Kevin,
Thanks for the tip (for anyone who doesn't understand: Kevin and I work for the same big, blue company). I'll do that.
V
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Vin
yes its on the w3 site. The leasing compnay sets them up for you.
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Vin yes its on the w3 site. The leasing compnay sets them up for you.
If you are in receipt of your
1/read first
2/read second
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"yes its on the w3 site. The leasing compnay sets them up for you."
Gawd, You're not another one of us are you?
V
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not me gov, what ever gave you that idea? and if anyone asks If I have found you on blue pages I shall completely deny its existence
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Form a flippin' club guys how many of us are there??
The need to have your package already looks to be a bit of a pain, I spent about 3-4 months testing last time.
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Form a flippin' club guys how many of us are there?? The need to have your package already looks to be a bit of a pain, I spent about 3-4 months testing last time.
I'm another company man. :-)
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This neighbourhood is going right down hill.
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>This neighbourhood is going right down hill.
Hey,
I'd like you to know that I've had lots of email from other forum members who obviously appreciate my posts, telling me I'm full of wit.. or something like that.
Kevin...
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Me too !
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I can feel a mini (or even a virtual) get together coming on
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There could be 7 - someone called AS400 has just joined.
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This prompted me to take a look at the company car list I downloaded a couple of months ago.
There were 4139 different models/makes to choose from as of 17/09 and that excludes all vehicles from one major European manufacturer because of reliability/repair problems.
Plenty to choose from.
Kevin...
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Big Blue = HAL once removed.
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When I was recently looking to buy a van I was convinced I was going to buy from one of the huge van sales internat companies.
I was told that the Renault Trafic/Vivaro/primastar etc was one to go for so I started to compare prices on them.
"Hang on" I thought, "I ought to have a look at one before I decide that's what I want."
So I contacted Mumfords of Plymouth who do Nissans and Renaults and asked to see one. "We may be pushing it for a test drive sir as both our vans are out at the moment but you may have a look at an unregistered one" was the response. Well as I was keen to see it so I took up the offer as I wanted to discuss deals with them anyway.
When I turned up the demonstrater had arrived back early so I went with the salesman for a quick spin. They would have been happy for me to drive it on my own but I felt that the salesman being with me was a plus in case any questions came to mind whilst driving it.
Having gone there with the express intent of seeing one only to buy it over the net, I eventually was persuaded to buy off them.
The service is excellent and the price I negotiated was a little bove what I could have got from Vans Direct but, when I had a problem with it two days after picking it up, I was dealt with very well. On my arrival the sales manager got up from his desk and immediately went and fetched the service receptionist and a technician was on the spot with a diagnostics kit in his hand. The diagnosis and rectification took 20 minuits.
The second problem warrented 2 returns. Each time I had their demonstrater for one day. The second time it went back I actually wanted to keep it overnight as this was more convenient for me. The were very accommodating in this respect and I had it for two days.
Although they would have happily done the warranty repairs on a vehicle I bought elsewhere, the fact that it's one of theirs I suspect encourages them to look after it.
Hugo
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Popped into a Hyundai dealers in August. Just out of the blue, but I knew in advance they had a diesel auto Trajet second hand on the lot. 'Can I have a test drive?' - yep - have you got your driving licence with you - OK here are the keys..
Would have bought from them, but dreadful PX deal against another dealer.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I wouldn't even consider buying a car or a bike without driving or riding it first (except maybe if I was intentionally buying a non-runner)
I've never had a problem getting a test drive, although bike dealers are often reluctant unless you're serious about buying. When I bought my ZX7R, They asked that I left a (fully refundable) deposit of £250 to secure it, and when I went back to ride it, they filled the tank, chucked me the key and just asked that I was back within an hour and a half. It worked, because I did a deal as soon as I got back.
A lot of bike dealers now do a "sale or return" policy with used bikes, instead of test rides. You buy the bike and then get a day to bring it back if you don't like it. A major pain in the donkey though when you have to sort out insurance and possibly road tax, only to chuck the bike back because you don't like it. Unfortunately, a lot of the smaller independents genuinely can't afford "any rider" test ride cover.
Car test drives (Ford, VW, Mazda, Peugeot) have never been an issue.
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I've had different experiences with two Honda dealers. My local - a salesman in his twenties, accompanied me on the test drive (a £10K Civic Sport) and when I couldn't decide there and then he made it perfectly clear he felt I was wasting my time.
Second dealer - Two Mills Honda, was the complete opposite. Saw a blue Accord Type-S at the back of the showroom behind several other cars.
As it was tucked away, I asked if there was another Type-S outside I could take for a test drive. The salesman said no, but within a matter of seconds he'd rounded up a couple of other salesman, moved a Jag and a Porsche out of the way and the Type-S was outside. He then handed me the keys, told me of a few good roads and left me too it.
You can guess which dealer got my business.
