Hi everyone,

I've been having a terrible time with looking to buy a replacement LR for my D4, I've had my heart set on an SVR (approved used- low mileage)

Out of 6 dealers I've visited so far, only one has been pleasant and respectful. Unfortunately this one was always going to be a no- deal as the car was too high-mileage. Worth noting that I informed them of this beforehand and they were more than welcoming for me having a test drive for future reference!

So now the other 5....

A mix of arrogance, absence, noseyness, etc, etc, even a case of pushing a deal using something closely resembling intimidation- I soon put a stop to that with a 9/10 rare up! Also promises being made by what I'd describe as junior salespeople only to have to go back on their word when closing in, once they've run back to the narcissistic 'managers' behind the scenes!

Then there's the push for buying things on finance almost looking at a cash buyer as a negative! What is it with that, now I understand why this is the way some people want/have to do it but once I make it clear that I don't want finance clearly I don't want to hear another word. After such an example of this I've actually had not one but two 'managers' stood around the table patronising me on the advantages of finance.

I've been stood patiently at an abscent reception desk obviously making it clear I want to speak to someone, sure enough a few members of staff walk by intermittently. Not one asked if I'd been looked after or how could they help. Do they think it's beneath them and it's a job for a receptionist! It would take no effort at all, and I'm happy to wait patiently as long as I know someone knows I want some assistance.

Then the nosey ones, 'you must be doing well to be looking at these, blah, blah, what do you do?'

Now maybe it looks slightly odd, I'm relatively young I'm not rolling in it, I work hard in a demanding job- I deserve what I have or can afford. I just don't want to hear these judgmental ejits talking spam!

Due to all this I've grown tired of the process and for the time being it's put me off all together. I'm gutted, I learnt to drive in a defender and always had either a defender or disco since. It's in the family too, mom and dad had them so my heart really isn't in any other manufacturer. I remember going with my dad on multiple occasions to buy his land rovers 10-20 years ago and it was a pleasurable experience every time. He always had the respect he deserved and would come away happy after making a good deal.

It's a shame that this is the state of Land Rover dealerships now and I know I'm far from the only one. Does Land Rover themselves really know what's going on, these muppets selling their product? Are they bothered?

And here I am wishing I still had my dependable D4 on the drive (at least)


Thanks for reading if you've got this far and look forward to your comments.

All the best,

Andy

Ignorant, arrogant main dealers don't you just love them.
Nosey bastards.  SVR 2018 in Santorini Black.

I had a similar experience when looking to purchase my 1st L494,,I contacted Guy Salmon Wakefield who I’ve dealt with for 4 previous LR one being a FF & 3 x RRS’s.When I called to speak to the salesman I’d always dealt with girl on reception said he was in a meeting & would get back to me,after 2 days no call so I called again & he was in a meeting but would make sure he called when he was free another 2 days past so I made another call & guess what he was in another meeting,by this time I thought it & went elsewhere to buy one.I was also always a cash buyer,,I’m sure they don’t like cash buyers as they don’t get the commission from the finance company.If they sold as many cars as meeting they keep having LR would probably not be in the position now that they are. Andy.
21 Ford Ranger
Gone but not forgotten
Focus RS Red Edition
2015 RRS AB Fuji.
2014 RRS SC Santorini
2016 VW Amarok
2014 RRS AB Fuji
2012 RRS Red Edition Fuji
2015 Nissan Navara
2012 RRS SE Santorini
2008 RRS White
2007 RRS Santorino

Its not just LR, I have had exactly your experiences at BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Mini and Volvo, all Arnold shark, I might add.

I've had 7 LRs now from two dealerships who have been great, there are good dealerships out there so don't give up yet. 2018 MY19 HSE Dynamic, Santorini, Ebony/Ivory, Sliding pano, Adaptive cruise, Black wheels. Arrived 3rd September 2018
2015 MY16 HSE Dynamic, Santorini, ebony/cirrus, sliding pano, cameras, black wheels - Arrived 1 October 2015

To be honest the last 2 I’ve bought my Sc & the evoque have come from Hatfields’s in Pickering & I’ve had good service from them both times. Andy.
21 Ford Ranger
Gone but not forgotten
Focus RS Red Edition
2015 RRS AB Fuji.
2014 RRS SC Santorini
2016 VW Amarok
2014 RRS AB Fuji
2012 RRS Red Edition Fuji
2015 Nissan Navara
2012 RRS SE Santorini
2008 RRS White
2007 RRS Santorino

Welcome to the forum, Andy. Which part of the country are you in - there may be a good dealer near you that a forum member can recommend? As 0310 said - don’t give up yet! Current: 2020 P400e HSE Dynamic

Gone: 2016 SDV6 HSE
2012 SDV6 SE

0310 is correct - I have had this at most dealers...Audi, BMW and even went to test drive a Mclaren 720s a few months ago and the sales guy was all over me - what do you do for a living and even went to the extent of asking me how old I was

I think a lot of the sales people now are just that - sales people and not specialised car people who actually know about their product.

