Options
The Dealership - ch4
[Deleted User]
Posts: 1,835
Forum Member
✭✭✭
I have just watched the first episode of this programme on channel 4 about a second hand car dealership in Essex. I had sort of expected it to be like BBC's The Call Centre with more focus on the personalities than the business, but I was pleasantly suprised.
The focus was completely on how the salesment tried to secure sales and the struggle one had to meet his monthly target.
It was also interesting to see how people went in with totally unrealistic expectations of the price they'll get for part exchange.
I'm not sure it needed the over-the-top cockney geezer commentary though, but it didn't cause me a problem.
All in all, I thought it was quite a good programme, although my wife thought it was quite expoitative of the work experience schoolboy who, she claimed, was made to look silly (although I'm not quite so sure he did).
The focus was completely on how the salesment tried to secure sales and the struggle one had to meet his monthly target.
It was also interesting to see how people went in with totally unrealistic expectations of the price they'll get for part exchange.
I'm not sure it needed the over-the-top cockney geezer commentary though, but it didn't cause me a problem.
All in all, I thought it was quite a good programme, although my wife thought it was quite expoitative of the work experience schoolboy who, she claimed, was made to look silly (although I'm not quite so sure he did).
0
Comments
It's interesting to see the tricks of dodgy salesmen. Though I find the number of people on the show who completely lack any sort of elocution skills really bizarre.
Another example. Let me go in and ask the boss. There is no boss. He is the boss. he decides if he wants to reduce the price. Its all a game.
Be a lot more popular than 'Saddos'' sorry I mean 'Shoplife' on BBC Three, at least this has a air of being interesting whereas 'Slapperlife' is utterly pathetic in every extreme, full of the most irritating inane voids ever to be created in a knee trembler behind the 'Big Market' on a Friday night.
As for elocution at least they have a basic command of the English language, the Geordie bores would not know a vowel if it smacked them in the face.
The first episode showed very much that there is a boss who has a balance sheet for the cars and agrees with or pushes his sales team to do a better deal.
Of course, the salesmen use the "us and them" routine to appear on-side with the customer, but I'm not sure I'd agree with the use of the term "crooked" for what is patter or flannel.
..."and they all live in fields".
That made me laugh!
Same with lots of sales techniques, particularly kitchens and double glazing, the offer if for today only etc, I'll just need to clear that big discount with the boss (I suspect they ring the speaking clock sometimes..)
I was watching the bit with the young bloke wanting the Range Rover, how did the salesman think that he'd be able to afford the insurance after the faffing round with the finance? Seemed blindingly obvious too me that he couldn't afford it.
All what for a car?
To be fair, if you worked on a commission based salary you would only care about the sale too. Anyway, it's for the finance company to decide if they can afford it or not, not the salesman. He's just selling a car
There is a boss, it's quite clear who is the boss if you've watched it.
There was one salesman, I think his name was James, who was telling a customer which cars they had and he kept saying " au o, au o".
I later discovered that he was actually saying "auto".
There was no talk of how many owners, service history, hpi check, warranty or cost of maintenance on top of finance which is all part of negotiating.
Some people want things so bad that when they eventually get them realise very quickly it's not really what they want.
It's an expensive lesson to learn but we have all been there.
Shopping around online you will find quite a lot of the big main dealers nowadays sell higher mileage cars
(if they are considered too good for auction) on the forecourt with full service history and a years warranty
at very affordable prices rather then send them to auction which is where the Essex boys get theirs.
Many offer good finance terms as well.
Did like the Silent Close with James - but he failed.:D
Not surprised he wasn't happy with Scott. Scott balsed up simple mathematics and nearly gave the Fiesta away. The 'boss' had to sort the mess out. :eek:
Asking your sister/s to make repayments on your behalf just so you can buy a fancy car. Just wait until you can afford it yourself, or buy a cheaper car. It will still get you from A to B.
I have only ever bought one second hand car, which is probably why |I liked the programme so much. I have bought new ones, and kept them many years, it saves a lot of money. No good of course if you are a person who always wants a recent model.
What everyone says is it is daft buying new because it loses so much value immediately. That is true, but if you look after it and keep it 15 years that does not matter a bit.
The three Essex slappers, all permatan and getting their norks out? Getting turned down for credit twice was due reward. It was the comments, which cracked me up, as they put me in mind of this famous car ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIQ-283wKgg
... next week. :rolleyes: