Your dealer experience..please share

[SkyGod]

Decided to visit a few local car dealers yesterday.
Looking for better mileage than my current vehicle.
The first joker spends 2 hours qualifying me,without ever asking what else may interest me,then proceeds to bring me an suv that they cant sell.
Second dealer I approach,I notice a 2008 Solstice with 8 k mileage.
I fill out a few forms and were off for a test drive.
He writes up the deal at the full price,wants to give me 7k less than what I owe on my 11 Camry.
I tell him I'll think it over during dinner.
He tells me If I come back he'll sweeten the deal..his words smokin hot deal.
I come back at 8:30..he's gone home,the dealership has already got housekeeping getting ready for the next day.

These guys make me laugh.

 

[The_Jeff]

Get prequalified by your bank/ credit union and tell the dealer you're looking for a cash deal.

I gave my BIL a ride when he got his almost new used car and saw the closer dumping all these warranties on him, some of which overlapped others he was also getting. Told him we had to go out for a smoke, closer's eyes bugged out of his head, as did the salesman who was loitering around the corner. "I can type these up in just a minute" he says.

Suddenly I was the least popular guy in the windowless room.

 

[javacontour]

You want to trade an 11 Camry for something with better fuel economy?

Perhaps they are treating you this way because you are not coming across as very smart with money. It would be nearly impossible to save money short term by trading a car that gets relatively good fuel economy.

Do the math, figure in what you would lose on trade and you'll see that unless gas goes to $10/gallon in the short term, it's not likely you would see any savings.

You would save more by changing your habits and paying off the car early than you would trading and leaving more depreciation on the table.

 

[Brons2]

I prefer not to set foot in a dealership until I am ready to pick up the vehicle.

 

[powayroger]

You tell them at the beginning that you don't want to be dicked or jerked around and will leave, and you must if they do.

 

[renegade_987]

I go to dealerships on Sundays when there closed, alot of times you can find cars unlocked anyways. I try to prevent going when their open. Last time I test drove anything was when we got the F150 back in 2003.

 

[2008wrx]

Bad experience mostly. But, my friends get a quote over the internet; price is more fair. For the trade in, luck of the draw...

 

[daves87rs]

Mostly good, but I've noticed a change lately....and not in a good way.

 

[2008wrx]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Mostly good, but I've noticed a change lately....and not in a good way.

What are the changes? Can you please share? Thanks

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Get prequalified by your bank/ credit union and tell the dealer you're looking for a cash deal.

I'm not playing that stupid dealer game ever again. I get approved for a loan and then start talking price at the dealer.

At one time, I was considering an HHR 2.4 manual LT model. (haven't seen a 2.4 manual since that one) I was ready to buy but the Chevrolet dealership felt it necessary to jerk me around. I mean first they were telling me that I couldn't qualify for the GMAC low credit rate because my credit wasn't good enough. (I'm in the upper echelon of FICO scores when purchasing a home but apparently GMAC requires an 850 for 1.9% APR) So, they're telling me I can only qualify for 14.9%.

I must have had sunstroke or something that day because we continued even with that abyssmal rate. I think I was planning on just getting the Chevrolet version of my Clown Hearse and then shopping a better loan.

Then they tried to fudge the numbers on the sales contract. They would add on here and take off there...the final price was always the same and substantially over the sticker price. Maybe they thought I was illiterate. Or that I was stupid. Personally, I don't think I'm either of those. I was however insulted enough to get up and leave.

Final insult. On the way out the door, they had a large chested blonde in a low cut blouse try to intercept me and bring me back to the table. Sorry sister...I'm married and can't play with those. But thanks for giving me the Hooter's treatment on my way out.

Got pre-approved for a loan from USAA. Walking in with check in hand, two different dealers pretty much let me drive whatever I wanted. I had a Sebring convertible for a couple of hours. They just handed me the keys, "Drive it around for awhile...tell us what you think" (retractable hardtop was cool but I still like my older Mitsubishi powered JX better) Came back, got a Dakota, same thing. (loved the truck but couldn't accept the fuel economy)

Finally settled in on the Mazda and the only negotiation was how much they could beat my rate with USAA by. (1% lower APR and free GAP coverage)

 

[Hokiefyd]

I did similar when I bought our CR-V. Came in with USAA check in hand; they asked if I'd finance with anyone else, and I said it would depend on the rate. They got me 3.7% with American Honda Finance, which was a good 1-1.5% better than the generic USAA rate that I got.

I guess I've been lucky...I'd say that I've generally had pretty good experiences at car dealers. I think it's all in your mind set when you go in. It is possible to assume that they're NOT criminals and to enjoy your car-buying experience. As long as you know up front what you want to pay and stick to your numbers, it can be enjoyable. Car-buying is fun to me.

 

[hattaresguy]

Never have any issues, I walk in and get to look at what I want.

