Stealerships and their lies

[Smokescreen]

Before I purchased my first new car, I was in the Toyota dealership probably...8 times, asking questions getting a feel for the business mood of the dealership, seeing how they treat people both customers and employees. I even hung out at the service department, where some may argue true professionalism and customer satisfaction is tried and shown.

By the end many people from each department knew who I was, some by name. The final visit was comfortable the numbers were already well known and established and there was zero pressure. I went over the PDI and asked questions. Everyone was happy.

If any of the above conditions were found to not be good...I would've resolved the concern asap or I walked. No one ever pressures me or tries the "good cop/bad cop routine" in a purchase and they get a feel for that within the first 10 seconds of talking with me. I absolutely refuse to do business with people like that.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
... we would be stupid not to take advantage of that.


I think it was stupid of you to think that the dealer would be stupid enough to give you the deal from the flier that you would be stupid to walk away from. So, as you can see there was a lot of stupid involved

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
... My favorite mailer that goes straight to the trash is the one with the "key" glued on it...LOL


Suzuki dealer does that one.

YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY WON A NEW KIZASHI!!!!

It is so obviously not a real RFID key. Stamped out mass produced piece of plated pot metal. I wonder how many get broken off in the ignition or door by people who do not get intercepted by the sales person.

For the record, I don't fall for the fliers. It's like a game to me to find the disclaimer/disqualifier in the fine print. Then it goes into the shred bin.

The busty blonde in the shirt two sizes too small at Chevrolet sure was easy on the eyes. I may have to go back to that dealer just to get intercepted on my way out by her. Cheaper than a trip to Hooters and I get a free cup of bad coffee out of it. Maybe get to test drive a Sonic or another Camaro.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
Strange, no dealer wants my 11 year old truck or 17 year old car as a trade. They don't even want my wifes 7 year old EB Explorer

.

Whimsey


The dealer could absolutely care less if you show up with a pile of dung. What is important is that you show up and they get an opportunity to make a sale. If a mailer comes out with 120% of trade expect to get raked somewhere else.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: highmilegeguy
There are all kind of stories from dealerships.

A guy I worked with bought a new car AT FACTORY INVOICE. The mgr accepted the offer. At closing he heard that the mgr had a falling out with the owner or president or something and was giving away deals left and right that day knowing he was walking.

Yes, he was gone the next day but the deal stuck since it was signed off on.


Funny because every car we have bought has been within a very small amount of factory invoice. Nothing funny there.

When buyingmy 135i, I was dealing with a few dealerships. The one that I ultimately went with (BMW of Freehold, NJ) gave me the price that I was looking for on my first volley with them. Didnt need to do a thing. The salesman is now the sales manager there, likely based upon putting together good deals, point blank, without funny business.

The guy at paper signing time tried to upsell warranties and tire/wheel stuff, but that is normal in the experience. I was a bit suprised that when I got my Saab, which was at invoice minus the other incentives they had at the time, the dealer didnt try to sell warranties!

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
My favorite mailer that goes straight to the trash is the one with the "key" glued on it...LOL

If you look closely, these keys are always stamped versus cut - a dead giveaway that the key is worthless.

At my house it goes straight to the steel recycling.

 

[LeakySeals]

My dad always goes to the dealer for everything related to his 2006 Avalon w/66k. Always annoyed me, there are plenty of good local mechanics that need work. I was willing to do the work. He's in his 80's, had a stroke, no talking to him. Unknown to him and me he had a frozen rear caliper for what looked like thousands of miles. Destroyed the caliper, rotor, melted the aluminum rim, etc. He had been in and out of that dealer getting service, oil changes, they didnt see it either. Anyways he goes to the Toyota dealer to get it fixed, its bad, $800 estimate. In walks a salesman, tells him "why bother, buy new, its junk". How did the salesman find out about my dad in the service department? They pressured him into a 2012 Camry.

It gets worse. Because of his stroke, hes crippled on the entire right side. He has special mechanical setup for handicapped which reverses the gas pedal to the left of the brake so he can use his left foot for gas. He calls me on the phone at the dealer because he cant drive it. I go up there furious. First I knew about it. Sell a 80 yo crippled man a car he cant drive. I start yelling that out on the sales floor, they take me aside and say they will transfer the mechanical pedal to the new car. I calm down. Then I hear that same service manager that called the salesman about my dad say he wont do the mechanical pedal because of liabilities. I blew a head gasket. As I was starting to tear up his entire folder and call my lawyer..in came some bigshot..took me in a room, calmed me down and made everything right. Delivered the car to the house. With a we're sorry package for lifetime service, oil, etc. transferable to anyone that owns the car as long as it runs.

I don't recommend going on the show room floor and blowing a head gasket. But I do think being aggressive works.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
My dad always goes to the dealer for everything related to his 2006 Avalon w/66k. Always annoyed me, there are plenty of good local mechanics that need work. I was willing to do the work. He's in his 80's, had a stroke, no talking to him. Unknown to him and me he had a frozen rear caliper for what looked like thousands of miles. Destroyed the caliper, rotor, melted the aluminum rim, etc. He had been in and out of that dealer getting service, oil changes, they didnt see it either. Anyways he goes to the Toyota dealer to get it fixed, its bad, $800 estimate. In walks a salesman, tells him "why bother, buy new, its junk". How did the salesman find out about my dad in the service department? They pressured him into a 2012 Camry.

