Dealership Test Drive
Discussion
Right guys...Im slightly choking on my own rage.... I'd love to know if you guys think I'm miffed off with or without reason.
We bought our car, a brand new MG4 less than 12 months ago from
. It was booked in for 12 months service, so decided whilst visiting (it's an hour drive) I would also book a test drive of the new xpower model. I phoned a week ahead to do this, and explained I would be short on time, and just wanted purely to test drive to see how I liked it, having already read some very positive reviews. I explained I was dropping the MG4 in for service at the same time.
In the meantime I talked the Mrs around on the idea of potentially upgrading, and she agreed to come along.
We had to bring the kids as it's a 2 hour round trip, but arrived at the dealship, dropped our mg4 into the service area and then walked into the sales office.
My license was taken for copy, and the salesman asked me to take a seat. I politely explained that at this stage I purely wanted to take the test drive, as thats what we had come for, and for him to advise me of the cost of upgrade the next day, preferably via email.
He told me he was going to get the trade plates from the manager, and did so. He the asked me what cost of upgrade we were looking for. Again I explained I puerly wanted to see if we felt the car was worth upgrading before getting into the financials.
He went to see his manager a second time, and came back asking about our existing vehicle finances, and value. I explained we had bought the car from them less than a year earlier so he should be able to see all those records on the system.
A third time, he went off to see his manager. This time he returned and said that "we cant start throwing keys around willie nillie". I explained that it wasn't willie nillie, and we had spent £27k with them less than a year ago. He then said "we dont want you to test drive it if you cant afford it". I explained this was quite offensive, and we would leave it and speak to another dealership. I was honestly treated like someone who had wondered in off the street and said 'give us a test drive'.
If the dealership do not wish to allow people to test drive, before first sitting them down for negotiation, then they shouldnt allow a customer to book a test drive on that basis. Especially not when the customer has a 2 hour round trip.
Anyway, that propoer miffed me off for the evening....and obviously the only way to deal with it is vote with my feet...... but christ, talking about customer loyalty!
We bought our car, a brand new MG4 less than 12 months ago from
. It was booked in for 12 months service, so decided whilst visiting (it's an hour drive) I would also book a test drive of the new xpower model. I phoned a week ahead to do this, and explained I would be short on time, and just wanted purely to test drive to see how I liked it, having already read some very positive reviews. I explained I was dropping the MG4 in for service at the same time.In the meantime I talked the Mrs around on the idea of potentially upgrading, and she agreed to come along.
We had to bring the kids as it's a 2 hour round trip, but arrived at the dealship, dropped our mg4 into the service area and then walked into the sales office.
My license was taken for copy, and the salesman asked me to take a seat. I politely explained that at this stage I purely wanted to take the test drive, as thats what we had come for, and for him to advise me of the cost of upgrade the next day, preferably via email.
He told me he was going to get the trade plates from the manager, and did so. He the asked me what cost of upgrade we were looking for. Again I explained I puerly wanted to see if we felt the car was worth upgrading before getting into the financials.
He went to see his manager a second time, and came back asking about our existing vehicle finances, and value. I explained we had bought the car from them less than a year earlier so he should be able to see all those records on the system.
A third time, he went off to see his manager. This time he returned and said that "we cant start throwing keys around willie nillie". I explained that it wasn't willie nillie, and we had spent £27k with them less than a year ago. He then said "we dont want you to test drive it if you cant afford it". I explained this was quite offensive, and we would leave it and speak to another dealership. I was honestly treated like someone who had wondered in off the street and said 'give us a test drive'.
If the dealership do not wish to allow people to test drive, before first sitting them down for negotiation, then they shouldnt allow a customer to book a test drive on that basis. Especially not when the customer has a 2 hour round trip.
Anyway, that propoer miffed me off for the evening....and obviously the only way to deal with it is vote with my feet...... but christ, talking about customer loyalty!
No name and shame please. Mod edit
Edited by hamd01 on Tuesday 14th November 22:11
LosingGrip said:
Or from the other point of view...someone drops their car off for a service and wants a car to dick around in for a few hours.
Yeah totally if thats their policy then fair enough. It was a 30 minute accompanied test drive I was booked in for though. I think that would be an unfair judgment to make, given I'm an existing customer, and they could have explained that when I booked the test drive a week earlier. I notice on the MG UK website there’s a facility to book a testdrive at a dealership of your choice.
It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
swisstoni said:
I notice on the MG UK website there’s a facility to book a testdrive at a dealership of your choice.
It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
Honesty I dont mind them saying that I cant have a test drive before agreeing finances. If thats their policy, fair enough. What I dont like, is that they let me book on the basis of a test drive only, and they spoke to me like I was somthing they scraped off the bottom of their shoe. On top of being an existing, proven paying customer.It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
I probably wont book a test drive with them, as honestly I wouldnt want to give them any more money.
hamd01 said:
Right guys...Im slightly choking on my own rage.... I'd love to know if you guys think I'm miffed off with or without reason.
