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So what am I missing about how car dealers do business? Do they actually want to sell cars? Today I walked past my very local Bristol Skoda/Seat dealership, thought I'd see if they had a Mii Electric I could look at. I've wanted to go electric for years and as there's the possibility of a government scrapage scheme soon, hanging onto my 2002 Golf Tdi could finally pay off.
Firstly, the dealership window has a reflective coating, through which I could just make out a lead and plug in the back of a small black car. Must be a Mii, I thought. I checked for any notices about COVID, in case they're only seeing people by appointment. There were a couple of signs requesting people keep a 2m distance, as you'd expect. So I put my mask on, went in and asked the guy at the desk about the Mii.
He said 'That's the only one we've got in.' a couple of times. Maybe I'm misunderstanding car dealerships, but I thought they could order cars in from the manufacturer? From him I was getting the impression that they're obliged to sell only cars that are in the showroom at that very moment.
So I asked if I could look at the car. He said go ahead. Again no notices about not touching anything, so I tried to open the driver's door. "It's locked" I was told. Not, "Sorry, I'm afraid because of current restrictions we can't let people into the cars... " or similar. So perhaps nothing to do with COVID. The car is just locked. Do people usually buy brand new cars without seeing the interior or even sitting in the drivers seat, and going "Brrrrrmmmmmm" for a couple of minutes? I've even heard tales of people taking test drives before they sign their lives away to some extortionate PCP deal - but maybe that's an urban myth.
So I squinted through the car's window, decided it looked very nice in there, thanked him, and left.
Maybe it was just one bloke having an off day. But I can't help wondering is this total disinterest in salesmanship normal in main dealers or specific to EVs? Ok I was in jeans and t-shirt but I didn't look that scruffy, and my old Golf has been so cheap to run these 8 years, I've put cash away specifically for a new car. If the government scrapage does happen, a Mii electric would be the perfect opportunity to take a diesel off the road and put an electric car on the road. And given the only option on the Mii is the colour, it would be an easy sale for them. Take down my details, take a deposit, select the colour, hit 'send' on the order to Seat.
Are dealers sulking now because electric cars are too reliable and threaten their overpriced main dealer servicing charges? Do they know their day is done?
Firstly, the dealership window has a reflective coating, through which I could just make out a lead and plug in the back of a small black car. Must be a Mii, I thought. I checked for any notices about COVID, in case they're only seeing people by appointment. There were a couple of signs requesting people keep a 2m distance, as you'd expect. So I put my mask on, went in and asked the guy at the desk about the Mii.
He said 'That's the only one we've got in.' a couple of times. Maybe I'm misunderstanding car dealerships, but I thought they could order cars in from the manufacturer? From him I was getting the impression that they're obliged to sell only cars that are in the showroom at that very moment.
So I asked if I could look at the car. He said go ahead. Again no notices about not touching anything, so I tried to open the driver's door. "It's locked" I was told. Not, "Sorry, I'm afraid because of current restrictions we can't let people into the cars... " or similar. So perhaps nothing to do with COVID. The car is just locked. Do people usually buy brand new cars without seeing the interior or even sitting in the drivers seat, and going "Brrrrrmmmmmm" for a couple of minutes? I've even heard tales of people taking test drives before they sign their lives away to some extortionate PCP deal - but maybe that's an urban myth.
So I squinted through the car's window, decided it looked very nice in there, thanked him, and left.
Maybe it was just one bloke having an off day. But I can't help wondering is this total disinterest in salesmanship normal in main dealers or specific to EVs? Ok I was in jeans and t-shirt but I didn't look that scruffy, and my old Golf has been so cheap to run these 8 years, I've put cash away specifically for a new car. If the government scrapage does happen, a Mii electric would be the perfect opportunity to take a diesel off the road and put an electric car on the road. And given the only option on the Mii is the colour, it would be an easy sale for them. Take down my details, take a deposit, select the colour, hit 'send' on the order to Seat.
Are dealers sulking now because electric cars are too reliable and threaten their overpriced main dealer servicing charges? Do they know their day is done?
