Dealer Arrogance...and not VW !

[matchboy]

Mark, are you thinking of selling already?

I would have done if they hadn't tried to screw me over! 

The F-type is a beautiful looking thing that's for sure. Just out of interest, have you become bored with the R?

Not bored, just fancy a change.  The car still makes me smile as its very quick, and a lot of fun.  Just fancy a different type of car for a bit.  After all, counting the GTI, I've been in a mk 7 for 30,000 miles now, and that's a lot of miles to be in the same car (effectively).  Plus I only have one child, so don't need two 5 door cars.  And the F-Type is beautiful inside and out    I've also looked at the new TT, as that's a fantastic looking car in and out as well.  The Jag is only 0.1 secs quicker to 60, so its not the speed that's the issue, just the type of car.  If you're interested, you can get a 10% discount straight off the bat with Jaguar at the moment 

[CraigW]

Mark, are you thinking of selling already?

I would have done if they hadn't tried to screw me over! 

The F-type is a beautiful looking thing that's for sure. Just out of interest, have you become bored with the R?

Not bored, just fancy a change.  The car still makes me smile as its very quick, and a lot of fun.  Just fancy a different type of car for a bit.  After all, counting the GTI, I've been in a mk 7 for 30,000 miles now, and that's a lot of miles to be in the same car (effectively).  Plus I only have one child, so don't need two 5 door cars.  And the F-Type is beautiful inside and out    I've also looked at the new TT, as that's a fantastic looking car in and out as well.  The Jag is only 0.1 secs quicker to 60, so its not the speed that's the issue, just the type of car.  If you're interested, you can get a 10% discount straight off the bat with Jaguar at the moment 

Wow 10% is amazing on a car like the F-Type. As much as I would love one it is a little (or quite a lot) over my budget 

[kodkod.84]

My colleague has the f-type. Really good looking, very quick, nice sounds (has the optional sports exhaust), great quality interior (on par with Audi I reckon)

Not very practical

[James75]

All I am going to say is...

Never try to arrange a test drive for an E Golf with Mann Egerton VW in Exeter...


James

[Mark V GTD]

Mark - Be realistic - if you have a nine month old R to sell (ie highly in demand car) - why not just stick it on Pistonheads or similar and see what response you get at 32k.

if its encouraging just order the F-Type via a broker and complete bypass the retail route and pocket a substantial saving.

The private car retailers in the UK are not set up to create great deals and staggering discounts for customers - they exist to reap a profit from those that are uninformed about the alternative purchasing methods (ie the vast majority of potential customers).

[JBirchy]

Haha, some great stories here. Another little anecdote I have is when I was test driving a GTI from Liverpool VW before I ordered mine, I drove past the Range Rover dealership in Liverpool. My brother was sat in the front and the sales guy in the back. I said:

"Ah my Father-In-Law has just ordered a new RR Sport from there"

The VW sales guy in the back chirped up and said: "He must be stupid, what a waste of money. He should save himself a fortune and buy a Jeep Cherokee. You get all the same toys in one."

Rather surprised, I turned to my brother and said...

"You know what, he's right and thinking about it, why the hell am I ordering a GTI?! I'll use the same logic and go and buy a Kia Pro'Ceed GT. You get all the same toys and I'll save myself nearly £10k!"

I looked in the rear view mirror and his face was a picture! He knew I was taking the p155.

[domrees]

I worked as a sales guy in the car industry for about 5 years. BIG eye opener I have to say.

The amount of control exerted over the sales people is unbelievable.  The idea of building relationships is totally false, and done under the sole pretense of "make them like you and they will be easier to deal up" (i.e. gift the dealership a very profitable deal.

So a decent guy who wants to work in sales to meet people and provide a good service is eaten up and spat out as a profit deranged monkey who wont follow basic customer service guidelines. 

When the sales guy goes into the back to speak to the manager- you wont believe the conversations that take place - the fact that the public quite rightly feel defensive and patronised is because the sales process is designed that way, with the sole intention of ensuring the customer parts with as much money as possible.
Hence, the focus on monthly payments, inclusion of GAP/lifeshine/warranty etc. 

More often than not, the sales process gets in the way of what should (and sometimes is) an enjoyable experience for both parties.

The entire industry is hopelessly outdated and archaic, too focused on profit, which is ironic as most dealerships would struggle to make a net 1-2% profit for the year.

They need to paid their sales people a decent flat salary and embark on a program similar to John Lewis, focus on service and putting the customer first.

Glad I'm out of it.

[matchboy]

Mark - Be realistic - if you have a nine month old R to sell (ie highly in demand car) - why not just stick it on Pistonheads or similar and see what response you get at 32k.

if its encouraging just order the F-Type via a broker and complete bypass the retail route and pocket a substantial saving.

The private car retailers in the UK are not set up to create great deals and staggering discounts for customers - they exist to reap a profit from those that are uninformed about the alternative purchasing methods (ie the vast majority of potential customers).

I totally see what you're saying.  However I am being realistic.  I know what my car is worth, and I also know the dealer needs to make a profit.  My point being is that I'm not interested in making money on my car, but I'm not taking less that what it's worth just to line a stealer's pocket - they can make their profit, just not at the expense of mine!

I will have a look at pistonheads though, ta!  Although now I'm thinking I want an M3 after seeing Tom Cruise ragging one in Mission Impossible Rogue Nation last night 

[fredgroves]

Interesting post Domrees!

The other side of the coin, which I think I'm a little scared to mention on here, is that all over customers walk into shops and demand prices for products that they see on the internet (or in this case from brokers) when those prices are not actually feasible from a bricks and mortar retailer.

Thats not profit gouging, that's simply the high costs of a physical operation.

Shoot me if you like 

[matchboy]

Interesting post Domrees!

The other side of the coin, which I think I'm a little scared to mention on here, is that all over customers walk into shops and demand prices for products that they see on the internet (or in this case from brokers) when those prices are not actually feasible from a bricks and mortar retailer.

Thats not profit gouging, that's simply the high costs of a physical operation.

Shoot me if you like 

BANG!