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

 

[kenmac]

My last new vehicle purchase was in 1995.. What use to make me laugh was, when the vehicle salesman would say. What payment can you afford or need ? I guess people buy new vehicles and don't care what the total cost is as long as they can afford the payment. I would always tell the salesman I only wanted 1 payment. Now days, I usually buy from an individual or, CarMax. No hassle

 

[Depmandog]

I ran across a book titled "How to Buy a New Car" written by a former used car salesman. Very interesting read, and used all of the books knowledge to buy a new truck about 25 years ago, just after we were married.

Much of what was written has been covered thus far in the thread. However one enjoyable tidbit - when the number trading starts and your salesman heads off to the sales manager, you get up, and walk to the farthest corner of the lot and pretend to be interested in whatever vehicle is there! About the second time of tracking you down, that salesman is pleading with the sales manager to close the deal!

I have evolved since those early days. I can tell within just a few minutes if I can deal with salesman. And if I don't think I can - I just head to the next stop. The last new vehicle was a F150 I bought for my son last year. We took advantage of Ford Truck Month (February I believe). Ford manufacturer rebates were fantastic, found a dealer where every vehicle was $50 over invoice. Plus they had a list of extras they offered in conjunction with Ford truck month. It was a fantastic experience.

It was so positive, I even sold my sons old truck direct to the salesman, as he wanted a fixer upper for a hunting truck.

Another way to get a great deal (can't be picky about what you are buying) is to look for 1 to 2 year old new vehicles still on the lot. The dealers are so far upside down in these cars - they will make crazy deals. My last one of these...2005 Silverado 1500 straight cab, with a diesel. The engine was gutless, so I put in a Banks powerpak and chip...turned it into a screamer. I bought that one for almost 13k off sticker.

 

[Depmandog]

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 think you would be a great car salesman. I think I would too...but and this is a big but, it would have to be for the right dealer. If the dealer is preaching sleazy sales tactics - no not for me.

 

[Gator6x4]

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.

 

[tractchores]

I just bought a new car a couple of months ago. I HATE dealing with the typical sales folks who treat you like an idiot, play games and know less about the vehicle than you. This time around I decided not to. What I did was checked out some cars to decide the model and option package I wanted. Then I went home and came up with a list of 12 dealers within about a 2 hour drive who had the model I wanted in stock. I then called every single one and asked for the internet manager or sales manager and invited them to participate in a reverse auction to sell me a new car. I gave detailed instructions on how to participate (an email with the bid describing the car, mileage, features and any fees) was required. Once I got the first bid round done (all 12 participated) I went back starting with the highest and made them match or beat the lowest price to continue to participate. It took about 4 rounds and in those 4 I ended up speaking directly with the GM / principal at the dealer and 2 fought it out pretty good. To minimize games I told them I would come in and I wanted the car ready for inspection, if acceptable I would sign a P&S, which they were to email me a copy of before I came in. I showed up, walked around the car, signed the paperwork and then gave the finance department a chance to beat the loan I already had lined up (they did). The entire process took probably 2 days and I was in the dealer about an hour total and never had a single negotiation with a sales person. The best part was knowing I got the best possible price!

 

[kenmac]

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.

I don't know about other parts of the country but, They use to do this back in the 60's and 70's in my neck of the woods. Haven't heard of them doing this now days. Back when I use to buy new. I was never able to buy from any dealer in my area. They always though their stuff was worth more than dealers in other areas. I passed up a new left over 06 Dodge maga cab back in 07, because the dealer would come down another $500.00. He said the bed liner was worth that. I told him to take the bed liner out I didn't want it. He said he couldn't do it. After I left the lot, the salesman called me several times. I told him it was over. Stop calling. I bought a used 07

 

[dmccarty]

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

Steve

Naw, economists are not as bad as lawyers...

Economists are like weather guy/gal on TV, always getting the forecast wrong.

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[jinman]

Naw, economists are not as bad as lawyers...

Economists are like weather guy/gal on TV, always getting the forecast wrong.

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

But Dan, unlike the weather girl, you have to pay lawyers and economists a lot more money for their opinions. . . good or bad.

I don't blame car sales people who really try to do a good job for "bristling" a bit at comments and crude jokes. They don't deserve to be painted with such a broad brush, but we all know people who deserve every joke and more.

I visited one of the biggest dealerships around and was ushered into a sales manager's office. While being there for 10 minutes, I looked down at his desk to see Xerox copies of several people's driver's licenses laying in clear view on his desk. They demanded your DL to copy before they would give you a test drive, but felt no responsibility to protect your info.

If you pay attention to TV ads these days, you'll think that everyone only leases cars. All they ever talk about is the very cheapest lease payment in their ads. Additionally, if you were ever around the used car business, you know that the prices of used cars are far different from new cars. I say that you should pick apart every little detail on any used car you see and low-ball to the max. Used car sales is a VERY lucrative business.

 

[k0ua]

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.

This is a very common practice here. They will take a copy of your Drivers License. But most dealerships around here will let you take a care home for over night or over a weekend.

 

[batwing]

When I retired I helped a friend sell pellet stoves for a while, he sold only quality stoves and great service. He put his price down to compete with the box stores and every one thought he was great, he depended on pellets to pay the light bill and rent. well the price of pellets went up and he was 5 to 10 dollars higher than the box stores. what happened was pellet sales dropped and Tom went out of business. I am guilty of going for the best deal like every one else but it comes at a price.
Ron