Stories from the Sales Frontlines

jwilliams2 · March 2009

I hope so too. I thought the car was a Hyundai Genesis.

Hyundai. Rhymes with Sunday. See, that wasn't so hard.

isellhondas · March 2009

I'll try to steer a used Accord or Civic buyer toward a Kia or Hyundai and the reaction is always the same. They just don't want to even look at them.

I think the early offerings really ruined the market.

jmonroe · March 2009

A little bit after dinner I got a call from Hyundai asking if I would take a survey about my purchase on Saturday. Id say that is pretty quick, maybe sales arent so good. The guy mentioned the model not just that it was a Hyundai purchase. Before he started I asked him if it was now Hyundais policy to do phone surveys vs. mailing them. He said they were trying to do the surveys by phone because they thought it was more personal that way. He even said that the survey was more Green, saved paper/postage etc. Ok, if you say so.

He tells me the rating system is 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest. (I guess he thought he was talking to a rookie).

Question No. 1: Were you satisfied with your purchase at xxxx Hyundai? I said 10

Question No. 2: Would you recommend this dealership to a friend. 10 again, and I added that I already did that for a fellow worker just today. He was very pleased with that response.

Question No. 3: jmonroe, dont list every question alright? OK. There were no more questions. HUH? :confuse:

That was it and you sales guys are afraid of THAT ? Has it turned into this for others car builders?

jmonroe

deltheking · March 2009

Are people really crazy?Or stupid?Or real dumb?
There is this listing on ebay for a 2009 Lexus RX with Salvage title with 2500 miles and the bidding is still on with the highest bid being 32k and the auction still has 24 hrs to go.So,dont know what the final price would be.
It already has 53 bids !! :confuse:
It is really dumb if folks are paying 32k for a salvage title Lexus.The listing says all the front parts with bumper ,headlight etc was replaced+ airbag was deployed and hence also replaced-- all with lexus parts by a bodyshop with significant experience :sick: ,,mind u ,,not at a lexus dealer.
So,I frankly dont know what to think of this?
There are also similarly high priced salvage vehicles and people are buying them at almost 90% of retail..I am lost for words..
Can u folks explain this madness to me??? :confuse:

tidester · March 2009

Can u folks explain this madness to me???

I surely cannot! What are they thinking? :confuse:

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

driver100 · March 2009

used Accord or Civic buyer toward a Kia or Hyundai and the reaction is always the same. They just don't want to even look at them.

I don't get it. If I was in the market for a low price economical car I would not hesitate to buy a Hyundai......any tests or reports I have read says they are just as good as the others. Might not have quite the track record...but some of those early Toyotas (the ones made out of soup cans, heh heh) and early Hondas weren't so great either.

snakeweasel · March 2009

Are people really crazy?Or stupid?Or real dumb?

With my experience working in payroll, I would say stupid.

all with lexus parts by a bodyshop with significant experience ,,mind u ,,not at a lexus dealer.

So? I would expect a bodyshop with "significant experience" should be able to do a pretty good job. A Lexus dealership may not have the experienced personal to do the job properly. Just because a dealership is doing the work doesn't mean its better.

jmonroe · March 2009

Might not have quite the track record...but some of those early Toyotas (the ones made out of soup cans, heh heh) and early Hondas weren't so great either.

It probably has a lot to do with what soup was in those cans. :confuse:

I told the tale about a cousin of mine that really liked the 05 XG 350 I have. He couldnt believe it when he rode in it. Even said he might buy an 07 Azera because he liked it that much. Then he blamed it on his wife when he bought an 07 Avalon, saying SHE didnt like the idea of telling people they owned a Hyundai.

It takes a long time to climb out of a hole that you dig by building poor quality cars. Detroit might not even make it out of that hole as a result. But now I think Hyundai has caught on, theyre building them out of soup cans that have had better soup in them.

jmonroe

qbrozen · March 2009

hmmm... well, here's a guess ... just a guess, mind you. But is it possible there are several buyers in states where "washing" the title is possible and they make a living buying these vehicles and selling them with "clean" titles?

michaellno · March 2009

Congratulations on your new purchase. How many Hyundais does this make for you?

