franchised dealership failed so far to respond to genuine queries both by phone and e-mail - 4 working days is enough surely ?

Cash sat here waiting to buy. Perhaps it's because I want some modifications to the particular used vehicle before buying ? Do they just like people who say 'yes that one please' ?

Seems to be the way most dealers operate. Ive purchased several new and used vehicles (not just land rover) over the past 5 years and its become a thing of dread now. If your honest, hard working and save up then your not suitable clientele. If you have no money and finance everything then your a Sir.

For example I purchased a new vw transporter 3 weeks ago, sent emails and left voicemails expressing an interest in cash purchase, no response. Chose another main dealer, same thing. Visited another in person and was given no discounts, even had to pay full price for floor mats. Attitude is, your not making them money so you

A friend of mine sells for the local merc dealership and "earns" the salary of a doctor. Finance is king, also paint protection and insurance guarantees. With some Land Rover dealerships, its also the added arrogant salesman that makes you walk away, makes me laugh as Im buying and they are not selling  Range Rover Sport 2010 3.6TDV8 HSE Santorini Black

Think you're right.

I'm not taking LR finance (have access to some cracking deals so part cash, part finance with my own arrangement) and it seems to put their nose out of joint.

Just out of interest what modifications were you looking for?
There are a number of dealers around me that fail to return calls so I just don't bother with those now unfortunately cash is no longer King like it used to be. Good luck with your purchase  2003 BMW M5 - 5 Litres of V8 Optimax Slurping Goodness in Carbon Black

2013 SDV6 HSE Black Edition- Orkney Grey with Ebony & Ivory. LR Facelift RAI, Genuine G4 Expedition Rack, 4x Warn SBD-160 Spotlights, Warn 9.5XPS Winch, Mantec Underbody Protection and Sump Guard, Full Easy Lift Suspension Module, LR Light Guards, Light Force HTX230 Hybrid spotlights, 18� Compomotive PD1881 on 265/65/18 BF Goodrich KO2, ARB fridge, TuffTrek awning 😎

Just wanted sidesteps fitting, nothing major.

And cheers pal

Finance is where they make their money and all the paint protection malarky!
Cash is not King anymore.
Finance is  Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* GONE: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
* GONE. Freelander GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* GONE. Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

As said, they'd rather sell a shiny new one than second hand.
Especially with the finance incentives they're offered nowadays. ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Their finance is still shockingly expensive compared to what's available out there imho.

And it still doesn't make a brand new one £40k

Agreed, but the kick backs they get for selling cars on finance is quite significant, sometimes more than the margin on the car... ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Fair enough, we've all to make a crust, but surely selling a car to a prole like me is better than it sitting there ...

I suppose their ideal is get us all on PCP's ?

I agree, business is business and we all need revenues to survive, chase down every lead and try to secure a sale, whatever the payment profile.
Well that's how I'd run my business anyway.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

You & me both my friend

Its all down to the way they incentivise the Sales crew and the dealership's internal charging and cost centres.

If they get the workshop to do stuff they often get an invoice at the same hourly rate as a customer so this 'can' hit the notional sales revenue (even though the dealership's getting the gross revenue).

If they flog you finance, gap insurance, tyre insurance, paint treatment and extended warranty the Sales dept get the fees directly and the salesman's share will probably more than their own commission on the actual car sale.

So if you're a cash customer try the get a good deal with bits being added to the car and not buying any of the add-ons you've probably lost them over half of their commission of the deal.

Their job is to sell cars. They are car salesmen - the clue is in the name. Perhaps if they focussed on cars and customers they'd sell more of the former and have more of the latter. It's a sad statement if they are focussed on the non-car stuff at the cost of the car and customer. Grrrr. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I had the same issue, they offered 5 year service FOC and once they realised that I was not taking any finance, insurance and paint protection they almost lost the interest in me, so I gave them the option, take my sale as I am in a LR dealership to buy a LR, not finance products or that I will take the sale elsewhere and after that I didn't get any other offers but just the car I wanted to buy. Its sad that they put more effort to sell a £400 wheel protection then a £80,000 car.