Car Dealership Question possible issue.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I don't know how it is in the housing market but I sold cars for a few years and I've heard everything in the world about buying cars.

"best price buys it now"
"I'm a year out doing research" (on a used car)
"I'm looking at the 350z and the Honda Civic Si"
"I'm paying cash, So I just want your lowest price"

We got stroked a lot when I sold cars, people were rude and are just as bad as the salesman. People would actually just wanna drive cars to waste your time and wouldn't feel bad about it. When I took ups on the lot and we started to question what they're really looking for I would simply ask if they're looking to buy a car or just wasting my time. I would just get that out of the way right away because I would rather be told "no" right away then waste an hour showing a vehicle and going for a ride only to be tossed the keys and told "thanks". Or get them in the office thinking they're going to buy the car and get nothing and never seeing them again because they went to another Nissan dealer down the road and some dbag lets them buy the car from him when I sold the car but they were embarrassed to come back because they were wrong.

this is a major reason why I got out of sales, because the people blame the dealer for everything. I know a lot of it is true but the buyer isn't an angel either.

I've said it a million times, but I will say it again "If I lied and cheated my customers, the same way they have lied and cheated me, I would be in jail right now."

AMVIC is agreat idea, it keeps the dealers straight. Unfortunately there is no AMVLCSTTTWOARWALOCAATTPLFTDRWAO1YWVWDI (Alberta Motor Vehicle Lying Cheating Stealing Trying To Trade Write Offs and Rebuilts Who Also Lie On Credit Applications And Take Third Party Loans For Their Distant Realtives Who Are On 1 Year Work Visa's Without Disclosing It.)

In the 12 years I have been in the business I have seen the pendulum swing completely the opposite way. Now it is dealer beware, not buyer beware. We probably walk at least a doazen deals a year because we don't trust the customer, or think the deal is fishy, or the car is going to end up in a shipping container to Koreikstan 2 days after the first loan payment comes out.

I had a customer lie through their teeth to me on a credit application, and get approved. Then went to put 75,000 kms on the car in 1 year and change the oil once. Engine blows, warranty says "SOL oil changes are not some sort of scam, you gotta change the oil every 16 k minimum and keep records." Customer says I coached them into lying on the credit app, therefore the sale should be null and void, and then beached the car on our lot. Almost cost me my job, and damaged my reputation I had with the bank.

This is the crap we have to deal with, and I am seriously considering leaving the car business, and a very comfortable living as a result. Too high risk, as the accusations people will make to save a nickel, or get someone to pay for their stupidity is monumental.

Everyone scrambles to blame the dealer, but when customers do stuff that is absolutely asinine, underhanded, and illegal, nobody has the balls to call out the customer.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by fotze

They should make one of those reality shows about a car dealership.

They did, about Towbin Dodge in Vegas. I think it was called King of Cars. Unfortunately, it did nothing to help our industries image.

[Ben_in_Canada]

I had a lot of problems getting any sense out of the people (2 sales & finance guy) at *enf*ew. Took in their ad from that days paper along with a truck I had built on the Dodge website. No matter how many times I pointed out the particular model I wanted (that had a big manufacturers rebate) they wouldn't acknowledge it and kept trying to upgrade to a model I had told them I couldn't afford.
My advice, not worth the hassle when there are so many dealerships out there looking for your business.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by pylon

If you are going to buy a JEEP anyway, don't buy a new one. The depreciate horribly. A lot of our sales guys run away if they see someone pull up in a JEEP, as they know they usually owe about 20 grand more than the thing is worth if they try to trade it in. Be like one other super wise member on this board that bought a pre-owned JEEP from us, and save half of the price on a 2 year old unit.

Still lovin the jeep too, I hope you're talking about me

The only problem with jeeps is that the windshields are damn rock catchers.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by pylon

I've said it a million times, but I will say it again "If I lied and cheated my customers, the same way they have lied and cheated me, I would be in jail right now."

AMVIC is agreat idea, it keeps the dealers straight. Unfortunately there is no AMVLCSTTTWOARWALOCAATTPLFTDRWAO1YWVWDI (Alberta Motor Vehicle Lying Cheating Stealing Trying To Trade Write Offs and Rebuilts Who Also Lie On Credit Applications And Take Third Party Loans For Their Distant Realtives Who Are On 1 Year Work Visa's Without Disclosing It.)

In the 12 years I have been in the business I have seen the pendulum swing completely the opposite way. Now it is dealer beware, not buyer beware. We probably walk at least a doazen deals a year because we don't trust the customer, or think the deal is fishy, or the car is going to end up in a shipping container to Koreikstan 2 days after the first loan payment comes out.

