my terrible experience at Mckenna BMW in Norwalk, CA

[JBHorner]

I don't really have an issue if a salesperson doesn't approach me when I arrive at a dealership. I might be wrong, but they have been faulted for that in the past. ("Pouncing" on people.) I belive the softer approach is a better approach, but that's just me.

Also, I like to be left alone in respect of their time as well as mine. I might spend 30 to 40 minutes looking at cars before I decide on one I want to know more about. (i.e., it interests me) Although I may have an idea of the model, but the decision on features, etc. takes longer. Is it fair to them to ask them to wait around on me, when I'm not even certain about what I want? It's their income, so I would hope they can assist someone who is ready, rather than someone like me who is still looking at various pieces.

I bought my first X5 from McKenna. My overall experience was quite postive. I'd driven up in a GMC Envoy (about 2 years old at the time), and I was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt. "Standard" logic would say that I wasn't a very likely buyer. (Late-model vehicle driven into the lot.) When I was ready to talk to someone, I went to the receptionist and asked to speak to a salesperson. I was greeted by one who observed me driving in. He was very professional, and didn't bat an eye. We took out the vehicle for a drive...a relatively long drive. At no point did he seem hurried. I drove away in my car that night...and had a friend come back to pick up the Envoy.

So, I don't know that it's fair to dis a whole dealership over one experience. I think many people have different views of what should happen when a dealership is visited. Where I prefer to be left alone until I'm ready to dig deeper, others may prefer to be approached. In many ways, the salesperson just can't win.

Now, this said, when I was much younger, I looked at a Jeep Grand Cherokee. (The second year they were out.) I walked up to the most expensive model they had on the lot. I asked for a salesperson. The very first thing out of his mouth was, "You do realize this is a $35,000 vehicle, don't you? Can you afford that?" I a sure I looked stunned. I looked at him, thanked him for his time, and bought the car at a different dealership. I drove it to the original dealership the next day, at which point I told the salesperson that he lost a sale because he made an outward assumption.

Joel

[delirium]

My experience is actually specific to only Mckenna so far, I have been to Crevier which is a great dealership IMO. I also dont want sales people tailing me but when i am coming in not to browse but to test drive because i am further along in the buying process... I wont want to be talked down to... I didnt... I was never approached by the socializing sales people, although other browsing customers were approached.