Stories from the Sales Frontlines

dino001

How about dealers themselves sending those "no obligation" test drive invitations?

graphicguy

dino....yeah, the dealerships do it, too.

I know I get at least one mailer a week inviting me in for a test drive of some new iron.

Sometimes, I get stuff in the mail that states the dealership is just in love the car they sold me a couple of years ago....and wants to buy it back from me, for "top dollar" so I can test drive the new model.

I understand the sales person's frustration. But, it's many times a function of the manufacturer's or dealership's marketing that drives people into the dealership when they have no intention of buying something.

dino001

Sometimes, I get stuff in the mail that states the dealership is just in love the car they sold me a couple of years ago....and wants to buy it back from me, for "top dollar" so I can test drive the new model

Sounds very familiar. Not only those who sold me one, but the guys across the street and across the Bay. I got couple of scratch-off prize fliers, just if I show up in Bill's/Jimmi's/Joe's Chevy/Toyota/Suzuki and test drive the latest wonder of their technology, not to mention that they will give me the new iron practically free, pay my car off with some big spare change, and of course I'm already preapproved for a big loan...

div2

Isn't MS6 AWD?

Well, in all fairness to the salesperson, I guess I took his comment out of context. I had just looked at his MS6 inventory and was less than impressed with the selection. At that point he tried to interest me in an MS3, and I told him I was only considering AWD and RWD sedans- preferably RWD. That's when he made the FWD statement.

british_rover

Well it is kind of true. Most RWD cars are a fair bit larger then FWD models and they have larger engines as well.

So FWD cars get better gas mileage then RWD.

One of the many reasons FWD became popular originaly was because it got better gas mileage then RWD.

michaellno

I can't tell you how many times I've received an offer from the manufacturers...

I think I've only done this one time ... about 10-12 years ago, when I travelled a great deal for work, I used to use United Airlines exclusively ...

Anyway, I got a coupon to test drive a Toyota Avalon, for which I'd receive something like 1000 miles in my MileagePlus account.

So, I went to the local Toyota dealership and told him why I was there. I did go on a weekday, when things were quiet, and he wanted to go on the test drive. Being a car lover that I am, I agreed.

I liked the Avalon a lot, but it was way out of my price range. He stamped my certificate and I was on my way.

I guess I don't do enough test driving (or buying) to get the volume of offers that some of you get. I do, however, get quite a number of offers from my Saturn dealer to trade my car in at top dollar for another Saturn.

bobst

"So to all the people out there who are JUST LOOKING or 3 months out, tread on eggshells with your friendly car salesperson"

That is a very good point.

When we are out looking at cars, the first words we say to the sales person are, "We are not buying a car today."

Then we may ask a couple questions and we may ask them if there is a car we can take for a test drive. If they say they don't have time at that moment or don't want us putting useless miles on a new car, we understand and have absolutely no hard feelings.

I am not a subtle person. I don't play games with people and I try not to let people play games with me.

snakeweasel

has opened a satellite showroom on Wall Street, which is so ridiculous a proposition that I can't adequately describe it

Oh I don't know, selling big ticket items near where those who can buy them work may be a wise thing to do.

snakeweasel

Your not alone in that, I sometimes just go and do window shopping. Some salesmen were so nice that they made a very good impression on me that I keep their cards and I have sent business their way.

I'd be the first person to go to one of those "auto buffet" test-drive extravaganzas that manufacturers sometimes host, if any were offered in my area.

Those are fun to attend. Usually you get a test drive and some small goodies. Last one I attended actually gave gift cards to a pretty nice restaurant.

snakeweasel

I can't tell you how many times I've received an offer from the manufacturers for any of the following, if I agree to a "no obligation" test drive....

I get a few of those each year to do so at a manufacturer sponsored event where the manufacturer sets up someplace to show off their cars. usually they are not even at a dealership.

div2

Well it is kind of true. Most RWD cars are a fair bit larger then FWD models and they have larger engines as well.

I'll grant you that, but given two cars of equal weight, engine displacement, horsepower, and gearing, there's no reason why a FWD car would have any significant advantage in fuel economy.

One of the many reasons FWD became popular originally was because it got better gas mileage then RWD.

Well, yes and no; a FWD car can offer more room for cargo and people due to the compact nature of the powertrain. Thus, a FWD car can be smaller and lighter than an equivalent RWD with a similar cargo/people hauling capacity. The dirty little secret is that the advantages of FWD diminish as vehicle size increases; a car the size of a Civic is the sweet point for the FWD layout. Of course, the mainstream manufacturers' wholesale embrace of FWD and SUVs(a whole 'nother story) has dumbed down the American driving population to the point that I actually hear people say that they need FWD or AWD because they have to be able to drive in the rain. Pathetic.

kapbot

"I do, however, get quite a number of offers from my Saturn
dealer to trade my car in at top dollar for another Saturn."

