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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#61 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,326
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I guess Im looking at it from a business owner point of view. I try and treat all my clients and potential customers with a good measure of respect regardless of budget.
But you do sometimes get those who are looking for the cheapest deal no matter who you are, and it's usually up to me to determine if this person is serious at doing something or tire kicking as such to gain more information and advice from me without paying for it. A frustrating and time consuming process to spend for someone in my position to give my full attention to someone else with little to no intention to engage my business in works. (speaking from a Designer's point of view, not car related I realise) But the principle still applies to some degree with salespersons. They just want to sell cars, and give a good price to someone genuinely willing to do a deal on the day. Im not saying the spreadsheet method is bad, it's not. It's good, good for you! and pretty much you alone. Leaves little to work with from the salesperson for working out what kind of person you are, if you are actually genuine, or just wasting time to satisfy a need to penny pinch and then walk away and telling them 'you'll think about it'.
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"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
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#62 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,801
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No question the power of e.mail and internet sites has given more power to the consumer, who hasn't searched www.carsales.com for their make and model and hit the button to list the vehicles from cheapest to dearest ?
It wasn't that many years ago you couldn't do that, you were at the mercy of reading newspapers and trying to peice together what was a fair price and visit dealers and "enjoy" the usual, gosh you're fortunate you visited the dealership today sir, we have an incredibly special offer valid just for today, especially for you and all the other B.S. that's common place in the industry including the aforementioned very pretty girl with big tits giving you the sultry "come on" to buy her vastly overpriced fabric and paint protection. Of course dealers hate it when you take an approach that fully utilizes the power of the internet and e.mail, they make less money. Service and warranty claims, (God knows we pay enough to get our vehicles serviced), shouldn't be affected by the fact that someone got a good deal and others paid more because they "enjoy" a so-called good relationship with their stealership, opps sorry, dealership. Last edited by Rodge; 24-08-2011 at 04:09 PM. |
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#63 | |||
Giddy up!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,126
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Quote:
The service I got from the dealer was excellent, and if it wasn't for the lack of communication when my car was up for lease he would have got the deal on my current car. I believe I created good rapport with the dealer selling me the Mondeo, and also with the Territory I purchased from Etheridge. I'll have to build a rapport and relationship with a new purchasing dealer now, that Andrew has left there. You say you're a sales person, why not let people know what dealer you're from and you might get some business out of it? Is your dealer a Forum Sponsor?
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Current: June 11 built Titanium TDCi Territory, Edge, side steps, mud spats, bonnet protector, tow pack, full tint. Nov 10 built XR6 Sensation. Previous: Oct 07 built Mondeo TDCi hatch, Stardust Silver, bluetooth, leather, tow pack, sunroof. |
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#64 | |||
NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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Quote:
The fact of the matter is, whilst you are not wrong in the spreadsheet opinions, I am at the end of the day a HUMAN BEING and in 99% of these cases customers talk AT me, not WITH me.
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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#65 | |||||
NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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Quote:
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Good on you if you rewarded customer service in your final purchase, but I was merely responding to your initial post that basically outlined the final $ figure was more important than the service level you received. Quote:
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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#66 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 547
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Rodge,
If I think you are being somewhat harsh if you think that I'm getting screwed when I bought 3 Mercs from the same dealer. If the cost of a Merc in the UK or elsewhere is half or double to what you pay here, I think it is irrelevent. I reckon I got a good deal. What is most important, it that my wife is happy. A happy wife is a happy life. If she is happy, I'm happy. |
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#67 | |||
NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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Quote:
I personally back this. I myself am somewhat of an impulsive purchaser on most things. But I believe in customer service values. Price is one thing, and sure it can be good to get a great deal but at the end of the day if you look at the price of something and consider it to be affordable, you're happy with the product, the service and everything seems positive then bobs your uncle. Sure, I might not be the wealthiest bloke around due to this attitude, but I'm as happy as a pig in poo with most things too.
