I found it amazing how different your experience with dealers from the same brand can be. I've interacted with 3 Honda dealers in my time. 2 I could not fault, the other however....
I was a bit of a latecomer to car ownership, having never needed one (especially when living in London). However, not long before I was due to make an honest woman of t'other half, I done gone and knocked her up, so all of a sudden, a car was needed. We asked our wedding guests for a contribution towards a car instead of more conventional presents, and thanks to very generous parental units, we were flush with cash. After a bit of research, I had decided that a Mk 8 Civic was the car for me. So I toddled into our nearest dealer (Thames Ditton), and confidently told them I was looking for a 1.8 Auto Civic, not too many miles and not too old, and how much cash I had to spend. Now, I will freely admit, I was being ambitious with my demands, but all I got in return was: "sorry, can't help you."
Now this took me aback. Maybe if they had told me I was being a bit ambitious, and with the cash I had I would need to compromise with one that was a little older or higher mileage, I would understand it. But to simply get palmed off with "sorry, can't help you" - seriously? Isn't your job to sell people cars? No how about this alternative, no I'll see what I could find. Just abject disinterest.
Anyway, I spotted a car of interest located at Chiswick Honda, so roped my dad (who is the family font of knowledge for things mechanical) and 'Er indoors to have a look. We were having a look at the car outside when a friendly saleslady sidled up. The instant I mentioned interest and the availability of money, we were pretty much dragged into dealership and plied with tea, coffee and buscuits while they worked out how best to separate me from cash. Suffice to say, we left after signing on the dotted line.
The contrast with the treatment from Thames Ditton was remarkable. This was made more evident later on, when, before making my first drive to deepest, darkest Cornwall, I returned to TD Honda for a space saver tire (mainly due to proximity). When I asked for one, I was told none were in stock, and I would have to order it, with a week wait. I duly did so. Two weeks later, after hearing nothing, I went back and asked about my tire. They could not find any evidence of an order...... I duly reorder (waiting time 1 week). 2 Weeks later, nothing still had been heard. Suffice to say, I have not been back to TD Honda again.
After several years of happy motoring, my good lady expressed an interest in a newer car. Flush once more after securing a higher paid job, we approached Blade Honda in Gloucester as I had my heart set on a new Mk 10. Again, the moment they knew we were not only looking to buy, but looking to by new, we were treated like Royalty (more tea, coffee and biscuits). The upshot, we are now the proud owners of a 1.5 Sport CVT. I like to think I drove a hard bargain, Blade Honda may well laugh at my presumption. But we both came out of the transaction happy.
So, three dealers, 2 good experiences and 1 miserable one.