Been "car shopping" lately?

[sixdogs]

The only thing lower than a car salesman is a lawyer.

Question: What's the difference between a dead skunk and a dead car salesman in the middle of the road?

Answer: There are skid marks in front of the skunk.




Seriously, when I buy truck or whatever, I do it entirely over the phone. I email for the best internet price and talk to no salesman. I tell them my intent is to buy a vehicle in the next two days, have no trade and am willing to make the deal over the phone as long as quality, fit and finish are what I have come to expect and been told.
They try to jerk me around but I say I'm just looking for the best price, I'm not going to haggle and that's what works for me. If you don't want to do that tell me up front so neither of us wastes time.

In 25 or 30 year of dealing over the phone like this, I can't recall serious hassle and have bought every car or truck this way. Some people thought I was bluffing and when they emailed or phoned two days later I explained I already bought a truck but I will call them the next tie around.

That's what works for me.

 

[hawkeye08]

Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg Idaho has completely different sales model. They have around 2500 cars/trucks (GM/Dodge/RAM) in stock if I recall. Their prices are pretty much fixed (below supplier pricing on GM). I have never had a pushy sales rep, only good experiences.

They sell to people all over the US and are happy to work over email or phone, get you the details and then work with you on getting to their location. They are about 80 miles from us so when we bought our last two new cars/trucks, we gave the local folks a chance. We hated the experience and just went to Dave Smith. Also note, Dave Smith beats the Costco auto program pricing.

 

[rwork]

I like to have all my facts/info together so that when I finally do go to the dealership, the sales flunkie just needs to get a key for a test drive and I only need to tolerate him for the minimal time possible. If they don't seem to have what I want or can't respond within a few minutes, I get out of there ASAP. They will dick around and waste your time if you let them.

There are a few exceptions; I've had good experiences buying a couple new cars recently, and it's because the salesman treated us like equals rather than like a wolf looking at red meat. When they are direct with no pressure, it's a nice experience.

Wel, the best way to handle someone "in a rush" is to ask them "what would you like to accomplish in your visit today?", or "what can I do for you, in the time that you have available"?

Believe me, our time is valuable, as well....

 

[Western]

Great replys fellas, I guess I am "normal" after all:laughing:. It does help having knowledge when walking onto a lot, like asking a dealer to admit to the all invisible "hold back", most claim " no idea what you're talking about"?

Some great stories and jokes too, kinda how you have to look at it, only way they could top it off, is have a dentist working in the office, might as well get all the pain ya can.

I am mixed on Small town vs big city dealers, but agree with Bird, most of the time there is a difference (except the chevy dealer in Decatur,,,used car portion)

We did get a new chevy 3/4 ton Denali and I got it for 55,250k, not to bad since sticker was 64k, but found one dealer (end of month and end of year) that wanted to move some tax off his lot. Sad thing, for the price, the new stingray sure looked "purdy":laughing:

Now we are looking for a good gas mileage used car to keep at the house for wife to go to work (high mile use) and now that my daughter graduated nursing school (Yeah!! and praise God):thumbsup: We are trying to get her into her 1st "ride".

One is bad enough, but I have talked with about 14 dealers in 2 states and I think they all go to the same school. Fortunatly, some have been nice to deal with.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

On the other hand we in the auto sales business, deal with a lot of customers, that have no idea of what pricing is all about. Like the fellow who looks at a $ 40K vehicle, and wants to offer you $25K! Thats when I ask "and how did you arrive at that figure"!

That exact same thing happened with my brother-in-law who spent an hour and a half with a customer looking at a 43K used truck, then she explained that she only had 35K to spend. He said to the lady" Well I have good news and bad news for you" "35 grand will buy you a pretty nice truck, but it won't buy you this truck!"

Or the idiots who think they can buy a Porsche, yet don't disclose their bad credit history, thereby getting denied on a loan application and completely wasting everyones time.
There are unscrupulous customers too. :confused3:

 

[rwork]

The only thing lower than a car salesman is a lawyer.

And what is your profession, Mr. Birdman??

 

[k0ua]

And what is your profession, Mr. Birdman??

Rwork, I am thinking about going into auto sales. As I have experience in working with the public (business owners and IT departments) and trying to determine their needs as it related to phone systems and data networks, and recommending the proper systems and features for their business. Do you think I could make it as a car salesman? And if you work at it, can you make a living at it?

 

[MossRoad]

I refuse to buy new cars. When we need one, we buy used. We just had a very good experience with a local car company, R&B Car Company. I told them I'm looking for a 2012-13 Impala, dark exterior, dark interior, cloth or leather. Not the lowest package but not the best package, with under 25K but MUST have dual climate control. He had nothing on his lots, but by the end of the evening he went and found a nice dark grey, LT package, dark cloth seats, sunroof. 16K miles, $15,800. Former rental car. Still has 1.5 years of bumper-to-bumper and 3.5 years of power train. He brought it to the lot, it snowed hard, so he held it for several days until the snow cleared and we test drove it. Agreed on price, the fixed some things, we accepted some things. Sold. Very pleasant experience. New, with options, that car listed over $27,000. I'm sure rental car company didn't pay that, but they didn't pay $16K either. Anyhow, 2/3 the price, with factory warranty, and little depreciation left. Before that, we went to several of the Big 3 dealers to look at used cars. They didn't want anything to do with us. No sale. :confused3:

 

[econometrics]

Dennis, it's a small drive for you... but Lewis Chevrolet in Canton is probably the best little dealership in TX.

It's owned by Henry Lewis - who basically owns most of Canton's First Monday park. So I think he just sells cars for fun, ha! He's the biggest Corvette dealer around, I know that.

Anyway, he's the only salesman, and he shoots durn straight.

Sounds like you found something, though, and got a good price on it. Next time, give a call to ole "Friendly Henry - the dealingest dealer in Van Zandt county!" ...where it's "Not a lot full of salesmen, just a lot full of sales!" ...and he will "meet you at 2 in the morning, if I know you're coming!"

:laughing:

 

[rwork]

Rwork, I am thinking about going into auto sales. As I have experience in working with the public (business owners and IT departments) and trying to determine their needs as it related to phone systems and data networks, and recommending the proper systems and features for their business. Do you think I could make it as a car salesman? And if you work at it, can you make a living at it?

James,
I have no doubt, you can succeed at anything you want! Don't know how old you are, but I'm no young buck, by any means myself.
Commission sales can be tough, but it can also be very lucrative as well. I have salesman that make six figures, but it takes work and long hours.