Post by: AussieNess on August 22, 2008, 07:58:20
For our overseas friends....NRMA is an automotive club in NSW. I rarely use it but know that once I stop my membership I'll break down on a country road somewhere and be stranded!
Post by: TheBunyip on August 22, 2008, 11:40:01
If you do a Google search on "Car Brokers in Australia" or something like that you will find that there are several competitors to Private Fleet. Some charge the purchaser a fee, some charge the Dealer.
Car Brokers seem to be a relatively new idea in Australia. They have operated without much fanfare in the UK for years. I first used them there over 20 years ago and saved a packet as a result.
I have bookmarked a few for when I eventually get the chance to buy an i30 here in Australia. I intend to ask a few of them to obtain quotes and compare what is on offer. It seems that worthwhile discounts are possible if you go through the right channels and have the appropriate skills. Dealers seem to regard private retail customers like us as a chance to sell at the highest possible price. I have not the skill to do my own negotiation face to face but will happily use the services of a Broker who has a system that I can trust. By that I mean that I will not be parting with all my money until I have seen the Car or am satisfied that my money is safe.
The ones I have bookmarked are....
http://www.mrnegotiator.com.au/v5/index.htm
http://www.carsearchbrokers.com.au/index.php
http://www.southgatefleet.com.au/index.php
http://www.aussienewcarbuyingservice.com.au/
http://www.carbroker.com.au/
Unfortunately, as yet, I have no idea whether any of these are any good. However I am determined that I will not be paying the first price that any Dealer comes up with.
There are other brokers too as well as your "Private Fleet" company. So a further search could be worth the effort. Chances are that NRMA will get a commission from Private Fleet that you would end up paying for. I guess that I am too old not to be a cynic. That would not stop me asking "Private Fleet" to quote for the supply of my i30. As with so many purchases getting several quotes usually pays dividends.
All I can say is good luck with your search for a good supplier. As you will see here the i30 makes some very satisfied customers no matter how they obtain their car.
Perhaps our posts will persuade someone with good knowledge of the local market to comment.
Post by: AussieNess on August 22, 2008, 23:42:35
Thanks for your response. It didn't occur to me to search for similar companies. Will look into the links you gave me. I too am a bit cynical in my old age! There's always 'conditions' or 'fine print' but it would be in our best interests to look into it. I want to take my time and get the best possible price...even if I only save $500....it's alot of money to me. The only urgency is the fact that my current insurance company won't insure my daughter to drive (under 25) and to change to a company that will insure her will cost us a fortune! We wouldn't have bought our current car had we realised that in just over 2 years we would have to change cars!
Thanks again...
Post by: EymaTeapot on August 23, 2008, 09:19:24
The broker won’t take you around the car and point out all its features and advantages. He won’t take you for a test drive. He won’t offer you the car overnight so you can show the family and friends, and check it looks good in the garage. He won’t call you weekly to give you updates on the delivery time of your i30. He won’t meet you with a smile on the big day and present you with your new car complete with balloons and a key ring and all the fanfare. He won’t show you around the car and make sure you are completely familiar with everything before you drive out the driveway. He won’t than take you around the dealership and introduce you to the parts department and the service manager. I bet he won’t call you a few times after you have driven away, happy in your i30 just to say thank you and to ensure that everything is still ok.
I can’t imagine that he would greet you each subsequent visit you make to the dealership offering you a cup of coffee and stopping for a chat. Would you broker offer to run you back to work while your car is in for its service. My dealer did all this for me and much more.
I am not saying that you should pay more from you dealer, shop around and get your best price but do the right thing by the salesman who invested his valuable time into you. Most dealers will price match. Don’t forget, the car cost the dealer the same amount whoever you get it off, so they can do the same price as a broker.
Personally, I would sleep fine each night, knowing that maybe I paid even a bit more from my local dealer, but got first rate service, before and after the sale
Post by: Dazzler on August 23, 2008, 11:12:44
)I've bought 14 brand new cars and have had some of those things happen (but never all on the one deal)
Post by: TheBunyip on August 23, 2008, 11:20:49
May I suggest that people (including us) are strange creatures. When I buy something I am looking for a business relationship not a personal one. Whilst your dealers behaviour seems to have convinced you that you were getting value for your money it would have scared me off convinced that I was being ripped off by someone who was prepared to waste so much time and money on all that fanfare Bull&*!@.
A courteous but above all professional service is all I seek. Test drives, Delivery updates, Pre-delivery checks and preparation, leading up to Professional handover at my time and place of choice has always been provided by the (UK) Brokers I have dealt with. As for service well I will check the websites for recalls and these days find my own service workshops and so not need to set foot in a Dealership if I can avoid it.
