bit if you want.

Eardley's at crewe may be able to help

My two local dealers must be doing very well...

Which dealers is it you've tried Col?

Steve

My local - Woodheads are always eager to please

It was Mitchells and the one near Trafford, who did call back eventually.

Will cast the net out a bit wider next week, firmed up a price for the octy now...next stop mx5

It's amazing that you can walk into a car showroom, ready to buy a new car and the sales people couldn't be bothered or didn't want you to buy one. I had extactly this attitude back in 2005, in the end it was only the Skoda dealer that put the effort in to sell me the car, provided a test drive, all the others just took details or said that they couldn't arrange or do a test drive.

To be fair (devil's advocate hat on here) asking for a car for 2 days for a test drive does need some evidence of seriousness behind it. You could put 2000 miles on it (and two trackdays) in that time, and then just walk back in and say "no, I didn't like it". They have to have something to persuade them you might buy it at the end of the process, I guess.

Flip side of the coin are the various threads we've had on here over the years about the cars people have managed to blag test drives in with no intention of buying. Dealers are getting cautious...

Katie and I visited 3 dealerships when we were looking at possible repacements for my or her car - two Ford dealers and a Skoda one.

All promised to call with prices, test drive info etc, but over 2 weeks later and its the Skoda dealer (Simpsons Colne) who were the only one to get back to us as promised.

If you don't get sorted Col, we've got a nice 54 plate Clio going at a good price!

It was Mitchells and the one near Trafford, who did call back eventually.

Will cast the net out a bit wider next week, firmed up a price for the octy now...next stop mx5

I wouldn't touch Claybank (Trafford dealer) with a bargepole, following my experiences.

Simpsons or Robert Eardley in Crewe would be my stopping points, personally.

Good luck

Steve

from a dealer point of view, we have no found that doing 24 hour or even 48 hour test drives increase the chance of sale in the slightest. on the contrary the customer can often "become used" to the vehicle and talk themselves out of a purchase. Its expensive on the insurance and people just take the ****. People just go off for the weekend in them. Someone having the car for 48 hours with little intention of buying it could stop a more serious buyer from purchasing the vehicle. You said yourself your off to do an MX5 next! However Skoda dealers are currently offering 48 hour test drive on the Roomster. Your local dealer should have an assigned vehicle from Skoda for this purpose.

Dan

from a dealer point of view, we have no found that doing 24 hour or even 48 hour test drives increase the chance of sale in the slightest. on the contrary the customer can often "become used" to the vehicle and talk themselves out of a purchase. Its expensive on the insurance and people just take the ****. People just go off for the weekend in them. Someone having the car for 48 hours with little intention of buying it could stop a more serious buyer from purchasing the vehicle. You said yourself your off to do an MX5 next! However Skoda dealers are currently offering 48 hour test drive on the Roomster. Your local dealer should have an assigned vehicle from Skoda for this purpose.

Dan

which dealer do you work for?

which dealer do you work for?

Have a look at his first post. HTH

Colin

One of the dealers wasn't in Liverpool was it ? My brother in law was just treated appalingly by them and I think the sales team have now had the last of my business.

He wanted a 1.9TDi L&K or Elegance with luxury pack. It took 2 weeks and a nudge from me for them to ring him back after he visited in person. Then he had a test drive, for about 20 minutes he reckons and left waiting for some figures.

He goes back to the dealer the following weekend, second test drive and gets offered some deals on late used models, he wants to buy new so when he asks for a price on a new octavia he is told that they can't quote him, he should look on the Skoda website and come back and make his order.

He drove straight over the road and bought a new golf, no hassle, great test drive and they did him an excellent deal.

He had no PX and did need to finance the balance on top of the money from his recent sale CTR.

Sorry to name and shame, but it made me look a complete pillock after bigging them up and giving them a glowing report.

Is Lincoln too far Colin??

Not at all, in fact Oliver and I are playing phone tennis, just waiting for him to serve the ace...might be time to nudge him soon though

from a dealer point of view, we have no found that doing 24 hour or even 48 hour test drives increase the chance of sale in the slightest. on the contrary the customer can often "become used" to the vehicle and talk themselves out of a purchase. Its expensive on the insurance and people just take the ****. People just go off for the weekend in them. Someone having the car for 48 hours with little intention of buying it could stop a more serious buyer from purchasing the vehicle. You said yourself your off to do an MX5 next! However Skoda dealers are currently offering 48 hour test drive on the Roomster. Your local dealer should have an assigned vehicle from Skoda for this purpose.

Dan

I agree, but I've stated the reasons to the dealer quite clearly. I need to be sure it will feel right or me and a 20 minute round the block won't do that, unless I spend 30 minutes loading the car with gear and people. Now it maybe that I find the car is not up to the task / I don't actually like it. Each climbing pack can weigh up to 20kg's, x4 + 4 adults. That's a lot of weight and it might change the car dramatically. At the moment I have over 200horses to move it all, half that and I'm concerned I'll be overtaken by lorrys on A roads

As to the mx5, that's mine too, I've got two cars to trade