Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
In any case, I can't wait for the denouement to occur. You guys and gals are sure building him up for me. I'm sure I will not be disappointed - but he may be!
LOL
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
My father was a Mason and at his funeral the Masons did a eulogy for him. In it they said that my father walked this Earth 74 years and was a Mason for 76 of those years.
Figure that one out.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Very helpful....it confirms what I was thinking. Since they would be making 2013s around August, and since they take 4 weeks to 6 weeks to put one we order together, I would just go with a 2013. We would order it as you said from a dealer in St Petes....Bert Smith. Like you said, not much room to negotiate on VWs. One dealer in Clearwater, says they sell every car $2000 below invoice, and they say online they will sell the car for $21795.
Bert Smiths price was $23,765. That $21795 price sounds like trouble, no one really sells them for that price.
I don't trust that price, and they had lots of bad reviews. Do you think I should ask for an out the door price online? I don't have a trade in.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
lol....that is so cool. Maybe we could get fezo one and he could stop bothering us wanting our cars.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Especially a Solara!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My brother does not have a Mercedes he got a Volvo C70 convertible in February 2011. I don’t remember the dealership name but it wasn’t in Delray Beach. I dropped him off where he bought it for an oil change in September 2011 then we went to the Okeechobee Steak House for dinner that wasn’t that far away (maybe 15 minutes?). His wife has a 2011 Genesis but she didn’t get it from the dealership in Delray. My brother said that guy just couldn’t listen to what he/she was saying so they went a little south to Deerfield Beach (pretty sure that’s the one) where he owned his previous home before he was fully retired.
As for bedding down with your beauty, I’d just sleep in her but I wouldn’t take the top off like the pic that was posted. That’s too much depreciation to suffer plus it ain’t a good thing to mess with a woman’s head.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Definitely! To sell a VW at $2000 under invoice is a truly amazing fete. USAA members, like me, get below invoice pricing on most vehicles, but without being a USAA member and still get that much off sticker, not to mention invoice is very fishy. A dealership could never stay in business ding that. No, I don't trust that price or the dealership.
To get a great price, build your car here on edmunds then, using the dealer's website, offer them invoice for the car. Eventually you should be able to get one for a few hundred over invoice. You should do this a few days before you arrive in Florida. That way you will be able to firm up the deal a deposit. Get at least 3 quotes from dealers within 50 miles of where you live. Where you buy the car is unimportant because you can service the Passats at any VW dealership.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Once again, very helpful. We will actually order the car 2 months before we get to Florida and do everything online. That way we can get a manual in the colors we want. At that time of year I prefer buying next years model, should make it worth a few $1000s more if we trade in 4 or 5 years.
I checked Edmunds and invoice is $23,522
Full MSRP is $24,495
Edmunds True Market Value is $23,276
That seems to be about roughly $1225 off MSRP.
The salesman who gave us a price and seems quite good broke down the full price, using MSRP, plus shipping, dealer prep, state tax, transfer, taxes for tires and battery and then he took off about $1025 to make it an even $26000.
My question is, and I don't want to go any where else, should I say for $25800 we'll get it all done....and if he says no go to another dealer.
I like that you mentioned you can take VWs to another dealer for service, I wasn't sure and that could really help with negotiations.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good luck!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The shortest of biographical sketches: 20+ years as a teacher, 10+ years as a school administrator, and 10+ years as a school system personnel director. Extra financial allocations were earned as an adjunct faculty member at a local college, buying and selling antiques from my home, and flipping 14 homes in 45 years. Upon my retirement, I performed consulting work for industry and schools for five years. Finally, the centenarians of our family moved on and remembered us in our old age. We are now comfortable and attempting to enjoy the unexpected fruits before my greedy niece and nephew get their mangy paws on it. We drive an '09 Cadillac SRX and an '08 Chrysler Touring convertible. These are subject to change at a moment's notice, for I am forever looking at cars and contemplating what is next.
I must depart for the moment but will return soon as I wish to comment on one or more of your posts. Again, welcome to our special little family.
Richard
We did go over everything with the salesman. I know dealer charges are normally $699 in Florida, and VWs seem to be $599. This dealer charges $480.
