[MLJJ]

This irks me enough to post here, but not enough to do anything else about it. Its been a little more than 3 months post-collection and I've heard nothing from the SA. I did send him a short email a couple of weeks after pick up and told him I was enjoying the car. He replied with a one-sentence response. Other than the computer generated dealer letter that came with the Porsche Production Specification form, he and the dealer have been silent. As a disclaimer, I had no previous dealing with him or the dealership and am new to the brand. He may have calculated that I was a one-and-done, but that doesn't seem like a wise tactic as a sales person - my wife is eyeing a Macan in the near future. Just wondering if I'm being overly sensitive to what I perceive as a lack of courteous sales follow up or whether this is something more common.

 

[InTgr8r]

Rookie move on his part.
You have to sew the seeds if you want a crop.


I was contacted within 3 weeks, and not just with a form letter.

 

[JazzCatGab]

You could test the theory by sending him a note thanking him for the Porsche Production Specification form. That would have cost you $110 to order yourself. See of you get a response.

 

[718S]

So I'm in enterprise software sales so let me share my perspective.

Car sales might be considered to be transactional. Meaning "The emphasis is on maximizing the efficiency and volume of individual sales rather than developing a relationship with the buyer." The facts are that 'most' people search for what they want and buy from the seller that gives them the best price.... without any loyalty to a specific SA or dealer.

IMO, especially with car companies like Porsche, where brand loyalty is very significant, this approach is a big mistake, even when the customer may not be entirely loyal (to brand or dealer) and is just looking for the best prices. Many people WILL pay a little more working with a seller that we feel has our best interest in mind- for example if a dealer/SA tries to help me (gets fair prices, informs me of updates, checks in and cares). I don't price shop extensively- I find a dealer that seems fair and is good to work with and I go there. Most people don't do this and hence I think most dealers don't work hard at building that relationship. Sad on multiple fronts. Some SAs just suck as well honestly and have likely had little good sales training. Sometimes customers are just dinks as well- that's just true.

Lastly- there are some dealers that do more than others though. Some dealers host events (like the new 2019 Macan sales events- silly they call it that though!) and car trips, etc. IMO- it's much more important to focus on dealer than the SA. I can't recall the last time I worked with a super good SA- sadly.

Dealers and companies that make an effort to build relationships with their clients, at least at some level, are the long term winners.

 

[rsmith]

I've heard from my SA several times in the 8 months that I have owned my car. He sent a hand written thank you card, has texted and called several times to see how I'm enjoying the car and to see if I have any questions. I also do receive emails from the dealership regarding events, etc. Porsche has done a better job to foster a relationship so far than the other manufactures I've purchased from (Dodge, Toyota and Infiniti). Compared to the Dodge, GM and Toyota purchase and services experiences I definitely understand why people will pay more for a car from one manufacture than another, of course the driving dynamics of a Porsche play a monster part in that as well. Love driving my Boxster. But a bad experience can trump that. My Dodge experience with the dealer I used has been enough to keep me from giving any Dodge (or any Chylser product really) any serious future consideration. They sucked.

 

[MLJJ]

This will be last rant about this topic. Six months in and I've still not heard a word from the SA. I've sent two emails, one asking how he was doing (trying to prompt some interaction) and one thanking him for assistance (first one). I got a one sentence email in response to the first and none on the second. Not a terribly positive experience for a $75K car. Heck, my wife gets purchase-aniversary emails and birthday cards from her Toyota dealer for a vehicle 1/2 the cost. If I ever pull the trigger again on a Porsche it will not be with that dealer. I know, SAs don't necessarily represent the dealer, but I have too many other choices equidistant to bother with trying to figure out what is going on there. I wish my first purchase experience was better, but the car is awesome regardless!

 

[GTS18BGTS]

Ah who wants to make small talk with a car salesman anyway?