AIBU to think car dealership is being pushy?

[MeMyCatsAndMyBooks]

I am a motability customer been one for 6 years with the same car, they extended my lease way beyond due to lack of choice. also I’m nervous with change. Takes me a long time to get used to something and not much mileage, Car due to end November.

Anyway, I put a new order in for the same car I have now just the updated verison which I was pleased about as it’s only the technology that’s changed, I was told by the dealership they had them in stock.
They’ve turned round today and said they have no manuals in stock they are due in end of October when motability have completed their checks if no delays.

Now the garage are trying to push an automatic they have in stock on me and trying to get me to say yes today even though I only went to the dealership yesterday and take the car next week.

I’ve never driven an automatic even though it’d help me with my disabilities I’m super nervous about the idea of an automatic.
Motability have said I can keep the car even longer long as I have the car on order and they won’t be taking the choice of car I’ve picked off their “menu” anytime soon.

What would you guys do? I’ve heard people waiting 12 months and being told the car isn’t available anymore but I’m worried if I take the automatic I literally have one week to get my head around it till I have it and I won’t be able to drive it! Motability said they shouldn’t be pushing me like this. 🥲
I only have four hours to decide what to do, it’s so much pressure especially for someone who has anxiety issues. I would of preferred at least a week to think it through and maybe of gone back for a test drive, not 6 hours! They told me if I don't take it today and agree then the car won't be there tomorrow which is crap isn't it?

They are 'pushing' you because they want to sell it, they can't just wait for you to dither - there are plenty of customers wanting cars so they won't hold it for long waiting for you to decide and just sell it to someone else

Being a Motab customer means they will make little profit from you buying the car, manufactures will have preagreed prices with MFL so all the dealer will get is a few hundred quid handling charge. Selling the car to a retail customer is far more profitable to them so I personally think them holding the car for you for a day or two is going above customer service levels

Not meaning to be harsh. I used to be a Motab car sales person years ago and now the shoes on the other foot and I'm disabled with a Motab car.

Wait for the car you want if MFL will extend your lease.

Thanks everyone for all your advice, after speaking to motability & family and taking in everyone's advice I put my foot down just not comfortable going to an automatic without so much as a test drive.
Should have my manual car in October, as it's being shipped over now.

Nah, the dealership get a flat handling fee from Motability. They won't care if the car they're offering has a higher AP or not, just that it's something they can get you into quickly.

Many's the time I've contacted customers we've had a long wait to tell them I've got something similar available and do they want to compromise and get something straightaway or wait for what they want. There's no right or wrong answer to that.

Having said all that, though, they can't give you that timescale for a decision if you can't get there easily. You need to be in the dealership at point of order and again at handover.

Please, please give them a call. They'll love getting a call from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about.

Motability cars are not different stock. I've sold Motab cancellations to retail customers and vice versa. Most people don't want to be treated differently because of their disability and keeping cars aside for them would be doing just that.

If you are worried book a driving lesson in one.

All you have to remember is to tuck your left leg under the chair to start, I drive both and automatic is so easy.

So you think op should be pressured into taking on a 3 year lease for a car she hasn't even had a test drive in? You can piss right off,
I bet you're one of those pushy bastards sales people too aren't you?
I hope you haven't sold enough to earn any commission this month.

Everyone bashing on about how Motability is a 'sale'.
It really isn't counted like that.

Motability figures are in no way counted towards a branch monthly sales target figure at all.
Motability is a charity organisation within a business which provides a much needed and valuable service to customers, and it isn't free- its customers of course pay- but Motability 'targets' are not accounted for in the same way.

A Motability 'salesman' is not in fact a salesman at all, but an Accredited Specialist who often earns in a very different way to the other sales staff.

Good for you! Well done for sticking up for yourself!

@Flopsythebunny

Motab cars are most definitely not different stock I can assure you. Whoever told you that was bullshitting you.

Tell them to wait and how would they like to be pushed?

Bought a car from a dealership last year. Pushy bunch of people, trying to get you to sign up for services and extended warranties. They then pass your phone number to other people who keep phoning you.

Then they start texting you when the mots due and expect you to dump your current mot tester for them.

This is true. I had to attend a training course at MFL head office in London before I was allowed to help a motability customer.

