Why don't 4S stores allow car selection?
2 Answers
There are only two situations where it is normal for a 4S store not to allow car selection. The first situation is when the car owner has already confirmed which car to choose, including details such as the chassis number, and everything has been finalized. In this case, the 4S store does not allow car selection. The second situation is when there is only one car in stock at the store, making it impossible to choose. Apart from the scenarios mentioned above, it is illegal for a 4S store to not allow car selection under any other circumstances. When picking up the car, it is essential to carefully inspect the vehicle to avoid receiving an outdated stock car. Pay attention to the following points during the inspection: 1. Check the production dates of the tires and glass. If the dates vary significantly, it indicates a problem. 2. The exterior should not have any scratches, and the interior should not be dirty. 3. Start the vehicle to check if the lights are functioning properly, if the electronic instruments are working correctly, and if components such as the windshield wipers, turn signal lever, and dashboard are in good condition. 4. Inspect the trunk to ensure all necessary tools are present, such as a warning triangle, spare tire, etc.
I worked in the automotive industry for several years and learned that the main reason 4S stores don't allow customers to pick their cars is due to inventory pressure. Each car in the store occupies a significant amount of capital, and storage costs alone are very high. If customers were allowed to pick their cars, everyone would choose the newest models, leaving the older ones to accumulate as inventory, which would eventually have to be sold at a discount. Additionally, vehicles are allocated from the manufacturer in batches. Changing a car mid-process would require restarting the logistics process, doubling shipping costs and necessitating new paperwork. To maintain cash flow, 4S stores typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, a model similar to how supermarkets handle fresh produce. While it's understandable that consumers want to pick their cars, it does increase operational costs for the stores. That's why they'd rather offer freebies than grant the right to freely choose.
