"Good day, I am interested in a test drive"...."Sorry sir, we don't have a car for TD"

Parth46 · 28th April 2013, 15:14

Really really surprising, considering the segment of cars you were interested in. Never expected this of Honda atleast. And the comment regarding Renault is spot on.

Considering i need to start negotiating for a City in a few months, i really hope the Amaze doesn't get in their head too much for them to start being non- responsive to other customers.

GS300 · 28th April 2013, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

A consumer who is willing to plonk thirty big ones on the table cant be all that common.

Ideally, experience should be consistent regardless of how much your budget is, but of course, one tend to expect more eagerness from the seller's side when they meet a potential customer for a product that is not selling that well

Quote:

Have you considered a Santa Fe or a Captiva at all?

did not consider Santa Fe since I am expecting the fluidic version to come out sometime this year. Captiva - well, maybe I should consider. I will look at it one of these days.

shankar.balan · 28th April 2013, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS300

Ideally, experience should be consistent regardless of how much your budget is, but of course, one tend to expect more eagerness from the seller's side when they meet a potential customer for a product that is not selling that well

did not consider Santa Fe since I am expecting the fluidic version to come out sometime this year. Captiva - well, maybe I should consider. I will look at it one of these days.

In an ideal world yes, customers should be treated like gods. Welcome to the real world of third rate, under paid dealer sales executives...

Sheel · 28th April 2013, 17:54

I would say give other dealer/manufacturers a try. And since you are open to Petrol Car/SUV, please do look at the Grand Vitara & the Outlander as well.

aks_karthik · 28th April 2013, 18:21

I too have the same treatment when I visited some of the brand showroom.
I am very much keen in XUV 5OO AWD. But no dealer in Chennai have a TD vehicle with them and they are just asked me to TD a 2WD car.
I am really surprised how come we shell out 18 Lakhs in car without TD.
I had posted it in Mahindra Site and got a response that they will arrange a TD some how. But after sometimes I got a call from Zuleikha Motors from where I have enquired already about AWD.
So I don't have any hope that I can get a TD of AWD anywhere in India

God only saves this industry.

tanwaramit · 28th April 2013, 18:52

I think it's more on how the dealership based model works.

A dealer places order on a monthly/quarterly basis to the company.

He has to specify the following

1. Car model
2. Variant
3. Color

Accordingly the plant manufacturing takes place, as per orders from dealers across the nation.

These vehicles are produced thus and shipped to the dealer. Dealer this sells it out to you/me.

Now depending on the demand at the showroom the dealer keeps some models from the inventory for himself. These vehicles he generally keeps a demo vehicles as there is a huge demand and he has to keep ready a few cars to demo for the enquiries.

Some of the low demand car models are not kept by him for demo due to the following
1. Low demand
2. High cost (for CRV etc)

Dealer is interested in making money, will not keep his money idle for a car model for which he hardly has any enquiry. This largely depends on the enquiry at the dealership. Same dealer may have different cars for demo depending on location of his dealership.

Car companies are interested in dumping their lot to dealers, whichever way they can. Dealer has to take a call on what to order depending on what he will be able to sell.

Some of the car models are not available for TD as the dealer hasn't allocated it for himself, he rather sold them to the customers as and when there was a demand, if you enquired during that time there are chances that the dealer will bring a customers car (come for delivery) as demo vehicle for you.

As long as the current dealer based method continues, low volume cars will be tough to get for test drives. Unless there is a company owned showroom where they will try to have as many models available for test drive.

drmohitg · 28th April 2013, 18:58

Its actually surprising and shameful that dealers expect you to buy a 30L vehicle without even seeing it in flesh. The same happened at Toyota here in Vadodara. I had gone to them to give my car for servicing and while waiting me and my friend thought to check out the Fortuner and take a TD if possible. But to my surprise they didn't have a display vehicle or a TD vehicle. Now how do people then buy the Fortuner here? But then I am guessing many people are ready to still put down there money on these vehicles on the basis of what they have read/heard from friends and family about these vehicles. Hence the dealers may not see the point in keeping a vehicle since its already selling itself so easily.

KMT · 28th April 2013, 21:15

This experience of yours just shows what a strong run of sales Auto dealers have had over the past 5-10 years.

They complain about a stagnant market and low demand but can't recognise a genuine lead when it falls on their lap.