It gets worse. Because of his stroke, hes crippled on the entire right side. He has special mechanical setup for handicapped which reverses the gas pedal to the left of the brake so he can use his left foot for gas. He calls me on the phone at the dealer because he cant drive it. I go up there furious. First I knew about it. Sell a 80 yo crippled man a car he cant drive. I start yelling that out on the sales floor, they take me aside and say they will transfer the mechanical pedal to the new car. I calm down. Then I hear that same service manager that called the salesman about my dad say he wont do the mechanical pedal because of liabilities. I blew a head gasket. As I was starting to tear up his entire folder and call my lawyer..in came some bigshot..took me in a room, calmed me down and made everything right. Delivered the car to the house. With a we're sorry package for lifetime service, oil, etc. transferable to anyone that owns the car as long as it runs.

I don't recommend going on the show room floor and blowing a head gasket. But I do think being aggressive works.


Classic example that they do not care who they sell to ethically or not so long as the get financed and is now the banks problem.

The dealership my ex-wife worked at was the first bus stop on the route a bus would take by the local mental health clinic/treatment facility. They got all sorts of crazies that would literally hop on the bus, get off the stop and thought it was a good idea to buy a car. That dealership did not care so long as their credit checked good and they made the deal.

 

[cptbarkey]

the only fault lies with the person who pays the price. fortunately this time around the buyer was semi-intelligent. i wouldn't have even considered trading in such a low mileage vehicle myself. dealerships have all sorts of tricks, including the finance department. there has been lots of cries for regulation but not enough for any real action.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
My dad always goes to the dealer for everything related to his 2006 Avalon w/66k. Always annoyed me, there are plenty of good local mechanics that need work. I was willing to do the work. He's in his 80's, had a stroke, no talking to him. Unknown to him and me he had a frozen rear caliper for what looked like thousands of miles. Destroyed the caliper, rotor, melted the aluminum rim, etc. He had been in and out of that dealer getting service, oil changes, they didnt see it either. Anyways he goes to the Toyota dealer to get it fixed, its bad, $800 estimate. In walks a salesman, tells him "why bother, buy new, its junk". How did the salesman find out about my dad in the service department? They pressured him into a 2012 Camry.

It gets worse. Because of his stroke, hes crippled on the entire right side. He has special mechanical setup for handicapped which reverses the gas pedal to the left of the brake so he can use his left foot for gas. He calls me on the phone at the dealer because he cant drive it. I go up there furious. First I knew about it. Sell a 80 yo crippled man a car he cant drive. I start yelling that out on the sales floor, they take me aside and say they will transfer the mechanical pedal to the new car. I calm down. Then I hear that same service manager that called the salesman about my dad say he wont do the mechanical pedal because of liabilities. I blew a head gasket. As I was starting to tear up his entire folder and call my lawyer..in came some bigshot..took me in a room, calmed me down and made everything right. Delivered the car to the house. With a we're sorry package for lifetime service, oil, etc. transferable to anyone that owns the car as long as it runs.

I don't recommend going on the show room floor and blowing a head gasket. But I do think being aggressive works.


I believe what you mention here is a crime in some localities, I would bet that the Boston area has laws that prevent the exploitation of disabled people. If it were me I would have first done some calling to the local HHS and social services and then stomped right back in to that stealership and threatened to have the city or state close them down if they didn't void that deal. I would not have let your father leave that place without an apology and a voided sale document in your hand.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell


I believe what you mention here is a crime in some localities, I would bet that the Boston area has laws that prevent the exploitation of disabled people. If it were me I would have first done some calling to the local HHS and social services and then stomped right back in to that stealership and threatened to have the city or state close them down if they didn't void that deal. I would not have let your father leave that place without an apology and a voided sale document in your hand.


Unless his father was adjudicated as being mentally deficient, there is not much to stand on. Businesses are not bound to run a litmus test on mental capability for every buyer.

Secondly, if they are adjudicated as being mentally disabled, then usually they should be under some guardian protection that would not have them out in public unattended. In the case of high function autistic and down syndrome people, they are usually not licensed drivers anyways and would not be able to swing driving off a car lot for that reason alone.

It is hard for some families to go that route to adjudicate their senior family members as being mentally incapacitated. Hence why you get dementia and senile seniors making decisions they should not be making in the first place.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
What is the owner going to do other than placate you with fake concern? The manager is doing his bidding.

You did the best thing and voted with your feet in leaving.


Bingo. The owner doesn't care, not one bit. That's what the GM and mangers are for. In fact most of the dealers I worked for you'd never even see the owner. He was to busy counting his money and opening other dealerships.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell


I believe what you mention here is a crime in some localities, I would bet that the Boston area has laws that prevent the exploitation of disabled people. If it were me I would have first done some calling to the local HHS and social services and then stomped right back in to that stealership and threatened to have the city or state close them down if they didn't void that deal. I would not have let your father leave that place without an apology and a voided sale document in your hand.


