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I know it's been written many times before, but I am continually disappointed at the standard of sales people I encounter whenever I enter an Audi showroom. I was working in Stockport today and popped into Smith Fay to enquire about the RS5 and pick up information on the A5 range. A very pleasant lady tried to deal with me but couldn't answer general questions relating to the build dates on A5's, nor did she know anything about the RS.

Each time I 'stumped' her she would walk behind a screen to get an answer, whereupon she would return. I peeked behind the screen as I left, there were 5 or so people sitting at desks, all male, looking at screens. I assume that this is some new tactic, possibly designed to avoid tyre kickers and I can only imagine customers are a huge soak on their time. It's all very strange and quite alienating, really don't want to go back, imagining groans of 'oh no it's him again in the RS4, hide.' Can anyone explain to me what on earth goes on in Audi dealerships, I just don't get it at all.

I hear you fella, Its just the same when you want to make a general enquiry, saying that, its the same where ever you go, customer service is shocking in the UK. I hate it.

I have also noticed the advent of the "people in a booth with PC's behind a glass screen" syndrome popping up at my local Audi dealers.

I'd be interested to know the psychology behind this, its obviously a variation on the "Let me go and see what my manager says"

Anyone know?

I know this isn't a problem that is exclusive to Audi, but I have to say that in other 'premium' showrooms I've had a better experience. My wife got a new Lexus 400h last year, not a great car but it suits our needs. The dealer experience was miles ahead of Audi, they couldn't do enough for us and she was blown away. I have to say that it really has made me think again about the Audi brand, i like the cars and the image, but the dealers are (in general) woeful. Such a shame.

Audi enjoy a reputation for building premium cars so people buy them, 'sales & service' is not required of most of them at present because they know the cars sell themselves.

It is cyclical however, there will come a time when Audi may not be as popular, look what happened to Mercedes. Probelm for them is that their build quality improved but sales staff still remained sh**e!

The salesmen are snobs in Audi..they think if you walk into a dealer and look as if you cant afford an Audi they wont bother with you!!! tossers.


I bought my RS4 in my rags (work stuff) and the original salesman blanked me..prick.

I only bought it from another salesman who knows me very well and ive gave him loads of deals in the past..he does look after me very well...

The original salesmans face was a picture!!! TOSSER..

P_G wrote:Audi enjoy a reputation for building premium cars so people buy them, 'sales & service' is not required of most of them at present because they know the cars sell themselves.

It is cyclical however, there will come a time when Audi may not be as popular, look what happened to Mercedes. Probelm for them is that their build quality improved but sales staff still remained sh**e!

Exactly right. Had the same problem with Porsche. 4 years ago everyone was buying one and I bought a 996 Turbo. The service afterwards was so bad (I had a few problems with the car) that I sold it after 9 months and went to a 3.2 TT DSG and then an RS4. The service in Audi was so much better. Then, 4 months ago, I went to Audi to trade the ageing RS4 for either RS6 or maybe the new S4. The staff had changed and I got the feeling they wern't bothered anymore. So I went to BMW and Jaguar and got much better response from genuine enthusiastic people. And, Porsche called me offering me a new Turbo for the weekend (which I took!). They were so much better and seemed genuinely keen to see my custom.

I would imagine, like most of us, I don't expect preferential treatment, but I hate being treated like I am John Merrick at a dinner party. It makes me laugh that these manufacturers get complacent so quickly. There is always another motor around the corner that does the same thing for the same price with a different badge on it.

chemical-ali wrote:

P_G wrote: It makes me laugh that these manufacturers get complacent so quickly.

is it the manufacturer though ?!

remember alot of the dealerships are simply franchises...

I think this might be a legacy of the company car culture. Dealers just can't be bothered with private buyers, which is weird considering how much finance they must sell. When I bought my RS4 in 2007 it was the most underwhelming experience I've ever had spending 60k!

It amuses me to read that the new head of BMW (GB) says he is proud of how he elevated the standard of Audi dealers in his previous job! Oh yeah???? I think he must have given up on them & moved on.

davidkoulakis wrote:

chemical-ali wrote:

P_G wrote: It makes me laugh that these manufacturers get complacent so quickly.

is it the manufacturer though ?!

remember alot of the dealerships are simply franchises...

But the manufacturer vetts the franchise. How often have you heard of an Audi dealer losing its franchise?

money talks

Money talks? Mine obviously didn't as I took it and spent it at BMW.

As for dealer / manufacturer to blame. Probably both. But manufacturer is the boss, so has to take responsibility.

Lose a franchise?

I've heard Dick Lovett Cardiff just lost their Ferrari franchise....

I've been an Audi customer for the last 7 years and I'm now engaging with dealers for a new car (I would buy an RS4 but they're getting on a bit and I want to keep mine for at least 4 years) with a decent whack of dosh in me sky rocket. I'm negotiating with Audi, Land Rover and BMW and by far and away, BMW is tops. The geezer I'm dealing with couldn't be more helpful if he tried and they're offering me such a good deal that it would embarrassing to turn it down. Audi just can't seem to be arsed and Land Rover are just taking the piss with their finance offers. The unusual thing is that this is all being done online or on the phone and I've yet to walk into a showroom. However I did phone my local BMW dealership the other day to arrange a test drive but he didn't have that particular car in stock and would see if he could find one and would get back to me within 30 mins. Needless to say, he didn't. Tube.

I've never really understood car dealerships and their utter inconsistency when dealing with customers. Porsche were brilliant with me when I had a complaint about a Boxster, Audi gave me a free track day when I nearly threw an A3 back at them but others just scream indifference. When I declined an offer from a salesperson in Stafford Audi on an RS4, she got a right monk on to the point where I just wanted to smack her in the grid for being so blatantly disinterested. I'm sure they must think we're morons!

Drool wrote:I've been an Audi customer for the last 7 years and I'm now engaging with dealers for a new car (I would buy an RS4 but they're getting on a bit and I want to keep mine for at least 4 years) with a decent whack of dosh in me sky rocket. I'm negotiating with Audi, Land Rover and BMW and by far and away, BMW is tops. The geezer I'm dealing with couldn't be more helpful if he tried and they're offering me such a good deal that it would embarrassing to turn it down. Audi just can't seem to be arsed and Land Rover are just taking the piss with their finance offers. The unusual thing is that this is all being done online or on the phone and I've yet to walk into a showroom. However I did phone my local BMW dealership the other day to arrange a test drive but he didn't have that particular car in stock and would see if he could find one and would get back to me within 30 mins. Needless to say, he didn't. Tube.

I've never really understood car dealerships and their utter inconsistency when dealing with customers. Porsche were brilliant with me when I had a complaint about a Boxster, Audi gave me a free track day when I nearly threw an A3 back at them but others just scream indifference. When I declined an offer from a salesperson in Stafford Audi on an RS4, she got a right monk on to the point where I just wanted to smack her in the grid for being so blatantly disinterested. I'm sure they must think we're morons!

HAHA excellent post