.......Does the Closer aka F&I guy make any money if I don't buy any alarm, warranty, or get financing through him?
I'm guessing these people make a small salary, and rely mostly on commissions.
The reason I ask, I bought a car and originally agreed to a $1000 extended warranty and an overpriced $400 alarm. I got home and ran the numbers and then saw that the warranty, alarm and the tax on them, would raise my monthly payment by around $30 for 48 months, and that's at 3.95%.
I immediately went back and cancelled both (but I didn't cancel the car this time-ha ha). Anyway, I feel bad for the closer, or whatever you call him. Guy has 3 kids and is working with a neck brace after a spinal fusion!
Should I get him a $20 gift card from Panera or Target, is that OK?
No, no 4Runner. Seems I wanted a 40-42K 4Runner for a CRV price. I just couldn't justify spending 25-26K for a CPO Pilot or 4Runner, even though the Honda CPO warranty is 12 months/12K mi. Even the base SR 5 4Runners from '06 or so have asking prices around 22K.
So I went smaller in order to go new. CRV EX L. Glacier Blue with grey leather. People swear by them, not at them. It's 26K fully loaded, sunroof, heated 8 way power leather seats, CD changer, dual zone climate control.
I'm really a truck guy, but with one in college and one a year away from college.......well, what's that expression "beer budget and champagne tatstes"
I really do feel for the guy. He's 14 weeks post surgery. No idea when he returned to work. I just feel that I pulled the rug out from under him when I ordered $1400 worth or alarms and warranties, and then changed my mind an hour later.
I will get him the $20 certificate today. I wish I was wealthy, I would have gotten the $50, over even a hundred.
I still remember fondly the corporate financeer (sp?) who was a multi millionaire back in the mid 70s. I was a busboy at a very exclusive golf club. After he had dinner on a Friday or Saturday night, he would personally tip me, in addition to the waitress, five or ten bucks. That was about equal to all the tips I got from the waitresses for the day.
If I ever have to go back to this dealership for any type of problem, I want some people there who remember me fondly!
If you had a good purchasing experience, a great way to make yourself remembered fondly is to refer other buyers to them!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I once spent hours on the phone with an out of state buyer providing information and trying to find him the right car. He finally bought elsewhere but sent me a $250 check for my time, effort and info. Although I did not expect it, I did realize this person respected my time.
My son sold cars for two months and said customers would occaisonally bring in cakes/cookies for the dealership. As soon as they left the rookies were responsible for taking them out to the hazardous waste dump for disposal. My son wore rubber gloves when it was his turn.
First -- just saying you are on a tight budget doesn't mean you NEED to be on a tight budget. Second -- the leather and roof are nice and make the car more desirable -- and the 4k more you pay for it new will generate more when it's traded/sold used. Maybe 2500-3000 more after 3-4 years. If you keep the car until it is undriveable -- then going cheap can make sense. And don't forget those frills improve the bottom line for manufacturers/dealers so they are touted by sales ads. Your life will be better if you have these things. Human nature is interesting. Other than a wrist watch, what possible use is there for jewelry. There are tons of stores and people buy all sorts of things. Nobody NEEDS jewelry. Why do they spend money on it? Because all the extra's in life are indulgences and we love to indulge ourselves from time to time. It is the foundation of our economy and our standard of living. Everything would collapse without that drive.
Is that true with the extras paying off at resale time? In my experience it isn't.
My experience is that options that cost money when the car was new are like freebies once the car is used. It's one of the reasons I like slightly used cars.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
You ask this question quite often. It is a good question, but not an easy one to answer.
In my own case I tend to find myself gravitating to the model above the base model of any particular vehicle. I can usually justify to myself the expense for the extras that are offered over the base model. Sometimes it isn't too hard because the level above base has extra safety which I never mind paying for, though that argument doesn't hold water much these days since safety is almost standard now. Other times it's to get a feature such as A/C or cruise control, though in truth all I really require is power mirrors (safety again with several people driving the car) and remote locking is convenient.
I think I'm fortunate that I can afford any trim level of a car I select, but don't need the top trim level. I don't really understand either why someone will push their payment beyond where they are really comfortable for unnecessary items no matter how nice they are. I wonder if this attitude is about to change in the current economic situation, bad news for car manufacturers if it does.
With cloth seats, you can remember all those special moments --like" there is the stain where we first realized grandpa needed a diaper and look there's where junior had his first cup of grape juice"---- a roadmap through the past that never disappears. The days of our lives.
True enough...I have those stains to prove it. With leather, however, you share even more vivid moments, like when Buster the black lab wipes out a $4000 seat while you're away shopping somewhere, or when the light gray of your leather seats merges harmoniously with the blue of your denims.
