What is the purpose of a BMW sales rep?
 

Maybe I should re-phrase... Why would anybody who keeps up with this forum and is interested in BMW's in general need one? I feel like I know more about the cars that are for sale at the dealership than any sales person that I have ever talked with. (Mini is an exception, their reps know their cars)

I want to test drive a new X3 this thursday as my Clubman is going in for service, but I dread having to deal with a sales person who doesn't know the ins and outs of their vehicles. It is also amazing how most BMW sales people can't seem to distinguish between the customer that is there for the performance of BMW's verses the people that buy their cars for prestige of owning a BMW.
If I'm asking about adaptive suspension, transmission settings and steering feel/feedback... don't turn around and say "well, I don't know the answer to that question, but I can tell you that you are gonna look good in this 335!"
Really?

I feel like I would have a better experience if the master technician was the person selling the cars. In the past I have asked to speak directly the technician working on my car and it was a much better experience than dealing with a middle-man Service advisor.

Is it just here in Atlanta?
Do others on the forum ever deal with true BMW enthusiast salespeople that actually know their cars?

Rui

My "salesperson" was useless! She couldn't understand why I wanted the 20" wheels. She had no clue what an aero-kit was! She didn't know what the auto tailgate was. She questioned why I wanted the active steering (as she didn't know what it was). She did not know that Saddle Brown leather was available, etc. etc.

The only thing that she said that I "had" to order was heated seats (which I do agree with...). And she's been "selling" at that dealership for years and been one of their top salespeople...

Obviously, she has been selling cars/trucks to people that drive BMWs for prestige and not for performance...

The purpose of a BMW sales rep is to sell cars and It's no surprise that many don't know the products they sell. I believe that many people who buy vehicles don't know any more than the sales reps do so there you are.....:dunno: If only a customer could get a big discount for sales rep ignorance...;)

I just would feel awful buying a brand new BM from the dealership and discovering it not having some kind of a cool feature that it could have! for a 1k difference.

Part of it is just American culture and American salesman who care more about the commissions and a quick sale. I know a couple sales folk who are genuinely into cars and BMWs, and although may not be 100% perfect on knowledge, do a very thorough job of going over major features. Unfortunately, the rest of them know just enough to pass by and talk more about how much fun they had at the Greer Plant when BMW demos the trucks on a track.

In Germany, most if not all salespeople are salaried and not on commission. I've gone to BMW dealerships there, and never been hassled. If one has a question, they're there to answer your question and they know their stuff, but won't pressure you into anything (the same applies to the parts dept.). It goes beyond BMW too........even folks at the Adidas shoe store took the time out to measure my feet and explain the whole shoe-buying process!

Maybe next time I go to Germany, I'll ask to test drive a 1er hatchback or something. :D

That is kinda what I mean...
I spend hours and hours over months to learn from this community and elsewhere what I think will be the best combination of features for me and my family in my next vehicle purchase from BMW. I plan it well and study my options thoroughly, as I hate regretting a purchase.
Then, I walk into the dealership, randomly get assigned a salesperson and tell them exactly what I want.
Why am I paying their commission?

Sounds like the German dealerships got it right! (and the ones in CT don't:nanana:)
Is there no way to order directly from BMW?:D

I think Diplomatic and Military sales are managed via BMW AG.

OP: What dealer in Atlanta? YMMV based on which one. Global Imports is terrible, Nalley is run like a Honda experience (in my one window-shopping trip) but United is great and one of the big partners with the SC chapter of BMWCCA. SA isn't bad either.

I think that people who know enough about these cars aren't willing to sell them. My buddy is looking at working at an Infiniti dealership because it's family owned, but the employees at these national mill dealerships are treated and compensated like sh!t!

Why waste time with a sales rep. Ask to see the manager.
Once he/she realizes you have done your homework and ready
to buy, then you will have the upper hand in negotiating the
price down. Good luck. :thumbup:

OK, so I drove the X3, and I want one!

I asked a sales rep to show me the car and he started the usual chit chat about all the features and luxuries in the car. I let him talk and talk, then when we got into the car I politely asked if he could refrain from talking with me unless I asked him a question. I explained that I wanted to focus on the car and nothing else. It worked!
I was able to really get a feel for the car and it felt very close to my E53 except more nimble and the new transmission is much faster. The sales rep seemed to not be offended and in the end this was the best test drive that I've had in a BMW.

Now how do I convince them next time to let me test drive alone like the Mini folks did? :D


Good Idea, will try when the time comes:thumbup:

What the difference? What would you do with him out of the car that you wouldn't do while he's in the car?:confused:

Feel more comfortable to explore the handling capabilities of the car.

I'm not saying that I want to abuse the car, but get to know it better... and having the rep in the car is like going out on a first date with an attractive girl and having her father in tow... you just can't be yourself.

But asking him to keep his silence was the next best thing.

*I just passed 100 posts!:yikes:
about friggin' time:D

I have to completely agree with a few of the comments on this post. I've been in sales for my entire adult life and found that Americans almost never research what they buy. It is too easy to sell them anything YOU like and not what they need. All it takes is one dishonest person and too many people get robbed (all those old people with luxury cars and every option available, but can't even unlock the doors).
I will have to admit that the ONLY dealership I've been to where there are true passionate BMW (or any car) lovers is here in Columbia, MO. There are two sales people who live, breath, and dream BMW. If I could only afford to buy a new BMW every year :-(
Dennis, one of the reps, sells and delivers new BMWs all over the country. He has a very dedicated clientele

you have to visit the dealership many times and get to know all salesman, before you decide who is going to "earn" your business. Remember, BMW always will refer you back to the person who sold you the car, so choose well.

now, I get to test drive alone any model as soon as it comes out, my sales rep (I picked) even calls me 2 days before they get delivery of any new models to see if I want to test drive it first. I like that... I've been buying from the same guy since 1992, so he's like family, and treats me like such. So I follow him to any dealership he goes.

Too funny;.....:rofl:

Your analogy is an interesting one for sure. I guess I never felt uneasy test driving cars and I have on occasion asked a rep to keep silent. I just explain that I know you're trying to sell the car's features and I can appreciate that and we can do that later but right now I need to listen to the car. (Wind noise, exhaust note, engine noise, sound system ect.) none of which can be heard with him/her running their mouths.

Then I get on with ignoring that he/she is there and get to driving just Like I own it.:driver: