Ever been denied a BMW testdrive [Archive] - Bimmerforums

mryakan

11-06-2008, 10:23 AM

Well it was a disappointing morning for me and rather a bit embarassing. I am at my dealership for a tire swap and figured I'd take the opportunity to go for a test drive. The CA I usually deal with has left the dealership so when I asked to see someone I was given some other salesguy who basically gives me the cold shoulder on a test drive. I wasn't expecting to be able to take out an e90 M3 (even though I asked for curiousity) since I know they don't usually test drive these cars, but at least I expected testdriving a 135 to be no issue. Well the CA basically tells me to buzz off if I am not buying (in different words than those but that was the jest esp. with the expression on his face), in his words he has no time to spend on a test drive for fun. Being a customer of the dealership for over 10 years I expected a bit more and complained. So I was approached by the sales dept. general manager who appologized, but basically gave me the same cold shoulder. His excuses were A-We don't want to put miles on our cars, B-Our sales guy who goes out with you might miss a real sale opportunity. Well the latter seems BS since the dealership is empty and there are at least 3 CAs doing next to nothing, but even if, I am sure spending 15-20 min with to keep a loyal customer happy is surely not too much to expect! Regardless, this is the 1st time this has happened to me there and coming from a dealership I've done business with for so long is disappointing.
What about you guys out there, any similar experiences? Was I expecting too much to take the car out for a 10-15 minutes test drive even though I have no short term plans of buying, at least not till my lease is over in a year or so? Should I consider taking my business elsewhere in the future?

peter91118

11-06-2008, 10:28 AM

ive never been told no. but then again i know the owner of the local dealer and ive only asked to testdrive like 2 cars

samger2

11-06-2008, 10:29 AM

beshannon

11-06-2008, 10:33 AM

I have never been denied a test drive of any kind of vehicle

mryakan

11-06-2008, 10:56 AM

That's too bad about your experience. The only thing I understand about what they told you is that they don't like to put miles on their new cars.

However..being a long time customer they shouldn't have shrugged you off like that. Not only have you purchased cars from them, but you're CURRENTLY giving their service department money with is much needed in our current economical state.

Just last week at our dealership we had a customer who had to drop his car off for service, and we were out of loaners, so his salesman gave him the new blue M3 sedan in the showroom to take home.

I would expect no less from your dealership...ESPECIALLY from the new car manager. Sorry to hear of your troubles.
Thanks guys.
Well the thing is either that is a new policy or they are giving me lip service. I have taken several cars on test drives from this dealership along the years, from 3 series (e46s-e90s), to the X3, and even an e60 535 on one of my service visit last year. I never had a salesguy hesitate, they just ask for my driver license. I don't ask for a test drive everytime I come in either, actually I rarely do it, I don't usually have the time or interest, but I really wanted to get a feel for the 135, and I'd be lying if I said I am not considering it when my lease is up, after all I am moderating the 1-series forum for a reason.
Anyway, this only happened to me once before at an Acura dealership and they gave me some lame answer about how they don't drive their cars if the temps are below 10C (50F). I never set foot in that dealershp again and advise everyone i know to avoid it like the plague. Anyway, I know what will impact my buying decision next time.

mryakan

11-06-2008, 10:57 AM

Oh btw, I am thinking of emailing the sales manager this thread after I get some more feedback, good or bad idea? I just want him to see what is out there compared to the response they offer.

And guys, please keep your posts professional and respectable. I want to give him some feedback not slander him.

ettsn

11-06-2008, 11:11 AM

mryakan

11-06-2008, 11:19 AM

Who's to say you don't come back from the 135i test drive and say "if the numbers work, it goes home with me today"?
Agreed. I am not an impulsive buyer, but there isn't a week to pass by when I don't look over my finances to see if I should put less in my savings account and instead spring for an e90 M3. I've always wanted an M3 and I missed the e46 M3 boat (although I had a deposit on one at one point in time). One day I may really hit the peak of my midlife crisis and decide to hell with money, I am getting one. Less likely than me getting a 135, but you never know.

Not only that, I was trying to convince a friend to get the 1-series but now I don't want to make a fool out of myself by taking him there and then having him being denied a test drive. That would be really embarassing.

E39Chris525i

11-06-2008, 11:21 AM

I would complain to BMWNA. You aren't wasting the dealerships time. You did say that you would think about a 135i when your current lease is up. The whole mileage issue is an excuse IMHO unless its an M car. I wouldn't email it to the sales manager. Print them all out (I know, time consuming) and show how other bimmerheads feel about this. If he still wont' budge, then just tell him that you will take your business elsewhere for service, parts and sales.

VonDeLinde

11-06-2008, 11:24 AM

the parts/service guy over here in MN is a real jack ass, makes me feel like im an idiot everytime im in there

spoonerDee

11-06-2008, 11:27 AM

Your response should have been that you've bought a car here before, but perhaps maybe not ever again. Then say "I bet <other BMW dealer in town> would gladly let me see what I'm missing. I guess I'll go there first when I buy my next BMW." And just walk away. F those guys. I've bought cars that I drove with no original intention of buying them (my Boxster S is the best example of that). A test drive shouldn't be a validation lap before signing paperwork, it's a chance to see if you like something well enough to buy it. Who's to say you don't come back from the 135i test drive and say "if the numbers work, it goes home with me today"?

This is a huge valid point. Some people go into a dealer for service and ask for a test drive just to get a feel for a car and have no interest in buying. Yet after the drive, they say hand over the keys i want it.

Even before the whole economy went to the gutter i noticed at the BMW dealership i go to they snubbed me off. I was in to pick up parts for my car, in the mean time i do the usual walk around the car, read the sticker till the salesmen approaches move. NOTHING. They all snubbed me and walked right past me.

E36BMW3series

11-06-2008, 11:31 AM

Well I have never tried this, nor did I test drive my car before I bought it or any car for that matter. I wouldn't think it would be a problem as long as you were above the age of 20. If I were working at a dealership and I walked up I would be skeptical too, because I'm 18 years old and might be just trying to get a free test drive with no intention of driving.

With all of that being said, I know a guy who is constantly buying and selling cars like M3s, M5s, and AMG series Mercedes. I know from talking to him, ANYTIME the dealer has something they think he MIGHT be interested in they give him a call and ask him to come in and test drive it. You were asking to drive their entry series BMW basically and have already bought a new 3 series from them.

I guess I can understand them not wanting to put miles on the car, because I personally would not buy a NEW car I plan on keeping for a while with more than 5 miles on it. I would not want a bunch of different people taking my car out for a test drive before the break-in period because we all know what they do on test drives. . . Salesperson, "Why don't you get on it a little bit and see how much power it's got!"

samger2

11-06-2008, 11:35 AM

I never liked the whole "let me drive it or I'll take my business elsewhere" approach. This may not be a popular comment, but there's no reason to bully a sales guy with a threat.

You've given them your business on multiple occassions...if they choose not to respect that then either A) don't go back, or B) Let them know how you feel WITHOUT idle threats.

You may not care about this, but working for a dealership...it really turns into an "us against them" type situation as soon as we hear a customer throwing around their weight and threatening to take business away.

Again...not trying to stir up trouble, because I thoroughly agree with the OP's displeasure...but just giving you an employees opinion.

ettsn

11-06-2008, 11:46 AM

No idle threat, and I wouldn't say "let me drive or I'm leaving" but more of an incredulous "you've got to be kidding me" kind of thing. I'd say something more like "I wonder if Global wants me as a customer?" than "let me drive this or I'll go elsewhere" kind of thing. Subtle difference, I know.

RabidChimp

11-06-2008, 11:48 AM

Nope, I ask the sales guys for the keys and I take one out.

MrBlah

11-06-2008, 11:48 AM

if your buying a car in the next year I think your in the market for test drives right now, at least that's how I do it, it takes me 6-8 months to pick my next car every time

are there any other dealers near you? Otherwise your pretty much stuck with them

SilverBeam

11-06-2008, 11:55 AM

I had a very similar experience with the 1 series. Both my sister and myself got things in the mail from Irvine BMW about a CPO deal, how we had first dibs as past customers, and to make calls and schedule test drives. She was in the market, and I'm always in the market, so we called and made our appointments. It was a great experience. We were treated very well, and I got to test drive a new 135 without any problems.

Fast forward about two months later

Aren still hadn't test driven the 135. So we went to Irvine BMW one evening to drive it. We're looking at all of them trying to find a manual, when their smug British sales guy comes up to us. I told him we wanted to test drive a 1, and he told us that he couldn't do that. For the same reasons you gave, about miles yada yada yada. I pointed to the black on red 135 and said, "that is your demo car. I know it is your demo car because every dealership got a black on red 135. And I know so because I've driven it in the past. You are trying to tell me that we are not allowed to drive your demo car?" And he said no, we couldn't.

When I told someone else who worked at the dealership about it later, he was shocked, and told me that he could have been fired for refusing a test drive.

E36BMW3series

11-06-2008, 12:00 PM

I agree that if you were a teenager walking on to the lot and wanting to take a spin in an Alpina B7 the dealership would be justified in telling you no for their own protection.

I would take it to the next step and say no matter what car it was as long as it was worth over about 8k unless he had a parent or guardian there with a newer nicer car. I am a teenager so that means a little more coming from me than a responsible adult IMO. With that being said my friend enjoys going around and looking at cars (He had a perfect looking '96 328 vert so they saw him as a potential customer) and didn't even want a test drive but had a Salesman offer him a test drive in a used Audi RS4. It didn't have gas in it at the time so he told him he would have to come back later and then they could go out. There have also been other number of times when he was not asking or looking for a test drive and the salesperson said I can't let you test drive it without your parents, but I can take you out for a spin if your interested.

There are obviously differences between new and used cars. If they refuse to give you a test drive I would take my business elsewhere and do what I heard someone else do. Bring your brand new ride to their dealership park right in the middle and find the guy who turned you down and say, "Do you know where I can find a BMW license plate frame for my new car." (or something small like a key chain or floor mats). Maybe next time they will change their tune.

SilverBeam

11-06-2008, 12:06 PM

If you are under the age of 18 most dealerships can't let you test drive a car without a parent.

HoosierHodge

11-06-2008, 12:06 PM

I wouldn't even bother threatening to take your business elsewhere, just leave them and find a new business to work with. If they aren't going to care now, it's because they are not very good at their jobs so they deserve to lose what business they do have.

E36BMW3series

11-06-2008, 12:07 PM

If you are under the age of 18 most dealerships can't let you test drive a car without a parent.

That would make sense, I wouldn't blame them either.

VonDeLinde

11-06-2008, 12:36 PM

my neighbors friend had a problem like this, he went in there i think he was 19 or so at the time, asked to drive a new m3 this was in like 2002, they refused him, he came back with a suitcase full off cash went up to a different sales man and bought the thing

mryakan

11-06-2008, 12:47 PM

I don't plan to threaten or I would have done it right there, Believe me I can be very confrontational when I don't like something or someone and I don't shy away from giving someone a piece of my mind. However, I gave them the benefit of the doubt for now.

1st of all the sales guy that gave me the shrug off will never get my business period, even if I go back to the dealership. In fact next time I walk in and he approaches me I'll make sure he gets the same cold vibe from me that I got from him, but I'll do that with a cheque in hand. As for the dealership as a whole, they have been nice to me over the years and reasonable in accommodating me and even compensating me for some mistakes they have done, so I am not necessarily going to use this to terminate my relationship with them. I may want though to let them know that most people out there think what they did to me (and may be doing to others) is not appreciated and plain bad business. I am also thinking of calling BMW Canada to ask if this is an acceptable policy to them (without naming the dealership).

I guess I am a strong believer in building personal relationships. My old CA understood that. The guy I met clearly doesn't. I've always though a salesperson job is to sell you something even if you don't want to buy. I mean who knows, maybe he could have convinced me to get the car for my wife, or give her my car and get a new toy. I guess had I lied and told them I am buying on the spot it could have been different, but I don't like to do business like that. I want to build a good relationship with them but I got a bad vibe today indicating that my customer loyalty didn't count much towards their bottom line, and yeah maybe it doesn't, but maybe I am old fashioned and think the bottom line is about more than revenue.

P.S. I am in my mid-upper thirties and don't think I could be mistaken for being young. Should I rent an Armani suit next time I go for a test drive :rolleyes!

5050punk

11-06-2008, 12:49 PM

I haven't had this happen with BMW, but had a similar experience last month when I was test driving new cars of different models. I was looking at different AWD cars, so one of them I wanted to test was the Mitsu Evo X. I went to the dealership closest to my house, and they completely refused to let me test drive the car. They made up some crap like they can't be responsible if I blow out a turbo on the test drive. They said they would only let me drive the car if I bought it first!(???) I ended up leaving, and going to the next closest Mitsubishi dealership. These guys made me do a credit check first, but after that, let me drive the Evo X MR, the GSR, and also offered to let me drive a Evo IX and a last generation Subi STI (which I turned down because I was short on time). If the Evo had had a nicer interior, I probably would have bought it after the good service from this second dealership, and then called the first dealership to tell them they were idiots.

Kevlar

11-06-2008, 12:50 PM

I've been denied the ability to test drive a car ... I simply took my business elsewhere. Granted, the salesman has to use his judgement if the guy is really serious or if he's just some joker off the street looking for a car to joy ride around in for 20 minutes.

Case in point...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjwUp_y2Src&feature=related

kablammo

11-06-2008, 12:52 PM

cooljess76

11-06-2008, 12:55 PM

Definitely call BMWNA. They'll have word with the dealership as BMW absolutely wants you to experience ALL of their cars.

Brashland

11-06-2008, 12:57 PM

No, but I've never gone in search of a test drive either.

Best story though is that the first week the 135s were in town I went to go see one in person. I had just spend the day working on a friend's patio (translation - I have visible dirt smudges on my jean shorts, t-shirt, shoes, etc. Not dripping dirt, but hand prints and stuff) and was just looking.

Salesguy comes out and starts talking to me (as I get out of my 99 vert), I look at the car, someone comes in from a test drive, and this older employee starts to move the car. The salesguy says "If he scratches the car moving it, we're all in trouble... Hey, let me take that car out..." and motions me to come with him. We go about 10 minutes down the road and he asks if I want to take the car back.

Uh, sure...

obnoxious2

11-06-2008, 12:59 PM

Don't see why you're so mad cause you got denied a test drive even though you had no real interest in buying.

cooljess76

11-06-2008, 01:04 PM

NikosX

11-06-2008, 01:17 PM

Im 20 and I rolled up to Dryer & Reinbold BMW in my E39 540i6. I told them I wanted to drive the E92 M3 as I was considering upgrading.

Out came the keys, and away we went. No questions no BS.

einzlr

11-06-2008, 01:18 PM

Anyway, this only happened to me once before at an Acura dealership and they gave me some lame answer about how they don't drive their cars if the temps are below 10C (50F).In Ottawa they'd only have to give about 4 test drives a year with that policy ;)

When I told someone else who worked at the dealership about it later, he was shocked, and told me that he could have been fired for refusing a test drive.wow

OP, my experience with BMW dealerships indicates that employees run the gamut from useless to "you couldn't ask for more". An example of the latter happened recently when I wanted to just look at (and get pics of) a Z4 coupe or M coupe. They then offered to let me test drive one, in fact they were downright encouraging it - even after I explained that I was only sort of maybe down the line somewhere thinking of getting one and that I was actually gravitating more towards a Z3MC. Turned out they didn't have a single Z4(M)C on the lot, but they gave me the card of their inventory guy saying he could alert me when they got one.

If you feel like taking the time, I kind of like your idea of contacting BMWNA and/or the head guy at the dealership. At worst they ignore you or respond with lame excuses and at best they'll offer you some freebies or at least a formal invite to a test drive or something. I've had good experiences dealing with BMWNA, FWIW.

samger2

11-06-2008, 01:28 PM

Don't see why you're so mad cause you got denied a test drive even though you had no real interest in buying.

Not a true statement at all.

He's stated clearly a few times that he may have some potential interest in buying and thinks about it frequently and is considering saving up the money to do so.

So his test drive is very well warranted.

And the issue here isn't so much that he was denied a test drive...it's moreso that he was given the cold shoulder by TWO people in a dealership that he's had a long standing positive relationship with for 10 years...and it was during a time when he was giving money to their service department.

