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CONSIDERATE Salespeople & CONSIDERATE Buyers
There's plenty discussion of the bad in auto sales, on both sides of the transaction and I have never been eager to engage in the process, but I've just had a very positive experience. Use this thread to discuss yours.
I recently sent FAX & e-mail proposals to several dealers to purchase an Acura TL. David Lindsey, who handles Internet sales at Riddle Acura in Chesapeake Va responded with a counter offer by e-mail, but it was over my target. I made a counter offer (e-mail) and he accepted. We exchanged detail information by telephone and agreed on a delivery time. My Wife & I met David at the dealership last evening, consumated the deal and returned home with our TL.
David was very straightforward, professional and a pleasure to deal with! He quoted his price as an "out-the door" figure including TT&L (and I countered in kind) and there was no attempt to add fees or pressure to sell add-ons at any point. We dealt only with David and did not have to "run the gauntlet" of managers, "closers", F&I, or "mop & glo" salesmen (as we did in our last new car purchase). Most of our time at the dealership involved relaxed discussion of the car and its features, David handled the paperwork in about 15 minutes. It was the most pleasant car purchase experience that I have ever had!
Thanks David, and Riddle Acura.
I recently sent FAX & e-mail proposals to several dealers to purchase an Acura TL. David Lindsey, who handles Internet sales at Riddle Acura in Chesapeake Va responded with a counter offer by e-mail, but it was over my target. I made a counter offer (e-mail) and he accepted. We exchanged detail information by telephone and agreed on a delivery time. My Wife & I met David at the dealership last evening, consumated the deal and returned home with our TL.
David was very straightforward, professional and a pleasure to deal with! He quoted his price as an "out-the door" figure including TT&L (and I countered in kind) and there was no attempt to add fees or pressure to sell add-ons at any point. We dealt only with David and did not have to "run the gauntlet" of managers, "closers", F&I, or "mop & glo" salesmen (as we did in our last new car purchase). Most of our time at the dealership involved relaxed discussion of the car and its features, David handled the paperwork in about 15 minutes. It was the most pleasant car purchase experience that I have ever had!
Thanks David, and Riddle Acura.
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Because he treated us well and was professional in his dealings, we went back to him six months later to buy our next.
We made an appointment with him (we live 70 miles away), and went in to test drive the truck. We got to the dealership early since we hate to be late for anything and found the truck we wanted, opened the tailgate, and sat there until he arrived (he made the appointment on his day off).
While we waited for him to arrive, we were asked by five different sales people if we needed help (customer on the lot, customer on the lot!!). After he arrived, we test drove the truck, made our offer, accepted his counter offer, and did the paper work.
Easy and stress free. I would go back to this salesman any day if he is selling a vehicle I want!
You hit the target: reward the good guys with the deals. Then, everybody wins!
In fact, we called this salesman to let him know we were buying something else after our first visit with him and the test drive. His behavior while we were shopping and his response after he found out we were buying something else was the reason I wanted to deal with him again.
Not only do I reward the good salesmen, but I will not do business with a dealership that tries to take advantage during our research visits!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
His advise was right on target. Few cars depreciate faster than a Taurus.
Although... Buicks? SAABs?
Bill
Now, at that time,based on what I read , a 5-6% over invoice on A4s was considered a good deal, as demand was high and supply tight.
This guy offered to sell me the car for 7% over without any haggle within minutes of my test drive. He simply said that the msrp was $x and he could sell me the car for $y. Not a special deal, but just a nice honest price.I accepted that in a heartbeat...I was not going to grind him for that other 1-2%. He did all the paperwork himself,ordered the car and it was ready when he promised. No finance officer or any pressure to buy anything extra.
A few other things also impressed me. I did not know what "leatherette" was, and asked him. Based on my previous experience of salesman, I was prepared for a long harangue over how great the stuff was. Instead, he just said , "It is fake leather , that's all"!
The test drive was fun as well:he simply gave me the keys,went over a few basic controls, and told me to be back in 30 minutes.
Best car buying experience of my life.
Joel Lambert
Flemington Audi/Porsche/VW
Flemington NJ
It is kind of far from CT, though.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Funny how the place that refused to give a phone or email quote turned out to be the best place to deal. I think a lot of people here would've dismissed them immediately because of that. Sounds like they would've missed out on a great experience.
