Dealer visits

[TitanTim]

Would I entrust my M135i and 14 year old Z3 with 26,000 miles to Halfords or some Kwik fit fitter errr no, BMW every time for me and hopefully they loan me an M3 when the cars in

Tim.

Who says BMW don't give your car to the apprentice? :wink:

I appreciate why people go for a full BMWSH - I just distrust all garages and disagree with the intervals. They don't take the care I do so I DIY everything I can.

Maybe, but its an expensive apprentrice though 8)

Tim.

 

[ronk]

Bought my 3.0si from Warrington 200 miles from Newcastle and had all warranty work done at Lloyd Newcastle - they were very impressive. No arguments over doing warranty work there and met in the car park with a brolly (it was raining) shown a parking space, taken to service department, phone calls re progress, even a requested photo of my roof motor sent to my mobile. All impressive stuff but still don't have it serviced there - ridiculous hourly rate and costs - don't want to pay through the nose for that level of service so use a well respected specialist independent which halves my costs.

I had some really dreadfull service there (Lloyds Newcastle) some time ago when the previous E85 went in for service and MOT.
Recently went in to buy my wife's 335 - walked out after waiting 20 minutes to see a salesman !

 

[Bing]

If you choose to maintain a FBMWSH then that's your choice, largely driven by your own circumstances - that's not what this thread is about though.

I'd not have waited that long, I'd have left after 15 mins irrespective of what I was there for.

 

[TitanTim]

I stay there long enough for the salesman to pursuade me into another PCP but who cares, so long as I can sit in all the new shiny cars so like being in a candy shop for me, I just have to remember to wear a suit so I look important

Tim.

 

[ronk]

If you choose to maintain a FBMWSH then that's your choice, largely driven by your own circumstances - that's not what this thread is about though.

I'd not have waited that long, I'd have left after 15 mins irrespective of what I was there for.

Oh yes, we walked - sure they were suitably overjoyed when they followed up with the phone call two weeks later when I told then what we had bought from a dealer 230miles away .
They lost a significant sale that day.
They also lost the potential of my current z and disco going in at the turn of the year!

To be fair to them I also had lousy service at a local dealer where the sales chimp could only afford me 15mins because I didn't have an appointment on a busy day.
He was also chewing gum. Not the way to sell £50k of car mature customers.
Re the suit comment Tim, we arrived in my z and we're both well dressed!

 

[gov]

as i've never been looked down upon - quote

Neither have I but then I'm 6'7"


TBH I do find some " salespersons " a bit condescending - opening gambit if you walk in is always " and what do you drive sir ? " - always tempted to say " what's it got to do with you ? !!

 

[ronk]

It's not really them who does the final deal is it? They alway run away to the sales manager!

The chewing gum kids sales manager has asked me to deal directly with him next time - I don't think he was happy with that sale loss either .

 

[jimmybell]

If you're dressing UP to visit a BMW dealer you're doing it wrong. Don't appease their already inflated egos, let's not forget - they're car salesmen, not nobel laureates.

 

[ronk]

If you're dressing UP to visit a BMW dealer you're doing it wrong. Don't appease their already inflated egos, let's not forget - they're car salesmen, not nobel laureates.

We were just dressed in a casual but tidy fashion - If it has been me looking at us as potential customers, I would have thought "they can afford it" but as you say, inflated egos!

A pal went into a Mercedes dealership and was told "come back when you can afford it sir" - he went into the Porsche dealership and did just that!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I have to say I've always had a good experience when visiting my local dealer but then I'm only there for parts - if there's a wait then they're always up front and ready in the time it takes to have a coffee. I may see what they can offer when it comes to inspection time but doubt I will pay the premium.

 

[gov]

I stay there long enough for the salesman to pursuade me into another PCP but who cares, so long as I can sit in all the new shiny cars so like being in a candy shop for me, I just have to remember to wear a suit so I look important

Tim.

Nothing to do with the content of this thread Tim but I love your avatar !!

 

[ronk]

I stay there long enough for the salesman to pursuade me into another PCP but who cares, so long as I can sit in all the new shiny cars so like being in a candy shop for me, I just have to remember to wear a suit so I look important

Tim.

Nothing to do with the content of this thread Tim but I love your avatar !!

Thats not how you dress to see your car dealer is it?

 

[rhys4]

I was invited to an Audi dealership a few years ago.The were offering 50 quid and food for my views on dealer visit experiences.Along with about 10 other people we sat and chatted to the sales guys about the way we are treated in the show room.The suit verses jeans issue came up time and time again.The come back when you can afford it,what do you drive sir,and are you sure you can handle that amount of power,were some of the issues discussed.It was really good.I do notice that the y are better now at Audi,and Mercedes are excellent at customer relations in my experience.BMW have not moved forward,and I still find them frustrating.I would say my best experience has been with Porsche Chester,every time I visit or take the Cayenne in for servicing they make you feel special.

 

[TitanTim]

I stay there long enough for the salesman to pursuade me into another PCP but who cares, so long as I can sit in all the new shiny cars so like being in a candy shop for me, I just have to remember to wear a suit so I look important

Tim.

Nothing to do with the content of this thread Tim but I love your avatar !!

lol thanks Gov, its me at home never know if I'm comig or going :?

On a serious note, I don't dress up when going to the dealer, Ronk, mankini only , in fact the only time I ever go is for servicing and actually changing the car, I've found Knights of South Staffs whom I've used for years pretty much as good as it gets as far as dealers go, I've tried Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot in the past but found them pretty bad where customer service is concerned. End of the day their out to make money whether its selling cars or any consumables its just some are better at it than others. Proof of the pudding for me when warranty work is required which usually sorts out the good from the bad. The sales side I'm not so bothered with.

Tim.

 

[Nictrix]

If you choose to maintain a FBMWSH then that's your choice, largely driven by your own circumstances - that's not what this thread is about though.

I'd not have waited that long, I'd have left after 15 mins irrespective of what I was there for.

We probably would have left a lot sooner if they didnt have our key.
Its that kind of thing where you are sitting thinking "it wont be long now" or "another 5 minutes"
This is the most expensive car we have ever had and dont particularly want to take it to a dealer but here in the west of Scotland there is not much to choose from.
Any garage we would go to would be a chance and I would rather pay the extra for a bit more security a dealer offers even if it is an unknown mechanic that is actually working on the car.

 

[Bing]

Yeah, that's a fair point — if you've nowhere else to go you've no choice. I'd still be complaining though, that's shocking service...

 

[original guvnor]

I find the whole car buying process pretentious and tedious. Even the "handover" ceremony. Pass me a sick bucket. Thankfully it's not something I do very often.

My other half is looking at a new car currently so I've been to a few (non-BMW) dealers and all I can say is that if you think BMW is bad then you haven't seen anything yet.

 

[gannet]

Never had to wait for a quote for a service

when we bought the zed, dealer couldn't do enough for is and never had any cliches lined up, we were dressed as normal - jeans and tshirt...

have experienced such apathy though - in a Renault dealer. They were too interested in the footy to consider selling us a new car...

 

[dr_john]

I don't think there's any customer dress code at a dealers, not these days. I bought my current zed at Sytner Nottingham last year dressed in cut-off jeans open sandals and tee shirt (my usual summer attire) and was treated with utmost courtesy throughout.

Maybe they were desperate for a sale

 

[ronk]

Certainly no dress code should be required for customers but there should be for sales staff - not necessarily suits but definitely smart.

And in my book, one definite no no is chewing gum!