To walk out of garage after being ignored

[Papergirl1968]

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?

[Rawhh]

I think it was much more to do with then being busy. I had an appointment with a Vauxhall dealer today I test drive a couple of cars...we couldn't come to a deal on the trade in value on my current PCP with them.

There was no patronising the business manager came out to apologise that he couldn't give in to my hard haggle on my current buy out.

I'm a relatively young woman who looked incredibly scruffy this morning and was looking at top spec cars for vauxhall

[Oldraver]

OP...If you want to really want to see an odd reaction, take a 16 year old car and park it so it can be pointed too when they ask what car you have at the moment . I'm sure this is why we didn't get a call back when we later phoned to book a test drive.

We went elsewhere but phoned ahead to book a test drive

[glueandstick]

I have a husband but I'm assured you don't need a penis to buy a car.

You may find it's the type of car you're buying as the sales people are not... quite so highly honed. You wouldn't have been treated like that at Maserati.

[buttfacedmiscreant]

We went to a VW dealership once and were looked up and down and the dealer actually had the nerve to tell us that he didn't think we could afford a car there (we were quite scruffy at the time because we had been working on unpacking the house). I laughed and told him "my husband is a XXX (reasonably well paid job) and we just got a big relocation bonus from ZZZ (large multinational company) and are going to pay cash for a car but that's ok, we'll go buy from Honda instead" ... and did.

Idiot.

side note, I loved my Honda and drove it until its sad demise.

[Papergirl1968]

Thanks to most of you for the support and understanding, and the laughs - loving the Pretty Woman moment and the going in to dealerships for the free drinks!
Nothing wrong with Vauxhall, Glue. Perfectly comfortable if not luxurious and cost about half to service and repair as my former cars (Renault and VW) have done.

[AmserGwin]

This reminds me of when I went to pick up my new car (arranged by then DP). I went straight from work so was wearing black trousers and a polo top with my hair in a scruffy bun. I was ignored for ages. Then when I finally got to talk to someone, to say I was picking my new car up, they looked really shocked and nearly fell over themselves to help me. Then had the cheek to ask me to leave them good feedback (I didn't)

[AmserGwin]

Was also Evans Halshaw

[Roomster101]

I don't blame you for leaving. I have gone to another dealership under similar circumstances as I don't feel like spending my money in a place where I have been ignored.

[Roomster101]

But as I said, it is a sexist business, apparently not many women have the guts to chose and pay a car in the absence of a supporting male. Women on their own are time wasters on their view.

I think things have changed a lot in recent years though. For some reason car salesmen tend to refer to me rather than DH and assume that I am the decision maker.

[JigglyTuff]

Oh there is absolutely sexism involved.

I bought my car - for cash - a couple of years ago. It wasn't brand new but was still £16k. I chose it online and took it for a test drive. The sales man was idiotic and patronising. When I asked to look under the bonnet, the twatty sales bloke laughed and told me he'd never had a woman ask that before. [mad]

I won't buy my next car from that dealership (Motorline, I'm looking at you).

Similarly, when my mum bought her last car, the dealership sent the follow up letter to my dad. Even though the car was registered to my mum, they had asked his details and wrote to him. She complained to BMW UK and my dad chose a different dealer to buy his next car.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

When I was looking for my new car I was thinking about a Kia Sorrento. Went to the dealers and got roundly ignored until the sales manager decided he had to speak to me, I hung around out of interest really to see how long it would be.

I said what I was interested in and he said "Its over there" and started walking off. I said "Is that it? No assistance?" and he sort of sighed and came back. I told him not to bother and I would be getting the brand new Volvo XC90 instead and had only gone there as my parents had recommended it but that I wouldnt be. Soon changed his tune but I left.

As it was, I wast looking for a brand new car but he didnt know that and my used car wasnt exactly cheap (I did get the Volvo) so he would have still got a chunk of commission. I think that he just decided that I wasnt worth the effort as I couldnt afford much, no idea why he thought that though. Its cost them a lot though as my dad went in to tell him that the new car he had been discussing with them would now be bought elsewhere after the way I had been treated :o

[Justaboy]

A few years ago went to buy a new moath with my then wife. Was looking at an Audi A4. Car salesman almost refused do speak to her kept trying the look and talk to me. I told him its her money her choice she is the customer I'm just here in case of advice and need. (Used to race tune minis and the like when younger and have done at a lot of DIY car work over many years FWIW)

But matey wasn't having any of it smarmy git . Ended up going to a Volvo dealership where a young salesman did talk to her and took her out for a test drive so she got a V40 instead.

That dealer got the sale, he knew who the customer was, she not me!

[unapaloma]

I've had this many times and firmly believe in taking my business elsewhere.

Once went with my boyfriend to buy a car, and the salesmen honestly looked at us and went in the office, shutting the door. Not busy, just sitting around. After about 5 mins we left, and bought a car from nearby garage the same day. First garage closed down within a year - I guess they were just a bit too choosy about who they allowed to buy their cars :-D.
I am just the most unnoticeable person tho generally. I once had an appt to show an estate agent round a house. He arrived on time, I was standing by the house and caught his eye and smiled - he still turned away and looked at his watch, I had to go right up to him and introduce myself!