My mother frequently gets mail from her Saturn dealer offering top dollar for her trade, due to the "high demand for 1994 Saturn SL1's"!! As if!

div2

My mother frequently gets mail from her Saturn dealer offering top dollar for her trade, due to the "high demand for 1994 Saturn SL1's"!!

I think that the Coast Guard uses them to construct artificial reefs...

snakeweasel

Nope, its target practice.

tsgeisel

That's why I got out of the commission sales business.

graphicguy

michaell....I think over the last 20 years that I've been buying cars, either for myself, or friend/family member, I've probably been in every car dealership in our general area....some, outside the area. Thinking back, the only dealership I've never set foot in, is the local Jaguar dealership.

I'm in most dealership's database....lurking....waiting for that next big offer for them to mail to me.

That's why I believe I get so many "special offer".....offers.

carhag2000

I think that the Coast Guard uses them to construct artificial reefs

The coast guard does buy these cars but its not for reefs. Its a navigational aid. if the captain makes a navigational error and gets out into water too deep to wade home in. they use em for stepping stones to get back to shore.

grandtotal

I wish they would have given us credit for the cars that we took deposits on last month but could not deliver either because the customers were out of the country or the cars were not on the ground yet.

I didn't expect them to but it would have been nice if they did.

So long as you deliver them in December (and meet the December target too) there won't be any harm done.

jmonroe

Thinking back, the only dealership I've never set foot in, is the local Jaguar dealership.

Oh ..... just go on over. If this is the only store that's keeping you from achieving 100% coverage, I'm sure they'll understand.

jmonroe

british_rover

Oh if you ever had any interest in any Jags at the moment go buy one.

They are just giving them away right now and there is a ton of money back in marketing support for the left over 2006 MY Jags.

snakeweasel

As a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard I find that offensive.

snakeweasel

Thinking back, the only dealership I've never set foot in, is the local Jaguar dealership.

I don't think I have ever been in a Jaguar dealership either. The odd thing is I drove by our local Jag dealer today and noticed that they have the Union Jack flying upsidedown. That just may be a good reason to drop in, just to let them know. :shades:

british_rover

Its only called the Union Jack when it is flying on a ship. At least thats what several of my british customers have told me.

corvette

Their showroom and waiting area are really nice. Never been to an "event" there, though.

corvette

"FWD car get better fuel economy than RWD cars."

Besides the fact that the MS6 is AWD, I have gotten a high of 36 MPG in my 3-series in very conservative highway driving--that's 6 MPG above the EPA rating. Never done that in any other car before, and I doubt if any Mazda6 would achieve that.

tazereli

Union Yack due to the seasickness on the ships?

Regards,
Kyle

snakeweasel

Yeah there is a little controversy on that. Some in the UK say that it is the Union Jack regardless of where its flown some say that its only the Union Jack when on a ship. Would the Union Flag be better.

FWIW Jack is supposed to come from king James who unified the thrones of England and Scotland and had the flag created.

Ok enough history, back to the rants.

jmonroe

They are just giving them away right now and there is a ton of money back in marketing support for the left over 2006 MY Jags.

The above is what 'rover' said in post 6472.

Please don't tell us that a left over 2006 isn't good enough for you.

jmonroe

mac24

The odd thing is I drove by our local Jag dealer today and noticed that they have the Union Jack flying upsidedown.

Maybe it's being flown that way intentionally. Possibly they're desperate for sales, as flying the Union Flag upside down is an indication that you are in distress!

On the other hand, it could be they're so ticked off with the situation that they're flying it that way as a sign of 'Lèse majesté' (dishonoring majesty), a way of signifying you're raising that single digit to the Queen and Commonwealth.

Maybe you should let them know that it's still regarded as an act of treason!

british_rover

aybe it's being flown that way intentionally. Possibly they're desperate for sales, as flying the Union Flag upside down is an indication that you are in distress!

On the other hand, it could be they're so ticked off with the situation that they're flying it that way as a sign of 'Lèse majesté' (dishonoring majesty), a way of signifying you're raising that single digit to the Queen and Commonwealth.

Maybe you should let them know that it's still regarded as an act of treason!

