So I went to the VW dealer the other day to buy a fleet of 100 VW Phaetons. Arrived at 4.54pm and they were already in there cars and setting off. If they would have stayed until the time they actually get paid to stay until, I would have made a multi-million pound deal with them..

Okay im joking of course. But I was pretty shocked that they were all sat in their cars toying around, one of them saying 'I have more horses than you' and the other one replied 'but i know how to use them' (talking about their BHP of course)

But yeah, in that 5 minutes they could have easily got my contact details, and another customer that turned up 2 minutes after me. I also saw them turn away another couple just as I was pulling in.

Is this normal at dealers? I thought they'd stay a few minutes if anything to tidy up paperwork

Oh and saw some 61 plates, not seen them on the road yet.

It will be because they have already made their quota for the month so aren't that bothered about any extra sales, unless you are buying a new pheaton i bet they wouldn't have moved much...

Some dealers are like this, one of the reasons i bought private as my local ones sales dept is pants and if your not buying new or nearly new they aren't that interested in shifting the older stock, like its beneath them...

kingpleb wrote:

It will be because they have already made their quota for the month so aren't that bothered about any extra sales, unless you are buying a new pheaton i bet they wouldn't have moved much...

Some dealers are like this, one of the reasons i bought private as my local ones sales dept is pants and if your not buying new or nearly new they aren't that interested in shifting the older stock, like its beneath them...

if the salesmen are that bad, how are the aftersales guys gonna be ?  2002 td6 vogue, 06 supercharged facelift

Once you understand that car salesmen are simply market barrow boys who have learned how to put on a suit then everything becomes clearer. In the overwhelming majority of cases, car salesmen are only the ones who failed on the bins.

Unless and until you find an old school motor trade bloke who knows metal and also knows how to treat customers then most experiences will be like that. There are exceptions and these are when you bump into an old school bloke which is how you know you've found one.

But, as a general rule, car supermarkets = avoid like a dose of the clap. They're absolutely rammed with ex-double glazing salesmen. Main dealers are good if you know the DP and maintain a decent working relationship with him - those in the lower echelons don't normally risk upsetting their Boss' friends. Independents are really variable and you need to exercise proper caution. They range from excellence as standard (repeat business seekers) to being as bad as car supermarkets where profit above all else is the motto.

Once you've found a good one make sure you look after him. Seriously, Christmas card + bottle, ask his advice (flattery) and be loyal, i.e. buy your cars from him. If they have a service dept then try and use it, let them make a bit on a yearly basis when it's service & MOT time. Never failed me yet.