My folks bought a Sonata back in '03. They love it - was their first new car since 1973. I think it's got maybe 20-25K on it. I really thought they'd get another Toyota, but my dad did his research and found that the Sonata was made with a thicker gauge steel. That, plus they could get the V6 Sonata for a lower price than a 4-cylinder Camry.

Color? Burgundy with cream cloth interior.

One question for you ... are you concerned at all about driving a RWD car in a part of the country that gets bad weather?

I've considered getting a RWD car here in Colorado but have held off because of that fact.

isellhondas · March 2009

Most modern car dealerships don't have a body shop.

Too many headaches so they usually just reccommend a few shops in their area that do quality work.

lrguy44 · March 2009

That would be the only logical explanation except stolen vehicles are much cheaper. As for someone looking for a deal, banks will not finance a salvage title car. If we get one offered for trade, the bidding starts at 50% of value and drops from there.

oldfarmer50 · March 2009

"...I sure hope your Genny is a car..."

Around my parts if you ask for a Genny they will hand you a beer.

Belated congrats to jmonroe on his car purchase. Is that a hard top or a rag top? I notice the trend lately with richard and jipster is to go for the rag top. I thought you might go with the crowd on this one...unless...you are worried that your "full head of hair" might blow off in the wind. :P

houdini1 · March 2009

Lol !!

I don't think there is a rag top available (except maybe for his head) right now but I understand that his appointment is next week to get the vinyl top and the clear plastic seat covers installed.

graphicguy · March 2009

I think you are within range especially if you are willing to go private. Remember, they had sold that one so there are buyers. Yours is newer with less miles.

driver....I may go private. Not real fond of doing so. I don't have nearly as much time to deal with that as I did when I sold my Mother's GM. Then, there are the tax advantages available by doing a trade (about $2,500 by my estimation).

Plus, I'm guessing that I'd have to deal with someone who is going to finance at a $25K+ price point. That's different than someone who's buying a $5K car as an all cash sale....and could create its own problems.

Still, I may take it to a detail shop and get a nice $100 shine on it, inside and out. Put a "4 Sale" sign in it for $32K and see if I get any bites. Maybe even take it down to the docks on the OH river and see if anyone needs a really nice boat towing vehicle.

I'm getting ahead of myself, though. I have to decide...

1) Do I really want a new car (of course I do)?
2) If so, which one....Genesis or TL?

jmonroe....did a quick search last night via internet and found no less than 6 V8 Genesis models. You must have bought the last V8 in Toledo cause I didn't see any up around there. So, I guess the local Hyundai salesman was wrong (or lazy) about the scarcity of them within 1,000 miles of me. I'm thinking a V8 tech would be around $38K and change. Demo (if I can find one), maybe $37K and change. New V6 with tech for about that same $37K. I already know I can get a demo V6 w/tech for $36K.

TLs I can buy all day....any color, any options, anywhere.

-TL w/tech for $34.5K (which is very tempting)
-TL SH AWD w/tech for $37.8K

Probably get them to throw in rubber mats and trunk liner, wood shift knob for those prices, too.

If I do a private sale on the Tahoe (assuming I get my price), I don't know that the current incentives will be in effect for the TLs, if that's the direction I decide to go.

mikefm58 · March 2009

Plus, I'm guessing that I'd have to deal with someone who is going to finance at a $25K+ price point. That's different than someone who's buying a $5K car as an all cash sale....and could create its own problems.

I'm tackling the same issues trying to decide if I should trade my 06 Tundra or sell it outright. I'm not big on dealing with someone who would shell out $17-$18K for the vehicle when I can trade it for about $14K. I don't own the vehicle free and clear so the buyer would also be dealing with getting the title after payment, so that's a big negative. I'll probably just end up waiting until next year though.

driver100 · March 2009

driver....I may go private. Not real fond of doing so.