Andy
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I was turned down a test (accompanied or otherwise) in a Golf GTi back in 86. Went back to my BM dealer and bought a 320. Offered a test drive but turned it down. I was dressed down for both visits. V/W dealer went bust a couple of years ago. Shame.
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When I bought my Xsara (at 18) I strolled into the dealership, chatted to a salesman who showed me round the cars at the price I wanted. Found one I liked, he handed me the keys, stuck some trade plates in, and said bring it back in an hour or two.
He didn't ask to see a driving license or anything, but I did buy the car. :)
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I had several instances a few years ago (me in early 20's) when i've been into dealers looking at cars on a saturday morning in jeans and a t-shirt and got completely blanked by the salesmen.
I got a totally different welcome when i walked back in during the week all suited and booted to see the dealer principle or the fleet manager with a view to buying lots of cars off them.
And yes i did usually let them know about the crap salesmen.
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Well, the saga continues.
Through my firm I asked for a test drive of a 2.5L Mondeo. I've been pleased with the one I got for the wife, but it has shortcomings that I think the 2.5 might resolve.
So, they contacted a Ford dealer ( I believe locally, though not certain ) before Christmas. Then again after Christmas. Still no test drive. I've now given up, so instead of their benefitting from the sale of a new Mondeo 2.5 (on my co car scheme) I'll be buying a secondhand one and taking it elsewhere for servicing.
I wonder what I need to do to get service from Ford Main Dealers?
V
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Vin,
With Ford its best to get the test drives through the Ford Co Car drivers club.
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Vin, With Ford its best to get the test drives through the Ford Co Car drivers club.
Yep, that worked for me - FordDrive 100 or something like that it's called, where you get a car for 100hrs (3 days, I suppose). I wanted a Mondeo 2.0TDCi Ghia Auto - they didn't have one but said they get back to me. They rang a few days later with a date a couple of wks away. The car that arrived was brand new - did they really put one on the road just because I asked?
It's nothing to do with the dealers - they deliver the car to you (home or work)& pick it up again.
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Does that car club chase you up with sales pitches etc after you have signed up or test driven a car?. I am not quite ready to buy yet and I suspect that the salesmen sense this and steer clear of me.
Sit tight for yet another weary USvsUK comparo.
Whenever I went to US dealers I would get followed around and given the hard sell. Most salesmen stay out on the forecourt and intercept you before you even get to the main showroom. This can get annoying, but a keen salesman can be a bonus sometimes when it comes to arranging test drives or finding a brochure etc.
In the UK I tend to be ignored, if I go in the showroom and appear interested in a car I *might* get someone, usually a receptionist, asking if I need any help. I have never been offered a test drive of any car I have inquired about and most salespeople don't stick around long enough for me to get through all my questions leading up to the "do you have a demonstrator" one.
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Does that car club chase you up with sales pitches etc after you have signed up or test driven a car?. I am not quite ready to buy yet and I suspect that the salesmen sense this and steer clear of me.
I think you get sent a survey, and maybe a follow-up call to check everything was OK, but it's from a call centre, not from a salesman. It's good to get a bit of interest - I've had other corporate demo's and they never even follow them up.
In the UK I tend to be ignored, if I go in the showroom and appear interested in a car I *might* get someone, usually a receptionist, asking if I need any help. I have never been offered a test drive of any car I have inquired about and most salespeople don't stick around long enough for me to get through all my questions leading up to the "do you have a demonstrator" one.
This is pretty typical of my experience too. The problem is that car salesmen are not salesmen at all, they're order takers. They think everyone is a timewaster. I guess the only way around it is to be hard-faced about it and pretend to be seriously interested.
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Eric Stead Rover of Sheffield are good. I turned up and asked to look at a 2nd hand 800 on the forecourt, and the reply was "certainly sir, would you like a spin?"
Me "Go on then."
"Ok, I'll put some plates on, bring it back when you've decided to buy it. Have fun!"
And I bought it. Their service dept were also good when it kept going wrong (under warranty).
Compare that with the local Alfa dealers, who were not that bothered when Mrs O and I pitched up looking for a 147. Especially not when it emerged we were cash buyers, rather than expensive commission-earning finance buyers.
O
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We have been looking at various cars over the last week or so. Quite a varied experience really. Both times we went to the local Ford dealer the salesman was straight over to us; at one Honda place there were no cars in the showroom and no salesmen either - the one we did rustle up didn't look happy to be dragged outside to look at cars. At another Honda dealer we were offered a test drive of a nice new Accord or CR-V on the spot; I only declinced cos it was getting a bit dark. Audi were immediately attentive and Volvo were similar. VW were awful - I wandered around the showroom opening cars for ages and was studiously ignored. I have found that going with my wife normally results in much more attentive salesmen (no funny comments: I guess it is because a couple appear to be more serious buyers than a bloke on his own).
Only thing we need to do now is decide what to buy: Passat, Accord or Mondeo. A varied list: would like an Accord but will probably spend less dosh on a Mondeo.
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