Plainly unacceptable.

mryakan

11-06-2008, 02:05 PM

Don't see why you're so mad cause you got denied a test drive even though you had no real interest in buying.
1- Not mad, just disappointed.
2- Disappointed because never been denied by them before.
3- I never said I have no real interest in buying. The only thing is the timeframe. The 135 is on my short list for my next car. Remember I am leasing, so I definitely need a car in a year/year and a half.
When I told the manager that, he said well the car would be different then and testing it now will not help, again I was getting that excuses vibe. They just didn't want to offer a test drive for a long term customer. I talked it over with the Service rep and he was shocked too and even said I should escalate. The real problem is I don't believe any of the excuses they gave me and the only thing I appreciated is the general manager taking a couple of minutes to talk to me, and that is why I am just disappointed not mad.

mryakan

11-06-2008, 02:13 PM

If you feel like taking the time, I kind of like your idea of contacting BMWNA and/or the head guy at the dealership. At worst they ignore you or respond with lame excuses and at best they'll offer you some freebies or at least a formal invite to a test drive or something. I've had good experiences dealing with BMWNA, FWIW.
I am not really looking for freebies or anything, just a gesture of their appreciation for my business, no mater how small it is. I mean over 10 years, my e36 was in and out for every minor or major problem and every scheduled maintenance. Now I know it is a different department, but I have a track record of dealing with them. They could have for example said come back when we have one of our loaners available. I probably would have skipped the offer due to my schedule, but the gesture would have been enough. Now I have a reason to visit another dealership and there is a chance I might get along with those guys, they are only 10km further away anyway.

ohnoes

11-06-2008, 02:22 PM

OP, if I were a long-term customer of that dealership and they gave me the cold shoulder like that, you can bet I'd be raging mad. Call up the service director and leave him a polite but matter-of-fact voice mail directly that states what happened and how you can't be treated like that, otherwise you'll be forced to take your business elsewhere. I can virtually guarantee you'll get a call back and an apology.

I find some degree snobbery to be pretty much the norm at BMW dealers; the only variable is just how much. Most of the salesmen I've dealt with aren't lame-brained typical used car salesmen. Many are college-educated and, on average, pretty intelligent people. A fair number actually left other (often lucrative) careers to pursue selling BMWs (you won't find that much at a Ford or Chevy dealership).

I've never been denied a test-drive at a BMW dealer, but I've only requested a few: two E90s and one E92--one 330 and two 335s. The E92 test-drive was sort of an impulsive thing, I just decided to go to BMW of Fairfax and look at a few. A salesman approached as I was looking at the row of E92s, looking in each car's window, trying rather futilely to locate a manual 335. I finally found one and the salesman came just as I was admiring it. We started talking and I asked him if he minded if I took it for a spin. He could kind of tell I wasn't serious about buying it then and there, as I pretty much said I was just looking, was pretty vague about what I wanted. He told me if I just wanted to take it for a joy ride, I should do it on a weekday night, since it was Saturday and they had a lot of potential customers. :rofl Kind of a douche comment, but I understand where he was coming from. Anyway, I drove it for about 25 minutes--with him in the car, of course--and he turned out to be a pretty cool guy. He now recognizes me when I go in there (which I did a few weeks ago, to seriously look at a CPO'd E90 330i) and we're on great terms.

Some of the CAs cut straight to the chase, like this one Indian salesman. He acted as though he was doing me a "favor" by letting me test-drive, saying "I have a customer finishing up some paperwork to take delivery of his new 135i, but I'll do this for you." Yeah... thanks. He turned out to be a pretty cool dude as well, albeit a fairly blatant hustler.

I have, however, been rejected to take a test-drive a couple times at non-BMW dealerships. When I was 16, I really wanted a Mazda 3, and I had a decent job so I could have afforded the payments and related expenses. The salesman told me to come back with my parents. Pretty standard.

When I was 17 and looking to seriously buy an E46 M3, E39 M5, or something in that class, I went to a high-end used car dealer to test-drive this beautiful LeMans Blue M5 they had. The salesman was perfectly willing to let me test-drive, but apparently his sales manager would have none of it, and he came back with a slightly dejected expression, saying we'd have to sit down and "talk numbers" first. Yeah, I wasn't going to do that, especially since it was $35k and it was hard to stomach that kind of amount when talking so hypothetically. I then pointed out a few inconsistencies in what the salesman had told me, and he started saying "oh, you can test-drive any car but the M5." I said, "how about that CTS-V over there?" "Uh... I don't know about that one," he said. :rofl

The last experience I can remember in which I was plainly rejected to drive a car was the new Evo X at Stohlman Mitsubishi in Tyson's Corner. The salesman was perfectly happy to let me test-drive it, took a copy of my license, and was just grabbing the key when the sales manager asked him what car I was test-driving. He thought I was test-driving the regular Lancer. When the salesman said it was actually the Evo, the sales manager snickered and said, "Ohhhh no... you can't test-drive the Evo. We don't let people test-drive that car, because we had a few people burning up the clutches and turbos." I argued with him for a few minutes and even told him I had an M3, but he would have none of it and I left angrily. I was seriously contemplating that car and to be rejected like that is beyond frustrating; I was pretty livid. Screw that dealership and that arrogant sales manager. He actually told me with a straight face that "50 people bought Evos from us without test-driving them." :rofl I feel bad for anyone who can lie with a straight face like that... it's clearly pathological.

einzlr

11-06-2008, 02:29 PM

I am not really looking for freebies or anything, just a gesture of their appreciation for my business, no mater how small it is. I mean over 10 years, my e36 was in and out for every minor or major problem and every scheduled maintenance. Now I know it is a different department, but I have a track record of dealing with them. They could have for example said come back when we have one of our loaners available. I probably would have skipped the offer due to my schedule, but the gesture would have been enough. Now I have a reason to visit another dealership and there is a chance I might get along with those guys, they are only 10km further away anyway.
That's what I meant, a keyfob or something plus hopefully an apology and an invite for a test drive. I encourage you to try the other dealership; as I said, I've noticed that there are vast differences. Also the concept of building a relationship is excellent; that's how I roll with the shops I take my cars to and it's very win-win.

Hey ohnoes, been a while! :wave

mryakan

11-06-2008, 02:41 PM

Well I also mentioned the following to the manager but it didn't seem to trigger any change in attitude. Here goes:

In late 05, I got invited to the e90 unveiling event. I signed up a sheet they had for a test drive slots they had for a couple of e90s they had on tour before official release of the car. I ended up test driving the 330 and 325 but was not in the market for a new car back then. I was impressed with the 330 but thought it was too much power for my own good. The 325 seemed pretty decent to me but as I said I wasn't in the market. Fast forward to last year, I was in for some maintenance or repair on my e36 and was not looking to buy a car either but the 323 caught my eye, esp. the attractive lease rates they had. Still not being in the market, I spoke to the CA for a lengthy time and said I will drop by later for a test drive, took his card and went on my way. A month or 2 down the road, I was getting ready to accept a new job offer and thought it was time to get a new car since my e36 was starting to have too many trips to the shop for my liking or schedule. Well I showed up at the dealership and asked for a test drive. The same CA took me on a decent testdrive then we spoke some numbers and options but that was it. Low and behold a week or two later he calls me and says they have a car with my specs on it way to them if I was interested. I dropped by, we did the paper work and now here I am with my current car.

Moral of the story. It was the original test drive 2 years earlier that got me hooked and all I needed was the right circumstances to occur. I did some shopping online to research and compare other cars but really didn't feel the urge to go and test drive any of them, the memories of the test drive from 2 years ago was enough. I guess that kind of fact got missed by the sales people today.

vdubkid

11-06-2008, 02:42 PM

The only place I've ever been denied a test drive was at a BMW dealership (mind you, I was 19 at the time). Can't really blame them, plus I clearly wasn't planning on buying a car that day. Funny thing was that I was wasting time before my job interview there, and a month later I was working as a car runner.

But when I was 18 I was test driving all sorts of different VWs.

bimmerZ5

11-06-2008, 02:47 PM

short answer: f-them! take your business elsewhere and call up the general manager of the dealership (not the sales manager) and bitch them out! (if you don't, they will never get better)

Vdubb2BMW

11-06-2008, 03:11 PM

i get denied test drives all the time because i look young (i'm in my 30's). I never go to dealership in my e86 M. i go in my wife's toyota. :)

Haywire

11-06-2008, 03:13 PM

Kredithai

11-06-2008, 03:13 PM

That's unfortunate. They should be doing everything in their power to please clients, new and old. I had a similar experience with an Audi/Porsche dealer just a stone's throw from where I got my car. The client adviser had that inborn douchebag tone in him. I hightailed it out of there and told myself, "Never again with that dealership."

