That one old boy who keeps coming in.

[Dan W 57]

We keep having a bloke doing this over and over again on our cheap 4x4's

anything under 4k and petrol he rocks up asks to have a look around it about the history and the usual questions, thing is he has done this about 15 times now and he is pleasant enough but I am at a point now where I really cant keep having the same conversation over and over again every time he comes in.

the last time he did this the car was immaculate full history drove great literally no reason to not buy, but his words something just doesn't feel right about it.

would I be harsh next time he comes in by saying Sorry sir but im not prepared to discuss any of the cars with you as you don't actually seem to want to buy a car you just seem curious.

anyone ban a customer well he isn't a customer because he has never bought from us. I mean have you banned anyone from your showroom ?

[justina3 518]

We did ban an asian gent once for swearing at us because we wouldnt give him 50% discount on a car.

As long as your not busy i see no harm in talking to the old guy you never know he might buy something one day.

[Dan W 57]

that's the thing, he is nice enough and I wouldn't mind if he said I just like cars and wanted to have a look about, but he *seems like he is trying to buy one * and he clearly has no intention on buying so its this charade of I explain every thing he listens asks the same stuff makes an excuse comes back 2 weeks later and pretends he hasn't been in before.

I guess we are in sales and its part of the job.

[NOACROSS 414]

I've had the odd nutter come in regularly over the years. One sticks in my mind particularly.  He used to literally run away each time we tried to say Hi!

Over a three year period I eventually managed to have the odd joke with him (Still just looking Sir? No charge today!)  Anyway, he eventually bought a Clio off us at full money.

The others I just be mildly sarcastic to each time, by saying something like 'Haven't you bought anything yet? Same old faces.  I can give you a chamois if you're bored!

I always remember that today's looker is tomorrow's buyer.  Also, if you're nice to them they may even tell people they know that you're alright.

I have said to a customer fairly often that 'this car's not for you Sir'.  One nasty old boy I did escort off the premises once. He said he'd get his son on me.  Never happened.  

[trade vet 702]

8 minutes ago, Dan W said:

We keep having a bloke doing this over and over again on our cheap 4x4's

anything under 4k and petrol he rocks up asks to have a look around it about the history and the usual questions, thing is he has done this about 15 times now and he is pleasant enough but I am at a point now where I really cant keep having the same conversation over and over again every time he comes in.

the last time he did this the car was immaculate full history drove great literally no reason to not buy, but his words something just doesn't feel right about it.

would I be harsh next time he comes in by saying Sorry sir but im not prepared to discuss any of the cars with you as you don't actually seem to want to buy a car you just seem curious.

anyone ban a customer well he isn't a customer because he has never bought from us. I mean have you banned anyone from your showroom ?

I am sure everyone with a pitch gets these guys.We just used to say hello and leave them to it.It is not as if you have a motor cycle showroom where you get inundated with these people.

[RhinoHorn 7]

He's probably just lonely

[Stalker 180]

We had a guy keep coming in for over 15 years... walked like he shit his pants, we all avoided him because he asked multiple stupid questions... anyway  Last year he walked in and bought an Audi A1 for his wife..  We all nearly fell over after he paid for it!

[justina3 518]

The boys just reminded me of a vicar we had come in once to buy a car, paid a deposit seemed like a decent enough chap, his daughter and husband came in the next day almost in tears with dad in the car, poor guy had alchermizers and forgot he couldn’t drive anymore bought the car for him and his wife sadly his wife passed away three years ago.

 

Such a sad tale.

 

[Dan W 57]

27 minutes ago, justina3 said:

The boys just reminded me of a vicar we had come in once to buy a car, paid a deposit seemed like a decent enough chap, his daughter and husband came in the next day almost in tears with dad in the car, poor guy had alchermizers and forgot he couldn’t drive anymore bought the car for him and his wife sadly his wife passed away three years ago.

 

 

Such a sad tale.

 

 

oh man that's a heartbreaker

[Rory RSC 596]

Colin used to come in and do it to us here with anything VXR. Just used to say cars are there have a look around give us a shout when you need something. Just leave them to it.

 

[EPV 631]

As long as he isn’t taking up loads of time and fuel and being a nuisance i’d leave him be. 

[BHM 994]

If he seems lonely leave him to it, have the crack with him & next time ask him why he does what he does. If he just seems like a tosser I’d f*** him off for good.

Either way I wouldn’t permit a test drive - there’s no point risking stock for a no sale.

[Nick M.K. 574]

4 hours ago, trade vet said:

It is not as if you have a motor cycle showroom where you get inundated with these people.

I don't know anything about the motorcycle business, are motorcycle punters generally crazier than car buyers?

Edited June 14, 2018 by Nick M.K.