Good luck if you give it a try. I know it's a pain but I think the dealers will be scared to try to sell a large SUV. If you don't really need it and can swing into a new car it is excellent timing. I think gas can only go higher one day. The idea of going where the boats are is an excellent experiment - testing the water so to speak. Have you checked to see what people are asking for a 2007 in your area?

If you do get to the point of buying, you sound like you are leaning toward the TL Both cars are excellent but you have been following the TL for quite a while and have a little more confidence for it, and it does have an excellent track record, and AWD available. My friend got a 2005 used one and traded in his Oldsmobile and he will never buy another American car.
It's rock solid and goes real good!!!!! If you get any snow at all, really consider AWD. It can make a big difference if you have to climb a hill or something in the snow.

Let us know what happens!

driver100 · March 2009

One question for you ... are you concerned at all about driving a RWD car in a part of the country that gets bad weather?
I've considered getting a RWD car here in Colorado but have held off because of that fact.

I have a RWD BMW and I had a hard time in snow last year. Got 4 snow tires this winter and it is as good as AWD and probably better than FWD. That's just me, but JMonroe can let you know his thinking on the subject, if he gets back from polishing and driving his new Gennie!

jmonroe · March 2009

Congratulations on your new purchase. How many Hyundais does this make for you?

Thanks for the congrats.

This will be my third. A guy I know at work asked me yesterday if I really like them because he heard they are junk. I told him I sure hope there is some truth in the old saying that 3 times is the charm because Id hate to have to buy another one to get a good one. :confuse: isell, this guy loves Hondas, just thought youd like to know.

One question for you ... are you concerned at all about driving a RWD car in a part of the country that gets bad weather?

I grew up with rear wheel drive cars and although front wheel drive is better than rear in the snow we dont get all that many bad days here. If it gets that bad that I feel Id hurt that baby, Ill stay home. Then again I could take the 05 XG 350 that now belongs to you know who, cause she aint goin no where when the white stuff sticks.

Ill try the Genny in the snow and report back later to everyone here and it better be MUCH later because the sun is starting to shine here in the Burgh.

jmonroe

jayrider · March 2009

They were just checking to see how you will answer the manufacturer survey that will come in the mail later. If you had issues they would try to address them to avoid a negative survey report. If you had been a bit negative you probably could have gotten a tank of gas or a couple of oil changes to sweeten your responses. Anything other than "exceeds expectations" on those surveys is considered a failing grade.

stickguy · March 2009

Oh, Genny Screamers! Brings me back to the 4 years I spent in Schenectady (college). Seem to remember a few "screamers" being involved!

OT of course, but also the beer most likely to make you feel like crap the next day (regardless of quantity consumed)

On topic, good quality snows + all the fancy electronics make RWD just fine in the snow. Certainly better than a 1973 Duster with bald snow tires that still seemed to get around when needed.

greanpea68 · March 2009

I'll try to steer a used Accord or Civic buyer toward a Kia or Hyundai and the reaction is always the same. They just don't want to even look at them.

I can only assume that the reason you would stear them that way is during negotations when they chisseling you on price and don't want to pay for a Civi or Accord..... you offer the Korean cars? In other words you offer them a switch to see if they are commited to Honda product?

GP

boomchek · March 2009

Maybe this was a call from the dealer. The manufacturer surveys are more elaborate and usually have 20 or more questions. Expect that one in a few weeks.

boomchek · March 2009

The problem with rebuild cars, contrary to what some people selling them will say is that THEY DO NOT HAVE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. Many sellers of these rebuilds saythey were written off due to a dent on the hood or minor fender bender....yeah right. They were written off for a reason, and the reason was because of lots of damage, seen or unseen.

So there's no sense buying a late model rebuild for 90% of the value, which is more likely to have even more problems than usualand that won't be covered under any warranty. It's just a waiting money pit.

jmonroe · March 2009

...did a quick search last night via internet and found no less than 6 V8 Genesis models. You must have bought the last V8 in Toledo cause I didn't see any up around there. So, I guess the local Hyundai salesman was wrong (or lazy) about the scarcity of them within 1,000 miles of me. I'm thinking a V8 tech would be around $38K and change. Demo (if I can find one), maybe $37K and change. New V6 with tech for about that same $37K. I already know I can get a demo V6 w/tech for $36K.

