[HTR]

Any further news on these Genius roles?

[SpokenHands]

I have met and interacted with one of only 3 UK dealerships that actually have a BMW genius and I can confirm they are poorly informed, an average forum owner here would run circles around them. They may be ok for the standard BMW potential buyer and do some basic handovers. But hardly the goal BMW marketeers had hoped they could take over from sales.

My genius could not answer one question relating to the options on my 6 Gran Coupe handover as he hadn't seen the options on a car before (multifunction instrument panel, adaptive LED headlamps, Head Up Display), or he wasn't sure there was a big difference (M Sport suspension and regular SE suspension, adaptive drive and VDC), or had never been asked that before (active sound module on 6 series).

I did speak to the same genius when I was putting my order through their new 3D visualiser in the dealership, where again he treated a 6 series like a 1 or 3 series he probably was trained on, and would bring up the rep-mobile colour and trim options as his suggestions. Hadn't seen or heard off the more characterful options available on BMWs flagship model!

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by SpokenHands

Hadn't seen or heard off the more characterful options available on BMWs flagship model!

So what combo did you order then......?
I'm guessing from your description it wasn't metallic grey with black interior

[SpokenHands]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

So what combo did you order then......?
I'm guessing from your description it wasn't metallic grey with black interior

Hahaha.

[HTR]

Hey Spoken,

That's a little disappointing to hear of your experiences and agree, not what BMW were probably hoping for. Let's hope your questions probed them to go a find out the answers for next time!

What's more disappointing is that they haven't had an opportunity to witness, let alone take advantage of all the fantastic options you mentioned! How good is flicking into Sports mode on the 6 and having the red illumination, let alone the number of the revs increase in size as you drift past it??!

Don't even get me started on how good the adaptive LED high beam assist is!!

But yes, appreciate the feedback - So might the dealerships that you're referring to!

[Ggeezer]

Just saw this article on Forbes. Interesting idea and it will hopefully cut down on the misinformation customers may receive when looking at cars and enhance the overall buying experience.

What do you guys think?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carmineg...ng-experience/

Meet the geniuses. With an obvious nod to the Apple Store, BMW decided to create a new role in its dealerships—the product genius. The BMW product genius is a non-commissioned expert who will spend as long as it takes to educate car shoppers about their choices. According to Robertson, “We have a sophisticated product and it’s complicated to explain. For example, we have a 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, and Roadsters. Then we added a range of X-products, 6-series, etc. The product genius is not a salesperson. The product genius is there to explain the products and to help the customer understand the product in more detail.”

[Hyperjack]

although they rarely live up to it...that's who i expect a salesperson to be.

[Vic311]

The best salesperson, is a well informed consumer.

[FogCityM3]

I'd be satisfied with introducing salespeople with accurate knowledge.

[Law]

sounds like a job opportunity for many younger BMW enthusiasts

[MKE_M3]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

That's a good idea especially with the enormous amount of models available and confusing naming scheme but they should also try to educate the salesmen as well.

Could be a cool early retirement gig, as well

[dparm]

I like their logic: "because we sell so many models and have such a complex system of optioning each car, we will hire people just to explain it to you."

I guess the easier notion of not selling a bunch of bullshit models didn't occur to anyone. X4? GranTurismos? X6? GranCoupes? Simplify, folks. For the record, I think the 6 GranCoupe should've just been the 5-series.

[IzzyGray]

Maybe I expect more out of a person but why isn't the salesperson filling this role? Before someone says "There's so many models and so much information", let's bear in mind that knowing the product they are selling is THEIR JOB. And let's be honest, it's not ALOT of information(definitely much less than most professions). It's not like they are expected to know the rod bearing clearances or the shearing nature of engine oil either.

[///M///]

I hate dealerships and their cheesy salesman as well but in their defense a salesman is only required to know how to sell. He does not necessarily have to be technically sound. Atleast that's how I've seen it work in the real world. That said, I wish the salesman would stop pretending like they know everything.

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by dsm918

I hate dealerships and their cheesy salesman as well but in their defense a salesman is only required to know how to sell. He does not necessarily have to be technically sound. Atleast that's how I've seen it work in the real world. That said, I wish the salesman would stop pretending like they know everything.

a good salesman who really knows how to sell will tell you they have to be knowledgeable about what they're selling in order to be very successful.

smooth talk and charisma only goes so far.

[s85e90]

Sales guy at my local dealer told me there's no more m3. Only m4. I explained to him the diff and he still disagreed until someone overheard him and corrected him.

I cannot stand car salesman. They're all the same and this Genius idea is moronic IMO. While it sounds like a good idea, BMW should be training and educating the SA and sales force first, rather than pay more people to try and inform the consumer.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by dparm

I like their logic: "because we sell so many models and have such a complex system of optioning each car, we will hire people just to explain it to you."

I guess the easier notion of not selling a bunch of bullshit models didn't occur to anyone. X4? GranTurismos? X6? GranCoupes? Simplify, folks. For the record, I think the 6 GranCoupe should've just been the 5-series.

Couldn't agree more, although something must be driving this trend. BMW wouldn't be doing this if they didn't think it would be profitable. Fewer models and overall smaller cars please.

Originally Posted by IzzyGray

Maybe I expect more out of a person but why isn't the salesperson filling this role? Before someone says "There's so many models and so much information", let's bear in mind that knowing the product they are selling is THEIR JOB. And let's be honest, it's not ALOT of information(definitely much less than most professions). It's not like they are expected to know the rod bearing clearances or the shearing nature of engine oil either.

Rest assured that this move on the part of BMW will assure that the sales idiot will be even more of an idiot now that someone is there who can answer all the real questions. On the other hand, I always found it amusing toying with the mind of someone that has the IQ of a walnut.

[s85e90]

Does no one else sense @dparm sarcasm?? I'm surprised people like the idea of genius offerings. I would agree if the sales people or SA were knowledgeable, but no one knows anything about the product. Why put a bandaid on a problem, rather than educate your employees who already exist?

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Hyperjack

a good salesman who really knows how to sell will tell you they have to be knowledgeable about what they're selling in order to be very successful.

smooth talk and charisma only goes so far.

Think you missed the key word "technical" in my response. They do have to be knowledgeable but not necessarily technically sound as is expected by many!

[M.barnes]

When I bought my m235i I had a genius come out after all the paperwork was signed and go through the car with me. All the features, tips, systems etc etc.

Was really useful

[VMcV3y]

Let's see what happens.

Cannot understand the criticism for this idea; reads like a bunch of "that's the way we've always done it, so let's not innovate" mentality.

Or, as the article quotes:
“What we have done in the past is definitely, definitely, definitely, not good enough for the future.”

It might fail, or it might be fantastic.

- V

.

[spotshooter]

I had a genius at BMW Bellevue (WA) tell me last week that my M3 had
"special" run-flat tires that only dealers sold.