Rude Car salesmen in the south

Flat2dmat

Have people found that car salesmen down here are really rude and ignorant?
I wonder if they are all like that because any dealings I had with them in the last few months made me want to take my money up north, which I did, and found that the service was brilliant, they went out of their way to help me, and the after sales service was class.

My first dealing with one was a Honda garage in Drogheda and the guy I spoke to was the worst ever. I was in looking for a new headlamp for an old import, which I only needed to get it thru NCT. There was a big sign up outside saying that they provided Honda parts for all models etc etc. He asked "Is that an import?" and when I said "yes", he laughed at me and said that no way would he supply me with a light for it. When I explained that the headlamp from a newer Honda which wasn't imported would also fit my car, he said that he could order that one in, but he couldn't guarantee it would fit and if I wasn't happy with it, they wouldn't give me my money back. I tried a little more negotiating but he was having none of it and was looking at me as if to say, stop wasting my time.
I understand that I wasn't buying a new car, but I did a month later and he lost out on business from me due to his horrible manner. I will never step foot in that garage again and have warned all my family and friends away from it. Do these guys not realise that they're losing money by being so rude?

Another guy I dealt with in a garage in Navan would not negotaiate on the price of a brand new car, despite the fact that I told him it was €6k cheaper up north and that I'd rather spend the money here, so could he not reduce the price even a bit? I wasn't expecting him to bring it down 6k but he wouldn't even bring it down 2k, which made me think that he was too sure that someone else would come along and buy it instead - in this climate?!
Also he offered a particular amount of money for our other car (not the old Honda but a much nicer yoke) without even looking at. When we sais to him, you know you haven't even seen the car, he said "I saw you driving in with it and it looks clean". Never asked abt mileage, interior, engine, nothing.

Anyway, rant over. How have others found these Irish lads to deal with?
If the rest are anything like the above two, then I have no sympathy for the garages which are closing due to lack of sales.

EPM

Flat2dmat wrote: »

My first dealing with one was a Honda garage in Drogheda and the guy I spoke to was the worst ever. I was in looking for a new headlamp for an old import, which I only needed to get it thru NCT. There was a big sign up outside saying that they provided Honda parts for all models etc etc. He asked "Is that an import?" and when I said "yes", he laughed at me and said that no way would he supply me with a light for it. When I explained that the headlamp from a newer Honda which wasn't imported would also fit my car, he said that he could order that one in, but he couldn't guarantee it would fit and if I wasn't happy with it, they wouldn't give me my money back. I tried a little more negotiating but he was having none of it and was looking at me as if to say, stop wasting my time.
I understand that I wasn't buying a new car, but I did a month later and he lost out on business from me due to his horrible manner. I will never step foot in that garage again and have warned all my family and friends away from it. Do these guys not realise that they're losing money by being so rude?

Well, if it was me and I was asked to order a part without knowing for sure that it would fit and risk losing money in having it lying about the stores for a long time I'd be the exact same way to be honest.

Flat2dmat wrote: »

Another guy I dealt with in a garage in Navan would not negotaiate on the price of a brand new car, despite the fact that I told him it was €6k cheaper up north and that I'd rather spend the money here, so could he not reduce the price even a bit? I wasn't expecting him to bring it down 6k but he wouldn't even bring it down 2k, which made me think that he was too sure that someone else would come along and buy it instead - in this climate?!
Also he offered a particular amount of money for our other car (not the old Honda but a much nicer yoke) without even looking at. When we sais to him, you know you haven't even seen the car, he said "I saw you driving in with it and it looks clean". Never asked abt mileage, interior, engine, nothing.

Well if he's happy enough not looking at it it's his problem. I doubt he'd suddenly change his mind after seeing it in detail, more than likely just had a price in mind that he was willing to allow and thats it. Sure, you can get a car cheaper in the north but if you are trading in you cant expect the same discount as a cash buyer surely?

keefg

Flat2dmat wrote: »

I wonder if they are all like that

Not all of them, no.

_Buck Rogers

Thats a valid point mate. I was in a bmw dealership in monaghan not so long ago, looking at a 05 3 series. He maintained that his where the cheapest Bmw's in ireland. When i pointed out I could buy the exact same car for a hell of a lot cheaper ( could have a 06 for cheaper then he was charging), He said "they arent proper BMW's, they are dodgy English ones that were registered here". All this with a really bullish manor.