You would offer $500 less than the Edmunds True Market Value even after that, or is Edmunds price plus added costs (Edmunds included destination fee $770) is a fair price?
Then have him "overnight" the paperwork and send it back after you make copies. Make sure the dealership has signed the buyer's order prior to sending it to you. Without his signature (gen'l mgr's), it's not a deal!
I think this could be done online right. They send us a completed order form, we return it and give them a deposit on our VISA. That should consumate the deal...I bought my 535 up here doing that.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That would put you into the “grinder” category but as we have learned here ’if you don’t ask you don’t get’.
I’m sure the regulars here remember that we got Mrs. j’s Subie from a dealer in Columbus as a result of Son #1 going on the prowl for his mother’s new car. I got a canned email with their internet blurb for the Legacy Limited 6 cylinder that was the color and engine that I wanted (none available in the Burgh area like that). It was then followed by a personal email that had the dealers “eprice” which was a little over $800 less than their internet price. Both my son and I figured at that price he had to be into his hold back money. When I called and said I was interested in the car but wanted a better price the salesman said, “Mr. jmonroe you seem to know a good bit about this car so you probably know I’m into my hold back money as it is on this car. I can’t go any lower”. OK, I figured that so I took his price. All done over the phone with a credit card deposit. However, he wanted a grand as a deposit and I was only willing to go with $300. So he called back right away after checking with the desk and we had a deal. Where I think I did screw up was with the cargo tray. That car came with almost every available option other than remote start but it didn’t come with the cargo tray that I wanted. He said that it listed for something like $80 but he sold it to me for $65. I should have said, “throw in the cargo tray and we have a deal” but I didn’t. I guess that means I’m not the dreaded grinder that we have heard so much about from the sales guys that used to hang out here.
I like that you mentioned you can take VWs to another dealer for service, I wasn't sure and that could really help with negotiations.
I’m surprised you didn’t know that you could buy a car and have it serviced by any authorized dealer of your choosing. If that wasn’t the case I’d be going to Streetsboro Ohio for the Genny and Columbus for the Subie. Which of course was never going to happen?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Not sure if I qualify. He gave me the price of $26k. I didn't come back on that. I am just trying for a measly $200 to see that he earns his keep.
I should have said, “throw in the cargo tray and we have a deal” but I didn’t.
Talk about grinding. The poor guy was already losing on this deal.
I’m surprised you didn’t know that you could buy a car and have it serviced by any authorized dealer of your choosing
I know I can do that with the 535, but I thought some makes wouldn't allow that. I did read a review of my closest bimmer dealer and the reviewer said if you don't buy your car from them, expect very poor service.
I wonder if that could be a problem?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPLETE & FINISHED
No English dictionary has been able to explain the difference between the two words COMPLETE and FINISHED.
In a way that's easy to understand. Some people say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISHED.
I beg to differ because, there is :
When you marry the right woman, you are "COMPLETE".
And when you marry the wrong one, you are "FINISHED"!
And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are ...
"COMPLETELY FINISHED" !!!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I doubt that he was losing on that deal, probably making less than he wanted but not losing. However, it is possible for a dealer to lose on any given sale but in the end with quotas and incentives coming into play dealers NEVER truly lose. If they do they aren’t around too long.
When I bought the infamous XG350 at the end of April 2005, the dealer matched a price from his competitor across town although he initially claimed, “that deal he gave you is impossible. We’d be losing money if we sold at that price”. Two hours later he was willing to lose money too. So, it can happen.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We've been down this road before. No need to reward your greedy nephew and niece with all of this. You have a greedy friend here to take care of that for you. Someone on actual disability not off designing golf courses. Piece of cake I tell you......
I'll even give up driver's Passat in the deal.....
I wonder if that could be a problem?
I should have commented about this in my earlier post.
