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      01-02-2019, 12:41 PM   #1
Fatandre
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Why am I always treated poorly at BMW dealerships, but with Porsche you are king?

Went to the Porsche dealer in Las Vegas, and we talked cars and everything. I even tried a GT3 car and really enjoyed that visit.

Then, I went to the BMW dealer and wanted to look at the new 8 series that was there, and when I asked about it the salesman just pointed and said it was there. I asked if he has the key, and he said they don't open it.

This is not the first time BMW has lousy salespersons. The best part is I am really considering the 8 series.
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      01-02-2019, 01:07 PM   #2
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I agree. Went to buy my car and sales guy seemed like I was bothering him. And to top it off he asked if I wanted to wait for my parents to come co-sign the loan application paperwork.

Meanwhile I take my moms Mercedes in for service and I’m sitting in a recliner eating free ice cream and allowed to play mini golf in the waiting area.

Moms car is a 35k car while the m is double that.
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      01-02-2019, 01:16 PM   #3
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Was the BMW dealership you went to also in Las Vegas? The dealerships there are owned by Autonation which are the "No Haggle" style dealerships. The salesmen there tend to not bother you and tend not care (at least in my experience, and I actually prefer it [the not bothering part]). I'm not sure if they get commissions or not due to the fact that they're a no haggle dealership, they cared more about their survey review than the sale.

Last edited by damageprone; 01-02-2019 at 01:57 PM..
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      01-02-2019, 01:38 PM   #4
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This mirrors my experience. I've dealt with three Porsche dealerships in Canada and their sales people all have been knowledgable, no pressure people who knew their stuff and were keen just to chat about cars. I didn't have to bring up the idea of a test drive, they wanted to put me in whatever Porsche I desired.

OTOH when I was cross-shopping 340i vs M3, I had to really beg hard and get the manager's approval to get in an M. The salesperson didn't know squat.

I think BMW salespeople are looking to push X1s and 320s out the door. The Porsche people can take a more long term view and, for the most part, deal with higher net worth individuals who don't respond to high pressure tactics and will walk out the door if they are not treated nice.
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      01-02-2019, 01:54 PM   #5
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I think the experiences vary widely. At my dealership, you'd think I was the owner. Can take any car, and they ask if I can have it back today, if not, just let them know. Service is wonderful. Mod friendly. Probably one of the main reasons I stick with BMW.
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      01-02-2019, 02:33 PM   #6
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When they add $15,000 administrative fees to the GT3 MSRP then tell me how u think they’re treating you.
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      01-02-2019, 02:40 PM   #7
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Depends on the dealer I guess. In my neck of the woods one doesn't give a fk and the other is very accommodating. Once while getting my car serviced they insisted I take an ///M4 out for a spin with the salesguy.

But yeah Porsche I've only had good experiences. Once my pops was on a business trip in Missouri and got bored so dropped by a showroom. They moved cars out of their showroom to let him drive a Cayman R that he didn't even ask to drive. They just insisted and encouraged him to race people from lights Lol.
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      01-02-2019, 02:45 PM   #8
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Define "tried a GT3 car." I imagine the most they would do is unlock the car and let you sit in it.

My experience with Porsche dealers are while they may be cool showing you some nice cars when it comes time to talk $$$, they will act like they are doing you a favor!
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      01-02-2019, 02:50 PM   #9
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I own a MB and Porsche, dealership treats me great. When I had the Z4MC and went to the dealership for service or to look at a couple of other BMW's in the showroom I got the same were too busy for your business treatment.....hence I now own MB and Porsche. It's a shame because I like BMW's but don't see myself ever going into another dealership.
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      01-02-2019, 03:00 PM   #10
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It is true in San Antonio as well. My BMW dealer (only 1) is marginal at best in terms of service and experience. Meanwhile, my boss owns a number of Mercedes and Porches and both the MB dealer (Boerne Mercedes, 1 of 2 MB dealers) and the Porsche dealer (only 1) are on their game in terms of the quality of the work and the customer experience.

You can't make it ten feet into the Merc or Porsche dealer without someone offering to help you, or get you something to eat or drink. At our local BMW dealer you will just stand there until you are able to stop or interrupt a staff member.
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      01-02-2019, 03:07 PM   #11
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Man - I really got no legs to stand on here.

My local dealership, and the only one within an hour drive, is a BMW-MB-Porsche dealer.

lol.

I've had a pleasant experience there overall and don't see any difference in treatment between any of the brands.
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      01-02-2019, 03:12 PM   #12
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Dealer I usually go to (Niello BMW in Sac) is always super helpful and pleasant. They have a nicely remodeled lounge with coffee and treats, and even give me loaners no problem when I bring in my 10 y/o e92 for recalls.

