My friend from Greece is over here visiting for 2 weeks. He really wanted a test drive in a Ford Expedition since they aren't available over there, so he called like 6 dealerships and explained he didn't want to buy but that he just wanted a test drive to see what they were like. The first 5 dealers just kept putting him off and didn't return his calls. Last night the sixth salesman called him back and organized a test drive letting him take the car for an hour even though he knew he wasn't going to buy. Incredible.

My friend wants to send the dealership flowers or some candy/fruit basket, is this appropriate or over the top?

Send it directly to the salesman. He's the one who made the effort to arrange the test drive......knowing full well that nothing would materialize from it.

Candy/fruit basket is entirely appropriate. But, don't spend too much on it........LOL.......he's a car salesman............

Candy ? Fruit Basket??

Does he want a second date with the car guy??

I suggest a 6 pack of Heinneken. and a GIrls Gone Wild video....

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The salesman will probably get more mileage out of a nicely written letter to Ford Corporate explaining everything as you did in post #1 - and mentioning the good salesman by name.

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Are you kidding? If this guys boss knew that he let someone take a car out who had NO intention of buying, no US drivers liscense, and was from another country, , he'd be fired on the spot. Send the guy cash if he wants to do something for him. Don't make a big deal about it because it will hurt the guy more than it would ever help. The salesman is in business to make money and not to get flowers or candy.

If your friend wants to do something, I wouldn't suggest candy or a fruit basket. Just a nice bottle of something. And if your friend is still here, deliver it by hand and say thank you. That would be a great gesture on his part, and would definitely be appreciated. I spent 3 years working in the front end of a dealership, and one thing I noticed about the sales staff and sales management is that they got a lot of booze as gifts, and it was always appreciated.

You came across a smart salesman who is playing for the long-haul instead of making a quick sale. He knows that you'll tell anyone you know to go see him if they're looking for a Ford. If he takes this approach to his business, he has all kinds of people saying positive things about him, and this probably drives a steady stream of business to his door. And when it comes to closing business, any salesperson will tell you that referrals close faster and pay more because there is a level of trust already built. This guy is *definitely* in business to make money, and he's going about it the right way.