Well we can only hope that such downturns will wake them from their easy life and take us customers a bit more seriously.

All the best and dont give up on your new SUV

n.devdath · 1st May 2013, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS300

My Innova is getting old, and I wanted to replace it with a 'next level' SUV/MPV.

In case, you are interested in the Pajero Sport (which incidentally is a phenomenal vehicle IMO), I can arrange a leisurely TD at a place and time of your choice since I know the MD of the local dealership pretty well.

For Toyota too, let me know if you need any help, I know a few biggies at Viva and Nandi.

While what has happened to you should not happen to anyone, I can help you if required. Let me know.

GS300 · 1st May 2013, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.devdath

In case, you are interested in the Pajero Sport (which incidentally is a phenomenal vehicle IMO), I can arrange a leisurely TD at a place and time of your choice since I know the MD of the local dealership pretty well.

For Toyota too, let me know if you need any help, I know a few biggies at Viva and Nandi.

While what has happened to you should not happen to anyone, I can help you if required. Let me know.

Thanks a lot for the offer to help! After my failed attempt, I am rethinking if I need to really go for a new vehicle or wait for some more time. In case decide to go ahead, I would certainly take this offer. Thanks again!

drsingh · 1st May 2013, 19:08

My friend went to the Honda dealership at Amritsar at 4 pm on Saturday.He was told to wait for 30 minutes and then told " Sir, demo car has been locked,come on Monday for a test drive" .He had to ask another sales attendant to atleast show him the interiors in the display car.To which they obliged as a favour to him.After he himself asked for water and was told "to look for filled glasses on the table behind the brio",my friend asked sarcastically " should i take an appointment for monday"? he was told seriously " its better to take an appointment as the car is often sent out to clients".

The Amaze is selling itself! and the dealers are enjoying the attention and acting as donors giving out alms!

The sales agents I guess have already met their quota for the year !

The car is being sent on house visits to "special clients",those expected to pay cash and buy accessories with fat margins!

The curious customers ,first time Honda visitors are being treated as people who line up for alms outside various religious places and being told - " come tomorrow, aaj ka to khatam ho gaya"!

It is a good time to be a honda dealer right now

scarecrow · 23rd September 2013, 17:29

Hi All
Not sure whether you have faced this, but for a few bikes, cars (high end, exclusive, expensive) ones it is difficult to get a test ride. Moreover even if you get a test ride, drive it is generally a small one within the company premises. E.g. i recently went for a KTM 390 test ride in Pune. I was given a very short test ride within the premises and wasn't able to appreciate the bike completely.

Now i understand that these are company policies to prevent the vehicle been robbed, injuries, etc, but this got me thinking in case something can be done to improve it. Following are a few thoughts which came to my mind

Introducing a nominal payment for a test ride, with booking in advance
Identity proof verification before the test ride
If the payment option is not practical, retaining / blocking the credit cards

Now i know a few of you will bash me up for suggesting this, but i feel this will help ensure that only interested people will go for the test rides. That ways hopefully we will be able to test ride a few exotic vehicles

as well which currently i can only dream of owning.

Feel free to share your thoughts, feedback.

ampere · 26th September 2013, 18:53

Having seen pages of stories, I just wonder, is it plain arrogance or just downright stupidity on their part to follow-up ? Do they really forget to call ? All it takes these days is to put a reminder on your phone or your calendar.

Cannot understand the logic (if any) of these guys. When there is a deluge of enquiries, one can understand the psyche at least. But What about queries of the order of single digits? One cant even follow that ?

roy_libran · 26th September 2013, 19:02

Just got off the phone from the third phone call from Skoda in the space of an hour, firmly refusing their offer to come over for a test drive of the Rapid and withdrawing my custom for the same.
After all they broke their two earlier TD commitments, without any intimation. If this is pre sales then what would be the post sales

ashwin.terminat · 26th September 2013, 19:11

This had happened to me when me and my friend were TDing cars before we settled for the Jazz a year ago.

We visited the Advaith Hyundai showroom on Residency Road for a TD of the i20. We were cold shouldered by almost all employees and had to go ask for a Test Drive ourselves. A lady then replied - "Sorry Sir, we don't have a car for TD." I sighed and left the premises. Disappointed at not only the Customer Service we got but also the fact that they didn't have a TD vehicle of an i20.

