Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Stories from the Sales Frontlines
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Cars like that attract flakes, wannabees and joyriders.
The backward cap, baggy pants guys that slur their words.
Still, you never know.
I don't know you, and unless you're a Houston dealer I probably won't ever buy a car from you. A remark like that, however, leads me to think you have the us vs. them mentality that leaves so many turned off after a visit to their local dealer.
I don't go in to be manipulated or sold to. The minute I feel that is the minute I walk off the lot. What I expect is someone who knows the car better than me (often not the case) who can show me what features reccomend that car and what makes it better than others in its class. After that, I want someone who knows the often confusing lists of options and packages to help me find the vehicle that fits MY needs. I'm there to be eductated on the car beyond what I can find in reviews or glossy brochures.
When I've found the car I want, I expect to pay a fair price with fair compensation for the time and trouble the salesperson has taken.
All of the cars I've purchased have been great experiences (save one where I was taken on a financing scam). For each car I've purchased, I've ended up walking off several lots because of mistreatment by sales people.
Maybe you see so many morons on a day to day basis that you've become jaded and feel all of us are like that. If that's the case, maybe you are one of the salespeople I walked away from.
for a good read on how a salesmen can manipulate you see
http://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/0688128- 165
basically what it comes down to is salesmen can manipulate you even if you know exactly what and how they are doing it because they are pushing your "auto response" buttons.
Facts and figures a buyers knows is of little defense (and the salesmen on this board can confirm that).
Your only sure defense is to avoid or redirect the situation when you first see it, otherwise it can be difficult to stop. Of course, you can start pushing their buttons too.
Let me know when you are in the market, there is someone I can refer you to.
Chapman Group has bought some stores in AZ over the years.
The kid could kill himself in a 100hp Civic.
If he makes you a good offer, take his money.
In the time I have been here, I have sold over 3000 cars.
I can think of, maybe a dozen customers who I hope I never see again. They came in with chips on their shoulders, ground me to death on price and complained about everything. They left unhappy and no doubt gave me bad surveys.
I see these people, years later displaying the same attitudes in our service department.
What a miserable way to go through life.
Except in Canada, where they sell the CSX.
Repeat to yourself:
"I am not responsible for other's choices and mistakes"
If he lives and learns, so be it. If not, well, that's life. We all went through the same phase, remember?
All of the 5% nobody wants to deal with.
When you're on the selling side, keep in mind that you're being paid to deal with people. You don't have to like them. At some point (different for each person) there is a line where the money isn't worth the trouble. That's the time to walk away.
And always, always, always make nice with you're service manager. You'll likely be seeing him again (and with some cars many times).
I worked in ticket sales at a performing arts theatre. I was always sweetness and light. But when I got an [non-permissible content removed], or someone who refused to listen to what I had to say, the open seats tended to move further and further to the rear.
Then don't talk to a salesperson. Talk to an internet guy.
What I expect is someone who knows the car better than me (often not the case) who can show me what features reccomend that car and what makes it better than others in its class.
OH! You mean a salesperson. For a second there I thought that you didn't want to talk with one.
Shew, well we're in the same ballpark again then. Here is my question for you folks who seem to run into horrible salespeople on a regular basis.
Are you here to file a complaint or purchase a vehicle?
If it's the former, then we're not doing business. If it's the latter, then let me show you your new vehicle.
Congratulations, Mr. Customer!!
Punkr77, just so you know, I like to laugh a lot. Unless you are devoid of a sense of humor, then I think you'd laugh with me. I've been wrong before though.
Maybe you see so many morons on a day to day basis that you've become jaded and feel all of us are like that. If that's the case, maybe you are one of the salespeople I walked away from.
Ever work in retail? :P I work with people. I see all kinds.
-Moo
When I was a training manager I told the green peas that if nothing else they need three things to sell cars. If they have these things they will be succesful and live a prosperous life in the car biz.
1. Politeness, If you are polite it is contagious. I can't count the number of times I have had wives tell there husbands to be nice to me after they have acted like an [non-permissible content removed].
2. Enthusiasim, treat every customer like it is going to be your only chance all day and be excited. Does not matter if some one is buying a $5000 car or a $50,000 car, to them it is a big deal
3. The most important.... Product Knowledge, know what you are selling. Nothing more aggrevating then when you ask a question of a sales person in any field and they respond "I don't know". You knowing the towing capacity/horse power, torque/knowing the difference between horse power and torque/ knowing how to fold down a flip fold seat, etc etc etc could be the difference of closing a deal on the spot or the guy having to think about it.
Those 3 things will sell you 10 cars a month every month with no base to work out of.
Most customers fall in the middle. We got along well, and they left happy. When I call them, they are happy to hear from me. I may or may not remember their names years after the sale.
There are the "strictly business" people. I size them up in a hurry and with these people I am all business myself. I don't mind these people since this is how I was for th most part in my former life when I bought cars.
Then, there are the "friends" Wonderful people. I know the names of thier kids and I have watched them grow up. I have sold these people multiple cars and they send me constant referrals. These people make a point to stop by my office when they are in for service and I am always happy to see them.
Were it not for this group of people, I would have left this business long ago.
I have to work on Number 3 very hard since, as the Internet Manager, I am no longer to take the product tests.
I've sold 3 previous customers since I've been back this month. I must be doing something right!
-Moo
Every LR dealership employee has to take the same product tests that techs, sales and service advisors have to take for Master's competition. Of course - we have CSI and a final intensive test to qualify.
