New car for me?

[saint11]

i think you have to let the consumer see and drive the product before they want to buy it, you can't just entice someone to buy the car from the looks. most people base their decision on which car they buy on how it drives. If the automatic tranny worked out for MD, and if the price was right, he would have given it serious thought right? Most people don't go into car dealerships to test drive cars they can never afford to buy.  

hey MD, bring your parents with you to the dealership haha...that might get you some decent attention hahaha...  

thats what i DO !  

omg, i'm so LOLZ

[Sterling]

That's right. If there was a possibility that that car would've been bought, then yes, it would be reasonable to drive it. However, if there was no possibility of buying that car then there should be no expectation to drive it.

I see no difference when you are selling your own car and someone shows up to drive it. Do you just hand them the keys, no questions asked? If you had the gall to ask them a few questions and you got the idea that they had no intention of buying your car would you still let them drive it? Would you feel bad about "judging" that person as not needing to drive your car?

[captain_ron]

"I have a neighbor that brags about using dealerships for test drives so that he can then buy privately."  

- I do the exact same thing.  It is pretty hard to get a private seller to give you a car such as a Vette for 2 hours so you can see if you like it?  Much easier to go local dealership, show them that you are serious, let them give it to you for 2 hours and see if you like it.  

- I've never bought from a dealership, yet I've test a LOT of cars from dealerships.  Am I screwing them over?  

ABSOLUTELY NOT, if they offered me the car at a price equivalent to a private sale, I would buy from them.  If they can't give me the best price, why should I feel forced to buy from them? Because they gave me a test drive? lol, yea right.  

If I want to get a high-end car for a couple of hours I usually pretend I want to trade in the Vette, (I have it financed over my line of credit), therefore to the dealership it appears that i own the car outright, much easier to get high end cars for a few hour test drive when they think you already own a paid off car worth 45k.

[Mdxtasy]

I've had a chance to sit down to gather my thoughts around this entire ordeal.  I guess I can start from the top and answer what I can:

"Why did you tell him how much you owned on it? Why just not tell him you owned it outright?"

Does it matter how much I owe on it?  Never did I mention that I was selling the vehicle to him nor was I interested in trading it in.  Should that factor into telling somebody "no" to a test drive?  

"did he ask where you were from at any point?"

I had mentioned that I have been to the Calgary Volvo dealer and they didn't have a V70R in stock for sale.  They had a black one with the pumpkin leather but was already sold.  Maybe people in Calgary can only purchase cars from the Calgary dealer and only residents of Edmonton can frequent the dealer there.  Maybe this led to the pigeonhole 'tire kicker' label.

"Still I do believe he went over the edge and perhaps showed that he is a little racist. It might be that he has had other tire kickers who fall into the same ethic background as you who maybe were hard on his equipment and he wasn't going to let the next one do it."

Perhaps.  I hardly fit into the rice rocket look other than my Asian heritage and my under 30 age (even though I look older) but after some thinking, there could be some truth to the matter.  I will never know for sure as this is something they will deny if it were ever brought up.  Am I sensitive to this?  Only after thinking about it....thanks Inco.  

A serious car buyer is one who buys today?  Was I a serious buyer?  I'll never know.  Was I considering that automatic V70R?  Of course.  Otherwise, I would not have asked.  My time is worth significantly more than the dealer's time and this "manager's" time.  I'm only there because I want to be there.  I drove across the city to get to the west end.  Would I have bought from them?  Sure.  If the deal was right and service was adequate.  

If your logic of serious buyer only getting any level of customer service, then there should be a policy of by appointment only car showings.  Don't bother opening up the door at 9am or even having a showroom.  Maybe I should sign a conditional offer to buy the vehicle just so I can get a test drive and allow myself to determine if I'm still interested in it.  

"You said yourself, "All I was interested in was taking the V70R for a test drive." Unfortunately, dealers are more interested in selling than just demonstrating."

I was originally looking for a 6spd manual V70R.  After seeing that they didn't have one but only a 2004 V70R in auto form, I thought to myself, maybe that would work.  Am I not permitted to change my mind or atleast have the right to consider something else?  

