If you had a particular model of car and then the manufacturer brings out a new model, wouldn't you think it might occur to the dealer that you might just possibly be interested in popping into the dealer to have a look at the new model? You never know, one just might be tempted to do a deal? Possibly a phone call to ask me if I'm interested? Or a mailshot?
No, Nothing. Zilch. Rien. And then they complain trade is down.
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That would be proactive, sad to say not many dealer/salesmen appear to have this skill.
Most expect you to walk into showroom and sign on the dotted line without driving or seeing the car.
Just order takers not salesmen.
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I bought an 18 month old mk2 Mazda MX-5 from the local Mazda main agent back in 2002. I was invited to the mk3 launch event they ran when it came out, and I still get a card through the door every few months asking me if I'd like an extended test drive. It is, as you say, common sense marketing activity.
One day I might take them up on it, although kids have put a stop to such tomfoolery for a few years.
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Over the last 4 years I have had lots of mailshots from my local Ford dealer. All since the first service of my Mondeo.
It has since been replaced but was always a company car. But got some VERY good offers through the post. Not able to take them up though.
Edited by rtj70 on 22/12/2008 at 23:08
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Slightly off topic but I have been round up all day by Renault dealers. Trying to get a quote on a 1.2 16v clio cambelt change.
"I saw an advert that says £199 cambelt changes on the Clio 1.2, yes sir what is your reg plate, give reg plate, we don't have that on our system, I explain the car orignaly had a private plate, then I had to get VIN phone them back it was a nightmare" After 30 mins of messing about she says I need to phone you back. Ok I wait for the quote £330 plus £80 for a water pump if required!
She then said it was because of the PAS, I said it is electronic so how does that make a difference she says no idea it is just what the computer says.
I then phoned a well known garage in Stretford, £290 inc a water pump, still dear as they want to charge her £25 just for the anti freeze.
Anyway after today I hate main dealers more than ever now.
I had a very similar experience when phoning what was Quicks about a rear box, suffice to say we ended up going to Kwikfit.
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Rattle, you have a Ford Fiesta? And this thread is about salepersons? What are we missing?
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It was on behalf of a friend who has a Renault Clio which cambelt is over due, the people on the service dept were sales people the entire process of trying to get a quote was tedius. The main dealers lost her business. It was just like I was talking to a computer.
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>It was just like I was talking to a computer
You probably were, indirectly. Anyway, unless this Clio was within warranty (unlikely), everyone on this forum would be telling you to go independent for a cambelt change.
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There are 2 sorts of dealers out there at present imo.
The sucessful ones, making sensible (for the trading conditions) profits (despite comments on other threads) and others who are struggling, and failing.
I wonder what category this one falls into and if it will still be there in 6 months? If its not likely to be around is it worth worrying about their lack of contact?
But maybe express an opinion of possible interest at an alternative dealer (assuming you have another not too far away)
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So how often is too often for marketing mail through the letter box ?
I only ask as we do a load of marketing via the mail (plus website) but worry that we are sending too much.
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A little anecdote from today when I made an enquiry about an approved used BMW diesel.
I had to repeat (on the telephone) each detail at least twice, then back to the 'top' when asked for the reg. number again - all the details were on their site ad btw.
I asked for info over & above like: number of owners or demo, was the car definitely the 'efficient dynamics' update (from mid-2007) etc etc. Each time the salesperson had to 'walk over to the other side of the showroom, can you wait a minute..' reply. The distinct impression I got was that I was being a nuisance. Throughout, very little interest shown or empathy building chat forthcoming, no attempt to talk about the car or 'big it up' in any way.
From the speed of transfer from reception to salesperson after my initial enquiry, its clear they weren't very busy - why not then gamble a bit & show a bit of enthusiasm when you might just have a buyer to hand? Odd, really odd.
BTW - I'm reasonably 'well spoken' & am usually informed & concise about any car I enquire about, so I don't really think I came across as a dreamer/timewaster type (although you never know!).
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Woodbines, I can guarantee you're not going to the BMW dealer my mate works at. In his experience, it's the suited and booted who're the time wasters. He'd have given you a coffee, donut (though this is optional) and answered all your questions quickly, politely and without a blink.
Mind you, he's just embarking on a new career now. The reason why? Can't stand the people he works with.
If I was interested in an approved used BMW (out of my bracket unfortunately) and I got that attitude, I'd be out the door without looking back. The dealer still stands to make a tidy profit (as one would expect) on "approved" cars. I have a feeling you're another victim of the sort of irrational, twisted snobbery attributed to some car dealers. And if there's one in a dealership then they all follow his lead, or so I've heard.
I'm not generalising at all...
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My local Toyota dealer mails me every 2-3 months.
That in my view is acceptable.
Any more and it's a waste of time...I would get annoyed.
Others will of course have different views.
My local Ford dealer does once a year. (sales)
Audi? once every two years.
At present it's all a waste of time.
But our Toyota dealer offered a free oil and filter change which I took up. That I thought was an excellent way of drumming up business although expensive. (My Yaris is 5 years old)
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>>My local Toyota dealer mails me every 2-3 months; my local Ford dealer does once a year. (sales)
My experience of Peugeot mailshots is that it depends totally on each dealership - some keep in touch for a couple of years, others don't do anything. The mailshots don't bother me one way or the other - it's sometimes interesting to get the latest news, and those that do send get a Brownie point or two for trying.
