Is it rude to ask the dealer too many questions when buying new? (1 Viewer)

[596]

Is it rude to ask the dealer too many questions when buying new?

I have been ensuring I know everything about my new van and ask a lot of questions, it’s a huge amount of money to be paying but was surprised when I was told they had never had anyone ask so many questions, they said they were learning a lot by finding out the answers for me.

Is there any etiquette in what you should and should not ask, some of my questions have been:

What chassis is it on
What type of suspension does it have
What are the weight limits of the alloy wheels
Can I extend my Fiat warranty
What is the max size of TV that would fit on the existing bracket
On the Swift Command what happens after the 3yrs in built SIM card expires (allows remote control of lights, heating etc)
How long is the rear overhang
Does it require corner steadies (subject to above)
Etc etc etc

 

[Fontie]

Like you say your spending a awful lot of money i'd say you ask the dealer as many questions as you like.

 

[pappajohn]

Ask how long is a piece of string.......and demand an answer.
That'll give them something to think about

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

Of course, there is no limit. Get all of your questions answered, dealers are at their most receptive to your requests while you still have the money they want.

If you can, get your questions asked and answered via email so you have a permanent record of the answers.

 

[John and Jo]

Only if you ask rudely

 

[Lenny HB]

Dealer should know their product it's only UK ones that don't. Talk to a Belgium or German dealer and they will know the answers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BishBosh]

OP, having the same concerns too. We are asking every other day which I think is making the dealer nervous on handover. I hope this makes them more attentive when doing the PDI as we will be going over it with a fine tooth comb on collection
Along as asking questions we have got a full spec list on what is included with the van and comparing it to the manufacturers brochure/website as well as checking it off on handover.

 

[keithchesterfield2]

Ask him what the payload is and to get it weighed correctly to prove or discount his answer.

The payload answers they usually give seem to have been worked out on the back of a fag packet.

When its been weighed you'll also be able to work out the correct tyre pressures.

 

[M-J]

You are the customer, ask any questions you want regardless of how many.

Your money is theirs to earn.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[vwalan]

Ask how long is a piece of string.......and demand an answer.
That'll give them something to think about

or ask how long is a length of elastic .
they may stretch the truth abit on that one

 

[596]

I just find it amazing that Swift themselves have no idea what the weight limit is for the alloy wheels they use, surely the Swift design engineers should know that! Anyway the question was sent by them to Fiat last week, I’m still waiting for the reply.

 

[Lenny HB]

Ask him what the payload is and to get it weighed correctly to prove or discount his answer.

The payload answers they usually give seem to have been worked out on the back of a fag packet.

When its been weighed you'll also be able to work out the correct tyre pressures.

Ask a UK dealer that he will probably cancel the sale

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barclaybasher]

"when I was told they had never had anyone ask so many questions, they said they were learning a lot by finding out the answers for me."

He was being polite.....

 

[BishBosh]

"when I was told they had never had anyone ask so many questions, they said they were learning a lot by finding out the answers for me."

He was being polite.....

Lol.

 

[DavidG58]

I just find it amazing that Swift themselves have no idea what the weight limit is for the alloy wheels they use, surely the Swift design engineers should know that! Anyway the question was sent by them to Fiat last week, I’m still waiting for the reply.

Would you ask the same of a car dealer

I might be naive but at some point I trust the manufacturer to have supplied components fit for purpose and really don’t or shouldn’t need to ask

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[iandsm]

Is it rude to ask the dealer too many questions when buying new?

I have been ensuring I know everything about my new van and ask a lot of questions, it’s a huge amount of money to be paying but was surprised when I was told they had never had anyone ask so many questions, they said they were learning a lot by finding out the answers for me.

