As promised in my initial post here are my first impressions of a couple of UK VW dealerships.
I'd appreciated that i couldn't just go in to my local dealer, point to one of many GTi's and say 'that one please'. However, it took 2 visits before any 'salesman' could be bothered to even engage. Now this wasn't a small setup, indeed I counted nearly a dozen desks/tables lined up [most occupied by tie wearing gadgies poking at ther PC keyboards scrathing their chins] with neat little sales persons nameplates so i was a little surprised that there wasn't much interest.
On visit #2 after finally catching someone's eye, I asked if they had a 6 speed I could take out for a test drive. That wasn't a problem until I asked for it to be a Thursday after work. The bod I managed to get some words out of then got a little irritated as he wasn't working that day and would have to get someone who was to call me and confirm. Needless to say they didn't call so I called them and that and the test drive was fine.
Then, you'll know, you're wheeled away to chew things over with the salesman. He rambled on a bit: short supply, no discounts, all high spec etc. but then said he'd 'have a look around' and give me a shout. Now remember, this was a Thursday - so when i'd heard nothing a week later I rang to be told he was in a meeting and would get back to me. He did ring, though that was the following Monday to tell me he'd found nothing but he'd keep looking. I haven't heard back from him since.
I visited another dealer some 20 miles away. This was a much smaller setup, though with plenty of used stock and maybe 8 cars in the showroom. This place was the Marie Celeste bar a pissed looking bloke waiting at the Service Reception.
Still not put off I then let my fingers do the walking by getting some numbers of dealers NOT in my area. All were much more forthcoming with either proper crack on the phone or follow up emails telling me much that i've learned already on this excellent forum.
Bottom line is that I've 'ordered' a 3 door tornado red, cloth seats and 18" Monza Shadows. I put ordered in quotes as I'm told my order will ony be processed when the dealer gets his build slots from VW, probably in December, with delivery in APRIL.
Still, I've stuck with it so far - I just hope it's worth the wait.
Best for now.
Ava