Edited by Andrew-T on 23/12/2008 at 17:59
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>>So how often is too often for marketing mail through the letter box ?
Ever. Even those annoying bits that fall out of my Saturday paper are too much.
No doubt OP would like his hand holding weekly.
Some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.....
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It's not just car sales people. We looked at a couple of houses for sale - liked them but they weren't prepared to come down much on price. A couple of months later and they are both reduced now. I thought the Estate agent might have rung to let us know or offer another viewing, but no. I doubt they even kept our details. No wonder 30 EA's a week are closing. I think the credit boom has meant people have forgotten how to sell, or care about customer service.
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Do sales staff do any product training? I have yet to meet a salesman who knows as much about a potential purchace as I have been able to find out from a little research.
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You are standing in a franchised dealership. The sales person says ' I don't know " when you ask him if the model designated XL comes with electric windows all round. Sorry, but it's not like they have been asked " how many phillips screws have been used in the construction ". Simply home work on a model not done equals no sale in my book.
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Mr X,
I agree 100%.
Familiarising yourself with the inside of the car, the features offered, how to turn things on and off etc should be part and parcel of the job, even if it means sitting in the car for an hour after work time with the manual.
Also, under-bonnet and boot knowledge ("here's the dipstick, that's where you fill up the screen wash", "notice how they've cleverly designed the jack storage, yes it is a full size wheel..."), knowledge of the competition's product ("It has a bigger boot than the Toyota", "Yes, better fuel economy than the Nissan") and generally asking YOU what your needs and wants are ...("Play golf? Yes, it will take 2 full sets!").
A friend who sells used cars, in the upper end of the market, uses HJ's Car-by-car as a reference every time he gets a 'new' car on display, and checks that all the 'what to watch out for' has been watched out for! He says being able to talk to punters about all aspects of the car, even the dodgy bits, is a great sales technique. "Yes, they've had a bit of trouble with the XXX on these ones, but this vehicle has had that seen to..."
Unfortunately most guys aren't bothered, and will wonder why their jobs are on the line in a few weeks time...
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"Familiarising yourself with the inside of the car, the features offered, how to turn things on and off etc should be part and parcel of the job, even if it means sitting in the car for an hour after work time with the manual."
Interesting that YOU should comment on this ...
I arrived at Capetown airport and checked over my hire car.
I was in no hurry whatsoever so I then sat there with the A/C on RTFM of this MB A class. Having absorbed the "key" functions I rolled forward a couple of feet and was stopped by a very observant staff member (on a fag break).
He had seen a small bulge in a run flat that I had missed.
So back to square one and RTFM for a Polo Classic.
The most familiar controls were on a Corolla saloon except the stalks were the correct way round (but of course the opposite way round to our UK Yaris)
I have never seen a users manual in a US hire car.
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........ " how many phillips screws have been used in the construction ".
I can answer that! Probably none. There'll be Torx and/or Posidriv/Supadriv, but rarely Phillips.
Edited by L'escargot on 24/12/2008 at 06:55
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The vast majority of retail buyers are not interested in any of the detail,all they want to know is can you make the figures work so they can buy it.
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I'm pleased if they don't pester me. For a start I wouldn't buy a car which had just been announced. And if I wanted to know anything about it I would read a brochure and What Car? magazine.
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Local Ford Emporium.
New style Mondeo for sale 2nd hand.
Just passing I stopped and looked at it - Sman was there in 2 mins.
Q - "Is this an ex-day rent car."?
"We do not know"was the answer - "they just come in from HO."
Lies!!
Walked away - even if was to buy one it would not be from him/that outlet.
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www.tyresmoke.net/forum/general-cars/113948-lexus-...l
This post is well worth a look. wait till the lexus dealer wades in. Takes some reading but made me chuckle.
Merry Cristmas
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>If I wanted to know anything about it I would read a brochure and What Car? magazine.
Agreed. But today's brochures tell you very little about the innards of a car, and neither do the handbooks. The handbook for my (almost) new 207 gives no details of tyre pressures or where to find the oil filter - it is clear that owners are not intended to change the oil. All they can do is check levels. The only place to find tyre pressures is the label in the door shut, which is in French only so you need to be sure what 'roue galette' and 'roue de secours' mean.
In the 'old days' handbooks, and even brochures, gave things like gearbox and final drive ratios. Not any more. So even if the salesmen did read them, some questions won't be answered ...
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And if I wanted to know anything about it I would read a brochure and What Car? magazine ........
......... and look at the manufacturer's website. All done at my leisure.
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I think every few months is acceptable. However, the launch of a new model should trigger a separate mailshot.
I am amazed that this dealer in question has not contacted its customers - or not contacted me anyway.
Do the manufacturers not place any pressure on the dealers to do this sort of thing, particularly when a new model comes out?
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I think salespeople are reluctant to contact customers as it puts the boot on the other foot, so to speak - they have to *sell* you a car rather than have you come in and *buy* a car.
Selling is something that the majority of car salesmen are useless at - they can take orders, but that's about it.
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