Is there any etiquette in what you should and should not ask, some of my questions have been:

What chassis is it on
What type of suspension does it have
What are the weight limits of the alloy wheels
Can I extend my Fiat warranty
What is the max size of TV that would fit on the existing bracket
On the Swift Command what happens after the 3yrs in built SIM card expires (allows remote control of lights, heating etc)
How long is the rear overhang
Does it require corner steadies (subject to above)
Etc etc etc

Absolutely, definitely, certainly not. And don’t accept politicians answers such as “I’m glad you asked me about the payload. Let me point out the superb bathroom shower. Habitation door hard to close, don’t worry it will get easier with use”

 

[596]

Would you ask the same of a car dealer

I might be naive but at some point I trust the manufacturer to have supplied components fit for purpose and really don’t or shouldn’t need to ask

You don’t tend to upgrade the payload of a car unless doing something exceptional whereas upgrading the payload of a motorhome is common due to the low payloads, how does one upgrade if you don’t have the data available for the engineers calculations which include the alloy wheels maximum weight?

 

[iandsm]

Would you ask the same of a car dealer

I might be naive but at some point I trust the manufacturer to have supplied components fit for purpose and really don’t or shouldn’t need to ask

No offence intended but not asking for answers on matters you want to know about and just trusting does seem naive to me.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barclaybasher]

I really don't get this

Why don't you have a MH built to your obvious exacting spec rather than expect a standard van to meet it?

 

[DavidG58]

No offence intended but not asking for answers on matters you want to know about and just trusting does seem naive to me.

None taken, but I really cant imagine a manufacturer supplying wheels with such a tight margin that a 10% increase in weight takes them out of spec

 

[Langtoftlad]

Is it rude to ask the dealer too many questions when buying new?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[596]

None taken, but I really cant imagine a manufacturer supplying wheels with such a tight margin that a 10% increase in weight takes them out of spec

Call SVTech the experts in upgrading and downgrading and ask them, I am just complying with their instructions to me to obtain that data for them in order that they can carry out their ‘accurate’ calculations.

 

[DavidG58]

Call SVTech the experts in upgrading and downgrading and ask them, I am just complying with their instructions to me to obtain that data for them in order that they can carry out their ‘accurate’ calculations.

I actually did use SV to uprate mine from 5t to 5.5t the SV tech never asked me to check the wheels

As it happens mine are steel wheels but they never asked

You might be guilty of over thinking things maybe

Although I agree best to be safe

 

[596]

I actually did use SV to uprate mine from 5t to 5.5t the SV tech never asked me to check the wheels

As it happens mine are steel wheels but they never asked

You might be guilty of over thinking things maybe

Although I agree best to be safe

I’m not overthinking I am stating facts. I am sure the engineering experts know more than you and I and are you not concerned that you don’t know if your wheels are adequate for your payload upgrade?

I would like to add that my upgrade from 4,250kg to 4,500kg is a paper excercise, but to go up to 4,700kg involves rear axle air assist AND confirmation of the alloy wheels specifications that are currently on the van, plus upgrading the rear axle tyres from a 116 payload to 121 payload

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barclaybasher]

You might be guilty of over thinking things maybe

 

[DavidG58]

I’m not overthinking I am stating facts. I am sure the engineering experts know more than you and I and are you not concerned that you don’t know if your wheels are adequate for your payload upgrade?

I stand by my earlier comment that a 10% change should not be too much , the wheels will not be fitted with so small a margin

 

[maz]

I just find it amazing that Swift themselves have no idea what the weight limit is for the alloy wheels they use, surely the Swift design engineers should know that! Anyway the question was sent by them to Fiat last week, I’m still waiting for the reply.

As I understand it, if the alloy wheels are original then they have to be able to cope with the load rating of any tyres that can be fitted to them. It’s after-market alloys that have to provide load ratings. Where’s Techno when you need him?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[596]

I’m not overthinking I am stating facts. I am sure the engineering experts know more than you and I and are you not concerned that you don’t know if your wheels are adequate for your payload upgrade?

I stand by my earlier comment that a 10% change should not be too much , the wheels will not be fitted with so small a margin

your honour........

 

[596]

As I understand it, if the alloy wheels are original then they have to be able to cope with the load rating of any tyres that can be fitted to them. It’s after-market alloys that have to provide load ratings. Where’s Techno when you need him?

NOBODY at this time can give me the weight limit of the original Fiat alloy wheels, if anyone can then that would be appreciated.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I can picture the dealer now ...

Showroom locked and in darkness

Head in hands, empty bottle of Scotch and a loaded gun resting on the desk top beside him alongside a picture of his family....

...to be continued...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}