The attitude that this fellow gave me as soon as I mentioned the V70R was negative.  Right when I mentioned that I wanted to look for an R, this fellow already had me pegged.  And believe me, I'm not going to let this go over so easily, will I take this up with head office?  You bet.  Am I going to share this experience with everybody I know and/or is willing to listen?  Yes sir.  Will I discuss this with the dealer principal?  Yes.  Do I expect him to do anything?  No.  

I guess only people over 40 have money to purchase a Volvo.  Maybe when I'm old enough, I'll make enough to walk onto the showroom floor without being discriminated against.  I don't carry my net worth on my sleeve and don't flaunt a lot of bling.  The last person I want to show off to is a car salesman.  

With Volvo trying to break into the high performance automobiles to compete with the M an AMG divisions of the German makers, it's odd to see the dealers protect these cars and think that people will buy them without experiencing the performance aspect of it.  Will I ever know how the adjustable suspension behaves on the road if I can't even sit in it?  Is turbo lag an issue sitting on the showroom floor?  

The final thing I will say is that the used V70R had dealer test plates on it, so I know it's been test driven before...by people who fit the profiling.  And you know what...when I got there, it was still for sale....so that 'prospective buyer' wasn't that serious a buyer now where they?

[S60]

I am sure Volvo Canada will appreciate the feed back MDx, especially from a customer interested in one of Volvo's halo R models.

I hope it hasn't soured your opinion on the V70R.

[Drivesideways]

You go girl!

I'd be pissed off too if I were you.  When you hear of people walking into other "exclusive" brand's stores (even other Volvo stores) and walking out with the keys, this is wrong wrong wrong.

And that car's been there for a while...it's the one I was telling you about last week. So it's not exactly selling itself.

[wing]

I should go try one next weekend

[Mdxtasy]

I'm still interested in the V70R.  This incident does not change my perception of the car itself.  It will depend on how Volvo Canada responds to this incident to see if I'll actually consider purchasing a Volvo product now.  They build good cars but if Volvo Canada sees this as normal practice, I don't want to support them and I'll go get something else.  It also depends on how Valentine Volvo steps up.  They were great in my initial meeting.  Let's see if it keeps up.  Truth be told, the energy I had initally when I decided to give the V70R consideration has been soured a bit but we'll take this step by step to see how things play out.

[duck]

MD,  sorry to hear of your experience.  About ten years ago Volvo sent me a letter (with my name and address) which asked me to test drive their newest products.  Volvo clearly stated in the letter that they just wanted feedback from me.  Well,  I called up the same dealer and made an appoinment to test drive the vehicle.  When I arrived there the sales guy was rude and arrogrant.  I showed him the letter but he told me Volvo don't just sent letters asking people to test drive their cars.  


I called Volvo's head office and explained what had happened.  Volvo said they do not own the dealerships and they had no control over this issue.  I told Volvo okay, please don't mail me any more letters about your products.  

This is the reason why I buy Japanese cars.

[saint11]

haha, sounds like a waste of stamps to me when volvo tells you to go testdrive its cars, and then says dealers aren't obligated to help you out.  

I don't think its just dealers of euro cars that are like this, there are plenty of Japanese car dealerships who have questionable practices as well

[ghost]

maybe it's because its a V70R which is Volvo's halo car. I believe the Dealership has the right to refuse test-drivers. I mean I stated clearly on my "For Sale" ads "No Test Drivers". After all would you like people whom you think are not serious into buying to 'play' with your car? So I don't see it as a wrong thing for preventing MD to test drive the V70R. It's a bit rude. But not wrong.
I bet if MD is looking for a V70 XC whatchemacallit, it would've been no problem.

[inco]

Mdx, for what it's worth two weeks ago I wandered into a Toyota showroom and wandered around for a good 10 minutes while sales people walked by. I finally had to ask for one. Maybe they had profiled me?

This weekend I did call ahead to both the Nissan and Toyota dealers to arrange my test drive and I think it helped.

Both times though the Toyota showroom and dealership was packed with people - it was hard even finding a parking spot. People it seems have confidence in the brand and that sure must PO some of our Detroit friends.

Maybe a visit there would be in order and a reality check.

And Mdx, I'm glad you thought about what happened and were not upset at my suggestion. What they did wasn't fair and regardless what origin, color or preferences, we are all people trying to get through this life.

