Apologies for the lack of posts of late but things are quite hectic at the moment.
My present motor conveyance has been costing me money that I don’t want to spend. So I’m looking for something new.
Having looked on this Interweb thingy I found a slew of franchised dealers that sold the make of vehicle I wished to purchase.
Mrs FE and myself jumped into our motor carriage and sweated (Bloody AC has gone tits up) our way to the dealer. On getting there, and finding a parking space we wandered around the forecourt for a good fifteen minutes. Now in the old days, within minutes, you’d be fighting of salesmen like a diver fights off sharks. They didn’t have what I wanted, but I doubt whether I would have bought from them anyway. (They were probably sitting in the air conditioned showroom giggling at the two old duffers braving 32 degrees of heat).
Anyway back to the internet for another look. And guess what? I found just the car that would suit us at another dealer linked to the same franchise. Naturally I phoned that dealer and arranged for a viewing and a test drive in an hour and a half’s time.
Hah.
When we got there (Drenched in bodily fluids. And no we hadn’t pissed ourselves), no-one seemed to know why we were there.
An utter shambles.
Not only was the vehicle to be viewed stuck behind three rows of other cars, but they couldn’t find the sodding keys for ten minutes.
Anyway I shall cut them some slack as I’m going for a test drive on friday.
Is this the same in all British industry or am I just unlucky?
You must be unlucky. My local Nissan dealer is brilliant.Phone him up, tell him what you want and the car is there, plus another two or three similar models in case you decide on a different colour. I have recommended friends and they have been impressed and bought there too.
ReplyDeleteTry the "Columbo" negotiating technique.
ReplyDeleteWhen you've screwed them for every £ of discount they'll concede, just as they're getting out their Order Form, hit them with ......
"By the way, the poor service and extra delay I received on Tuesday, I need another £100 off to compensate". And be prepared to walk out.
You can always eat humble pie 30 minutes later. (@ £200/ hour I bet that's more than your pension pays!)
Take a look on Drive the Deal's website. You could save a packet. I did.
ReplyDeleteSome 30 years ago I needed a new car; new job 45 mile commute. Around the corner a Ford dealer –yes, I could have a test drive in about two weeks if I ordered a car. Into town to BMC (or whatever it had become) – quarter hour looking at models and picking up brochures, no interest at all from staff. Drove out of town to Nissan dealer – Service with a smile and I could have driven away with the car of my choice, except I wanted a different colour. We’ve had Nissans ever since.
ReplyDeleteI note there are a few positive comments reference Nissan. First, that warms my heart, they are built just three miles from where I live, and bring much needed employment. But, back to the point. I have had the same experience in that the makes of Japanese origin (ie Nissan, Mazda, Honda) appear to have dealers who understand they have to make an effort. Hence I have owned "Japanese" cars for the past 25 years. I have had brief forays into the customer service desert (BMW, abysmal) and my current car a Renault (experience in the first year, not promising).
ReplyDelete