It just goes to show that there isn't one "best way" to sell cars and make customers happy.
When I lost my company car due to a career change I went to see Big Mitch. He had a 1997 Monte Carlo Z34 on his lot that caught my eye. Mitch gave me a REALLY good deal and we signed the deal that night. Again, he was a pleasure to deal with. While the paperwork was being processed we BS'd about Corvettes and shared a few laughs.
My Dad got the itch for a new car this fall and the 0% financing was too good to turn down. After driving a lot of different makes, my Dad decided on a 2002 Chevy Impala LS. Mitch took great care of us yet again. By this time we know all about his son who is going away to college. The relationship is one built on trust and respect. Mitch should serve as an example of sales done right!
I refer people to him all the time. I think we need to show our appreciation when someone give you great service and makes the car buying experience a good one.
Too many people will put up with too much when buying a car. I am not really sure why people reward behavior they claim to hate, but seem so hesitant to reward the kind of good behavior that Big Mitch has exhibited to you and your family.
Hopefully this is a dealership that can keep salesmen like Big Mitch and is not a "revolving door sales person dealership"!
Again, way to reward good behavior! It really is done too little.
I guess someone named this way would have no options in life other than work in some type of automotive/motorcycle related field or become an outlaw biker.
LOL!!!
Back to the story.. Another mutual friend (friend
M.
This salesman has been working at this dealership for almost 10 years now, which I think is quite rare in the business (please correct me if I'm wrong). He is very successful and over half of his sales are repeat or referral.
Nothing wrong with mentioning his name here, given the topic.
I look to the town hall to see that there are alot of good salespeople around, so that when I do buy a car (havent bought one yet), I dont want to go into the showroom having such a negative impression on these people who are trying to do their job.
With all the negative boards around here (inconsiderate dealers, salespeople, buyers, service, etc), I hope this positive board can grow as much as those, and inspire both buyers and dealers to treat each other better.
Second...misery loves company. People love to complain more than they like to praise.
I once heard someone say. If a person has a bad experience in a retail establishment, restaurant, etc, they will tell nine people. If they had a great experience, meal, service etc, they will only tell two people.
Also...and I hate to say it...some shoppers bring the bad experiences onto themselves....
Maybe we could ask the host to expand this to CONSIDERATE BUYERS too, so that salespeople can also post pleasant experiences with customers. This way, customers as well as salespeople can learn from this message board.
Its sad that human nature likes to complain more than to praise, I dont know if we can change that, but sometimes, one praise is all thats needed to inspire, uplift, etc. a person.
In the end they only buy one car. And even then some of them buy it from an inconsiderate salesperson.
John
vf
When we got to the F&I room, the F&I guy was personable. He asked how we were going to pay. When we said that we were paying in cash he let it go at that. He then asked if there was any add-ons we wanted for the car. When we weren't sure what he meant, he threw out examples, (custom seats, extended warranty). He didn't pressure us, Just informed us some of the things that were available. After that, he put all the info he had into the computer, and supplied a list of what we would need to have when we took delivery. In all, it took about an hour.
Since then we have called the dealer a few times regarding small things (Lic. Plate #s, when we are going to pic up the car, supply insurance info, etc). When they didn't know, they got back to us. Very Professional in all.
I haven't finished the transaction, but so far they are all A's in my book.
A few months later we were in the position of having to purchase a second car. The website made it clear that the dealer had just what I was looking for and again I made contact with Mr Sabur through the internet. In the follow up phone call I made it clear that I had not been happy with my previous experience with the F&I person and he apologized and assured me it would not be repeated. Although he was extremely busy on the day I went in to see him (It was the end of December and at that time the incentives were to expire within a few days) he was again very pleasant and helpful. The paperwork was printed up, I signed it and was ready to roll. It was a very painless and pleasant experience and Mr. Sabur was certainly a factor in making it so.
Unfortunately the lady who test drove it bought it but the salesman told us that there were possibly 5 more convertibles in the southeast region. We go in to see what was available and they were able to find a Red/Tan convertible which is the color my wife really wanted.
Overall, we negotiated for almost 2 hours but we were able to get exactly what we wanted and we got an excellent deal.
Car_man
Host
Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards
Thanks very much in advance. Chris