Don't sales people know how to sell?

I want to buy a new 640 convertible. I stopped by the dealership, drove a car, and liked liked it. A week later I followed up by email with the sales guy. Asked a couple of questions and said I'd like to stop by and order the car (this was on Wednesday). He said he had just left and suggested I stop by Friday evening. After a few more emails, he said he would get back to me today with final pricing info and an answer to a question I asked about availability of shadowline trim. No response today. I followed up. He said shadowline is not available except as part of Individual No mention of pricing or ordering. I followed up again - no response.

I want to buy a $100K+ car and this guy doesn't seem interested. WTF?

Sorry to hear about your trouble with a sales person. Honestly if I were you, and you had other dealers who are willing to cooperate, i would take my hard earned money elsewhere. If they cant respond
fast enough, then its time to find someone who can, their loss!

I agree with the previous poster about taking your money elsewhere.

I will say, though, that Shadowline Trim definitely IS available on non-Individual cars, although it must be obtained through the "special order" process. I've done it (twice now), as has another participant on this forum. It's possible and if a dealer tells you otherwise, he's mistaken.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

I agree with the previous poster about taking your money elsewhere.

I will say, though, that Shadowline Trim definitely IS available on non-Individual cars, although it must be obtained through the "special order" process. I've done it (twice now), as has another participant on this forum. It's possible and if a dealer tells you otherwise, he's mistaken.

+1.

I am the other guy that special ordered Shadowline Trim... And all because of this man (XZLR8).

+2 Walk, man. Find another 1) dealership or 2) salesman. I will tell you, though, that BMW thinks that if you don't buy it, someone else is walking in the door right after you. There is one dealership in Houston that I won't visit for that same reason.

What gets me is how little they know about their own products. I asked my salesman to show me how the car auto parks itself. This was in October. He said, "It auto parks itself?" No one knows what's in the M Sport Package, including BMW. I love 'em, but they need some "Schoolin'"

Don't get me wrong here, the machines that the engineers and designers (emphasis on the engineers and designers) at BMW create are the ultimate driving machines. However the individuals who are asked to sell the ultimate driving machines, are divided into two categories; The ultimate client adviser and the ultimate client knucklehead. The Ultimate client adviser is one who understands the product he or she is selling, and understands the customer and also that a sale is a financial transaction between two human beings. The Ultimate client knucklehead is one who believes in the phrase judge a book by its cover, and when asked a question about the product he is selling either rushes in with a BS answer or bases his answer of a term printed on the window sticker he is trying to glance at while the customer asks the question. Variety of reasons why these two categories exist, however I feel like the OP has an ultimate client knucklehead on his hands, and he should try to find the ultimate client adviser for his future ultimate driving machine.

OP BTW, the shadowline trim according to a reliable dealership connection as non-P1 order, but special order is necessary (+1 On Xzlr8)

Come to Southern CA where there are 25 BMW dealerships spread across the Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Ventura county regions, including the Inland Empire. There are a couple of salespersons who have been highly recommended on Bimmerfest, and who are located in the Los Angeles ~ Ventura regions. These recommendations come from true experts of their cars and who also have historical experience...in other words, many of the OPs' advice and knowledge base found on Bimmerfest are priceless!!

Watch out for the Inlans Empire. From experience there is at least one bad dealer there. I think they just do not sell many high end cars there.

Originally Posted by Bikey

I want to buy a new 640 convertible. I stopped by the dealership, drove a car, and liked liked it. A week later I followed up by email with the sales guy. Asked a couple of questions and said I'd like to stop by and order the car (this was on Wednesday). He said he had just left and suggested I stop by Friday evening. After a few more emails, he said he would get back to me today with final pricing info and an answer to a question I asked about availability of shadowline trim. No response today. I followed up. He said shadowline is not available except as part of Individual No mention of pricing or ordering. I followed up again - no response.

I want to buy a $100K+ car and this guy doesn't seem interested. WTF?

You can easily use a forum sponser like Greg and Jon (Southern California) and take delivery in South Carolina. Also, I know Adrian in Atlanta is very well regarded.

Any of the three can special order Shadowline for you.

Originally Posted by Bikey

I want to buy a new 640 convertible. I stopped by the dealership, drove a car, and liked liked it. A week later I followed up by email with the sales guy. Asked a couple of questions and said I'd like to stop by and order the car (this was on Wednesday). He said he had just left and suggested I stop by Friday evening. After a few more emails, he said he would get back to me today with final pricing info and an answer to a question I asked about availability of shadowline trim. No response today. I followed up. He said shadowline is not available except as part of Individual No mention of pricing or ordering. I followed up again - no response.

I want to buy a $100K+ car and this guy doesn't seem interested. WTF?

Just call my CA Ed Hahn at Passport BMW he is very knowledgeable and will take care of you, he's professional and will work with you on price. GL!

Update: I went to the dealer on Friday evening to talk with the salesman. Nice guy - said he would see what he could do about getting one of the few build slots that were left and would get back to me Monday. No call. No call Tuesday. No call Wednesday. No call today.

I went to one of the local Mercedes dealers to look at the new SL550. They are in short supply because they are so new. They found one equipped the way I want it and called the dealer who had the car. The dealer wanted a black SL as a swap. My dealer didn't have one, but found another dealer who did and arranged to trade one of their cars with him, then trade his to the dealer who had the car I wanted. The car was shipped and is being prepped today. If everything works out I will have it tomorrow evening.

