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      10-31-2007, 02:59 PM   #1
Gibbo
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The Ultimate BMW Dealership

Welcome to Gibbo's probably the best BMW dealership in the world...........



Ok, you have managed to persuade the Miswah that you don't need another Conservatory; she does not need another new Kitchen and the round the world 5 star holiday is on hold. So it’s down to your local BMW dealer to buy your new E90.

You’ve put the car on order, but somewhere in the back of your mind with all the excitement was it not the experience you were expecting. OK you were not asking for a red carpet and champagne but could it have been just so much nicer.

Bimmergirl, Gentlemen and Carlos.....

I welcome you to Gibbo’s Dealer. In a sea of Multi franchise dealers comes a level of old fashioned customer service I know you are going to enjoy. Sit back relax and come and enjoy the special feeling of ordering your new car in 10 easy steps….

1. There is customer parking when you arrive, not just a car park full of 2nd hand overflow and demo’s leaving you to park on the street.

2. The receptionist smiles at you and looks at you when you explain you would like to talk to someone about new car purchase. Not just gassing to her colleague about last nights Eastenders

3. The sales executive is an attractive mid 20’s beauty. Apart from having a body from heaven, she smiles and has full product knowledge. You say to yourself you will never deal with the usual guys in cheap suits and the fake Rolex ever again.

4. The test drive is you borrowing the car for the day. You really want to see if you can live with it, if it’s worth spending all that money on, God it gets under your skin and it’s now yours mentally – you have found your new car.

5. Back to the dealership, the fresh coffee is poured and it’s down to options and making the deal. The sales executive values your PX and it’s fair. She goes through the options and the deal is ready to go as she purr’s £xxx and stares you in the eyes you think what the hell where do I sign. I’m not going to shop around with CheapestRentBoyCars.com this time to save £8.46 a month.

6. Deal done you are now introduced to the Sales Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager so you know have a face to put on them and you’ve started a relationship.

7. You pick up a brochure for your Mate on the way out. All the brochures are on the rack up-to-date. Not just an X3 accessory brochure from 2005.

8. 2 days later a letter comes through the door from the dealership thanking you for your order and informing you of what you need to do just before the car arrives.

9. Car arrives – perfect looks beautiful, bottle and wine and flowers for the Miswah inside

10. 3 days after collection phone call follow up from the sales executive to ask if all is OK with your new car.

I hope you enjoyed buying your car from Gibbo’s I am sure you will be back.

It's not bloody difficult so why can't they do it!
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      10-31-2007, 03:16 PM   #2
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I would probably score my dealer - Bateman BMW South Lakes as an 7/10 on the 'Gibbo' top 10 ultmate dealer guide! Regretably there was no female sales executive, although the admin ladies were very pleasant to look at. I never got champagne/flowers, although I did get a BMW Sauber umbrella!!! And the price wasn't as competitive as some of the online brokers. But the overall experience was very good, my third Beemer from them. They have a very good coffee machine and the view across the Lakes is fantastic.
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      10-31-2007, 03:29 PM   #3
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Snows of Portsmouth score pretty highly too for me. 10% discount on my current car, tank of fuel and metal '3' keyring, as well as 3 keys for the car. Follow ups no problem and have had sales exec arrange courtesy cars (from the demo stock) on the same day to avoid the usual wait of a week or two. Know the Service Manager well and my sales exec is the Group Principal's son and looks after me very well. Had lunch a few times while waiting as well as the usual free tea/coffee.

Have used a dealer not so far away though which was dreadful (but never again), so it's a bit of a postcode lottery....
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      10-31-2007, 03:32 PM   #4
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Sounds pretty much like our dealer except the salesperson was a bloke.

Regards

Chris
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      10-31-2007, 03:53 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisMWard View Post
Sounds pretty much like our dealer except the salesperson was a bloke.

Regards

Chris
Same as me.