I had a customer lie through their teeth to me on a credit application, and get approved. Then went to put 75,000 kms on the car in 1 year and change the oil once. Engine blows, warranty says "SOL oil changes are not some sort of scam, you gotta change the oil every 16 k minimum and keep records." Customer says I coached them into lying on the credit app, therefore the sale should be null and void, and then beached the car on our lot. Almost cost me my job, and damaged my reputation I had with the bank.

This is the crap we have to deal with, and I am seriously considering leaving the car business, and a very comfortable living as a result. Too high risk, as the accusations people will make to save a nickel, or get someone to pay for their stupidity is monumental.

Everyone scrambles to blame the dealer, but when customers do stuff that is absolutely asinine, underhanded, and illegal, nobody has the balls to call out the customer.

its nice to hear the other side of the story....I can see why some Salesmen are pretty adamnant about getting a deposit up front. Its all about respect, I always let the salesman know right from the start what my conditions are.....if he cant (or wont) be able to work in those conditions, I kindly thank him and move to the next office..or dealer. There are some really really good people to deal with the in car industry, you just have to find them :-)

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by pylon

I've said it a million times, but I will say it again "If I lied and cheated my customers, the same way they have lied and cheated me, I would be in jail right now."

AMVIC is agreat idea, it keeps the dealers straight. Unfortunately there is no AMVLCSTTTWOARWALOCAATTPLFTDRWAO1YWVWDI (Alberta Motor Vehicle Lying Cheating Stealing Trying To Trade Write Offs and Rebuilts Who Also Lie On Credit Applications And Take Third Party Loans For Their Distant Realtives Who Are On 1 Year Work Visa's Without Disclosing It.)

In the 12 years I have been in the business I have seen the pendulum swing completely the opposite way. Now it is dealer beware, not buyer beware. We probably walk at least a doazen deals a year because we don't trust the customer, or think the deal is fishy, or the car is going to end up in a shipping container to Koreikstan 2 days after the first loan payment comes out.

I had a customer lie through their teeth to me on a credit application, and get approved. Then went to put 75,000 kms on the car in 1 year and change the oil once. Engine blows, warranty says "SOL oil changes are not some sort of scam, you gotta change the oil every 16 k minimum and keep records." Customer says I coached them into lying on the credit app, therefore the sale should be null and void, and then beached the car on our lot. Almost cost me my job, and damaged my reputation I had with the bank.

This is the crap we have to deal with, and I am seriously considering leaving the car business, and a very comfortable living as a result. Too high risk, as the accusations people will make to save a nickel, or get someone to pay for their stupidity is monumental.

Everyone scrambles to blame the dealer, but when customers do stuff that is absolutely asinine, underhanded, and illegal, nobody has the balls to call out the customer.

Not to blow sunshine up your butt, but it would be a shame for you to leave a job that you are very good at. I really appreciated all of the work that you did with me on my purchase (even though I had already pretty much decided on the vehicle the minute that I walked onto the lot)

You got me a great price, made the financing work painless, and it was the rare time that I haven't walked away from a car dealership at least once during the transaction because of the whole bad feeling vibe that one usually gets when they buy a vehicle.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Not to blow sunshine up your butt, but it would be a shame for you to leave a job that you are very good at. I really appreciated all of the work that you did with me on my purchase (even though I had already pretty much decided on the vehicle the minute that I walked onto the lot)

You got me a great price, made the financing work painless, and it was the rare time that I haven't walked away from a car dealership at least once during the transaction because of the whole bad feeling vibe that one usually gets when they buy a vehicle.

I appreciate that Captain. I do everything in my power to shoot straight and be honest. Guys like you are awesome to deal with, unfortunately, it is the other 5% or so, the give me sleepless nights, heartburn, and elevated blood pressure. I have met you, and know what your about, you would beat some of these people within an inch of their life if you got them in a dark alley alone... trust me, I would. I have just had a few customers in the last year that have really made some horrible accusations and done some awful dishonest things, to get their way. Most guys in the business, just give them what they want to make them go away, that is not how I work. I stand up for what I believe in, and don't let people push me over.

There is that saying, the one I hate more than any saying ever invented.... "The customer is always right."I cannot, and will not allow someone to lie their way into an advantageous position on me to get their way, and a lot of people around me see it as a problem, that I just don't roll over. Sometimes take things a little too personally. I just think it is getting a little out of hand in our industry now with the poo-see footing you have to do with customers to do business.

I sat down and read the AMVIC newsletter tonight, and it has these stories about this car dealer was arrested, that salesman was charged, this guy was successfully sued, and I am thinking to myself ,"Who the f%$k is going to protect me against some looney tune falsely accusing me of forging loan documents." And the sad part is, I pay a yearly fee for the "right" to have an industry watchdog and complete stranger, kick down my office door, fire me, and charge me with a crime on someones here say. What kind of industry frikkin operates like this? AMVIC claims to work both ways, but it is always the dealer getting kicked around by them, never the customer. I just feel too exposed sometimes, and think I might be better doing something else at times. The sales floor is one thing, but there are a lot of legalities in finance that leave you very vulnerable to false accusations.

