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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plus, with used cars, you don't know how they were maintained, how they were driven, the types of roads (was it being driven over pitted roads with lots of bumps, putting wear and tear on the shocks)
too many variables...no way to get two used cars exactly alike - its like finding two people who are exactly alike! even twins arent!
-thene
The story I related about helping a friend to buy a Sonata is one of the few times I didn't know what price would be the "end price". I knew a bit about the market for those cars, but not as much as I usually like. I knew a bit about prices in my area, but again, not as much as I usually know. That was a function of her being all over the map regarding what she wanted. I was prepared to help her buy an Accord. But, she went from that, to an Altima, to a Civic, to finally, a Sonata. I had to use your methods to get her a good deal on that Sonata. It just took longer than I like. Once they weren't willing to move any more, and I wasn't willing to move anymore, we came to a deal. She wouldn't let me walk. If she had let me go in and "do my thing" the way I wanted, I'm fairly certain I could have saved her another $100 or so....maybe not at the same dealer, but what I was thinking was "doable" somewhere. She had to have that Sonata, in that color, with those particular options, from that particular dealer. So, I was a bit limited with what I could do. Still, she got a good deal.
The story I related about the Mustang was nothing more than pointing out that I went down your way to buy one based on the dealership agreeing on the phone that...
1) They had the car I wanted (and no one else in my vicinity did)
2) They would sell it at the Ford A plan price (which they said they would, and then didn't once I got in the store)
They wanted to negotiate (from ADM sticker, no less). I didn't. They knew that up front. Yet, they still had me drive down there to get me in the door. Believe me, it was a very short and very curt conversation. The salesman even ran out to the driveway as I was driving away and wanted me to sit down at his desk. I wasn't about to get into a negotiating session with him. I knew that after a long "give and take", he still wasn't going to be close to the price I was willing to pay, so why bother.
Ah, but in some cities 2 blocks is a different world :-)
Maybe it had more upgrades, or lesser condo fees.
Or maybe a larger property, or backing onto something better, or a walkout basement.
Well, at least there seems to be some consensus here that KBB trade-in estimates are often whacked.
I feel for ya. I believe you said in a previous post that you are a technical guy, me too (or at least I was when I was a working stiff). Therefore, for most people, especially us, this trying to hit a moving target just ain't right.
Someone otta create a law of physics for this car buying stuff.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yes, the way you worked your Sonota deal sounds a lot like the way I worked my MPV deal. Except at a certain point I started, and was prepared to walk, if progress started to lag to much.
I only buy a new(er) vehicle every 3 or 4 years on average, so cutting to the chase isn't a priority with me. Even though I was lied to and given the runaround by a few dealerships, my 2 cars purchases in 2004 were both exciting and enjoyable.
I'm sure my next car purchase will involve about 2 years of research, 19 hours of test drives... and about 7 hours of negotiation. Moo... where did you say your dealership was again?
I would have thought ... anyone who would go through this to buy a car would want to save time when they got to the negotiating table but I guess you ain't in a hurry to do that first wax job.
Moo... where did you say your dealership was again?
Good idea. Then let us know if he'll fall for the "Moo Method" of negotiating. :surprise:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Ha!
If jipster attempts the "Moo Method" of negotiation on Moo, himself, then I wouldn't be surprised if Moo counters with the two-fingered "Moe Method"! :P
(Hey, I resemble that remark! Nyuk, nyuk!)
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Great response.
My thoughts exactly. I'm no English/Writing Major (as everyone here will agree) but even I do better than that.
When you have to read a post 2 or 3 times,
somethingeverything gets lost in the translation. :confuse:jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You got that right! It doesn't help our aim when this moving target keeps taking such highly illogical turns. :P
Someone otta create a law of physics for this car buying stuff.
The most applicable law I can come up with is Murphy's Law.
Okay, someone's gotta do it - enjoy!
Laws of Sales Motion with apologies to Sir Isaac:
I A sale in motion tends to stay in motion and a sale at rest deserves it.
II The acceleration of a customer from the showroom varies in proportion to the applied force of a sales pitch and inversely with a customer's ego.
III For every sales action there is an equal and totally unrelated reaction.
And, of course, the thermodynamics of the buying process with apologies to Carnot, Gibbs, Clausius and Thomson:
I You can't win.
