When collecting your new GTI/GTD

[CraigW]

I know this may be a few weeks off for some but just wanted to find out what your expectations will be on the day when you finally collect your car?

In terms of handover do VW dealerships tend to do anything special such as having the car in the showroom with a cover over it or is the car simply sat in the car park and you just drive off?

I was hoping it may be the former but I have never collected a car from a VW dealership before. Those who currently own VW's, what have your previous experiences been of collecting your new car ? Can we expect any special treatment?

[matchboy]

Last few times I've been into a dealership they have had the covers on the car in the showroom for the new owner.  So I reckon they do this now.  Last time I picked up a new car from them I didn't get anything.  Time before that I got a picture of my car.  Either way, you won't care less as all you'll want to do is get the paperwork out of the way, get the keys, and get off the forecourt!!!

If they give me the choice I'll tell them to not bother with this presentation malarky, just make sure everything is ready for me to sign then I can leave asap and get driving!!

[dubber36]

Most dealers have a handover bay, or roped off area in the showroom, so that new cars can be kept clean and dry.

When I picked my Passat up, I asked them not to make a fuss and let me go as quickly as possible as I had to get to a meeting. It was a case of, "here's my debit card - sign here, here and here - here are the keys - thank you, goodbye"

[Bill_the_Bear]

When I picked up my new car from Ford (sorry, not VW I know) they had it say outside by the front door to the showroom with no cover or anything.  I think they put it right by the door because with the wheels and body kit I ordered it looked pretty sweet!

[monkeyhanger]

It depends on your dealer. I got my first MK5 Golf from Lookers Burnley via UKnewcars broker. The sale was dealt with through their Fleet arm. When I was going through all the documents to sign and take it away, the slaesman had noticed that both keys for the new car had a dealership keyring fitted, quite nice, but nowt special. The salesman tried to discretely take one of the keyrings off the key by initially comically sliding the piece of paper that the key was sat on (which had been right next to me) over to him, then worked the key off the keyring and slid the paper back. Very subtle. I signed everything and said to him, "if a keyring means that much to you then you can have the other one too". He sheepishly said "we're only supposed to give 1 keyring to the non-retail customers". What a tightarse! 

I've had flowers for the missus before, a free autoglym valet set of car care products that I wasn't expecting, and a very nice keyring that was taken off me at the airport because it had a pen-knife and bottle opener folded into it's body that I hadn't noticed - handy for drink driving and road rage I assume.

At Benfield Scotswood Road, my car was in the showroom for pick-up and they allowed me to drive it out through the opened glass doors. Was tempted to hare it out as if I were James Bond chasing Scaramanga in "the man with the golden gun" when he takes a car for "a test drive".

[matchboy]

At Benfield Scotswood Road, my car was in the showroom for pick-up and they allowed me to drive it out through the opened glass doors. Was tempted to hare it out as if I were James Bond chasing Scaramanga in "the man with the golden gun" when he takes a car for "a test drive".

  you so should have done that!

[skippy]

No - I have never had special treatment so to speak. My Scirocco was just parked out in the yard amongst other vehicles, yes- I think they do make the effort to bring it as close to the showroom as possible, but no red carpet treatment. 

My former car (Mazda RX8), there was a bunch of flowers for my wife on the passenger seat which was a very nice touch, but sometimes I think they should make the occasion feel more special. You are after all, spending  £25- £30K!  We are not buying loaves of bread!

[Gryzor]

Our dealer has a roped off section for new car collections.

[domrees]

When I was working for VW, we would always ask customers if they wanted a formal handover or a simple one. 

Either way, it would be Flowers/Champagne/Sport brolly type gift to be presented at the end of the handover.  The car would normally be roped off with/without a cover (depending largely on whether the cover was in a good enough condition!).

Remember each one of us who have bought from a retailer will be contacted by VW UK after collection, and we will be asked to rate our experience from start to finish.
This score is worth £1,000's to each retailer in terms of additional payments from VW, so they all want to make sure they do it right, and it is a special occasion for you.

If you have bought through Fleet (so broker etc) then these retail bonuses dont apply. Therefore they are likely to just point you in the direction of the car sat outside, and tell you to "crack on".

[Bill_the_Bear]

If you have bought through Fleet (so broker etc) then these retail bonuses dont apply. Therefore they are likely to just point you in the direction of the car sat outside, and tell you to "crack on".

Nice.