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Test Drives & Dealership Promotions

157 messages,  Last post on Mar 29, 2012 at 1:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 15 of 17

#134 of 157 by ateixeira

Oct 25, 2004 (7:44 am)

Dealers have it rough.
 
I want to be left alone to browse, even when I'm seriously shopping. When I am ready to buy I will make and appointment with the salesman I want to work with.
 
A guy in another thread complained that he walked the lot with his girlfriend and noone came out to serve him, so he thought he wasn't being taken seriously. I like it that way.
 
No two customers are the same.
 
-juice

#135 of 157 by stickguy

Oct 25, 2004 (9:58 am)

Everyone should be greeted and solicited as to what help they want. If they want to talk, great. If not, they get a card and a "see me if you need anything". Not being greeted at all is unacceptable in any retail environment.

#136 of 157 by audia8q

Oct 25, 2004 (10:18 am)

I like to give out "just looking balloons".....walk around with a red balloon that says just looking on it and you can browse all day without any pesty salespeople.

#137 of 157 by ateixeira

Oct 25, 2004 (10:20 am)

I'd take one of those. 'cept my kids would let it go.
 
Any events coming up? The Lexus one was pretty cool. I only wish we'd had more time.
 
-juice

#138 of 157 Where have the test drivers gone? by hansienna

Feb 18, 2005 (4:12 pm)

I came here to read what real auto enthusiasts are saying after reading this promo in AOL:
    "Don't get taken for a ride on your test drive. Plan the route you want to take so you can try various terrain and put the car through it's paces. Make sure you slam the doors, test the brakes and pop the trunk."
    I buy used vehicles because too many new ones are abused when people slam the doors, test the brakes, etc. as recommended by the AOL article.
 
    Do any dealerships still have "demonstrator" vehicles or is every new vehicle on the lot available for abuse by any shopper?

#139 of 157 Demo by ateixeira

Feb 19, 2005 (9:07 am)

Yes, dealers often have demos.
 
When I went to test drive a 6s, I drove the salesman's demo car. It had plenty of miles and was broken in, so I didn't have to hold back.
 
Great idea, more dealers should do that. The Honda dealers around here have one demo Odyssey and Pilot as well.
 
-juice

#140 of 157 Re: Demo [ateixeira] by hansienna

Feb 19, 2005 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2005 9:07 am)
Thanks. I need to print your posting and take it with me to local dealers.

#141 of 157 Re: Demo [ateixeira] by djm2

Mar 07, 2006 (5:30 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2005 9:07 am)
I make it a point to drive the vehicle that I am purchasing, not a "demo"! No two vehicles drive the same. There have been times, where I have rejected vehicles from the dealer's new car lot on a test drive, and continued the selection,(from the dealer's stock), until I found a vehicle that I liked. If the sales person doesn't like this process, that is just too bad! It is my money that I am spending, so as such, I can select the new vehicle that makes me happy. Remember, the customer has the power, and the power is money! ---- Best regards. --- Dwayne

#142 of 157 Really? by isellhondas

Mar 09, 2006 (7:54 am)

"No two vehicles drive the same"
 
In the case of NEW cars, I've never found this to be true!

#143 of 157 Re: Really? [isellhondas] by wlbrown9

Mar 09, 2006 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Mar 09, 2006 7:54 am)
I would think the main difference would be the wheels or tires...if there are problems with one I would like to avoid... FWIW, my '00 Trooper had some issues with the factory Bridgstones...dealer did not really want to deal with them, so the problems went away when I finally replaced the Bridgestones with Michelin's... If I had been able to test drive that vehicle..it was on the showroom floor, I might have identified the vibration and had it fixed before purchasing or choosen another vehicle.

Messages Page 15 of 17

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