My dealership goes out of their way to please the customers. My client adviser remembered our chat about dream cars from 3 years ago (first time we met). He asked if the Gallardo is still my dream car, because they've got a used Spyder in the lot. He started it for me. Guess it was a slow day for both of us, up until that moment.

dawgeatdawg

11-06-2008, 03:19 PM

I'm 21, and I've never test drove anything from a dealership nicer than a beat protege 5. I did test drive a e39 540i6 and a crappy audi 90 privately though. I've never really tried to test drive anything decent, but I know the guys at BMW never really give me the time of day.

mryakan

11-06-2008, 03:24 PM

The treatment you got was unprofessional, but if they dont want to let you drive the car...technically, there is no reason for them to let you, ESPECIALLY if they know youre not going to buy. dont get me wrong, im on your side...but there could be a potential sale (depending how many models are on the lot) milage issues and of course, there is always the chance of an accident... all those issues for someone who isnt even interested in buying the car.

Yeah I can understand that. In fact I am thinking back to what my old CA told me about him being in a crash while one of his customers was test driving a 135. It was totaled. I wonder if the owners told the sales dept to tighten it up after that. However I still expected them to be more open to working with long term customers. Like I didn't even get the time of day to discuss anything about their cars. Maybe I was spoiled by my old CA, but not only him, many other sales people at the dealership have spent considerable time talking to me about the cars, both existing and upcoming. When I mentioned that to the 1st sales guy, he said, yeah that other guy always had time to spend with customers. I really wanted to say well why don't you but he gave me a look that made me want to punch him but I decided to just stare at him and walk away in disgust and ask to speak to the manager who only offered excuses and covered for his guy (e.g. his intentions were good but he didn't state it properly).

NMMR

11-06-2008, 04:23 PM

They tried to get my friend to take home a crossfire for the entire weekend.

mryakan

11-06-2008, 04:25 PM

They tried to get my friend to take home a crossfire for the entire weekend.
What does that have to do with my question about BMW testdrives? :confused

ohnoes

11-06-2008, 04:27 PM

They tried to get my friend to take home a crossfire for the entire weekend.

I'm sure they did; they wanted to get rid of the POS.

bimmerZ5

11-06-2008, 05:41 PM

here's the thing, i don't care if you look like a kid with no money, or an older gentleman with plenty of cash to spend... if i were in the business of selling something that cost a decent chunk of change, with a wide demographic (just look at the demographic data on this forum!), as a matter of principal and being a professional, I should treat anyone who takes the time and trouble to come to my dealership with respect. that's the business of selling, you can't think short term only; "will the next 20 min i spend with this person close a deal?" is the WRONG question to be asking yourself. Consider also how your own professionalism will reflect on other customers witnessing the way you poorly treat what you think is a non-qualified customer? if you can't treat everyone with respect, you don't belong in sales; go work somewhere flipping burgers! the 17 year old kid could be the son of a fairly affluent family who's parents will buy him a car when he gets out of high school next year... or he could be someone that will never buy a BMW but always wishes to drive one some day. As a professional, i treat either person with the same respect.

I can understand the issue of "joy rides",... if the same person came back week after week for a test drive and showed no interest in buying, i would very politely explain to the person we have limits to how far we extend our courtesy.

in any case, the way you describe your (the PO) experience would make me fire someone if they worked for me! sadly, there are very few professionals left in the "sales" business these days...

Viper2308

11-06-2008, 06:23 PM

They only time I've test driven a car by myself, I'm 19, was at my BMW dealership. I was very surprised the sales guy was so friendly and ready to let me test drive a car.

I went to go get a part, so I decided I would look around. A salesman came out, I told him I was there getting a part for my car and not ten minutes later I was test driving a 335i. I just asked if I could drive one and he obliged.

Ace M3

11-06-2008, 06:33 PM

It depends on the demeanor you ask with.

I test drove an E46 M3 a year ago (when I was 20) and I've test driven a 550 and a 335. The 550, I was with an older friend who was simultaneously driving an M5 after submitting his credit check.

edhchoe

11-06-2008, 08:41 PM

mryakan

11-06-2008, 08:54 PM

The only time I went for a test drive with no intention to buy at the moment was at a Porsche dealer. I told the salesperson the truth..."I can't afford one now but can I drive one today and see what the Porsche craving is all about?" The salesperson liked my honesty and asked me which model I would like to drive. My gut said 911 TT but I told him Cayman S. He and I went for a testdrive.

But a bimmer? I always had an intention to buy when I went to testdrive a BMW.
Me too, it is just a matter of which one and when exactly. But I guess in my case honesty didn't work.

Anyway I just called BMW Canada customer service and told them exactly what happened. Although they said they have no policy on this and it is up to the dealer's discretion, they did say they were extremely surprised by my dealer. They asked me for the dealer name and said they will talk to them to get more info on this and will contact me back. I am not holding my breath for any different outcome but I think it is good for the dealership to know that someone out there didn't appreciate the way they do business and is willing to bring it to their attention and BMWs. Will it change their attitude towards me or others in the future? Who knows, but at least I know I did my part. I am passionate about BMWs and part of that passion is to try to pass along that passion and maybe if I can help with anything that can hinder it.

The_Stig

11-06-2008, 08:56 PM

Nope. Never had to ask. I just take them out after I'm done working on them:)

VeEzy

11-06-2008, 10:43 PM

never been denied but then again i've never asked for a test drive lol

le36x3r1cx

11-07-2008, 02:29 AM

Yup, well not me but my dad. He asked to test drive a E92 M3 and got shot down and said they don't allow test drives on M cars :rolleyes. The kicker is just like 4 months before that he had bought a 535i w/ options that added up to an MSRP of more than the M3, so yeah they came up with a BS excuse to not let a 55 year old who rolled up in a new 535 that he had bought from that dealership drive the car, pretty ridiculous especially as the 535i was an impulse buy that he only ordered after he fell in love after driving it so who knows he might have loved the M so much he would have driven it home. It makes you appreciate Honda and Toyota dealerships who when my mom was shopping for a car just handed us the keys and didn't even go in the car with us.

bigmiles70

11-07-2008, 08:40 AM

Interesting you go to the dealer for a tire swap. Is there a specific reason for that? Just curious.

Deviate

11-07-2008, 08:45 AM

Yep. A salesman at BMW of Dallas told me he "had other things he needed to do" rather than take one of the Z4-based M Coupes out.

burrito007

11-07-2008, 08:47 AM

I remember buying the 04 WRX and being denied a test drive of the new (at the time) STI. Yeah we might have upgraded if they let us drive it.

As far as BMWs - no never. At the dealer where my 323 was purchased, I had gone there to get something done for my car. My sales rep flipped me the keys to a new vert and said "go pick up your girlfriend in this"
(also let me drive a stick M3 as well as an SMG M3)
If he was still there I would have gladly bought another car from him but unfortunately that dealer has lost my business.

ASC OFF

11-07-2008, 08:56 AM

Never had that problem.. I go into my dealer, who I've been going to for about 8 years now, ask to drive a car they toss me the keys and a plate and say enjoy.

Kalkar

11-07-2008, 10:13 AM

I read about 70% of this and I couldn't hold my opinions anymore:

1. If you are a person trying to make money from selling cars (be it an owner or an employee), what would you consider to be worse to your stock?:
a. A car gets some miles from unprospective customers and you sell it with a small discount because it's not "pristine".
b. A car sits in the showroom, untouched and you sell it after 2 years with a HUGE discount because it's not the newest model now. You didn't sell it because people don't buy posters, they buy things they can drive.

2. If I was a seller I would think: "this guy called twice for a test drive, maybe he ain't just kicking my tires?"
3. Even if I really have just one good BMW and I can't let you put miles on it, I will tell ya: "This car is spoken for and I cannot let you drive it, but I will get you one to drive this week and you will be called". Then, I would get a designated demo car (I don't know if that could happen in the USA) from anoter agency.