_Buck Rogers

EPM wrote: »

Well, if it was me and I was asked to order a part without knowing for sure that it would fit and risk losing money in having it lying about the stores for a long time I'd be the exact same way to be honest.

No you every right to point out that you can order it but won't refund him, but no right to act in the manor he did.
There's a way and means to do everything

L-M

_Buck Rogers wrote: »

There's a way and means to do everything

+1

There's alot more to selling cars than good prices.

EPM

_Buck Rogers wrote: »

No you every right to point out that you can order it but won't refund him, but no right to act in the manor he did.
There's a way and means to do everything

Doesn't seem too bad to be honest, people give a laugh a lot while talking. Unless he was rolling around the floor in convusions I at least wouldn't be bothered by it.

At least the OP voted with their feet if they didnt like it, too many people dont.

gman2k

Honda dealers have major issues with dealing with imports full stop.
I use to have a CRX, and booked it in to a main dealer in Co. Kildare for a service.
I took a day off work to bring it over. (It was booked in via a receptionist)
Got to the garage and the service people (when seeing it for the first time that it was an import) told me they couldn't do it that day and other blah blah excuses.
Eventually, after a lot of arguing, the manager of the dealership admitted to me that they would never service an import, and told me to go back to where I bought it.
Needless to say I fcuked him out of it, for wasting my day off work...
Have never been back there, and never will.
I wouldn't buy an air filter off them if I was stuck.

Saab Ed

OP do you work for nothing because it seems thats what you wanted these people to do.

A) If he's not sure the part will fit and you're not sure the part will fit well who do you think should take the risk there...." If it doesnt fit can I have my money back"...Are you having a laugh :eek:

If you told me you can buy something 6 GRAND cheaper somewhere else well for me thats conversation over. What do you want the salesman to do? , argue with you the merits of spending 6 grand more with him or simply show you round a car for a half hour that he knows you are gonna buy somewhere else. Get real. You dont work for free and neither do people in the motor industry. Anyway your rant says it all about the attitude you took with theses people

cianclarke

gman2k wrote: »

Honda dealers have major issues with dealing with imports full stop.
I use to have a CRX, and booked it in to a main dealer in Co. Kildare for a service.
I took a day off work to bring it over. (It was booked in via a receptionist)
Got to the garage and the service people (when seeing it for the first time that it was an import) told me they couldn't do it that day and other blah blah excuses.
Eventually, after a lot of arguing, the manager of the dealership admitted to me that they would never service an import, and told me to go back to where I bought it.
Needless to say I fcuked him out of it, for wasting my day off work...
Have never been back there, and never will.
I wouldn't buy an air filter off them if I was stuck.

Wow, that's really poor form.. I know Honda's are imported an awful lot more than most brands, but surely they have a bit of a markup on the servicing.. Even if not they have an obligation to Honda to honor the terms of their franchise by looking after Honda customers, import or not..

Saab Ed

cianclarke wrote: »

Wow, that's really poor form.. I know Honda's are imported an awful lot more than most brands, but surely they have a bit of a markup on the servicing.. Even if not they have an obligation to Honda to honor the terms of their franchise by looking after Honda customers, import or not..

Ah dont buy into the hype now. Lots of dealers wont touch certain cars for plenty of reasons and not just the fact that it was imported. I think the last post you commented on is very slanted. Its not just because they dont like imports, ask yourself if the customer is that pissed off about getting nothing done then how pissed will they be about leaving the car for a day then getting charged for some work only to be told all of the work could not be completed because the parts were'nt the same. The dealer nipped the problem in the bud...simple as. Why should that dealer swallow a pill for someone elses headache?

JHMEG

Japanese imports have different headlights to domestic models.

With the chassis number of a Japanese car the dealer has no way of checking on his system what the model number is for the headlight.

BUT, he can phone Universal Honda who can find out and order the headlight from Japan.

Saab Ed

JHMEG wrote: »

BUT, he can phone Universal Honda who can find out and order the headlight from Japan.

Or the customer could just go back to where they bought it in the first place !!!!

( so long as said dealer hasnt been hit by Jewish lightning in the last 12 months or their portacabin was moved to another flooded gravel yard )

zac8

Flat2dmat wrote: »

My first dealing with one was a Honda garage in Drogheda and the guy I spoke to was the worst ever.

