Buy British? Give me one good reason
Page 38
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MAY I MAKE a few comments on the letter by Mr Williams, managing director of Clwyd Waste Disposal, in CM, 8, January 1983, headed Foreign fleets are suicidal?
I would first like to make it known that I am the owner of a Japanese car. After many years of living off people's left-offs (not being able to afford a new car) my wife and I decided it was time we treated ourselves to a new car as it was our Silver Wedding anniversary. We had not made up our minds which car we would purchase but we did know the size. We decided we would visit each new car showroom in our area to see what they had to offer and find out what deals were available. We had an old car to dispose of and we hoped we could part exchange it.
The first company we visited was Rootes. After selecting the car we felt would suit us we asked the salesman for details. He said he was prepared to take our car in part exchange — no price was agreed. We chose the colour of the car from the range available and the salesman informed us that there would be a delivery time of between six to eight weeks. He also mentioned that he could not guarantee that we would get the colour of our choice as customers who order cars are put onto a list and as your name comes to the top of the list so you get the car that is available, irrespective of colour. We did not like that kind of arrangement, so we left the showroom.
Company number two on our list was a British Leyland dealer. We walked into the showroom — not a salesman in sight — we looked at cars, sat in them, looked under them and after 20 minutes we got bored so we left. We did see the salesman peeping round the corner of the office and when we looked back he disappeared.
Company number three was a Ford dealer. I thought that we could be able to arrange a deal here, after all Ford are the largest car sales firm in the UK. After 30 minutes wandering round the showroom we were at last approached by a salesman who asked if we had seen a car we liked. We replied we had and were about to ask him about our chosen car, he very quickly interrupted by asking whether it was a part exchange or cash deal. We replied that it would be part exchange and the salesman's immediate reply was that he was not interested in a part exchange deal (I think our car was too old — it was only four years old. Had our car been of a later model a part exchange deal may have been considered.) We were told to sell our car and when we had some money he would do a deal with us. We left the showroom.
The next visit was to a Vauxhall dealer — the last one we hoped as we were by now getting tired and looking forward to something to eat. Once we got into the showroom it did not take the salesman long to fund us. We explained the kind of car we were looking for. He showed us one model which we liked. We explained that we would like to do a part exchange deal. At first the salesman explained that he was not interested in arranging a part exchange purchase, but after some discussion he agreed to give us a price. Here comes the first shock — he offered us a price around £600 below market prices. After adding on the cost of extras, the price of our new car was going up and up. At this point we began to lose interest and left the showroom. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that there was an eight week waiting time on new cars.
At this point we decided to call it a day and go home. It was on the way home that we passed a Datsun dealer's showroom. We quickly decided to go and have a look round. On entering the showroom we were greeted by a salesman, directed to a seat and asked about the kind of car we were looking for. He proceeded to describe the range of cars available, one of which we decided upon. The salesman took us to see this particular model after describing the car and informing us of all additional items that were included in the total price. The salesman also went on to say that if we were interested in purchasing this vehicle he wot include in the deal a year's film road tax. We were then left alo to consider whether or not to proceed with the purchase. AF a few minutes the salesman returned and by this time we h decided to by a Japanese car. the necessary arrangements were made. Four days later im received a telephone call to sa our new car was ready for collection.
Mr Williams, please do not blame the public for buying foreign cars — blame the manufacturer for not giving th customer what he wants. Afte all we only want value for our money. The salesman should also shoulder some of the blai if he is not prepared to put himself out — how can he expect to sell the goods if he does not put any effort into th sale? So let us as a nation sho other countries that not only c we sell their goods but we car sell our own goods. So stop trying to con the public, and s by pleasing them. A happy customer is a satisfied one an satisfied customer will be a happy one.
H. A. W. WHITE Chatham, Kent