BTW, the new SL looks much better in person than it does in photos. Headlights a little too big, but the car runs like a bat out of hell and is a lot of fun to drive.

I'll still have the 535 and my bike, so I'm not leaving BMW.

Originally Posted by Bikey

Update: I went to the dealer on Friday evening to talk with the salesman. Nice guy - said he would see what he could do about getting one of the few build slots that were left and would get back to me Monday. No call. No call Tuesday. No call Wednesday. No call today.

I went to one of the local Mercedes dealers to look at the new SL550. They are in short supply because they are so new. They found one equipped the way I want it and called the dealer who had the car. The dealer wanted a black SL as a swap. My dealer didn't have one, but found another dealer who did and arranged to trade one of their cars with him, then trade his to the dealer who had the car I wanted. The car was shipped and is being prepped today. If everything works out I will have it tomorrow evening.

BTW, the new SL looks much better in person than it does in photos. Headlights a little too big, but the car runs like a bat out of hell and is a lot of fun to drive.

I'll still have the 535 and my bike, so I'm not leaving BMW.

Sorry the 6er didn't work out but glad you found a car that suits your needs and you are happy with. Always been a fan of the SL. Congrats!!!

I'm looking forward to the BMW CA finally calling you and you telling him what route you went instead. Lazy, good for nuttin...

Originally Posted by Bikey

Update: I went to the dealer on Friday evening to talk with the salesman. Nice guy - said he would see what he could do about getting one of the few build slots that were left and would get back to me Monday. No call. No call Tuesday. No call Wednesday. No call today.

I went to one of the local Mercedes dealers to look at the new SL550. They are in short supply because they are so new. They found one equipped the way I want it and called the dealer who had the car. The dealer wanted a black SL as a swap. My dealer didn't have one, but found another dealer who did and arranged to trade one of their cars with him, then trade his to the dealer who had the car I wanted. The car was shipped and is being prepped today. If everything works out I will have it tomorrow evening.

BTW, the new SL looks much better in person than it does in photos. Headlights a little too big, but the car runs like a bat out of hell and is a lot of fun to drive.

I'll still have the 535 and my bike, so I'm not leaving BMW.

Congrats on the car! I know this is a BMW forum, but it would be great if you posted a photo gallery and some thoughts on the car once you get some time to play in it. It's a competitor, so it is fitting around here... not that most of us on here care about going a bit off topic

Enjoy the new car, and I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

I never thought of a SL as a substitute for 6-series.

Originally Posted by Ace535i

I never thought of a SL as a substitute for 6-series.

I don't mean that they are equals in every respect, but they are both luxury, 2-seater (for all practical purposes), 2-door, German sports GTs that run between $100k and $120k. I think the 650i falls in between a CL and a SL and is the only BMW in the lineup that can compete in this segment. I can't see anyone buying the 6er over a SL for the sole purpose of two extra seats. I think the cavernous size of the 6er's trunk or the hard top of the SL are bigger deal breakers.

Originally Posted by Bikey

Update: I went to the dealer on Friday evening to talk with the salesman. Nice guy - said he would see what he could do about getting one of the few build slots that were left and would get back to me Monday. No call. No call Tuesday. No call Wednesday. No call today.

I went to one of the local Mercedes dealers to look at the new SL550. They are in short supply because they are so new. They found one equipped the way I want it and called the dealer who had the car. The dealer wanted a black SL as a swap. My dealer didn't have one, but found another dealer who did and arranged to trade one of their cars with him, then trade his to the dealer who had the car I wanted. The car was shipped and is being prepped today. If everything works out I will have it tomorrow evening.

BTW, the new SL looks much better in person than it does in photos. Headlights a little too big, but the car runs like a bat out of hell and is a lot of fun to drive.

I'll still have the 535 and my bike, so I'm not leaving BMW.

Saw this thread/video over on 6Post and thought I'd repost it here since it kinda applies:

http://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689895

So which one is gonna get someone a few dates?

Originally Posted by Ace535i

So which one is gonna get someone a few dates?

While driving around in my SL, I was randomly trying to pick up girls. I got three numbers the other day...

She said if I get a 6er, she will give me the other four.

Originally Posted by Itinj6

While driving around in my SL, I was randomly trying to pick up girls. I got three numbers the other day...

She said if I get a 6er, she will give me the other four.

I have heard that girls just pop in for those driving the SL and say "I'm yours".....

If you are planning to drop a hundred grand on a car, you deserve to be treated right, and not as an annoyance.


You were right to walk, the SL is an absolutely fine car.

Originally Posted by Itinj6

While driving around in my SL, I was randomly trying to pick up girls. I got three numbers the other day...

She said if I get a 6er, she will give me the other four.

Originally Posted by Itinj6

While driving around in my SL, I was randomly trying to pick up girls. I got three numbers the other day...

She said if I get a 6er, she will give me the other four.

Classic.

This is what I bought instead of the 6....

Originally Posted by Bikey

This is what I bought instead of the 6....

Did you save the receipt???

Originally Posted by Bikey

This is what I bought instead of the 6....

Beautiful car, man!

I was just teasing with the joke