When I got the XG350 and turned in the survey the salesman was very pleased and called to thank me for the nice words. He said, “if you ever have a problem getting your car in for service, just give me a call”. I said, “I bought the car from you guys so I shouldn’t have a problem, right”? :confuse: He said, “you shouldn’t but the shop could be tied up with people who bought elsewhere and I can get you ahead of them even if they’ve already given the other person an appointment. Just call me, they’ll take good care of you”. I thanked him but when I needed him when the XG350 blew up he was long gone and we’ve all heard the aftermath of that.
Because of that fiasco how much worse can it be trying to find a dealer to repair your car under warranty? What are they going to do, sabotage it? :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
First of all, large dealerships will often take a small loss on several cars a month but they make it up on "big deals" their salesmen negotiate. As long as their average gross profit on new car deals is above the invoice line. Also remember they have 2-4% holdback on their cars, depending upon the manufacturer. So, in essence, they never really "lose" money on a deal. Often, they make it up in the back end of the deal in finance. We all know what that experience is like.
I still insist that you offer $500 below invoice to seal the deal NOW! (that word NOW is a very strong word in the car business - get a customer who is willing to do business NOW is like the fox who walks into the chicken coup and the farmer left a red carpet out for him leading to the hens.
I'm sure no dealer will sell you a car for $500 under invoice, but if you ask for $200, what do you think your chances are of getting that $200? Slim to none. But if you ask for $500, you might end up with $200 or a little more. Get my drift?
LOL
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Down here in Florida, with all the "snowbirds" we get, dealerships are servicing northern purchased/leased vehicles all the time both for warranty and maintenance. From my experience in the business as a manager down here, we would always "cry" to each other when the snowbirds started migrating north again in March and April. Business fell of significantly in our service department and that is when we started our summer sales for service - i.e. "free tire rotation and ......." with each oil change or warranty service, etc.
I live about 20 miles from the dealership I do business with, so I take my car there for service (haven't had any warranty or repair issues with any Mercedes I've owned in the past 6 years). But, if I had an emergency, I could take my car into a dealership only 1 mile from me - I just would never buy a car from them for varied and sundry reasons I'd rather not go into now.
So, my advice to all - buy/lease from the dealership with the lowest price and then worry about service/warranty work - you can use an authorized VW or Mercedes, etc., service department. Of course, you will get more smiles and a bit better service from the dealership you bought from, but with today's cars, most only require maintenance once a year.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Very well said (as always) my friend. In fact, there lies the beauty of leasing. Even though I am madly in love with my 2011 328xi that I took delivery of 1 month & 1700 + miles ago, I know that in a very short 29 months I know BMW won't be offering the $2500 cash + making 1st 2 payments + 64% subsidized lease. So I know a new 328xi will be out of the question (unless I want my payment to skyrocket, which I don't).
I'm already thinking; what's next?
Buy my 328xi from the dealer at lease end for less than the residual
Buy a similar CPO 328xi with 1/2 the miles for a similar price to my buyout
Buy a CPO BMW X5 Diesel
I really like the new Passat TDI (but am bot thrilled with VW's durability & reliability)
For what I'm paying to lease my 328xi w/ 20K per year, I could lease 2 cars for 10K per year (Something economical and a 4 door Wrangler)
Decisions, decisions, decisions...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
And this time, I have no clear needs, so I could pretty much get anything. Not being constrained by at least body type (4 door with usable back seat say) gives way too many options.
I think the my wife is going to have to live with the minivan for a while longer though. Unless something odd happens, there is little chance that I can swing an addition + an upgrade at the same time! So the van might have to wait 3-9 months onger (into mid 2013) or so before getting replaced. THough that will mean getting tires most likely this coming winter, and after doing brakes this summer, I will feel bad having put money into it!
I will have to decide on whether to hold off on the T belt replacement though. This December it will be 8 YO, but only about 80K on it. if I do that on top of tires and brakes, the wife could be driving that baby for a while! Depending on how much I spend on my car, it could be a long while.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
They had a Lazy Boy chair listed for 299.99 on the floor, wooden legs attached to heavy duty neumatic riser and sturdy wheel, in brown leather. Looked, felt and swivelled beautifully - just what I wanted. Right next to it, there was another Lazy Boy, black, etc., sturdy, but only 199.99 on sales. I asked why one is on sale the the other is not. Salesperson responded, "...hmm, let me check! Two minutes later he comes back and tells me he can sell me the chair for 199.99, the one I wanted. Great, I said, let's load it into my car. Unfortunately, he had only the floor model, and I never take floor models. He orders it for deliver to my houise this week for 199.99 plus tax - free shipping.