It wasn't the owner by any chance? My experiences with him weren't great. I get my Honda serviced in a place just outside Newry. They're so much more professional up north.

EDIT: that dealer in newry has no problems with imports either.

cianclarke

Saab Ed wrote: »

Ah dont buy into the hype now. Lots of dealers wont touch certain cars for plenty of reasons and not just the fact that it was imported. I think the last post you commented on is very slanted. Its not just because they dont like imports, ask yourself if the customer is that pissed off about getting nothing done then how pissed will they be about leaving the car for a day then getting charged for some work only to be told all of the work could not be completed because the parts were'nt the same. The dealer nipped the problem in the bud...simple as. Why should that dealer swallow a pill for someone elses headache?

Fair enough if they have severe difficulty getting parts, but I have heard of places not touching an import for the simple reason it wasn't bought in this country and they don't feel obliged to touch it, which is an absolute disgrace which should cause them to loose the franchise IMO.

That said, my car is a UK import and I've had only the best of experiences in Waterford Saab where they've been more than happy to look at the car. My father drives an imported landcruiser, and Toyota have always been quite helpful, going well out of their way to source *different* parts! Not all experiences are bad with Irish dealers, I've seen my fair share of it both ways..

Honda08

zac8 wrote: »

It wasn't the owner by any chance? He's an ignorant pr!ck. I get my Honda serviced in a place just outside Newry. They're so much more professional up north.

EDIT: that dealer in newry has no problems with imports either.

hi there where outside newry do you get your honda serviced?
are they much cheaper..for service cost? can you wait while its done?

my last service was €506 euro in that honda place in drogheda
and the car wasnt even washed....im surprised that they are still in
business.

tbh they dont stick to the service schedule on the manual.. ie stated in manual that valve clearance check was required, but they said no it was not needed...

rang some dealers in the uk and north and was told that it was required..

they are ********** alrite in that drogheda place..


cheers

Saab Ed

cianclarke wrote: »

but I have heard of places not touching an import for the simple reason it wasn't bought in this country and they don't feel obliged to touch it, which is an absolute disgrace which should cause them to loose the franchise IMO.

quote]


But in fairness the manufacturers wont cover warranty on vehicles that come from different areas so why should a local dealer be in some way obliged to work on it. ( IMO they would be mad to turn away work at the moment ) If everybody buys their car in UK or imports it from somewhere else then worst case scenario there will be no dealers left and then where will people go. Would you really want to go to work if all you deal with is a problem because thats what you're asking these people to do.

Farls

This was discussed in depth here a few weeks ago

zilog_jones

The Ford dealers around here seem helpful enough, but I've only ever bought parts from them. Of course they don't have as much of a problem with imports - there's like one or two Mustangs and that one Falcon ute in Limerick.
Actually, are Ford dealers here able to get parts for US or Australian Fords? Will they service them? I guess you'd be better off going to Mazda for Festiva/Laser/Telstar parts though.

niceirishfella

Of course all call salesmen/people are cranky/arrogant/surley/ignorant/Rude and have no time for customers.........they are all too busy dashing back to their PC to post responses here on Boards!
Customers just get in the way of selling cars.

Saab Ed

niceirishfella wrote: »

Of course all call salesmen/people are cranky/arrogant/surley/ignorant/Rude and have no time for customers.........they are all too busy dashing back to their PC to post responses here on Boards!
Customers just get in the way of selling cars.

You have customers?

zac8

Honda08 wrote: »

hi there where outside newry do you get your honda serviced?
are they much cheaper..for service cost? can you wait while its done?

my last service was €506 euro in that honda place in drogheda
and the car wasnt even washed....im surprised that they are still in
business.

JC Campbell in Rostrevor. It was last year that I used them first and I'll be going back there in a couple of weeks for another service. I think it cost about €180 or 150 can't remember exactly. It's an integra dc5. Don't know how much it would have been down here as honda dealers won't service imports anyway.

Yeah there's a waiting area but this time I'll bring the missus, get a replacement car for the day and go shopping.

bostoncommon

Dont blame the Fox, he's the best driver of the ball in the country.

bladespin

A lot of lads and ladies (sorry) in the motor trade really shouldn't be there, they joined up when all you had to do was take an order, customers out the door, and now the idea of actually having to work for a sale sickens them.

But there are plenty of good dealers around who will look after your needs (they may not be able to match price with Northern lads but will try).

