Dealer experience

[DuFFmAn]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to part ex my Lexus in for the new E class/E class coupe. Popped into the dealers to get some information... Asked them to value my car so I can see what kind of budget I'll be working with and they refused to!

They said, they won't value the car until I choose, test drive and then spec up a Mercedes? He then became rude and arrogant and literally walked off to do his paper work! I was shocked beyond belief! As I left the dealership, I saw him driving a test car to the back...

Why won't they value my car and why are my local dealers such arrogant *******!?!? This may become the second time they loose my business. The first time was three years ago when I purchased chose a Lexus GS over the Merc and the biggest factor was the arrogant dealers!!

Rant over!

 

[hitenhirani]

They may be scared you could just walk away with a valuation.

Ask for a test drive, get a basic spec done, and then get them to valuate your car, and then tweak the basic's spec'd car to suit your budget.

 

[GordonTarling]

Find another dealer!

 

[timwood2000]

Name and shame the dealer please

 

[flango]

Find another dealer!

Absolutely but unfortunately most MB dealers salesmen have their heads stuck up their a*se and dont remove them very often. The last time I went to try and buy new MB I gave up, dealers rude arrogant and could not give a t*ss. I love the brand but would never buy a new one, which is a shame as when I swap the Volvo in a couple of years I'll go back to a big performance car so we'll see if they have bucked up their ideas, If not then I'll simply go elsewhere. Boy have MB got a lot to learn about customer service

 

[Rory]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to part ex my Lexus in for the new E class/E class coupe. Popped into the dealers to get some information... Asked them to value my car so I can see what kind of budget I'll be working with and they refused to!

They said, they won't value the car until I choose, test drive and then spec up a Mercedes? He then became rude and arrogant and literally walked off to do his paper work! I was shocked beyond belief! As I left the dealership, I saw him driving a test car to the back...

Why won't they value my car and why are my local dealers such arrogant *******!?!? This may become the second time they loose my business. The first time was three years ago when I purchased chose a Lexus GS over the Merc and the biggest factor was the arrogant dealers!!

PM forum member hawk20 and ask him to introduce you to his super-special dealer.

 

[DuFFmAn]

I really don't like naming and shaming businesses.. However it was my local dealership...

Completely off topic.. I live in Coventry!

PM forum member hawk20 and ask him to introduce you to his super-special dealer.

Elaborate...Have I missed something??

They may be scared you could just walk away with a valuation

Seems a risk most would be happy to take for 5 minutes work.

Ask for a test drive, get a basic spec done, and then get them to valuate your car, and then tweak the basic's spec'd car to suit your budget.

I tried, but the salesmen actually said and I quote "Your only saying that to get a valuation" to which I replied.. "Exactly!.. I want to know what budget I have"

I love the brand but would never buy a new one

I know how you feel... I was quite ****** off leaving the dealership.. It made me feel better that I went with Lexus in the first place. Have not had a single problem with them.

 

[st13phil]

Call the Dealer Principal. Tell them about your recent experience and how they lost your business to Lexus 3 years ago and ask if they want you to walk away from MB a second time. Name the salesman during the conversation and advise the DP that you wouldn't buy a car from that arrogant a*se if he was the last salesman on the planet and ask if they have anyone more professional who you could deal with. Should make the salesman's day if nothing else

 

[Rory]

Call the Dealer Principal. ...

...be careful with that approach. I ended up dealing with a Sales Director while looking for a car for my daughter and, basically, everything that we asked he just said "yes". It then becomes *very* difficult to walk away without looking like you really are a total time-waster.

Mrs R really wasn't very happy that we'd just popped out to look and came back having ordered a car!

 

[st13phil]

So basically he offered you what you wanted and you ordered a car from him? Sounds like he did his job to me

I understand what you're saying though. If you don't intend buying, then don't bother rattling the big cheese's cage.

 

[wxmclk]

I really don't understand main dealers acting in this manner. After all you only made a general sales enquiry as to what your part ex may be worth against another vehicle. This information is hardly a state secret afterall, being easily available from numerous sources.

I accept that the higher end vehicle you buy may increase your part ex valuation, but in reality its a play on numbers in the end. Its cost to change that is critical, part ex, screen prices then become unimportant.

 

[jonnyboy]

I've never understood the outlook of "what is my p/ex valued at?".

Lets face it, its worth what someone is prepared to pay.

Cost to change is the only factor that actually influences the amount of money you have to find. End of.....

 

[Rory]

I've never understood the outlook of "what is my p/ex valued at?".

Apparently some dealers (well one, anyway ) will give you a valuation for your car, and then will negotiate a discount on whichever replacement car you choose.

 

[jonnyboy]

Apparently some dealers (well one, anyway ) will give you a valuation for your car, and then will negotiate a discount on whichever replacement car you choose.

I think there are two methods dealers use, possibly dependent on either accountants, or maybe sales targets...

1) use the p/ex value as the bargaining chip
2) have a fixed trade in price then discount the car if he wants to.

As we've both said, either gives the same result, cost to change....

 

[Dryce]

They said, they won't value the car until I choose, test drive and then spec up a Mercedes? He then became rude and arrogant and literally walked off to do his paper work! I was shocked beyond belief! As I left the dealership, I saw him driving a test car to the back...

My wife experienced something similar at Glasgow.

I suspect that the dealer doesn't want to introduce the part-ex valuation until they have control of the front end pricing.

However from my wife's perspective it means she doesn't know how much she has to spend - so can't begin to sort out what she can commit to.

So catch 22.

 

[DuFFmAn]

I brought a brand new Honda a while back and didn't get this kind of treatment!... Its quite appalling... Part of the "premium" price you pay is for the "premium" service..

It's annoying because 3 years ago I wanted a Mercedes, and now I want a Mercedes but doesn't quite feel right to buy a Mercedes!..

 

[JamieC]

Had the same problem with Audi, already bought an A3 from them and wanted details on the A5 when it came out they weren't interested unless I wanted to place an order that day. One of my colleagues actually refused the car he had ordered and went to another dealer after they physically dragged his 8 year old from the car he had ordered and was waiting for preparation (same dealer). That's why I bought an MB instead.
TBH my local Mercedes dealers have both been very good (Chester and West Kirby) just a shame they couldn't match the offer I got on the car I purchased.

 

[crammy69]

Have to say my experience with dealing with my local FIAT garage couldnt be more different. I made an appointment to view and test a 500 for the wife, and they went off an valued our car whilst we chatted over coffee and discussed options etc. Now, I was going to use the scrappage scheme to buy the car so thats a simple job, but also wanted to part-ex the wifes Zafira at the same time, and they happily gave me a trade value for it. We said thanks, took the numbers with us and have been mulling it over. They have called us regularly to see if our descision has been made and even offered to lend the wife a car for the full day (today in fact) to see if that can make her mind up!.

If the salesman clearly doesnt want to give you a service , go elswhere. But I think it helps to make an appointment rather than just walk in, as then you have the best chance of getting the service you expect.

 

[Rory]

TBH my local Mercedes dealers have both been very good (Chester

That's the first time I've ever heard MB Chester described in a positive light.

 

[ewans]

My wife experienced something similar at Glasgow

I bought from the Giffnock branch in south glasgow and the service has been good so far, lost count of the follow up calls and letters checking all is ok etc.

Sales process was a bit iffy at first, the origional salesman i spoke to and aranged a test drive with didn't show up on the day and hadn't entered my details into the system so no car ready and no one expecting me. Sales guy who stepped in cleared up the mess and got the sale. I think the origional guy wasn't bothered becuase it was just a B class i wanted not somthing more expnsive.