It arrived this morning. Drive said to just open'er up and you'll be sitting pretty. Well, when he left, I noticed that the box was much smaller than what the chair would be when put together. I'm always game for a little adventure, so I open'er up and low and behold, 26 pieces - honest - 26 pieces and nothing put together. I looked for the instructions to put it together and there, sitting at the bottom of the box is this magazine-looking book which said "directions" for assembly. I knew I was in big trouible when I saw the 35 or so steps to assembling this cherry of a chair.
2 hours later, I am putting in the last two long screws to attach the arms to the seat and back of the chair and, of course, they are stripped. Won't tighten.
On the phone I spoke to this nice-sounding young lady who explains that she can send me a new chair, a replacement seat or back, but not both, or some new screws. I explain, as delicately as I can that the "stripped" part was NOT the two screws (one on each side of course), but rather the "female" for the screw. I thought about what I had just said, obviously without thinking much about it prior to the statement, and she responds - are you propositioning me or something? We won't service your request if you are going to be a dirty old man! I apologized and tried to restate what I was trying ot convey to her, but obviously, by this time, nothing seemed to work out right.
Finally, rather than have Office Max lawyers calling me for propositioning one of their employees, which I was obviously not doing, I merely said that I would keep the chair if she would credit my account for 20%. She got approval and the final result was that I got the chair I wanted, for 140.00 rather than 299.99, and no lawyers.
I figured that if I tried to carefully and delicately explain the difference between the male and female of screws and nuts, I'd be spending the rest of the month in Broward County Detention, or something.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX? I figured out that what seems to be innocent is usually not!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You should be OK on a timing belt a while yet.
We'll watch and wait....
I had to promise I would not sell you a car - but I've been out of that business for 5 years now just enjoying my pension and social security.
I appreciate the fanfare and all, but I have learned to ...beware of Greeks bearing gifts! or is it Richards bearing....Just kidding.
Yes, this will give me an opportunity to provide an opinion on just about everything, me thinks!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If you draw the line he either meets your price or you walk. If the offer is doable the deal should be made but I found that one time I was asking too much although I didn’t think I was being unreasonable.
Back in ’88 I wanted to by a very nice ’86 Grand Prix. The dealer had a ridiculous price on it and the greenpea salesman said I should make an offer because that was the way this dealership did it. The high price was because they included a 3 year warranty which I didn’t want to pay for so I said to the greenpea that if they backed out their warranty price we would probably be at the same number given they were willing to negotiate a little. His response was that I wasn’t paying for the warranty “all of our used cars are sold like this so our customers don’t have to worry about repairs”. I said I knew the price reflected the warranty but he insisted otherwise. Again he said, “give me an offer that I can take to the used car manager and we’ll go from there”. OK, if that’s the way you want to do it. He takes my offer to the used car manager. They can’t give me what I want but they do reduce the price but not nearly enough so I’m about to leave. Greenpea almost in tears says, “hold on, I’ll get you a better price”. This happened again and this time the sales manager comes over and in an almost whining tone says, “Mr. jmonroe we’ve lowered our price three times already and you haven’t upped your price even once. What do I have to do to sell you this car”? I told him that giving me my price would do it. He walks away with greenpea in tow and a few minutes later greenpea is back. This time he says, “OK, we’ll give you your price but the car won’t come with the 3 year warranty, only 4 months”. :sick:
That should have been a sale, right? Nope, when I said I wanted to look in the trunk one more time because I thought I didn’t see a spare tire and jack but I wanted to be sure about that before I signed on the line. I was right the car didn’t have a spare tire not even the doughnut and they balked at putting one in the next day when I came back to get it although they said they would have one in the trunk when I came in to get the car. That killed that deal. Then the sales manager says, “OK, I’ll find a spare around here somewhere give me a while to find one”. With those types of games being played that deal was off the table. I got my deposit back and I bought an ’85 Grand Prix from a Buick dealer across the street two days later.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I knew this was going to be good with another retired school administrator in here but I didn’t know it would come out this soon.
