Are you looking to buy, or looking to look?

"Are you looking to buy, or looking to look?"

This was the amazing questions a car salesman asked me a few weeks ago.

He didn't looks as bad as the photo but not far at all.

What possible good could come from such a question?  

All I heard was:

Are you here to waste my time, or are you ready to rumble?

I don't like face-to-face haggling.  I knew exactly what I wanted, asked for a trade valuation, and a quote by email.

Suffice to say I bought elsewhere.

Here's why I bought from Tynans Sutherland.

• They gave a good price up front.
• They were professional and courteous - suits still work in some work environments.
• They followed up.
• They gave me confidence they could deliver on my specific requirements (towing and delivery date).
• They sent the quote exactly when promised.
• They had two other salesman briefed on my purchase (to cover Christmas absenses).

The other dealers discounted after they smelled a lost deal. You know the line "Oh I just twisted my managers arm and I can get you a better trade-in afterall price blah blah"

During delivery they took a photo of me and my son taking delivery.  Since delivery, there have been numerous folow-up calls.  All good, but they could have done even more.

Here're something else they could do.  Take the delivery photo, post it on their facebook page, create a facebook page of all people who bought the same vehicle (to share their stories), and recommend some other facebook pages/websites of people with the same car, with the same interests (uses of the car).  Now that would buy Brand loyalty.

By the way the car is a Mitsubishi Pajero used for towing a caravan, hauling mountian bikes and canoes into the bush, and 4WD exploring.  Perhaps you can suggest me some sites?