Do Dealers actually want to sell vehicles

Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

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Richard Hurst said:

I'm not going to name and shame them on here as that isn't my thing but I have emailed the dealer principle/general manager of each saying I think its pretty poor show ignoring a potential customer.

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Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

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sapto said:

Sorry I might wrote it the wrong way: It wasn‘t about name and shame more there might be some members here who could give you the „best“ mam/woman to deal with.
I hope you get an answer otherwise as you said not a nice first impression.

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Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

Click to expand...

Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

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Moakesy said:

Hi Richard.....sorry to hear that you've got off to a bad start in the process.

I know when I walked into one dealership, all suited and booted from work, they came over immediately. When I mentioned I was looking for a California, it was like a switch had been flicked and they couldn't be less bothered. Considering the price of one well-spec'd Cali is worth more than a couple of Transporter vans, you'd think they'd be keen.

I can only guess the commission structure means otherwise though...presumable 2 x van sale is greater than 1 x Cali sale, regardless of the actual gross value.

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Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling g my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

Click to expand...

Richard Hurst said:

Last week I decided it's time to start looking for my first camper van, and decided after looking at various conversion options the California Ocean was the way to go.

So phoned and emailed 3 dealers last week, two on Thursday and one of Friday. Told them I'd be looking at part exchange, PCP agreement etc, have cash for settling my vehicle and a lump deposit. Have I had any quotes or figures from any of them?? NO. Coming from a service industry I'm amazed at the lack of response.

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GrannyJen said:

The answer is..... sadly most dealers can't be arsed. Why should they?

They can sell 100 transporters in the time it takes to sell a Cali, the customers half the time are no where as near demanding as an individual pouring their life savings into a once-off purchase and a transporter is nowhere near as complicated as a California.

Fortunately amidst the dross there are a few bright stars. Guy in Preston, Laine in Tunbridge, mixed feelings about Listers who I bought Alfie off, South Hereford or south something near Hereford, Carrs ... it really is a case of finding the one most interested in taking your money off you.

I've looked at conversions often, about every six weeks on average, stick with the Cali, it really is a most amazing vehicle, but be hard on the dealers. Most are crap, some are brilliant. You are investing in a lifetime of brilliant lifestyle, don't hurry it.

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Elmo the Ocean said:

Speak to Liverpool. They are the largest Cali dealer in the U.K. (same dealer group as Preston, who are also held in high regard on here) and the biggest VW commercial vehicles dealer in Europe. They will sort you out. I’ve had nothing but excellent service from them. The lifestyle vehicles dept is headed by Chris Evans (search for California Chris on YouTube). Good luck!

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ArunAlec said:

I think the trouble is due to the California being sold though the commercial dealerships. I bet the salesman has to put a lot of time and energy into dealing with a prospective California buyer compared to selling a fleet of Transporters.
At the end of the day it's going to be the commission that fires them up!

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Elmo the Ocean said:

Speak to Liverpool. They are the largest Cali dealer in the U.K. (same dealer group as Preston, who are also held in high regard on here) and the biggest VW commercial vehicles dealer in Europe. They will sort you out. I’ve had nothing but excellent service from them. The lifestyle vehicles dept is headed by Chris Evans (search for California Chris on YouTube). Good luck!

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Nolan said:

I was disappointed in the Birmingham van centre, I saw a Caravelle on the Das Welt site, spoke to them, arranged to go up there which was a couple of hours drive after I spoke to them on the phone and was assured it was immaculate.
I must have spent about 10 minutes with the salesman after having to wait around for over an hour. Wouldn't budge on price and the vehicle wasn't really as described with lots of small paint damage. Walked away as they wouldn't even do a deal on getting parking sensors fitted. Even mentioned that maybe a new vehicle would be on the cards and no interest.

I guess they did me a favour as while I was there I had a rummage around a camper and realised a Beach was probably a much better fit for us, if more expensive, and I ended up ordering a new Beach from a much more helpful dealer (Carrs).

Chap in Birmingham said they would sell the Caravelle tomorrow so had no reason to deal but that was the beginning of May and it's still for sale now. I bet they never fixed the paint like they said they would have to either.
https://used.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/...-20tdi-150ps-swb-eu6-bmt-nav/details-t4busjb6

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Richard Hurst said:

Yes I now spoken with both eLiverpool and Preston and am waiting on some quotes.

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