Darn car salespeople.....

[jejeosborne]

I once bought a new vehicle by researching exactly what I wanted (option packages, color, etc) and called 5 dealers. I gave them the info and told them that they have 1 week to give me their best price on the exact vehicle I wanted. Nothing other than cars matching my specs would be considered. 3 called me back and I went to the lowest guy and bought the car. It was almost pain-free. You have to do this early in the model year so the car selection for dealers is good.

I did the exact same thing but ordered my truck exactly how I wanted it. Even gave each dealer the option codes with invoice prices. Ordering makes an exact apples to apples comparison and you can do it late in the model year as long as production is still running. I asked for just one number: "How much under invoice can you sell me this truck before rebates?".

 

[Hiltz]

My GF is currently an hour's drive away, trying to trade up her older car for a later model small SUV, and although I offered to go with her and deal with the salesperson, she told me she wanted the experience. Well, I think I know just about every trick in the book they use, like trying to sell you the extended warranty, asking you what you want to pay a month, making you wait in the hopes you will accept the lower trade in offer they come back with...well, every time the salesguy tries something like that, she texts me and gets my input about it....she has shot down EVERYTHING he has tried in the hopes of making a spiff, and when I told her to ask for a lower interest rate, she got him to knock off 2% ("Because my credit union offers loans at less than you do") :laughing:

While I am one of those guys who actually ENJOYS dickering about a major purchase because I usually know more about the product than they do...Example: Asked the salesman about the tow rating of a 3/4 ton truck I had been looking at....he answered, "I don't know for sure, let me look it up" and I told him "well, it's 8100 pounds with the 3.73 ratio and 10,000 pounds with a 4:10 ratio...." he acted like I was speaking Spanish...:laughing: I find any real product knowledge to be sadly lacking in most situations.

I have met a few, a very few, really good and capable salespeople in my life who actually took the time to KNOW the product they were selling AND have the common sense not to b*llshit a customer. Sadly, there seems to be a real dearth of qualified people and I am really sorry both my favorite salesmen are no longer in the business.

I couldn't agree more. I personally cant wait for Wall Mart and Amazon to start selling cars. Getting rid of dealerships and car salesmen would do the world a big favor.

 

[ultrarunner]

I couldn't agree more. I personally cant wait for Wall Mart and Amazon to start selling cars. Getting rid of dealerships and car salesmen would do the world a big favor.

Don't think it is possible in most States... of course, it could change.

Tesla is in trouble in at least one State for by-passing the Dealer network and direct marketing.

 

[jerrybob]

I walked into a Chevolet showroom last night.

I said to the salesman, "My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the window."

He said, "We don't have a Volkswagen Golf in the window."

I said, "You do now."

 

[Diamondpilot]

I couldn't agree more. I personally cant wait for Wall Mart and Amazon to start selling cars. Getting rid of dealerships and car salesmen would do the world a big favor.

I remember back when my Sams Club, or something similar, had Toyota T 100 truck and Carola cars.

Chris

 

[forgeblast]

Bought my new truck about a month ago. I researched for 3 years what I wanted. We have a buying program though work, true car.
Brought my paperwork into the dealership did the test drive on the truck and then started adding up the rebates.
Rebate for signing up for dodge newsletter 1k
Rebate for owning a small business 1k
Financing through them 1k and lower monthly apr.
All in all I had 10k in rebates. Then I got the extended warranty for cheap by turning it down 3 times.
I felt like I went ten rounds but it was worth it. I am happy, I did not feel taken advantage of and I will use the same salesperson again.
I bought a 2014 dodge ram 1500 4x4 big horn towing, protection, and other packages. Spray in bed with tonneau cover. Silver to match the dirt road we live on

 

[The Fred]

I walked into a Chevolet showroom last night.

I said to the salesman, "My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the window."

He said, "We don't have a Volkswagen Golf in the window."

I said, "You do now."

:licking:Insurance claim? Too funny, Fred

 

[Gator6x4]

I remember back when my Sams Club, or something similar, had Toyota T 100 truck and Carola cars.

Chris

Costco will act as a middle person negotiator with about any vehicle manufacturer. A purchaser actually picks the new vehicle up at the dealership. About the only make of car I haven't seen parked in a Costco being offered for sale is a Mercedes.

 

[Garandman]

Some years back we were looking for a shorter-sized minivan. They included the Toyota Sienna of the day, and the Dodge Caravan (as opposed to Grand Caravan). We wanted to Caravan Sport because it had second row buckets.

Go to Toyota dealer, look at used Siennas. Prices are shocking. Say thanks, head to Dodge dealer (Herb Chambers - big chain) about 1/2 mile away as I'd purchased two cars there previously.

Dealer salesperson explains that computer system is down so the only way to find a Caravan Sport is to walk the lot. BTW, its raining lightly. Soon realize the salesman does not know the difference and point out the extra 10" of the Grand Caravan. Find two Caravan Sports. This has taken 45 minute.

Go back in the office and ask for prices of the two. Dealer sys they are only allowed to negotiate on one - OK, the cheaper one. They throw me a price which is a solid $1,000 over a "good" price. Get up to walk out and the manager instantly appears. "We just wanted to be sure you were serious." "OK, I walked in, told you I'd bought two cars here before and had a bank check in my pocket. Walked your lot in the rain to find the car - exactly when were you going to make that decision?"

I say screw it and head back to the Toyota dealership to buy a Sienna. Ask for the salesman, and they all look at each other. He'd just been fired!

Taking this as an omen, I looked in the local paper and found a one year old private sale Caravan Sport, which we bought about an hour later.