Been "car shopping" lately?

[savageactor7]

Right about the buying experience not being fun...but its just the nature of the beast not the sales staff...they're mostly shoehorned into a script someone else wrote. Being a former lifelong GM guy I now buy used after the bailout short sheeted the bond holders.

When I was a new car buyer I'd already know exactly what car I wanted before stepping on the lot. I went to 4 chevy dealers and said please give me your best price on this model because Im shopping around.

 

[Western]

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:

I wouldn't say there are "unscrupulous customers" Id say they are customers trying to get the best deal with "their" money. I do understand what you say about the credit thing, but how many really know their score? and how many dealers lie about their score in order to jack the rate up? I have had that done to me (the rate game) several times> A quick search of this should reveal why customer may be weary.

Also many dealers use a totally different Credit score than the standard FICO, it is called the "FICO Auto Industry Option". Any buyer would be smart to check on financing prior to shopping as some have mentioned here, pull you're true accurate credit score from MYFICO..Com (know you're score) and I have even called a credit company from the finance office to confirm my rate vs score. You'd be surprised how many dealers will take advantage of "UN-knowledgable customers"

I have immense respect for honest, professional car dealers/salesman, if you find one it is almost a pleasure. BUT I think the industry has rightfully got the reputation overall deservedly.


Common Auto Dealer Scams - Public Counsel

 

[s219]

I remember the Dodge dealership my folks bought from a long time ago -- it had been a family operation for decades starting back in the 20s or 30s I think. Anyway, I went in to ask for a brochure when I was ready to buy my first car in the late 80s, and asked to talk to the salesman. A few minutes later he came in from the garage wiping his hands with a rag. Turns out he was the owner, and salesman, and head mechanic, and probably mopped the floors too. His mom (in her 80s) still worked there as receptionist and ran the office.

 

[Gary Fowler]

When I bought the wife a new car, a Honda CRV EXL which is what she wanted we had looked at them on Sunday as others have done. WE didn't even look at anything else. Well, the tax, title and license had to be paid at the county courthouse rather than dealer. I don't know if this was because I paid cash or not. First car I ever bought in Arkansas and first I ever had cash enough to pay for it. I just assume the same would be true for outside financing also so the price you get at the dealer is what they get for the car. They did the same old routine with manager having to come out and make a counteroffer to my proposal (my proposal was about $1000 under what they would sell for) but overall it was about as pleasant experience as could be as far as buying a car can be.
It is the fully loaded version of the CRV but after getting the car home, I just about have to force the wife to drive it as she prefers to drive her 11 year old Oldsmobile Bravada SUV because it is bigger and higher off the ground. I guess we will let the CRV set mostly in the garage till she wears out the Bravada which has less than 100K miles on it. I have started driving it also and save the miles on my truck but since the only thing ever replaced other than tires is a right front wheel bearing, I can expect to be putting out some repair money on brakes, belts and other little items soon. We will just use the CRV for long trips to save a bit of fuel and use the 18MPG Bravada around here for 20 mile trips into town about once a week.

 

[s219]

When I bought the wife a new car, a Honda CRV EXL which is what she wanted we had looked at them on Sunday as others have done. WE didn't even look at anything else. Well, the tax, title and license had to be paid at the county courthouse rather than dealer. I don't know if this was because I paid cash or not. First car I ever bought in Arkansas and first I ever had cash enough to pay for it. I just assume the same would be true for outside financing also so the price you get at the dealer is what they get for the car. They did the same old routine with manager having to come out and make a counteroffer to my proposal (my proposal was about $1000 under what they would sell for) but overall it was about as pleasant experience as could be as far as buying a car can be.
It is the fully loaded version of the CRV but after getting the car home, I just about have to force the wife to drive it as she prefers to drive her 11 year old Oldsmobile Bravada SUV because it is bigger and higher off the ground. I guess we will let the CRV set mostly in the garage till she wears out the Bravada which has less than 100K miles on it. I have started driving it also and save the miles on my truck but since the only thing ever replaced other than tires is a right front wheel bearing, I can expect to be putting out some repair money on brakes, belts and other little items soon. We will just use the CRV for long trips to save a bit of fuel and use the 18MPG Bravada around here for 20 mile trips into town about once a week.

If you need to convince your wife to drive the CRV more, show her the stability and crash reports for the Bravada (or its GM cousins). I seem to recall they were pitiful. With 11 years newer technology and typical Honda design, I bet the CRV is loads more safe to drive. You can tell her if someone else in a Bravada crashes in to her, she'll do better in the CRV! ;-)

 

[k0ua]

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.

Thanks Rwork

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

When I bought the wife a new car, a Honda CRV EXL

Thanks for buying locally (for me, that is) Your CRV was built 10 miles from here.

 

[GolfAddict]

Bought a 2013 XTS late last year. I find if you buy one of the remaining models late in the year you can get a pretty good deal - they sure seem really motivated to move them at least.

We have a good dealership we work with, and they are really quite pleasant to work with, and never pushy at all. I think we always get very good trade in value and a really decent price on the new one. It keeps us going back, and I sure hope they always stays that way.

 

[Western]

Bought a 2013 XTS late last year. I find if you buy one of the remaining models late in the year you can get a pretty good deal - they sure seem really motivated to move them at least.

We have a good dealership we work with, and they are really quite pleasant to work with, and never pushy at all. I think we always get very good trade in value and a really decent price on the new one. It keeps us going back, and I sure hope they always stays that way.

They dont want to pay taxes on the "floor plan" :laughing: Sounds like you have a great dealer to work with. That sounds like the kinfd I like to do business with.

A couple GM dealers here are the same way, not all the salesmen on the staff, but most are pretty good and laid back, but sometimes cant get to the price I want and that is fare.

 

[smstonypoint]

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

Whew!!:melodramatic: I thought you were going to say "economist."

Steve