sales tactic or genuine mistake

bmw528i

Hello All,

Just wondering about my experience yesterday. Went to a used car lot where he had two BMW X5 for sale, one manual and one automatic.

Spoke to the guy working there and told him I'm interested in the auto, he tells me it's sold; I'm quite disappointed but he said have a look around anyway. Next thing he gives me the key and says take it for a spin. I loved the car.

Get back to car lot and he says oh just spoke to my partner the car isn't sold, it was the manual that was sold.

Now at this stage was he hoping I'd be happy that the car was available and buy there and then, if anything it kinda put me off, as I hate doing business with people who make up stories.

As I said maybe it was just a genuine mistake however my gut feeling is it was a sales tactic, what does everyone think?

Thanks

worried_jim

look on the website- is the manual still for sale, therein lies your answer.

ratrace

I dont see what the issue is, if the car is sound and your happy with it and want to buy it then go ahead

In regards to it being a sales tactic it may well be, Ive been to to buy cars from private sellers who get a "call" in the middle of the viewing and say loudly i have someone here looking at it and if it dosent sell ill get back to you

same thing as when shops advertise a closing down sale but are still there years later same owners etc...

It would not put me off if I liked the car

DUTR

bmw528i wrote: »

Hello All,

Just wondering about my experience yesterday. Went to a used car lot where he had two BMW X5 for sale, one manual and one automatic.

Spoke to the guy working there and told him I'm interested in the auto, he tells me it's sold; I'm quite disappointed but he said have a look around anyway. Next thing he gives me the key and says take it for a spin. I loved the car.

Get back to car lot and he says oh just spoke to my partner the car isn't sold, it was the manual that was sold.

Now at this stage was he hoping I'd be happy that the car was available and buy there and then, if anything it kinda put me off, as I hate doing business with people who make up stories.

As I said maybe it was just a genuine mistake however my gut feeling is it was a sales tactic, what does everyone think?

Thanks

Perhaps it was sold stc, you either want the car or you don't , it will still be there next week.

motorguy

bmw528i wrote: »

Hello All,

Just wondering about my experience yesterday. Went to a used car lot where he had two BMW X5 for sale, one manual and one automatic.

Spoke to the guy working there and told him I'm interested in the auto, he tells me it's sold; I'm quite disappointed but he said have a look around anyway. Next thing he gives me the key and says take it for a spin. I loved the car.

Get back to car lot and he says oh just spoke to my partner the car isn't sold, it was the manual that was sold.

Now at this stage was he hoping I'd be happy that the car was available and buy there and then, if anything it kinda put me off, as I hate doing business with people who make up stories.

As I said maybe it was just a genuine mistake however my gut feeling is it was a sales tactic, what does everyone think?

Thanks

I'm not sure what advantage the salesman would have been seeking doing that. If anything it put him on the back foot and made him look a bit stupid.

Personally if i liked the car that much, i wouldnt have walked away from it.

motorguy

DUTR wrote: »

it will still be there next week.

Not if the salesman is doing his job right it wont.

Good cars are harder to find than good customers.

Le_Kirk

Tell him you've changed you mind and you want the manual.

shaun_from_Africa

DUTR wrote: »

Perhaps it was sold stc

I would be very surprised if a salesperson would let someone take a test drive in a vehicle that another person had already agreed to buy.

Richard53

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I would be very surprised if a salesperson would let someone take a test drive in a vehicle that another person had already agreed to buy.

Absolutely this. The most I have ever been allowed to do with a car that is marked 'sold' is have a quick sit in the driving seat under supervision. A test drive would be far too risky from their point of view. I suspect a slight game going on to panic you into an immediate decision. It hardly matters, though. As others have said, if you like the car, get it. Although I share your discomfort over the slight porkie you were possibly told. If they aren't straight with you when you are purchasing it, what confidence do you have in them if you have to go back with a problem?


(My similar experience: I went to a large dealership in Leeds. I told them the exact model and spec I wanted, and the colour. "Sorry Sir, we don't have one like that in our stock. I'll see what I can do." Cue lots of rushing about between offices, hushed conversations, etc. "Well, Sir, it's your lucky day. We have a car of that exact spec and colour in our Manchester branch. It's already allocated to a customer, but I think I can swing it to have it delivered here tomorrow, as long as you sign on the dotted line RIGHT NOW." Funnily enough, I had seen a car of that exact spec and colour parked in their storage lot as I drove in. So that was a lie, then. I walked away.)

marlot

Richard53 wrote: »

... It's already allocated to a customer, but I think I can swing it to have it delivered here tomorrow, as long as you sign on the dotted line RIGHT NOW...

I would always walk - who wants to do business with someone who lets others down. And if it's not actually true, then they are lying to you.

motorguy

Seriously - there are various reasons why the salesman might have legitimately got their wires crossed - right down to him being a bit stupid.

If you like the car - and lets bear in mind good X5s are hard to come buy - then i wouldnt be trying to second guess the whys and wherefores of what went on