AIBU?
To walk out of garage after being ignored
Papergirl1968 · 10/06/2017 14:24
I want to buy a nearly new car. Have decided on another Vauxhall Astra costing about £10,000 so popped into nearest dealer to see what they had. I had existing car from them and have always used them for servicing.
Three salesmen were all with customers so I looked around the forecourt for a while, then looked at the brand new cars in the showroom, then stood and played on my phone for a bit ( so I didn't appear to be eavesdropping conversations about finance), then had another look around the forecourt.
One of them finished with a customer at one point and I caught his eye and went to speak but he said he was tied up with something and went to a seating area that I actually hadn't noticed as it was partly concealed and called over another customer who had been waiting.
Surely the days have gone when men don't take women seriously when it comes to selling them a car?
Fair enough, there were other customers being dealt with first but AIBU to think one of the staff should have asked me to take a seat and said someone would be with me as soon as they were free? And AIBU to take my business elsewhere or am I being precious?
Wolfiefan · 10/06/2017 14:27
How was it because you were a woman? The other customers were there first?
It would be polite to say someone would be with you in a minute but if all staff were busy with customers already what are they to do.
Why on earth do you have to wait to be invited to sit?!
CookieLady · 10/06/2017 14:31
Nope not precious. I've walked out of restaurants due to being ignored. As even in this day and age people of colour are still treated by SOME people as second class citizens. 
Damned if I'm going to pay for the privilege of being treated as such.
I've even refused to purchase properties for being treated differently to my white husband. Fuck that shit.
user1andonly · 10/06/2017 14:33
Yes and no!
I don't see anything there about men not taking women seriously. I had a very similar experience in a dress shop where it was all women! I hadn't realised there was a system for being called into the changing rooms and no one had explained it to me which caused a bit of embarrassement when I saw one free and headed for it (after hanging around the shop for some time without anyone helping me!) So, yes, they should have acknowledged you and asked to to take a seat but that says more about customer service in general to me.
So yanbu for taking your business elsewhere due to their poor customer service (as I did with the dress shop!) but perhaps a bit u for thinking it was due to you being female. I wasn't there though and maybe you were picking up on vibes.
metspengler · 10/06/2017 14:34
Why should they have to stop doing their job, invite you to sit down, and jump you ahead of the queue, rather than you just bloody sitting down or coming back later?
Are you a disney princess?
Ah well anyway if you don't feel they respected you enough, take your money elsewhere, this is absolutely the right thing to do if a company does not behave to your liking.
viques · 10/06/2017 14:38
Whenever I have been in a dealership there is a reception desk. You go to the reception desk and say you want to see someone about a purchase. they say either, "I am sorry, we are very busy today [because it is a Saturday] so there might be a bit of a wait, are you happy to wait or would you like me to book you an appointment" or " we are busy today[ because it is a saturday_] but XX will be free in a bit , would you like a cup of coffee while you wait".
Papergirl1968 · 10/06/2017 14:39
I don't think it's because I'm a woman - two of the other customers were women. I was just referring to how it used to be 30 odd years ago when I was first driving. My dad, who has since died, used to come with me to buy cars.
I hadn't noticed the waiting area until right at the end, but if I'd just gone in there by myself there's a good chance I'd still be there at closing time, as like I say it was kind of cornered off.
I'm quite articulate and confident, but also don't like interrupting when people are clearly busy, because it can come across as rude and pushy. I would have just liked an acknowledgement.
There's no need to be so nasty, Fairy.
viques · 10/06/2017 14:43
Also since you have used that dealership before for buying a new car you will have the name of the of the person you dealt with, it takes a few minutes to phone in advance speak to them (if they still work there) and make an appointment.
I think you a having a bit of a hissy moment.
Papergirl1968 · 10/06/2017 14:45
At no point have I said I wanted to jump the queue, Met. And I'm worked hard to overcome natural shyness and diffidence but I'm the least princessy person I know. Jesus!
The only reception desk is for servicing, Viques and there was no one there today.
justbinthefeckinbyebyebox · 10/06/2017 14:47
I think times have changed when buying a car.
Used to be pestered by sales staff, but now I go to reception desk.
That's where you get free coffee, biscuits, read papers etc. while waiting.
And yes, I've walked out of cafes, restaurants and shops on very many
occasions for being ignored.
KarmaNoMore · 10/06/2017 14:48
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Papergirl1968 · 10/06/2017 14:49
I bought my current car nine years ago. I don't know who I dealt with then!
I'm probably opening myself up to further attack here, but I'm willing to bet that those of you who are sniping at me have husbands or partners to go car shopping with, or would take a brother or male friend.
Oliversmumsarmy · 10/06/2017 14:51
As even in this day and age people of colour are still treated by SOME people as second class citizens
Try being a white woman in her 50s. I swear I could hold up a bank and no one would remember what I looked like.
Spent many hours last year in a variety of car show rooms looking for a new car. I enjoyed the coffee and biscuits and read the newspaper and used their lovely facilities without being disturbed.
At one point we were on our way home from somewhere and I said i could do with a coffee. DD and ds said they were getting thirsty so we thought we would try it. Pulled into a car showroom. DD and ds had a coke each from the chiller cabinet and i made myself a lovely coffee.
Sat down in the waiting area. When we were finished we left. We weren't disturbed and had a really relaxing time.
Make the most of it.
WorknameJimEllis · 10/06/2017 14:53
I've walked out of loads of dealerships in similar circumstances
Meh
If they are really rude (have been ignored/ spoken down to in the showrooms of some of the more 'prestige ' makes usually -because I wasn't as well dressed as the other customers ) then I have emailed the manager and suggested that their sales staff might benefit from refresher training on the initial customer experience.
KarmaNoMore · 10/06/2017 14:53
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.