So there's me thinking about time I changed my ageing car, and all I have to do is go to the dealers, choose the one I want and order one. They'll be pleased for the business and will trreat me well and do me a good deal. I narrowed my choice down to a Hyundai, Kia, Nissan or Honda.

Hyundai - no crossovers in stock so sent me to another of their dealerships a 45 min drive away. Got there, the bloke could barely get off his a*** to help me. Not a bit interested in selling me one because they were already having trouble getting them so didn't want the business. "they've 1,000 more orders than cars right now sir".

Kia - told me they had a new sportage in, so a 30 min drive to go to see it. Got there to be told Kia had taken it back 30 mins earlier and they wouldn't have one in to even look at for about 2 weeks. Thanks for telling me Mr Kia, I appreciate wasting an hour of my life and a gallon of very expensive petrol.

Nissan - Qashqai sir ? February if you're lucky. And you want to test drive one sir ? I'm a bit busy right now, can you come back another day sir ? "No problem", I said, "wouldn't want you to get the impression I'd like to buy a Nissan, so I'll tell you what, I won't bother you again, I can see you're incredibly busy". Blank expression from salesman as I walked out of the door.

Honda - another long drive, to be told you might get a CRV in February sir. The cheeky git then said "they're quite expensive sir, are they in your budget ?". I know I was in my T-shirt and shorts but p-lease.

So, I don't know what's happened to car dealers since I last bought one (a while ago admittedly), but I always remembered them being keen to sell cars, now they're more bothered with putting you off buying them. I've given up, so its back to my ageing motor until they pull their fingers out and start treating us customers as customers. Grrrr. Anyone any tips for how to buy a new car please ???? Preferably NOT Hyundai, Kia, Nissan or Honda.