Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

boomer1b

Which Dist. area are you in ?

I see many complaints around here from folks getting the runaround over "ordering" certain options or not wanting certain items on yotas and a few other "imports".

Like I posted before my Yota lovin' cousin finally got fed up with paying SET fees, add ons etc. and bought a GM clone of the corolla and a
Pontiac Vibe yota clone.........

bolivar

...either didn't know about the add-ons being 'dealer ordered' or lied about it.

When I questioned all the add-ons, on all the cars, his response was 'That's how they come to us. We don't have any say about it. Now, let me tell you what a great deal I can give you on them.'

I went to Honda. $319 over invoice, no haggle.

parm

Having purchased a '99 Odyssey (1st year for the new body style) when they first hit the streets, I had no choice but to pay full MSRP (thank you sir, may I have another?!)

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for negotiating a decent deal (if possible) on an '05 Mustang GT this Fall? I consider a decent deal to be about $500 over invoice.

bowke28

yeah right...

they will be in limited supply for the rest of this calendar year while they blow out the '04s. you wont see any notable inventory levels until around march.

also, i would bet that the most anticipated automobile design since 1964 will command a premium for at least 6 months after launch in october.

come spring time, you might do OK, but dont expect anything but a snicker from a dealer if you ask before that.

audia8q

make sure you bring a video camera with you when you ask to buy the 05 Mustang at $500 over invoice....because I want to watch the reaction, it will be priceless.

isellhondas

Would be delighted to pay 500.00 over invoice for as many as he could buy.

Remember, Parm, it's the MARKET that determines pricing. what a dealer happened to pay for the car has nothing to do with it.

Did you ever find that convertable you were looking for? Haven't seen you around lately.

kyfdx

Does anyone think Ford won't have $2K rebates on this car by next May? This isn't a specialty car in low volumes... like the GTO (which already has a $1500 rebate).

You read it here first.. by May, 2005.. the new Mustang will be selling BELOW dealer invoice, once rebates are deducted.

regards,
kyfdx

bowke28

thats exactly what i said...

audia8q

If you wait long enough everything sells for a discount. A year ago, in my region, the Honda odyssey was full boat with waiting lists, now they are a buck over invoice minus the incentives and you can get any color you want...but if you want to be the first guy on the block with a new model, expect to pay a premium.

kyfdx

WHO WANTS TO SELL A CAR TODAY!!

Sorry.. five days and no posts.. ROFL

audia8q

oh yeah...scream that out and all the ones who know better and running for the door!!

kyfdx

Hey!! .. You ever get a little bored waiting for new messages to pop up in the threads you subscribe to? (never mind that I'm working, thank you)

I decided to subscribe to Inconsiderate Buyers.. I started back about January, 2003, and that way I have something to read inbetween other posts (and my work). So, far..I'm only up to April of 2003, but it sure is interesting..

The only hard part is wanting to respond to messages that are 18 months old!! I'm telling you Rich.. when I get caught up, I've got a lot to say!! LOL

regards,
kyfdx

P.S.: Craig has already threatened to stop posting in that thread 4 times just between January and April of '03. I'm not caught up yet, but I'm betting he's still in there.. :-)

mark156

wanting to respond to older messages. That's why I try to stay caught up with the threads that I read.

To say on Topic, my local Nissan dealer is advertising 2004 Armada's for $7,000 off list. Hmmm, I guess that vehicle is not too hot! Also, a big discount on the Titans but I can't remember the amount, but I think it's less that 7K.

Is this common at "your" Nissan dealer? (Bowke)

Mark

scanty

Would it be a good tactic to yell that out when you walk in, and pick the guy that runs out the fastest? Tell him you were just kidding, and only trying to flush out a pro.

bowke28

a $47k armada has an invoice price of around $43k. there is a $1000 rebate. my opinion is that there is some kind of ADM on the window to get to $7k.

bowke28

good idea...lol.

audia8q

not a bad idea. I know it would work in my store.

The real secret is to walk in the dealership and make a sound like the ever elusive snipe...the top guy will come right over.

bowke28

it took me a minute, but i finally got off the floor with laughing cramps.

mark156

Please explain what this means: "make a sound like the ever elusive snipe"... It must be funny tho.

Mark

bowke28

mark...maybe you should come out to louisville. ill take you snipe hunting. its a GREAT pasttime here!

kyfdx

NO, NO.. I believe Mark lives in the Cincinnati area... I want to take him snipe hunting..

bowke28

how about we meet around carrolton??? LOTS of open hilly land...heck, you could almost get lost up there...

turboshadow

Here in sunny SC, we have Gutter Snipes. You hunt them at night saying "Gutter, gutter, gutter," and hold open a paper sak. They run right into it thinking its a mate.

Soooo...that's the sound a snipe makes.

Turboshadow

Kirstie_H

back to questions for car dealers. Questions about real things

bowke28

yeah, but you have to find a paved street with actual gutters to run through, or youll never get one. here in rural KY, you dont have to go walking through gutters. we gots them thar cuntry snipes!