JLR dealers are notorious for making people wait around but there have been times on like a Sunday morning when I have been to my dealer and there is no one there...try to pick a time that is not too busy and you should get the attention required.

Good luck.

Thanks for the replies everyone, obviously know I'm not the only one but good to hear what you all have to say.

RRSman,

that's another good point you made about they are just salespeople now. They don't have very good knowledge about the car even if you have a simple technical question! This is fine but it would be nice if they put a little effort into finding out.

Better off getting any technical questions answered here no doubt.


PIG88,

Thank you, I'm midlands area but will travel for the right car/dealer service.


From now I wouldn't say I've given up but certainly going take some time out and use the time to do some research.


Oh and also I can start to stock up on petrol while it's 'cheap'.


Andy

I can recommend Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol from a (pre)sales experience point of view.

On my very first visit, after a few minutes sat in the showroom RRS the sales guy answered my 'do you do extended/unaccompanied test drives' question with 'after a first drive to check you like it, we'll lend you one for the weekend'.

Long stort short, that eventually turned into me having a SDV6 for a couple of days and dropping that off to pick up a P400E for another two days. Absolutely outstanding service and gave me the chance to be utterly convinced by the cars.

By far the best pre-sales experience i have had with any brand.

Hi and welcome

as above really, we found a number of dealers not so good and one or two that are and know their stuff (or find out )

Duckworths mkt rasen have always been good for parts (Dan) service and sales good as well, been using since Disco TD5
(although never bought a car from them as a deal never matched up)

Bought from guy Salmon stockport and their salesman was fine, car prep was immaculate
(it turned out to be the most expensive coffee and cake we have ever had though )

had dealings with a salesman at the dealers in Devon? can not remember the dealership name? but he was very proactive

as Andy says Hatfields Pickering were fine but their cars were WAY over priced when we were looking

As for the not so good, York ended with an apology from the salesmanger, Hull, chesterfield, and another about 3 guy salmons so it must be down to each area not the group

 Porsche Cayenne 2022
gone Porsche Cayenne 2020
gone Corris Grey HSE Dynamic 2016
gone Ipanema HSE lux 2010
gone Rimini HSE 2005
!!

I used to travel from Scotland buy from Lookers Park Royal - now Land Rover West London - and always had outstanding service but haven’t been south to buy a new car since 2015. I have an excellent local LR franchise 20 minutes drive away from home that used to be a family run firm up to January 2018, the family sold out to John Clark Group and it isn’t the same. When I was dealing with LPR I dealt with the then manager, James Tayler and Matt Guerney - I know James has moved on to Hertiage LR down near Gloucester somewhere and Matt was promoted at LRWL but it isn’t the sales teams who worry me now it is JLR themselves and their off hand, uncaring treatment of private customers as opposed to corporate buyers. I maybe only buying a single car but why should I be treated like an idiot and why can I not get cheap finance or a discount when they happily chop thousands off the price for a corporate buyer? I have to say that dealing with my local Mini dealer was an absolute pleasure - it wasn’t just the sales man I was dealing with who treated me as a valued customer, the entire Mini sales team knew who I was and all were really helpful - in fact they were working as a team to impress. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the BMW sales force through the wall in the adjoining BMW sales outlet - could it be that the cars reflect in the the sales force? Dull and boring vehicles attract dull and boring salesmen? 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

I agree with Tim. Lookers West London and in particular Jason (He left shortly after the sale) were brilliant. An ongoing issue with the spare key...….There wasn't one, was dealt with speedily by their sales manager Matthew, and their pricing was far keener than any of the local Essex dealers.

I also had mostly very good experience with the sales teams at both Land Rover West London (previously Lookers Park Royal) and Grange Barnet (previously Hadley Green). James, Matthew & Jason at the former and Jeremy & Jonathan at the latter were all very good.

Having said that, I can relate to the OP’s experience as well because I got treated nicely only when I asked for specific people or mentioned this forum. Both dealers are (were?) forum sponsors and used to be fairly active here. Whenever I didn’t bother using the ‘forum card’ and dealt with someone different, it wasn’t as pleasant, to say the least. I don’t think this is ideal because I feel all customers should receive a decent service.

When I decided to leave the brand, I experienced excellent customer service at Lexus and Volvo. They didn’t know me and I didn’t know anyone there. I collected my new Volvo 2 days ago and will document the amazing handover in another thread when I have more time. Volvo aftersales remains to be seen though - at LR it was terrible at both the places mentioned above. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

fkarim, I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by the courtesy and customer care displayed by Volvo when my wife picked up her XC40 earlier this year.

We purchased from Bells of Northampton and dealt with a fantastic sales lady named Dawn. Nothing was too much trouble and they even gave Mrs Jim a brand new XC60 to knock around in for 5 weeks after she had sold her Evoque only to be told that her new car had been unexpectedly delayed.

Jim

I have always had a good experience with Marshalls in Peterborough, who have supplied my first two Range Rovers (I tend to buy 3 year old ones, for cash and keep them for 8 or 9 years).

I made the mistake of buying my current 2014 L494 from Duckworth in Boston. Suffice to say I shall never be darkening their door again!