Unless his father was adjudicated as being mentally deficient, there is not much to stand on. Businesses are not bound to run a litmus test on mental capability for every buyer.

Secondly, if they are adjudicated as being mentally disabled, then usually they should be under some guardian protection that would not have them out in public unattended. In the case of high function autistic and down syndrome people, they are usually not licensed drivers anyways and would not be able to swing driving off a car lot for that reason alone.

It is hard for some families to go that route to adjudicate their senior family members as being mentally incapacitated. Hence why you get dementia and senile seniors making decisions they should not be making in the first place.


Even if there are "technicalities" involved I still would have gone into that place and simply stated that the deal must be voided in order for them to avoid unwanted publicity (perhaps from the local TV station)

These clowns at the dealers are crafty and cunning BUT none to swift legally...Bottom line is they DON'T like negative publicity and that threat alone would have most likely had the deal voided.

 

[HTSS_TR]

The last time I was in a dealer to buy a car was a month ago, I negotiated a deal with Tustin Toyota by email and phone, I got the Camry LE with power driver seat down to $21k from $23.xxx + tax + registration for my friend' sister. When we got there the next day the salewoman didn't try to add anything, the finance guy didn't try very hard to add anything either. She paid exactly the negotiated price +tax + registration, not a penny more. The whole experience was very pleasant.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The last time I was in a dealer to buy a car was a month ago, I negotiated a deal with Tustin Toyota by email and phone, I got the Camry LE with power driver seat down to $21k from $23.xxx + tax + registration for my friend' sister. When we got there the next day the salewoman didn't try to add anything, the finance guy didn't try very hard to add anything either. She paid exactly the negotiated price +tax + registration, not a penny more. The whole experience was very pleasant.


That's basically how I bought my Cruze. Shopping via phone and email made buying the car pretty nice. The dealer I purchased from didn't try very hard to push add-ons either.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
What's worked for me and offers the least amount of salesman or "perky" blonde (LOL) involvement is to do the research and over the phone, tell them what you want and what you're going to pay, period.


Speaking as someone who has abolutely no intention of buying a new car, what's the best way to get the most "perky" blonde involvement?

 

[4ever4d]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
What's worked for me and offers the least amount of salesman or "perky" blonde (LOL) involvement is to do the research and over the phone, tell them what you want and what you're going to pay, period.


Speaking as someone who has abolutely no intention of buying a new car, what's the best way to get the most "perky" blonde involvement?

+1

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The last time I was in a dealer to buy a car was a month ago, I negotiated a deal with Tustin Toyota by email and phone, I got the Camry LE with power driver seat down to $21k from $23.xxx + tax + registration for my friend' sister. When we got there the next day the salewoman didn't try to add anything, the finance guy didn't try very hard to add anything either. She paid exactly the negotiated price +tax + registration, not a penny more. The whole experience was very pleasant.


That's basically how I bought my Cruze. Shopping via phone and email made buying the car pretty nice. The dealer I purchased from didn't try very hard to push add-ons either.


While I don't have any sympathy for stealerships I do understand that the F&I guy's job is to sell various things to you, I'm rational and reasonable about this one thing, as long as the person doesn't try and give a long length, high pressure pitch I will listen politely until he is done and of course decline these extras, I don't fault them for attempting to do what is part of their job as long as it is done in an honorable way.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
The last time I was in a dealer to buy a car was a month ago, I negotiated a deal with Tustin Toyota by email and phone, I got the Camry LE with power driver seat down to $21k from $23.xxx + tax + registration for my friend' sister. When we got there the next day the salewoman didn't try to add anything, the finance guy didn't try very hard to add anything either. She paid exactly the negotiated price +tax + registration, not a penny more. The whole experience was very pleasant.


That's basically how I bought my Cruze. Shopping via phone and email made buying the car pretty nice. The dealer I purchased from didn't try very hard to push add-ons either.


While I don't have any sympathy for stealerships I do understand that the F&I guy's job is to sell various things to you, I'm rational and reasonable about this one thing, as long as the person doesn't try and give a long length, high pressure pitch I will listen politely until he is done and of course decline these extras, I don't fault them for attempting to do what is part of their job as long as it is done in an honorable way.


That's what I did. I listened and declined everything. The F&I guy was polite, and not pushy at all. I'd buy from that dealer again since they had a well-run place. I was in and out in about 2 hours, including my salesperson showing me how to work the Bluetooth system.

 

[rjundi]

+1 on phone.

Test drive one day(wife only) and then leave.

I call back 3 days latter on my wife's 2005 Legacy GT and they state how does Invoice-$2000 rebate sound. Great, $100 deposit and car was delivered 3 days latter in 30 mins. My wife was 8 months pregnant and made it out like she was going to have baby in FI manager office so he moved fast.

The dealership thought she was nuts buying a 5speed manual.

I have been in the same dealership with walk-ins and it awful what they do.