[The Eagle]

Hi Gang,
This has been a very interesting series of posts. I have to say "Sa Meredith," has "hit the nail on the head," many times, and I would deal with him anytime, although I've never met him. I too, worked as a car salesmen MANY years ago, (in the 1970's) in Mass, for a dealership that was NOT High pressure, but a family owned for generations and honorable as you can get. BUT we had to compete with places like "Wilmington Ford," and "Hallissey Chevrolet," where once the salesmen got their hooks on you, you didn't (couldn't) leave without making the deal. They'd take your key for an appraisal and then you have to "Find the appraiser," to get your keys back to leave, but in the meantime a "Closer" (Manager) whould come out to high pressure you. Those days are OVER and have been for years. Howver, there are still some dealerships that use high pressure. They'd have all kinds of "add on's", (rust proof, floor mats, pin stripes, vinyl roofs, side mouldings) anything to kick the price up. Now the cars come standard with just about anything you'd want. A good salesman, DOES care about you and what you NEED! HE will take the time to show you everything, and by you knowing what you need, and how much you have to spend, helps them, help you. They ONLY get paid when they make a deal. New cars have minimal markups, and car salesmen make a set commission no matter how much the car sells for, so they ARE on your side. Used cars are totally different! I reccomended "Eddie" at Lannan Chevrolet in Woburn MA, because he is my son, and he has been with them for over 8 years. His customers love him because he takes the time (as Sa Meredith says he should) to greet the customer, listen to their needs, and help them select the best "fit" for their needs. Explains every detail of the car and it's options, and then he does it all over again, when he delivers the new car to the customer. Price? I have bought cars from Lannan, (before my son worked there) and once, I never even asked for the price of the car. I told them what I wanted, they got it and I bought it without ever even asking the final price. I have dealt with them since before my son was a salesman, and trusted them. They knew if they screwed me, I'd never be back. I have bought over 7 new cars from them since. I would rather pay MORE to good reputable dealership and get great service, when I need it, then drive 25 miles to save $100, and then need service and have them ask "who are you, and where did you buy it?" It's time to drop all the old "stereotypes" of car salesmaen (with probably a few exceptions.) They will help you, and American Cars ARE better built than foriegn cars! Thank you, Sa Meredith, for your posts and for enlightening the motoring public about the "Truths" to shopping for new cars in todays markets!
The Eagle