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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Customer then says that he likes the car and offers 50% of MSRP on a the car.
You didn't say but I presume the "customer" was driving at the time. Would a 50% surcharge on the vehicle be appropriate for a reckless driver? Afterall, he has demonstrated that he gets into accidents.
tidester, host
Well then its a good thing we went Caddy instead of the C2[whatever] we were looking at. :shades:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
He finally pulled out in his new Rover about three hours after he got there to pick it up. This was for a vehicle that was all set and ready to go with all of the paperwork preprinted. He knew all of the numbers there was nothing to go over all he had to do was sign. He didn't even need to bring any money because he had already paid his upfront fees with his deposit.
Man that was painful. I am sure that is going to be a 60 something percent CSI score right there.
Speaking of non-existant hidden rebates.
Couple of days ago I get a call from a woman. Goes like this.
Me: Good morning Land Rover of blahahahalahblahablhb Brandon speaking how may I--(interupts me I hate that)
Her: I want a LR3 V6 with the cold climate package do you have any of those.
Me: Yes we have a couple of those but we do not have any zero mile units as all of our V6 LR3s are used as service loaners. These cars are used by our clients when their vehicle is in for service. They typically have between 5,000 and 6,000 miles on them and we sell them for a discount.
Her: Well how much would you sell them for?
Me: Well the least expensive one have is red with black interior and it had a MSRP of 43,000 dollars and would sell it for 36,500 to 37,000 dollars.
Her:(scoffs) Well that isn't very much of a discount considering I know Land Rover has 5,000 dollars worth of rebates on them.
Me: (my turn to scoff) Well I am sorry but that is incorrect. There is a 1000 dollar rebate on V6 LR3s only and that price already reflects the rebate.
I started to explain that maybe she was confused with the rebates that were on 2005 LR3s as there was 5000 dollars worth of rebates back on them but no one has any 2005 LR3s left. Just as I started to explain that she cut me off again and said...
Her: Well thats just not good enough(hangs up)
Ya for somereason, the C-Class owners are all just rude, or snooty. 3 series owners are usually pretty cool, usually they come to Audi for the change. Its wierd, BMW people will leave the brand for Audi, before Mercedes. Mercedes people will go to BMW, before they would go to Audi. Probably its the prestige thing. Mercedes owners are the first to name drop, or say...."I am really busy because I am a lawyer blah blah blah."
Have to figure he wasn't really ready to buy at that point.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Well we don't need incentives to sell our vehicles. Land Rovers sell on their own merits without the need for marketing gimicks.
"As you can see, Audis are not over saturated in the marketplace, and When you see incentives, customer cash, it is on a product that is distressed merchandise. With only 15 A4s on our lot, I would not consider us in a overstocked situation."
I think a lot of the people who buy Land Rovers are well aware of the expense involved with keeping them on the road as they age. They either accept this or else they simply lease and dump them after three years...right?
Years ago, we took a chance on one. It came with a six inch thick folder of repair and maintenance receipts and it had been babied. It passed our strict inspection with nothing wrong being noted.
About two weeks later, I looked out and it looked like a lowrider! The air suspension had failed! the only shop that would work on it was the Land Rover dealer and he was a month backed up! The repair bill was staggering but we fixed it. As I recall, it was a fairly low mileage Rover.
It came back fixed only to have it's 1961 Buick Special engine pick up a rod knock a week later for no apparant reason.
We dumped it at the auction and lost thousands in the process.
Never will we retail another one UNLESS it's under factory warranty.
Hopefully, things are better?
I couldn't make him understand that we only had one of them and it was not going to be discounted. To try and make some kind of compromise I offered up one of the three HSE Range Rover Sports we had at about 1,000 dollars off but that was not good enough for him.
He had never been in an accident and thought the Jetta was at fault. Heck, he was lucky the windows stayed up, the ignition coils didn't ignite, and the seat heater didnt combust :shades:
should I take my car back to that dealer for service? Sure if it's the most convenient place for you. Usually the sales and service departments are seperate. I'm sure service won't even know about the CSI survey.
But I have to ask, why the heck would you give someone like that your business? I would have walked when he left twice during your negotiations.
If I didn't leave by then, I would have surely walked when they ashed the cup holder and I would have told whoever was in charge at that store why they weren't going to sell me a car.
These types of stores will never change their ways of doing business until the buying public lets them know that these actions are not acceptable.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Why did you spend any more time with this guy. When he went to order lunch I would have told him that since ordering lunch was more important to him that selling you a car thereby earning money to buy that lunch I would be seeking a different dealer.
After I complain he says no big deal, it's gonna be their car soon.
My response would have been, you want to make a bet? Especially after all that I would have been gone.
was I wrong to hammer him?
Not only no but @#$& no.
Second, should I take my car back to that dealer for service?
If it is convenient why not.
I'd rather not run into him and have to explain my self again.
Funny thing is you don't have to explain yourself to him.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
You can take the car to any Kia dealer you want for service....and they are required to provide it.
I've never been to a Kia dealership, so I don't know how they train their sales staff. But this sounds like a "churn and burn" store. I stay away from those, if at all possible.
Personally, I would have run from that dealership. I wouldn't have given them my business if they paid me to take their car.
Spill coffee in the new car I'm thinking of buying? Guess what bucko....no sale.
Not that it matters, but how old are you?
graph,
I'll have to disagree with you here. I'd take the the car and the money but I'd still hit them with a well deserved low CSI rating where it applies to service, however, I'd rate them off the chart (in the high direction) where it applies to the type of deal I got.
I was always tought not to pass up a good deal and to be honest.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Poor excuse, if thats the case maybe your in the wrong profession.
He had to go eat lunch, due to being a diabetic
He ordered lunch, secondly if that is the case excusing yourself with a reasonable explanation should suffice. People are understanding of that, they are not understanding of just walking away.
The spilled coffee? McDonalds probably didn't put the lid on tight enough.
I seriously doubt that they went to McDonalds for coffee when they went to gas up the car. The guy should never have brought the coffee into the car in the first place.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
You are forgetting - people who drive Jettas are the ones who really want the C-class MBs, but can't afford them.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Kirstie, when someone trashes one brand in defence of another that's at least as bad, it's hard to resist.
I almost bought a VW TDI myself once.
(Coming from the person who reminds his boss to buckle up when driving a company vehicle.
No McD's here, he did say the guy always had a coffee cup. And I'm sure most if not all dealers provide the coffee.
bigveedubgirl....there are two dealerships in and around the Cincinnati area. Both of them have plenty of new '06 A6 stock. The sedans are the ones they seem to be offering the huge discounts on. Of course, none of them are base models. But even the ones that aren't all loaded up they're offering at $8K off MSRP.....I could have got one loaded with all the goodies for $9k off sticker (I think the sticker of one in particular was about $54K and the dealer offered it at $45K...brand spanking new). I was looking at a purchase, not a lease, however. I went in a different direction, but being able to pick an A6 up at $40K-$42K (with MSRPs hovering near $50K) is pretty compelling for such a fine car.
Comparatively, you can't touch a 530 orInfiniti M, for that. Probably could get an Acura RL for that price. I think the A6 is a much better car than the RL, though.
I was helping a girlfriend buy a car about seven years ago and had a pushy Nissan salesman (heavy smoker based on the fact that he smelled strongly like an ash tray) go get a new car off the lot for us to test drive and the sales guy actually drove the car up with a lit cigarette. I could not believe it.. Since he went along for the test drive I made it very clear that he needed to put out the cigarette, and that my girlfriend is a non-smoker and would in no way buy a new car that had been smoked and ashed in. The guy seemed a little put off, but he did put out the cigarette. Needless to say she bought a new Nissan down the street after the test drive was over..
I would think the first thing any person in sales would learn is to not offend the pontential customer. Professional decorum dictates that smoking, drinking (anything) in front of the customer while test driving is a definite "no-no". I wouldn't mind if the salesperson has a beverage while sitting at his desk (at least offer me something, too), but even that detracts from giving a presentation of the car during the test drive.
Yeah, that would have made the deal even better. Can you imagine, a free car, cash, and a free lunch. That is truly the best deal anyone could have gotten.
Talk about a win/win situation,
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I agree it's rude to drink in front of a customer. Heck, I don't even like it when Regis & Kathy Lee (or any early, mid-day, late evening t.v show hosts)have to slurp from their coffee cups every 2-3 minutes. Are they so parched or sleepy that they can't wait 6 minutes till the next commercial? Why not break out the Philadelphia Cream Cheese and toasted bagels as well.
A Story From the Sales Backline: On one occasion I was speaking to a real estate agent in her office about a home purchase. Well, this is an elderly lady...about 50-60 or so. So, while discussing a contract she offers me a beer. I'm in my young 20's...so naturally I say yes, so as not to offend her.
Morale? Don't reward unethical people/practices with your
business. In the long run, it makes them stronger...and you weaker.
P.S I was just joking about the 6 or 7 extra beers....OR was I???
I got the paperwork on my car done Friday morning, and left it at the dealership to handle final detailing and an "it's been a long time on the lot" oil change. I also visited my insurance agent to handle new coverage, and got that taken care of.
The F&I person was surprised that I was able to come in the next day with proof of full insurance and the salesman I dealt with had to make a special trip in, not expecting me to want my car on a Saturday morning.
Weird.
While I understand the frustration of those who have done all their negotiation over the internet and not having the car/paperwork done when they finally treck to the dealership, I would imagine that there are a lot of deals on the dealership side that were finalized over the net and never consumated.
I can see them saying "we'll get'er ready when the buyer walks through the door and signs".
Much to my surprise it was being prepped when I arrived at 4 PM and I was on the road by about 5:30. The only delay was that I couldn't physically locate the internet salesman for about 20 minutes at the large multi-line store!
I got thrown for a loop trying to find your story. Did it get deleted?
tidester, host
I can just make up the "My Story" any way I want. Just so it fits in with the replys.
I recently purchased a 2006 Kia Spectra SX and had a bad experience with the salesperson. Here is my story:
When I first walked in and was approached, I told him I was looking to buy a Spectra SX or Focus ZX4. I knew the exact options I wanted...the color...and was willing to wait for a trade/order. He then directed me towards a USED Mazda 6. I said no thanks...and he left me (First time) to do something at the next door dealership. He came back 5 mins later and we began negotiating on the Kia. He left me two more times during the negotiation. Once to place an order for lunch, and once to smoke. They did not have the exact vehicle in stock. No surprise there...but when I asked if there were any around...he would not do a dealer locate for me. If they had to trade with some dealer in Kansas (I live in Chicago), or if I had to wait months for one from Korea...that would affect my decision. He said the do that only after a deposit. Numerous other dealers have done that for me when the situation arrised. So...after they test drive my trade-in...while he's on "smoke break"...I check my car. The sales mgr smoked and ASHED in my cupholder! After I complain he says no big deal, it's gonna be their car soon. We weren't even done dealing!
Anyway, bottom line, I got the car and wanted and the deal I wanted. They had to dealer trade with a close by (Indiana) dealer. BUT, the sales mgr said I had to leave my trade there, the would give me a loaner for the night. Has anyone ever heard of that? Did they think I was gonna change my mind? Against my better judgement...I agreed. (BTW the loaner was empty!)
So, the next day, I go in to pick up my car. The salesman took it to get it filled up. A nice perk. When I get in it...He spilled his coffee all over the center console. He BTW, always has a cup of coffee in his hands, and never offered one to me.
Granted, I should have walked on this guy early-on. Now after the deal, I hammer him on his CSI. Kia called to have me explain, they were very nice, and the sales manager also called to see if there was anything he could do. Obviously nothing after the deal.
Two questions...was I wrong to hammer him? I purchased 9 new vehicles since 2000 (I know, I know, I have a problem), and have dealt with some decent sales people. He is definitely rare. Second, should I take my car back to that dealer for service? I'd rather not run into him and have to explain my self again. Would the service dept treat me different (better or worse) if they knew I really complained about the sales experience?
This should be very interesting!
tidester, host
tidester, host