The shock was after we brought the Jazz home. I got a call from the folks at Advaith Hyundai who asked me why I didn't buy the i20. I explained to her their shoddy Customer Service and lack of a TD car were 2 important reasons. She then asks me not to tell anyone else about their Customer Service and that there was no TD car ! I chuckled on the phone and obliged for diplomacy's sake.

28th April 2013, 15:14	#136
Parth46 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 375 Thanked: 572 Times	Re: My (Failed) attempt at buying a SUV/MUV Really really surprising, considering the segment of cars you were interested in. Never expected this of Honda atleast. And the comment regarding Renault is spot on. Considering i need to start negotiating for a City in a few months, i really hope the Amaze doesn't get in their head too much for them to start being non- responsive to other customers.
	() Thanks

28th April 2013, 17:54	#139
Sheel Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Purnea (Bihar) Posts: 9,582 Thanked: 14,396 Times View My Garage	Re: My (Failed) attempt at buying a SUV/MUV I would say give other dealer/manufacturers a try. And since you are open to Petrol Car/SUV, please do look at the Grand Vitara & the Outlander as well.
	() Thanks

28th April 2013, 18:21	#140
aks_karthik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,947 Thanked: 341 Times View My Garage	I too have the same treatment when I visited some of the brand showroom. I am very much keen in XUV 5OO AWD. But no dealer in Chennai have a TD vehicle with them and they are just asked me to TD a 2WD car. I am really surprised how come we shell out 18 Lakhs in car without TD. I had posted it in Mahindra Site and got a response that they will arrange a TD some how. But after sometimes I got a call from Zuleikha Motors from where I have enquired already about AWD. So I don't have any hope that I can get a TD of AWD anywhere in India God only saves this industry. Last edited by aks_karthik : 28th April 2013 at 18:22.
	() Thanks

28th April 2013, 18:52	#141
tanwaramit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dilwalon ki Dilli Posts: 1,930 Thanked: 497 Times	I think it's more on how the dealership based model works. A dealer places order on a monthly/quarterly basis to the company. He has to specify the following 1. Car model 2. Variant 3. Color Accordingly the plant manufacturing takes place, as per orders from dealers across the nation. These vehicles are produced thus and shipped to the dealer. Dealer this sells it out to you/me. Now depending on the demand at the showroom the dealer keeps some models from the inventory for himself. These vehicles he generally keeps a demo vehicles as there is a huge demand and he has to keep ready a few cars to demo for the enquiries. Some of the low demand car models are not kept by him for demo due to the following 1. Low demand 2. High cost (for CRV etc) Dealer is interested in making money, will not keep his money idle for a car model for which he hardly has any enquiry. This largely depends on the enquiry at the dealership. Same dealer may have different cars for demo depending on location of his dealership. Car companies are interested in dumping their lot to dealers, whichever way they can. Dealer has to take a call on what to order depending on what he will be able to sell. Some of the car models are not available for TD as the dealer hasn't allocated it for himself, he rather sold them to the customers as and when there was a demand, if you enquired during that time there are chances that the dealer will bring a customers car (come for delivery) as demo vehicle for you. As long as the current dealer based method continues, low volume cars will be tough to get for test drives. Unless there is a company owned showroom where they will try to have as many models available for test drive.
	() Thanks

28th April 2013, 18:58	#142
drmohitg Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi Posts: 5,439 Thanked: 7,539 Times	Re: My (Failed) attempt at buying a SUV/MUV Its actually surprising and shameful that dealers expect you to buy a 30L vehicle without even seeing it in flesh. The same happened at Toyota here in Vadodara. I had gone to them to give my car for servicing and while waiting me and my friend thought to check out the Fortuner and take a TD if possible. But to my surprise they didn't have a display vehicle or a TD vehicle. Now how do people then buy the Fortuner here? But then I am guessing many people are ready to still put down there money on these vehicles on the basis of what they have read/heard from friends and family about these vehicles. Hence the dealers may not see the point in keeping a vehicle since its already selling itself so easily.
	() Thanks

28th April 2013, 21:15	#143
KMT BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Coorg Posts: 455 Thanked: 877 Times	Re: My (Failed) attempt at buying a SUV/MUV This experience of yours just shows what a strong run of sales Auto dealers have had over the past 5-10 years. They complain about a stagnant market and low demand but can't recognise a genuine lead when it falls on their lap. Well we can only hope that such downturns will wake them from their easy life and take us customers a bit more seriously. All the best and dont give up on your new SUV
	() Thanks