By the way, where I live, they deny you a test drive unless you come with two cars, one - an SL65 AMG and the other, a G500 with your bodyguards in it. So you shouldn't be feeling so bad.
To answer the post, I did not get kicked out of a BMW dealership (tested the 135i and the 530) but people here get 10 times more the refusal rate.

The coolest thing I testdrove is an SL500 - mainly because I am a lier, I have a native-speaker English accent and I pretend to be a Jewish diamond trader when I need to feel something that I cannot afford (be it a car or a girl).

I can give you some basic tips if you really, really wanna land your dishwashing paws on some SMG goodness. :D (Just kidding, take it easy).

BTW, do you think that a salesperson will care about the opinions of the people posting here? I mean, most of us drive old (pre-2004) vehicles, if I am not mistaken.

I am sincerely asking, not trying to say anything.

mryakan

11-07-2008, 10:42 AM

Interesting you go to the dealer for a tire swap. Is there a specific reason for that? Just curious.
winter :(, and they charge the same as everyone else to balance and install. SO I though to myself why not them, I am a loyal customer afterall and while I am there I will try the 135 and see what the future may hold for me. But being shut down does make me think maybe I should have taken the car to some other shop, my loyalty didn't seem to be appreciated.

mryakan

11-07-2008, 10:47 AM

BTW, do you think that a salesperson will care about the opinions of the people posting here? I mean, most of us drive old (pre-2004) vehicles, if I am not mistaken.

I am sincerely asking, not trying to say anything.
No I don't think he would care. But I am hoping maybe his boss or the owners would care when they realize they are alienating their customers. If it turns out they don't care than that is a good indication for me to not care either and find somewhere else where they may care.

robmpulse

11-07-2008, 11:35 AM

mryakan

11-07-2008, 12:11 PM

If you have no intention on buying, you were in fact wasting their time. Ca's are pretty good at sniffing those people out.

If you have a ca that you are familiar with, then that is the way to go. Most of the time, they will take you for a test drive to keep you loyal. But breaking the ice on a new salesman with a useless test drive is not a good 1st impression.

As far as them missing a sale.... Yea, the dealership may have been empty.... But you never know when that next customer will walk in the door. 3 ca's or not.... If he was out on a test drive with you, then he has no chance at all at getting the new customer that walks in that is ready to buy an m6 and pay cash.....

:(
And I am not a potential customer? I get what you are saying, but it is totally wrong IMO. Imagine if you walked into a Neiman Marcus and asked to try a suit on. Would they refuse you because they are busy or they think someone else may walk in who is more interested in buying a suit. What if you already just bought a suit from them the day before, does that mean you have no use for another suit? Even say you tell them I just bought a suit yesterday and I am not planning to buy a suit today, I am just trying it out to see if I like it, I may need a suit next month for a possible business meeting. Don't you think in that case a smart sales guy would have you try the suit on, make you like it and then either try to convince you to buy it right away or at least convince/encourage you come back and get it from them instead of going to Saks Fifth Ave.

I am not wasting their time because I am a potential customer. Unless I have no money or am not eligible to drive, I am a potential customer.

Another real life example:

A few years ago, I had a friend of mine (who is a few years older than me) who was back then around my age now when he had a 323 e46 lease with only 1 year on it but for some reason decided to walk into the Porsche dealership and try out the Boxter with no intention to buy. Well he took the test drive and one thing led to another and soon enough he leased the boxter. Later he in fact found someone else to take over the BMW lease and was driving the boxter. And when his lease was over, well guess what, he leased another boxter. Had the Porsche sales guy dismissed him because he had no intention of buying and because he has a couple of years left on his lease, then he wouldn't have leased those 2 boxters.
Moral of the story. Everyone is a potential customer. For a sales guy to tell them they are wasting his time is an INSULT.

Cdn328is

11-07-2008, 02:02 PM

I know what dealer you're talking about and yeah they tend to not take you seriously unless you're in full suit and tie and you step out of a brand new car with a couple'o bills hanging from your pocket. At least the parts and service dept. are decent people.

mryakan

11-07-2008, 02:16 PM

I don't want to mention the dealership name or try to slander them here. This thread is just to share my experience and get feedback from others about their experiences.
Thanks for understanding all.

AMDdude

11-07-2008, 03:31 PM

robmpulse

11-07-2008, 03:38 PM

mryakan

11-07-2008, 03:49 PM

Since your from Ottawa too, I wonder what dealer you're talking about. I always deal with Otto's and they've always been nice to me and I'm a young punk with just an e36, one time I was in there for service and an older salesmen OFFERED me a test drive in a new e90 and I told him I really couldn't afford one anyway but he still insisted, so quite an opposite experience from what you had, I don't think you should get mad at the whole dealership just because of 1 or 2 bad apples.
As I said I will not name names. But to reply to your comments, I have not previously had any issues like this with this particular dealership I deal with. All past experiences have been positive, thus my disappointment. I am not mad, that does not express my feelings properly. I just hope it is not a new policy that they introduced recently since the fact is the manager reiterated the same thing to me. Was he just covering for his employee, maybe who knows, I just think the whole thing was not right.

mryakan

11-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Out of curiosity, when are you planning on buying a car? 2 - 3 years down the road?

While i agree that the least they could have done was take you on a test drive, i also understand and agree with their side as well.

And now, to boot, you have called bmw na. Now you have someone else wasting their time.

Honestly, i would just chock this up to the way it works and move on. When it comes time to buy another car...... Get a different salesman then the one that denied you a test drive.

I honestly can not believe you now have corp involved.

In all honesty.... Most sales guys are still around in 2-3 years. Why would he care you did not buy the car from him? It's only fair.

In any event...... Keep us posted. I am very interested to see what the outcome is......

My lease will be over in a year and a half, so I will need a car then and I am most definitely going for another BMW unless something extraordinary happens. The only question is which BMW. Sorry if I don't understand that "waste their time concept". The are in the customer service dept. and I am a customer looking for service. That is not a waste of time, that is part of the service they are offering. They are not a grocery store that sells you fruits and you are on your own.

Also the handling of the issue by the dealership was unprofessional. If they were busy, they can have politely asked me to schedule a time when they are not busy to come in for another testdrive, they can't be busy all the time, I have been there often enough to see them roaming the floor on occasion looking for something to do. My previous CA was professional and he asked me to come back at a better time and call in advance when I asked to test drive the e90 323. I never told him I wanted to buy right away but when I liked the car I got it. But to say we don't want to test drive because we don't wan to put miles on the car, comeon you guy that excuse? they always have a demo or loaner or the like, that even they take out on drives. I was picked up once for my service appointment in a brand new 745 driven by their 20 year old pickup guy. Give me a break.

Btw, I called BMW Canada to ask their opinion. I didn't ask them to get involved, instead they asked me for the dealership name and said they will talk to them. That is great customer service in my opinion.

Takashi

11-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Dealership shouldn't deny a test drive especially from a potential buyer. I have been denied twice: M3, X6, and 128i. The M3 I can understand since it's a $$ car and I sure don't want to damage it. When I jokingly asked to test drive the X6 and the 128i, the dealership asked me to wait because BMW Canada owns those 2 cars and it's going to the motor show so I don't want to damage it. The sales person was nice enough to let me sit in the driver seat and show my gf around the 128i (engine running and parked). I got to test drive the 128i at a later time when the 'mad purchase rush' was over. The above situations can easily be forgiven and I have no bones to pick on.

There was one time I got denied a test drive at the Mitsubishi dealership (2006 Eclipse). That time I was quite upset about it and I was very close in taking the matter corporate. The incident was very similar to Mryakan's except they didn't let me drive it because they think I will not buy it. Coming from a person who brought a 33K car in 2003 I don't see why I was viewed as an individual who can't afford a 29K car. At the end I 'black list' the dealer and never interested in Mitsubishi cars anymore. Later on I found out that a few of my friends have trouble with the sales staff at that dealership. I guess it has something to do with the dealership.

Incidentally I recieved surprising service at a Hyundai dealership. I went to check out the Hyundai Genesis. The sales lady noticed I drive a BMW and she offered me to take the 1 and only Genesis (which is parked in the showroom) for a test drive. I told her I have to go to a meeting in 10 minutes. She was going to drive the car out of showroom and let me take a test drive.

SilverBeam

11-07-2008, 04:50 PM

ohnoes

11-07-2008, 04:54 PM

If you think Honda dealerships are great try to take out an S2000. They treat those things like they are Gods. Even if you are in the market, it is a battle to get a test drive out of them.

