Been "car shopping" lately?

[rwork]

This is one of the reasons I enjoy this forum so much. We can share ideas and information about tractors as well as other items of interest. They are lots of friendly folks on here, and even though we don't always see eye to eye on some things, for the most part we all get along. There is always a different perspective to be considered.

Now, before we beat up the lowly car salesman, I want you to admit that..................

When you went to the tractor dealership, and eyed that shiny new beast of a tractor, and you climbed up into the seat, and the salesman said "fire her up", you imagined yourself on your farm working that machine. You felt the power of that big bucket on the loader, as you inhaled the fragrance of the diesel fumes. And with your childish grin on your face, and the drool on your chin, as the the salesman asked, "Shall we write her up" ? You answered "You Bet", as you followed him back into the office like a little baby duckling, pulling your wallet out as you walked. Eager to sign that paper!!!

Am I Right????? I thought so!!! Nuff Said! LOL

 

[TomSeller]

On my day job I manage a group of salespeople, so dealing car salespeople is no big deal to me. I bought a new Ford last month and had a great experience. I got what I wanted for what I wanted so I am happy. I walked out after making my offer (always be prepared to do that) and sure enough as I was sitting down for lunch they called and had a car for me at my price. I went back in and made a down payment and picked up the car right after Christmas. The sales person was very nice and followed up well. I even went on their webiste and wrote a nice report of my experience and mentioned him by name. Car sales is a tough life and I understand that. The good ones need to be rewarded with a sale and be told they did a good job.

 

[rwork]

On my day job I manage a group of salespeople, so dealing car salespeople is no big deal to me. I bought a new Ford last month and had a great experience. I got what I wanted for what I wanted so I am happy. I walked out after making my offer (always be prepared to do that) and sure enough as I was sitting down for lunch they called and had a car for me at my price. I went back in and made a down payment and picked up the car right after Christmas. The sales person was very nice and followed up well. I even went on their webiste and wrote a nice report of my experience and mentioned him by name. Car sales is a tough life and I understand that. The good ones need to be rewarded with a sale and be told they did a good job.

Good for you, Tom

 

[TomSeller]

Good for you, Tom

While there is always going to be a bad salesperson here and there, it is a tough, tough job. These people live primarily off of commission and that needs to be understood. In signing up for commission pay they take risks many people never experience. I would recommend anyone looking for a car do their homework, find a good dealer and salesperson and let them work for you. Be prepared to walk out and the one that calls you back is often the one you want to work with. If I get the car at the price at want, I am happy for the salesperson who got paid that day. Maybe they can buy their kids something they need or make their monthly bills. Sales is a tough job. Don't patronize the bad ones, work with the good ones.

 

[crazyal]

I do the internet thing as well. I also do the get their best price and then walk out and say I'll think about it. I think most dealers know this and it's part of the game for them. I also make it sound like I'll want the extended warranty and some of the other over priced stuff they try to sell you but not take any of it. By leaving it gives me hard numbers and a chance to review them. I don't care about getting the lowest price possible but I do want to feel that I got a good price.

 

[two_bit_score]

I get a kick out of these car trading threads. Always the same story about the gauntlet of buzzards up front and the hassle of the process, the sales manager getting called in and somebody getting 'insulted' with a low ball trade offer or getting their 'eyes poked out' or their 'scalp peeled'.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The last new car I purchased was in February 2013. The salesman scared me. I like others have posted had done the Sunday lot checks and the internet build your own and check inventory. But I digress somewhat. The wife and I were in a city about sixty miles from where we live on a Saturday afternoon and passed a car dealership of the make and model we were looking at.

Thinking the place was closed we pulled in and checked the lot for vehicles. We found a row of the vehicles we were interested in and got out and was looking at the vehicles. I heard a noise behind me and turned around and a gentleman had rode up in a electric golf cart. He introduced himself and asked if I would like to look inside one or more of the vehicles. I told him yes and he wrote down the stock numbers and advised he would be right back.

He opened the vehicle and we drove it around the parking lot. Now the part where he scared me, he advised he could put a dealers license on the vehicle and I could drive it home and bring it back on Monday and we would discuss dealing on the vehicle or another vehicle on the lot. I thought you sure are a trusting soul, letting me drive a vehicle that costs in excess of $50,000 over the remainder of the weekend and bring it back on Monday.

We instead went into the dealership, he located the sales manager who looked at my vehicle and offered me x dollars on a trade with a completed sales price that I found acceptable. They called in a new car prep guy who prepped the vehicle while we enjoyed dinner on them. We drove the vehicle home that night.

Since purchasing the vehicle I had a problem with one of the speaker in the drivers seat. I called the service department and was advised to bring the vehicle in on a Tuesday at 7:00am. When I arrived they took my keys and gave me the keys to a like vehicle and advised drive the vehicle until we call and advise yours is ready.

One day later they called. When I picked the vehicle up, they had washed it and filled the gas tank. Talk about service.

I have taken trucks home overnight before.. Some dealer like to do that so you get comfortable in it.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I just bought a (used) 2013 Dodge Journey in Nov.. Didnt mean too, I just saw one on the lot that had the color I was looking for, so pulled in . While there, the salesman came and we started talking. Ended up having several of my 'major' features and I test drove it. Afterwards, I whipped out my phone, looked up used prices for that year/model in my area and we started talking. Got a good fair deal on a 'Certified' Journey (cheaper than anyone in 75 miles by a few thousand), a 6 year/75k mile comprehensive warranty thrown in for free, and $3500 for my 1996 Audi A6 that I only paid $2000 for 4 years ago

 

[sixdogs]

I'll again argue that once you show up at a dealer's lot, the game is over and you are fresh meat for the industry. With a deal made over the phone on a new vehicle, no one can read your personality or body language nor submit you to the host of sales gimmicks to determine what kind of "mark" you are.

 

[Ken45101]

I was surprised, the last time we went car shopping and gave our name and phone#, we never heard from them at all! That was at a big multibrand car dealer.

OTOH, the local Jeep dealer salesman was a very nice and helpful guy, the kind of salesman I would want to deal with. However, after looking at the prices for new Jeeps, we decided that our current 2006 Grand Cherokee was better than anything new that we would be willing to pay the price for. Both our vehicles are seven years old now and they will probably get a lot older with us. It's just possible that we will never buy another vehicle. That's the best way to get a good deal, LOL.