BTW, kirstie, snipes are a real thing, like a figment, and this is an excercise for people trying to find elusive things like the "best deal".

sean3

I was hoping to get a clear picture of how a new car dealer treats a trade that is worth more than what you purchase,do they cut you a check for the difference? I have an '04 wrangler pretty basic but nice i need a car now,,and am wanting to trade down,for just a typiccal small sedan,,mitsubishi dodge ie. etc..will i get a better deal if i trade my jeep in at chrysler/jeep?..what ever i pick will probably be a '03,worth maybe 3 grand less than my jeep,,Im not looking to profit ,,just a fair trade.Basically how does a dealer treat you trading your car in and them paying you on top of it..I know usually its the opposite??thanks people'''

rroyce10

........... People trade up and down everyday .. it's common for a guy driving a Lincoln/Caddy/Audi to trade his vehicle in for a Mazda or a Jeep ... I would try to stay with the domestic brands though, not too many Bimmer dealers know what to do with a Jeep .l.o.l....

             Swing over to "Real World trade-in Values" and I can tell you what it's worth .....

                                Terry.

jeffg

I recently purchased an auto from a dealership and was able to request that factory recommended maintenance (oil changes, etc) be provided free by the dealership for three years. Is this just a nice gesture to keep a loyal customer? Or is there a downside for me to have this service? Thanks.

bowke28

we do it on all leases. we dont include the 30k mile service, but all oil changes and tire rotations up to 36k miles.

most customers will be sure to come to us for the 30k miler, and any repair or body work that comes up, since they are already familiar with our service. its definitely a win-win.

steine13

...it puts your store in a position to eyeball the car before it's returned and to decide if you want to buy it and resell it. It's nice when you KNOW it's been maintained and can prove it to the next customer. Sounds like a winner to me.
-Mathias

driftracer

you in touch with the dealer, and possibly the salesman, if you got a veteran.

mzche

I have been looking for a Dodge Grand Caravan. I was approved through cap one at a 14.9 rate given my 580 fico. I have been looking around and am really not finding much that I like. There is a dealer who is selling a 2003 GC Sport. It has captain's chairs, a rack on top, cd and cassette player, 30,200 miles with the ramainder of the 3/36 warranty. They are charging 17,900. We can get the 7/70 powertran converted into bumper to bumper for 895. Is this a good deal?
     I fell in love with an 02 GC ES. SHe had power everything and was loaded. The cost was 18,900. Is that too much to pay on an 02? They were willing to certify it with an 8/80 power tran, but other than that it only had a 3 month 3000 mile warranty.
     After seeing the fully loaded one that was red---what I wanted to begin with--I can't seem to warm up to the 03. Any advice?

~Michelle

hates_crooks

I recently went to the Dreyer & Reinbold Dealership in Greenwood In. There they sell BMW, VW and Infinity. I asked to test drive a Passat, G35 and a 3 series. The salesman said that I need to narrow my choices because he didn't want to put miles on all these cars. He must be thinking that I was a dreamer because I drove on the lot with a domestic brand. My question is what makes a salesperson think he can be so rude and make a sale? Next question... How long did it take me to flame his butt and get the sales GM, GM , and group GM involved? The test drive should be the most important tool in getting a mark to buy. Don't you agree?

steine13

"How long did it take me to flame his butt and get the sales GM, GM , and group GM involved"

I think that to a large extent, you came in with a combative attitude and they rose (or sank) to your expectations. But of course I wasn't there, so who knows.

I can't remember the last time I had a bad experience at a car dealer... but I always try for the low-key, please-and-thank-you route, and that seems to work.

-Mathias

hates_crooks

I was very polite from the first minute I was on the lot. What you seem to miss in the text was how I selected 3 cars of the same price range and trim for comparison. The salesperson was the one who wasn't being professional. I Thanked him for his time (offering to shake his hand) and looked for another saleperson. The first salesperson then started turning the others away. Obviously angered that I had just dismissed him. I then asked for the sales manager who was busy with a personal call on his cell phone. I was in the VW showroom and asked for the GM, who was busy also. The receptionist then paged the Group GM who was very cooperative and called everyone in. I was too angered to continue test driving that day but was promised that much better treatment could be expected on my return visit. No I was not combative. You are in error and out of line to make that statement. Edmunds has the confessions of a car salesman that you should read if you haven't. The salesman thought that I was out to "joy ride" and wasn't letting me drive these very comparible cars. The flamed his butt expression from where I shot down his arrigent attitude and looked for another sales "professional" someone that all buyers are entitled to have.

isellhondas

When someone walks on the lot wanting to test drive three completely different cars, they are non serious buyers or joyriders with time on their hands. Not always, but usually this is the case.

Still, a professional will do his best to amke his customers happy. No excuse for being rude in any case.

I wasn't there either but I too, suspect a combative or condensending attitude amy have been displayed.

steine13

"You are in error and out of line to make that statement"

I'm often in error but I was not out of line. As I said:

"But of course I wasn't there, so who knows."