Like weve said before, if the local guy doesnt have what you want they try to get you to buy what they already have. They even go so far as to try to convince you that what you want is nowhere around. This means you have to be more diligent to find what you want and like I said before my son wouldnt let this thing die. I guess it comes down to how much you want it.

I got mine in the Akron area. Streetsboro to be exact and even more exact greatlakeshyundai.com.

As of this posting they have 4 at an internet price of $38,141 (so youre right on with that $38K and change number) however, they wouldnt budge on that price but they allowed me to bump them up on my trade. All in all, I couldnt touch their price here in the Burgh and I got the exact color combo I wanted (Cabernet Red Pearl with the Cashmere interior), their only one like this. Thats why I went there. But if you want what I got (copy cat

) they cant help you now. The next closest places for that combo were Fairfax VA and around Baltimore MD (again, thats my son at work).

Like I said before, when the V6 with tech pkg. takes you to $40.1K MSRP ($36.6K their internet price) I decided to go to the fully loaded V8 with tech pkg. plus other stuff with an MSRP of $42.1K ($38.1K their internet price).

Hope this helps.

jmonroe

jmonroe · March 2009

Maybe this was a call from the dealer. The manufacturer surveys are more elaborate and usually have 20 or more questions. Expect that one in a few weeks.

I am familiar with the mailed surveys but all I can go by is what the guy said over the phone, something like "This is Hyundai USA, I would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind".

If I get a survey in the mail I will definitely look into this further. Let me add that when I took one of our cars in for warranty work about 2 years ago (bad windshield washer motor) I got a survey phone call from Hyundai about this but there was no follow up mailed survey.

jmonroe

sterlingdog · March 2009

Like you, I'm waiting to see how long my old convertible sits on the lot. They detailed it and put it on the lot on Saturday, March 14. They're asking $10,995. They gave me $9,500 on the trade, $500 above all sources I checked. I figure after negotiations with the next customer, they may get $1,000 out of it. My new convertible is doing fine. We love it, though we haven't driven it much. I use the Explorer for work plus we're waiting on the warm weather to ride with the top down. The top has been down for a week, but it is sitting in the garage. We really like the cobalt blue with the black top.

I discovered an added benefit to the deal this morning. I'm due a refund on the GAP insurance that I had on the old convertible. That makes a nice experience even nicer. I had not counted on that happening. I'll let you know how much I get back. The refund actually comes from the original dealer rather than the GAP insurance company.

Richard

lrguy44 · March 2009

Congrats on the new car. The phone survey was from the manufacturer and is just a quick barometer of your purchase experience. You will get a more detailed mailed survey - be careful, anything worse that a yes or exceptional will torpedo the salesman and the dealer.
Enjoy.

deltheking · March 2009

That`s not a lot of difference between your trade in of 9500 and the dealer retail of 10995.Normally the dealer has a markup of atleast 3k on his trade in ,if he is not auctioning off.
Also my 2007 Honda Odyssey LX with 550 miles -- which I had sold to the Honda dealer last month--as I was barely using it--for 18k ,is now listed on his website as a certified vehicle for 19,995.Here,I don't think the dealer will negotiate a lot with the potential buyer.
And what exactly is gap Insurance? I have a vague idea but I don`t know the exact details.Does it only apply to cars u are financing or does it even apply to cars u pay off by cash?Does it also apply to vehicles after it has been paid off--as in when u own the vehicle?
Thanks.

madmanmoo · March 2009

Richard,

You're not leaving the convertible top open while it sits in the garage are you?

deltheking · March 2009

Yes,they do not have any factory warranty whatsoever-neither B2B,powertrain,emission,rust--nothing,zilch,nada.The manufacturer removes all warranty coverage for salvage vehicles.
And the descriptions you see for these vehicles,,they make it seem like they are the best deals on this planet.Plus ,you cannot even get 3rd party extended warranty.Any ,I repeat any,problem down the line,,neither the dealer nor the maker will take responsibility for a salvage car.
I dont know if you can even get insurance for these.
All I can say,these are crazy or stupid folks who are jumping into financial disaster.
I know, I know ,but ,Still can`t get over it-32k for a salvage Lexus RX?? :sick: :sick:

sterlingdog · March 2009

Should I not leave the top open while it sits in the garage? Is this a bad thing to do?