You can't blame BMW for the dealerships, they are all privately-owned franchises. You either get a good franchise or you don't, depends on who's running the show.

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      01-02-2019, 03:12 PM   #13
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Interesting. My BMW dealer has always been great. Once I stopped by on a Saturday in my old beater, a hooptie looking scion tc lol. Was greeted right away, and test drove a brand new F80 no questions asked and I'm a young looking guy.
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      01-02-2019, 03:21 PM   #14
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I wonder if this has to do with the overall quality/reputation of the brand as well as big disparity in volume. Porsche is obviously a cut above BMW when it comes to prestige and general cost of the vehicle. Perhaps this lends itself to better hiring/training of personnel and also more longevity. Like shopping at Saks vs Macys.

Also, I dont know the volume of cars each brand sells but I would think the Porsche volume is a fraction of BMW. This lends itself to fewer and smaller dealerships and a more personable/customized approach.

Just my thoughts.
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      01-02-2019, 03:21 PM   #15
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I have to say the guys at my local BMW dealer are extremely cool.....everyone for the exception of the sales people who dress like they make 7 figures a year and act like they've stepped in shit if they have to actually speak to you.

The Lexus dealer across the street.....I thought I was going to get a handy from the girl that helped me and probably would have had I asked.
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      01-02-2019, 03:30 PM   #16
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I have found over the years and many car buying experiences,
that there are jerks everywhere. It all depends on which
dealership employs them at the moment. Unfortunately, not all salespeople
are car enthusiasts and share the same excitement about the
car as you do.
I dont think the make of the car, creates an attitude or culture.

I would just try to find a different sales associate or dealership.

Everyone needs to be treated with respect, especially when making
such a large purchase, so it should be their loss for being an a$$.
Just move on to the next person or outfit that treats you properly.
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      01-02-2019, 03:31 PM   #17
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Probably just luck.

I have had great experiences when it came to BMW dealerships as well as Porsche ones as well.
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      01-02-2019, 03:35 PM   #18
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LOL at people my age who are dealers and dress like they are fuckin ceos...wont let me open the new M5. then they proceed to drive home in their highly subsidized 320s. hate the dealership model, but hey what you gunna do
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      01-02-2019, 04:28 PM   #19
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As others have said, it boils down to the individual dealership and not the brand.

I've been in BMW dealerships where they couldn't give me the time of day, and I've also been in BMW dealerships where every single sales person is looking to help, offering test drives, etc.

I've been in Porsche dealerships where they ask "what are you driving now" and then decide if they should help you, and I've also been in Porsche dealerships where they're super cool and can talk shop all day long.

My favorite was walking into a McLaren dealership a few years ago when I was nowhere near even considering one (and in my late 20s, at that). They treated me like a king...I guess they kind of assume if you're already in the door then you're not there to waste time? Or maybe it was just a slow day
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      01-02-2019, 04:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IllSic_Design View Post
Dealer I usually go to (Niello BMW in Sac) is always super helpful and pleasant. They have a nicely remodeled lounge with coffee and treats, and even give me loaners no problem when I bring in my 10 y/o e92 for recalls.

You can't blame BMW for the dealerships, they are all privately-owned franchises. You either get a good franchise or you don't, depends on who's running the show.
Yes and no, the dealership has a product to sell and I'd like to think that BMW the brand would be able to exercise some pressure on bad dealers....or maybe they don't care.
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      01-02-2019, 05:00 PM   #21
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7 years ago i walked into Peter Pan BMW in San Mateo with my wife, and spent 45 min wandering around without a single sales person asking if i needed any help. After the 45 min i said forget it and decided i didnt need to buy a BMW. to be a jerk i walked up to the sales desk and informed them i had been there for 45 min without even a "hello", flashed them the $10k cash i had in my pocket for a down payment, and let them know my wife won this battle and we would be headed to the Subaru dealership to buy her a new car. They attempted a sales pitch but i was walking out the door. Bought the wife a loaded Subaru Forester same day ( not a bad deal for me, since it was about $15k less than the X3 i wanted to buy her).
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      01-02-2019, 05:03 PM   #22
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Each dealership in the US is independently own per BMW USA. So if you have an issue, you need tp take it up with the dealership corporate only, per BMW USA Corporate. Call BMW Corporate, I did, they don't give a shit.

My personal complaint is when finding parking, they have handicap parking in each parking lot, but the salesman use them or they park new cars there. We use handicap because of my wife. Even though you ask them to keep the marked spaces open for approved cars, they apologize and nothing changes.

So, per BMW USA Corporate, I take it up each time with the dealership .. I call the cops ... they come out and ticket all the cars ... it is a state and federal law. So far, two dealerships.

As a customer, I expect them to obey the laws ... like we have to.
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