JJ wrote:

One thing is right and that is that something has to change for the dealer network to survive.
For the majority of dealers it is their customer service that needs a thorough overhaul and that will only happen if the manufacturers make it happen.

The cosy closed shop of manufacturer and dealer makes the dealer network arrogant with do you want it or not attitude.

I know there are some good ones as well and of course that is where we take our business and offer praise to them on this forum.

Totally agree....!

Green Machine wrote:

JJ has hit the nail on the head here. Most main dealers are utterly complacent and really couldn't give a stuff about their customers. They rely entirely on the manufacturer producing a good product and then marketing it for them, creating a steady flow of new customers through their doors. When I purchased my last Audi from my local main dealer the whole process from start to finish was an utter joke. I frankly couldn't believe that a company that operated like that could manage to stay in business, but somehow they do. The dealership and salesman only served to complicate and introduce problems, inconvenience and frustration. If I had the option of ordering a car direct from Audi in Germany and bypassing the UK dealer network I would jump at it! I think that is the way things will go and I for one can't wait. I would love to be able to spec my car online exactly as I want it, and then just hit the order button, whereupon the full spec gets sent direct to the factory and I can check progress etc. online. When built, the car is then delivered to my door on the back of a truck / van.

Next time I buy a new car I will seriously think about going down the online broker route (which I toyed with last time). For me there is absolutely no benefit in buying from a main dealer, in fact the exact opposite is true - it makes the whole experience significantly worse.

We made five visits to Audi in norwich trying to order an A3 for my wife but gave up in the end. The service was just shocking. I got tired of and lies from the sales staff and it's almost like they have the receptionists pre judge you as you walk in. In five visits it was too much trouble to even look inside one!!! DON'T PANIC

Go Beyond wrote:

We received an order from Lookers Land Rover at Park Royal yesterday and the chap there told me that they were in the process of building a multi million pound showroom

Yup it's on the A40 just a bit down from the current one interesting to note quick service bays and our very own James T at the helm

Still prefer Grange thoug

Chugga90 wrote:

Dealers in the main are staffed by jumped up I'll informed idiots, who judge before even considering enquiring what you require. I may not be suited and booted, but my money is as good as the next persons.