Really? I had no problem test-driving a 2008 Club Racer. They even got it from the roof, drove it down all these ramps, sourced a shift knob from the parts department, and removed the hardtop for me. Honestly, I guess seeing the E46 M3 helped. But any decent car should get you in the "door."

mryakan

11-07-2008, 04:57 PM

If you think Honda dealerships are great try to take out an S2000. They treat those things like they are Gods. Even if you are in the market, it is a battle to get a test drive out of them.
I can understand that with high end models which they don't stock or are already spoken for. That's why when they said no for the M3 I was ok no problem. But a 135 is not really a car that is hard to get. They have a dozen or more parked outside waiting for someone to buy them. Yeah I would not want to buy a car that has lots of miles on it, but any dealership worth its name would have at least 1 135 that is used for test drives. And a 20km drive is not going to cause considerable depreciation on the the car, they pay tons more than that for advertisement and a test drive is worth a 1000 ads.

2000mkoop

11-07-2008, 05:47 PM

Yeah, this is BS, I test drove a new 135 at a local bmw dealership no problem. I had never bought any cars from them, and i was driving an old POS that day. They pretty much said "here's the keys, take it on the highway, do whatever, take as long as you want." no salesperson ridealongs or anything. 3 or 4 other guys I work with did the same thing. I'm pretty sure they WANTED alot of people to test drive the new 1, since it's a new model in the U.S., and obviously an incredible machine.

Takashi

11-07-2008, 06:28 PM

They pretty much said "here's the keys, take it on the highway, do whatever, take as long as you want." no salesperson ridealongs or anything.

Unfortunely they won't do that anymore here. Too many idiots and too many things can happen with unsupervised people.

MSex

11-07-2008, 07:03 PM

There are obviously differences between new and used cars. If they refuse to give you a test drive I would take my business elsewhere and do what I heard someone else do. Bring your brand new ride to their dealership park right in the middle and find the guy who turned you down and say, "Do you know where I can find a BMW license plate frame for my new car." (or something small like a key chain or floor mats). Maybe next time they will change their tune.

I did something like this.... I went to two BMW dealerships to look at the M5 and M6 (previous model year, but new). One told me the car was in storage (fair enough) and would come out once financing was approved and done (wtf?), and the other, upon being asked to test-drive an M5, tried to talk me out of the car, and rode with me in the parking lot in a used 645.

Long story short, I bought a used M6 after a test drive at a used-car dealership, and the dealership that "let" me test drive the 645 in the damned parking lot.. well, they do all the warranty service on my M6 and give me my damn loaners at their cost. I might have run into the salesperson I dealt with at a Susan Komen event. He saw me get out of my car, or at least, he saw me throw about 5 empty containers of high-end motor oil (10w60?) in the trash. Only one reason anyone has that many empty oil containers to toss... :)

Stilig

11-07-2008, 10:20 PM

I am at my dealership for a tire swap and figured I'd take the opportunity to go for a test
drive. The CA I usually deal with has left the dealership so when I asked to see someone I was given
some other salesguy who basically gives me the cold shoulder on a test drive. I wasn't expecting to be
able to take out an e90 M3 (even though I asked for curiousity) since I know they don't usually test
drive these cars, but at least I expected testdriving a 135 to be no issue. Well the CA basically tells
me to buzz off if I am not buying (in different words than those but that was the jest esp. with the
expression on his face), in his words he has no time to spend on a test drive for fun.

I am the salesperson in question, perhaps if you were a little more forethcoming with the whole
converstation the opinions online may change a little. When we first meet you mentioned to me that you
were in for service and that you would like to take a car out for a test drive. I asked you which car,
to which you replied "an M3". At which point I let you know that we typically dont' test drive M3's,
and I asked you, "so you're interested in buying and M3?' to which you replied "no, i just want to drive
one, when i was down in the states last week i drove one there" I replied " so you just want to drive
one for fun?" and you replied "yes".

So here I am with a customer who I don't know asking to drive one of the cars we typically dont' drive,
who seemingly drove one a week ago in the states. I'm thinking you just want to drive it for fun, which
is exactly what you said to me. It sure is a great deal of fun to drive these cars, and we all love to
do it, however when I have an appointment coming in 15 mins, two deliveries to prepare for after that
and am currently busy moving half of the cars in and out of the showroon it's not really the best time
to be taking someone out for a 'fun' test drive.

Then you mentioned to me that if i can't take you out in an M3 perhaps a 135i? Again i asked you "you
just want to take it out for fun?" to which you replied again "yes, for fun!". At which point i said to
you that we typically dont' take people out for 'fun' test drives. Then you mentioned about how you may
buy one when your lease is up in a year and a half, seemingly to me you just want to tell me whatever
necessary so you can drive another car. Unfotunatly, you're correct in that I dont know you at all, and
that your previous salesperson no longer works for us, leaving me with no knowledge of your previous
dealings with the dealership. I had no clue if you were a customer who was bringing in their boss' car
and wanted to have some fun or if you were a 10 year client such as yourself. These are the
difficulties we run into when we have salespeople leave.

I'm quite happy to see that in your later postings you mention that this experience has not sullied your
opinion of our dealership. I'm sorry that we got off on the wrong foot, and if you decide to never deal
with me again, I understand. I can tell you that no one at our dealerhisp will be turned down a test
drive again (well in any car other than an M car) and While you have no way of knowing this, I'm not the
type of person to deny anyone any test drive, and I am the type of salesperson who had quite strong
relationships with his clients. As with all dealings with people in life you catch them on
good days and on bad days. You caught me on one of the latter. If you would ever like to schedule a
test drive, please feel free to contact any of the sales associates at our dealership and they will be
happy to take you out at your convenience.

Oh, and if you think the way someone dresses changes things, it certainly does not. I can tell you
hands down the clients which I have who have all bought cars in excess of 100 000$ not one of them has
ever come in wearing a suit, and most of them actually come in wearing rather homely attire. Anyone who
thinks they can judge a person by their clothes quickly learns in sales that its impossible.

I can agree that you should have been taken out for a test drive and it's something which will not be
denied to clients in the future and it could have been handled much better and in a more cordial manner,
there were other options i could have extended to you. I'm sorry you've had a poor experience in our
dealership. If you ever like to discuss it you can call or email me at anytime, you can find my contact
info on our website.

mryakan

11-07-2008, 11:13 PM

Well I thought I was extremely forthcoming. I never mentioned I tested the e90 M3 in the US, I did mention however that in the US I had previously test driven an M3, which was an e36 M3 back in 1998. I also was on the waiting list for an e46 M3 with a deposit back in 2001 when the waiting list was over 2 years, but I wethdrew myself before my turn came, so I was serious about the car back then. Anyway, I think we would have avoided this little misunderstanding if we had engaged in a longer discussion but I didn't find any interest in a discussion so I cut it short.

Anyway, when you said you don't test drive the M3 I said I understood due to the nature of the car and said can I try the 135, that's when you asked me if I am test driving for fun. Just to clarify, I never responded that yes I am test driving for fun, in fact I had a blank stare on my face because the expression was very surprising. I said I was interested in the car down the road when my lease is over. I have test driven many cars in the past this way with this dealership and although they didn't result in me buying the cars tested, they did help me form an idea about what I would want to buy and what is not really for me (e.g. never liked the X3). The other test drives were one of the reason I came back to the dealership for my current e90, knowing I was able to compare and take my time to decide. I'd like to think that this is not what you describe as "for fun" since that implies "No objective" or "No purpose" but to drive around the block. My e90 is plenty of fun for me and I can have much more fun with it on my own terms than a 15 minute test drive. The test drive I asked for is for a purpose, albeit I do plan a long long time ahead, just the way I do things. Oh and as for the M3 test drive, part of me wants to try it out to see if I should really plan for one, while another part of me hoped you'd say no so I can convince myself to let got of the M3 for now. I am still regretting I never got the e46 M3, never really got over that. So really in asking I was anticipating your answer in a Freudian way, but I have had the intention to test drive the 135 since I was at the unveiling event last spring.

