How do you prefer your salesperson?

[Higgs Boson]

When you buy a car from a dealer, do you like your sales person in a tie or a polo (assuming its a guy)?

Does a guy in a tie/suit make you feel like your going to get cheated or make you feel like you are dealing with professionals? Does a salesperson in a polo make you feel more relaxed and in a more relatable environment or do you think he won't know what he's doing?

[Alfisti]

I don't care if you're in a shorts and T-shirt, but as someone who works in sales it does my head in when sales people don't know their shit. Know your fucking product, know the variation in model years, know what DOT is on a tyre ..... just know your fucking shit.

[ShocknAwe]

Just look professional and know your product. Drives me nuts when I know more about the car than the salesman.

As a professional though, you need to be comfortable in your "uniform" so if you're uncomfortable in your suit talking to me, I will be uncomfortable talking to you.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I don't care if you're in a shorts and T-shirt, but as someone who works in sales it does my head in when sales people don't know their shit. Know your fucking product, know the variation in model years, know what DOT is on a tyre ..... just know your fucking shit.

This.

Weird to be worrying about this OP, let alone trying to gather data from others

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by MJBO

This.

Weird to be worrying about this OP, let alone trying to gather data from others

Eh cut him some slack, he's probably trying to decide what to wear in the morning.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Eh cut him some slack, he's probably trying to decide what to wear in the morning.

Or a date to the prom.

[Pauly Wauly]

If he`s not wearing a Tuxedo I`m out of there.

[Higgs Boson]

This isn't about me personally, I am genuinely curious how people feel about it, there are dealers out there that believe in the tie but over the last 20 years more and more polos and golf pants have become/are becoming acceptable, yet the dealers who still wear ties seem to hang onto the notion religiously.

For the record I am approaching 50 faster than I intended and I haven't sold cars in a long (long long long) time. I just asked this question here since it's a forum of car people with car opinions and want to know if it matters in your decision to buy a car.

[Alfisti]

It comes down to the brand, luxury sales i'd expect to see a suit but would not bother me to see chinos and polo but I am a super casual guy.

[No one]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Drives me nuts when I know more about the car than the salesman.

You'd better, actually. A salesman wants to sell what he wants to sell. You want to buy what you want to buy. Those don't have to be the same things. If you skip your homework you may buy what you don't need and miss what you'd love to have. With that said, a salesman must be competent, of course.

Regarding salesman's clothes. They gotta show some respect. If they are selling expensive stuff they should be dressed appropriately. Otherwise you might guess your fortune is nothing here. And so are you.

I've just failed to find a picture (posted in the M2 forum here) of an American M2 buyer taking an European Delivery and facing a German salesperson wearing a suit in red shorts. My first thought seeing that was: "Who is who?" (like when you see a picture of a person on a donkey ). And my second thought was: "He'd better have a picture of his President on his red butt to distinguish from a Chinese.".

[OC40]

As someone that wore a suit and tie for 15+ years, then stopped after 2020. I don’t care.

I want to work with someone that I get along with and responds relatively quickly. If they don’t know the answer, they follow up after figuring it out.

[Steveski]

Given this is for BMW a suit with or without a tie, or at least a sports coat no gym dude bros please. Try and look the part. As for knowledge we as forum dweller bmw fans will likely know far more about the cars. My guy I’ve been dealing with since 09 admitted he learns more from us fans than he does from corporate. Give me a fair deal, make the process smooth, and look professional. That’s all I need.

[Phizzzle]

Under 40, I don't care personally. Just treat me with respect because I don't dress up to purchase a car. That said, I haven't had a single good experience with any car salesman so I work with a broker instead.

[RM7]

No

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by No one

You'd better, actually. A salesman wants to sell what he wants to sell. You want to buy what you want to buy. Those don't have to be the same things. If you skip your homework you may buy what you don't need and miss what you'd love to have. With that said, a salesman must be competent, of course.

Ignorance and sales motivation are not the same and ignorance of your work content is not acceptable. Take me over to the books and let's look it up if you don't know. Big red flag for the dealer as a whole.

That said. I buy cars rarely and even more rarely locally.

[ash_schwin]

Agreed with most of the statements on the thread, could care less what they wear. Be knowledgeable and respectful.

[JABCAT]

I'm in my 40s & I generally don't buy from sales people. I contact the internet sales manager or dealership sales manager directly. I also don't go into the dealership to negotiate, haggle, etc. I handle 99% of the transaction via email or text then only go into the dealership to complete the paperwork (if they don't do DocuSign) and pick up the vehicle.

Been buying cars that way for the last 20 years or so.

*I wear athletic shorts year round, nearly every day - including to work. The only time I'll wear pants & a shirt with buttons on it is if we have to go to a wedding or a funeral. As long as one looks presentable, I don't judge people buy what they wear in any setting.

[BenFenner]

I have been boycotting the dealership model since the Carter administration. I'm not about to step into one now.

[Mason Hatcher]

Of all the things I give or do not give a fuck about, this isn’t one.

[Higgs Boson]

Now I wish I added the option for "I don't care, just know your stuff."

Good info guys, appreciate the input!

[afadeev]

Single criterion - be a decent human.
The rest doesn't matter.

Don't really want to buy, or attempt to negotiate service from AI chat engines, apps, or messaging chats (e.g.: Tesla model).

YMMV,
a

[Efthreeoh]

Brunette, tight white collared shirt w/leather elbow patches, jodhpurs, over-the-calf brown riding boots.