</font>A couple of weekends ago I found myself in
Harrogate with half an hour to kill, so I thought I would pop into the
Harrogate dealer.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" />
</font>
</font>Three years ago I went there with a view to
purchasing my current car. When I entered the showroom I found the A3 and had a
look inside. I tried to catch the eye of one of the sales people who were
chatting to each other, but to no avail. I went over to them and asked for assistance.
</font>The slightly miffed salesman answered some
questions and told me that no A3s were available for a test drive. I gave him the details of the spec I wanted
and asked for a price, (contract hire).
After waiting for days I chased him up for a price and he sent me a two
line email with a very high price, (most other organisations send a full
breakdown of spec etc).
</font>
</font>I rang back to enquire about the test drive and was
told that no A3s were available. I found
this hard to believe so I spoke to the sales manager who was a somewhat defensive
and again told me that there were no A3s for a test drive, he also gave me a
slightly better price, but his general tone was of someone not wanting my
business. The price he gave equated to
over £3000 more expensive over the 3 year period.
</font>
</font>People change I thought, so 3 years later I enter
the showroom to get some more info on the Q3.
I walked into the showroom and as luck would have it all the cars were
unlocked apart from the Q3. I found a
sales person who was sat chatting to a colleague and after unlocking the vehicle
he answered a few questions. Despite telling him that I am wanting to order
within a few weeks he seemed disinterested and was very keen to get away from my questions and get back to
chatting.
</font>
</font>I do not expect a red carpet reception and a
fanfare when I walk into a showroom; but do expect some vague interest in my
custom, especially when the purchase is substantial. I am not sure what training (if any) they
receive at the Harrogate franchise, but they should review it; as they have
lost two orders from me, plus any chance of our fleet business and servicing.
</font>
</font>This weekend I found myself in Hull, so I popped in
there. What a difference. (Loads of the more exotic Audis, R8s etc to
act as eye candy). A well trained sales
person who was attentive, knowledgeable and eager to get the sale. We will have to see if he can come up with
the price.
</font>
Harrogate with half an hour to kill, so I thought I would pop into the
Harrogate dealer.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /></font>
</font>Three years ago I went there with a view to
purchasing my current car. When I entered the showroom I found the A3 and had a
look inside. I tried to catch the eye of one of the sales people who were
chatting to each other, but to no avail. I went over to them and asked for assistance.
</font>The slightly miffed salesman answered some
questions and told me that no A3s were available for a test drive. I gave him the details of the spec I wanted
and asked for a price, (contract hire).
After waiting for days I chased him up for a price and he sent me a two
line email with a very high price, (most other organisations send a full
breakdown of spec etc).
</font>
</font>I rang back to enquire about the test drive and was
told that no A3s were available. I found
this hard to believe so I spoke to the sales manager who was a somewhat defensive
and again told me that there were no A3s for a test drive, he also gave me a
slightly better price, but his general tone was of someone not wanting my
business. The price he gave equated to
over £3000 more expensive over the 3 year period.
</font>
</font>People change I thought, so 3 years later I enter
the showroom to get some more info on the Q3.
I walked into the showroom and as luck would have it all the cars were
unlocked apart from the Q3. I found a
sales person who was sat chatting to a colleague and after unlocking the vehicle
he answered a few questions. Despite telling him that I am wanting to order
within a few weeks he seemed disinterested and was very keen to get away from my questions and get back to
chatting.
</font>
</font>I do not expect a red carpet reception and a
fanfare when I walk into a showroom; but do expect some vague interest in my
custom, especially when the purchase is substantial. I am not sure what training (if any) they
receive at the Harrogate franchise, but they should review it; as they have
lost two orders from me, plus any chance of our fleet business and servicing.
</font>
</font>This weekend I found myself in Hull, so I popped in
there. What a difference. (Loads of the more exotic Audis, R8s etc to
act as eye candy). A well trained sales
person who was attentive, knowledgeable and eager to get the sale. We will have to see if he can come up with
the price.
</font>
