Not what i had expected

[soolman32]

Went to my locat BMW dealership yesterday and ended up dealing with what must be the worse sales person ever. He was full of himself with a pompous attitude and had very limited knowledge on the 1er. I've been also looking at the 335i and he did not seem willing to deal at all. He gave me this BS line to justify why he would not lower the price on 135i and 335i "BMW is a premium product and we don't share our parts with any other brand". Isn't Mini cooper made by BMW with BMW parts :iono: Then he went on to bash the competition after I answer his question by telling him that the G37 was one of my options.This did not help the fact that when I finally saw the car in person I felt it looked too small and more like a teenager's car. I don't mean to offend anyone or down the car by any mean. This is very disappointing for me because I haven't been this hyped up about a car in a while. I was hoping whoever I dealt with at the dealership would be able to stir me back to the 1er but i'm definitely not buying after that experience

I will be in an Ivory Peal, fully loaded and sport package G37 Journey sometime next week. My only complaint with that car is the trunk space which is almost non-existent. Everything else about is amazing.
My apologies for ranting. Congrats to all the proud owners of the one :thumbup:

[jeremyc74]

It sucks that you got a bad egg. I've had pretty good luck with BMW sales staff in the past. I've been test driving cars for about 3 months now, getting ready for this purchase, and I can't stand it when I walk into the dealership and know more about their product line than they do, even when it comes to basic stuff.

IMO, if you're not a car guy, or can't at least take enough interest in your products to learn everything about them, you shouldn't be selling cars. Unfortunatly there are a lot of people out there who are more interested in pulling a fast one then actually selling a car on it's true merits.

[soolman32]

That exactly how I feel, if you don't care about the product don't sell it.

[plien69]

I don't expect the salesman to know more about the car than me. Afterall, I'm an enthusiast, and selling cars may be just his job. He may or may not be as enthusiastic about cars as me (probably not! <g>)

But I do expect him to treat customers and the car buying process with respect. Let's face it, despite the positioning of the 1 as the "entry level" of the BMW line, BMWs by and large attract a more affluent customer base that is used to decorum in social interactions. If you're a good salesman, you'll adjust to this. Sool, it's unfortunate you came across someone who thought a business-as-usual approach to selling cars was the best way to sell BMWs.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by plien69

I don't expect the salesman to know more about the car than me. Afterall, I'm an enthusiast, and selling cars may be just his job. He may or may not be as enthusiastic about cars as me (probably not! <g>)

.

"It's his job" is exactly the point. If I don't educate myself about what I'm working with, I get fired. Why should someone who's too lazy to learn about the product line they're selling get my business? Especiallly when we're talking about BMWs. It's a premium brand, and it's not like they're selling 50 different models that all have totally different engines and powertrains.

I just don't get sales guys like that. If I were selling BMWs, I'd know the stats forwards and backwards for every car on the lot, as well as most of the stuff being cross shopped with them. I would feel like anything less would make me sound uneducated when talking to customers.

[itr-tribute]

Lol, what size did you think one of BMW's smallest cars was gonna be, Big? and if only teenagers drive small cars what does that say about everyone that owns a Lotus.

[BMW Dreamer]

Every time I go to ANY car dealership I always know more then the salesman/women. But being treated poorly is unacceptable. This happens alot at top end dealerships like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc. At Acura, Honda, Toyota all my experiences with salesmen/women has been good. When I walk into a BMW dealership I feel little because around where I live there are ALOT of rich Aholes. But I have been treated very professional so far @ KNAUZ in Lake Bluff, IL. BUT I haven't sat down yet and talked seriously. Just looking.

[cracka]

His job is selling, though. The percentage of cars sold to enthusiasts is low. The percentage of cars sold to young people is low. He can know zilch about the product, but if he's good at identifying who is likely to buy, and further who is likely to buy with maximum markup (read: NOT an educated enthusiast), then he's going to produce better numbers than the guy who can quote every spec. Sad, but true.

The rare ones are those that can do both well... like the CAs we have here on 1addicts. :wink: I would suggest the OP ask around here for referrals for a quality CA and Center near him if he still has any interest at all in a 1 or a 3.

[happywalmartcustomer]

I haven't placed my order yet and I'm still searching for a dealer- will most likely use an internet specialist. The local dealer's sales staff is just a textbook example of new car salesmen.

When I explain I'm looking to order a car, they give me a line like "well what can I do to get you into one of our cars today."

When I mention I'm only adding sport package and metallic paint to the base car they say "why would you want to do that?"