[have a word with the wife 299]

9 hours ago, Dan W said:

We keep having a bloke doing this over and over again on our cheap 4x4's

anything under 4k and petrol he rocks up asks to have a look around it about the history and the usual questions, thing is he has done this about 15 times now and he is pleasant enough but I am at a point now where I really cant keep having the same conversation over and over again every time he comes in.

the last time he did this the car was immaculate full history drove great literally no reason to not buy, but his words something just doesn't feel right about it.

would I be harsh next time he comes in by saying Sorry sir but im not prepared to discuss any of the cars with you as you don't actually seem to want to buy a car you just seem curious.

anyone ban a customer well he isn't a customer because he has never bought from us. I mean have you banned anyone from your showroom ?

you need to make the customer take a step forward and show his intent.

you produce a pen and paper

you ask him for his phone number [ hes asked you enough questions]

you ask him what he wants

you narrow it down to colour mileage age price

if it is possible that you could meet his requirements [ ie you can make money]

then you offer to "source" this vehicle

you ask him if hes willing to leave a holding deposit, if he is, all good, if he isnt, then you cant help him, goodbye 

 

[Ek cars 17]

Every friendly local independant dealer has these persistant old timers floating around for years and sounds very familiar.

[Tom 164]

Give him a bucket of shampoo and he can wash them whilst hes looking, give him a p/t job! 

[MattR 177]

its a hazard of having a pitch.Dont fall out with the guy, he sounds harmless enough, I have 2 of these. 1 comes in every day. I say good morning, he does too, and thats about it.

I have another who comes in for a chat every tuesday, between 1030 and 11. always asks if I have an automatic, tells me about his bad knee, and grumbles a bit. Bless him, he even apologises for wasting my time! It only bothers me if I have something better to do, or if he interrupts popmaster. I just take the view that he has a family who live locally, and will go and bore people in the pub. I'd rather he say something nice about me than tell everyone I'm rude.

[have a word with the wife 299]

9 hours ago, Matt Reid said:

its a hazard of having a pitch.Dont fall out with the guy, he sounds harmless enough, I have 2 of these. 1 comes in every day. I say good morning, he does too, and thats about it.

I have another who comes in for a chat every tuesday, between 1030 and 11. always asks if I have an automatic, tells me about his bad knee, and grumbles a bit. Bless him, he even apologises for wasting my time! It only bothers me if I have something better to do, or if he interrupts popmaster. I just take the view that he has a family who live locally, and will go and bore people in the pub. I'd rather he say something nice about me than tell everyone I'm rude.

nobody interrupts popmaster 

[RHO 15]

We have one for the past 2 years. Loads of questions. Never got his money out. 

But he has bought others with him at times who are looking and 3 sales later just through him. Result and a bottle of his favourite tipple as a thank you. 

We will all get old and want to have a look at the local dealer at some time to bother. 

No bother to me. 

[Ocsltd 133]

1 minute ago, tradex said:

There is an old boy whom wanders around BCA Paddock Wood, seen him at BCA Enfield too.

Looks like a fat tramp. Always grumbling a lot, swears a lot, cars always wrong colour, condition not right, wrong spec', too expensive, engine sounds shit, never buys anything bar a breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.........ohh, hang on that's me

Have you got a moustache? I'm sure I've seen you at BCA Peterborough?! 

[It's me 615]

its the trousers held up with string that worries me

ive often thought of buying him one but there were 4 € in spain last week,far too dear.............

[metcars 397]

6 hours ago, tradex said:

There is an old boy whom wanders around BCA Paddock Wood, seen him at BCA Enfield too.

Looks like a fat tramp. Always grumbling a lot, swears a lot, cars always wrong colour, condition not right, wrong spec', too expensive, engine sounds shit, never buys anything bar a breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.........ohh, hang on that's me

Ha, that's me!

[Del Boy 76]

Years ago when I worked at a main dealer (before the days of fca etc) an old boy used to come in and look at all the cars and ask constant questions etc. Now, we all know time is precious and can’t afford to constantly waste time on someone when another genuine customer will walk in and buy from another salesman. This happened to me constantly with this guy. All my colleagues kept telling me this bloke was a nutter and never bought anything. 

Anyway, I shit you not, one day this bloke walked in dressed as a woman. Honestly I shit you not lol. 

I couldn’t believe it. He always walked straight to my desk coz I was new, and the only person to give him the time of day. 

He never committed to anything even after me putting pressure on him. His excuse was always crap like ‘I’ve left my wallet at home’. 

After multiple times of this happening I spoke with my manager who gave me the ok to tell him how it was. 

So, the next time he came in I told him I’m not prepared to waste anymore time with him and won’t be speaking with him in the future. All the best. 

At this point he says ok I’ll have that fiesta in panther black please, on finance. 

We sat at my desk to process the finance, the first question I asked him was... are you Mr Smith or Mrs Smith? Lol I’ll never forget him!