It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
We make it via selling cars so if there's a deal to be done I'd rather do it and move on but the joys of the internet means the days of thousands off a used car are gone as why would you come to view my Octavia at £18,000 when 15 mile away same car is £17,000.
This means there is less scope to discount and does mean PX prices are a lot keener to keep stock prices right.
You do get some groups that will run big margins but they are generally happy to sell less cars.
If you need to make £20,000 profit a month you could sell 10 cars makeing £2000 each or twenty making £1000.
Now if you assumed both dealerships looked after the customers and they had a positive experience the dealership that took more sales has more advocates out there pushing your brand.
Im a firm believer that brands should look to retain more profit in their new cars but price them more realistically.
Look at Vauxhall for example who discount like mental and price up a new Insignia at list and what they are on forecourts at three years old.
Two places the sales person ignored this, first was Arnold Clark where I was followed for ten minutes at a distance of 10 yards which quite frankly weird, then he went off on one when I said I wasn't interested in one of those Peugeot go karts so I told him to do one.
The second was partially my fault as I had to engage with him in order to test drive a Yaris (at the hell hole that is Car Craft). But he was one of those that made a massive song and dance about trying to get me the best deal, kept buzzing off back to his manager to verify the deal with his boss etc, even exchanged mobile numbers so I could phone him back and arrange to chose the deal etc. He comes back saying "right this is rock bottom we've knocked loads off the price so let me know when you're happy and we'll do this". Thankfully though in the meantime I'd gone on their website to see of they had any other of the same kind of car etc. And spotted this very same car £1500 cheaper online than their so called " best price" which is quite a big difference on a bloody Yaris. I showed him my phone screen and just waved him goodbye. Cheeky bastard still tried to sell it me at the online price. That said from what I've heard since then, I did rather better out of it by not giving them any of my business! As somebody else has said, the sales process is a good indicator of after sales process as well
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
Then drove past on a Saturday afternoon and saw customers walking around your forecourt while your staff you were paying were just sat inside drinking coffee how would you feel?
This is one of the main reasons I've had 4 Subarus from a local family owned place, although I do love the cars too
The franchised Merc palace in particular was funny, I went in, spoke to the receptionist, told them which car I was interested in, and she said someone would be right over. No other customers on the site. After 10 minutes wandering aimlessly, the guy from the Smart car section took pity on us and came over and asked if he could help though he then said he couldn't do anything with Mercedes. We left after that.
You're unhappy that nobody spoke to you, colourbox was unhappy that someone spoke to him.
The manufacturer mystery shops generally expect you to speak to them within 2 minutes.
Whatever we do someone will complain we're doing it wrong.
Ive had customers want to discuss £30,000 Superbs with details on finance when they have ten minutes.
The FCA expect any finance presentation to include a full explanation of any products they are eligible for, to find eligibility we have our terms of business that we have to explain followed by an eligibility questionnaire, were also timed have to give a minimum of two minutes on each product and we have four.
The FCA also do mystery shops so we have to do it properly as I wouldn't like to be the person who costs the branch a fine and suspension our credit licence so if we're not given the time then you won't get figures.
Be interesting to know which motor group the Merc, VW and Audi belonged to.
I don't think there is a dilemma, if it's only between being ignored or given a ridiculous sales pitch then that's a problem but if someone speaks to you like a reasonable human being and is pleasant and helpful I'm pretty sure most people find that acceptable.
This morning I went with my son to a DJ shop. It's a bit out the way and we were the only customers in there. The chap behind the counter did speak to us but couldn't be arsed to move from having his feet on the desk. This is a place with little passing trade and we were asking about a specific product so I think we seemed like a potential sale but he couldn't be arsed to move ten foot to show us something. His time so precious that with no other customers in the shop a potential £300 sale didn't matter. Afterwards we went to Costa and I was served by a pleasant, helpful young woman who should probably be selling VWs or DJ equipment. Honestly, I'm not asking for a lot.
It's not that I wanted to be ignored, it's nice to be greeted and asked if they can help, but surely if the answer is a polite no thanks that's reasonable? We knew our budget, we knew what size of car we wanted, we didn't need finance, so literally all we required was a test drive when we found one, and somebody to take our money assuming all is in order. There was nothing for the sales person to need to do, if they had the right car they'd have got the sale - we were well researched so knew the cars available in our bracket, and I had to assure the Arnold Clark tit that I had eyes and therefore did not need a running commentary of which car was which, I was quite capable of reading the names on the back and the prices on the front thank you very much!
soundcloud.com/thecolourbox-1
youtube.com/@TheColourboxMusic
The odd thing is this was Edinburgh Merc, who are with EasternWestern motor group, who are usually very good (including their VW and Lexus group who we visited this time round).