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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#68 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,047
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#69 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yass River, NSW
Posts: 253
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Years ago, our company was looking at buying a new car, because our call outs were increasing, and the current car was starting to have issues (Holden issues!!). We went to Ford, looked at an SR, went to Bitsaremissing and looked at a 380, and also Holden to look at an SV6. All 3 were very different.
Ford - The guy was in control, but let us tell him what we wanted, when he took us for a test drive, he basically let us go for it, even encouraged us to really put the car through its paces. He also got us a half decent trade in deal on the current S commodore we had. Bitsaremissing - Was really weird, it was a female sales person who had just moved to Darwin from Adelaide, and she wouldn't shut up about it. Anyway, she let the stats talk for themselves and the test drive was ok. My company partner didn't like the idea of front wheel drive. She was the only one to follow up with a phone call though. Holden - Across the road we went, to Kerry's Holden, which I wasn't too impressed about, as they are pretty rubbish (ask 99% of people in Darwin). Anyway, it was really stupid. They were doing renovations, so the place was falling apart, he couldn't get the car out, as it was about 10 cars at the back, so he basically said 'Oh you don't need a test drive, it drives like a Holden'. So we wrote that one off. We were looking at the SR, however, some other things happened and we both ended up heading south and closing down the business from the Darwin POV. At the end of the day they're trying to make a buck, some are good at it, others not so good. The sad thing is, that most of the born salesman, have good jobs, and are usually the boss, or off at a way better paying job. The problem with the leftovers is, they can't always read people. Some people need that push, others need the facts, the info, and then to be left alone. You need to make yourself clear, say as what's already been said. I'm shopping around and I won't be rushed. Ask them straight up questions, if you don't get them, go elsewhere, or ask to speak to someone else, or the sales manager. You're always in control. You have the power to walk away! That makes you in control. They're not going to walk away! |
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#70 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,801
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Quote:
I thought we got a good deal on our brand new Mercedes-benz S320 CDi too and then the problems started with the diesel particulate filter blocking up, the salesman and the sales manager had left the dealership so that relationship wasn't worth anything and Mercedes-benz took a very arrogant and argumentative approach. I had to resort to a extremly firm legal approach to get the problem eventually resolved. It took about 200 hours of my time, five months, two expert engineers opinions, several oil samples and thinly disguised threats of legal action to eventually resolve the matter. There's the value of a "good relationship" with the biggest Mercedes-benz dealer in New Zealand. We're now satisfied with the vehicle but so much for their creative marketing "the best or nothing" and all the rest of their B.S. The fact that M Benz haven't dropped their retail prices despite massive rises in the currency confirms they are indeed price-gouging customers. Even if you get what appears to be a good discount off their recommended retail, the fact that the retail is probably 50-70% too high to start with means you are still being screwed. My wife is happy too, but I'd prefer not to have gone through hell to achieve that. Any wonder I take a cynical view towards the so called value of salesman "relationships". P.S. I've never had such serious difficulty with Ford or FPV vehicles. Last edited by Rodge; 25-08-2011 at 09:37 AM. |
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#71 | ||
Steve
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sth East Qld
Posts: 1,284
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Dealerships will always have the aftermarket sales person selling paint protection,rust protection,tint,etc. The salesman also likes you too see them because he gets a percentage of that sale as well. When you make $30 on a Hyundai Getz as a salesman ( 10%) , another 10% of the tint cost helps.
Yep ,sold cars for two weeks ,base salary was rubbish and the commissions not much better,and they wonder why they cannot get good sales people in the industry! Let me tell you though , I have a lot of respect to anyone who is long term because it is a lot harder than what it seems to actually do the role!
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Currently no Fords . 2005 Statesman International 5.7, Mazda 2 and a Hilux. Former Fords: 2010 Ford Escape 2007 BF11 GT, TE50 Series 1 ,AU V8 One Tonner ,EL Falcon Wagon, ED Fairmont , EB Falcon Series 1. Mk 2 Cortina Company Fords : 3 BA Falcons , EB 11 Falcon Wagon , Ford F350 351 V8. |
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#72 | |||
NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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Quote:
Not all dealerships are the same though. I do not get a cut of the aftermarket sales income. $30 comm on a Hyundai Getz seems like a farce and personally if that was what was on offer I wouldn't even consider working for that sort of money.