1st May 2013, 19:08	#146
drsingh BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 776 Thanked: 707 Times	Re: "Good Day, I am interested in test driving..." "Sorry Sir, We dont have a car for My friend went to the Honda dealership at Amritsar at 4 pm on Saturday.He was told to wait for 30 minutes and then told " Sir, demo car has been locked,come on Monday for a test drive" .He had to ask another sales attendant to atleast show him the interiors in the display car.To which they obliged as a favour to him.After he himself asked for water and was told "to look for filled glasses on the table behind the brio",my friend asked sarcastically " should i take an appointment for monday"? he was told seriously " its better to take an appointment as the car is often sent out to clients". The Amaze is selling itself! and the dealers are enjoying the attention and acting as donors giving out alms! The sales agents I guess have already met their quota for the year ! The car is being sent on house visits to "special clients",those expected to pay cash and buy accessories with fat margins! The curious customers ,first time Honda visitors are being treated as people who line up for alms outside various religious places and being told - " come tomorrow, aaj ka to khatam ho gaya"! It is a good time to be a honda dealer right now
	() Thanks

23rd September 2013, 17:29	#147
scarecrow BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 114 Thanked: 160 Times	Test Drive - Options Hi All Not sure whether you have faced this, but for a few bikes, cars (high end, exclusive, expensive) ones it is difficult to get a test ride. Moreover even if you get a test ride, drive it is generally a small one within the company premises. E.g. i recently went for a KTM 390 test ride in Pune. I was given a very short test ride within the premises and wasn't able to appreciate the bike completely. Now i understand that these are company policies to prevent the vehicle been robbed, injuries, etc, but this got me thinking in case something can be done to improve it. Following are a few thoughts which came to my mind Introducing a nominal payment for a test ride, with booking in advance Identity proof verification before the test ride If the payment option is not practical, retaining / blocking the credit cards Now i know a few of you will bash me up for suggesting this, but i feel this will help ensure that only interested people will go for the test rides. That ways hopefully we will be able to test ride a few exotic vehicles as well which currently i can only dream of owning. Feel free to share your thoughts, feedback.
	() Thanks

26th September 2013, 18:53	#148
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,945 Thanked: 12,928 Times View My Garage	Re: "Good Day, I am interested in test driving..." "Sorry Sir, We dont have a car for Having seen pages of stories, I just wonder, is it plain arrogance or just downright stupidity on their part to follow-up ? Do they really forget to call ? All it takes these days is to put a reminder on your phone or your calendar. Cannot understand the logic (if any) of these guys. When there is a deluge of enquiries, one can understand the psyche at least. But What about queries of the order of single digits? One cant even follow that ? Last edited by ampere : 26th September 2013 at 18:55.
	() Thanks

26th September 2013, 19:02	#149
roy_libran Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DNCR Posts: 1,643 Thanked: 3,456 Times View My Garage	Just got off the phone from the third phone call from Skoda in the space of an hour, firmly refusing their offer to come over for a test drive of the Rapid and withdrawing my custom for the same. After all they broke their two earlier TD commitments, without any intimation. If this is pre sales then what would be the post sales
	() Thanks

26th September 2013, 19:11	#150
ashwin.terminat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,711 Thanked: 2,192 Times	Re: "Good Day, I am interested in test driving..." "Sorry Sir, We dont have a car for This had happened to me when me and my friend were TDing cars before we settled for the Jazz a year ago. We visited the Advaith Hyundai showroom on Residency Road for a TD of the i20. We were cold shouldered by almost all employees and had to go ask for a Test Drive ourselves. A lady then replied - "Sorry Sir, we don't have a car for TD." I sighed and left the premises. Disappointed at not only the Customer Service we got but also the fact that they didn't have a TD vehicle of an i20. The shock was after we brought the Jazz home. I got a call from the folks at Advaith Hyundai who asked me why I didn't buy the i20. I explained to her their shoddy Customer Service and lack of a TD car were 2 important reasons. She then asks me not to tell anyone else about their Customer Service and that there was no TD car ! I chuckled on the phone and obliged for diplomacy's sake.
	() Thanks