Why do dealers frown when you want to order a car?

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
I understand that the dealer has a financial motivation to make a spot delivery, but I'd also think that "half a loaf is better than none" with respect to special-ordered cars. In my case Bachman VW essentially told me that ordering a car was too much hassle and they let me walk. I had already test driven a GTI and sat down with the sales guy and told him what options I did and didn't want, so it should have been obvious that I was a serious buyer.


Half a loaf is better than none. While we took orders we still tried to push what we had in stock, management would throw a fit if a customer walked out of the store w/o a salesman getting a guest sheet and all info. Then after all that the manager was certain the customer wasn't a buyer after he got to speak with the customer.


When I went car shopping I was surprised how lax and lazy a lot of the sales people were. If they were working under the management team I worked under these guys would be looking for jobs.

Still on ordered cars the cancellation rate is pretty high, the more time a buyer has to think the worse it is.

 

[ctrcbob]

I've been burned twice ordering a car.

First time, the car arrived without a piece of equipment that all the manufacturer brochures said would be on the car. They have an out, because in fine print in the brochure, it stated something like the manufacturer can change specs at any time.
Bummer.

Second time, car arrived having a problem with door panel and rear window shelf. Dealers reply was that we will fix it under warranty. They never fixed it to my satisfaction. Got angry and fixed it myself. Did not look perfect, but it worked.

(Fooled me once, shame on you - fooled me twice, shame on me)

Have never ordered a car since. I don't even have the dealer get a car from another dealer. I WANT TO SEE AND DRIVE THE CAR I WILL BE BUYING, not a car that is just like it. If I don't find the car I want, I don't buy it. I check dealers inventory in the computer and if a reasonable distance, I go there, check it out, and buy it.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: ctrcbob

I WANT TO SEE AND DRIVE THE CAR I WILL BE BUYING, not a car that is just like it. If I don't find the car I want, I don't buy it. I check dealers inventory in the computer and if a reasonable distance, I go there, check it out, and buy it.


+1 Me too...and if there is even ONE minor detail wrong with it...forget it. Get me a different one. Every lemon I have ever bought had some issue that was just not right while I was looking at it. If it's not perfect....

I'm gone.

 

[MCompact]

I ordered my 1995 3 Series because they were only building @400 cars with the Club Sport package. In addition, I didn't want a sunroof- and most dealers will order their cars with a hole in the roof.
Just recently I've been looking at new Mustang GTs and I the dealers typically order all the "sport appearance package" garbage which costs as much or more than the Track Package which no dealer orders. If I wanted a Mustang GT I'd have no choice but to order it...

 

[JustinH]

I couldn't even imagine buying a brand new car, when I could wait one year and get it for half price in most cases.

 

[MCompact]

I usually do buy used, but ordering a new 3er was the only way to get the exact car that I wanted. And since I've kept it for over 14 years, depreciation is a moot point. As for the Mustang, that's always been a long shot, as in all probability I'll be picking up a 2003-2005 E46 M3 to replace the boring Mazda.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: PT1
I only buy what is on the lot...but use my own double reverse bait and switch tactics to get the best deal.

1. Go to the lot on Sunday or after hours and pick out your vehicle (vehicle #1)
2. Pick out another same color loaded vehicle that is $5-10k too expensive. (we will call this vehicle #2)
3. Go to the lot and tell them you want #2. Take it for a drive.
4. Tell them you want it right now for 15-20% less than the price of #1 because that is all you can afford
5. They will say NO and try to switch you into #1
6. Resist by telling tham that #1 is not what you really want but suggest if they gave you the 20% off price and custome mats, mud guards, extended warranty and any other dealer add ons you might take it.
7. They will give you the price plus the mats & mud guards on #1 which is what you came for anyway.
8. In two instances I have had them cave in and give me vehicle #2 for the #1 discounted price.

You will know you got a good deal if they are very angry and tell you to leave in your new car.

Dealers want to sell cars in inventory because they ALL have a sell it NOW mentality because the whole dealership operates on bonus and commission.