We bought our car, a brand new MG4 less than 12 months ago from. It was booked in for 12 months service, so decided whilst visiting (it's an hour drive) I would also book a test drive of the new xdrive model. I phoned a week ahead to do this, and explained I would be short on time, and just wanted purely to test drive to see how I liked it, having already read some very positive reviews. I explained I was dropping the MG4 in for service at the same time.
In the meantime I talked the Mrs around on the idea of potentially upgrading, and she agreed to come along.
We had to bring the kids as it's a 2 hour round trip, but arrived at the dealship, dropped our mg4 into the service area and then walked into the sales office.
My license was taken for copy, and the salesman asked me to take a seat. I politely explained that at this stage I purely wanted to take the test drive, as thats what we had come for, and for him to advise me of the cost of upgrade the next day, preferably via email.
He told me he was going to get the trade plates from the manager, and did so. He the asked me what cost of upgrade we were looking for. Again I explained I puerly wanted to see if we felt the car was worth upgrading before getting into the financials.
He went to see his manager a second time, and came back asking about our existing vehicle finances, and value. I explained we had bought the car from them less than a year earlier so he should be able to see all those records on the system.
A third time, he went off to see his manager. This time he returned and said that "we cant start throwing keys around willie nillie". I explained that it wasn't willie nillie, and we had spent £27k with them less than a year ago. He then said "we dont want you to test drive it if you cant afford it". I explained this was quite offensive, and we would leave it and speak to another dealership. I was honestly treated like someone who had wondered in off the street and said 'give us a test drive'.
If the dealership do not wish to allow people to test drive, before first sitting them down for negotiation, then they shouldnt allow a customer to book a test drive on that basis. Especially not when the customer has a 2 hour round trip.
Anyway, that propoer miffed me off for the evening....and obviously the only way to deal with it is vote with my feet...... but christ, talking about customer loyalty!
We bought our car, a brand new MG4 less than 12 months ago from
. It was booked in for 12 months service, so decided whilst visiting (it's an hour drive) I would also book a test drive of the new xdrive model. I phoned a week ahead to do this, and explained I would be short on time, and just wanted purely to test drive to see how I liked it, having already read some very positive reviews. I explained I was dropping the MG4 in for service at the same time.In the meantime I talked the Mrs around on the idea of potentially upgrading, and she agreed to come along.
We had to bring the kids as it's a 2 hour round trip, but arrived at the dealship, dropped our mg4 into the service area and then walked into the sales office.
My license was taken for copy, and the salesman asked me to take a seat. I politely explained that at this stage I purely wanted to take the test drive, as thats what we had come for, and for him to advise me of the cost of upgrade the next day, preferably via email.
He told me he was going to get the trade plates from the manager, and did so. He the asked me what cost of upgrade we were looking for. Again I explained I puerly wanted to see if we felt the car was worth upgrading before getting into the financials.
He went to see his manager a second time, and came back asking about our existing vehicle finances, and value. I explained we had bought the car from them less than a year earlier so he should be able to see all those records on the system.
A third time, he went off to see his manager. This time he returned and said that "we cant start throwing keys around willie nillie". I explained that it wasn't willie nillie, and we had spent £27k with them less than a year ago. He then said "we dont want you to test drive it if you cant afford it". I explained this was quite offensive, and we would leave it and speak to another dealership. I was honestly treated like someone who had wondered in off the street and said 'give us a test drive'.
If the dealership do not wish to allow people to test drive, before first sitting them down for negotiation, then they shouldnt allow a customer to book a test drive on that basis. Especially not when the customer has a 2 hour round trip.
Anyway, that propoer miffed me off for the evening....and obviously the only way to deal with it is vote with my feet...... but christ, talking about customer loyalty!
No name and shame please. Mod edit
It's an MG, the stuipd clown! You should have slammed his face into his cold ginsters (figuratively, of course).
Seems mental to spend all that dosh on marketing only to turn away someone who should be an easy sell.
I’ve often asked dealerships for a car I’m considering while mine is in for a service, pretty much everyone has been accommodating and a fair number have bent over backwards.
I’ve often asked dealerships for a car I’m considering while mine is in for a service, pretty much everyone has been accommodating and a fair number have bent over backwards.
Edited by Puzzles on Tuesday 14th November 21:46
hamd01 said:
swisstoni said:
I notice on the MG UK website there’s a facility to book a testdrive at a dealership of your choice.
It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
Honesty I dont mind them saying that I cant have a test drive before agreeing finances. If thats their policy, fair enough. What I dont like, is that they let me book on the basis of a test drive only, and they spoke to me like I was somthing they scraped off the bottom of their shoe. On top of being an existing, proven paying customer.It might be fun to book one at this dealership and deliver a few home truths to them while you are there.
Either way, you have been treated poorly and a I would contact MG HQ and tell them what you have experienced.
I probably wont book a test drive with them, as honestly I wouldnt want to give them any more money.
But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
swisstoni said:
My point was that HQ don’t seem as sniffy as the dealership staff and you would be basically going over their heads.
