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Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:27 pm
by Geoff A
Travelling home down the M6 today, I decided to drop into Stafford Audi to look at an RS4 for sale - I fancy swapping the S4 and there's quite a few RS4's available in the network at the moment. Nosed at the car on the forecourt, then headed indoors to find out more. Time was around 3.15pm and the place wasn't busy at all.
I was greeted by friendly ladies at the welcome desk, was offered a brew, but politely declined and used the little boys room instead. One lady took my details and went to get a sales colleague. Easy peasy - you'd think. Hardly anyone in there, plenty of suits milling around and talking to each other, one guy finishing off some work was going to be 'a little while' before he could see me so my chaperone set about finding someone else. Surely someone would talk to me about buying an RS?? Er, not yet...
And so I waited. I stood by a rather nice R8 with matt paint in the showroom, and watched the world go by some more. Three suits even tended to a dodgy large glass showroom door that appeared not to shut properly. And so I waited, and I waited, and I waited some more. Not as if they were busy - had they been rammed with customers and everyone was busy with appointments, I could have accepted the situation. Clearly I was invisible. So after 15 mins, I walked. As I left, I politely shared my disappointment to the ladies on the welcome desk, adding that I wouldn't want to walk-in to their dealership on a busy day. I left a business card at the welcome desk inviting any of their sales peeps to call me if they wanted to sell me an RS4.
For the remaining two hour journey home in the car, I never heard from Stafford Audi. So it seems they don't want to sell me an RS4 and I suspect my business card went in the bin. What a complete shower.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:32 pm
by chunky79
Yup, Stafford Audi are very poor. Only Stoke have been ok for me, Wolvo, Stafford and Halesowen have been poor.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:38 pm
by Noyjatat
Ipswich have been good with me, as have the Bolton one and Hereford but I only went in for parts and services to each, not sales.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:41 pm
by John Johnson
The same scenario happened to me at Sheffield Audi almost to the letter , stupid really
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:44 pm
by MikeFish
I've heard a lot of stories like this about Audi dealerships. Not the sort of customer service you'd expect. I'd tweet /
Facebook / email the group director to let them know their sales staff could have lost them a sale. With social media and modern technology there is no need to put up with this sort of service any more.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:48 pm
by APA_telford
Have you tried Shrewsbury Audi. They're usually pretty good.
Ant
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 8:27 am
by Geoff A
I intend to Mike, and I'll pass on my comments to my contact in the Audi press office too - if this is how they represent the brand, its a bloody poor show. And from what you guys say, its hardly an isolated incident. Its indicative of a sales team that doesn't make any effort to sell, but just takes orders for cars.
Haven't tried others yet during my search - Stafford Audi had a car I wanted to see and while going past the door, I figured it was worth my time calling in. How wrong I was. But there'll be others. I've heard good things about Tetbury (and Kieren in particular) and he knows I'm looking but hasn't located anything yet that I want to see. Plate change soon so I expect there'll be more choice coming.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 8:29 am
by Eddie555
You will not find (IMO) a better bunch of guys to deal with than Listers Stratford upon Avon. The front desk is right at the entrance and the showroom is only small. I know virtually every one in there and they all know me from reception all the way to the dealer principle. Nigel Spragg is the man on the floor you need to see and he always has time to sell you a RS.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:10 am
by TomRS
Disgusting when you think about it really isnt it? you go into any other garage and there's someone there in seconds to ask if you need any help.
Go into Audi and no one wants to sell you a car, does really portray the brand badly.. and the bad examples are the ones that stick out not the "good" ones as thats just the norm.
Puts you off thinking that i have £xxxxxxx and want this expensive car yet no one can be bothered to give me the time of day.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 4:42 pm
by PSB1
I think it's time to really take the piss with these guys. Take in a camp bed + sleeping bag. Film yourself, start a stopwatch and see how long it would take to be acknowledged by any of these shiny shoe / suit wearing cnuts.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 4:57 pm
by doodlebug
This sounds pretty typical of Audi dealerships everywhere, I've bought cars from 4 different dealerships, none of them my local. There is always the odd good egg. But the support for the RS product is not what it was, and that includes within Audi UK.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:21 pm
by Eddie555
To be fair it's not been my experience both at Birmingham Audi or Stratford. Birmingham do look down at you but at least they jump on you as you walk through the door. Saying that I wouldn't buy from Birmingham cause they really haven't a clue about RS's even though they have a dedicated RS sales person. I have had worst when I've been to Porsche,Mercedes and BMW whereby I've walked all around the dealership jumping in and out of various models and not a single sole has approached me. Several times at Porsche I've asked for someone to assist me and no one ever responds even though both my brothers spend their money with them. I guess they don't like me and know I'm the black sheep of the family.

Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:21 pm
by rspj
I bet if you walked im with a women in short skirt long legs and boobs hanging out been on you it a rash hate salesman few good out there.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:49 pm
by Eddie555
rspj wrote:I bet if you walked im with a women in short skirt long legs and boobs hanging out been on you it a rash hate salesman few good out there.
Dude I did walk in looking like you've said. Only trouble was my wig was back to front and I'd forgotten to shave.
Re: Invisible man at Stafford Audi
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:51 pm
by rspj
Keep trying mate you find someone who wants your money