So you were nice, and they weren't. Will you still give them your business?

-Mathias

hates_crooks

Mathias, Not a chance. I took the day off from work and drove 50 miles one way. I did have time on my hands though. No need to rush on how I spend $30k-$40k right? sorry for the typo in the last reply. Thanks for letting me sound off. BTW isselhondas how do you decide between 3 simular cars without a test drive?

hates_crooks

These were 3 Similar cars and not comparing a SUV with a 2 seater.

isellhondas

Still, they are pretty much different types of cars in different price brackets.

A salesperson who works on straight commission hates to get stuck with a non serious "test driver" on a busy Saturday. Maybe that's how you were perceived...I don't know.

I looked at your profile and you describe yourself as a hard working American who dislikes the way some dealerships treat their clients.

You wrote those words two days ago. The next day you went car shopping. Don't you think it's possible this showed?

BTW...I hate crooks too. From both sides and I too ver much detest the way some car dealerships treat their customers.

kyfdx

As much as I don't want to, I have to agree with HC.. Those are pretty much directly comparable cars that are all priced between $30K-$40K.

And, that dealer group does sell all three of them from the same location.. I think if HC has narrowed his choices down to those three cars, that would be a great opportunity for that salesman, as he sells all three of them.

And, while I wasn't there either, and have no idea what each person's attitude was... it doesn't surprise me that the salesman blew him off. Most salesmen have no clue who is a "real" buyer and who isn't. It seems most of them live in fear of "wasting" a couple of hours with someone who may not buy, and missing a "sure" deal.

However, you'll never catch me in an office complaining about a salesperson.. Life is too short.. I'd just bobst on down the street to the next one...

If it makes you feel any better, that dealer has a reputation for the highest prices in the midwest.

regards,
kyfdx

isellhondas

You make a good point. I was thinking these were maybe used and not new cars. I didn't realize one store sold all three of those makes. Maybe it's a small town?

Makes more sense now.

And, we do fear getting "ambushed" as we call it on a busy Saturday. Getting tied up with a non-buyer can be difficult. Of course, many a "non-buyer" ends up driving a new car home when they find the right salesperson!

No reason for a salesperson to be rude and there's no reason for a customer to come in with an attitude.

kyfdx

Now, you know I wasn't including you in my generalities about salesmen, right?

That dealership is in Indianapolis, on the toney north side..

In 30 years of car shopping, it is amazing to see how salespeople will try to "size you up" and how quickly they lose interest if they don't think they'll get a sale "today". I think even the successful ones don't realize how many sales they pass up by making premature judgements.

regards,
kyfdx

isellhondas

Most of my sales are to "be backs". They spend time with me, leave and return later to buy.

For a lot of stores the motto is...

" Don't count the "be backs", you count the greenbacks".

Those are the stores that get us the bad reputations.

dbgindy

That branch of D& R is in Greenwood, IN which is about 15 minutes south of Indy. Their main store is on the north side.

 They are high priced and I've heard the service on the north store is a bit ummm...stuffy. If they try to play that on the south side though (if we take HC's description at face value:-) then that dog won't hunt as my Dad used to say.....

Duncan

hates_crooks

Thanks kyfdx, It was on a Wenedsday that I visited the dealership. All cars selected were new and same price range. I will find somewhere else to do business. Thanks to everyone for their replies, good and bad.

ramped

You may have seen on TV that a hurricane cruised through FL last week. Been quite a distraction to say the least.

In any event, even though I left my bomber out in the middle of it, not a scratch. On the other hand, a tree fell on my friend's brand new PT cruiser convertible and about split it in half. Also dinged up his vintage Vette.

He'll obviously be buying another car soon (as soon as they get the tree out of his garage) and I'd like to end my seemingly eternal quest to replace the bomber.

My query is, have any of you worked through a disaster like this before, and if so, is it pretty much business as usual, or would the owners be more motivated to move vehicles?

On one hand, not many people are buying cars when they are putting their roofs back on, but on the other hand, a lot of people like my friend must replace cars.

Any guesses?

bowke28

having worked at both import and domestic stores, i can tell you that import (especially honda) buyers almost NEVER buy on the first visit.

with domestic buyers, the vast majority buy the first time in. if they dont, they will almost never return, no matter how good the salesperson is.

the problem dealers are the ones that try to fight that trend. a domestic dealer that counts on be-backs is usually not very profitable. an importdealer that tries to force 'NOW' deals gets a bad reputation.

jlawrence01

Bowke,

I encounter two extremes at domestic dealerships.

When I am going to the local dealerships to get information to help one of my drivers decide which model to choose, I almost get the material tossed at me with ABSOLUTELY NO effort to see if I have any questions. Then I end up having to call the dealership and ask questions.

Or I get the "I am not going to let you out of the dealersip until you buy" full-court press. This doesn't work with me very well as I am generally checking out the UC inventory for a friend who is looking for a vehicle.

What I used to dread (going to a dealership), I am starting to enjoy ...

focuserror

This doesn't sound legal.

What state did this happen in?