GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Golf mk7 GTD/TDI => Topic started by: matt2 on 29 November 2013, 14:18
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I've paid a deposit for a GTD a couple of weeks ago but I find it really hard to get my dealer to respond to emails, etc.
Am I expecting too much?
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It depends how often you are sending the emails and what they're about...
In all seriousness, I doubt you are asking too much... mine has been very responsive (and my car is a company car through a lease company)... If what you are asking is really important, it is probably best to give them a call...
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I'm asking when the GTD that I am supposed to test drive will be in (should have been in a fortnight ago) and could he send me a formal finance quote rather than the numbers that he gave me verbally when in the showroom.
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Don’t underestimate how busy your salesman is, when I picked up my GTD his phone was ringing off the hook for the whole time I was there settling the paperwork etc. I had been doing a bit of pestering because my car was built over 2 weeks late, but you have to remember that your dealer only knows what VW UK knows about your order. If you can’t get a hold of your dealer, they should be able to tell you about any progress. My dealer sometimes left it weeks between updates, but he was on the phone to me at every status change (when my estimated build week got pushed back, when build week finished and my car stiull hadn’t been touched etc.
I’d expect an update every few weeks, especially if you don’t have a confirmed build week at last point of contact. If it’s really important, like you want to add or remove an option at this early stage then you might have to go in and see them in person if they’re not answering the phone.
We’re all chomping at the bit to get the car we ordered, but in the 5 or 6 months (if you haven’t grabbed some unused allocation) between ordering and picking up, there are only about 5 stages at which the dealer will have some new news for you.
Seeing your questions there, I think you’ve got the right to expect a prompt answer – an order placed and no firm financial figures given to you on paper? They usually print off the VW solutions quote after they’ve been putting in the figures for p/x, monthly payments, options etc, and then they should give you a copy to take away.
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Seeing your questions there, I think you’ve got the right to expect a prompt answer – an order placed and no firm financial figures given to you on paper? They usually print off the VW solutions quote after they’ve been putting in the figures for p/x, monthly payments, options etc, and then they should give you a copy to take away.
Everything you have said makes sense. I had a 5 month wait for my current mk6 Golf.
I'm just annoyed that I am now on the 4th email asking for formal finance numbers (as the car/deal I havetaken was finally agreed on the phone).
I think that turning up at the dealers may be the way forward.
One final question: At what point will my order be put into VW? Should I expect an order number pretty much immediately?
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I think that turning up at the dealers may be the way forward.
One final question: At what point will my order be put into VW? Should I expect an order number pretty much immediately?
Yes, turning up and speaking to the sales person in question would help.
When they put the order number in an order number will be generated by the system there and then... it takes a few days (iirc) to appear on the tracker after that...
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Thanks for all the help guys.
Having read the forum, I'll also ask him if the 3-5 month delivery estimate is realistic ;-)
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Dealer emailed this morning to say that he'll put together the quotes this afternoon.
Lets hope that he delivers more than last week when he said that he'd mail me back (and didn't) :whistle:
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You can just get your own quotes using the finance calculator on the VW website - it allows you to input a lot of variables in terms of deposit, mileage etc in order to tailor it to your own requirements and you can then create saved PDF quotes from it.
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You can just get your own quotes using the finance calculator on the VW website - it allows you to input a lot of variables in terms of deposit, mileage etc in order to tailor it to your own requirements and you can then create saved PDF quotes from it.
Do as above and make sure it compares to the one the salesman gives you. Some dealerships aggressively add in GAP/Autoglym etc as default (big commission for the salesperson) and only remove them on your request - make sure nothing that you didn't want has been snuck in.
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Link to finance calculator:
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/businessFinanceCalculator/generateDefaultCalculation?modelId=1262
If you have optional extras you will need to go through the configurator to get an accurate purchase figure but the 'amount to finance' can be manipulated to suit your particular situation by adjusting the deposit amount so you can make it match your specific vehicle quote.
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Thanks for the link.