Luckily, local sales guys have nothing whatsoever to do with the construction of a German car, otherwise I would look at other brands.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by soolman32

Went to my locat BMW dealership yesterday and ended up dealing with what must be the worse sales person ever. He was full of himself with a pompous attitude and had very limited knowledge on the 1er. I've been also looking at the 335i and he did not seem willing to deal at all. He gave me this BS line to justify why he would not lower the price on 135i and 335i "BMW is a premium product and we don't share our parts with any other brand". Isn't Mini cooper made by BMW with BMW parts :iono: Then he went on to bash the competition after I answer his question by telling him that the G37 was one of my options.This did not help the fact that when I finally saw the car in person I felt it looked too small and more like a teenager's car. I don't mean to offend anyone or down the car by any mean. This is very disappointing for me because I haven't been this hyped up about this car in a while. I was hoping whoever I dealt with at the dealership would be able to stir me back to the 1er but i'm definitely not buying after that experience

I will be in an Ivory Peal, fully loaded and sport package G37 Journey sometime next week. My only complaint with that car is the trunk space which is almost non-existent. Everything else about is amazing.
My apologies for ranting. Congrats to all the proud owners of the one :thumbup:

Right or wrong, he probably sized you up as a non-buyer and counted the minutes until you left. His time is his money. Guess he was right as you went for the deal over the product ... something I'd never do and would certainly never let a particular retailer influence my decision and purchase. Also if I felt as you did, I wouldn't have departed without talking to his manager. Perhaps that would have changed the course of the outcome? Then you'd driving a well-bred German engineered Coupe (whichever one), instead of a characterless pretender that won't hold its value down the road (comparatively). Who buys used Infinitys? Sorry (if this came across dispassionate) ... but I seriously and respectfully hope you enjoy your new car nonetheless. :thumbup:

[dixon1763]

Why don't you post the name of the dealership and, if you wish, the salesperson? Use the power of the Internet to secure better service.

[fuhgetaboutit]

As for the 1er being too small and looking like a teenager's car - of all the small cars out there (not counting exotics), the 1er is easily one of the most "grown up" looking. All the cars that normally get compared to the 1er - GTI, WTX, Lancer - are much more "boy racer" in my opinion than the 1er. And the G37 isn't as small a car as the 1er, although it sounds like it has less trunk space.

Being a car salesmen is a cutthroat job, lots of turnover - its a real grind unless you are one of those very few people that is a true natural salesman. So I've stopped caring that much about how much they know, or how well I'm treated. You get a bad one, you either find a different one at the dealer, or go to a different dealer, simple enough.

And in my experience it is easier to find a salesman that treats you well, than it is to find one with excellent product knowledge. I don't know why that is, but when you are an enthusiast like we all are, you almost always know more than the salesman.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by fuhgetaboutit

As for the 1er being too small and looking like a teenager's car - of all the small cars out there (not counting exotics), the 1er is easily one of the most "grown up" looking. All the cars that normally get compared to the 1er - GTI, WTX, Lancer - are much more "boy racer" in my opinion than the 1er. And the G37 isn't as small a car as the 1er, although it sounds like it has less trunk space.

Being a car salesmen is a cutthroat job, lots of turnover - its a real grind unless you are one of those very few people that is a true natural salesman. So I've stopped caring that much about how much they know, or how well I'm treated. You get a bad one, you either find a different one at the dealer, or go to a different dealer, simple enough.

And in my experience it is easier to find a salesman that treats you well, than it is to find one with excellent product knowledge. I don't know why that is, but when you are an enthusiast like we all are, you almost always know more than the salesman.

I don't know too many teenagers driving new BMWs, except maybe in Charlotte (my home town). :thumbup:

[jdesclafani]

idk....in NJ where i am i think most of the kids looking at this car are teenagers...or close...im 20 and most of the people ive been seeing at dealerships have looked about my age...

[larryn]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=845

[tony22b]

its a one series !!!!, i jumped out of my m3 cause it felt like a 5 series, 2 big, my 135i fits like a glove more like the original M3 just up with the times,

[soolman32]

Originally Posted by Balls

Right or wrong, he probably sized you up as a non-buyer and counted the minutes until you left. His time is his money. Guess he was right as you went for the deal over the product ... something I'd never do and would certainly never let a particular retailer influence my decision and purchase. Also if I felt as you did, I wouldn't have departed without talking to his manager. Perhaps that would have changed the course of the outcome? Then you'd driving a well-bred German engineered Coupe (whichever one), instead of a characterless pretender that won't hold its value down the road (comparatively). Who buys used Infinitys? Sorry (if this came across dispassionate) ... but I seriously and respectfully hope you enjoy your new car nonetheless. :thumbup:

I did talk to the manager. People who buy used infinitis are the same people who buy used BMW. The difference is brand loyalty, wanting the recognition and prestige associated with driving a BMW. No need to apologize for voicing your opinion. The fact that he wasn't as knowledgeable isn't the deal breaker. Poor customer service is however. I walked in there with the intent of purchasing either a well equipped 1er or 335i. Having studied sales, one of the very first things you are taught is to not bash the competition and always be respectful and humble with the customer. I may return to BMW but for now I am more than satisfied with my pick.

