Why Is Buying A New Car So Difficult?

[bad company]

I’m looking at a new BMW or Jaguar. I contacted local dealerships:-

JAGUAR

Dealer 1. Turned up for arranged test drive. The salesman knew virtually nothing about the product (iPace), took us out in a filthy demonstrator and said it’d take a year to get a new one on order. Arranged to check availability of others but 2 weeks later we still haven’t heard from him.

Dealer 2. Has a new car in stock and arranged to call us to arrange to view. He didn’t bother so we went anyway and viewed the car. Told them the spec wasn’t right and left spec for a factory order. That was last Tuesday, no quote received.

Dealer 3. This one seemed good, we did a spec with him at his desk and he quoted c3 months delivery. Once home I sent an email with a revised spec. No response so I phoned and was told he had my email but was with a customer and would call me. That was last Tuesday.

BMW

They had a car in stock similar to my spec. I viewed it but told them I really wanted my on spec and left details for a quote. That was also last Tuesday.

WTF is going on????

[PositronicRay]

Just a guess if it's all list is there any point generating a quote. Prices and options may even have changed by the time the car arrives.

Frustrating for all parties.

[HTP99]

You want a specific spec, which is factory order with huge lead times, you won't be the salesman's priority, it's not your fault but these enquiries are a PITA, the manufacturer I sell for, car lead times and supply are generally fine, vans are a nightmare, if I get an enquiry on a van I try my best to swerve it as history shows I do all the work on quotes etc and they go absolutely nowhere, I'd rather spend my time on something I know I have a fighting chance with.

[bad company]

HTP99 said:

You want a specific spec, which is factory order with huge lead times, you won't be the salesman's priority, it's not your fault but these enquiries are a PITA, the manufacturer I sell for, car lead times and supply are generally fine, vans are a nightmare, if I get an enquiry on a van I try my best to swerve it as history shows I do all the work on quotes etc and they go absolutely nowhere, I'd rather spend my time on something I know I have a fighting chance with.

I understand that but the lead time on both cars is 3 months so not so huge.

[Dan W.]

lazy sales person, Maybe manager has told them to concentrate on customers who will buy a stock car. or maybe the sales person didnt like you.

could be multiple reasons i guess

Edited by Dan W. on Saturday 15th July 13:54

[alscar]

bad company said:

I’m looking at a new BMW or Jaguar. I contacted local dealerships:-

JAGUAR

Dealer 1. Turned up for arranged test drive. The salesman knew virtually nothing about the product (iPace), took us out in a filthy demonstrator and said it’d take a year to get a new one on order. Arranged to check availability of others but 2 weeks later we still haven’t heard from him.

Dealer 2. Has a new car in stock and arranged to call us to arrange to view. He didn’t bother so we went anyway and viewed the car. Told them the spec wasn’t right and left spec for a factory order. That was last Tuesday, no quote received.

Dealer 3. This one seemed good, we did a spec with him at his desk and he quoted c3 months delivery. Once home I sent an email with a revised spec. No response so I phoned and was told he had my email but was with a customer and would call me. That was last Tuesday.

BMW

They had a car in stock similar to my spec. I viewed it but told them I really wanted my on spec and left details for a quote. That was also last Tuesday.

WTF is going on????

With dealer 3 if you did the spec at the desk surely he could have quoted you the price there and then ?
Then when you emailed a revised version I think I would have chased him a day or so later.
The same with the BMW garage.
Maybe none of them thought you were serious about buying ?
I can’t believe that 4 different dealers are too lazy to try and help but maybe they are and you were just unlucky ?

[OnionBhaji99]

I think it might be you 🤔

[HTP99]

bad company said:

HTP99 said:

You want a specific spec, which is factory order with huge lead times, you won't be the salesman's priority, it's not your fault but these enquiries are a PITA, the manufacturer I sell for, car lead times and supply are generally fine, vans are a nightmare, if I get an enquiry on a van I try my best to swerve it as history shows I do all the work on quotes etc and they go absolutely nowhere, I'd rather spend my time on something I know I have a fighting chance with.

I understand that but the lead time on both cars is 3 months so not so huge.

Ahh ok, I misunderstood, I thought the lead time was very long.

[gotoPzero]

bad company said:

WTF is going on????

I have had similar. Helped my in laws buy a new car. Budget was £60k cash.
Not one single dealer we went to showed any interest in them. It was like we were an inconvenience.
I think they want Mr £1400 a month PCP to walk in. Then its a different story.

[leef44]

HTP99 said:

You want a specific spec, which is factory order with huge lead times, you won't be the salesman's priority, it's not your fault but these enquiries are a PITA, the manufacturer I sell for, car lead times and supply are generally fine, vans are a nightmare, if I get an enquiry on a van I try my best to swerve it as history shows I do all the work on quotes etc and they go absolutely nowhere, I'd rather spend my time on something I know I have a fighting chance with.

A phone call or an email would have been nice to explain. Just some form of communication even if it is a set worded template. But no communication and leaving the customer waiting just leaves such a bad taste and makes the customer think, what would the after service be like if they can't even follow up before the sale.

In contrast, I recently bought a Suzuki Vitara from Bachelors of Ripon. It was second hand but I was treated like a VIP. Very courteous polite service, lovely coffee, cleanest toilets I've encountered in a public place. Would not budge on price but met other requests - new tyres, new mats, inspection of tappets, it even had some fuel in it!

Just that little bit of respect to the customer and here I am boasting about it on a car forum. It's good for business for them.

[bad company]

gotoPzero said:

bad company said:

WTF is going on????

I have had similar. Helped my in laws buy a new car. Budget was £60k cash.
Not one single dealer we went to showed any interest in them. It was like we were an inconvenience.
I think they want Mr £1400 a month PCP to walk in. Then its a different story.

That sounds right.

Anyway dealer 3 phoned me this afternoon offering £8000 discount which equates to about 10%. That and the Jaguar 0% finance makes it very tempting indeed.

[iphonedyou]

gotoPzero said:

I have had similar. Helped my in laws buy a new car. Budget was £60k cash.
Not one single dealer we went to showed any interest in them. It was like we were an inconvenience.
I think they want Mr £1400 a month PCP to walk in. Then its a different story.

It's not.

Ceteris paribus, and contrary to PH lore, a salesperson will as happily deal with a cash buyer as a finance buyer.

Sure, there might be a dealership preference, but they're not treating the former with contempt whilst rolling out the red carpet for the latter.