I have kids. I MUST have leather. I didn't know this until I was given the leather "for free" when I bought a Ford a few years ago. Over two years, the seats became a little dirty and collected an impressive array of stains, including milk. The car became a lemon, so we had to give it back. Same conditions as when returning a lease. We were worried about the seats (among other things). Baby wipes (Pampers un-scented ) restored them to store condition. It was unbelievable. I was sorry I didn't try it before having to give the car away. I like cloth (if it's good enough) much better, but I see the leather a necessary feature. Having pets in the car is another story. I can imagine a cat sharpening her claws on leather.... But what's the difference between destroying that or the cloth seat?
SO I have to get a top trim Mazda 5 to get the seats. Or, I could take a lower trim level to a local installer have custom leather put in. But it would cost just as much as going for the top model, where I get fancy light and wipers for free.
The extra features do make a difference at the resale time. The options devalue over time just like the car. Nav is a different story. Its value is 0 one second after purchase.
I am not sweating the payments at all. I don't know where you got that idea. I put 20,500 down. Th payments are miniscule.
Anyway, my old Pathfinder has heated leather, sunroof, Bose system. I just got used to certain things and I wanted them again. Also, I am closing in on fifty years old, and I will not drive any "penalty boxes". I drove those cars when I was in my 20s, and once was enough.
I did not want a more expensive car, or a nicer used car, because I wanted miniscule payments and no repair bills. I am laying out about 12K now for college, and that will double next year.
Also, since I retired, my income is pretty fixed. No more OT, no more retroactive raises, no more 3-4% annual raises.
I have a Tag, and that's all the jewelry I wear. It's very rugged and when I die someone else can have it. I was so disappointed when my grandmother gave me a dirty Timex that belonged to my grandfather, LOL.
Leather is many, many ways better than cloth. My experience is that cloth gets filthy and never really comes clean. Leather cleans up well and it doesn't take 3 hours to dry.
Why someone with kids or a dog orders leather is quite beyond me, for instance.
Leather cleans up a little better, when you have kids, than does fabric. Spilled bodily fluids, drinks, gooey bars, pixie dust candy... wipes right up. Dog is another story though.
Actually if you can TAKE CARE of leather, and....IF....the leather is a good grade (it's not on all cars), it can hold up very well. But stains are pretty permanent, because it is after all an organic material.
I'd order it on a MINI coupe or VW TDI sportwagen (my two current fave cars) but not on a convertible.
I'm jealous of you shiftright, if your butt can be comfy in a jetta seat you must watch those calories. The raised edges on the seat bottoms are a deal breaker for me. Not worth dieting -- plenty of wide seat rides for my load.
Oh, I fit all right -- just not comfy for the long haul. And while we're talking rover, if you were going to select a vehicle that you would maintain and keep for at least 10 years at 4-5k miles a year , what would be a few you would look at?
Yeah when we had one I used to joke it needed a fat boy seat option. That still wouldn't help me in the foot department. My feet are way to big to operate the pedals easily except maybe with slippers or barefoot.
I didn't think they had streets by you, or at least not streets with watch salesman on the corner. Was he a Nigerian?
My nephew and neice come up to visit from TX and they love Canal St. "Coach" bags for $20. "Movado" watches for $30. "Gucci" wallets for $12.
Really, I don't want to disrespect my grandfather's memory. I still have the watch in a drawer, but I've never worn it. It's just that when someone takes you on the side and says 'here's something that was your grandfather's" and I was anticipating something nice.........well, she should have at least had the Timex cleaned, LOL. That was his second wife. My mother always said she kept all the money!
Comments
There are other stores and other cars.
I'm guessing these people make a small salary, and rely mostly on commissions.
The reason I ask, I bought a car and originally agreed to a $1000 extended warranty and an overpriced $400 alarm. I got home and ran the numbers and then saw that the warranty, alarm and the tax on them, would raise my monthly payment by around $30 for 48 months, and that's at 3.95%.
I immediately went back and cancelled both (but I didn't cancel the car this time-ha ha). Anyway, I feel bad for the closer, or whatever you call him. Guy has 3 kids and is working with a neck brace after a spinal fusion!
Should I get him a $20 gift card from Panera or Target, is that OK?
But more importantly, what did you finally end up buying? The holy grail white 4 runner with leather?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So I went smaller in order to go new. CRV EX L. Glacier Blue with grey leather. People swear by them, not at them. It's 26K fully loaded, sunroof, heated 8 way power leather seats, CD changer, dual zone climate control.
I'm really a truck guy, but with one in college and one a year away from college.......well, what's that expression "beer budget and champagne tatstes"
Give him $50. Three kids and spinal fusion surgery ain't cheap! :sick:
I will get him the $20 certificate today. I wish I was wealthy, I would have gotten the $50, over even a hundred.
I still remember fondly the corporate financeer (sp?) who was a multi millionaire back in the mid 70s. I was a busboy at a very exclusive golf club. After he had dinner on a Friday or Saturday night, he would personally tip me, in addition to the waitress, five or ten bucks. That was about equal to all the tips I got from the waitresses for the day.