[Jack in Jax]

Re: this thread, here are a couple of Q's we perhaps should kick around for our mutual benefit:

1. Should you 'shop' for a dealer or try to make your local dealer work for you, even if you have to move to a second (third) salesman? Initially, I would try to make the local dealer work because the loaner program BMW offers will be more convenient (i.e. close to home; I don't want to drive 30 miles for service and would prefer local BMW service to come with a loaner. Also, price reductions at BMW dealers - if they are offered - are typically in the 1-1.5% range, not enough over the life of the warranty to make it a priority when measured against convenience and ongoing service satisfaction.

2. OTOH my #1 priority would be to insure the local dealer had a solid service department and that's where I'd be shopping for info from current/former BMW owners. Vetting the service techs provides ongoing benefits, whereas the salesman gives me his/her time once.

3. How do you shop for a salesman? For folks involved in this forum and other proactive enthusiast groups, using the criterion that they know the stats/features as well as we do seems illogical to me. We are talking 'car sales' here; exceptions exist but bozos and glad-handers - rotating in & out of dealerships - are too often the rule IME. Instead, I'd recommend a buyer consider what the main drivers to the buying process might be, then interview the manager, ID the issues, and ask for a referral. E.g. some here place great emphasis on the financing side of the purchase, others shop on the basis of the lease package, and so forth...so why not get pointed to the sales associate with the best fit? For those of us placing a premium on the BMW 'driving experience', why not ask who in the sales staff participates in local BMW CCA events...or last attended one of the big week-long CCA national events? For those considering an ED, who knows the ED experience best? And one guaranteed criterion for a basic level of competency is who's been on the sales staff the longest.

Jack

[jose]

What happened is simple the DEALERS first want to sell their stock, a good salesman should make a try and then encourage you to buy what you really want
I had. Struggle to order my 135 le mans, they wanted me yo buy a Z4 coupe un stock

[iamthewalrus]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

Every time I go to ANY car dealership I always know more then the salesman/women. But being treated poorly is unacceptable. This happens alot at top end dealerships like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc. At Acura, Honda, Toyota all my experiences with salesmen/women has been good.

OK, every time I read a post like this it pisses me off. The dealer model is totally out of date. Why do we need salespeople at all? We know more about the products than they do! We should just go to www.bmwusa.com, configure our own product exactly how we want it, and click "buy" to put down a deposit. Financing and payment can all be arranged online without talking to anyone.
Hell, you do it at www.dell.com, store.apple.com, and www.dwr.com. Apple and Design Within Reach (DWR) have showrooms where you can "testdrive" the products, but they carry no inventory. You order it even if you're there in the store. People are willing to do this with $5K sofas at DWR now, why not cars? I know I'm ready.

Benefits: 1) inventory management: the dealer doesn't have to discount the price because you really wanted grey and they have white. 2) all of that inventory on the lot costs serious money. Imagine 100 cars at ~$50K each is $5M that the dealer is paying interest to the bank on. If they're paying 6% and the dealer turns inventory 2X/year, that's $1,500 additional cost that gets passed along to you. 3) last reason to ditch the dealer model is crappy sales people. Some are quite good, but still, who needs them?

People typically respond, "but what about service?" Why should service and sales by bundled? When my Audi was out of warranty, I took it to a private shop that did only BMW, Audi, Merc, and Porsche. It was great. There's no reason BMW can't certify a bunch of shops in the US as "certified BMW repair centers" totally separate from the dealers.

Why hasn't any of this happened? The North American Dealers Association is a very strong political lobby. This isn't about economics; it's about using political clout to protect an out-of-date business model. Sorry folks, it's here to say...

-James
Seattle, WA

[vivid]

Some sales people can be like that... but they are the bad ones who don't last very long selling luxury cars...

Sorry one sales guy drove you away from BMW... G37 is a nice car and I hope you enjoy it.

[curtdragon]

if i go into a dealer and the guy I get knows nothing about the car I want I generally talk to the sales manager adn get someone else who will be more helpful