We have a 2007 Bentley GT. Nice car !
We did not purchase it from the local dealer but we did purchase a 2nd key from them since we only had 1 key and 2 drivers. That is really the only contact we have had with the local Bentley dealer.
A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from the local dealer inviting us to a ride and drive event. I was very suspicious of this invitation. I could envision signing up for it and having to sit through a lengthy sales presentation just to receive a high pressure sales pitch at the end. You know, like a timeshare sales pitch.
I called the lady that had sent the invitation just to see what it was all about. She said they were bringing about 8 or 10 new 2020 Bentley's to a local high end restaurant and we could come down and look them over and drive them if we wanted. I asked for an appointment late in the afternoon so that we could have cocktails at the restaurant after the event. She said she had an appointment open and that she would buy cocktails and appetizers for us. How could I pass that up.
We drove our 2007 Bentley Continental GT to the event. We pulled up in front of the restaurant at our appointed time (the restaurant was actually closed except for the Bentley event) and were met on the drive by 2 reps from the dealership. They asked us to wait just a minute while they moved one of the display cars to make a place in the restaurant's driveway for us to park. They pulled out a big 4 door sedan and we took it's place.
As we got out of the car one of the attendants approached and asked us to come in the restaurant and sign a form before he gave us a tour of the cars. To my surprise, the form only asked for name, address, phone number, e-mail and driver's license number. I filled the form out. No one ever asked to see my license. They just trusted that I actually had one and wrote down the correct number.
The attendant then took us outside and asked us which car we had an interest in. We told him the 2020 Continental GT. He was very courteous, showed us around the car and pointed out the features. Then he opened the door and asked me to get in the drivers seat. He asked me to start the car and then started talking about the new interior features and technology. He interrupted himself and told my wife she should get in the passenger seat so she could be included in the conversation. He opened the passenger door and helped her in. He finished up, closed the door and said "have a nice drive". My wife asked if he wasn't going with us. He said no, he wasn't, enjoy yourselves.
We were gone maybe 45 minutes. When we came back he asked how we liked the car and did we have any questions. Then he told us the girl that had made our reservation was inside and would like to meet us. We met her and she accompanied us to the bar, held a short, pleasant conversation and told us to order drinks and appetizers and enjoy ourselves. We probably spent 45 minutes there on her dime and were never approached by a sales person.
We finished, went outside and thanked the salesman at the door for inviting us to the event. He showed us back to our car and we went home.
I was amazed ! That was the best sales event that I have ever attended. We were made to feel welcome, tossed the keys to a $270,000 Bentley, bought drinks and appetizers and were never approached by a sales person, let alone high pressured to buy anything. I'm not sure we will ever be in the market for a newer Bentley but, if we are, I know where we will go to buy it.
We did not purchase it from the local dealer but we did purchase a 2nd key from them since we only had 1 key and 2 drivers. That is really the only contact we have had with the local Bentley dealer.
A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from the local dealer inviting us to a ride and drive event. I was very suspicious of this invitation. I could envision signing up for it and having to sit through a lengthy sales presentation just to receive a high pressure sales pitch at the end. You know, like a timeshare sales pitch.
I called the lady that had sent the invitation just to see what it was all about. She said they were bringing about 8 or 10 new 2020 Bentley's to a local high end restaurant and we could come down and look them over and drive them if we wanted. I asked for an appointment late in the afternoon so that we could have cocktails at the restaurant after the event. She said she had an appointment open and that she would buy cocktails and appetizers for us. How could I pass that up.
We drove our 2007 Bentley Continental GT to the event. We pulled up in front of the restaurant at our appointed time (the restaurant was actually closed except for the Bentley event) and were met on the drive by 2 reps from the dealership. They asked us to wait just a minute while they moved one of the display cars to make a place in the restaurant's driveway for us to park. They pulled out a big 4 door sedan and we took it's place.
As we got out of the car one of the attendants approached and asked us to come in the restaurant and sign a form before he gave us a tour of the cars. To my surprise, the form only asked for name, address, phone number, e-mail and driver's license number. I filled the form out. No one ever asked to see my license. They just trusted that I actually had one and wrote down the correct number.
The attendant then took us outside and asked us which car we had an interest in. We told him the 2020 Continental GT. He was very courteous, showed us around the car and pointed out the features. Then he opened the door and asked me to get in the drivers seat. He asked me to start the car and then started talking about the new interior features and technology. He interrupted himself and told my wife she should get in the passenger seat so she could be included in the conversation. He opened the passenger door and helped her in. He finished up, closed the door and said "have a nice drive". My wife asked if he wasn't going with us. He said no, he wasn't, enjoy yourselves.
We were gone maybe 45 minutes. When we came back he asked how we liked the car and did we have any questions. Then he told us the girl that had made our reservation was inside and would like to meet us. We met her and she accompanied us to the bar, held a short, pleasant conversation and told us to order drinks and appetizers and enjoy ourselves. We probably spent 45 minutes there on her dime and were never approached by a sales person.
We finished, went outside and thanked the salesman at the door for inviting us to the event. He showed us back to our car and we went home.
I was amazed ! That was the best sales event that I have ever attended. We were made to feel welcome, tossed the keys to a $270,000 Bentley, bought drinks and appetizers and were never approached by a sales person, let alone high pressured to buy anything. I'm not sure we will ever be in the market for a newer Bentley but, if we are, I know where we will go to buy it.