If I ever have to go back to this dealership for any type of problem, I want some people there who remember me fondly!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
You could even make a little cash for yourself if they pay a bird dog for referrals. :shades:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Come on, jip! Pry open that wallet!
From what I gather jipster is pretty flush. Not jmonroe flush but pretty flush.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Never! If my wife ever found out I opened my wallet... well, I'd probably end up like jmonroe and that dining room furniture fiasco. :sick:
Nothing can hold a candle to the original set. :P
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I'm curious and I deal with this all of the time and I never can understand.
It sounds like you are on a fairly tight budget as many of us are.
WHY did you have to have the top of the line CRV? Wouldn't an LX have worked or maybe a non leather EX?
So often people who sweat the payments just HAVE to have a sunroof, leather and the frills. I just don't understand?
Human nature is interesting. Other than a wrist watch, what possible use is there for jewelry. There are tons of stores and people buy all sorts of things. Nobody NEEDS jewelry. Why do they spend money on it? Because all the extra's in life are indulgences and we love to indulge ourselves from time to time. It is the foundation of our economy and our standard of living. Everything would collapse without that drive.
My experience is that options that cost money when the car was new are like freebies once the car is used. It's one of the reasons I like slightly used cars.
In my own case I tend to find myself gravitating to the model above the base model of any particular vehicle. I can usually justify to myself the expense for the extras that are offered over the base model. Sometimes it isn't too hard because the level above base has extra safety which I never mind paying for, though that argument doesn't hold water much these days since safety is almost standard now. Other times it's to get a feature such as A/C or cruise control, though in truth all I really require is power mirrors (safety again with several people driving the car) and remote locking is convenient.
I think I'm fortunate that I can afford any trim level of a car I select, but don't need the top trim level. I don't really understand either why someone will push their payment beyond where they are really comfortable for unnecessary items no matter how nice they are. I wonder if this attitude is about to change in the current economic situation, bad news for car manufacturers if it does.
The King of the Options Pile-On has to be Porsche. I think the options can add up to more than the car. :P
Over two years, the seats became a little dirty and collected an impressive array of stains, including milk. The car became a lemon, so we had to give it back. Same conditions as when returning a lease. We were worried about the seats (among other things). Baby wipes (Pampers un-scented
I like cloth (if it's good enough) much better, but I see the leather a necessary feature. Having pets in the car is another story. I can imagine a cat sharpening her claws on leather.... But what's the difference between destroying that or the cloth seat?
SO I have to get a top trim Mazda 5 to get the seats. Or, I could take a lower trim level to a local installer have custom leather put in. But it would cost just as much as going for the top model, where I get fancy light and wipers for free.
The extra features do make a difference at the resale time. The options devalue over time just like the car. Nav is a different story. Its value is 0 one second after purchase.
Anyway, my old Pathfinder has heated leather, sunroof, Bose system. I just got used to certain things and I wanted them again. Also, I am closing in on fifty years old, and I will not drive any "penalty boxes". I drove those cars when I was in my 20s, and once was enough.
I did not want a more expensive car, or a nicer used car, because I wanted miniscule payments and no repair bills. I am laying out about 12K now for college, and that will double next year.
Also, since I retired, my income is pretty fixed. No more OT, no more retroactive raises, no more 3-4% annual raises.
Leather is many, many ways better than cloth. My experience is that cloth gets filthy and never really comes clean. Leather cleans up well and it doesn't take 3 hours to dry.
Leather cleans up a little better, when you have kids, than does fabric. Spilled bodily fluids, drinks, gooey bars, pixie dust candy... wipes right up. Dog is another story though.
Actually if you can TAKE CARE of leather, and....IF....the leather is a good grade (it's not on all cars), it can hold up very well. But stains are pretty permanent, because it is after all an organic material.
I'd order it on a MINI coupe or VW TDI sportwagen (my two current fave cars) but not on a convertible.
I don't fit an Elise though and that is disappointing.
If anyone doubts that just run the typical car through Edmunds car appraiser. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Are they still charging 2 grand for Nav systems? My bank gives them away free for opening a checking account.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Hey, don't knock Timex. I just spent $12.95 on a band and battery for my 15 year old $30 Timex and it keeps perfect time.
Much better than that fancy Romex watch I bought from the guy on the street. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
LOL. I bet it's not the top of the line system. Some sort of hand-held gizmo.
I wouldn't take one even for free. I'd have to haul a 14 year old along to make it work. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Timex should get into the car business.
My nephew and neice come up to visit from TX and they love Canal St. "Coach" bags for $20. "Movado" watches for $30. "Gucci" wallets for $12.
Really, I don't want to disrespect my grandfather's memory. I still have the watch in a drawer, but I've never worn it. It's just that when someone takes you on the side and says 'here's something that was your grandfather's" and I was anticipating something nice.........well, she should have at least had the Timex cleaned, LOL. That was his second wife. My mother always said she kept all the money!
It's about how much you enjoy it while you have it.