"Admin fee on all transactions"

[ringway]

I would argue that the the cost of the clever-coffee-machine-and-cake-selection at a main dealer as proportion of their revenue, is probably less that the cost of the kettle-tea-and-biscuit a small garage will have, again as proportion of revenue...... so the main dealer may actually be spending less on you, in relative terms.

It's the sweetie thing that I find most odd. I just don't get it.

I wouldn't want a coffee. I once had one at MB Macclesfield and it had gone rusty before I'd finished drinking it.
I'm actually more of an ATF man, myself.

 

[oldguy57]

It's as though they think people would be drawn in by the chance of a free coffee, or even bring their children along for the free sweets whilst Mum/Dad splurge on a motor.

I'm not saying it's wrong to have refreshments in a showroom, and these days I think most people would assume they can have a slurp whilst there, it's just the point of some showrooms publicising that they have such facilities that I don't quite understand.
I don't know, perhaps they are aiming at people with a different view on things to me?

Apparently though its a requirement (according to experts) in the new retail arena to "add on" extra "experiences" to attract customers - all bullshit of course, but clearly some consumers fall for it. Mercedes Manchester are moving to the south of the city to a new location which is apparently going to cost £60m. Owned by your friendly Chinese parent company they are intending to add on all sorts of stuff to attract the punters.

 

[ringway]

Yeah, get 'em pi$$ed and they'll all swallow the admin fee. No worries...

The three-pointed star is mahoosive!

LINK.

 

[Stratman]

I put this practice in the same class as Autrader ads which list a car at a headline price then in the description say "actual price is £xxxx", where £xxxx is considerably greater than headline.

Both are sharp, shoddy practices and immediately indicate to me that the dealer is one to avoid.