Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?

chuckfromli

If you are refering to the off road capabilities of the Range Rover, I concur.

Their off road prowess is undisputed.

Mr_Shiftright

Also a very plush front office. The RR is not a pimped up Chevy SUV like the Escalade. Nor is Porsche a VW, nor is a Ferrari a Corvette. You DO get what you pay for--but do you "need" it? Probably not.

I believe "baby seal" is called "hyperbolic speech", sometimes allied to "sarcasm". Some parts of the country don't get this type of talk at all. :P

the_big_al

either one - whether it be the pontiac or the the plymouth, both are still better vehicles than the windstar. I think the plymouth is better than the pontiac. I see more electrical problems in these particular GM variants and the chrysler vans of that era are pretty stout vehicles.

gotahavit

Its a plymouth. It is pretty stout lookiing. Are you saying I may have electrical problems? Thank for saying I'm not dumb

deltheking

The Plymouth is a decent van.It`s a Chrysler van.The Pontiac is a GM van with some electrical issues.
But if you have gotten the van checked out then 3200 for the 2000 Plymouth Voyager with 82k is a very decent deal. Get it checked by an independent mechanic before you buy and the warranty offer is a very good deal.
Keep us posted. :shades:

verdugo

Still, it's your words "clubbed like a baby seal".

No baby seals here, I walked.

Geez, a little touchy? I never implied that you got clubbed. As for the term, it's a term that is standard in the car salesworld.

Disclaimer: Clubbing baby seals in real life is bad, but used in the context of car sales, it cracks me up.

chuckfromli

Still, in what other profession would someone refer to clubbing their customers like baby seals. I know it's sarcasm, but it's still kind of shocking. I'm sure the high end guys don't do this, as there is enough profit built into the vehicles. I would think a used car has enough profit built into the price too.

I'm still wondering if Mr. Penske would care what his boys are up to here.......
I can see the fireworks that discussion would set off!

chuckfromli

I never believed that you actually clubbed your customers. Although there are some interesting reviews on line of dealership workers threatening to tune people up with bats.

Can you get it that it's still a customer, and whether you club them figuritvely, or literally, there is at least a 50% chance they are going to realize days, weeks or months later that you hosed them?

grandtotal

Can you get it that it's still a customer, and whether you club them figuritvely, or literally, there is at least a 50% chance they are going to realize days, weeks or months later that you hosed them?

Let's clarify things here, were they clubbed or hosed? It makes a difference, you know.

Besides you can make statistics say anything you want them to.

tjc78

Why do you care if people get "clubbed" "hosed" whatever? I know many people who have overpaid for cars and they are happier than a pig in slop, because it was a quick and painless deal for them. Dealers are out to move units and make money. That is their job! Some deals are skinny, others fat and most probably somewhere in the middle.

When car shopping go in with the facts about the car you wish to purchase and if the dealer doesn't meet your # walk away. If you can't find a dealer to meet your price, you are probably being a bit unrealistic. Its really a simple process (once you know what you want), my last car was purchased in less than 45 minutes and delivery took another 45 minutes a few days later when they got me the exact car I wanted.

jipster

I'm glad you like to feel safe. I'm sure you would get that feeling in any of the 6 vehicles that you are currently interested. My advice is to put deposits down on all 6 and then back out of all 6. Find which dealer doesn't make you feel weird, doesn't give you the impression that they want you to purchase the vehicle and then purchase from them.

LOL... ahh moo, you outta try your hand as a stand up comic. :P

madmanmoo

Glad I could brighten your day. Unfortunately, our friend either didn't read my post or decided that wasn't the best course of action. I'm not sure as he hasn't responded to my suggestion.

Regardless, which customer would you guys like to work with the most?

The completely uninformed customer that takes oodles of your time, finally makes a decision and backs out of the deal?

OR

The customer who does lots of research, but somehow finds the one website with ALL the wrong information regarding your product and the customer decides that website is gospel. This customer lets you know about this website and refuses to change their opinion about your vehicle no matter what evidence you give them...... (This example seems too specific.)

OR

The arrogant SOB who knows everything about everything. He loves CarMaker XYZ and thinks their vehicles are the greatest machines ever made. CarMaker ABC (which you sell) are a stepdown and he is just wasting time as he hangs out on your lot. But, he's going to talk to you for about 3 hours about how great XYZ is over ABC.

Anyhow, which customer would you like to work with? (P.S. You have to pick one.)

volvomax

Actually, any profession that is primarily a profit generating one has slang like this.
Stock brokers, Realtors, etc.

No big deal.

volvomax

Can you get it that it's still a customer, and whether you club them figuritvely, or literally, there is at least a 50% chance they are going to realize days, weeks or months later that you hosed them?

