Does any know any car dealer that you recommend and they also speak English? Specifically I'm looking for BMW/Audi/Volkswagen family car.
Thanks!
I went to a BMW dealer nearby Zurich, and would like to ask some questions about their cars (fuel efficiency, leasing v.s. buying etc). Unfortunately none of them speaks English, so I couldn't get any information for my visit.
I guess they did not think you were a serious customer, Swiss can always speak perfect English where money is involved. It's actually a requirement of finishing their education in Zurich.
That seems really strange.
I've found that nothing says "I'm serious" in Switzerland like making an appointment. I would write, in English, to several BMW dealers asking for an appointment to address a number of pre-purchase questions. Explain that you don't speak German and would like to meet with someone who speaks English, if possible.
Making an appointment to ask questions immediately puts you in the "serious buyer" category, and giving them some advanced warning means that they'll make an English-speaker available if at all possible.
As fatmanfilms says, where there's money involved, an English-speaker is always available.
I think the OP must clarify if it was an official BMW dealer, or it was just an ordinary dealer who happened to sell a BMW. I once purchased a car by phone and I think the dealers were somewhere from east Balkan (they had quite a car lot) and they didn't speak a word English nor Italian. They managed to find an Italian speaking lady somewhere, with whom I could speak.
This happened again when I bought another car someplace else. These guys also were not Swiss but thank God spoke Italian.
All the big dealers have someone who speaks english. However it helps if you make an effort and speak some german initially making it clear you dont speak much and ask if they have someone who speaks english. You will find that not all staff speak english it is often only 1-2 people that do
Hello
In AMAG Zug (in fact Cham) they do speak English.
However, if you call in advance to make an appointment and you tell them that you need someone speaking English, they will find someone to help you in English. I did it when I did not speak any German and it always worked.
It wasn't a few years ago, and I know plenty who can't.
Tom
**racks brain**
I can't remember one that did speak english to a high enough level
I know some who speak a splattering - and one speaks good english but he is a small garage as opposed to a main dealer.
Pretty spot on the last car I brought had to do most of the dealings in german since I realised I was more likely to get ripped of in english
Amag
Congratulations... 11 posts in less than an hour, now you can sell!
Not yet. Still needs a week membership.
We invited German businesses in the UK to talk to our 6th Formers- and their message was clear- if they want something from English speakers, they will indeed speak English. However, if they are buying- and you have to persuade them to choose your goods or services- you better make the effort.
So I suppose fatmansfilm has got it right. In negociations, if you want the upper hand- you will be in a much better position if you can speak the language of the person or business you want to sell to- ov even, buy from in some cases.
I think the person with the money ALWAYS has the upper hand, the one speaking his mother tong also has, so speaking English to buy a car puts you in a very strong position v the stealer.
Try this guy, Peter .. though an official Ford dealer he can get most brands and at least 3 members of staff speak fluent English...
I bought my car from Auto Center Wetzikon from a guy named Sasha. He speaks perfect English and is nice and helpful.
The BMW dealer in Adliswil have English speaking sales staff, call ahead and make an apt and they will be there.