Seeing one of your best clients at another Mercedes dealership might be a little bit like seeing your ex at your best friend’s dinner party. It can sting.
That’s what happened to a Mercedes Benz salesperson based in Riverside, California. She recently “ran into” a client online.
How Did She Realize Her Client Went Elsewhere?
If you’ve got a picky client who wants something very specific, you might be forced to concede the sale to another dealership. Even if you’ve already worked very hard to find the car of their dreams.
AskForAsh (@ashfrommercedesbenz) recalls that she was recently working on finding one of about five specific Mercedes models available in California. For about 72 hours, Ash tried to get one onto her lot.
But she knew she’d lost the race when she saw the guy on her Instagram feed.
When she checked her Instagram stories she saw the “the same car, same color, and same driver’s assist package,” on another Mercedes Benz salesperson’s page.
She’s certain that her client purchased the vehicle from her buddy. She says “woman’s intuition” tells her.
How Did She React To The Client’s ‘Betrayal’?
In Ash’s TikTok, which has been viewed over 7,000 times, she’s holding a card from the same client.
“I think the day that we met we honestly made a really cool connection,” she says of him.
She speculates that the connection they made is why he gave her a card. “I was really trying to get this guy a car,” she explains while opening the envelope.
“I’m just really grateful I get to help him,” she says, before flashing the camera a small stack of cash. Apparently, he was compensating her for her time, even though the sale didn’t happen.
"Thanks Gary," Ash says. "And congrats on your brand new car."
“Treat Every Client Like They’re All Going To Buy”
People were largely impressed by Ash’s professionalism.
The top comment on the video from andreajamesyerage exclaims, “So RELATIONSHIPS REALLY DOOOO MATTER IN OUR BUSINESS AFTER ALL!!!”
Ash replied, “Amen gotta treat every client like they’re all going to buy and even if they don’t that’s ok.
Wolverineman2020 commented on the client’s uncompromising standards: “Dang, Riverside to San Jose? Talk about musthave specific.”
The distance between Riverside to San Jose is 395 miles. So the man drove about six hours at least to get the Mercedes.
Fellow salesperson aaliyahnache commiserated, “This is the most heartbreaking thing, or doing follow up and you hear them at the other dealership.”
Is It A Faux Pas To Work With Multiple Car Salespeople?
There aren’t any hard and fast social or ethical rules about working with more than one car salesperson at a time. Some people will work with multiple dealerships to play them off of one another. Others—seemingly like Ash’s client—will work with multiple people to find the precise vehicle they want.
The only thing that dictates your behavior is your stomach for awkwardness. Some forums suggest transparency. Others caution against working with more than one salesperson at the same dealership. Not because it is bad for the client, but because it can create tension and problems in the workplace.
“It's why a lot of dealerships have policies or ‘suggestions’ in place that salespeople should pretty much never, ever, ever ever ever, talk to someone else’s customer unless the manager explicitly says ,‘You’re off the sale, and it’s his deal now,’” one person wrote on Reddit.
Motor1 contacted Ash via email and through TikTok direct message. We contacted Mercedes Benz through their media email. We will update this if either responds.
