Car dealers don't take me seriously...

BrandNewDay

I'm not from this country, so maybe I need to learn how to talk and act, here.

When I stopped by a used car lot today, I wasn't able to get much help. We'd checked out several cars listed on the Internet I went by myself to look at them while my husband stayed home with the children. I wanted to get a look at them, kick their tires, and test drive them. The dealer is in two local locations and there was only one sales person at each lot. Obviously, Saturdays are busy and I wasn't looking at expensive models, but they seemed to want nothing to do with me.

At both locations, I was given to understand that I'd need to call a couple of days ahead so they can have the cars ready to drive. And, one said that first he wanted to know what I was trading in. And that before I could get in the car to drive them I had to be settled on the car and ready to buy it.

Is this normal? How do I deal with this?

worried_jim

I am afraid that they were probably being sexist, they think that a lady on her own is not parting with any cash so they would have concentrated there time on the male customers who traditionaly make the buying descions when purchasing a car. I don't have the perfect answer except vist with your husband, a salesman seeing both parties knows that a buying descsion can be reached there and then. Good luck with the purchase !

sheslookinhot

Don't give them your business.

Hintza

Be more forceful and ask them if they are in the business of selling cars or not.

Alternatively turn it into a game have your husband round the corner and you go in first with him following on later and without knowing you are together see how they interact with him versus yourself.

BrandNewDay

I don't have time to play games, though.

The second guy eventually softened. I must have said something that made him understand that I really want to buy a car. It may have been that I said "We've got a short list of car models we're interested in: Scenic, Picasso, Multipla, Sharan, and a couple of others. We aren't dead set on any particular one, just whatever seems like a reasonable price and in good running order." I think he understood then that I wasn't picky, I just wanted one of those cars provided it was in our price range and we liked it OK. They have three or four cars we're seriously interested in, provided there's nothing wrong with them. They're reasonably priced for what they are (unless gremlins lurk under the bonnet) and all else being equal, we'd buy the one we liked to drive. I don't have time to putz around, trying a lot of cars, really.

At that point, he told me to see him tomorow at the other lot (where the two I like most are) and he gave me info about the MOT and warranties that would come with them. (They always have a recent MOT and a 30-day warantee, which is somewhat reassuring. We're looking at a low price range, so that's helpful.)

Anyway, it would probably help if I know what to say tomorow so he knows what I want to do. I kinda want to test drive them tomorow but their lots are completely gridlocked and can't be moved without a day or two or lead time?

But, he did tell me I could run the engines and check the electricals immediately. The guy at the other lot said that I couldn't as they'd need their batteries charged, first. Was he just saying that to get me to leave?

I'd take husband with me, but that would involve three boys under the age of five and I don't think that would be a good idea. Maybe we can get a neighbor girl to watch them for a couple of hours...

CrispyUK

On a congested lot I wouldn't be surprised if they needed a day or two's notice to get cars ready for a test drive - unless the car is at the front then there could be a considerable amount of shuffling involved to get it out, and if there's only one person there it's going to tie them up for a while - time in which they can't be helping other customers.

I had the same with my local Peugeot garage as their used cars are stacked 3-4 cars deep on a tight forecourt. The garage in the next city had more staff and a much more spaced out collection of used cars so could let me test drive straight away.

Doozergirl

BrandNewDay wrote: »

The guy at the other lot said that I couldn't as they'd need their batteries charged, first.

:eek: Even if they did, I wouldn't say that to a customer! He either thinks you're a complete idiot or they're both so overpriced they've been sat there forever and a day. How could the batteries on two cars both be flat?

He mist be winding you up. Can you imagine walking into a main dealer and them telling you they had to charge the cars up first :rotfl:Either way, I would not buy a car from someone like that.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

worried_jim wrote: »

I am afraid that they were probably being sexist,....

Your wrong worried jim.


They are qualifying the customer.

IE is that married woman going to buy the car without her husband today when I can make money elsewhere because I need to pay my mortgage.

Am I wasting my time with this one? Can a deal be done today because Saturday is when I can earn money to feed my kids?

Answer.

1) A MAJORITY (not a small majority, A VAST MAJORITY) of married women WILL NOT buy a car without their husband involved BUT if you ask them would they buy one now they all say they can OR get insulted that you have asked.

2) If the deal is to be done with a part ex & its not there a DEAL will not be done today.

Question

Would you waste time/money test driving on a Saturday on the hope that a customer may come back in a few days time (if they havent found a car somewhere else in the meantime) on the added hope that the person you have been selling to for the last hour will then pass all the information onto their husband who you have to repeat yourself for another 1hr & do another 30 min test drive a few days later on the additional/additional hope that the part-ex is offered at the right price & the deal isnt !!!!!!ed by the husband insisting on a set of mats & a full tank of fuel? & in the meantime 5 qualified customers walking around?

If you say yes then DO NOT ever take a career in car sales, you will NEVER make it & will starve you family in the process.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

"The guy at the other lot said that I couldn't as they'd need their batteries charged, first."

---


& bang goes another 15mins finding a pack & starting it up etc

BrandNewDay

My husband went and looked at the cars seperately - one of us staying home with the children - and told me to pick whichever of the two finalists I like, as well as gave me a list of things to pay particular attention to.... it comes down to me to do the buying.

I called the second/more helpful salesman and talked to him about the two I was interested in. I said I wanted to check them out tomorow and that I intended to choose one or the other, and asked him if it would be possible to drive it home tomorow. He said it would have to be Monday because of MOT and tax being done - they'll both come with fresh MOT and tax, I gather. I imagine the car lot could be an issue, too, so I'm OK with that.

I don't feel obligated to buy either car - but assuming things appear to be in order, I will buy one of the two.

I think he understands that and I get the impression that he will be more helpful tomorow.

worried_jim

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Your wrong worried jim.


They are qualifying the customer.

IE is that married woman going to buy the car without her husband today when I can make money elsewhere because I need to pay my mortgage.

Am I wasting my time with this one? Can a deal be done today because Saturday is when I can earn money to feed my kids?

Answer.

1) A MAJORITY (not a small majority, A VAST MAJORITY) of married women WILL NOT buy a car without their husband involved BUT if you ask them would they buy one now they all say they can OR get insulted that you have asked.

2) If the deal is to be done with a part ex & its not there a DEAL will not be done today.

Question

Would you waste time/money test driving on a Saturday on the hope that a customer may come back in a few days time (if they havent found a car somewhere else in the meantime) on the added hope that the person you have been selling to for the last hour will then pass all the information onto their husband who you have to repeat yourself for another 1hr & do another 30 min test drive a few days later on the additional/additional hope that the part-ex is offered at the right price & the deal isnt !!!!!!ed by the husband insisting on a set of mats & a full tank of fuel? & in the meantime 5 qualified customers walking around?

If you say yes then DO NOT ever take a career in car sales, you will NEVER make it & will starve you family in the process.

I wanted to be a bit more polite rather than just saying that it's a waste of time talking to women . I happen to agree with your sentiment though when I worked in sales single women were avoided like the plague.