And thanks to all the other guys on this board that have sent me referrals, or bought cars too. Not one of you guys have been one of the customers I am talking about..... except you Arlo.... Hope you like your "Mazda"....punk. just kidding...lol

[burn_this_city]

We were looking at Jeeps last year, the pressure sales tactics at the Chrysler dealerships were pretty surprising. They seemed really desperate to sell a vehicle. At one dealer we told the guy we were interested in a different color and option package, and we wanted them to bring one in, he kept trying to push us into buying something we didnt want. We didnt end up buying a Jeep because my girlfriend got sick of it.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by fotze

Well let me know when a decent 4 door jeep comes in. I can't even stand going to a dealership cold call, I just hate it that much.

I checked Kijiji and there are at least two used ones at Renfrew Chrysler. No price listed, though. I hate that.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Car salesman is just about the sleaziest profession out there. Especially in Canada where the lack of competition really screws the customer and the sleazeballs think that they're doing you a favour just by talking to you. Try and buy from the US where there's a lot more competition so the salesmen actually will work to get you a decent deal.

[burn_this_city]

If you're looking at Jeeps I would wait until the 2012's come out with the new engine. I drove a bunch with the current motor and its completely gutless. The newer one has way more power and much better gas mileage, plus it wont be mated to the crappy automatic transmission they currently have. I test drove a 2 door and it struggled to merge on deerfoot unless I bagged the crap out of it.

[Northendzone]

we recently purchased a used 2008 ford edge - a friend of mine gave me a heads up about "the documentation fee" that places are charging.

i confirmed the total price of the car with the salesman and then they trotted out the documentation fee - i was mostly annoyed because when i asked the salesman what the total price was, he did not include the fee.

given that we were paying for the car with a cheque and that the fee was not stated anywhere on thier website, i suggested to them that they needed to do something with the fee - which they did.

i guess i get why they would have a fee - but i was annoyed how they trot it out at the last part of the process.

generally speaking, i'd think that in order to really start talking real number on a vehicle that you need to show some real interest in buying the vehicle - for example we took the edge for two test drives and then took it to a thrid party mechanic for an inspection before we started talking numbers with the dealership.

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by Slacker

Sounds like Crowfoot Dodge.

It's funny, I went there to buy my car originally and got the same sort of scummy experience. Sales rep made me so mad I had to hold my tongue before I told him to fata himself. I made sure on my way out to talk to the sales manager about the d-bag sales agent losing a sale. He told me to deal directly with him.... but the damage was done so I bought somewhere else. Ironically enough, the sales agent where I went was great and it was the sales manager who was the d-bag.

To the OP - if you buy somewhere else, whether it's a Jeep or not, make sure you tell the sales manager (and the dealership manager too) that that scumbag's sales pitch lost them the sale and your business. There's too many honest and hard-working salespeople out there to reward these jerks.

[Northendzone]

as an aside, most folks i know do not enjoy the car buying process - makes you wonder why the industry does not try and figure out a new way for the process to work......

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

as an aside, most folks i know do not enjoy the car buying process - makes you wonder why the industry does not try and figure out a new way for the process to work......

Saturn was different (no haggling) but their cars were super lame.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

If you're looking at Jeeps I would wait until the 2012's come out with the new engine. I drove a bunch with the current motor and its completely gutless. The newer one has way more power and much better gas mileage, plus it wont be mated to the crappy automatic transmission they currently have. I test drove a 2 door and it struggled to merge on deerfoot unless I bagged the crap out of it.

My jeep has very good acceleration and power.

And why would you buy a jeep with an automatic transmission? It would be like dating a fat girl?

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

My jeep has very good acceleration and power.

And why would you buy a jeep with an automatic transmission? It would be like dating a fat girl?

We looked at the 6 speed ones, but most people opt for the auto. What year is yours?

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Saturn was different (no haggling) but their cars were super lame.

saturn sky redline is hardly what i would call lame.....

[killer_carlson]

an ex boss of mine got so ticked off at the sales agent that when he bought a car from a nearby dealership he drove it off the lot to the "bad dealership" honking the horn obnoxiously as he drove into the lot right by the front door. He walked in and yelled "I just bought my brand new car from _____ (dealership) because THAT GUY (pointing to the salesman) wouldn't give me a good deal!!!"

Then he left.

(Yes, he was that kind of obnoxious boss)

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

We looked at the 6 speed ones, but most people opt for the auto. What year is yours?

2009

They had gotten rid of the inline 6 engine and did the complete redesign of the body in 2009

I would never get a jeep with an automatic transmission, I test drove one and it didn't have good acceleration.