Only time I ever have a bad experience is at used car dealerships. When my friend was shopping for his G500 he made the mistake of going to look at one at a Subaru dealer, which was a POS. Also the sales guys didn't really know how to sell it, or properly treat people, more listening and less talking helps to. A proper salesman should be close enough to answer questions promptly but not hover or interject when not needed, this guy gave me the key and just disappeared. I finally had to walk into the showroom and ask if anyone felt like selling a car today. We had to wait around a bit for them to fish out the plates so we could drive it, totally unacceptable. Than they balked when my friend wanted to take it for a PPI at his Mercedes dealer, they felt there Subaru mechanics knew enough about G wagons too look at it, maybe when [censored] freezes over.

I just had a great experience at a Range Rover dealer and a BMW dealer. Got to test drive a Range Rover Sport and a 750I with no hassle, and both sales guys were very professional. The BMW guy more so when I said I'm really a Mercedes fan so a BMW is a big jump for me, he handled anything I brought up very well. Neither one [censored] me on the price either, I simply said give me your best price if I brought a check, I'm not going to go back and forth and both of them did.

I don't enjoy car shopping, and don't have time to deal with idiots so I appreciate when I get a professional.

 

[SkyGod]

I expected to lose some money..we always do..but
To try to sell me something the salesman wants to liquidate..is funny as heck.
I'm single,no kids, pets or other baggage.
Why would I want a suv?
Mid life crisis time.
My new hobby when I'm bored is going to go to dealers and waste three hours of there time then say..I just lost my job.
We can have some real fun here.
See who can get a test drive in the most expensive ride???
A new game to entice bored sales people.

 

[glum]

I hate dealers, just like most other normal people. But there was one time in my life--probably never to be repeated--I actually got an awesome salesperson. Alex Davis. That guy was cool. No pressure, accommodating, respectful. Did everything right. How often does a salesperson make you actually feel comfortable? Can't really explain it. He could probably tell I was a bit nuts which may have influenced his behavior (he did say something to that effect), but in any case, I wish I could count on that happening every time.

 

[GMBoy]

I had one good example in 1994, LOL. I was 24, just got my job at GM and still single. I wanted to treat myself to a Corvette. The 95's were due in the next month and they had the exact 1994 on the lot that I wanted. Loaded with all options (even Z07 and low tire pressure/run flats) and in the rare Admiral Blue color. Back then GM had 2 employee discount plans, one that was for cars on the lot (opt 2)and one for ordering your car Opt.1). The ordering plan actually gave you a better discount. In any event, I came in to the dealer - young guy mind you - was approached by the salesman and told him that I was interested in the Corvette, had my financing already set up and had my 1992 Saturn SL2 to trade (loaded with all opts even leather).

This guy just went, got the keys and let me test drive the car all by myself! He knew the product, was fair and gave me the Option 1 ORDER price for the car and didn't try to hide the current $1000 rebate offered on the 94's. Then - to top it off, he gave me exactly what I wanted for my Saturn, never pushed any add ons and basically wrote an honest deal.

I was impressed - was expected to be treated like scum like I could not afford the car or something. The deal was done the next day and I was happy. Even got a box sent to the house a few days later with a mug full of jellybeans and a balloon.

Now....the bad side was the service dept....AWFUL and thats is a another story!


(Oh and I still got that Vette!)

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: SkyGod

My new hobby when I'm bored is going to go to dealers and waste three hours of there time then say..I just lost my job.
We can have some real fun here.
See who can get a test drive in the most expensive ride???
A new game to entice bored sales people.



Sure, there are some idiot salesman out there...and obviously there are some real idiot consumers as well.

Sometimes in life, you reap what you sow...just sayin.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Personally, I have two long standing relationships with two local dealers. One GM and the other Ford.

Admittedly, we buy a lot of cars/trucks from these two, between personal cars and business vehicles...so that may cloud my experience. But in general they both bend over backwards to make sure I'm satisfied with my experience with them. From the front of the store to the back shop prep people, all have at some point gone out of their way for me in some small or large way.

 

[kkreit01]

I've only had a few good ones. Rarely do they know half as much about the vehicle as I do. I always know exactly what I'm looking for prior to stepping foot in the door. For the last 2 purchases, I completed the finance forms online, so I didn't have to go through all that [censored] at the dealer.

 

[SkyGod]

I'm creating a new internet game called swindle the salesman.
I'm going to give away prizes for the longest swindle,most cars driven etc.
Salesman suck.

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: SkyGod


Looking for better mileage than my current vehicle.
.....
Second dealer I approach,I notice a 2008 Solstice with 8 k mileage.


Keep looking. It won't get better fuel mileage than your Camry.

I have established relationships with the Jaguar dealer (130 miles away) and the local Pontiac dealer, and went to school with the people that own most of the other local new car stores, so I don't have any real issues with car dealers.

FWIW, if you're not alrady known to the people at the dealership, a good salesperson can quickly tell who's a player and who's just a talker / test driver / tire kicker. And, frankly, at least around here, the only person at a new car store that can make a deal on a car is the sales manager, so if you are talking to anybody but him (or her) you're just wasting your time. Which may or may not be valuable.

Buying a car should take about fifteen minutes, and it should be fun - you're getting a new car. No reason for it to be the ordeal so many people make it out to be.