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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#73 | |||
Powered by Marshall
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,138
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Ridiculous argument. I'm already paying $60k for the car. I expect good after sales service as a minimum! Added to that there is zero relationship between the salesman and the first year apprentice servicing my car.........I am extrmely skeptical that paying an extra $3k is going to remedy that!
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#74 | ||
NOT A TOYOTA :/
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melb
Posts: 2,554
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I think you misinterpreted what I was trying to say.
For instance if you had issues with your vehicle that the service department weren't being extremely helpful about, I may be more inclined to put pressure on them on your behalf in order to have the issue rectified. Perhaps if you're stuck for getting the vehicle in for one of its scheduled services, I'll drop my car off at your place in the morning on the way to work for you to use while I take yours to work with me. I do this for many of my customers, but those who were great to deal with.
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06 Land Managed to remain in the v8 fraternity |
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#75 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,801
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^^ LIke that's worth thousands of dollars extra.
I've provided a graphic example above where I paid $175,000 for a brand new Mercedes-benz S Class, one of the theoretically finest cars in the world and the relationship with the salesman was completly worthless, I rest my case. All future deals I ever do will be based on who gives the lowest quote. Further, if I can parallel import a vehicle materially cheaper than going through official distribution channels, I will as I for one am especially sick of the grossly bloated margins especially pertinant to European vehicles. Meak and mild people pay retail or close to it, (its only natural salesmen like these people), in the fundamentally flawed belief that if the **** really hits the fan the dealership will look after them, the truth is the decision making process regarding hard core warranty matters isn't even made by the dealership. P.S. All dealerships worth their salt have loan cars readily available these days to make servicing your vehicle more convienient. Last edited by Rodge; 25-08-2011 at 04:35 PM. |
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#76 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 29
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We’re sorry to hear about your experience so far. Please contact our Customer Relations Centre directly for any further inquiries about specifications as they will be able to help you. Alternatively, we have a great tool on our website www.ford.com.au called "build and quote" where you can build your car adding specs and pricing. The pricing on the website is Manufacturers List Pricing only and pricing will differ from state to state and dealer to dealer. Therefore when it comes to the actual deal you will need to visit one of our dealers. We hope this experience doesn’t keep you away from our Ford Falcon utes.
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#77 | ||
Giddy up!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,126
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I agree with you Rodge.
The experience I had with my last two vehicle has been great. One dealer gave me two free services as a sweetener, so I used those, and never set foot in the place again. He also dropped cars off for me to use during the day when mine was getting sorted. Where I take my car for servicing is doing me a great job, and I've just taken it to them as they are walking distance from my house. No prior relationship there! With my current car, the dealer knew I wasn't likely to use his dealership for servicing, as I live on the other side of Melbourne. I would, however, buy another car off him as the communication was excellent. He's gone now, so that's the end of my relationship with that dealer.
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Current: June 11 built Titanium TDCi Territory, Edge, side steps, mud spats, bonnet protector, tow pack, full tint. Nov 10 built XR6 Sensation. Previous: Oct 07 built Mondeo TDCi hatch, Stardust Silver, bluetooth, leather, tow pack, sunroof. |
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#78 | |||
Powered By EcoBoost
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central Qld.
Posts: 3,483
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Quote:
You get accussed of playing games? Ask the salesman who was playing games when 2 years ago when you went to buy the same spec ute (turbo or not) the price of them then was $10000 dearer than what they are today! Some one was playing games or making A LOT of profit! Yes the poor salesman has to make a profit to pay for food on the table, the clothes on their back and the roof over their head. What it comes down to is what type of food they like, how flash the clothes they like and how big they want that house! |
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#79 | |||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 9
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#80 | ||||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,021
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#81 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,047
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Seriously, if I had any experiences with a brand trying to do the dirty on warranty fixes, even if you did get me a positive outcome, I still wouldnt repeat purchase because I would lose faith in that brand - simple as that. |
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