Well, I am amazed at the type of different experiences one can have at the same dealership. More details will follow in a separate thread sometime later.
Today I booked a Fiesta SXi 1.6 at Chennai Ford. The sales executive was a lady and must say, all the experience I had gained from TBHP came into effect the moment talks began.
Note: I was not keen on test driving the car..I am putting total faith on fellow BHPian's posts/reviews regarding this (Earlier I was going for Linea..more on that will follow once I post my own booking/initial ownership thread). However, I took a test ride at the rear since I have never sat in the rear in my Ikon..hence not aware of rear comfort.
MPL Experience
==============
First, I had approached MPL since I had purchased my Ikon in 2003 thru them and stuck to them for servicing till date.
Blah..Blah..Blah followed for couple of minutes regarding the car features. Since I had made up my mind on Fiesta (either SXi or S), I was not too keen on wasting time listening to the sales talk.
Next, as usual, they showed me the price list. Based on TBHP threads, the moment I asked them for a complete breakup of all costs like regn/insurance etc, they were on the defensive.
MPL also first tried to dissuade me into taking insurance on my own..however, later on they agreed. The final OTR price came to around 735840/- (Insurance/Essential Pack+3M Exterior/3 year EW excluded - as part of loyalty bonus for Ikon, I will get the last one free)
No further discounts. I too was not keen on pressing for any further freebies, since my experience suggests, there is no free lunch, and somewhere something will get compromised.
The test ride was given to me not in a TD vehicle but a ready-for-delivery S model..as soon as I became aware of the same, I asked the salesguy to return back to the showroom. The ride was not more than 1 KM.
Chennai Ford Experience
=======================
Ditto as MPL. Except this time it was a lady. Once I made it clear that I will only opt for ex-showroom+regn charges, there was no further pressure on taking insurance etc from them, though they kept on repeating all crap regarding tieups with BA etc. Their final OTR came to 734790/- excluding all as mentioned above.
Pitting both the dealerships
============================
Once I realised the CF is lower by around 1K, I confronted MPL. Even after stressing that myself having been a loyal customer for them for almost 7 yrs, still they could not give a best price compared to CF..who did not even know that I already have MPL price with me. I strictly told them that for me 1K is not an issue..however since they do not care regarding loyalty, I am proceeding with CF...unless MPL gives me an OTR of 730000/-. I also assured them that I will be buying at least 15K worth of accessories.
Soon after, I contacted CF and asked them for the same OTR of 730000/- but this time the strategy was to reveal to them that since I am an existing MPL client, the price difference was not too high to switch sides and hence I will stick to MPL. During this talk when I informed her about buying 15K of accessories as well, immediately, she told me that she will be able to offer 5K discount if I confirm the same during booking, to which I agreed.
The lady even came over to my residence to confirm the deal and take the booking amount yday. But I insisted upon giving the cheque at the showroom itself so that I can see all the paperwork reqd as well as talk to their finance/insurance sales team regarding loan/insurance options.
However, could not visit the showroom because of work. Also, was waiting, if MPL could come up with a better offer. MPL guy followed up with me a number of times and apologised to me for not being able to offer a better deal inspite of pressurizing his GM but assured me that he will help me further down the road during delivery/servicing etc. My impresssion about this guy has been good..no complaints on that front..hence told him to hang on since I will be finalizing in a day or two. Further, based on Gilead's experience of nasty suprise on the day of booking, wanted to keep my options open.
Booking Day surprise
===================
When today noon I landed up at CF with the chequebook, I was surprised to see that their freshly printed price list exactly matched with that of MPL. When I pointed out the same, the lady tried to wriggle out of the situation saying that FORD has asked them to ensure that there is no price difference! However, after she spoke to her superior, she came back to me saying that earlier offer still holds good and the 5K discount on accessories also will be given to me (verbal commitment).
Finally
========
I handed over the cheque for 25K. Delivery promised before 20th Dec. Proforma invoice was given as per the new price list..however, the difference that needs to be paid i.e, based on old price, 734790-25000=709790/- at the time of delivery was handwritten on the proforma invoice and countersigned by CF. I hope they do not invoke the clause about price can be changed without notice!!!
Keeping my fingers crossed till them
Will be getting the insurance from New India, since my friend, who helped in guiding me buy my first Car (Ikon) has been doing the same thru them from 1994 onwards - total of 4 cars till now. That thru the same New India staff who has come up the ladder from being a agent to area supervisor to something big since 1990. And when few years back he had an accident with his Palio, this guy helped him making a claim of 85K.