To which I would replay, so?

We all live in a big boy world. If you get clubbed IT"S YOUR OWN FAULT!!!!!
No one holds a gun to your head and says "sign here"

verdugo

chuckfromli, you should've quit when you were ahead :-) Your last few posts show that you don't really know what you're talking about yet love to generalize.

So you think that used cars buyers don't get clubbed on a regular basis because "I would think a used car has enough profit built into the price too. "? Wrong.

It is impossible to get information about used cars like you can for a new one, even with the internet. So you can do all the research you want, and you still can't be 100% sure. In addition, with a used are you have to deal with potential lurking problems (which the dealer might not know about).

IMHO, chuckfromLI (not IL) is just going around in circles trying to pick a fight. So I'm going to listen to my own advice and stop feeding the troll. When the conversation returns to actual questions rather than shock statements, I will jump back in. :shades:

jayrider

Agree -- what do you think all those folks who sell stuff on infomercials-colon blow yogurt and glass diamonds feel about the saps that buy. At least if you overpay for a car--you have something that provides you with some measure of value. Our whole economy is based on selling and buying.Without it ,EVERYTHING collapses. There is not one area of society that doesn't use a little smoke and mirrors to their advantage. Except maybe the banking industry.

grandtotal

There is not one area of society that doesn't use a little smoke and mirrors to their advantage. Except maybe the banking industry.

Are you kidding? They are as bad as any other group, they just don't have the reputation and they are more regulated than some other groups.

When you go to negotiate your mortgage do you really know what their bottom line is until you get up to walk out (either figuratively or literally)? A badly negotiated mortgage can cost you much more than a badly negotiated car purchase.

chuckfromli

I take it you came to ths discussion late.

It is not about the price of cars. I was in a deal, got out, but it had nothing to do with the price of the car. It was about being forced to take quick delivery, and about how much a dealer should be making on interest rates.

But you really didn't miss any discussion. It has been one sided. The dealers, with the exception of one, don't answer the questions, resort to name calling, and change the subject.

jayrider

What planet are you living on --- the mortgage bankers have always been above reproach. Everything done buy the book. I can't think of one single problem in the last few years that can be layed at their door.

british_rover

that was sarcasm right?

chuckfromli

The 50% was just thrown out there. Don't take it as a "statistic".

My point is that if you overcharged a customer in some hidden manner, sooner or later they are probably going to realize that they were overcharged.

jayrider

I hoped I wouldn't have to do this but you forced my hand

chuckfromli

Yes, that's what my last purchase took, maybe two hours with the test drive, negotiations, and alarm and extended warrant guy.

I never said anything about any dealer not meeting my price.

So what is your point?

chuckfromli

I am not sure what you want me to say.

I found it amusing, OK. But not helpful.

jayrider

Like my pappy used to tell me [ god rest his soul] " If their still biting - don't change the bait."

chuckfromli

Verdugo,

Somehow you missed the whole point of my post. My point was, since the profit margin on used cars is higher, there should be less of a reason to pad the bill in sneaky ways.

I know with the internet people can figure out pretty close to what a dealer is making on the deal. So, if I knew I was getting the car at a few hundred above dealer cost, I would be more inclined to throw them a bone and let them bump my interest rate a little or overpay for an alarm.

Which, by the way, neither Toyota or GM did to me last time. Each put me with the manufacturers finance company at market rates.

fezo

jayrider and british rover - thanks for teh amusing little back and forth.

Mn, reading through the past week or so it's hard to believe the topic is quick questions!

tjc78

I take it you came to ths discussion late

No, I read all about your 4 Runner incident

was about being forced to take quick delivery

A salesperson wants to close the deal. Again... it's their job. Until you sign and drive the vehicle away its not a done deal. How can you fault them for that? If both sides agreed on price and other terms, why wouldn't the dealer want you to take the car? If you weren't ready that isn't their fault.

and about how much a dealer should be making on interest rates.

The way I see it, they can make as much as they can. If you intend to finance at a dealer know the local rates (your bank, CU etc) before asking for theirs.

lrguy44

Chuck, the problem here is you asked for advise. Several people in the biz gave you good advise, but you could not make a decision. Then, when you did, you backtracked and started to renegotiate with the dealer over adding leather. He gave up without a fight - maybe just to say good-bye to you. Then all you can do is badmouth dealers - even those who tried to help you. The act gets a little thin and have you thought the horse just might be dead?

By the way - it is strange but the customer you make the most off of is usually the happiest. The grinder finds everything wrong and is never happy.

the_big_al

with the plymouth you should be good. the plymouth is a good vehicle. it will do you well

verdugo

Somehow you missed the whole point of my post. My point was, since the profit margin on used cars is higher, there should be less of a reason to pad the bill in sneaky ways.

Leaving the snarky comment aside, what I was talking about was that it's the information available that gives the power to consumers. Something that is only available for new cars, and not for used cars.

The reason why they pad the bill in sneaky ways with used cars it's because of the lack of information available to the customer.

:shades:

chuckfromli

Yes, you're right. You summed it up nicely. It's a tough time of year for me, so I went out on 9-11 and test drove a CRV. Besides looking for a car, I figured it would take my mind off things. It just seemed to grow from there. And maybe sometimes I am itching for a fight. I couldn't even remember what I did last year to get my mind off it, but then I remembered-there was the election. In the years before that, I was always working, so I had less idle time.

Sorry if I offended anyones profession or products. You guys have all been great.

And if I ever get rich, I'll buy a Range Rover

lrguy44

I am sorry it is a tough time of year for you. Nothing better than a fresh start. You might even look at a CPO LR3 - it might surprise you!

oldfarmer50

"...Anyhow, which customer would you like to work with?..."

I think I'd rather sell shoes. :sick:

lrguy44

None of the above. But since I have to pick, I guess A. At least the dealership can keep his deposit.

michaellno

I think I'd rather sell shoes.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

I worked my way through HS and college working at shoe stores.

Mr_Shiftright

what a feat!

british_rover

Is that you Al?

volvomax

Somehow you missed the whole point of my post. My point was, since the profit margin on used cars is higher, there should be less of a reason to pad the bill in sneaky ways.


If you go into a dealership with the knowledge that the dealer exists to make the maximum profit possible on each deal then you can never be surprised or assume that anyone is being sneaky.
Buying a car is very simple, look at the car, get the numbers. If you don't like the numbers walk away. How the number is arrived at is immaterial. Is it a number that you are comfortable paying for this specific car?
If no one will sell you a certain car for what you want to pay, then you have to adjust your thinking. If you don't know enough about your credit or the rates available and pay more than the next guy, that is a you problem.

rbirns1

How do dealer swaps work? I'm getting a new Cadillac SRX. I wanted specific color and options that dealer did not have in stock. They arranged a swap with another dealer, sending an Escalade in exchange. Escalade is much more expensive than SRX, so how does this swap work? Is money exchanged? How is dealer invoice and holdback affected?

lrguy44

Dealers swap invoices and if the value is different money is exchnged. Holdback will vary by manufacturer. The dealer who wants a car pays transportation both ways.

rbirns1

So the dealer receiving the more expensive Escalade paid the difference of the invoices? As for transportation, I suppose my dealer will have a guy drive the Escalade to the other dealer (about 80 miles away), complete the swap, and drive the SRX back.

lrguy44

You got it

vicenac

Have the dealers been allowed to order the 2010 Mazda5 yet?

jmonroe

So, if I knew I was getting the car at a few hundred above dealer cost, I would be more inclined to throw them a bone and let them bump my interest rate a little or overpay for an alarm.

You have a strange way about car dealing. I have NEVER been willing to give away in the back room what I gained in the front room. :confuse:

jmonroe

rik1

Has anyone heard of being charged a MV Fee on the clunker? I paid an estimated MV Fee on my contract, which I assumed was for the new vehicle that I bought and expected a refund of the difference. When I received the check there was an extra $20 taken out which the salesman said was for the clunker vehicle (transfer of registration or something to that effect). I know its only $20, but its the principle. Do you normally charge MV fees on the trade-in vehicle also?

Also, the salvage fees - is that something that's automatic, or something that should have been negotiated before and entered on the contract?

softway

Need some advice. I negotiated a car to a fair price for a used car and was about to drive to the dealer to complete the deal when I received an email stating that the general manager has declined to clear the deal. The entire negotiation process was done over email so there is an electronic trail. I'm in California. What options do I have?

oldfarmer50

"...What options do I have?..."

You have the option to buy your car from another dealer who doesn't play games. If the sales folks on these boards are to be believed, very few salesmen can negotiate a deal without the approval of the sales manager. So either the salesman is a dope/liar because he promised you something without clearing it with the SM or the SM is a dope/liar for approving a deal and then trying to change it.

Either way I'd shop somewhere else.

Mr_Shiftright

Sales contracts usually state right up front that the deal is subject to the GM approving it, so in legal terms, you got nothin'.

But it's still a sleazy way to do business, unless the salesperson really goofed somehow, which can happen....which is why they put such things in the contract.

boomchek

Your best option is to go elsewhere.

Unless you put a deposit on the deal and signed a contract that was also signed by a Sales Manager, then you really do have nothing.

Did you put a deposit on the deal?