I can't generate the quote yet as I don't how much I am getting for my car/how much I am getting the car for.
All we have discussed is the monthly cost.
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Thanks for the link.
I can't generate the quote yet as I don't how much I am getting for my car/how much I am getting the car for.
All we have discussed is the monthly cost.
Whoah there! You need to know all the variables to know if you have a good deal or not - monthly figs mean very little on a car with strong residuals. You need to know what your part ex value is and whether it is a fair price, what discount (if any) you're getting on the new one. Only then do you come to monthly figs.
No offense, but you've been a bit naive here. Get some figs from Parkers and webuyanycar for your car's worth. You should be looking at parkers value for yours and a grand's discount against the new one at minimum, or brokers prices for the new one and bottom book or webuyanycar value for your part ex.
No wonder your dealer is slow in providing the figures, he's probably deciding how to maximise profit and keep your monthly payment as per verbal expectations.
Get a market value for your p/x, start with rrp for your new car (inc options) and see what the finance calculator gives youfor a monthly figure. Change new car cost down on calculator until you get your monthly figs.
So many ways of hiding unnecessary options in a monthly fig, or manipulate terms like contract mileage etc.
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Thanks for the advice.
I've put a deposit down which means my name goes on the waiting list for a gtd but once I test drive it this week, at that point I can decide whether or not to progress and if I chose to walk, I get my deposit back.
The reason that I am pushing for the finance figures is so I can make a reasoned decision about the deal this week. Nothing will be signed until I see the values and do everything that you suggest.
Thanks for the advice - always good to have another opinion.
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If you're not even on a list at this point, shop around with other local dealers. What do you have in part ex?
If it's not particularly desirable to a vw dealer to keep on their used forecourt (VAG brand and less than 5 years old) , I'd sell privately and order from a broker for top discount. No bother getting vw finance from a broker appointed vw dealership.
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I have a 3 year old Golf Mk6 match with 19k on the clock - a reasonable amount of equity in that one. As I said, as soon as I get the finanance numbers from the dealer, I'll decide what to do.
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I would suggest paying very close attention to Monkeyhangers advice - clearly a chap who knows eaxactly what he is talking about!
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Does seem a little shady that the dealer hasn’t provided firm figures yet for you to scrutinise, yet expected a deposit straight away when presumably they have no intention of ordering the car at point of deposit taken.
Go through those figs carefully. I’m always wary of anyone selling something on a “how much can you afford per month?” basis rather than telling you physical costs of the product, interest etc. Look at the cash price and then see what VW finance does to that. Only by looking at the cash price of your order vs RRP can you decide whether you’re getting a good deal (via discounts or a favourable p/x value). If you “can afford” more than the car would cost with a decent p/x at full RRP, they could knock your p/x value down to fit the ceiling of what you’re prepared to pay on a monthly basis, or add in non-required optional extras.
Most dealers will give you a GAP valuation for your car now, some give you a price based on what it’s worth now, or in the near future. On a 3 year old car that’s likely to be p/xing in the £10 – 12k range, depending on which engine your match has, and whether it is 3 or 5 door (assumed good condition due to the low mileage), you could find your p/x price varying by as much as £1500 between dealerships, depending on what criteria they use to value it. Expect a very generous p/x value if you are getting little or no discount. Have a look at their used stock, find one at your spec or closest to it and see what the price is. A “fair” p/x value is usually at around 80% of the sticker price of what it will be up for, so if they have one up for £15k, I’d expect to be offered £12k in p/x.
You can get a free GAP valuation on Vauxhall’s website (you usually have to pay a few quid for one). They determine a GAP p/x price for you, on the assumption that you’re looking to buy a Vauxhall – so you may get a few emails from eager dealers. Your car is probably depreciating at the rate of about £1000 every 6 months right now, so if you do get a part-ex offer for £1000 less than GAP, based on a 5/6 month delivery, it’ll be to give a valuation that’s relevant to the date of new car collection. If they can get you a GTD within 3 months, I’d expect them to only understate your p/x worth by £500 etc. If they only give you what your car will be worth at pick-up point, they’re giving you nowt unless they give you a list price discount.
