Wow...totally blown off at BMW dealership

[legion]

I just went to the local BMW dealership, Bob Dennison BMW. I wanted to look at the 128i and 135i--take them for test drives to compare. I was wearing my typical non-working Friday garb, a t-shirt, short and sandals.

I pulled up to the dealership in my Silverado. I got out. I walked around the lot until I found a 135i. There was one salesguy outside talking to a customer. I stared at the window sticker for the car for two minutes.

I went inside. I found a 128i, I looked at it for a minute. Two salesguys walked by and didn't so much as acknowledge my presence.

I was there for maybe 15 minutes and not a single salesguy (and there were at least three standing around doing nothing) would acknowledge me--in fact two walked past and avoided eye contact. Now, I don't believe in rewarding snotty, self-absorbed salespeople. I went back outside and got in my truck and left.

I might buy a BMW some day, but I won't buy one from Bob Dennison BMW.

[nostatic]

somebody here was ranting about perception vs. reality...

Some dealers are like that. I've even been dressed "nice" (well, for me) and had salesguys ignore me. I ended up buying elsewhere.

[Tobra]

let Bob know that

let BMW USA know too

[m325ix]

Did you come to buy the car or get some dude's attention ?

I can care less if anybody says hi to me at the stealership, as long as I can get teh car for the money I want, I can approach and start talking, even without saying hi

[pwd72s]

You probably left your Rolex at home, right?

[the]

I prefer when salesmen don't approach me.

[legion]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

You probably left your Rolex at home, right?

Yep. I actually have a gold Rolex...it was my dad's. I don't like gold watches and I've never worn it. I wear a titanium Seiko to work. I don't wear a watch or my wedding ring on weekends.

[pwd72s]

Oh yeah...at these dealerships, it's all about image. I wonder how many sales have been lost because of sales people ignoring people who would/could have written a check?

[kstar]

Maybe you should have asked for help?

IMO, there's nothing worse than being aggressively approached by a salesperson the moment one steps foot on the lot!

But, a simple "May I help you, sir?" would be appropriate.

Maybe this dealership has a laissez-faire approach?

[legion]

Funny thing is that I know the guy who was talking to the salesman, and I know that he knows that I own a Porsche...

[stomachmonkey]

I also hate when sales people come to me.

If I want them I get their attention.

I'm the same way with waiters, don't come over 5 times during my meal while I have a mouth full of food or am in the middle of a conversation and ask if everything is OK.

Trust me on this, if it's not, you will know.

[stomachmonkey]

Jeez, what's with me and the double posts today.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by kstarnes

Maybe this dealership has a laissez-faire approach?

It isn't a Peugeot dealership. They're selling BMWs, dammit. The salesman should have invaded his Silverado the moment it touched dealership soil.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by the

I prefer when salesmen don't approach me.

Exactly, if I need them I'll let them know. If there were none around to respond to a "hey buddy" then I would be pissed.

I accept a simple greeting, but I prefer no "how can I help you" or other such crap. Just stay within earshot.

[legion]

I want to be acknowledged but not hounded. I was completely ignored.

[MRM]

Same thing happened to me a few months ago at an Acura dealership. I wanted to look at MDXs to see if they would be big enough to haul the family, a dog and cabin stuff. (It isn't). Was looking at used cars and a nice Black guy came out (it was raining) and started showing me around. I saw what was on the lot and asked to see the new, redesigned model. It was inside, so he took me there and handed me of to a total snot yuppie wannabe in a suit. I asked the Black guy, who I liked and was helpful, why I couldn't stay with him. He told me he could only show used cars. I didn't like the way Snot dismissed the Black guy and I didn't like the fact that he couldn't be bothered with me and spent the next half houe monopolizing the one New MDX they had in the showroom with a pretentious yuppie and his vapid wife. Yuppie guy was wearing a two-tone Rolex Submariner and the salesman was engaging in a we're the obnoxious because we're beautiful people-fest with Mr. and Mrs. Yuppie. Since my dress watch is a gold Rolex, I didn't take kindly to waiting. I couldn't help myself. I walked out without saying anything and went home and told my wife we needed to see the redesigned MDX. She thought it was strange that I changed out of my sweatshirt into something Polo, but she knew what was up when she saw me change watches. She rolled her eyes and followed me back to the dealership and tolerated me while I made Snot show me all the features of the MDX. I flashed my Rolex at him, told him that I would buy the Cayenne if it had a third row seat. This time Snot was eating me up and trying his we're both obnoxious beautiful people routine on me. I pronounced the MDX too small and told him I was going off to buy a Mercedes G Class as I walked off without a word.

Sometimes I am very petty.

[911Rob]

Chris,
From my understanding of BMW salespeople, they are trained to be excellent judges in character from first glance.
Hee, Hee.

My buddy, a Dentist in Calgary; did this exact thing at a Caddy dealership only he left and came back an hour later with a brand new Caddy from another dealership; went and found the manager and pointed it out to him! Ha, ha; now that's sweet.

[scottmandue]

They were probably Democrats... we have distributed pictures of you with instructions to avoid contact at all costs.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by legion

I want to be acknowledged but not hounded. I was completely ignored.

Ok, I can agree with that. Some eye contact, a quick hello or Welcome so you know they know you are there is definitely appropriate.

[nostatic]

If you brought an AR-15 you might get better service.