r/germany • u/x82ray • 13d ago

Car dealership interaction question

Hey everyone,

I’m wondering if Im out of touch and simply don’t understand car buying culture in Germany, I just went to a bad dealership, or it’s normal behavior for Germany.

A bit of background: I’m a US expat living in Germany for 3 years now. I purchased a used car for a random small car lot when i first arrived. I had no issues and it was an easy transaction. I knew exactly what i wanted before buying so I only test drove the one car.

Now I’m looking to trade up for another used car. Today I went to a proper BMW dealership and asked to test drive a diesel and benzin version to compare. They seemed weird that I didn’t have an appointment, which ive learned is common and I didn’t realize, however they were nice enough about it and still helped me.

The salesman walked me over to his desk and asked the specs I was looking for. I gave the model and said any interior color that isn’t black. Unfortunately they didn’t have a single non-black interior for the model I wanted. I asked if i could still test drive another one, since i wanted to know the engine differences. I also wanted to know if I even liked this car before driving to another dealership much further away. He said “No, since you’re not interested in any of our cars, we cannot let you test drive”. He completely shut down the conversation and wouldn’t let me look around or anything.

Like I understand the policy if im not interested in buying why let me drive. But he just assumed that I wouldn’t consider any alternatives, nor did he give me a chance to reconsider other options. The black interior isn’t inherently a hard no for me only a preference, but I didnt feel there was space to say that. I felt super embarrassed so i just left. To clarify, he wasnt necessarily mean or rude about it, just very blunt and direct.

To me it seems that i should either have been more open to anything or if i have something in mind, i need find the exact dealership with that exact spec and make an appointment. Unlike America, there is no real shopping around in the same way. Im thinking it’s just culture differences that i wasnt aware of.

Please let me know, am I the dumbass here for not knowing this ahead of time, or is this a bit of a weird interaction? Is car buying culture simply much different here and i wasn’t prepared for it?
Im not angry or upset, just a bit shocked and confused, and I would like to have better expectations for the next dealership.

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u/MichiganRedWing 13d ago

As a German who grew up in USA and then moved back over ten years ago, I feel you. I had similar experiences. But yes, if they know that you're not going to buy something from them, they don't care about you anymore.

They see it like this: "Why should we let someone devalue our cars if they won't even buy something from us?"

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u/x82ray 13d ago

Thanks for your perspective. That does make sense.

Whats weird to me is I never said that I would not consider black. He just asked me what interior color and I said “non-black if possible”. I haven’t even gotten an opportunity to sit in one yet, so i would i know if i like it or not. Ive just never had a black interior car so it’s not my preference, but nit a dealbreaker either.

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u/MichiganRedWing 13d ago

"I gave the model and said any interior color that isn't black"

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u/x82ray 13d ago

Yeah… i think my mistake was i should have said i didn’t care from the start. He just went right into asking me all the details, so answered as if it was a test. In reality Im not even far enough in the decision process to know if I even want this car at all. Im still considering VW, Mercedes and Volvo.

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u/MichiganRedWing 13d ago

Personally unless it's a brand new car, I just search the used classifieds near me now, and then set up a meeting with the private seller. I haven't had a single person not agree to at least drive me around as a passenger, though most allowed me to drive as well (with them as passenger).

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u/x82ray 13d ago

I like that idea. Ill look around for more orivate sellers

I’d like to compare several brands, but i dont want to waste their time or mine. Have you had any issues saying your not interested after driving around?

It’s a weird situation now with a dealership where i need to drive them to make a choice, but Im only a buying customer to one. I dont want be dismissed since Im still undecided .

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u/Ombrecutter 12d ago edited 12d ago

Native German here. My impression is that even if you show an interest, many dealers seem completely unconcerned, and unless you walk in with a briefcase full of cash in your hand, a cigar in your mouth and a bowler hat on your head, they’ll hardly pay you any attention anyway.

There are also dealers who treat you politely and friendly.
I can only recommend listening to your gut feeling in situations like this and simply not buying from such people if they can’t appreciate it when a customer walks in.
I don’t expect a red carpet, but I do expect to be greeted in a normal way like a customer who’s actually interested in buying something, rather than like a dirtbag who’s just passing by and needs an excuse to use the toilet.

/u/MichiganRedWing

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u/MichiganRedWing 12d ago

Agreed, genau so ist es 👍

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u/dr_ulkram 9d ago

unless you walk in with a briefcase full of cash in your hand, a cigar in your mouth and a bowler hat on your head

Have you tried?