When Richard gets back in here ask him about hooking up his new monitor that lead to a complete computer upgrade. All because of a simple cable connection.
I don’t know about the rest of you guys but I’m glad I paid my dues this month.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I always made up for mistakes made by sales people and other managers with used cars. Not much money to be made on new cars in comparison.
A $62350 MSRP Mercedes E350 like mine has a factory invoice of $58330. Not much to work with considering the bight sticker. Then, there is a 2% holdback on that invoice. So, the dealer selling that car for $500 over is actually making $2300 on that car as a gross profit. Then you deduct from that the $250 paid to the salesperson on a mini deal, and then there is prep, floor plan interest paid to the bank, etc.
Now take a 2008 Mercedes he took in for 26000 and sells for 33000. See where the money is made?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Me too. My family was getting tired of Ramen noodles and mac & cheese.
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
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I have to believe that if a dealer takes a car on trade that he doesn’t have to do much work on to sell it, that is the advantage that he has over other dealers that have to go to the auction to get one. Sure, he going to ASK the going price but in the end if he doesn’t have as much invested in his car he has more to play with when selling it compared to the guy down the street.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I took in so many late model trades that I usually kept a number of them for my lot. If I took a car in for $34000 cash value, and auction was $33600 for an average to clean car, I would put about $1000 to $1500 into it for tires, clean-up, etc., then put it out on the lot for $41500. I usually expected $40000 for the car, and I wouldn't have to pay for transportation. But if I sent a car to auction, I would path $250-$500 for hauling, and not all my cars would sell, so I had to pay return transport, obviously.
I usually didn't lose money on trades, but there are always exceptions.
Before I even looked at a trade, I would run a CARFAX on it to check for prior accidents and to check title, service history, etc. then I would appraise it. If it had been hit, I usually wholesaler it after showing the customer the CARFAX and gave him thousands less than I would if it had not been hit. Also, CARFAX saved my neck many times when I would find a car that was totalled by an insurance company showing up as a trade, or forged titles, etc.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
In the case of a bmw they probably won't give you a loaner if needed. Other than that, you will probably be at the bottom of their priority list if you take it to another dealer.
There were times when the dealer where I bought the car wasn't that easy to work with. Other times when I think they tried because I was a buyer too.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes, and perfect...makes sense.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It’s interesting that you bring up CARFAX. Have you ever heard of this. I haven’t and was surprised by this.
Just last week a fellow worker wanted to by a new Odyssey for his wife. When the salesman ran a CARFAX he said, “your car was involved in an accident so it has diminished value”. His car was not hit during an accident but a police report noted that when his wife was stopped to make a left turn the car behind her stopped but the car behind that car did not and plowed into the car behind his wife’s car. His wife’s car was not touched at all but because the police report had her car as being car #1 , then showed car # 2, then showed car #3 as being the one that hit car #2, his car is being considered by CARFAX as being in an accident. He got the police report that states all of what I have said and CARFAX wants a notarized statement of the police accident before they MAY correct the situation. Needless to say he is torqued. The dealer says it’s not their problem and won’t even give him the CARFAX report and the dealer is holding to what CARFAX shows. So, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place before he can have it removed by CARFAX IF and WHEN they decide to correct the situation.
Honest, I’m not making this up.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
My guess is you have been spoiled and will not be satisfied with anything else. I think you will find a way to get another bmw, or buy it and get an extended warranty.
I really like the new Passat TDI (but am bot thrilled with VW's durability & reliability)
That concerns me about VW...reliability. But, I am hoping, they should be pretty good now, since they are being built in Chatanooga USA, in a state of the art factory with lots of robots. We don't know for sure, but VW will probably be the largest car maker in the workld in a few years, so I am hoping they are going to try really hard. If I here news the Passats aren't reliable before I buy, I will change my mind and I will try to convince my wife to go with a Fusion.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
BTW, they later traded to another dealer of same brand who didn't seem to notice any CcarFAx excuse for reducing trade-in value.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I don’t know what BMWs policy is about loaners but my nephew, who was recently married, was told that Infinity provides a loaner no matter where he bought it which is what he wanted to hear because he bought a house that is clear on the other side of town from where he bought the car. In fact, he lives in a different county now.
