VW/Audi dealer - Better up your game!

Skintski

I contacted my local Audi dealership for a test drive in an A3. Apparently they had a sales event on that day which was a Saturday and they could book me in for a 90 minute slot including test drive. I explained that 90 minutes was not required, that I was an existing fleet customer who regularly has her existing car serviced at their dealership and so all I really wanted was a 10 minute spin. Suddenly Audi didn't have anyone available to see me and that I would have to come back during the week. Sorry Audi but I work all week like most people hence why I called on a Saturday.

I then booked a test drive in with a Ford dealership as some of their cars are on my car list and they could not have been more helpful.

We then decided (the husband and I) to try a second Audi dealership. We just walked straight into this one and never mentioned it was a fleet car however the sales guy seemed very disinterested in talking to us and like it was all too much like hard work.

I eventually got a test drive in a new A3 and despite me showing the fleet manager my existing car which is a 2012 A3, he insisted on treating me like an idiot and walking me through where the indicators, seat adjustment, heating controls etc were. He also decided to point out that we were taking the "gentle" test drive route which meant not turning across any oncoming traffic. How very condescending particularly as I drive 30k+ a year as part of my job.

What makes me laugh is that they made me jump through hoops for a test drive in a £23000 A3 yet every time my car goes in for service they literally just hand me the keys to a nice big A5/A6/Q5 etc.

So thanks Audi for your customer service or lack thereof. This is one of a couple of reasons that I have since ordered a Ford.

jellie

It sounds like I was lucky with my Audi dealership, 2 sales 4 years apart. Appointment time kept, test car ready, refreshments provided, polite salesmen.

Strider590

[quote=[Deleted User];69262825]Fair point but surely customer service should be at its absolute best when they're trying to sell something?[/QUOTE]

No, because when it comes to the big German brands, the salesmen know they shouldn't need to "sell" anything, they spot a buyer a mile off and they won't bother with someone who needs any convincing.

EssexExile

Strider590 wrote: »

No, because when it comes to the big German brands, the salesmen know they shouldn't need to "sell" anything, they spot a buyer a mile off and they won't bother with someone who needs any convincing.

:rotfl: & a few more characters.

Lord_Baltimore

Audi's sell because they are beautifully designed. Get a defeat device one NOW and ignore the 'fix' recall. You'll have one of the last cars that performs, has brilliant mpg and the Gov are not going to increase 'road tax'.

As a result of the current furore, the EU will neuter future cars and motoring will become a bore. Thanks to VW, there's an opt-out of boredom for people who enjoy motoring

WellKnownSid

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

As a result of the current furore, the EU will neuter future cars and motoring will become a bore. Thanks to VW, there's an opt-out of boredom for people who enjoy motoring

The Tesla isn't boring, though, and some way ahead of traditional manufacturers.
The only reason why we don't yet have viable, low-cost, ultra-high performance electric vehicles from every manufacturer is because it just doesn't suit their revenue model.
How much did the Tesla cost to develop from scratch - $3bn? That's less than a week's turnover at VW.

Lord_Baltimore

WellKnownSid wrote: »

The Tesla isn't boring, though, and some way ahead of traditional manufacturers.
The only reason why we don't yet have viable, low-cost, ultra-high performance electric vehicles from every manufacturer is because it just doesn't suit their revenue model.
How much did the Tesla cost to develop from scratch - $3bn? That's less than a week's turnover at VW.

Agreed. But, at present, most people just can't afford them. Maybe there will be a big switch (no pun intended) to electric; I wouldn't say no to one!

Crag30

Just logged in and found my Audi has a cheat device. When I bought it I researched into it as regards resale, and planned to change it after 3 years, which would have been early next year. I can't see that happening now. I can't see them compensating the loss of resale value.
Even before this there seemed to be a bit of a campaign to rid diesels.

Muscle750

I know someone who went to test drive a 6 month old Seat they agreed to buy it the two days later they phoned her to say that someone had mistakingly sold the car to someone one else even thou she had paid a deposit. She kicked off bigtime threatening them with free advertising etc . The outcome was that they sold her a brand new one same colour same spec for the same money she was going to pay for a SH one................result

worried_jim

I used to work for a Lord and he was a scruffy git despite the obscene wealth and he was blanked in an Audi dealership so he went next door into Volvo and the chap said "Good morning" to which my boss replied "I'll take two of those estates".