St. Louis: Suntrup West County BMW - Avoid!

[CGSTL]

They're close to my house so I browse their lot every once in a while. Today, I see this 2007 Blk/Blk E70 4.8i with 20" Y-Spokes. Hey, I've wanted to test drive this setup before I order my 2008 but have never seen one just sitting on a lot before. So check out this exchange:

Me to Receptionist: I'd like to speak with your most experienced sales person.

Out Trots this 21 year old kid: Can I help you?

Me: Yes. I would like to know if you've received your pricing and option sheets for the 2008 X5's.

SalesGuy: No, they're not out yet but we will get them at the end of the month. But nothing has changed since 2007.

Me: Yes, I think there are a few configuration package changes as well as an interior color change.

SalesGuy: Let me check with my sales manager (who is standing 15 feet away). Mr. Sales Manager: Are there any changes for the 2008 X5's?

SalesMgr: No, no changes at all.

SalesGuy: (Walks back over to me) No changes at all for 2008.

Me: Well, your sales manager is wrong and for the benefit of your future customers you may want to get those details before completely blowing off your potential $70,000 customer. But since nothing has changed, can I take that 4.8i Sport for a drive to see if I like the sport package?

He then exchanges the keys for my drivers license and I take a new, loaded sport with 20's (and 16 miles) out for a 25 mile test drive.

I find it completely amazing that the sales staff know less about their products (and they only have to learn about 20 different models) than their customers - and this is a regular thing! I feel like I couldn't even ask for an E70 book last year. Instead I had to say 2007 X5. These sales gerbils and their sales managers could just as easlily be selling furniture or carpet.

This dealership is terrible!

[trueX5er]

Wow...what dumbos.....I hate when that happens.
I too know much more than the average BMW dealer. One guy I talked to didn't know how the radio on an X3 worked, and forgot the model designations for the X5. I asked him about it, and he said he just transferred from Toyota two months ago.
A few weeks ago, I brought my saab in, and they said, "we don't take out of state customers"

What do you believe, the St.Louis plate frame, or the ILL. plate? I can't believe they said that.

[CGSTL]

Another part of the story was me asking the kid, "So, how long have you been in sales?" The answer? "I was in the service department and I just started in Sales." THIS IS THEIR BEST SALESMAN. On a Friday at 1:00PM.

Originally Posted by trueX5er

Wow...what dumbos.....I hate when that happens.
I too know much more than the average BMW dealer. One guy I talked to didn't know how the radio on an X3 worked, and forgot the model designations for the X5. I asked him about it, and he said he just transferred from Toyota two months ago.
A few weeks ago, I brought my saab in, and they said, "we don't take out of state customers"

What do you believe, the St.Louis plate frame, or the ILL. plate? I can't believe they said that.

[trueX5er]

I have a feeling the receptionist just pulled a random guy out...not the "best".

[motordavid]

Typical story, CG, on what the avg salesguy "knows" in
most dlrships...frustrating, but we are obsessed here, lol!

My guess is that stlr does the same as most brand dlrs do:
the kid was "next up". No excuse for the SM not to waddle
over and show interest, however.
Hey, it's only the most expensive item, besides housing and
maybe college ed., that we buy in our lives, lol!
BR,mD