Ok, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you seriously though I was someone just in to drive the crap out of your car just to have fun, but when I mentioned I am a customer for 10 years, I believe you could have checked? I mean one lookup in the system from one of your SAs, or maybe just a question to Kirk or Greg, or maybe Jules who has known me for all 10 years way back would have given you an answer and validated my claims. Ok so no matter you made an error in judgement here, let's move on.

I am glad you realized I am not trying to bash anyone here and I avoided mentioning the dealership name or the name of anyone involved (the names above btw were not involved in any of this). As for the dressware comment, it was merely a sarcastic remark to some post, I don't think suits make men, it is the other way around and looks can be deceiving. It is good we agree on that.

As I mentioned I have tried to be very professional about addressing this issue, and never meant to slander the dealership and avoided any mention of the dealership name. I was not aggressive, even stressed that I am not mad, just disappointed and I repeated that term many times intentionally to stress that my feeling is not that of resentment or ill will. I posted here to get feedback and opinion from my fellow users just like one would talk to friends to get advice. Also I called BMW Canada to ask for opinion and whether there was a policy on test drives to see if maybe there is so that I have no grounds for being disappointed by the dealership in particular. They are the ones who asked me for the dealership name and said they would contact them to check after the stressed to me that this issue is left up to the dealership's discretion and they had no policy on test drives. I also emailed the people in charge at the dealership again without mentioning names and just stressing I was disappointed and repeating the facts you read here.

Up to this point and including after this experience, I have sill been saying good things to people I know about this dealership, I am a fair person that way. But being fair also means I have to let someone know when they do something questionable. To be honest, I would have had no reason to ponder this issue if I didn't feel greatly disappointed especially when the manager didn't address the disappointment from my 1st encounter but instead reiterated the same thing albeit in more appologetic and friendly manner.

Anyway, thank you for posting and bringing your side of the story. I am glad that by me bringing this to attention I have triggered a change that I think is for the better, and that some customers would benefit and avoid their own disappointment. Your dealership has had a good track record with me in trying to make things right when things have gone wrong in the past and I appreciate that it is the same this time around too. Next time I am at the dealership and have some time to spare for a test drive, I'll probably take you up on your offer. And if everyone is busy, I do understand, we can talk and make alternate arrangements.

Stilig

11-08-2008, 07:39 AM

apollo322

11-08-2008, 08:39 AM

Seems as though we had a bit of a miscommunication about you having driven a car in the US a week prior, I was under the impression you had, i've misinterpreted what you said.

As i mentioned in my previous post, I certainly could have handled things in many different ways to vastly improve the situation, well in all aspects to have never created a situation.

Let's do this, if you would like to come by for a test drive of an M3, let me know. I will take you out in one! As long as it's before the snow comes!!

You've been quite open minded about this and i do appreciate that it has not detered you from dealing with out dealership. If you would like to schedule that M3 test drive, give me a call. And if you would prefer to deal with someone else for the M3 test drive, I will have one of the other associated take care of it.

Well that impressed me. You did a very nice job diffusing this situation and explaining your reasons for what occurred during the initial encounter. You clearly earned a second chance in my book!

I'm in my mid 40's and, although rare, I've been turned down for joy rides a few times before. The only answer I cannot tolerate is "let's agree to a sales number and put down a deposit before the drive". It's happened, and I've crossed those places off the list immediately. It sounds like we've had a fair resolution to this one, kudo's to the sales guy for being brave enough to exlain himself on a car forum1

mryakan

11-08-2008, 03:52 PM

Seems as though we had a bit of a miscommunication about you having driven a car in the US a week prior, I was under the impression you had, i've misinterpreted what you said.

As i mentioned in my previous post, I certainly could have handled things in many different ways to vastly improve the situation, well in all aspects to have never created a situation.

Let's do this, if you would like to come by for a test drive of an M3, let me know. I will take you out in one! As long as it's before the snow comes!!

You've been quite open minded about this and i do appreciate that it has not detered you from dealing with out dealership. If you would like to schedule that M3 test drive, give me a call. And if you would prefer to deal with someone else for the M3 test drive, I will have one of the other associated take care of it.

I guess I`ll take you up on your offer and I don`t mind trying a fresh start seeing how this issue was addressed. I will send you a PM, check your inbox, I just got your PM enabled.

I hump my M3

11-08-2008, 10:10 PM

I tried to drive the new M3 one day but they "don't test drive the M's" apparently.

attack eagle

11-08-2008, 11:12 PM

I just test drive when the Komen Foundation Drive comes thru town every year... Apparently I missed out on the last one and they had the 135 and an ///M car there too. They had NO trouble with me driving the 335, 535, z4 coupe, X5 4.4, 750iL, etc etc.

GEN3RIC

11-08-2008, 11:14 PM

E36 M3s...

"It's policy. We need a $1000 downpayment."

I would never do that.

STAGGERED M3

11-09-2008, 12:00 AM

time for a new dealer! or you can call the next person in charge of the sales manager. or before that call BMW OF AMERICA AND PISS ON THAT DEALER bet they will help especially since you have a lease with them currently!

jibaholic101

11-09-2008, 01:39 AM

i have NEVER been denied a test drive. but doesnt it make sense that in this economic crisis that is affecting the entire planet, the salesman would be MORE THAN HAPPY to take someone for a test drive. with car sales down the toilet, i would think they would be more than happy to make a sale. whether it be a 328i or an m6. there are a lot of people who have no intention of making a purchase, who take a car out and then refuse to go home without it.

poor business practice

just my $0.02

IrishRally

11-09-2008, 02:05 AM

Ah, the warm feeling of resolution. Everybody wins.

Darkfox3889

11-09-2008, 04:57 AM

Yes

Alpine White 2004 330Ci, M-Tech II bumpers, lowered.
Many salespeople just stood around the front office as I looked at the cars, finally I approached them and asked if someone could help me.
They then asked if I was with my parents... I left

Then drove to San Diego two days later and picked up my 330Ci I own now :stickoutt

FLYINV

11-10-2008, 05:14 AM

I love happy endings, good job to both parties involved for dealing with this situation so professionally.

Sepos 96 328is

11-10-2008, 09:32 AM

When I walked into the local dealership when I was interested in buying my first BMW I was basically told if I didnt have $35 grand for a new one, or at least $20 for something used, to not waste my time because he wasn't going to waste his. I excused myself and promptly left. I was pretty distraught and very unsatisfied with the treatment. So I decided to buy elsewhere, then found out the one I bought had been serviced at that dealership its WHOLE LIFE! First stamp for service around 5k miles up to 106k and change (I bought it at 107k and change). So I knew service had all the records and knew what parts had been replaced. Since I do my own work I decided to ask about it. I was promptly told that is confidential information between the car and owner, I said I am the owner, "Oh, well the previous owner then, and his information is confidential", (even though it was writtin in the service book). I vowed I'd never bring my car in, and still haven't, while verbally indicating same words to the service manager. After about a month or two without knowing any history on my car and an oil change was in the immediate future, I decided to sweet talk my way back into the service department and try once more. I asked if I could just find out what had been done and when; they agreed to give me the simple run down in the computer without disclosing personal information, which I didn't care about. So an act of good faith on their part got them my business back as far as buying parts, and it might make it into the service garage some day if this funny noise keeps up that just started. Moving forward though, it seems you must have to maintain a snotty attitude to work at any BMW dealership. (Although a very nice looking younger woman approached me on the lot one day and asked how I was (6 mo. after the initial incident) and said I was still sour about the D-bag in the corner office, she said she'd go have a sit-down with him, and see why he acted the way he did.
No big deal really, people act how they do, you can't change that, appearance has a LOT to do with it too in the matter of eyeballing $40,000 cars. If you don't look like you can afford it, they can see that a mile away. That's why we call them salesmen.

rdhoss

11-10-2008, 04:12 PM

Hey mryakan... Did you ever test drive the M? Let us know how it goes!!

mryakan

11-10-2008, 04:38 PM

Hey mryakan... Did you ever test drive the M? Let us know how it goes!!
We're working out the details. I will surely post an update once that happens along with my impressions.

Takashi

11-10-2008, 05:49 PM

Many salespeople just stood around the front office as I looked at the cars, finally I approached them and asked if someone could help me.
They then asked if I was with my parents... I left

This happened to me when I was at the BMW dealership at Richmond, British Columbia. I did exactly what you did. Walk in, starr at a few cars, jumped in a few cars, felt like I was invisible and so I left. Apparently the sales associates working at that dealership EXPECT anybody who looks like they are younger than 30 to bring their parents along so they can pay for your car. They are not accustomed to dealing with people who look like they are 30 years or younger. May be I look too young for them.

TopasBlau46

11-10-2008, 06:08 PM

Well that impressed me. You did a very nice job diffusing this situation and explaining your reasons for what occurred during the initial encounter. You clearly earned a second chance in my book!

I'm in my mid 40's and, although rare, I've been turned down for joy rides a few times before. The only answer I cannot tolerate is "let's agree to a sales number and put down a deposit before the drive". It's happened, and I've crossed those places off the list immediately. It sounds like we've had a fair resolution to this one, kudo's to the sales guy for being brave enough to exlain himself on a car forum1

Sounds more like a dealership that, unlike BMW, is listening to their customer's complaints out of fear of their reputation being soiled. Car companies can't afford a lost sale in this day and age.

robmpulse

11-10-2008, 06:22 PM

mryakan

11-10-2008, 11:35 PM

I am still on the salesman's side.

A lot can change in the next year and a half. Finances, wants, needs, etc.

If they gave test drives out to anyone that "wanted" to buy a car and was not planning on the purchase for a year and a half.... The showroom would be flooded with requests.....
Rob, you miss the point, this is not a football game, this thread is not about taking sides, this thread is about sharing experiences and expressing opinion. You have expressed yours, thank you for sharing, but I am not doing an us against them challenge so please don't try to depict it as such. There is always more than one side to every story and we saw both here. I didn't start this thread looking for an apology nor to reprimand, I just wanted the dealership to see my side and the opinions of other fellow enthusiasts on the matter. What they do from there on is solely up to them and at their discretion and what I do from here on is solely up to me and at my discretion. But as I said, I'd rather build a good relationship than create animosity.

mryakan

11-11-2008, 02:43 PM

Guys, I thought it is only fair that I share with you this email exchange. I have edited it a bit to protect the names of the innocent :):

Dear <edit>Dealer Principal Name</edit>,
I sincerely appreciate your email and the way you dealt with this issue. It is no less than what I have come to expect over the years of dealing with <edit>Dealership Name</edit>. I did feel something was not right because this recent experience was contrary to the many previous experiences I have had with your dealership over those years, and that is why I brought it to your attention. It seems a miscommunication might have been at the root of this problem and I can understand that. In my job I deal with many offshore teams and from time to time we run into similar misunderstandings and miscommunication and I approach those the same way I approached this issue, by candidly bringing the issues forward to the appropriate audience in hope of improving future exchanges.
In closing, I am glad to know that you have done your best to keep my business and rest assured this will not sour my relationship with the dealership, not with the way this was ultimately handled.

Thanks a lot for your email and I wish you a good Remembrance Day.

Sincerely,
<edit>mryakan</edit>

From: <edit>Dealer Principal Email</edit>
To: mryakan@...
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 11:36:02 AM
Subject: My Apologies

Dear Mr.Yakan,

I would first like to thank you for taking the time to write to me about your disappointment regarding the conduct of one of our salespeople at our dealership. We are always very concerned and interested in the opinions of our customers, ensuring they receive the highest level of service is one of our primary focus’ at <edit>Dealership Name</edit>.

It is and has always been a policy at our dealership to do whatever we can to ensure a positive and pleasant experience for all of our clients. While there are certain vehicles which we generally do not allow test drives, M cars for instance, denying a client a test drive of one of our other models is not something we practice. I am sorry you were not given the opportunity to test a car and would have you know that it is not conduct which we tolerate. Our team should be celebrating the enthusiasm that clients such as yourself have for our product. I have spoken to the salesperson involved as well as all of the other sales staff and I have made sure that they all are aware of our policies and the level of customer service which we employ here at <edit>Dealership Name</edit>.

If you would like to take a 135i or another model out for a test drive, please feel free to contact any of the sales staff or one of the sales managers and they will be happy to accommodate you at your earliest convenience.

I would also like to thank you for attaching the survey results as well as not defaming our dealership during the process. That was very decent of you. I will be reviewing the comments with our sales team.

I sincerely apologize to you, Mr. Yakan, for the treatment you received during your recent visit, and I hope that you will give us the opportunity to regain your trust and to prove to you, that we value you as a client and that we appreciate your business as well as your loyalty over the past 10 years.

Sincerely,

<edit>Dealer Principal Name</edit>
Dealer Principal
<edit>Dealership Name</edit>

Takashi

11-11-2008, 06:14 PM

Haha another happy ending by Mr. Yakan.

fullhouse

11-11-2008, 09:30 PM

I would love to drive a new BMW, I can even pay for that. . . just to experience to drive new BMW ride.

Kalkar

11-14-2008, 07:18 PM

I think that the response by the actual sales guy in this forum could be cheap, could be cool but in anyway, it shows he cares and that is always good.

Kudos to the salesperson who saved the day. We would have gone 3-4 more pages of scum throwing in this thread otherwise :D

mryakan

11-14-2008, 07:43 PM

Just to update, the salesperson kept his word and was very friendly and professional today. You can read my test drive impressions here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1119661

Again thank you to him and the dealership for rectifying this and being customer focused and ensuring the satisfaction of their long term customer. I am sure this will bear rewards in the near future.

Kalkar

11-14-2008, 08:05 PM

Did he put the following song in the player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt-A_cqoves?

You know, just to test the basses?

Blue330i2006

11-15-2008, 01:27 AM

I have read the whole thing so here is my .02........

I have been denied b/c I am white, in the military and lower ranked....
today "literally today" i walked into a Hyundai dealership in uniform and was almost raped. They could not let me leave. Steady income, good credit. what a catch.

What makes me mad about myrakan's experience is that he was denied a drive. I am a few years older than him, but no matter, 4 of the last 6 new cars I have purchased were on a routine SERVICE EVENT! at 2 different dealerships! you walk around for "EVER" and want a test drive.

"WOW I really like this" Run the numbers! and usually it is easy to upgrade.

I am glad your dealer came to the realization that they made a mistake!

E363series

11-15-2008, 06:39 PM

I couldn't drive the E36 M3 that I was thinking of buying because I wasn't old enough. My Dad had to drive it and tell me what he thought.

brunp

11-15-2008, 07:33 PM

Interestingly enough.....I was denied a 1-series test-drive. Sometimes purchases on my part are impulse-based. Bad...I know, but it happens as I am in control of my finances at all times and know when to consider an impulse decision.

Well....last year, my '07 Saab 9-3ss AERO was an impulse buy, when I had my previous '04 Saab in for service. I looked at the last Laser-Red AERO in the showroom. I asked the sales-mgr about it....and he knew me from previous chats. He then pushed me into test-driving the car because he knows I would prefer it to the 4-cylinder and this required moving 3 or 4 different cars in the show-room.

I usually then put a deposit to hold the car....and wait for two days to mull the decision.

As for the BMW, it was a 1-series I wanted to take for a spin, but the sales-guy didn't seem interested despite my showing up in a Saab because they would only consider serious buyers to reduce mileage on those cars.
I find it silly because you become more serious about a car purchase only after a test-drive. Otherwise, why would you show up at a dealership.

Anyway....w/ Audi....never was refused a test-drive. In fact, all my drives were obstacle courses to encourage testing of the Quattro system. :-)

Paul

Nick17

11-15-2008, 08:52 PM

Nice to see you got/enjoyed your test drive. I actually test drove the 08 M3 coupe, and went with my friend on a test drive in the M3 sedan and in the 135i. I had just turned 18 and my friend was 19. Our local BMW dealer was having a all day drive event for the 1 series the M3 and had the only X6's at the time there. I am not the kind of kid who would typically go ask to drive a new M3, but my friend and I who are both into German cars were killing time at the dealer the day before and started talking to a CA that told us to come back and take the cars for a spin, so we gladly did. I still sometimes go to the dealer to kill time and will end up talking to this CA for hours, Because he just enjoys working with BMW's, unlike a lot of people at BMW dealers i've been to he actually appreciates my beat, old E36, and actually offered to buy it and turn it into a track car. Anyways no I have never had an issue with being able to test drive a car, and when i bought my e36 that I actually recently sold, I hadn't even seen it, I called in the first 30 minutes it was listed and bought it off of 3 pictures and a verbal description. - Nick