I also went to a local centre and learnt to drive an adapted car. Jumping into a regular car on the way provided a few giggles initially as I kangaroo'd up the road as I'd adjusted to hand controls by that time

I dealt with motability sales for around 8 years until I had my first child and could no longer work weekends due to childcare. It was one of the most rewarding things I did helping people gain freedom again and I had a high customer retention because I made damn sure they were treated with respect and given all the time and help they needed in choosing the right car

If you learn to read, you'll see I said nothing of the sort.

If anyone should piss off, it's the one talking shite.

In our company- Motability 'stock' IS different stock.

We order several thousand new cars from the manufacturer 2yrs in advance.
These cars are owned and registered by the dealer first- becoming 'new-pre reg'. They are new and have 0 miles, but have been secured by our company at prices paid 2yrs ago, giving a retail customer access to a new vehicle at a price lower than current market manufacturer prices, but our company owns them and is the first technical owner on the V5 logbook.

Because of the way Motability contributes towards their customer's cars, they deal direct with the manufacturer, and pay them directly.
I could have 200 blue, manual Ford Pumas sat outside the showroom looking a motability customer in the face- all of them brand new but owned and registered to 'Glittersquid Motors LTD' and be completely, utterly unable to hand one to him/her.
Motability cars MUST be ordered directly through, and funded directly to the manufacturer, and not pre registered. (hence order delays on build dates etc).

Not all company business models are the same, so both scenarios are true- some dealers will hold only manufacturer stock, so stock is one and the same, and some will only deal with stock they have already bought and own and cannot amalgamate Motability cars into.

Neither is bullshit.

Don't feel pressure or guilt though OP, just say 'thank you but no'. Believe me, we're used to hearing it, it's water off a ducks back.
Automatics ARE like rocking horse shit these days, they'll shift it quickly, and yes, it is possibly true there may be a wait for another if you decide to go down that route, but if it's not for you-at this moment in time- then it's not!
And there's the thing... In this situation you must decide in your own time, at your own leisure. You can change again in 3yrs, maybe decide that next time you'll give yourself the mental space and time to be prepared to consider going Auto.
Any salesperson or Motability Accredited Specialist should absolutely be listening (with empathy) to your concerns and making it as easy and stress free as possible for you attain a new car.
Personally I would invite you over for a little relaxed introduction to automatics, I would box a couple of hours off, go through it all with you , I'd drive it first and then slowly- if you were comfortable- allow you to have a bimble around our huuuuuge, spacious carpark if you felt you could.
If you happen to miss this particular car, then you do. There's always next time.

I honestly believe an automatic would be a revelation for you and assist you greatly but all customers are different and if you require that little bit of extra time, empathy and patience it is NOT too much to ask from any member of staff to allow you that.

If they can't recognise your position and own personal needs then frankly they shouldn't be in the job. Although I suspect in their eyes this is a 'move quick, no brainier' decision- but it's not that, to you.

Sales should primarily be a customer first, customer service role, designed to facilitate the happy matchmaking of customer with car. People buy from people.

(Sorry, personal grievance with 'sales culture' showing itself there)

On reflection, I suspect what the Motability Specialist has told you (depending on their company business model) probably IS a reflection of the truth.

'If you want this now, it's yours- if not it won't be around'. Is absolutely par for the course and I suspect they're trying to save you a long wait on a manual.
I often have to say this to my customers (retail, not Motab) and it's obviously their prerogative to say no.
OF COURSE they assume its pressure selling sales bullshit, but honestly it's more of a 'fact of the matter' statement.
Because of the way dealerships often operate, there's nothing more upsetting (personally) than offering a customer something, there being an understandable delay in decision (it's a big decision), before them deciding to proceed with all their heart......and the car is gone. And I don't have another.

HOWEVER, to you, it's been delivered in an insensitive way. You must do what you feel is right at this moment in your heart.
There may be a delay in waiting for your manual, but if you can accept that, there's always next time.

Find another dealership who sells the same car, I use one for my motability car in the next town to where I live.

You can bet it is the end of their sales quater & they are pushing to get their figures up.

Unless they're using a different calendar to the rest of the world, you'd lose that bet.