Most of the sales folks I have talked to seem fine with that and respectful. They provide the information I needed, gave me a chance to test drive the car, and then let me decide if it was for me or not.
The last salesperson I bought a car from had 2 customers (and us) backed up on a Monday night and I said make your deals, we are going to Wendy's and will be back in 45 minutes, what do you want us to bring you back...
He thought that was the greatest thing ever, I was out 3.50 for a value meal, and he shrugged off getting beat on all day. Ultimately, the deal on the car was fine if not great (and we love the car!!), I don't think anyone went hungry because of it, but it was actually a pleasant buying experience.
When I bought my current vehicle (Mustang Cobra), I went to 3 local dealers, was treated poorly, and ended up buying a lightly used one with 4,000 miles at Carmax. The worst salesman ignored me while I looked at the car in the showroom for 15 minutes. Wandered up and asked if he could help me. The conversation went something like this:
Me: I'm really interested in buying, can you get one in another color. (didn't want white).
SP: No.
Me: Can you cut me a deal on this one?
SP: No you'll pay sticker.
Me: Can I test drive it?
SP: Not unless you sign saying you're buying it.
Me: Can you get me a GT in yellow?
SP: They don't make them in yellow.(lie)
What's funny is that I had $8,000 in the bank and a loan approval for up to $35K. I probably would have bought it that day.
What's interesting is that a good buyer will have exactly those same traits. I like to think I'm that kind of customer. I'm not into the haggling over pennies. Hours of aggrivation isn't worth a buck or two off my car notes.
While I'm thinking about it, will a dealer give you a better deal if you buy two cars at the same time? Wondering because my wife needs a new car and looking at the new models has given me a little "new car fever".
I just got home from having a tooth pulled at the dentist moo, that you are sad with my post pains me even more.
But, I don't think the best salesmen are manipulative(bobst words)... the worst salesmen are manipulative in my book, and I sure wouldn't care to deal with one given the choice.
Despite my username, the Jipster is a very good tipster. I have posted before that I would rather tip the salesperson,
than leave it up to the dealership to provide for fair compensation. But, we all know that will never happen.
As for throwing in an extra $100 for the salesmens time and effort... you name your unborn child "Jip" and I'll do it.
I'm sure your lovely wife would understand.
Seriously, when you are shopping for a specialty car like a Cobra it isn't unusual to be told that you have to pay sticker and you can't test drive it.
the salesperson could have done a better job of explaining why he couldn't get you a different color and why you couldn't drive the car.
As for getting a better deal on 2 cars instead of one, not really gonna happen.
Dealer isn't going to lose money to move 2 cars, so the deal will be the same as if you only bought one.
Just do your homework.
If any salespeople here have any mind bending methods they use to influence a customer to buy, I sure would like to read of them.
Don't know how facts and figures of buyers would be of little defense. Unless, salespeople know some "Jedi" mind persuasion trick.
I had a similar problem at a Honda dealer when I was in the service. I walked in to buy a new Civic EX. Again, I had money in my pocket and was approved from my bank. Salesman walks up. I say I want a new Civic EX coupe, red, manual transmission; and I want to buy today. The salesman looked me up and down, said "you can't afford it", and walked off without another word. I went to the other dealer 45 min away, and bought that exact car.
Thanks for the tip ... but I have no idea what you're talking about. Turn up your sense of humor and you will see that I am "blasting" no one. :P
Right? Your stories are a little too fantastic even for my taste.
Kthxbye.
-Moo
Long live, Jip!
-Moo
Ahh heck, I'm gonna go ahead and give $200 to that lovely salesperson. Now what was that I was saying about me not being "influenced"?
Out of the roughly 10 salespeople I dealt with during my most recent car purchase, I would say most all were pleasant to work with. Though there were several that I suspected weren't being truthful... none were really pushy in the way I have often read about on the Smart Shoppers board.
If I were in the biz, I too would think that the 5% who were preventing me from attaining a higher income were a pain to deal with.
I would have thought the percentage of painful customers would have been a lot higher than 5%. Maybe it’s low because you sell a high end car.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Within the week he was dead. Ran into a semi trailer. Msarried with young kids.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My attire for a majority of these trips would best be described as "dressed-down". With our warm climate, I would usually show up in a t-shirt, shorts, and an old pair of running shoes.
Not once has any sales rep ever questioned my ability to afford their car. Not once did I approach someone, or did someone approach me, who was not very interested in selling me a car.
On a legal note, I'm guessing the buyer didn't realize how many red flags were being raised when he withdrew and made his down payment with $11,000 in cash. I would've had the bank issue a cashier's check, not currency. If the bank was doing their job, they should've filed a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) and possibly a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR). The dealership, if they're operating honestly, should've filed a Form 8300 (Cash Transaction over $10k). Somehow, I doubt the dealership cared...I hope I'm wrong.
That's just inflammatory. He's doing a little trolling. :P
-Moo
just curious...what exactly is "fair price" to you?
-thene
SP: They don't make them in yellow.(lie
What year model? yellow is a "Crunch Color" and was not available all years and one year was cut in mid-production.
Are you sure you have not embellished you Honda Story. I have seen all kinds over the years and the absolute worst sales person on his worst day, hung over, broke, divorced, a dead dog and all has never said anything like "You can't afford it" Commisioned sales people get a bad enough rap as it is, no reason to stretch a story to make us look worse.
Now I have said to people in Negotiation, "Sir/Mam it does not look like this car will fit in your budget, would you like to look at one with out leather and a moon roof to see if we can get to your target payment.
2018 430i Gran Coupe