But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
Ahh I see what you mean. I am going to drop HQ an email. But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
As someone above has said, they spend a fortune gettings cars into the dealers.....for the dealers to deny access to someone who is genuinely buzzing about the new model seems completly backwards. I do love my MG4....and I probably will go for the xdrive.... just not from the same dealer.
I had a very similar experience with my local Porsche garage. I wanted to test drive a Macan and arrived in my Defender. Not an old rotter, its a 2014 Utility, but I get the point its perhaps not everyones cup of tea.
I needed a 2nd, more comfortable 4x4 and wanted it quite quickly as we were going on a ski holiday.
I can honestly say I have never been made to feel so unwelcome anywhere that I was about to spend £70k with. I wasn't allowed to do a test drive either. I walked out fuming and went straight around to Land Rover and purchased a Discovery 5. I did think about returning to Porsche to have my Pretty Woman moment, but decided I will never set foot in that place again.
I needed a 2nd, more comfortable 4x4 and wanted it quite quickly as we were going on a ski holiday.
I can honestly say I have never been made to feel so unwelcome anywhere that I was about to spend £70k with. I wasn't allowed to do a test drive either. I walked out fuming and went straight around to Land Rover and purchased a Discovery 5. I did think about returning to Porsche to have my Pretty Woman moment, but decided I will never set foot in that place again.
hamd01 said:
swisstoni said:
My point was that HQ don’t seem as sniffy as the dealership staff and you would be basically going over their heads.
But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
Ahh I see what you mean. I am going to drop HQ an email. But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
As someone above has said, they spend a fortune gettings cars into the dealers.....for the dealers to deny access to someone who is genuinely buzzing about the new model seems completly backwards. I do love my MG4....and I probably will go for the xdrive.... just not from the same dealer.
andyb28 said:
I had a very similar experience with my local Porsche garage. I wanted to test drive a Macan and arrived in my Defender. Not an old rotter, its a 2014 Utility, but I get the point its perhaps not everyones cup of tea.
I needed a 2nd, more comfortable 4x4 and wanted it quite quickly as we were going on a ski holiday.
I can honestly say I have never been made to feel so unwelcome anywhere that I was about to spend £70k with. I wasn't allowed to do a test drive either. I walked out fuming and went straight around to Land Rover and purchased a Discovery 5. I did think about returning to Porsche to have my Pretty Woman moment, but decided I will never set foot in that place again.
That sounds a very similar feeling you walked away with!! I feel even more aggreaved being an already paying customer!I needed a 2nd, more comfortable 4x4 and wanted it quite quickly as we were going on a ski holiday.
I can honestly say I have never been made to feel so unwelcome anywhere that I was about to spend £70k with. I wasn't allowed to do a test drive either. I walked out fuming and went straight around to Land Rover and purchased a Discovery 5. I did think about returning to Porsche to have my Pretty Woman moment, but decided I will never set foot in that place again.
Its a few hours ago now, and I'm not usually sensitive to this kind of things and I'm thick skinned. But the whol experience has really wound me up. A letter has gone to the MD of the group, and to MG HQ. I'll be interested to see how Im greeted tomorrow when I go to pick up my car from service! I know one thing, even if they offer, I wont be taking it for test drive!
lord trumpton said:
hamd01 said:
swisstoni said:
My point was that HQ don’t seem as sniffy as the dealership staff and you would be basically going over their heads.
But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
Ahh I see what you mean. I am going to drop HQ an email. But fair enough; plenty of other brands out there.
As someone above has said, they spend a fortune gettings cars into the dealers.....for the dealers to deny access to someone who is genuinely buzzing about the new model seems completly backwards. I do love my MG4....and I probably will go for the xdrive.... just not from the same dealer.
Outrageous behaviour - I think it was very fair of you to be upfront and honest about your plan. The salesman had a full half hour drive to convince you to upgrade. If he can’t be arsed to take that challenge on then he literally is redundant and everyone may as well go home at the dealership. Bunch of clowns.
Julian Thompson said:
Outrageous behaviour - I think it was very fair of you to be upfront and honest about your plan. The salesman had a full half hour drive to convince you to upgrade. If he can’t be arsed to take that challenge on then he literally is redundant and everyone may as well go home at the dealership. Bunch of clowns.
I very very much doubt I would have signed tonight. More likely in 3 months. But its a trek to the dealer, which is why I wanted to kill two birds with one stone. 100% the x will be my next car, certainly from the reviews.hamd01 said:
Julian Thompson said:
Outrageous behaviour - I think it was very fair of you to be upfront and honest about your plan. The salesman had a full half hour drive to convince you to upgrade. If he can’t be arsed to take that challenge on then he literally is redundant and everyone may as well go home at the dealership. Bunch of clowns.
I very very much doubt I would have signed tonight. More likely in 3 months. But its a trek to the dealer, which is why I wanted to kill two birds with one stone. 100% the x will be my next car, certainly from the reviews.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff