.....2 weeks later, he was back with his girl of the week to buy her a car, and the same thing would happen...
Maybe he was smarter than he seemed. He could spin a line to his latest girl about buying her a car perfectly secure in the knowledge that it would never cost him a penny, but would earn all the kudos for making an 'honest' effort to do so. Sounds like a win-win for him!
Gotta test drive story that happened to me. It was so long ago, I can't even remember the year.....maybe late 80s?
Anyways, I was looking for a hot little turbo AWD Eclipse....new. The Mitsu dealership I went to had an "arrest me red" one that I liked. The sales guy made copies of my license and proof of insurance, slapped a dealer tag on it. He throws me the keys and slips into the passenger seat and says "lets go". We're off to the races.
We get to the interstate ramp and the salesperson says "open it up a little so you can see what it'll do". Well, these things had horrendous turbo lag. It took more than a couple of seconds to spool up the power. I plant my right foot deep into the acclerator....and wait....wait some more...finally, the turbo spools up and it's like we were shot from a slingshot. We closed in on the traffic in front of us in short order.
Unfortunately, there was a truck carrying 2x4s in front of me. You guessed it, one of the 2x4s falls off after he hit a pot hole (no, he didn't have the wood tied down). Quickly checked my mirrors. Nowhere to go either left or right...just straight. I was able to slow down to about 60 at this point, but not until I hit the same pot hole.....and then....run over the 2x4....."THUNK.....WHACK"....wood splinters flying everywhere.
We pull over at the next exit to stop the car. Couldn't really tell if there was any damage underneath (plenty of wood residue around the undercarriage, though), but the front had a nice gash in the Eclipse from where the 2x4 hit, and then fell under the car.
I look at the sales person, who literally looked like he'd seen a ghost. I told him there was nowhere for me to go with traffic on either side of me. I ask him if he wants to drive back. He can only shake his head "no".
I drive the car back to the dealership. Sales person looks at the front of the car, again. to inspect the "gash". Sales manager looks out the window, then comes running out. He asks the sales person "what happened". Sales person is still speechless. I finally tell him what happened.
Sales Manager, like a good sales person, says...."that should tell you how well these cars handle and how well they're built". I agree. He asks me if I'm still interested in buying the car. I say..."maybe....but not this one". He had a couple of other ones, but none of them were the color I wanted. Told them to give me a jingle when they get another one in that is the same color I wanted.
Never heard from either the sales person, or the sales manager, again.
The young lady in her early 20's had come into the dealership earlier in the day and driven the Mazda Miata convertible. She liked it had told the salesman she would bring back her boyfriend to buy the car as her credit was shot by her own admission. Sure enough, around 4:pm her comes the young lady with boyfriend in tow. Boyfriend was in his 70's. The salesman shows them the car again and later they go into the F&I office. About 15 minutes later the business manager comes out of the office and has dialed 911. The boyfriend was having some type of repiratory problem. They wheel him out to the ambulance. After about 15 minutes the man emerges from the ambulance and finishes signing the papers. The young lady then drives off in the Miata that her boyfriend had purchased for her.
About 15 minutes later the business manager comes out of the office and has dialed 911. The boyfriend was having some type of repiratory problem. They wheel him out to the ambulance The interest rates were that high?
I had a similar experience, but no medical problems. An older gentleman in his 70's comes in with a 45 year old lady. I assumed they were a couple, but didn't refer to them as husband/wife etc.
We go through all the stpes, he buys a car, trades his older one in. It was the end of the day and we were already locking our doors when they were in F&I.
When they come out, the lady goes and waits for him in the car. I tell him I'll call him when he gets approved so he can pick up his car. He says "When you call me at home, don't mention my lady friend to my wife"
I was a bit stunned but said ok, no prob.
Before he leaves he asks if he can use the bathroom, I said ok. He runs to his car gets a plastic bag out and runs back into the dealership and into the bathroom. 5 minutes later he comes out changed in completely different clothing.
Back when I was in college, I had a job as a lot boy at a small, family owned Pontiac store. We were located "in town", and had probably more than the usual number of local types who "befriended" the two sales guys.
This one guy, "Chuck", was a strange one; he was nice enough, but kind of slow in a Forrest Gump sort of way, although he does have a driver's license. He didn't have a job. He lived with his mom, who also had some issues.
For some reason, he gets a bug that he's absolutely GOT to have a brand-new car. He hounds his mom relentlessly. Eventually, she relents, and cashes in a certificate of deposit.
Flush with funds, Chuck is practically hyperventilating with excitement. He comes into the store, wanting to buy a Grand Prix. Bob, his favorite salesman, and a moral sort of guy, says "Chuck, you DON'T NEED a new car - don't waste your money", and basically boots him out of the place.
Not to be deterred, Chuck walks over to the local Buick dealership, and buys a new Regal.
He drives it back to our place, to show it to Bob. At this point, Bob it pretty upset, both because Chuck wasted his money, AND because Bob blew a commission.
A week later, Chuck is bored with his Regal. He drives back in, and tells Bob he wants a new car. Bob tries to talk him out of it, but when he realizes that Chuck has made up his mind, he works out a deal for an even-up swap on a new J-2000.
Chuck drives off smiling in his new J-2000.
A few weeks later, he shows up in something else. I forget what it was, but it was something used. Apparently, he got bored with the J-2000, and found someone to trade him even-up on his latest ride.
I forget what exactly happened after that. I think he might have done one more even-up trade before he ended up with a total junker.
It was sad to watch, both because he was being taken advantage of, and because I was making $4 and hour, and driving around in an old Ventura with a clogged up catalytic converter, and could never have begun to dream about being able to afford any of the cars the he'd just blown through (except maybe the last one or two... :-) ).
about 5 years ago I get a phone up from a woman with a heavy german accent; she wants a stick Beetle turbo in yellow. I have one in stock, so I'm pumped. She comes in, I bring the car around, I drive it off the lot, get to my switch over spot and then the fun begins. She was a small woman, maybe 4'10 in her shoes, and a German emigre' about 75 years old. We hit it off; she reminds me of my maternal grandmother. Once she gets behind the wheel and takes off, the reign of terror begins. I'm buckled in, clutching to the OSH with all of my might as she is weaving through traffic and no lie......power shifting Now, at this point I'm throwing out directions, "turn right, slow down, this is a NEW CAR, etc..." We get back to the dealership and I'm covered in a cold sweat. I jump out of the car, tear the filter off of my Marlboro and take it down in two drags........anyway, that was one of my favorite White Knucklel Test Drives. She bought the car by the way......
A guy was thrown out by 2 guys during a test drive at another dealership in my area. We all cracked up when a guy asked if that dealership gets to put it up on the board since insurance would pay for it (we were in a competition with several dealerships).
Someone else also gets to spend all day switching cars with him because he didn't drive the car FIRST and now wants to switch, AFTER the paperwork has been completed.
Someone else can also enjoy the heightned risk of the bad survey.
Someone else can also enjoy the mini.
The REAL moral of the story, is that yes indeed, there are doormats in this world that will let you walk all over them and let them tell you how to do their job. There are also people who will take your money, despite all of the strings and brain damage attached. Just fyi, that's not even being an order-taker...
I'm not one of them, and neither are a lot of my colleagues (including my OWNER).
So go ahead and spend your $$$ at "down the road" motors because they'll let you have your way (not to be confused with "tailoring sales", because the outright skipping of steps isn't "tailoring" it's "shortcutting").
There's a reason why we're number ONE and they're NOT :P
Someone else also gets to spend all day switching cars with him because he didn't drive the car FIRST and now wants to switch, AFTER the paperwork has been completed.
Well if they are bringing up defective cars then its their fault. As I said the test drive was already done and there is no reason for me to switch the car unless there is a mechanical defect with it. If the car is free of any damage and doesn't have any mechanical defects (i.e. pulling to one side or has a shimmy to it) then there is no reason for me to reject it, I already like the car.
Someone else can also enjoy the heightned risk of the bad survey.
FWIW insisting that I test drive when I want to talk numbers is the fastest way to get a bad survey from me (that is if I buy from you). Why? because you are not doing what is best for me.
The REAL moral of the story,
The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales. The ones that try to force customers into a one size fits all sales method will end up losing sales.
So go ahead and spend your $$$ at "down the road" motors because they'll let you have your way (not to be confused with "tailoring sales", because the outright skipping of steps isn't "tailoring" it's "shortcutting").
No skipping steps, just because the steps were not done in a particular order or that not all were done under your so enlightened eye doesn't mean that steps were skipped. It just means that a good salesman knows how to tailor the sale to do whats best for the customer and thats why he, not you, will get the commission from my purchase.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
"The mere fact that most of us are here tells me we want to be an informed buyer. We want to know the MSRP, Invoice, holdback, incentives, etc. I'd say most of us represent a quick sale to the dealership since we know what we're looking for....and the price we want to pay for what we're looking for."
I can say wholeheartedly that the most "informed" buyers are almost NEVER the "quick sale" you think they are.
And that's the crux of the problem. The "informed" are just so convinced that they're right, they just can't get over someone NOT wanting to do things their way. And god forbid it doesn't... they'll just take their ball and go home!
It's quite alright, I am 100% A-OK with that :surprise: !?!
But with all that time you've "saved" by taking your ball and going somewhere else, you've wasted far more than just doing things the RIGHT way.
A true story for you that happened YESTERDAY (and I'm not kidding):
A lady bought a car she had ordered (a base white Camry LE 4 cylinder with the Tan interior). Of course, since she had ordered it, why even look at the car first right??? (I have to admit, even I'd be tempted not to)
So she spends 4 hours at the dealership doing all the paperwork (on Halloween no less)...
Now keep in mind, we let the CUSTOMER fill out the preference form when it comes to options, so that it's in their handwriting, and so there's no confusion.
She has clearly ordered a car WITHOUT alloy wheels, but after seeing one on the showroom with them (because we dress up our showroom cars from time to time... or at least our parts guys do lol), she assumes incorrectly that her car has them too.
You can imagine what happens when the salesmen pulls up her's without them... It got ugly, and we almost lost the deal. She was miffed (at her own ignorance? I'm not really sure...) But we ended up selling her the same wheels at cost, and now she's on her way. No fuss, no muss right? Until she gets that survey...
I really feel bad for the salesperson (who I've known for almost a year now). He did everything right (including the order), EXCEPT for a cursory inspection and drive around the block of the car.
The customer still bought it, and he still got his "big" commission. I sure wouldn't want to be him when that survey comes in though, as she clearly left with a bad taste in her mouth.
We could argue all day about it bein the customers fault, and how it would never happen to you because you're so "informed" that you'd know better...
But it's still ANOTHER example of why you don't just go straight to numbers (especially when the car is less than 500 yards away).
It's a good exchange between you two, people reading between the lines on both sides of the fence can learn something useful from it.
The REAL moral of the story, is that yes indeed, there are doormats in this world that will let you walk all over them and let them tell you how to do their job.
I think the real moral here is that you are demanding that the customer conform to your code of behavior, and that your methods are pretty typical in the car sales business. From a buyer's perspective, it's useful to know that controlling the transaction is very important to you, because as a buyer, I can easily use your desires to control the deal against you.
The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales.
I think the real moral that you're missing is that these tactics that TJW is describing are very typical in car sales, because it helps the dealership to increase its profit margins much of the time.
But it doesn't work on all customers, obviously, so the dealer needs to figure out whether he's best off adjusting his style to suit buyers like you, or whether he finds it more profitable to dedicate that time to a different prospect who is more likely to give good reviews, send over his friends afterward, and pay a higher price. That's just a business strategy, there's nothing intrinsically good or bad about it.
"Well if they are bringing up defective cars then its their fault. As I said the test drive was already done and there is no reason for me to switch the car unless there is a mechanical defect with it. If the car is free of any damage and doesn't have any mechanical defects (i.e. pulling to one side or has a shimmy to it) then there is no reason for me to reject it, I already like the car."
Ok, so if it has 800 miles on it, no worries. That's not a "defect".
"FWIW insisting that I test drive when I want to talk numbers is the fastest way to get a bad survey from me (that is if I buy from you). Why? because you are not doing what is best for me."
You are in no danger of buying a car from me, and FWIW, I am doing what's best for you, you are just too "informed" to realize it.
Just becuase it's not what you want, doesn't mean it's not the best way to do things.
"The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales. The ones that try to force customers into a one size fits all sales method will end up losing sales."
I disagrree 100%. You have to tailor your presentation, but you don't have to be a doormat just because you encounter someone that wants to tell you how to do your job.
"No skipping steps, just because the steps were not done in a particular order or that not all were done under your so enlightened eye doesn't mean that steps were skipped. It just means that a good salesman knows how to tailor the sale to do whats best for the customer and thats why he, not you, will get the commission from my purchase."
Inspect what you expect. Someone else's "enlightened eye" isn't mine, you are quite correct.
"good salesman" know that.
T
*sits with a grin from ear to ear, knowing that despite offering to let it die, snake HAS to have the last word, as expected... T feels smug knowing that he was right, YET AGAIN :P *
The dealer, like all dealers could be easily sold a sales program. Thus, we were introduced to the O.K deal. It was intended to increase gross per unit by raising the customer's payment expectaions. . You would do the following with a buyer. Lowball the trade, then once the customer yelped, you replied O.K., what were your realistically thinking? The process was repeated with excessive money down. O.K. The payment was then inflated and the customer screamed again. O.K. I forgot what the other key question was.... but the key words were always replied back to the buyer were...O.K. First day of the new program, a pulp wooder comes thru the door to trade trucks. Salesman grabs him and then proceeds with the new system once landed one a truck. He low balls the trade and the pulp wooder screams every profanity known to mankind in his office and out on the shoowroom floor.While making his way toward the front door. The salesman replied. O.K. Neededless to say the O.K. Deal lasted very little time at the dealership.
"Would you rather I take a test drive and put useless miles on a new car and waste your time if you know you will not accept my offer?
Or would you rather first agree on the price and then do a test drive so I can make sure the car does not have some obvious problems?"
What I'd rather do is irrelevent.
A test drive and cursory inspection takes all of 20 minutes TOPS. You don't have to drive it to Mexico, just around the block will be fine by me (and ownership). It DOES do something for you, because if we for some reason can't conjure up one just like it (if it doesn't meet your inspection criteria) there's no reason to even talk numbers anyway. It also gives us a chance (if there is something wrong), to know about it BEFORE the negotiations start and it becomes a deal-killer later.
If that's too much to ask, it's not that we don't want your business, it's just that you are being unreasonable from the get-go, and you are presenting yourself as nothing more than brain-damage and survey risk.
And just because someone says "not a penny more" are we really supposed to be naive enough to believe it? And if so, why is it that customers bump in $$$ every day?
Maybe you'd be the one to walk out over 1 penny, but you'd be in the minority.
Ok, so if it has 800 miles on it, no worries. That's not a "defect".
Well since I most likely would have found the car on the lot beforehand I don't think that would be a issue.
I disagrree 100%.
You are welcome to. But following that advice I took a sales team that was at the bottom of the barrel (ok it was actually below the barrel) and in less than 7 months out did what that team did in the previous 12 months. Out of 10 groups we were #10 when I came in and way behind #9 (basically due to the territory was the worst of the lot) and got it to #7 in less than a year. All by throwing out the companies tried an true sales script/method and tailoring the presentation to the customer.
However the chain of command didn't like the fact that I was a maverick and we butted heads repeatedly over it, but since our sales were climbing I didn't budge. Of course the found a reason to replace me with someone who would follow the companies tried and true procedures and sales for the group tanked.
I worked in sales paying my way through college. I found out quickly that by not following the "sales script" and tailoring the sales presentation to the client I could sell a lot more. Within three months I was out performing their star salesman.
Yeah you can disagree with me, but that doesn't change the fact that it works.
Inspect what you expect. Someone else's "enlightened eye" isn't mine, you are quite correct.
And yours isn't mine. Do whats best for the customer.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Simple Bobst, the answer is test drive the car first. People are more incline to buy and at a higher price while the euphoria of the test drive is fresh. Thats why sales professionals want you to test drive first. I don't blame salespeople for doing that though, its their job to sell and at as much as possible.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
As you said, there may several reasons why I may not be a quick sale, if I like the car, am ready to buy, and (assuming) am reasonable with my expectations regarding pricing: 1. When I'm wrong about something about the car or it's market value. I'm likely not accept what you say, until I can verify it independently. So we go our ways. 2. When you are wrong about something regarding the car or its market value. You probably think I'm a moron who thinks he is right and you cannot possibly be wrong. I likely think the same, so we go our ways. 3. When I decline your "extended protection package", you say "but....", I say "no", you say "but....", I say "no", you say "but..." and so on 4. When I know I have 750 score (checked last wekend), you try to sell me 9.5% APR, I say "no", you say "but...", I say "no", you say "but..." and so on
There are probably plenty of other reasons why we may not be quick sale, even if well informed. Some of them may be becuase of us, but just don't tell me you try everything to make it quicker, just those darn customers would not comply.
You have to tailor your presentation, but you don't have to be a doormat
Just one comment before I drop this whole thing. You sit there and claim you don't want to be a doormat yet you expect your customers to be one. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
the salesperson isnt coming to you, you are going to him. he has a job to perform, and by doing that, he is not using you as a doormat. on the other hand, by you telling him that he shouldn't do his job (show you the car and take you for a test drive) you are using him as a doormat.
no one is forced to buy a car from anyone, and salespeople are not forced to sell you one...
When I first started selling cars, My pencils were on a 4 square. in big bold marker, after I got a commitment, my manager would write OK DEAL and some crazy payment. And if you were a "good" salesperson, your 4square would be so full, you almost needed a new page. Good Times.
A couple of years ago Jim, a friend of mine whom I knew from a former job, asked me if I would go with him to help him “evaluate” some cars. I wasn’t doing anything that weekend so I said OK. My friend Jim is a big guy and kind of a “bubba” if you know what I mean. He has a good heart most of the time but can be a bit slow mentally. .Anyway, we drove his old Ford (88 Taurus) down to the local dealer mall that consisted of about 15 or so big dealerships. We parked in front of The Chevy dealer and strolled onto the lot to see what they had. Jim was looking for a new family car so he went over to those cars while I admired the Camaros and Corvettes. At that time the Impala had just come out and that was the new car. However the dealer also had a large number of the previous versions of the Lumina to sell. Jim wanted a new car and was undecided as to which model to choose so when a salesman came over Jim told him the situation. The salesman was more than glad to show both cars and happily scooted off to get keys to the new Impala. We both looked at it and it seemed like a very nice car. Especially compared to the condition of Jim’s Taurus. We both sat in it, drivers side, passengers side, and in the back seat. It was very comfortable and since it was new , very clean.
The salesman asked Jim if he would like to drive it at which point he gladly agreed. So we all piled in, Jim driving, me in the passenger seat and the salesman in the back. We went off on the standard drive, all right hand turns, all city driving etc. We came back to the dealer lot and Jim pulled into the dealer lot. The salesman asked Jim if he wanted to “make an offer” but Jim said that he also wanted to see and drive the Lumina. So off the salesman went to get keys for the Lumina. We looked at that car too. It was very clean and comfortable but (in my opinion) not as nice as the newer Impala. Since I wasn’t going to be either the owner or the Payer-forer I would go along with whatever Jim decided. Anyway we all piled into that car and off we went. Our route this time was different. I guess Jim or the salesman wanted to mix things up a little. We drove around the area a bit and then headed back to the dealer. As we approached the dealership Jim was going a little fast. Then all of a sudden the salesman tells Jim to pull into this (different) driveway. There were two driveways into the dealership, one by the office and another down a ways toward the end of all of the cars. Anyway Jim wasn’t expecting to turn in there and upon hearing the salesman telling him to turn cranked the wheel hard. Well to make the story short we missed the driveway by a little and went over the curb (through the flowers and landscaping a bit) and finally up to the driveway. Jim must have been really embarrassed but he didn’t show it. We parked the car and got out. I looked at the car and the aluminum wheel had been damaged a little by the curb. The salesman and Jim also saw it but nobody said anything.
So the salesman asked Jim which car he liked better. Jim said that he liked the Impala better but said maybe he would be interested in the Lumina if they made him a great deal. So inside we went to the office. The salesman asked us if we wanted a cup of coffee of which we said yes. So we go over to the coffee urn and each get a cup of coffee. We go back to the salesmans office and start talking about the Impala. The salesman gets out a form and asks Jim how much he wants to put down, payment etc. blah blah blah. After some discussion Jim said the he was willing to pay a particluar amount for the Impala. The salesman runs out to talk to his salesmanager about the deal and comes back a short while later with some new figures. He shows us the new figures on the form and asks Jim what does he think? Jim says that that is better and reaches across the desk to get the form to look at it. While he is reaching he knocks the (nearly full) cup of coffee over onto the salesman’s desk and onto the salesman. Anyway there is a mad scramble to get up and get something to clean up the coffee with. The coffee had gone over other papers on the desk as well as some binders with stuff in them. Jim said that he was sorry and the salesman said no problem, back to the deal. Jim and the salesman were going back and forth about price, but also talking a lot about a lot of other stuff.
I figured this was going to take a while, so I got up and headed down the street to Del Taco (a fast food place) to get something to eat. I got something to eat and looked at a few other cars at other dealers before coming back. When I came back Jim was in the office with the salesman and another person who turned out to be the sales lead guy. They talked about the price of the Impala, back and forth, blah blah blah. Anyway I didn’t need to be there so I walked around some more and came back a while later. Now they were talking about the Lumina. I guess there were incentives on it so the price that they could give was a lot less. Anyway more back and forth and they talked about a lot of other stuff. I couldn’t take it anymore so I got up again and walked down the street to look at cars on another dealership. I came back and there was another guy in the office talking to Jim. This guy was a big dark skinned guy who was kind of intense. I went in and sat down. It had been a long time since we first came. They were (in my opinion) close to a deal on the Lumina. Finally the conversation went something like – “If we could get you this price would you buy the car”. And Jim agreed he would do that price.
After leaving us for a long time in the office they came back and said that they would do that deal. The sales manager guy reached out his hand to shake on the deal and Jim says “ I think I want a better deal”. The manager was furious, he said that you (Jim) had agreed. Jim kind of smirked and said that he – get this- had his fingers crossed. At this point everyone kind of stood up and I went for yet another walk. As I came back the deal had gotten better (but not by much). Jim never agreed to buy the car and eventually they said – “well I guess we can’t do business then can we”. So we left
On the drive home I asked Jim why he didn’t take their offer. He just smiled and said – “OH – I just wanted to see how low they would go”
In all honesty, if you feel like a doormat with your customers, are you in the right business?
Most of us here know what we want to pay for any given car. I don't think any of us expect a salesperson, or the dealership, to lose money.
I don't know how much simpler it can be. We make an offer. Either you accept it, bump it, or reject it outright. Either we choose to negitiate further, or move on down the road to see if someone else accepts our offer.
For a moment, let's forget about the test drive portion. Last week, locally there was a local Toyota dealer offering $99 over invoice on any '07, in stock Camry. I don't know the particulars of it. But, to me, that sounds like a pretty good deal on a good car. They may only have bright yellow ones in stock, for all I know. They say they will show the official Toyota invoice (which is easy enough to come by here and elsewhere) to make the deal.
Questions I have, if a person walks in, shows you the newspaper ad for $99 over Toyota invoice, but wants to buy the car from you, do you make the deal?
It's a "mini" for sure, but does represent a quick sale. Do you still stick to "let's take one out for a spin"? Or, do you meet/beat the price, close the deal, and send the customer on their merry way to F&I?
Back in 1992 a friend of mine and I stopped in at a southern BMW dealership where I found a clean 1988 M6. My friend knew one of the salesman and a test drive was quickly set up. The salesperson jumped behind the wheel, fired it up, and explained that he would drive it until it was properly warmed up-and that he knew a place where the car could be driven properly. To this day, I don't know where we ended up. All I know is that it was a narrow, country lane that wound through an area where Deliverance II could have been filmed. Meanwhile, trusty salesperson (TS) was blasting the M6 down this road like ten bats out of hell. Four wheel opposite lock drifts around blind corners, and every shift at the redline. I hung on, quietly meditating on the "Where Will YOU Spend Eternity?" sign we had recently passed at 97 mph. Finally, it was my turn to drive. Now, I have scared my share of salespeople in my day, but I knew I was beaten. TS even tried to encourage me to pick up the pace. Anyway, when we rolled back onto the lot my friend mentioned that he smelled the brakes. From about two blocks away. "Nah," said TS, "it's just the paint burning off the new resonator." Right. I bought the car a week later.
November is one of our busiest months. We already have five new cars set up for later in the week and three used cars.
If we keep this pace up November will be another record breaking month. Our previous record month was Sept. where we did 32 or 34 cars I can't remember. We should be able to break 40 cars this month.
I think that used to be the standard-issue test drive for BMW dealers.. Back in 1984, I went with my GF to test-drive a '79 320i at the local dealership.. I guess the salesman had a set route that he used.. Of course, he insisted on driving first..
About a half-mile from the dealerhip, on an uphill stretch, there is road that runs off to the right. It looks like a 90-degree turn, but it is probably more like 110-120 degrees.. We are doing slightly over the speed limit (45 in a 35 zone), and the salesman takes the turn without letting off the gas or using the brake..
Impressive G-forces and the stock 13" tires don't even emit a squeal... I'm impressed, but having driven every piece of American hot rod iron I could get my hands on, I was sure I could match it..
Now, we are driving down a city street.. salesman directs me to turn at the next street up ahead... Here is my chance... only, this is really a 90-degree turn... with curbs.. and a slight uphill bump as you make the turn...
Not having learned my lesson.... I downshift to 2nd, nail the gas, hit the bump, get some wheel hop going, burn rubber, then bog the engine...
The salesman just laughs a little... "After you buy it, you'll have plenty of time to practice that.. "
She bought it.. I practiced...
Now, I go through tires like crazy... but, the brakes last forever...
Like I said before re-read post 4399. Of course, There are people who want to talk numbers first then drive and no matter how much you tell them that they should drive the car first, they want to know price. These people are the first ones, after negotiations are over, to nit pick the car, and ask for more discount.
Its about having control. I admit, I did not have control of those people and because of that, I wasted alot of time. If I had control, If I told them to drive the car, most likely they would of. I was too nice just to invite them to drive. The way I look at it, I have steps I go thru in every sale, and all though the order sometimes changes, they all have to happen to be a succesfull and profitable transaction, not only for me but for the client also.This is my job. I do not go to the doctor, and say "Hey doctor, you really do not have to check my bloodpressure, I know its fine" Why should a customer, come to my house and tell me how to do my job. I am sure I am going rile some feathers but oh well....I feel a little spunky and cranky...long halloween night. Boo.
ky...did some of that type of test driving with my BMW at the place you bought yours. But, fast forward to this happening only 6 months ago.
Salesperson insisted I "tear it up" on city streets. He had a planned route....up a big hill (where we stopped at the bottom and he told me to floor it up the hill to experience the torque), through switchbacks (going 20+ MPH above the posted speed limit).
He said I was being "too easy" on the car during the test drive....and, I was hitting 35 MPH zones at 65 MPH in spots.
Jasmith, that was a great story. I couldn't help laughing when he backed out of the deal because he had his fingers crossed.
In 1995, when a car salesman backed out of a deal we had made, I was not upset. Therefore, the sales people should not have been upset with good old boy Jim.
Honestly, you weren't upset when someone backed out of a deal? I'd be upset with a salesman just as I would be with a customer. (Especially if they wreck one of our vehicles and spill coffee on me. )Verbal contracts are binding.
I've got an unbelievable story from yesterday I'll write up in a bit.
Comments
Maybe he was smarter than he seemed. He could spin a line to his latest girl about buying her a car perfectly secure in the knowledge that it would never cost him a penny, but would earn all the kudos for making an 'honest' effort to do so. Sounds like a win-win for him!
Anyways, I was looking for a hot little turbo AWD Eclipse....new. The Mitsu dealership I went to had an "arrest me red" one that I liked. The sales guy made copies of my license and proof of insurance, slapped a dealer tag on it. He throws me the keys and slips into the passenger seat and says "lets go". We're off to the races.
We get to the interstate ramp and the salesperson says "open it up a little so you can see what it'll do". Well, these things had horrendous turbo lag. It took more than a couple of seconds to spool up the power. I plant my right foot deep into the acclerator....and wait....wait some more...finally, the turbo spools up and it's like we were shot from a slingshot. We closed in on the traffic in front of us in short order.
Unfortunately, there was a truck carrying 2x4s in front of me. You guessed it, one of the 2x4s falls off after he hit a pot hole (no, he didn't have the wood tied down). Quickly checked my mirrors. Nowhere to go either left or right...just straight. I was able to slow down to about 60 at this point, but not until I hit the same pot hole.....and then....run over the 2x4....."THUNK.....WHACK"....wood splinters flying everywhere.
We pull over at the next exit to stop the car. Couldn't really tell if there was any damage underneath (plenty of wood residue around the undercarriage, though), but the front had a nice gash in the Eclipse from where the 2x4 hit, and then fell under the car.
I look at the sales person, who literally looked like he'd seen a ghost. I told him there was nowhere for me to go with traffic on either side of me. I ask him if he wants to drive back. He can only shake his head "no".
I drive the car back to the dealership. Sales person looks at the front of the car, again. to inspect the "gash". Sales manager looks out the window, then comes running out. He asks the sales person "what happened". Sales person is still speechless. I finally tell him what happened.
Sales Manager, like a good sales person, says...."that should tell you how well these cars handle and how well they're built". I agree. He asks me if I'm still interested in buying the car. I say..."maybe....but not this one". He had a couple of other ones, but none of them were the color I wanted. Told them to give me a jingle when they get another one in that is the same color I wanted.
Never heard from either the sales person, or the sales manager, again.
The interest rates were that high?
good stuff. :shades:
No, I would think that some other number mentioned was to low
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
They stunk up the whole store!
We go through all the stpes, he buys a car, trades his older one in. It was the end of the day and we were already locking our doors when they were in F&I.
When they come out, the lady goes and waits for him in the car. I tell him I'll call him when he gets approved so he can pick up his car. He says "When you call me at home, don't mention my lady friend to my wife"
I was a bit stunned but said ok, no prob.
Before he leaves he asks if he can use the bathroom, I said ok. He runs to his car gets a plastic bag out and runs back into the dealership and into the bathroom. 5 minutes later he comes out changed in completely different clothing.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Happy Halloween all.
This one guy, "Chuck", was a strange one; he was nice enough, but kind of slow in a Forrest Gump sort of way, although he does have a driver's license. He didn't have a job. He lived with his mom, who also had some issues.
For some reason, he gets a bug that he's absolutely GOT to have a brand-new car. He hounds his mom relentlessly. Eventually, she relents, and cashes in a certificate of deposit.
Flush with funds, Chuck is practically hyperventilating with excitement. He comes into the store, wanting to buy a Grand Prix. Bob, his favorite salesman, and a moral sort of guy, says "Chuck, you DON'T NEED a new car - don't waste your money", and basically boots him out of the place.
Not to be deterred, Chuck walks over to the local Buick dealership, and buys a new Regal.
He drives it back to our place, to show it to Bob. At this point, Bob it pretty upset, both because Chuck wasted his money, AND because Bob blew a commission.
A week later, Chuck is bored with his Regal. He drives back in, and tells Bob he wants a new car. Bob tries to talk him out of it, but when he realizes that Chuck has made up his mind, he works out a deal for an even-up swap on a new J-2000.
Chuck drives off smiling in his new J-2000.
A few weeks later, he shows up in something else. I forget what it was, but it was something used. Apparently, he got bored with the J-2000, and found someone to trade him even-up on his latest ride.
I forget what exactly happened after that. I think he might have done one more even-up trade before he ended up with a total junker.
It was sad to watch, both because he was being taken advantage of, and because I was making $4 and hour, and driving around in an old Ventura with a clogged up catalytic converter, and could never have begun to dream about being able to afford any of the cars the he'd just blown through (except maybe the last one or two... :-) ).
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Someone else also gets to spend all day switching cars with him because he didn't drive the car FIRST and now wants to switch, AFTER the paperwork has been completed.
Someone else can also enjoy the heightned risk of the bad survey.
Someone else can also enjoy the mini.
The REAL moral of the story, is that yes indeed, there are doormats in this world that will let you walk all over them and let them tell you how to do their job. There are also people who will take your money, despite all of the strings and brain damage attached. Just fyi, that's not even being an order-taker...
I'm not one of them, and neither are a lot of my colleagues (including my OWNER).
So go ahead and spend your $$$ at "down the road" motors because they'll let you have your way (not to be confused with "tailoring sales", because the outright skipping of steps isn't "tailoring" it's "shortcutting").
There's a reason why we're number ONE and they're NOT :P
T
Well if they are bringing up defective cars then its their fault. As I said the test drive was already done and there is no reason for me to switch the car unless there is a mechanical defect with it. If the car is free of any damage and doesn't have any mechanical defects (i.e. pulling to one side or has a shimmy to it) then there is no reason for me to reject it, I already like the car.
Someone else can also enjoy the heightned risk of the bad survey.
FWIW insisting that I test drive when I want to talk numbers is the fastest way to get a bad survey from me (that is if I buy from you). Why? because you are not doing what is best for me.
The REAL moral of the story,
The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales. The ones that try to force customers into a one size fits all sales method will end up losing sales.
So go ahead and spend your $$$ at "down the road" motors because they'll let you have your way (not to be confused with "tailoring sales", because the outright skipping of steps isn't "tailoring" it's "shortcutting").
No skipping steps, just because the steps were not done in a particular order or that not all were done under your so enlightened eye doesn't mean that steps were skipped. It just means that a good salesman knows how to tailor the sale to do whats best for the customer and thats why he, not you, will get the commission from my purchase.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I can say wholeheartedly that the most "informed" buyers are almost NEVER the "quick sale" you think they are.
And that's the crux of the problem. The "informed" are just so convinced that they're right, they just can't get over someone NOT wanting to do things their way. And god forbid it doesn't... they'll just take their ball and go home!
It's quite alright, I am 100% A-OK with that :surprise: !?!
But with all that time you've "saved" by taking your ball and going somewhere else, you've wasted far more than just doing things the RIGHT way.
A true story for you that happened YESTERDAY (and I'm not kidding):
A lady bought a car she had ordered (a base white Camry LE 4 cylinder with the Tan interior). Of course, since she had ordered it, why even look at the car first right??? (I have to admit, even I'd be tempted not to)
So she spends 4 hours at the dealership doing all the paperwork (on Halloween no less)...
Now keep in mind, we let the CUSTOMER fill out the preference form when it comes to options, so that it's in their handwriting, and so there's no confusion.
She has clearly ordered a car WITHOUT alloy wheels, but after seeing one on the showroom with them (because we dress up our showroom cars from time to time... or at least our parts guys do lol), she assumes incorrectly that her car has them too.
You can imagine what happens when the salesmen pulls up her's without them... It got ugly, and we almost lost the deal. She was miffed (at her own ignorance? I'm not really sure...) But we ended up selling her the same wheels at cost, and now she's on her way. No fuss, no muss right? Until she gets that survey...
I really feel bad for the salesperson (who I've known for almost a year now). He did everything right (including the order), EXCEPT for a cursory inspection and drive around the block of the car.
The customer still bought it, and he still got his "big" commission. I sure wouldn't want to be him when that survey comes in though, as she clearly left with a bad taste in her mouth.
We could argue all day about it bein the customers fault, and how it would never happen to you because you're so "informed" that you'd know better...
But it's still ANOTHER example of why you don't just go straight to numbers (especially when the car is less than 500 yards away).
T
The REAL moral of the story, is that yes indeed, there are doormats in this world that will let you walk all over them and let them tell you how to do their job.
I think the real moral here is that you are demanding that the customer conform to your code of behavior, and that your methods are pretty typical in the car sales business. From a buyer's perspective, it's useful to know that controlling the transaction is very important to you, because as a buyer, I can easily use your desires to control the deal against you.
The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales.
I think the real moral that you're missing is that these tactics that TJW is describing are very typical in car sales, because it helps the dealership to increase its profit margins much of the time.
But it doesn't work on all customers, obviously, so the dealer needs to figure out whether he's best off adjusting his style to suit buyers like you, or whether he finds it more profitable to dedicate that time to a different prospect who is more likely to give good reviews, send over his friends afterward, and pay a higher price. That's just a business strategy, there's nothing intrinsically good or bad about it.
Ok, so if it has 800 miles on it, no worries. That's not a "defect".
"FWIW insisting that I test drive when I want to talk numbers is the fastest way to get a bad survey from me (that is if I buy from you). Why? because you are not doing what is best for me."
You are in no danger of buying a car from me, and FWIW, I am doing what's best for you, you are just too "informed" to realize it.
Just becuase it's not what you want, doesn't mean it's not the best way to do things.
"The REAL moral of the story is that not everyone is the same, not everyone buys the same and sales professionals who know that and adjust their technique to do whats best for the customer and their wants and needs will get more sales. The ones that try to force customers into a one size fits all sales method will end up losing sales."
I disagrree 100%. You have to tailor your presentation, but you don't have to be a doormat just because you encounter someone that wants to tell you how to do your job.
"No skipping steps, just because the steps were not done in a particular order or that not all were done under your so enlightened eye doesn't mean that steps were skipped. It just means that a good salesman knows how to tailor the sale to do whats best for the customer and thats why he, not you, will get the commission from my purchase."
Inspect what you expect. Someone else's "enlightened eye" isn't mine, you are quite correct.
"good salesman" know that.
T
*sits with a grin from ear to ear, knowing that despite offering to let it die, snake HAS to have the last word, as expected... T feels smug knowing that he was right, YET AGAIN :P *
Would you rather I take a test drive and put useless miles on a new car and waste your time if you know you will not accept my offer?
Or would you rather first agree on the price and then do a test drive so I can make sure the car does not have some obvious problems?
Just remember that there are many right ways to do things. And what may be right for one is not right for the next.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Or would you rather first agree on the price and then do a test drive so I can make sure the car does not have some obvious problems?"
What I'd rather do is irrelevent.
A test drive and cursory inspection takes all of 20 minutes TOPS. You don't have to drive it to Mexico, just around the block will be fine by me (and ownership). It DOES do something for you, because if we for some reason can't conjure up one just like it (if it doesn't meet your inspection criteria) there's no reason to even talk numbers anyway. It also gives us a chance (if there is something wrong), to know about it BEFORE the negotiations start and it becomes a deal-killer later.
If that's too much to ask, it's not that we don't want your business, it's just that you are being unreasonable from the get-go, and you are presenting yourself as nothing more than brain-damage and survey risk.
And just because someone says "not a penny more" are we really supposed to be naive enough to believe it? And if so, why is it that customers bump in $$$ every day?
Maybe you'd be the one to walk out over 1 penny, but you'd be in the minority.
T
Well since I most likely would have found the car on the lot beforehand I don't think that would be a issue.
I disagrree 100%.
You are welcome to. But following that advice I took a sales team that was at the bottom of the barrel (ok it was actually below the barrel) and in less than 7 months out did what that team did in the previous 12 months. Out of 10 groups we were #10 when I came in and way behind #9 (basically due to the territory was the worst of the lot) and got it to #7 in less than a year. All by throwing out the companies tried an true sales script/method and tailoring the presentation to the customer.
However the chain of command didn't like the fact that I was a maverick and we butted heads repeatedly over it, but since our sales were climbing I didn't budge. Of course the found a reason to replace me with someone who would follow the companies tried and true procedures and sales for the group tanked.
I worked in sales paying my way through college. I found out quickly that by not following the "sales script" and tailoring the sales presentation to the client I could sell a lot more. Within three months I was out performing their star salesman.
Yeah you can disagree with me, but that doesn't change the fact that it works.
Inspect what you expect. Someone else's "enlightened eye" isn't mine, you are quite correct.
And yours isn't mine. Do whats best for the customer.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
As you said, there may several reasons why I may not be a quick sale, if I like the car, am ready to buy, and (assuming) am reasonable with my expectations regarding pricing:
1. When I'm wrong about something about the car or it's market value. I'm likely not accept what you say, until I can verify it independently. So we go our ways.
2. When you are wrong about something regarding the car or its market value. You probably think I'm a moron who thinks he is right and you cannot possibly be wrong. I likely think the same, so we go our ways.
3. When I decline your "extended protection package", you say "but....", I say "no", you say "but....", I say "no", you say "but..." and so on
4. When I know I have 750 score (checked last wekend), you try to sell me 9.5% APR, I say "no", you say "but...", I say "no", you say "but..." and so on
There are probably plenty of other reasons why we may not be quick sale, even if well informed. Some of them may be becuase of us, but just don't tell me you try everything to make it quicker, just those darn customers would not comply.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
A lot of cars have digital odometers these days, and the mileage is not always visible unless the car is on...
food for thought...
-thene
Just one comment before I drop this whole thing. You sit there and claim you don't want to be a doormat yet you expect your customers to be one. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
the salesperson isnt coming to you, you are going to him. he has a job to perform, and by doing that, he is not using you as a doormat. on the other hand, by you telling him that he shouldn't do his job (show you the car and take you for a test drive) you are using him as a doormat.
no one is forced to buy a car from anyone, and salespeople are not forced to sell you one...
-thene
"Maam, the wheels you are ordering are these (show picture in sales brochure or point to car sitting on lot with wheels she's picked).
Communication avoids problems later.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Welcome to November folks. Non sales guys, you're going to see a ton of posts from salespeople this month. It is my least favorite month.....ever.
(Although I do have Thanksgiving to look forward to.)
A couple of years ago Jim, a friend of mine whom I knew from a former job, asked me if I would go with him to help him “evaluate” some cars. I wasn’t doing anything that weekend so I said OK. My friend Jim is a big guy and kind of a “bubba” if you know what I mean. He has a good heart most of the time but can be a bit slow mentally. .Anyway, we drove his old Ford (88 Taurus) down to the local dealer mall that consisted of about 15 or so big dealerships. We parked in front of The Chevy dealer and strolled onto the lot to see what they had. Jim was looking for a new family car so he went over to those cars while I admired the Camaros and Corvettes. At that time the Impala had just come out and that was the new car. However the dealer also had a large number of the previous versions of the Lumina to sell. Jim wanted a new car and was undecided as to which model to choose so when a salesman came over Jim told him the situation. The salesman was more than glad to show both cars and happily scooted off to get keys to the new Impala. We both looked at it and it seemed like a very nice car. Especially compared to the condition of Jim’s Taurus. We both sat in it, drivers side, passengers side, and in the back seat. It was very comfortable and since it was new , very clean.
The salesman asked Jim if he would like to drive it at which point he gladly agreed. So we all piled in, Jim driving, me in the passenger seat and the salesman in the back. We went off on the standard drive, all right hand turns, all city driving etc. We came back to the dealer lot and Jim pulled into the dealer lot. The salesman asked Jim if he wanted to “make an offer” but Jim said that he also wanted to see and drive the Lumina. So off the salesman went to get keys for the Lumina. We looked at that car too. It was very clean and comfortable but (in my opinion) not as nice as the newer Impala. Since I wasn’t going to be either the owner or the Payer-forer I would go along with whatever Jim decided. Anyway we all piled into that car and off we went. Our route this time was different. I guess Jim or the salesman wanted to mix things up a little. We drove around the area a bit and then headed back to the dealer. As we approached the dealership Jim was going a little fast. Then all of a sudden the salesman tells Jim to pull into this (different) driveway.
There were two driveways into the dealership, one by the office and another down a ways toward the end of all of the cars. Anyway Jim wasn’t expecting to turn in there and upon hearing the salesman telling him to turn cranked the wheel hard. Well to make the story short we missed the driveway by a little and went over the curb (through the flowers and landscaping a bit) and finally up to the driveway. Jim must have been really embarrassed but he didn’t show it. We parked the car and got out. I looked at the car and the aluminum wheel had been damaged a little by the curb. The salesman and Jim also saw it but nobody said anything.
So the salesman asked Jim which car he liked better. Jim said that he liked the Impala better but said maybe he would be interested in the Lumina if they made him a great deal. So inside we went to the office. The salesman asked us if we wanted a cup of coffee of which we said yes. So we go over to the coffee urn and each get a cup of coffee. We go back to the salesmans office and start talking about the Impala. The salesman gets out a form and asks Jim how much he wants to put down, payment etc. blah blah blah. After some discussion Jim said the he was willing to pay a particluar amount for the Impala. The salesman runs out to talk to his salesmanager about the deal and comes back a short while later with some new figures. He shows us the new figures on the form and asks Jim what does he think? Jim says that that is better and reaches across the desk to get the form to look at it. While he is reaching he knocks the (nearly full) cup of coffee over onto the salesman’s desk and onto the salesman. Anyway there is a mad scramble to get up and get something to clean up the coffee with. The coffee had gone over other papers on the desk as well as some binders with stuff in them. Jim said that he was sorry and the salesman said no problem, back to the deal. Jim and the salesman were going back and forth about price, but also talking a lot about a lot of other stuff.
I figured this was going to take a while, so I got up and headed down the street to Del Taco (a fast food place) to get something to eat. I got something to eat and looked at a few other cars at other dealers before coming back. When I came back Jim was in the office with the salesman and another person who turned out to be the sales lead guy. They talked about the price of the Impala, back and forth, blah blah blah. Anyway I didn’t need to be there so I walked around some more and came back a while later. Now they were talking about the Lumina. I guess there were incentives on it so the price that they could give was a lot less. Anyway more back and forth and they talked about a lot of other stuff. I couldn’t take it anymore so I got up again and walked down the street to look at cars on another dealership. I came back and there was another guy in the office talking to Jim. This guy was a big dark skinned guy who was kind of intense.
I went in and sat down. It had been a long time since we first came. They were (in my opinion) close to a deal on the Lumina. Finally the conversation went something like – “If we could get you this price would you buy the car”. And Jim agreed he would do that price.
After leaving us for a long time in the office they came back and said that they would do that deal. The sales manager guy reached out his hand to shake on the deal and Jim says “ I think I want a better deal”.
The manager was furious, he said that you (Jim) had agreed. Jim kind of smirked and said that he – get this- had his fingers crossed. At this point everyone kind of stood up and I went for yet another walk. As I came back the deal had gotten better (but not by much). Jim never agreed to buy the car and eventually they said – “well I guess we can’t do business then can we”. So we left
On the drive home I asked Jim why he didn’t take their offer. He just smiled and said – “OH – I just wanted to see how low they would go”
Most of us here know what we want to pay for any given car. I don't think any of us expect a salesperson, or the dealership, to lose money.
I don't know how much simpler it can be. We make an offer. Either you accept it, bump it, or reject it outright. Either we choose to negitiate further, or move on down the road to see if someone else accepts our offer.
For a moment, let's forget about the test drive portion. Last week, locally there was a local Toyota dealer offering $99 over invoice on any '07, in stock Camry. I don't know the particulars of it. But, to me, that sounds like a pretty good deal on a good car. They may only have bright yellow ones in stock, for all I know. They say they will show the official Toyota invoice (which is easy enough to come by here and elsewhere) to make the deal.
Questions I have, if a person walks in, shows you the newspaper ad for $99 over Toyota invoice, but wants to buy the car from you, do you make the deal?
It's a "mini" for sure, but does represent a quick sale. Do you still stick to "let's take one out for a spin"? Or, do you meet/beat the price, close the deal, and send the customer on their merry way to F&I?
Here's one of my stories- reposted from back in April...
------------------------------------------------------------
Back in 1992 a friend of mine and I stopped in at a southern BMW dealership where I found a clean 1988 M6. My friend knew one of the salesman and a test drive was quickly set up. The salesperson jumped behind the wheel, fired it up, and explained that he would drive it until it was properly warmed up-and that he knew a place where the car could be driven properly. To this day, I don't know where we ended up. All I know is that it was a narrow, country lane that wound through an area where Deliverance II could have been filmed. Meanwhile, trusty salesperson (TS) was blasting the M6 down this road like ten bats out of hell. Four wheel opposite lock drifts around blind corners, and every shift at the redline. I hung on, quietly meditating on the "Where Will YOU Spend Eternity?" sign we had recently passed at 97 mph. Finally, it was my turn to drive. Now, I have scared my share of salespeople in my day, but I knew I was beaten. TS even tried to encourage me to pick up the pace. Anyway, when we rolled back onto the lot my friend mentioned that he smelled the brakes. From about two blocks away. "Nah," said TS, "it's just the paint burning off the new resonator." Right.
I bought the car a week later.
If we keep this pace up November will be another record breaking month. Our previous record month was Sept. where we did 32 or 34 cars I can't remember. We should be able to break 40 cars this month.
About a half-mile from the dealerhip, on an uphill stretch, there is road that runs off to the right. It looks like a 90-degree turn, but it is probably more like 110-120 degrees.. We are doing slightly over the speed limit (45 in a 35 zone), and the salesman takes the turn without letting off the gas or using the brake..
Impressive G-forces and the stock 13" tires don't even emit a squeal... I'm impressed, but having driven every piece of American hot rod iron I could get my hands on, I was sure I could match it..
Now, we are driving down a city street.. salesman directs me to turn at the next street up ahead... Here is my chance... only, this is really a 90-degree turn... with curbs.. and a slight uphill bump as you make the turn...
Not having learned my lesson.... I downshift to 2nd, nail the gas, hit the bump, get some wheel hop going, burn rubber, then bog the engine...
The salesman just laughs a little... "After you buy it, you'll have plenty of time to practice that.. "
She bought it.. I practiced...
Now, I go through tires like crazy... but, the brakes last forever...
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Its about having control. I admit, I did not have control of those people and because of that, I wasted alot of time. If I had control, If I told them to drive the car, most likely they would of. I was too nice just to invite them to drive. The way I look at it, I have steps I go thru in every sale, and all though the order sometimes changes, they all have to happen to be a succesfull and profitable transaction, not only for me but for the client also.This is my job. I do not go to the doctor, and say "Hey doctor, you really do not have to check my bloodpressure, I know its fine" Why should a customer, come to my house and tell me how to do my job. I am sure I am going rile some feathers but oh well....I feel a little spunky and cranky...long halloween night. Boo.
Salesperson insisted I "tear it up" on city streets. He had a planned route....up a big hill (where we stopped at the bottom and he told me to floor it up the hill to experience the torque), through switchbacks (going 20+ MPH above the posted speed limit).
He said I was being "too easy" on the car during the test drive....and, I was hitting 35 MPH zones at 65 MPH in spots.
In 1995, when a car salesman backed out of a deal we had made, I was not upset. Therefore, the sales people should not have been upset with good old boy Jim.
He damages a new car, spills his coffee all over and then lies about making an offer!
Honestly, you weren't upset when someone backed out of a deal? I'd be upset with a salesman just as I would be with a customer. (Especially if they wreck one of our vehicles and spill coffee on me.
I've got an unbelievable story from yesterday I'll write up in a bit.
-Moo