D.
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      10-31-2007, 04:12 PM   #6
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Stratstone - Hull 8/10. Always somewhere to park, if not go next door & park with the Minis. Receptionist is quite a large young lady but very friendly. Sales executive, hmm HE is a charmer but has a laugh with it. As always is the case around here (the biggest bloody village in England), the salesman knows my cousins' husband and knows etc. etc. Always offered coffees and biscuits. Beautiful orchids given on both occasions together with a red faced salesman. Ahhh. No test drive as no 335d - went to Malton for that. Been offered a go in the M3 demo. though. Car presented in beautiful condition & a real fuss is made. If I was cynical, I would say some of this had something to do with the fact that the salesman and the DP both play golf & have no qualms about asking for free rounds of golf!
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      10-31-2007, 04:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterg1965 View Post
I would probably score my dealer - Bateman BMW South Lakes as an 7/10 on the 'Gibbo' top 10 ultmate dealer guide! Regretably there was no female sales executive, although the admin ladies were very pleasant to look at. I never got champagne/flowers, although I did get a BMW Sauber umbrella!!! And the price wasn't as competitive as some of the online brokers. But the overall experience was very good, my third Beemer from them. They have a very good coffee machine and the view across the Lakes is fantastic.
Peter G,

You have summed up my gripe perfectly. I used to Live in Penrith and have purchased BMWs from Batemans in the past. Really great experience, personal service and thats my yardstick.

Now live in the South East of England and we mainly have big groups down here. Totally different and very dissapointing. I will look at going to the smaller groups like Snows Portsmouth next time. It may be a few miles but I am sure it will be worth the trek.
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      10-31-2007, 05:08 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisMWard View Post
Sounds pretty much like our dealer except the salesperson was a bloke.

Regards

Chris
And me ..

Salesman was a bloke and ...

... It was champagne in the boot and I had to argue for the deal I wanted.

Cappucino was nice though.
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      10-31-2007, 05:09 PM   #9
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Why is there no women selling BMWs very strange. I would have thought they would do well.
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      10-31-2007, 05:11 PM   #10
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I'm with you on this one Gibbo - I have a good relationship with my local dealer and they are nothing like what you suggest (they are a southern dealer).

However, my wife and her family have bought all their cars for the last few years from the same Renault dealer in Theale. Granted the cars are Renaults so everything I hate in a car (soft, light controls, high seating position, rattles), but the dealer is ace.

- They have special finance deals for returning customers, that are actually as good or better as I can get on the Internet, without me even having to haggle - they just know if they give a good deal we won't even bother looking anywhere else and will sell car after car to us.

- Their idea of a test drive is to hand us the keys and say 'bring it back tomorrow'.

- When you turn up to talk about replacing your car they've already specced out cars you are likely to want based on what you currently own, and will have worked out a rough finance deal as a starting point for discussion.

- They remember who you are and ask intelligent informed questions based on things you told them years ago.

As a result of this good service they have sold about 20 cars to my wife and her family in the last 10 years or so. The wife doesn't even consider other options (she once turned down a new Audi A4 Cabrio for a Renault Modus).

Dealers just don't seem to learn, especially BMW ones who know their cars sell themselves and that most BMW buyers order without having driven one.
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      10-31-2007, 05:11 PM   #11
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On the scale of 1 to Gibbo I'd give Cotswold the following:

1.Parking
Always somewhere to park in Gloucester, but Cheltenham is a nightmare and you're better off going next door to the retail park. Where you can park next to the demo fleet.

2. Receptionist
Receptionists are always friendly and helpful.

3. Blonde Sales Exec
There is one that almost fits that bill, just a couple of years older and having come from the dark side (Audi) is still building the product knowledge.

4. Test Drive
Spot on. All day test drive whilst the old one was serviced.

5. The deal
They were actually locking up for the night while we were finalising the deal, but there was no pressure or hurry from the sales guy.

6. Introductions
Introduced to the Sales manager, and already know the service boys from having the old motor fettled there.

7. Brochures
Ask for a brochure and you'll most probably get the brochure pricelist and the acessories brochure from my experience.

8. Aftersales letter
Dropped on the doorstep within a couple of days

9. Delivery
That's where they blew it. Damaged and missing trim from the boot. Basically the PDI team screwed up everything they did.

10. Aftersales call from salesman
.. we were exchanging emails daily as I went over the car and found just one more thing they'd messed up.