FWIW, I get a loaner for the Genny even though I bought it in Ohio.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I have a friend who went to work at a Ford dealership many years ago. He sold new cars at first, then switched to used and never went back.
He said he could make more selling used cars, no one really knows what they paid for them and what they are worth when buying. He had no room to move on new cars.
I suppose, if you find a used car you like, you can't say, "I am going to find one at another dealer and offer them less".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It'll be interesting. I see that same premise I believed then being stated here now.
Too many people trade for used using their hearts and emotions instead of their minds and data.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I don't know why the dealer wouldn't give him a copy of that CAARDAX report. All he did was lose a sale. Why not give the customer a helping hand. It cost the dealership nothing but is worth thousands in goodwill. Every so often I would get a customer who challenged the CARFAX report. Usually they were the second owners. I would explain that I could not sell their car for "clean" dollars because I always showed the CARFAX report to prospective buyers. I also would be honest with them that I would not sell their car on my lot but would have to wholesale it.
I usually suggested to them that they should take the trade to one of my competitors and see if they could beat my deal. Usually they couldn't and I'd see them back the next day. But, sometimes my competitors got sloppy and didn't run a CARFAX report on the trade. So, the customer got a better price, but my competitor(s) got stuck with the trade.
It ALWAYS pays to be honest with customers.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I don't think they get "cheated" by salespeople as much as they "cheat" themselves. Car dealers are in business to make money, not friends. If they can do both (make money and make friends) most would prefer that.
When I mandated dealerships, my first price was always sticker and dead wholesale for the trade. Why you might ask? Because you get just one chance to ask for all the money and of course, I rarely got it. But that was 6 years ago and things have changed. Here's an example of those changes:
My Mercedes dealer sends each salesperson out on the first pencil (offer) with a printed policy sheet explaining that they will sell the customer any car at the Edmunds pricing for the vehicle. So if Edmunds gives the fair price at $2500 under sticker, then that's the price they sell the vehicle for, plus fees, taxes, etc.
The average Joe who bought/leased a car from me paid a fair, if not great price. It is up to the buyer to come to the dealership with all the ammunition necessary to get a great deal - exact car, exact invoice, exact trade-in value, etc. whenever a customer came yo me with that info, they got the car for their asking price. I didn't have to haggle and. Either did they. But come to me unprepared, I tried to make as much as I could for my owner. There is mothing wrong with that.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
They get their info by the VIN number. When a car is sold new, it is registered at the county for plates (tags). That date shows up as date titled and to whom. It also shows date. They pay a small fee to counties for that info. The same is true for accidents because police departments file reports with the county where the accident occurred. Subsequent renewals for tags and changes in titles are also recorded at the county level. Service visits also are recorded by dealers. All receive a kickback from CARMAX.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
We both agree it won't be the '02 Explorer, worried about it being a dorm bus(fits at least seven in 3 rows of seats).
We took my mom's Fiesta to lower Manhatten yesterday.
It fit 3 people plus a big suitcase in the trunk.
Easy-Peasy to park on the street.
The transmission doesn't shift real well, but it's ok.
Had to run the defroster most of the trip due to the humidity/rain.
Computer says 38.8 mpg.
We will be looking at a Focus sized vehicle.
Wow! That is very valuable information.
Hope you stick around aba.............you are a real find for this group.
I will think of lots of questions for you because you are a great resource. I have a question for yo now. My bmw salesperson gets back to me almost immediately if I have a question about the car. He has his Blackberry and I have received replies at 10 PM. Do you think salespeople are changing?
There was a time I thought selling cars would be fun. Not if I have to answer a Blackberry 24/7.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'd say that is pretty good.
I never bought a car where I considered gas milage. I don't think my Genny could get that kind of mileage if it were being towed nor would the Subie. :sick:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl