Shopping for new car time, opinions on dealerships wanted.

brk-lnt · 05-12-2011, 03:27 PM

sa_meredith:

I understand your perspective on this, and from your posts it seems like you're getting wound up about it more than necessary.

Not to be a grammer/spelling nazi, but you have a TON of annoying errors in your posts that makes some of what you write come across as "traditional car salesman". Take some time to proofread your posts and use a spell checker. They don't have to be perfect, but you could do better.

Regarding the overall car buying process and negotiation tactics. You do this *every day*, multiple times a day (if you're any good). The average car buyer probably buys 8 new cars in their lifetime, maybe less. You have a tremendous experience advantage over your customer, AND you have all the inside knowledge.

The average car buyer has nothing against you needing to pay your mortgage, but he needs to pay his (or hers) as well. Also, the buyer *knows* that the sticker price is representative of almost nothing, and the first "best" deal offered by the salesman is generally far from what they would actually take (or expect to get).

You say that the car salespeople are just honest decent people, and that may generally be true. But, the Internet is also littered with "inside scoop" from current and former car salesmen that also says otherwise:
http://consumerist.com/2007/03/deale...o-beat-it.html

Like most of these situations, the truth probably lies somewhere in between.

For most people, buying a car is a pretty significant "investment" and expense. Car dealerships have traditionally not built themselves a reputation for having the customers best interest in mind, so it's not surprising that we've wound up in this scenario.

masssteve · 05-12-2011, 04:59 PM

Go to your local dealer, pick out the car you want. Let the sales person help you in selecting the vehicle, thats what they are there for! Let them show you the inside and outsides, the packages, the colors, etc. Get a price on the car and a price for your trade. Then go home. Call 2 other dealers and tell them what you have for a price and see what they can do better. Go back to your local dealer and let them know you got a better price and then they will match or beat it. Buy from your local dealer! When you have a problem they are the ones that will be there for you, not the guy 25 miles away. When you go in for service you will get to know everyone there and they will get to know you. It makes for a better ownership. I have seen people drive 40 miles to save $200. Then in a couple of weeks a check engine light comes on and they want fast service and a loaner car. Sorry folks fast service and loaners go to our customer first, then to customers that bought from other dealers. You would be shocked at how much a dealer makes on selling a new car. Try on average about $1,500 per car and that includes fees collected, and any thing they sell in the finance office. So if you think your going to save thousands going from dealer to dealer your dreaming. It is a very simple process that most people make into a 6 month ordeal with notes, print outs, research, etc. The sale consultant today is not the same from the 80's or even the 90's. Let them do there job and help you get into the car your looking for. You can do the leg work on price with a couple of phone calls.

05-12-2011, 03:27 PM	#1
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 544 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	sa_meredith: I understand your perspective on this, and from your posts it seems like you're getting wound up about it more than necessary. Not to be a grammer/spelling nazi, but you have a TON of annoying errors in your posts that makes some of what you write come across as "traditional car salesman". Take some time to proofread your posts and use a spell checker. They don't have to be perfect, but you could do better. Regarding the overall car buying process and negotiation tactics. You do this every day, multiple times a day (if you're any good). The average car buyer probably buys 8 new cars in their lifetime, maybe less. You have a tremendous experience advantage over your customer, AND you have all the inside knowledge. The average car buyer has nothing against you needing to pay your mortgage, but he needs to pay his (or hers) as well. Also, the buyer knows that the sticker price is representative of almost nothing, and the first "best" deal offered by the salesman is generally far from what they would actually take (or expect to get). You say that the car salespeople are just honest decent people, and that may generally be true. But, the Internet is also littered with "inside scoop" from current and former car salesmen that also says otherwise: http://consumerist.com/2007/03/deale...o-beat-it.html Like most of these situations, the truth probably lies somewhere in between. For most people, buying a car is a pretty significant "investment" and expense. Car dealerships have traditionally not built themselves a reputation for having the customers best interest in mind, so it's not surprising that we've wound up in this scenario. __________________ [insert witty phrase here] Last edited by brk-lnt; 05-13-2011 at 09:12 AM.

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05-12-2011, 04:59 PM	#2
masssteve Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Reading, MA & Laconia, NH Posts: 67 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Go to your local dealer, pick out the car you want. Let the sales person help you in selecting the vehicle, thats what they are there for! Let them show you the inside and outsides, the packages, the colors, etc. Get a price on the car and a price for your trade. Then go home. Call 2 other dealers and tell them what you have for a price and see what they can do better. Go back to your local dealer and let them know you got a better price and then they will match or beat it. Buy from your local dealer! When you have a problem they are the ones that will be there for you, not the guy 25 miles away. When you go in for service you will get to know everyone there and they will get to know you. It makes for a better ownership. I have seen people drive 40 miles to save $200. Then in a couple of weeks a check engine light comes on and they want fast service and a loaner car. Sorry folks fast service and loaners go to our customer first, then to customers that bought from other dealers. You would be shocked at how much a dealer makes on selling a new car. Try on average about $1,500 per car and that includes fees collected, and any thing they sell in the finance office. So if you think your going to save thousands going from dealer to dealer your dreaming. It is a very simple process that most people make into a 6 month ordeal with notes, print outs, research, etc. The sale consultant today is not the same from the 80's or even the 90's. Let them do there job and help you get into the car your looking for. You can do the leg work on price with a couple of phone calls.