This is EXACTLY why I hate car dealers!

I've always found mildly prestige dealerships the likes of BMW, Audi to be pretty average to be honest, don't be fooled by the fancy showrooms. BMWs used approved cars I've always found condition wise to be average to poor with the odd newer car obviously better condition wise but thinking you're getting a good car simply because it's used approved at a supposidly prestige deakership never washes with me. Worst franchises I've experienced have been Vauxhall and Peugeot, Vauxhall especially, customer service was shocking even when buying bew.

Best experience to date is with Hyundai, however not had to use them for warranty work as yet touch wood but for new car sales and servicing haven't been able to fault upto now. Just demonstrates it's not always the badge.

Tim.
 
coldel said:
Im with you all the way, customer service is generally pretty average in dealerships, but thats why I tend to try and avoid them.
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If I could buy privately, I would. But I can't, as there are zero cars for sale privately that I want. None. Not one!

That's another problem in my view; the trade have a stranglehold on the car buying industry, so can do what they like. If the car-owning public weren't so lazy and cared a bit more about the money in their pocket (or lack of), more people would sell privately which would create competition for the trade.
I have been genuinely shocked at some of the cars being loaded onto trailers at my local WBAC recently. Many one and two year old cars; how much of a hit are those people taking? All for the trade to make a very good living from them a month later. :roll:
 
And now, of course, if I want a car I have to deal with another lovely car dealer. Not looking forward to THAT! :x
 
Pondrew said:
All car salespeople 'I have ever encountered' are lazy, arrogant w*nkers!
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There are two possibilities here, the above statement is factually correct, or Pondy is a "difficult" customer. :rofl:
 
Scubaregs said:
There are two possibilities here, the above statement is factually correct, or Pondy is a "difficult" customer.
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Maybe I am, I don't know. Maybe I expect too much of people. :)
 
Pondrew said:
coldel said:
Im with you all the way, customer service is generally pretty average in dealerships, but thats why I tend to try and avoid them.
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If I could buy privately, I would. But I can't, as there are zero cars for sale privately that I want. None. Not one!

That's another problem in my view; the trade have a stranglehold on the car buying industry, so can do what they like. If the car-owning public weren't so lazy and cared a bit more about the money in their pocket (or lack of), more people would sell privately which would create competition for the trade.
I have been genuinely shocked at some of the cars being loaded onto trailers at my local WBAC recently. Many one and two year old cars; how much of a hit are those people taking? All for the trade to make a very good living from them a month later. :roll:
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Yes private sales are really down vs historically. A number of reasons I guess, from increase in scams to COVID and the introduction of more online sales and purchases. The tech required to sell has made it so much easier so people are happy to pay the penalty for doing so to avoid having to have the car sat outside potentially for weeks, avoid being scammed, avoid people coming to look and wasting their time, haggling etc.
 
There's also the financial aspect of it.
Buying from a dealer means the majority of people will drive in with one car and leave with another. Most people wouldn't be able to sell privately and have no car for a period while looking/buying the next one. So it becomes massively more convenient to use a dealer and trade in
 
...and the revision of the CRA which gives you (in theory) many more consumer rights as a buyer, when buying from a dealer.
 
Is BMW service in general dropping?

I recently discovered an issue of no longer being able to pre set a temperature at which the heated seats and steering wheel activates automatically. (A minor issue but annoying)

Have emailed my local dealership, no reply other than an auto message thanking me for my enquiry. Then emailed BMW UK via the website and the App and again, automated email thanking me for my enquiries.

So each have received the enquiry but after 2 weeks still awaiting any response. A formal complaint may be required about lack of service. Most likely just get an automated response but we will see.
 
[ref]Nanu[/ref], had your connected drive package came to an end? Mine did and I did not renew, just wondering if this is one of the features lost.
 
pvr said:
Always good to have a genius on board
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They pay his wages now, so he is the official 'BMW guy' of the forum!

I bet Peter is put out! :lol:
 
So yesterday called another car dealer (not a franchised Audrey one) regarding a very expensive 2021 A4 avant. He was pleasant and said the car was a really good one. Within a few minutes found that it had no service history (each year or 10k miles remember from VAG policies) and two of the wheels need a refurb! "Don't worry, though, we can get those done for you". My reaction was "why haven't you got them done before now, then you wouldn't even need to mention them". His reply was "cos most people don't notice".

He called me 7 times today to see if I was ready to place a deposit. Didn't answer after the first one!

I have given up for now. I hate buying cars!
It's me isn't it? :(
 
Pondrew said:
So yesterday called another car dealer (not a franchised Audrey one) regarding a very expensive 2021 A4 avant. He was pleasant and said the car was a really good one. Within a few minutes found that it had no service history (each year or 10k miles remember from VAG policies) and two of the wheels need a refurb! "Don't worry, though, we can get those done for you". My reaction was "why haven't you got them done before now, then you wouldn't even need to mention them". His reply was "cos most people don't notice".

He called me 7 times today to see if I was ready to place a deposit. Didn't answer after the first one!

I have given up for now. I hate buying cars!
It's me isn't it? :(
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Yes, buy and keep it :roll: :thumbsup:
 
Pondrew said:
So yesterday called another car dealer (not a franchised Audrey one) regarding a very expensive 2021 A4 avant. He was pleasant and said the car was a really good one. Within a few minutes found that it had no service history (each year or 10k miles remember from VAG policies) and two of the wheels need a refurb! "Don't worry, though, we can get those done for you". My reaction was "why haven't you got them done before now, then you wouldn't even need to mention them". His reply was "cos most people don't notice".

He called me 7 times today to see if I was ready to place a deposit. Didn't answer after the first one!

I have given up for now. I hate buying cars!
It's me isn't it? :(
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Why didn't you just tell him you were not interested and save having to ignore his calls?
On the wheels not being fixed before advertising I have heard that a lot of garages don't do anything to the cars until they have a buyer. It saves them spending money on something that could sit for weeks/months making them nothing.
 
Pondrew said:
pvr said:
Always good to have a genius on board
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They pay his wages now, so he is the official 'BMW guy' of the forum!

I bet Peter is put out! :lol:
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I doubt it lol.

I have now progressed to level 2, more training at the Innovation centre in March. :D
 
Pondrew said:
So yesterday called another car dealer (not a franchised Audrey one) regarding a very expensive 2021 A4 avant. He was pleasant and said the car was a really good one. Within a few minutes found that it had no service history (each year or 10k miles remember from VAG policies) and two of the wheels need a refurb! "Don't worry, though, we can get those done for you". My reaction was "why haven't you got them done before now, then you wouldn't even need to mention them". His reply was "cos most people don't notice".

He called me 7 times today to see if I was ready to place a deposit. Didn't answer after the first one!

I have given up for now. I hate buying cars!
It's me isn't it? :(
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We refurb the alloys that need doing as part of the prep, mechanical/bodywork/valet. If doing a video and the car had not yet been prepped I would point this out. However this depends on the age/value of the car and the extent of the damage so some older cars especially may have minor damage that is not repaired, again this would be pointed out.

The wheels needing a refurb should not be an issue, the complete lack of service history obviously is.
 
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