I thought flying the flag upside down was a way to signal distress but I could not remember for sure. Didn't know about the dishonerong Majesty thing though.

Yup graphic you should take the trade assist on the caddy and trade in the new caddy for a XJ8. Preferably a Vanden Plas or Super V8.

graphicguy

BR....I'm sure those Jags are nice cars. My older sister has an S-Type....can't remember the year. She likes it. I like it OK. I've just never had the desire for a Jag personally, though.

british_rover

Yeah that seems to be the problem with Jag right now. Everyone agrees that they make nice cars but no one buys them. It is a sad time.

qbrozen

I tried to buy one, but the dealer apparently has no idea what used cars are worth in the real world, and the only other jag dealer is about 40 miles away.

grandtotal

but the dealer apparently has no idea what used cars are worth in the real world

They know.

dhamilton

That new XKR is gorgeous. Kind of reminds me of Beyonce, curves and all that is.

isellhondas

Oh, they know all right. Otherwise a deal would have been made!

qbrozen

Otherwise a deal would have been made!

ummmm... i think you have that backwards. I think you know by now I'm out for a fair deal only. There's no reason why a dealer has to make $8k on our transaction ($6k over wholesale on the Jag they had and $2k under wholesale on my trade ... this was by Terry's auction numbers AND galves, which seemed to work just fine on the Lincoln LS I wound up buying instead). I tried to nicely explain that they recheck their data, but they would not hear of it. Oh well. I thanked the nice lady for her time and the test drive and left.

explorerx4

i think you really put one over on everyone here today!

carhag2000

As a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard I find that offensive
As a Veteran of the US Navy, I find it hilarious if not factually correct. :P

grandtotal

I hear you. But for the sn*tty attitude of a Mercedes sales consultant I'd be driving one of their cars now. I still can't believe it for $500, but I couldn't stomach them making a fraction over $5000 on the deal.

Deep down I know I'll be just fine with another Toyota though (and it'll be in the shop a whole lot less too, probably).

snakeweasel

How so?

snakeweasel

I should have known such a comment would come from a squid.

There is a line in the movie "The Guardian" that goes "We're the Coast Guard, we're not appreciated until we're needed."

grandtotal

Nope, the Union flag can (and often is) flown upside down. It can be flown that way to indicate distress but is more often flown that way in error.

div2

It's not only consumers who abuse new cars prior to sale. I pulled into one Dodge dealership only to notice a large cloud of haze/smoke in front of the showroom. It turned out one salesman was videotaping another salesman doing a full-tilt-boogie burnout in a new Charger SRT-8. After @500 miles of treadlife were removed, the car was moved back into the front line.

british_rover

I know at another Land Rover dealership when the freelander first came out a couple of sales guides tried to drive up a very tall hill behind the dealership and forgetting that the Freelander has no low range they didn't do it the right way.

Ended up screaming down the hill in reverse and slamming tailgate first into a large tree.

snakeweasel

Its such a subtle difference that most would never notice it.

stillwaters

Okay,

In 2002, I was trying to decide if I wanted a new Chevy pick-up truck, or if I wanted the Dodge Ram. I finally decided on the Chevy and spent several hours negotiating what I THOUGHT was a very sweet deal on a loaded 1500. After we shook hands I was escorted to the closer, who handed me the "usual" stack of papers to sign.

I carefully read each document before I signed and as I started getting closer to the middle of the stack I could see the "closer" start to lick his lips nervously.

There it was; a $17,000.00 promisory note that said after paying on the truck for three years, I would then owe a balloon payment of $17,000.00.

I asked "What the hell is this?"

The closer said (trying to sound self assured) "It is a GM "Smart Buy.""

I expressed that it did not seem so "smart" to me, that the salesman never told me about this, and that I expected to be given the deal they had promised me.

After going back and forth with the salesman and the closer, the general manager finally walked into the room. I immediately DEMANDED to know why I was being ripped off.

The manager said (with a smirk), "You didn't REALLY think you were getting the truck for those numbers, did you?"

I walked out, drove down the road, and bought the Ram.

Great truck. I still own it...

Keith

snakeweasel

I had a similar experience 15-20 years ago. A slightly lower monthly payment in exchanged for a huge balloon payment at the end of a loan. Think of it as a slightly more expensive lease with a mandatory buy out at the end.

Not a real good thing to do.

Still bought the car I wanted, just from another dealer.

The dealer that tried to pull that trick lost not only my sale but at least 10 others because of it. They all went to the salesman that I went to.

isellhondas

What was your trade?

explorerx4

i thought you meant this:

Union Jack