Steve.N

Just to add my opinion:- In the past 6yrs I have bought NO cars in the south - I have always went either over the border OR to the UK. You are completely correct about the attitude of southern dealers!! No one is asking these people to work for nothing, but having a competitively priced product as well as having basic manners towards you go a long way - anyway it's what their paid for isn't it??

As I've said I've bought 9 cars over the past 6yrs and 2 vans. All cars were substantially cheaper (even with exchange rate & VRT) than their equivalent models down here as well as having much more choice, better condition cars, higher spec and unbeatable customer service!!
I have many many stories about the benefits - Buy here is just one!!
In 2006 I wanted a used Renault Megane Diesel (approx 1.5yrs old - budget €20k max). I shopped around 4 different dealers in Dublin/Meath and all they had between them were 3 cars - one scratched to hell and mad over-priced - the other two were ok, but weren't very nice - the price was €22k NO negotiating!! (PS, If I had found a good deal I would have purchased down here!!!)
I went to a dealer in Belfast - He had 20 to choose from - all only 8months old and around 2 - 5kmiles - They came with a Renault 3yr warranty - all for £8995 - Got my 3door one for £8400 cash. Now at the time, this was around €11,000 & I paid €4,200 VRT - Total - €16,200
IHad a problem one year later with the fuel injection system, the car was stranded outside Navan - I phoned Renault Europe, who had the dealer in Navan collect the car only 20ins later. The dealer fixed the car with no issues and gave me a courtesy car.
This is the similar story for the other cars I owned - BMW 3series/ Toyota MR2/ VW Golf etc, etc.
Even getting your car serviced is substantially cheaper - Anywhere I've used are very helpfull especially when you're traveling to get it serviced, so if it's booked for 10am - the car is on the ramps for 10am. Simply go shopping then call back in a few hours - My BMW service 2yrs ago was €200 cheaper!!!

DON'T listen to people trying to put you off - Be faithful to your wallet!! If there's a better deal over the border or UK - then go for it!! It's your money!!

PS. Had the same problem with spares for my Nissan Z350 (Jap Import) - Went to a breakers in Armagh who got me the part and even took it back when it was the wrong one I'd bought!! You can't beat service like that

Flat2dmat

Saab Ed wrote: »

OP do you work for nothing because it seems thats what you wanted these people to do.

A) If he's not sure the part will fit and you're not sure the part will fit well who do you think should take the risk there...." If it doesnt fit can I have my money back"...Are you having a laugh :eek:

If you told me you can buy something 6 GRAND cheaper somewhere else well for me thats conversation over. What do you want the salesman to do? , argue with you the merits of spending 6 grand more with him or simply show you round a car for a half hour that he knows you are gonna buy somewhere else. Get real. You dont work for free and neither do people in the motor industry. Anyway your rant says it all about the attitude you took with theses people

Obv I don't work for nothing, not asking anyone to do that. Their job is in sales - they're meant to be eager to get my money, they're meant to be trying to negotiate, they're meant to be charming. The guys I dealt with down here did not have any basic sales skills or basic manners. Judging by your defensiveness, I'm guessing you're also a dealer so are giving a biased view.

In response to your points above:
A) I was buying a product and I expected to be able to return it should it not be the correct one. Do garages not have insurance for that type of thing? I ended up going to a specialist and gave him €120 for the part which he had shipped in from Japan using the chassis number. Would Honda garages not be better off doing this and throwing parts onto the same shipments as their cars every month?

B)what exactly does my rant say abt the attitude I took with these people? I was nothing but nice to them and I never had any attitude. When I'm forking out €15 - €20k for something, I'd like for the person on the receiving end to be willing to help me get a good deal. when they just give up and don't bother negotiating then it tells me how they will be with after sales service (like it or lump it kinda attitude).

I think these lads might have had it too easy in the last few years and now they're getting left behind for proper value and quality service.

Drummerboy08

Saab Ed wrote: »

You have customers?

Have......cust.....What?

Unfortunately, for all of you who believe that the North is the Barbados of car servicing, they have their fair share of **** in the trade too. Its not a genetic thing in Irish blood that all car salesmen are like this. No matter where you go, and no matter what trade it is, there will be people like this, trust me.

Its a bit of a broad statement to say that every salesman in Ireland is like this - have you ever met me?

Now, if you dont mind, im going back to decide what games and music im going to download in work tommorow.;)