II You can't break even.
III You can't even get out of the game!
However, the overriding law would be the Automotive Butterfly Effect, with apologies to Edward Lorentz, which states:
A butterfly flapping its wings in East Timor may induce a vortical collapse of Big Three sales in the U.S.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Yeah... you're right. Afterall he is, by far, the greatest Lawman in our universe.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Laws of Sales Motion with apologies to Sir Isaac:
Yes, it was enjoyable.
Only a savvy Host could have put it into words like that. :P
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
c'mon snake, you're too smart for that!!
-thene
There may be a lot of variables but for a lot of models there are way to many sold not to have two out there that are, for all intents and purposes, identical.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
If you parked your blue 2001 Sludgemobiles LX in a LargeMart parking lot close to any other blue 2001 Sludgemobiles LX would you or the other owner accidently walk up to the wrong blue 2001 Sludgemobiles LX and try to open the door before realizing that they were at the wrong car?
if you're talking NEW cars, well then that's a different story...
-thene
Nothing wrong with that. If I took all the hours I spent researching before I even set foot in a dealership (including caressing the new iron when the dealerships are closed), I'd probably be in that same ballpark.
You and moo should YouTube your encounter at the negotiation table. I'd find it entertaining.
As far as the Shannon post, I want to thank everyone who commented on that post. That was one of the funniest exchanges I've seen between our members here. And of course you know, grammar is near and dear to my heart. You guys need to slam me one time for misuse!
I just threw my damn back out yesterday while I was working on the yard. I was picking up a piece of equipment and turned, then POP! I fell over and my wife is just looking at me. She tries to help me up and I tell her to leave me alone. I'm giggling to myself as I'm looking up at the sky. I'm wondering again how a 31 year old can act so much like an old man sometimes.
I thought it would be gone right away, but I was again overcome with laughter as I could barely walk anywhere. The mirth is gone. Now it just pisses me off. Rx drugs here we come. Oh yeah, but to keep this on-topic. I STILL sold a car.
My business manager called and told me that one of my customers wanted to go ahead with the deal I presented him on Wednesday. Business manager heard my story, decided to not let the deal get split. He did all the paperwork, clean-up and delivery for me. Now that's some love!
Anyhow, I'm off to the doc. Wish me luck!
-Moo
Jipster is a tricky little [non-permissible content removed]. The funny thing is, I'll still take his head off!
-Moo
LOL. I'll crush you like a pimple on a pigs [non-permissible content removed]. I'll have you so far underneath a "mini" they'll have to scrape you off the ground with a spatula.
As a gesture of goodwill though, after the vehicle is delivered, I'll throw in one of those Moe "chili bowl" haircuts your mama use to give you... no charge. :P
moo - hope your back feels better!!!
TGIF!!
-thene
You're at a Nissan dealer in the Atlanta area right?
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Absolute textbook way to rupture a disc. Lift something and twist to one side. The pain comes from the muscles trying to protect the damaged area. Most people over thirty manage to do it at some time or another, so you're not alone.
It should resolve with rest and drugs, but it'll always be a weak point from then on. If you have leg pain or numbness too, take it very seriously and don't try to tough it out.
Good luck, and try not to write up too many crazy deals while you're on those good meds. :shades:
Now that's better. I got all of that .... the first time.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The difference is that I work for a living.
The mindset of the buyer matters more.
If there is a glut of a particular car, say when a bank or captive sells lease returns, the price will go down.
Even if the identical car sold a week earlier for more money.
It still comes down to demand.
Shannon: Thanks for being a good sport!
GG: Forget YouTube! Judging by their recent exchanges within this forum, I'm beginning to think the encounter between Moo and Jipster at the negotiation table might become a screenplay for the next Quentin Tarantino movie. :P
Such a good sport... we meant no harm.
Can anyone beat that?
I have had deals that lasted a year or more.
The longest I can think of was someone that I talked to in June of 2005 Initialy. We went back and forth for several months and could not settle on anything. She came back in about six months later and we did the whole dance again. A couple of months later we were back at it and that continued for a couple of months. Finally in October of 2006 I closed her down on a Supercharged Range Rover Sport after dozens of phone calls, at least ten visits to the showroom and probably twenty emails.
Good job on both your parts on hanging in there.