Richard

smithed · March 2009

"Coward that I am, I always take my wife with me when we buy a car. If you have ever seen a video of a little dog attacking the mail that is being stuck thru the mail slot in a door, then you have seen my wife when the subject of doc fees comes up ! I just sit back and enjoy because I always know it is coming. No matter how many times it happens it always seems to come as a complete shock and outrage to her.

When she takes off the poor salesperson becomes catatonic. We usually end up paying the doc fee but they take an offsetting reduction somewhere else...which she also does not like. I think the salesperson actually feels sorry for me and wants to help as much as he can."

I always go with my wife. As things get tight in the negotiations: we start to argue, call each other names, (no punches or items thrown). It can go on for a long time. Works best with new salespeople. Some have been scared that they were getting threatened, but it's just between us. Quite fun actually.

sterlingdog · March 2009

GAP insurance is an extra insurance that you can buy. If you have an accident that totals the car, it will pay the difference between what the regular insurance company would give you and what the car is worth. If you're financing the car, it will pay the difference between what the regular insurance company gives you and what you owe on the car. Being older, I thought that it was a wise thing to purchase.

Richard

wesleyg · March 2009

dont post much but read every post always on this forum so I seem to know you even thru the forum. You bought the car from a dealer within walking distance of my home, had I known I would have lurked around the lot for a look at you.

I just ordered a Pontiac G8GT from the Classic Pontiac-GMC dealer nest door, they are owned by the same firm, Classic, they also have Honda and several other brands all located in about a mile of each other, these Classic dealers are all brand new to the area, the area is now rapidly becoming one of those auto mile places with heavy auto dealer concentrations and seems to be working well.

jmonroe · March 2009

You bought the car from a dealer within walking distance of my home, had I known I would have lurked around the lot for a look at you.

Now you tell me; had I known that I would have asked you what you thought about the sports bar just up the road from the dealer (on the same side) where we went after the purchase. I cant remember the name of the place but we didnt think it was that good.

Next time speak up will ya.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 · March 2009

"...the four years I spent in Schenectady (college)..."

I believe you did because it would take a person at least four years to learn how to spell Schenectady. I was never a good speller so I went to Siena and then SUNYA.

My guilty pleasure was a 1969 Plymouth with bald tires year-round.

oldfarmer50 · March 2009

"...An MSRP of 42.1K..."

If I had known that you really had that much money I would have been nicer to you.

snakeweasel · March 2009

I notice the trend lately with richard and jipster is to go for the rag top.

That was Richard and myself that got ragtops.

I recently had an incident with mine. I found myself with the windows up, the doors locked and my keys inside the car. I called my salesman and he said he could get another key made come down and let me in. I told him ok but he better hurry as it was going to rain and I needed to get the top up.

snakeweasel · March 2009

You must have bought the last V8 in Toledo cause I didn't see any up around there. So, I guess the local Hyundai salesman was wrong (or lazy) about the scarcity of them within 1,000 miles of me.

Well we are within a 1,000 miles of you and I know that there are at least a dozen V8's around Chicago.

oldfarmer50 · March 2009

"...I got a survey phone call..."

I never got a call or a written survey from Mitsu when I bought new. I did get mail surveys from J.D. Powers and a bunch of other so-called "consumer groups" that seemed more interested in getting info on my personal finance than my dealer satisfaction. Threw them all in the trash.

