You Dont Look Like You Can Afford A New Car

[sinderella]

Mr Sin had popped into the local car showroom to pick up a spare part for a friend and said that he would grab a brochure for a new one at the same time
he was in his work clothes and asked where the parts dept was
salesman directed him and on his way out through the showroom, he asked
"have you any Fiat Doblos in?"
The salesman looked him up and down and replied
"We dont have any second hand ones in!"
Mr Sin replies "Good.cos I wanted a new one.Goodbye!"
We aint getting a Doblo from there!
It would have been our fourth new one!
Do they never learn?

[Mamyalynne]

You should as I said above and always did.

[Answerprancer]

I was in Maplins a while ago and was waiting to be served, the guy on the till said "..be with you in a minute, the till roll's ***ed".

I wasn't dressed particularly smartly that day and presumed he thought he could talk to me like that based on my appearance.
So I answered "The till roll's WHAT?"
"..er, broken" he replied.
Now I'm no prude and am totally into swear words but it was that presumption that irritated me.

No one should presume ANYTHING about a person's right to basic respect IMO whether they be dressed smartly or not. It's all about how we behave, not how we present ourselves.
I treat people the same ALWAYS, whether they be suited and booted and clean shaven, homeless and scruffy, dressed in black leather with purple hair and studs etc etc. I have many more stories of people being "not as one might expect" despite their appearance.

It works both ways for me: I can be just as cocky and familiar* with a be-suited MP, lawyer or celeb (and have done many times) as I would with anyone else.

It's a cliché but never a more true word was spoken afaic than "you can't judge a book by the cover".

(*within reason)

[ummmm]

I learnt at a very young age not to 'judge a book by it's cover'

[grasscarp]

Years ago when they first came out I really wanted a Mercedes SLK. In my lunch hour I went into a huge main dealer to enquire. The salesman said they didn't have any. I asked if I could go on the waiting list and he said - no. I have hundreds of named and not taking any more. He turned and walked away. So I followed him and said I really want one so what can I do. He then said I do have - an ex demonstrator model but you won't want it because it's bright yellow.
I said - good. It will match my aeroplane.
At that moment he turned and looked at me, rather than treat me like something stuck on his shoe. And he called me madam.
I got a test drive and in 2 days it was mine.
This is all true. For one heady summer I had the car and the plane.
Then after 7 years I sold my share in the plane. I still drive SLKs but now a more conservative shade of blue.

[david small]

So money equals deference. Sad indictment. But fact.

[sinderella]

i personally dont feel that one can dress like a chav
only act like one

[Bathsheba]

Lovin' that Minty!!
What was ex's occupation?

Baths
x x x

[EcclesCake]

A Volvo dealer lost a sale when I arrived for a prearranged test drive and was asked where my Husband was.

[woofgang]

One of the reasons that I bought my last car (brand new for cash and my old car as trade in) was the courteous and helpful way I was treated, not only by the bloke who sold it to me but by everyone I met there. They still do my annual service and MOT and the quality of the customer and technical service has been universally excellent. BTW because I am not entirely stupid, when I got the price I was quoted, I went home and checked around before doing the deal....it was a good deal as well.