Nobody deserves to be profiled or prejudiced in the manner you were and you need to share that experience. Maybe they will change. Maybe not, but until we step up they don't get the chance.

It should matter to that dealer that they have lost a potential customer and the way the business is now days that isn't good business practice.  

This will be interesting to see what evloves. Keep us posted.

On a side note all of the regs here who live in Edmonton and those who are close by should all plan a weekend "Delaership Test Drive" and all meet at this dealer on a Saturday at a pre determined time and insist on being abused by this jerk.  

Tell him that you have heard about his wonderful approach to profiling people and that you have come to witness it again. Then collectively you could all tell him where to go in front of everyone there. Wouldn't that be a hoot.

[safristi]

IMHO opinion it is most often the ignorance/arrogance  of the untrained snotty younger salesmen rather than outright prejudice(though I am sure that raises it's ugly head on occassion).Recently a friend well presented female in her business suit and in her 50's (WASP)was treated like crap,refused a test drive and treated like an ignorant tyre kicker by some 20 something hotsh*t salesdork at a Mercedes dealership.
        She went down the road and bought a BMW Z car when treated decently by them...her first choice was to be the Merc 2 seater.
         I too aften listen in at the water cooler in dealerships and some of the "overheard" comments about customers by the sales staff would gag a horse...these idiots and these are at upmarket dealerships should leave the Frat house banter for their smoke break if they want to blow off steam.They need life to give them a quick kick in the balls and a reality check to GROW UP.
   Funny thing with respect and honest concern they would sell twice the cars...Like Gillian from BMW Toronto whom Crolly & Farley praised.
    To me the sales-manager must set the TONE of the dealership and HE/SHE must take the Blame OR credit for the customers experience,that and a concerned hands-on OWNER.
       They should follow Lexus and other top companies lead and have staff spend a few days at a Four Seasons OR RITZ hotel business to see SERVICE with aSMILE..   now u lil bastard where's my coffe and Danish and quit snivelling and lick my boots...!!!!

[Shnak]

My friend's father was treated very badly when he went to the Audi dealership here in Ottawa (Mark Motors)... He was interested in buying an A4 *IN CASH*, but I guess they didn't like how he was dressed or something. He turned around, and bought a Volvo S70 instead. It really isn't that rare to hear stories of upscale dealerships turning their heads to customers because they don't fit their typical customer profile...

Just like when I went to a Nissan dealership to check out their Altima and the salesman kindly pointed me towards the Sentra instead... I guess he didn't feel like I was good enough for his Altima...

[inco]

Sorry Shnak - that was one of us who ratted you out to the dealer to warn them you were coming.  

Some dealers are ok and we have to warn them about - well you know. And he was  right too because the Altima would have been too big for you. Just kidding Shancky, J/K.

[Shnak]

well that's funny and all, but it happened to me about 3 years ago...

And yeah, the Altima certainly didn't fit my needs and I curious about it more than anything else. Only vehicle that Nissan has right now that interests me is the Murano... but certainly not a cheap vehicle to own and operate (premium fuel, and lots of it!).

[safristi]

WHO SAID the BEST things in LIFE are FREE!!?...Philosopher SantyaFerrari d'el AstonMurano Elise  of HemiVette....?

[wing]

Wow, I'm surprised about Mark Motors, I went there 2 years ago to look at the A4 and was helped out no problems.

[davidm]

Amazing the difference I found shopping for vehicles when I bring my wife and drive up in the bimmer.  Even though its "older" everyone seems to run out to show me the latest sports sedan (they also seem to like catering to my wife).  I'm 32, but my friends say "32 going on 50).  5 years ago, showing up in a 91 Miata without my wife I generally got very ambivalent treatment.

Local Volvo dealer has been impressive.  I had a chat with the guy, showed me an S40 (wouldn't let me take it out when they had they're very first one - which was pre-sold), has kept me in the loop on pricing, incentives, and premium used V70s all via email (and not spamming - maybe once every 4 to 6 weeks).  When I said we were no longer looking, he asked if he could keep my name on file and stopped sending me emails.  Very professional service.

Worst experiences were the Acura dealer when looking at the TSX.  Lexus and BMW were the most attentive by a long shot.

[jpd]

No Saf, Confucius said that!