Having trouble getting my Defender test drive..

[cafe latte]

Oh hum, I am starting to wonder what is going on, I have never bought a new car before, but it is like they dont want my money. I ring the sales guy and he does not pick up, so I ring his mobile and again he wont pick up. I leave messages to call me and they dont return my call. A few days later after trying a few times to contact him I ring the main number and I get put straight through to the Landy sales guy. I ask if he has had the delivery of the 110's yet, he tells me no.. I wait another couple of weeks and trying ringing again, this time I speak to another guy who tells me the normal guy is off for a couple of weeks. No prob I ask him if the Defenders are in stock yet? He tells me he does not know. All the Defenders are parked outside in front of his darn desk look out of the WINDOW!!!! He looks on his computer and tells me they have been invoiced for some Defenders. YES BUT HAVE YOU GOT THEM!! I will check and call you back he tells me. That was 2 days ago and no call, do these jokers really what to sell cars or not?
I might have to try the dealer in Townsville as I think that is the next nearest :(
I really cant believe this.
Chris

[Pickles2]

Find out the Dealer Principal's name, & ask to speak to him PERSONALLY, but do not reveal the nature of your call until you get on to him.
If that doesn't work, retain the names of the people you've tried to speak to, and who haven't had the decency to return your repeated calls, & speak to JLR Customer Service.
Pickles.

[loneranger]

Obviously your ability to access other dealers comes into it but if that's the service your getting when your trying to buy a car do you really want to rely on them to deliver if you get any warranty issues. It may well be worth your while to travel a bit to do the deal elsewhere if possible.

Do they list their vehicles online that may allow you to check yourself?

[cafe latte]

Obviously your ability to access other dealers comes into it but if that's the service your getting when your trying to buy a car do you really want to rely on them to deliver if you get any warranty issues. It may well be worth your while to travel a bit to do the deal elsewhere if possible.

Do they list their vehicles online that may allow you to check yourself?
I have not looked if they are online, but to be honest I am not sure I want to spend the most money I have ever spent on a car with a company so unhelpful.
Chris

[PAT303]

Complain direct to LR,they really like to know about this type of thing,I'd also go elsewhere if the dealer is a dick. Pat

[tact]

So are you dropping hints to the wife over a cuppa that maybe it's better to buy the 300TDI after all? :twisted:

[carlschmid2002]

If you can get to Townsville talk to Dean or Dave. Dean is the younger big bloke who drives a defender and Dave has been there forever. He drives the old model RR Sport. They both love their LRs. The young lass in the service department is top notch to. When I had my Defender she was very helpful. I can't remember her name off the top of my head. I am sure if you ring them they will organise a test drive straight away. The Defenders are starting to thin out now though.

[cafe latte]

If you can get to Townsville talk to Dean or Dave. Dean is the younger big bloke who drives a defender and Dave has been there forever. He drives the old model RR Sport. They both love their LRs. The young lass in the service department is top notch to. When I had my Defender she was very helpful. I can't remember her name off the top of my head. I am sure if you ring them they will organise a test drive straight away. The Defenders are starting to thin out now though.
I will call them. Dont tell me that they are thinning out I would hate to be too late after being messed around for so long.
Chris

[PAT303]

Still complain,nothing will get done about it otherwise. Pat

[cafe latte]

So are you dropping hints to the wife over a cuppa that maybe it's better to buy the 300TDI after all? :twisted:
I saw a nice low km 300tdi a couple of days ago, not for sale I just had a chat with the owner. My older cars are ganging up on me along with my missus. My Nissan rad let go the other day 14 month after I changed it last time Chinese junk I think.. The aircon let go in my F truck and I have only had it fitted for a few years and speaking of aircon the 60 series aircon has let go as well. Maybe it is time for something new..
Chris

[cafe latte]

If you can get to Townsville talk to Dean or Dave. Dean is the younger big bloke who drives a defender and Dave has been there forever. He drives the old model RR Sport. They both love their LRs. The young lass in the service department is top notch to. When I had my Defender she was very helpful. I can't remember her name off the top of my head. I am sure if you ring them they will organise a test drive straight away. The Defenders are starting to thin out now though.