When I got my oil changed at the dealer a few months later I got a survey call the next day. Gave them all "excellents". Got a coupon for a free oil change a few weeks later. I hope that was a reward .

explorerx4 · March 2009

i used to have the goal of putting the top down on my mustang, not a daily driver, when i put it on the road each spring and leaving it down until i put the car away in the fall.
year after year, i always had to put it up for because of rain, at some point.
finally, i gave up. then a few years ago, i think it did it.

oldfarmer50 · March 2009

"...That was Richard and myself that got ragtops..."

OOOOPS! MY bad. With spring planting upon me I've just been skimming the posts. I guess I mixed up my rich guys.

Congrats to you then. It was also a Chrysler, right? I'm amazed that people still buy them with the doom and gloom spread by the media.

I find myself looking at the car listings for older used Sebrings more often. My older son has a desire to get a rag-top and I dream about buying one for a few grand on Craigslist and giving it to him. You can get the pre 2001 all-Chrysler design for about $2500-$3000.

chikoo · March 2009

>I am familiar with the mailed surveys but all I can go by is what the guy said over the phone, something like "This is Hyundai USA, I would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind".

I am pretty sure it was your salesman making sure that he is doing a good job. He got his answers and therefore no more questions were asked.

luvmybuicks · March 2009

Just a question for the people in the business. When a car is sold at auction...how much are you able to look over a car; evaluate mechanicals before bidding? It is my understanding you are not able to test drive prior to bidding. Do you have any recourse if the car is not what you expected after winning the bidding?

I would seem to me that a small premium would be warranted on a trade in car that can be fully evaluated (service history, test drive, non-smoker, tires etc) by the used car department.

Congrats to JMonroe, Richard, Snake, for your recent car purchases. You can bet that $ bills that paid for their cars were mildewey from lack of use and squeezed til the ink was nearly gone. Lets hope you guys will not need a government bailout in the future!!

snakeweasel · March 2009

Congrats to you then. It was also a Chrysler, right?

Yep it's one of Walters cars.

I'm amazed that people still buy them with the doom and gloom spread by the media.

I think Chrysler will be around for a while. Also I got this used at a great bargain.

snakeweasel · March 2009

Congrats to JMonroe, Richard, Snake, for your recent car purchases. You can bet that $ bills that paid for their cars were mildewey from lack of use and squeezed til the ink was nearly gone.

Hey!!!!! I resemble that remark.

explorerx4 · March 2009

the lovely wife has been saving her money for a new car.
we will need another car in a few months, 4 drivers, 3 daily driver vehicles.
we window shopped some closed dealerships on a couple of sundays.
she started out looking for another small suv, but we (I) made our first overtures on an awd (her main requirement) sedan.
i bought my last 2 vehicles after getting internet quotes, liking them, setting up a test drive, liking it, and working out the rest of the details.
went to the dealership website from the manufacturer website.
asked for an internet quote.
got an email acknowledgeing my request.
this morning got message on my phone, which i was not able to answer.
asks me to call so they can get more information.
my request was on a specific vehicle, so i am thinking

left work early so i could return the call, go caught in a traffic jam and got home late.
right after my mother calls to ask for help with her computer, a get a call from someone inquiring if i had been contacted by the dealership and was it satisactory?
i said yes i was contacted, but it was not satisfactory because i asked for an expected a quote on a particular vehicle.
she tried to get me to come in to schedule a test drive, get pricing, etc...
said no thanks, i really want a quote and we ended the call.
btw, in middle of her spiel, she goes silent, then says, i lost my train of thought.

after that i checked my email and there was an message from the internet manager, stating that he had called and i could call him or email.
i call, get voice mail and hang up.

i email him back including a link to the window sticker on the car i am looking at for quote.
he emails back can't get the link to work.

BUT they have pricing posted on their dealership website.

i check the car my wife is looking at and the price is 'CALL'.
in honor of MAC, to be continued.....

explorerx4 · March 2009

if that's case, don't use the power locks, you might lock yourself in the car

i actually had someone say this to me. :confuse:

snakeweasel · March 2009

I have always wonder if you have power windows and locks and your in your car with the doors locked and the windows closed and the battery dies what do you do?

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