December is a slow month in the trade-you can get a good deal and he'll get commission.My daughter has just had a similar call-she was going to book her car in for a service-now no service but a new car for the same payments.In the past,I had a call offering me a new car in place of a six month old one and reduced payments and a lump sum to me-I paused long enough to ask what colours-two days later,I was in a new car.However,when I bought my next car,I was told that that salesman and his manager were no longer employed by the dealer.

It's a shame that in my experience, some sales staff don't do themselves or their dealerships a lot of favours by appearing a tad intimidating or, perhaps even more crucially, having remarkably poor product knowledge. Maybe it's me though, reading up too much about makes and models on manufacturers websites and sites like this!

But salesmen only need good product knowledge of the brand they're selling - many can't even manage that.

Yes, that was my point. Too many don't seem to know about even basic info about the makes and models they are representing.

I had a long chat once with a chap who owned a small hotel I stayed in. His previous career had been in sales, most things including a long stint in the motor industry. He'd worked for Volvo, Rover, Ford and a few others.

As he put it, the most soul-destroying experience was working for Ford. Everywhere else he needed to know the product and the options, provide a test drive, trot out the best sales chat and then wait, hoping he'd done well, to see if the punter came back to buy after they'd seen everything else on their list of possibilities.

Selling Fords was all about having a new one of what the punter already had, available in the right colour. A Ford customer had invariably made up their mind before setting foot in the showroom.

Initially they are out of their depth on product knowledge ,so they waffle. Tony g

Why don't they start by reading the sales brochures - and then asking their manager or a technician to explain each term in the brochure they don't understand - and then follow on by reading every magazine review of each of the models they sell.

Personally, I don't want a sales person's attention when I go to buy a car, or anything else - I want someone that can tell me, or find me, the technical information I need - they don't have to be an Oracle of all knowledge as long as they can understand the question and know where to find the answer - then I'll make my own mind up what/when to buy - and then I need an order-taker - simples!

I may be a car salesman's worst nightmare but I never waste their time - if I'm only browsing I say so and let them get on with something else.

Hi rt ,an arrogant collection of comments,it's clear you're not employed in dealing with the public. (I say so and let them get on with something else !!!) I can't imagine many sales people would want to spend any time with you ,with that kind of attitude. Tony g

What would you rather I do - politely give them time to try to sell me something I may not want and will decide in the end not to buy - that's wasting both our time.

If I'm spending £5,000 - £50,000 on a car I'll decide if I want to buy it - not someone else who isn't affected if it's not the best choice.

What would you rather I do - politely give them time to try to sell me something I may not want and will decide in the end not to buy - that's wasting both our time Rt .yet your quite happy to demand the salesmans time when you want technical information .to assist you in making a decision. What do you when you have the information. wave him away? You demand professionalism from the salespeople you deal with,then treat them in arrogant way. Is it an opportunity to be in control that you enjoy. Tony g

Tony - I'm not a control freak - but I am in control of MY money, not someone else, and I'll decide how to spend it. That's not arrogance, just plain common sense.

As with any industry there are good, bad and indifferent on how they interact with a potential customer. It does take years to aquire the skills to learn when to speak and when to listen. When to follow through and when to retreat.The good ones, and I know a few, are a pleasure to deal with. They are invariably honest with the figures and do not try the 'smoke and mirrors' approach. Some I know personally will actually warn you off a vehicle they don't think is 'right'. They realise you are not a fool and any hint of trickery, the deal is off. Once the figures are on the table the negotiating begins, hopefully a point can be reached where both are happy. I don't really expect an encyclopaedic knowledge of the product, I prefer my own research. I simply expect a level of respect, honest figures and negotiations and above all the authority to agree a deal with me. I do find it difficult to give cold calls my time when I am not in the market, but you never know, there just may be a great deal from a hungry dealer. Not an easy time for any industry, including my own, at present, so you can't really knock a bit of initiative. I must say though, my local family run Skoda dealer runs a very pleasant operation, relaxed, confident and friendly. Perhaps he ought to give lessons! Best to all. Concrete

I used to have dealings with a major Mercedes dealership in Munchen Gladbach. The senior saleman was very smart and a product knowledge that defied belief. He knew the spec, options, engine variants and trim options of every car they sold, a smaller range than today admittedly. More like Mastermind than a car sales man!