I spoke to Dave and I have booked a test drive. He has not got a 110 right now but he is going to call me when he gets the next one. We are also in email contact a totally different service to Cairns. I am totally happy to drive 3.5 hours to buy my Landy for good service. We spoke prices and options, I might even go leather seats :)
Chris

[EastFreo]

Go the leather. I got the premium ones in all ebony. Look great and very comfortable.

[tact]

Sounds like you are sold already!

[JayBoRover]

I spoke to Dave and I have booked a test drive. He has not got a 110 right now but he is going to call me when he gets the next one. We are also in email contact a totally different service to Cairns. I am totally happy to drive 3.5 hours to buy my Landy for good service. We spoke prices and options, I might even go leather seats :)
Chris
I honestly don't know if I'd have pulled the trigger on buying my D90 if I'd been able to test drive it beforehand. I bought it over the phone and gave my credit card details for a deposit, when I managed to track one down in stock and available for immediate sale. I am really glad I did buy it though, as it has grown on me ever since that first 400km drive home:cool:. If it had only been a 20km test drive, with no money down, I might well have given it back and walked away.

[carlschmid2002]

Another option is to contact the Land Rover Owners Club Cairns and someone might be able to take you for a drive. They have a Facebook page and a website.
www.lrocc.com.au Jorge the president will answer any posts on Facebook. He has a TD5 and a D4. i am heading up that way this weekend but I have a D3. I had a MY12 D90. it lives near Port Douglas now. I loved my D90 but it was not the most practical car.

[cafe latte]

Another option is to contact the Land Rover Owners Club Cairns and someone might be able to take you for a drive. They have a Facebook page and a website.
www.lrocc.com.au Jorge the president will answer any posts on Facebook. He has a TD5 and a D4. i am heading up that way this weekend but I have a D3. I had a MY12 D90. it lives near Port Douglas now. I loved my D90 but it was not the most practical car.

Thanks :)
Its a small world, I am currently at a comp at the Marksman rifle range in Townsville on Harvey range road.
Do you know anyone who drives a new Landy in the club?
Thanks again
Chris

[carlschmid2002]

Email Jorge at vicepresident@lrocc.com.au he should be able to help you out if not just join the Face book group and post on there. There are a few. I can't remember the people's names .Jorge can send out an email to the whole club. Many of them will be modified. I know of a nice D90 that has been lifted.

[noyakfat]

I got the same crap attitude from a salesperson in Qld, who only wanted to talk Range Rovers. He basically told me at length how rubbish defenders were and only knuckle-draggers would be seen dead driving one.

I finally convinced him to let me test drive the one they had sitting in the showroom. He insisted on coming for the drive, and then spent the entire drive in amazement, continually asking me what the secret was to driving it without gnashing every gear!

I rewarded him by delaying my purchase until I moved interstate, then buying locally in the ACT.

Shop around :)

[cafe latte]

Email Jorge at vicepresident@lrocc.com.au he should be able to help you out if not just join the Face book group and post on there. There are a few. I can't remember the people's names .Jorge can send out an email to the whole club. Many of them will be modified. I know of a nice D90 that has been lifted.

Thanks,
I dont do facebook, I will email him. Maybe I am old (43), but I never got public emails (facebook) as much as I like forums :)
I would love though to contact a few people and see and understand the issues, also the fun bits.
Thanks again
Chris

[YOLO110]

My other half has had the same experience trying to buy a new Evoque...

6 weeks after initial enquiry, with money ready, dealer has replied once. :twisted:

Just bloody hopeless... and these guys 1: get paid (joke) and 2: are employed by JLR. :mad:

Oz 'customer service' is going down the tubes IMHO.

[tact]

The sales guy at Land Rover Malaysia was a relatively new hire when I dropped in for a test drive. Had no clue at all but a nice person trying to be helpful.

A few months and 3 test drive sessions later we signed up - Over coffee he told me he really learned a lot about 4x4 and Defenders from me, and thanked me.
(There is a lot, good and bad, wrapped up in that tale!)

BTW The 3 test drives - my wife drove. She wanted us to buy defender but also wanted to be sure she can handle it.