Dealers ....

[Flyer]

... but not MB dealers, for a change

Went to two dealers today to see about a pickup truck. A Nissan dealer for the Navara and a Mitsubishi for a L200. The difference was quite startling.

First, the Nissan dealer. Receptionist had to go and find somebody. A "salesman" (term used loosely as he really should have been out the back with the Karcher) came upto me and asked what I wanted. Explained that I was interested in the Navara and did they have any in that I could have a look at.

He mumbled something and started to walk off. When he realised that I hadn't followed him, he said he wasn't sure, but come outside and we'll have a look. He found a dirty "05" demonstrator, which was, of course, locked. I wandered over to it whilst he went for the keys. He came back, unlocked it and I checked it out. No offer of a test drive, no information about it. I had to ask questions, which he reluctantly answered. I did feel as though I'd disturbed him from something more important.

We went back inside where I asked him about cost, finance offers, etc. He just gave me the basic price with absolutely no room for maneouvre. Tried to get him talking by motioning over to the new Murano and saying what a smart motor it is. You know that slack-jawed idiot off the Simpsons? Well, he's been transported from Springfield to a Nissan dealer! Zero response from him

He gave me his card with a few figures scribbled on the back and that was that. Didn't ask for my details, what I wanted it for, whether he could help, nothing. Didn't even say goodbye! THE worst salesman ever. How do these people make any money?

Onto the Mitsu dealer; nice selection of L200s on the forecourt, all unlocked, with the doors open (great idea that). Seen as soon as I walked in and offered coffee; very friendly and helpful. Salesman asked for my contact details and whether I wanted a test drive. Had a 15 minute drive, where he answered all my questions and asked plenty of his own. We got back and I saw a finance guy who was also really helpful.

Hmm, wonder where is likely to get the business ....?

 

[mark.t]

nissan garage

you didn't happen to see the Nissan guy parking up a L200 at the Mitsubishi garage did you


seriously they really make it hard don't they....well mate just drive by the Nissan dealer in you L200 and tell them this is one deal that slipped through the net because of the damp squid of a salesman.the other 10 you ordered are being delivered

 

[janner]

Don't give us the name of the Nissan dealer, my local MB dealership will try to poach him

 

[Lowvento]

hello newbie here, seen this post thought i'd share my experience too..

I walk in to a MB dealership, cap and tracksuit, no one seems to be rushing to serve me, so i take a seat at the parts counter, still no one. Then a lad in overalls pops out and asks can i help you sir, i say yes, could you come and have a look at some thing on the car. Strange how after they see the MB parked outside i was getting greeting from every one after that..

odd lot.... salesmen

 

[Satch]

In-laws went into a Renault dealership with a view to getting a small car as a run around. Greeting by an oik stinking of booze who could not focus nor string many words together but did manage to slur out that the cars on display were all "overpriced crap". So they walked out.

Few moments later General Manager comes running up to apologise for the behaviour of their "Customer Relations Executive" who should not have been talking to them at all as he was leaving their employment "very soon", hence his somewhat casual state.

So they return, to be greeted by the wonderful sight of said ex-Customer Relations Executive hurling into a large plant container

Ah, joys of the Motor Trade.

 

[Flyer]

y....well mate just drive by the Nissan dealer in you L200 and tell them this is one deal that slipped through the net because of the damp squid of a salesman.the other 10 you ordered are being delivered

Bad car salesmen are everywhere, as evidenced by these other posts. I really struggle to understand why they behave as they do; if that was my job, everybody through the door would get the same first-class treatment, even if they were just looking. You never know when a customer will come back to you.

Your quote above reminded me that I did something similar a couple (OK, many ) years ago. Early 1990 and I'm visiting my parents' home in West Wales. I had an Audi Coupe and wanted to trade-up to a new Golf GTi 16v. I went into the VW dealer in Pembroke Dock to enquire about the Golf. The saleman there was completely dismissive. Wouldn't look me in the eye, and muttered rubbish about there being a worldwide shortage of 16v engines and the dealerships wouldn't be seeing any Golf 16v's until the end of the year. Basically, he was telling me to go forth and multiply

I then visited my local dealer and was seen by a natural salesman called Ronnie. He was a natural because he was friendly, you could have a laugh with him, he was knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. Ordered the GTi off him (I later ordered a further two new cars off him and my dad bought their Audi demonstrator ... which all wouldn't have happened if Ronnie had been like Mr Pembroke Dock ).

1 August 1990 saw me pick the car up ... two weeks later I was visiting my parent's and decided that I really needed some touch-up paint for those inevitable paintchips. Drove to the Pembroke Dock dealer and parked my gleaming 16v right outside their showroom window. Salesman of the year sees it, glances at me, and then suddenly has an overwhelming interest in the papers he's holding . Of course, I've got to speak to him, haven't I?

"Do you have any blue touch-up paint to match my NEW 16v Golf out there?"
"Err, parts counters closed, come back on Monday", said he, his discomfort oozing out of his pores.

"OK. How about that then, a Golf GTi 16v, new. Cracking car, aren't they?"
"Mumble, mumble ...", as he went a fetching shade of pink.

Schadenfreude, I believe it's called ...

 

[glojo]

Don't give us the name of the Nissan dealer, my local MB dealership will try to poach him

I like it.

John