Originally Posted By: mpvue
wow. that's why dealers treat customers so bad.



That's right....it's all my doing.....

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
I couldn't even imagine buying a brand new car, when I could wait one year and get it for half price in most cases.


Depends what car you are buying. Domestics...yes. But Honda & Toyota...no.

 

[labman]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
I couldn't even imagine buying a brand new car, when I could wait one year and get it for half price in most cases.


I looked last time and didn't see anything close to what I wanted. The dealers push gadgets on the new cars. Nearly everything in stock has every possible option. A year or 2 later the same junk is on the used car lot ready for stuff you don't need to require expensive repairs.

 

[VNTS]

To heck with that. Generally until this year, you could get a car built in 5 weeks.

Why would I want to have my dealer beg another dealer to swap cars, you then are not getting a good deal because the other dealer is going to want a piece of the action.

So either buy what is on the lot or order, that is how I do it. Plus I dont need the local lot boy beating my car when he drives it back.

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
While I understand that they want to sell what they already have on the lot, but they should not make any fuss over ordering, if they do, they don't deserve your business.

When I was buying my Mazda, they did not have one with the color and options I wanted, they did not even mention that they prefer to sell what's on the lot. Instead they said they will contact nearby dealers to see if they have the car I want and if that fails they will order from the factory, I said OK and put down the deposit. No fuss, no problems from the dealer.

They charge the destination fees anyways, and if you are willing to wait to get the car you want, why should you cater to them, this dealer, or the selsman, is arrogant and puts himself before the customer, this should be an early warning that in any future dealings, i.e warranty work, routine maintenance etc. the same attitude will be taken, so I would just try another dealer.

 

[VNTS]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Seems the fine print on rebates and incentives requires you to take delivery from new dealer stock. An issue mostly on domestic stuff that's always got $3000 off...



Not true, In 89 I ordered a Daytona, as long as the rebate program was running and you took delivery before the end of the program you got the rebate, Lee sent me a 1000$ check

On my Durango, same deal Deiter sent me a 3500$ check It was a 4 week wait from order until it came in.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: labman
Originally Posted By: JustinH
I couldn't even imagine buying a brand new car, when I could wait one year and get it for half price in most cases.


I looked last time and didn't see anything close to what I wanted. The dealers push gadgets on the new cars. Nearly everything in stock has every possible option. A year or 2 later the same junk is on the used car lot ready for stuff you don't need to require expensive repairs.


I make it a point not to pay for the options on the vehicle I don't want. That is why I pick a loaded one and then watch them switch me down to the one I want anyway. If they are willing to give me all the gizmos for the same price...well then I'll take them. But I usually don't use them so they last many years.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: PT1
I only buy what is on the lot...but use my own double reverse bait and switch tactics to get the best deal.

1. Go to the lot on Sunday or after hours and pick out your vehicle (vehicle #1)
2. Pick out another same color loaded vehicle that is $5-10k too expensive. (we will call this vehicle #2)
3. Go to the lot and tell them you want #2. Take it for a drive.
4. Tell them you want it right now for 15-20% less than the price of #1 because that is all you can afford
5. They will say NO and try to switch you into #1
6. Resist by telling tham that #1 is not what you really want but suggest if they gave you the 20% off price and custome mats, mud guards, extended warranty and any other dealer add ons you might take it.
7. They will give you the price plus the mats & mud guards on #1 which is what you came for anyway.
8. In two instances I have had them cave in and give me vehicle #2 for the #1 discounted price.

You will know you got a good deal if they are very angry and tell you to leave in your new car.

Dealers want to sell cars in inventory because they ALL have a sell it NOW mentality because the whole dealership operates on bonus and commission.


Originally Posted By: mpvue
wow. that's why dealers treat customers so bad.



That's right....it's all my doing.....


PT1, you are a one bad cookie to unleash these type of tactics upon the poor, unsuspecting dealer, no wonder we had to bail out GM and Chrysler

But seriously, thanks for sharing it with us, it's actually quite brilliant and I hope that one day I get a chance to use it, if for nothing more but laughs.