So, like you, I too will sleep soundly. In my case untroubled by any thoughts of having done the dirty on any salesman or woman .. because I will not have taken up any of their time.
Is it possible that your view of Brokers has been influenced by your or someone else's bad experience?
I do hope you continue to enjoy your relationship with your dealer. It just would not suit me at all. I hope we can agree "each to their own".
Post by: EymaTeapot on August 23, 2008, 11:34:02
I just prefer the personal touch that a dealer can provide.
Also, i did check prices of the i30 online when i bought mine, and found that because of the supply issues with the i30, even brokers were'nt offering much in the way of discounts. Also, dont forget, the broker is getting some kick backs from the providing dealer. Lets say that maybe the broker is getting maybe $500 for his work, either from you or the dealer, thats $500 that has just gone onto the price of the car so some bloke sitting at a computer can do nothing but source a few quotes. Thats a $500 saving you could have negtiated on the car yourself.
Post by: eye30 on August 23, 2008, 16:35:54
In 1 instance I can recall from a collegue at work, the local franchised dealer "refused" to look at their car but in the end they did but there was a looooooooong delay until they could look at it.
My view is if you buy from a good reputable dealer, you see the car before purchase, they will tend to look after you and if you build up a good dialogue with them you are more likely to get good prompt service.
Ok you may pay slightly more for the car but if it's a lemon at least you can go back to them and complain and you know where they are, which may not be so via a broker/internet purchase!!!!
I've used the same dealer for 3 purchases and I'm more than happy with the service/support I've had from them.
Post by: AussieNess on August 24, 2008, 22:57:07
EymaTeapot...you were looked after very well by your dealer. That kind of customer service is unheard of here. We showed ourselves around the car and although the salesman was a nice man he didn't actually 'sell' me the car. When we took it for a test drive he came with us and only I could test drive as he didn't have a copy of my husbands drivers license. I doubt if he would loan us the car overnight! Your dealer sounds awesome.
Am curious....did you guys test drive with or without the salesman in the car?
Post by: Dazzler on August 24, 2008, 23:06:33
Post by: EymaTeapot on August 24, 2008, 23:16:17
Post by: donc on August 25, 2008, 00:13:24
I have a really good relationship with my auto dealer – been with them for years. They do all my services and repairs, and when I buy a car I always get a very good price. To be fair the relationship has been a little rocky at times; Some years ago I thought they overcharged me for a service and remember having ‘words’ with the service manager as we sorted each other out – although having cleared the air nowadays I pay no more for services or repairs than I would at a K-Mart style cheapo auto shop and am very happy with the service I receive – plus now I’m a ‘regular customer’ I get excellent prices when buying cars (they always manage to come in $1,000’s cheaper than other dealers when quoting – presumably because they know I am loyal to them and will keep coming back).
Something else to consider if you are in the market for a car and have any sort of work-related usage (self employed and/or use your car for work purposes) – Many employers nowadays allow/encourage staff to lease a vehicle and ‘novate’ payments against your gross income – this effectively means you pay no tax on the car, lease payments, fuel and services etc. Under a novation lease all car expenses are pre-tax providing you meet minimum work kilometre usage (15,000 k’s pa in Aus) – plus you get a lease discount and all the other benefits of fleet purchases, even though your ‘fleet’ is only a single car – This can be a really attractive way to buy a car, especially if your employer subsequently pays a vehicle allowance
Post by: Dazzler on August 25, 2008, 10:20:02
Nicely worded explanation...
Cheers,
Dazz
Post by: Doggie 1 on August 25, 2008, 16:51:19
I haven't bought a car through a broker, but I did make some inquiries with A1 Car Broker in Australia and they apparently use a reverse auction process whereby you give them the best deal you have been able to secure & they then use that as a starting price and conduct a reverse auction from all dealers Australia-wide, targeting ones who haven't met their quotas. That way they arrive at the lowest price available but the car is still delivered through your closest dealership (who also have the chance to bid for your business) and all servicing is done through them if you wish. Also, you can have test-drives arranged by the broker prior to commencing the auction process.
If anyone has used this particular strategy I'd be interested to hear their thoughts.
Regards
Dave
Post by: eye30 on August 25, 2008, 18:29:08
Quote from: "db08"
use a reverse auction process
Do they charge a fee for "doing the deal" on your behalf?
If so, would this not cancel out any gain by using them.
Post by: Lakes on August 26, 2008, 08:08:55
AussieNess, what ever way you can get one at the cheapest price is the best deal. the way donc stated is a good system i know a few that use that system.
Post by: AussieNess on August 26, 2008, 10:06:45
I appreciate everyone's input...thanks!
Post by: Doggie 1 on August 26, 2008, 15:11:09