I guess some of us just don't look like the sort of person who is going to buy or sell anything!

[LumelaMme]

I think some motor dealerships really need to up their customer service. DH and I have twice given up in a dealership when looking to buy a new or newish car. The first time was a typical weekend morning, and though the dealership was busy it would have taken someone all of 20 seconds to have said, Sorry you're waiting, if you can hang on I'll be with you in five or ten minutes. But we were entirely ignored so we sodded off. That was VW.

The second time we had made an appointment to come back for a test drive. The bloke we were supposed to see was engrossed with a couple who were ordering a new car and dithering about various details. He could have excused himself for a minute (and left them to dither in peace) to see if we wanted cups of coffee, apologise that our appointment was delayed, and assure us that he'd be with us as soon as he could manage it. He didn't even acknowledge our existence, and nor did anyone else, so after fifteen minutes (in retrospect I'm amazed that we waited that long) we took ourselves off, and Hyundai lost a sale.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

It must piss car makers off no end when people get treated like this. Most dealerships are franchises so are not actually owned by the makers, but they can put a potential customer off an entire brand by shitty service. I know that I would think twice or more times before considering a Kia again, even though I know that a different dealership could be a totally different experience, it has put me off all of them.

[Birdsbeesandtrees]

I've had something like god when buying furniture. I'd just bought my first house and I looked (probably still do) very young.

I had to ask twice for someone to serve me and each time the staff member "went to get someone" and never returned.

Sadly it was the only place that could supply me with what I wanted at such short notice and I had to buy from them but I wish I hadn't.

The sales woman suddenly became uber helpful when she realised yes I did want to buy an entire house worth of furniture. (Actually I limited myself to a couple of sofas and table and chairs forgoing some of the other stuff as I was so cross.)

I've also noticed it at work - I work in a role where formal dress is often not required and would be downright stupid - think overalls/safety gear. Under which I usually wear my jeans and t shirt.

When I check into hotels the change when they realise I'm a business client and my stay is paid for by the company ..

[ChristmasFluff]

I've always bought Vauxhall, new (it makes sense to buy new and drive until it becomes financially uneconomical to keep it on the road). My car just failed its MOT at a Vauxhall garage for having delaminated numberplates. Vauxhall refuse to accept that this is their responsibility (I had a lifetime warranty), said I had 'misused them'. Then said they were readable (but it was a Vauxhall garage that classed them as unreadable). Then basically told me to fuck off, even though I pointed out they were fucking off my servicing business and future buys for the sake of a £12, 'hands up its a fair cop' payment.

The branch guy let me off the money. Greenhous Vauxhall in Shrewsbury are great, fab customer service from everyone. Vauxhall UK are a pile of shit. Buy at Shrewsbury or buy somewhere completely different.

[Papergirl1968]

Thanks, Fluff. I'm not that far from Shrewsbury actually.
Glad to see it's not just me who has had this experience. I am usually wearing jeans and t-shirts - plus late 40s and rather overweight. I'm now wondering if that had anything to do with rendering me invisible!

[indigox]

You wanted them to disrupt their conversation with another customer to tell you to sit in the waiting room? And think they didn't because you're a woman? YABU.

[ImNotReallyReal]

I just book an appointment and go. Picked up six month old XC60 last Saturday from the main dealer. Book an appointment and pay a refundable deposit (usually around £300) and you'll be treated properly. I even took the toddlers along and got some free childcare.

People who turn up 'on spec' are usually last in the queue. I even managed to haggle 3k off, DH would never haggle. Love it when they say how would you like to finance it, and I say erm is cash ok? As I sit there with unwashed hair in jeans and a hoodie with a couple of snotty toddlers.

You deffo don't need a dick to buy a car, in fact I find that the lack of one seems to do me well for haggling. My balls are bigger

[rightwhine]

I've walked out before about 15 years ago and I think that is still a reason why I won't consider that particular make if car anymore. Not a conscious decision but it is a factor I think.

[9GreenBottles]

Last night myself and partner called into a Mercedes dealership. There were no other customers but it was 1/2 hour from closing. We were completely ignored - even when one saleswoman walked past me, there wasn't even acknowledgment. It was just as well I discounted the car I was looking at by sitting in the driver seat as I really wasn't impressed by their customer service and would have been looking elsewhere like you.

[unapaloma]

Book an appointment and pay a refundable deposit (usually around £300) and you'll be treated properly.

Must be the only business where people are happy to do all that to get the basic courtesy of not being ignored :-D.

I really don't feel I should be paying a large sum over for the privilege of talking to a salesman (even if it is refindable!) - I'll stick with garages who are civil without that!

[differentnameforthis]

Was it poor service though? Yes, someone could have asked you to have a seat, but serving someone who had been waiting longer had nothing to do with you being female!!

Sadly, this attitude does seem to still exist among some salesmen. Their loss What attitude? The attitude that there were other people waiting to be to be served who made an appointment or got there before you?

It works both ways though...My friend is a car mechanic. She is the manager of a branch in her home town and the amount of men and women who refuse to let her service/repair their cars is shocking! If she greets them on the shop floor, you can pretty much bet that the person will ask to see the manager/senior mechanic, assuming it will be man.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

9GreenBottles didn't you stop and get a nice coffee and biscuits.