Overgenerous p/x value or significant discount on the car (maybe both!) is what you should be aiming for.
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MH's advice is right. I've worked in sales for years (though pride myself on my ethics) and a "how much can you afford" question is only asked to get money out of you...though it could be to asked to protect you by the right person
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Well, after being promised the quotes on Saturday, I heard nothing.
I sent a mail in Sunday asking that they be sent without fail on Monday. I heard nothing.
I sent a mail on Wednesday night pointing out how disappointed I was with the person I have been dealing with and asking whether the dealership wanted my repeat custom. I've heard nothing.
I'll give them until the end of the day and then I'll drop the dealer principal and the dealer an email asking for my money back.
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Well, after being promised the quotes on Saturday, I heard nothing.
I sent a mail in Sunday asking that they be sent without fail on Monday. I heard nothing.
I sent a mail on Wednesday night pointing out how disappointed I was with the person I have been dealing with and asking whether the dealership wanted my repeat custom. I've heard nothing.
I'll give them until the end of the day and then I'll drop the dealer principal and the dealer an email asking for my money back.
As an add-on the the above, can anybody recommend a dealer in central Scotland?
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Why not try telephoning and hang on until you get to speak to someone in authority and tell them about this shoddy experience?
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Don't limit yourself to your locality.
Much can be done over the phone with a dealer miles away.
I have travelled for two recent purchases just to enjoy a decent dealership experience.
A car salesman once said to me that it was easy to excel at the job, purely because the vast majority of car salesmen are so rubbish. Lack of attention to the customers needs is a basic competency of any customer facing role.
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Don't limit yourself to your locality.
Much can be done over the phone with a dealer miles away.
I have travelled for two recent purchases just to enjoy a decent dealership experience.
A car salesman once said to me that it was easy to excel at the job, purely because the vast majority of car salesmen are so rubbish. Lack of attention to the customers needs is a basic competency of any customer facing role.
Agreed, the general standard of car salesmen is quite shocking but then what do you do come service time if you don't like/trust the local dealership.
Given the poor standard of salesmen in this industry, there is an onus on us to do our research before we go out to buy so that when we come into contact with Mr(s) BS Salesman/Saleswoman, we can identify him/her and act accordingly...
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They don’t deserve your money – get your deposit back (they have no right to keep it, given that they have not yet placed your order), move on and take your business elsewhere.
They’ve played you from day one when they’ve taken a deposit from you and not even given you firm written financial details of an agreement it is expected that you will be entering into to finance your new car. That might actually be illegal as per the regulations attached to financial services, because they’ve actually taken a deposit without giving you a clear and written indication of the cost of goods and the cost of the finance (interest and other charges) over the term. Would you allow a double glazing salesman to do this to you?
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Agreed, the general standard of car salesmen is quite shocking but then what do you do come service time if you don't like/trust the local dealership.
That's the challenge. I travel 100 miles to Leeds to get mine (non VW) serviced, and the dealer discounts to reflect the travel, although I combine it with business. That sort of service is rare, I have been very lucky.
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what do you do come service time if you don't like/trust the local dealership.
Maybe go to one of the hundreds of other VW dealers in the UK?
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I've emailed the sales manager and dealership manager outlining the poor customer service received and asked for my deposit back.
Thanks all.
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If you don't get a reply by e mail try phoning them and become a pest until they get back to you .
If you are going to change dealers try Benfield in Dumfries ok not central but we have had 2 cars from them in the last 18 months (1 new my Tiguan 1 demonstrator /managers car wifes Golf gtd )and the service is first class
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Well, all is sorted.
Service has suddenly become very attentive from a different sales person at the dealership and I've seen the finance figures and the part ex is OK, the new price is good and the mgfv is as expected.
Car is ordered :-)