I used to have a Pug 206 and only 2 years old. on fancying a new Golf GTI a few years ago I did the rounds with the VW dealers getting a PX price to change my Pug with a nice new Golf GTI.
On entering Grange Motors ( VW, Aston Martin, Jaguar) in Brentwood Essex the smart salesman in his Armani suit greeted me with the usual "Good day sir, how may I help you"
Me- " I'm interested in PX'ing my Pug 206 for a new Golf GTI, I would like a price to change please"
Armani man " Certainly sir If you give me your car key I'll have a look at the Pug and see what price I can give you, please have a seat and help yourself to coffee or tea as it's a bit chilly outside"
So I help myself to a cup off freshly brewed filter coffee and have a read about the GTI in the brochures.
Armani man comes back to the showroom " Right, I've had a good look round your car and had a chat with the sales manager. Do you have all the service history and mot doc's etc.?"
Me "It's only 18mnths. old. It has a 2 year service regime"
Armani man "I see sir we are prepared to offer you £xxxx in px against a new standard spec GTI plus any options you require"
Me " I was hoping for a bit more, can we do a bit of bargaining" As we all do.
Armani man " Oh no sir, your Pug is a mass produced car and has a fixed value"
Me " In that case i'll sell the Pug privately and maybe come back another time"
Armani man " OK sir, hope to see you again soon"
Me in disbelief at his lack of bargaining skills leaves the showroom.
Two weeks later after selling the Pug privately and £800 better off I return to Grange Motors.
Armani man " Good day sir, how may I help you"
Me " Hi there, I came in a couple of weeks ago and you give a price to PX my Pug 206 against a Golf GTI"
Armani man " Oh yes of course sir. i remember you now"
Me " I've sold the Pug privately so I am still interested in the new handmade Golf GTI"
Armani man " Sorry sir the Golfs are not handmade, only the Aston Martins, can I interest you in the new DB7?"
Me " No mate I don't have Aston money, you did say the Pugs were mass produced so on that basis I assume the Golf's are handmade"
Armani man " I would never say that sir. Do have a car to PX, we can do you some really good deals on PX's"
Me " No, I sold it privately because you wouldn't enter into any bargaining"
Armani man "I'm sure i would not let you go so easily for a sale"
Me " Is there any other salesman I can deal with"
Armani man calls over his colleague " I have an awkward customer here can you deal with him"
Salesman no2 " I'm very sorry sir young George is a bit up himself, he knows nothing about cars, he used to sell antiques"
Trust me to find one like George. Anyway Salesman no2 was really helpful and I eventually bought my GTI with a few free extras thrown in the deal.