To be fair the sales guy did everything he could to keep me happy and get things sorted ASAP.
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      10-31-2007, 05:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibbo View Post
Why is there no women selling BMWs very strange. I would have thought they would do well.
Gibbo - that's a good point. I have never seen a female sales exec. at Strastone in Hull or Astles in Grimsby. Yet there seem to plenty of female sales staff in the mass produced car sector.
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      10-31-2007, 05:29 PM   #13
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most men that buy BMWs dont want a woman who knows more(or less) about a car then him

we are sexist piggs

EDIT: i am anyway, so beemerbird make us a cup of tea thats a good girl!
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      10-31-2007, 05:35 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve A View Post
most men that buy BMWs dont want a woman who knows more(or less) about a car then him

we are sexist piggs

EDIT: i am anyway, so beemerbird make us a cup of tea thats a good girl!
Steve - I'll gladly dunk your (tea) bag in boiling hot water. One lump or two?
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      10-31-2007, 05:37 PM   #15
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Quote:
mjh93sa

3. Blonde Sales Exec
There is one that almost fits that bill, just a couple of years older and having come from the dark side (Audi) is still building the product knowledge.
Yes I can recall the lady in question,very appealing.

My local dealer has a female exec,can't recall what she's like mind you as I'm too busy chatting to the blonde receptionists.

I'll keep stum about my dealer's,would not make for a particularly good read.
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      10-31-2007, 05:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beemerbird View Post
Steve - I'll gladly dunk your (tea) bag in boiling hot water. One lump or two?

touche'
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      10-31-2007, 06:14 PM   #17
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LOL BB very good.

For me Cooper Cobham scored a good 7 I think.

parking is a MAJOR issue Though which they need to sort.

You normally have to try and spot a space in the workshop parking area right around the back...

The day i picked mine up new, a transporter was dropping something off that couldn't be driven, so it had backed all the way around to the back entrance and basically blocked me in for 30 minutes.

I know it's petit, but when you've just spent an hour signing paperwork all you want to do is get the keys and drive !

Still it gave me time to programme radio channels

SJ
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      10-31-2007, 06:24 PM   #18
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So Snows of Portsmouth are good?? Cooper Banstead and Cobham?? Once had a bad experience at Banstead, but that was in the old days of Cronk BMW. Where else is good? Anyone know of a good dealer in London, or is that the same as asking for a unicorn or christmas?
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      10-31-2007, 07:10 PM   #19
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Has anyone dealt with Dick Lovett BMW in Bristol? My car came from there and although its a lease car through a broker their service seemed impeccable. The car was delivered in a covered lorry (even though it was only supposed to be standard delivery by a driver), hand over at my home was very well done, it was full of fuel and they have even phoned since to check everything is ok. Full marks from me.
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      11-01-2007, 01:26 AM   #20
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So Snows of Portsmouth are good?? Cooper Banstead and Cobham?? Once had a bad experience at Banstead, but that was in the old days of Cronk BMW. Where else is good? Anyone know of a good dealer in London, or is that the same as asking for a unicorn or christmas?
Yes Snows are good. Seriously, if you or Gibbo, or anyone else on the forum for that matter, are thinking of using them, then let me know and I'll tell you who's who etc to try and help you along. Main point about them is that they are clever; even though I bought my 1er from their main competitor they still sorted several problems on the car with no quibbles (so they should under warranty but dealers can often be funny if you have bought somewhere else and say you should go back there for 'delivery' problems). So they understand the concept of repeat business, and lo and behold I went back and bought my current car from them, and will continue to do so.
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      11-01-2007, 02:51 AM   #21
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9 Elms are ok. Hexagon at Highate are poor, Stanmore are a bunch of total incompetants, Holland Park are very average.
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      11-01-2007, 04:09 AM   #22
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My dealership in the North...

1.Parking
Not much space in the large carpark and a tight squeeze.

2. Receptionist
Receptionists friendly and helpful.

3. Blonde Sales Exec
No. My wife described the guy as 'slightly seedy'. He reminded me of a fading cabaret artiste!

4. Test Drive
Pretty disappointing. Only a 335i auto to drive, about an 45mins and the salesman telling me it was a great test drive in comparison to others that were offered by his colleagues.

5. The deal
Pretty good really. Not too much pressure, but wish that I'd not listened to his 'advice' about a 335i manual not being any good and needing the auto option.

6. Introductions
None...apart form the finance guy.

7. Brochures
A good range

8. Aftersales letter
Can't remember one...

9. Delivery
not ready when I arrived, had to wait 20 mins and car then driven around at speed in 1st gear in the rain. No courtesy details at all. Piss poor really. Mazda did way better. Put in a complaint to the Dealer Principal and heard nothing.

10. Aftersales call from salesman
No, just a standard letter from the dealer franchise

Overall a disappointing experience that left me wondering if I'd bother with BMW ever again. Still unsure and would probably use a different dealer.
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