I received a call from "Chris" to come up and take a look at an Audi S5 Convertible. On-line it looked good, and I asked about a trade for my S6. Predictably he said he would need to see it etc. I agreed. I would have preferred to work with Chris, over the phone he seemed reasonably professional.
Minuteman is about 26 miles from Boston, and it took about 45 minutes to get there.
Audi S5 convertibles are rare so I felt it was worth the trip to take a look at it. The S6 is rarer still, and my thinking was perhaps, there would be an opportunity to make a deal. I had test driven the S5 a few years before and wanted to compare the feel, and go from there - considering it had been a few years and I am partial to convertibles - I couldn't rightly recall just how small it was by comparison.
I pull into this dealership and instantly I realized that this operation was not managed from a "corporate" perspective. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing. What could be good about it is that the opportunity of a deal is sometimes a better bet. The bad thing about such an organization is that things can go unpredictably wrong, and staff can be prone to be more inept and unprofessional.
Unfortunately, it went wrong.
There was a poorly dressed greeter, looking person with poorly applied make-up leaning against a car in the "showroom". I was still on a business call when she was sprawled against some car in this "showroom", peering out. She had a ridiculous expression on her face.
I spent a few more minutes on the phone, exited the car and made my way towards the "showroom". The woman asked if she could help me, still looking ridiculous.
I asked for Chris, and she said one moment. She sauntered over and returned with "Chris", who was wearing a very pastel blue shirt.
Immediately he passed me over to this same greeter-girl saying, "Dima will take care of you", without another word he practically ran full speed for the other side of the room as if taking cover from some aerial assault.
It was a disappointing start, considering I had spoken to Chris a few times already and didn't want to deal with any drama - and this chick reeked of drama.
I follow her to her desk which was a mess, and sat down.
She sits across from me glaring at me.
Me: " I test drove this car, the S5, a few years ago, I liked it, it has been a while would like to see if we can work out a deal..."
She interrupts
Dima:" Well you are already going to other dealers driving the car, I don't want you to waste my time or yours .....why discuss things further?"
Me: "Well, it was a few years ago, when I drove it, curious how small the cabin is compared to the feel of the S6 - I would be interested to see what you would give me for it - if I feel like the S5 would work for me."
Dima:"How much you want for your car?"
Me:"How much will you give me?"
Indignant Tone
Dima:".....humph....you tell me, you may want $50,000....?
Me:" ...it's not worth that....the book value is perhaps $24,000...whatever book value is...."
Dima:" We don't go by book value...."
...and she gets up with my license to make a copy, at this point I was frustrated with the attitude and the way this whole process was going.....she didn't ask the year, miles etc....then comes back and says...
Dima: "will you buy this car today....put the money down....her mouth hung agape as if she was catching flies"
I am like, what dimension did I just walk in here...is this woman stoned?
Now more frustrated, I said "look....why don't we establish if I like the car first...can we just go outside and see it?" "We can then go from there"
I mean what a joke.
She paused as if to think about it.
This lazy ass gets out of the chair and we walk to the car....I get into it...and right away realize it is just too small...no need for a test drive.....no need for further discussion.
Told her it wasn't a good fit, not worth taking the drive.
That was it.
The worst sales person I have ever encountered. You have to sell the cars on the lot and try to make a deal.
You don't take them to your desk and try to close a deal without showing the car, or asking any questions. It was strange.
She had it in reverse.....and had me looking at the wrong car altogether due to the cubic inches within the S5 cabin.
You gotta take some info, qualify your customer, show the car, and go from there.
I see how they have a low rating, glad I didn't get any further in the buying process with this outfit.
I can only imagine how bad things can get.
The inside of this S5 also was extremely busted. I recommend detailing the car, or at least washing the cars you have for sale - customers will appreciate it, and you may see an increase in your numbers. read more