Test Driving Etiquette

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Dear EF'ers,

What is the common/accepted etiquette for test driving a car at a dealer without offending them for possibly not buying that same day or thereabouts?

As a North American, normally it is a matter of going to the dealer and asking for a test drive while providing your ID card, then thanking them on the way out with a "we need to think about it"... Similar in Switzerland?

Thank you!

2
Exactly the same and standard here...

3
I found the length of time of the test drive interesting. I took a car for a test drive for 20 minutes, when returning it the salesman immediately said "so you didn't like it being back so early?"

So another dealer and a different car I took out for an hour test drive (it was a lovely BMW Z4MC) and the salesman didn't even seen to care (plus I didn't buy it either as there was too many issues that needed seeing too).

4
I test drove 3 cars back to back from 2 different garages. I even drove one test drive car to the other garage in order to compare them sat next to each other.

Main dealers are usually very accommodating - very small places are great. Big supermarket type car lots tend to be pretty anal about it.

5
I had good experiences with both main dealers and "supermarket" dealers. I told them I wouldn't be too long and they just said bring it back when you are finished.

It obviously changes from dealer to dealer but the ones I went to were happy for me to take it on a long test drive.

No one pressurised me into a sale after the drive. I just told them I was off to test some others and may be beack. They were fine.

Good luck with the purchase.

6
Make sure you peel off in the parking lot, that usually impresses them very much and I'm certain, that they'll compliment you on your driving ability.

7
Of course, don't forget to kick the tyres after returning it. That is a sign of deep technical expertise.

8
As someone who has previously worked in direct sales, I urge you not to come out the universal cop-out: "I want to think about it" .

A salesperson hears this many, many times - so much so, that it is just a meaningless collection of sounds - even when it's genuinely meant; and especially when it's not, and used as a get out.

As far as he/she is concerned, you might as well say no thanks.

It's much better that you say something along the lines of:

- "Thanks, I've got others to look at and test - I'll get back to you, if you offer is favourable"

- "Thanks I need to go away and work out my finances".

However the salesperson will interpret these as buying signals, and may well offer a "today only" sweetener, or super-dooper finance deal, if you commit today. But this will always be the same tomorrow or next week, if they want your hard-earned.

But always push for a discount, or extras for no charge, or better p/x deal.

9
I had an interesting experience this weekend. I found a car on the internet, called the garage and asked if I needed to book an appointment for a test drive (some of the bigger dealers are "appointment only" on Saturdays).

They said, not a problem to take it for a test drive, just come along anytime....but we charge 20 CHF for test drives. Oh, but you get this back if you buy the car.

WHAT?!? Has anyone ever come across this? Needless to say, I didn't go to that garage.

10
Sounds like Switzerland's cheapest car rental emporium!