Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

Big_Graeme

This is the reason I choose not to do the car pricing visits, the spec you have to ask for screams shopper and has salemen putting up the barricades.

The ones who do these in any quantity have a knack of getting what they need, an art I really can't be pestered to perfect at the moment.

Big_Graeme

Those looking at the GfK visits to check supermarket promotion activity should be aware the spend is not reimbursed.

mysterious_girl

Red curly panda and BigGraeme. Thanks for your replies. How reassuring!!:;)

I would have thought they'd be on their best behaviour if they suspected being shopped. It could be their own company who is shopping them after all.

On visit one I had a snotty nosed 22 year old boy who deserved a smack in the face. He didn't even want to give me the list price. I said "but it's there, right in front of you!, (pointing to the placard next to the car) what's the problem?". "You need a test drive before we discuss price". No smile, no coffee, no seat, nothing.

I told the little rat that I didn't want to waste time taking a test drive if it was beyond my budget. He asks me then what the maximum is I want to spend. I tell him "like I'm stupid and I'm really going to tell you that!". I was itching to punch his smug little face.

I don't know whether to just abort the whole thing and chalk it down to experience or go back as required and make a complete idiot of myself. Any suggestions?

skivenov

I can pull them off for vans, 'company I work for now has them and they've been good, so I'm interested in getting the same now I'm going self emp' or 'I had one as a rental / courtesy van all last month'. I've never done the car ones though.

shell_belle

mysterious_girl wrote: »

Exasperated isn't a strong enough word for this.

Years ago I did some car circuits for a European company that does something in the woods. I always had success with them and managed to knock them down and get a final discounted price.

I am now doing car circuits for a different company where two visits to the same dealership are involved. To be honest, I'm finding it difficult to even get through the first visit. Both dealerships wouldn't entertain negotiations unless a test drive was booked and taken. Even getting the list price plus extras was like pulling hens teeth.

My brief says not to take a test drive but sound interested in it and find out when I can have one. This is where the problem lies. I have to return to these dealerships next week and ask for a discount. Brilliant. They're going to bang on about the test drive again before they'll negotiate. I don't know what to do. I can tell you what I felt like doing to the salesmen but I would have been arrested.:mad:

Has anyone else come across this, and if so, how do you overcome it?

I'm doing the same jobs...I haven't had an issue with them but I used to work in the trade...what I'd do with the annoying little rat is ask to speak to his boss as he's obviously new to the job and is perhaps a little uncertain if his role...that should put a bomb under him and if not the manager will happily assist 9 times outta 10.

Big_Graeme

mysterious_girl wrote: »

Red curly panda and BigGraeme. Thanks for your replies. How reassuring!!:;)

I would have thought they'd be on their best behaviour if they suspected being shopped. It could be their own company who is shopping them after all.

But they know it's not, these lot work on targets, hit your target and that is all that matters. The way they look at it is we are there to waste their time, if they get a hint that we are a shopper we are fair game for time wasting, p**s taking and general fun.

shell_belle

Big_Graeme wrote: »

But they know it's not, these lot work on targets, hit your target and that is all that matters. The way they look at it is we are there to waste their time, if they get a hint that we are a shopper we are fair game for time wasting, p**s taking and general fun.

That's very true...unless they are a luxury dealer and they usually get a reward if they do well...the only other thing I can suggest is have a good cover story as they ALWAYS look at the car you drove in with to base their decision on whether you are worth bothering with!

mysterious_girl

shell_belle wrote: »

That's very true...unless they are a luxury dealer and they usually get a reward if they do well...the only other thing I can suggest is have a good cover story as they ALWAYS look at the car you drove in with to base their decision on whether you are worth bothering with!

They're not even seeing the car I drive in with as I always park it down the road out of sight. My current car is only 2 years old so it would look strange to be looking for a new one already. But then again, if they do spot it and do a check, it's in my husbands name and I say that I'm using his car while he commutes to London for work every week by train (true, but he actually drives).

whitelabel

it really does vary
I refused to do these 2 visit ones, especially at that fee
but do countless ones per week for others
Some dont even mention a test drive and go in to prices straight away and i have to prompt for a test drive at the end (if brief appropriate) so
its all about approach and coming across as a legitimate customer.
When i did the in the woods company visits, I only had an issue once with a dealer who wouldnt discount till i confirmed I wanted to buy. But still gave list prices + options
just say your brother / sister has one and youve driven theirs if they press the issue of test drive
my advice dont take the jobs - and force the company to increase the rates to get them done

walking in to the dealership and not driving in, is also a sign.
You may not see them, but someone some where in an office has seen you

I told the little rat that I didn't want to waste time taking a test drive if it was beyond my budget. He asks me then what the maximum is I want to spend. I tell him "like I'm stupid and I'm really going to tell you that!". I was itching to punch his smug little face.

thats also a clue,
most people buying new cars have done *some* research online or similar and are aware of what the list price is.
Also nearly all purchasers of new cars are doing so on pcp finance deals and will have a monthly budget. few buy new cars cash - even those who can more than afford it

when asked that, you should have went 10-11 grand below list and say well that would be nice but im aware ill probably have to spend a bit more... whats the best deal you can do...

mysterious_girl

I think I've just really lost my confidence with these visits. Especially after not doing them for four years and then coming across a smug sperm on my first visit.

I don't know what to do. I'm thinking, if these dealerships don't call me (as expected) I might just abort the whole thing. Like you say, for 2 visits it's a pittance.