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Autobytel.com - What has your experience been?

131 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 6:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 13 of 14

#120 of 131 I saved by suzzann

Jun 08, 2002 (6:24 am)

the $300 and had a pleasant buying experience. The sales manager is the one who issued the quote and he turned me over to a salesman who was at worst overly attentive. Very little attempt at selling finance and warranty items, I paid cash and that was it.

#121 of 131 Suzzann.. by isellhondas

Jun 09, 2002 (8:16 am)

Actually, I do know how to treat people. It's hard using a computer on boards like this to convey that.
 
My ongoing point is this...I really believe it's up to the BUYER to make an offer rather than try to solicit "bids" from different dealers.
 
Send me an e-mail..." I'll buy your Accord SE today for XXXX...can you do that?"
 
A message like that will get my attention. I either can or I can't and I will respond in kind.
 
But then I take the chance that by accepting, I've just given the shopper another number to shop...oh well, nothing I'll fret over.

#122 of 131 Isell or ABT by masspector

Jun 10, 2002 (4:09 am)

Is one of the reasons that dealers do not like giving out email quotes because they have no signed commitment from the buyer to purchase?

#123 of 131 isellhondas by suzzann

Jun 10, 2002 (4:42 am)

I wound up doing exactly what you recommend, using one of the other internet services to do so. I won't mention which one since this isn't the right thread.
 
Had the Autobytel dealer hit anything close to my offer price I would have bought from him. He did beat Carsdirect by a small margin.

#124 of 131 mass, a commitment by abtseller

Jun 10, 2002 (5:23 am)

would be nice, but I don't know how you could control it.
 
Ed

#125 of 131 I bought a car the method that masspector stated by kevin111

Jun 21, 2002 (1:37 pm)

Went to dealerships to test drive cars with the basis that I was not going to buy that day (stated that to the dealers that I was waiting for a check, which was true).
 
Used - Autobytel (again, they did not get back to me about 2 of the three cars I tried)
 
Cars.com - great
Carsdirect.com - not bad
Autoadvantage - good
 
Was able to get e-mail quotes, and from there used that as the basis for my barganing.
 
Used the phone to call dealerships to see who would give me the best price.
 
Gave the dealership where I test-drove the car a final chance to match.
 
Went to the dealer to fill out the paperwork.
 
No hassels, no pain, just got the car I wanted at the price I wanted.
 
By the way, highly recommend Subaru dealerships! The salespeople at the two I visited were great! The one I bought from was courdius, out going, and explained everything well!
 
Have had issues with Nissan Dealerships though, high pressure and some sales people seem to be incompetent.

#126 of 131 Acutally, Autobytel was decent by kevin111

Jun 21, 2002 (4:01 pm)

Come to think of it, I did hear back from the other 2 cars as well. One of them was too far from my house but was courtious non-the-less, and the other, I had already talked with using another internet car service.

#127 of 131 My experience with Autobytel, Plantation Nissan and Larry Hering by enkeli

Jul 02, 2002 (2:29 pm)

After some serious research for the car I was interested in, I contacted the online buying services, and a rather large handful of
local dealers by email and made my requests for prices, availability and information. I was quite specific about how I wanted to proceed with a potential purchase and the information that I wanted up front. Unfortunately the majority of responses were either a 'here's the price - take it or leave it' or 'come in and we'll talk'. Some dealerships didn't even respond or somehow failed to understand the information I requested...which was very detailed and to the point. I suspect since a lot of people (from what I have read) tend to use quoted prices to do a 'walk in' and negotiate for a car, that I might not have been taken seriously by some dealers. This is understandable, though unfortunate for them since I was quite serious and ready to buy.
 
However, Autobytel's referral dealership, Plantation Nissan in Plantation, FL was very quick to respond. The internet manager, Larry Hering, was not only willing to discuss a purchase in detail by email, but was more than happy to quote prices which were very reasonable based on the research I had done. He was friendly, professional and knowledgable. There was no pressure and no B.S. Once we agreed on a price, we spoke by phone and I went to the dealership to put a deposit on a car which he located and brought
in very quickly.
 
Today I happily drove home in my 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5S and the total experience from start to finish exceeded all expectations. The dealership itself is staffed with people who seem to be genuinely service oriented - and I cannot say enough good things about Larry Hering. It was a true delight to do business with him.
 
I know that buying a car can be either a hassle or a dream. So many people complain about car salesmen in general being dishonest. I look at it this way: It's not car salesmen who are dishonest people...only that some dishonest people happen to be car salesmen. Larry Hering is not one of those and for anyone in the South Florida area I highly recommend him.
 
Cheers!
 
Ella

#129 of 131 This is how Autobytel & the rest work.... by internetman

Mar 21, 2006 (10:12 am)

Replying to: abtseller (Jun 07, 2002 5:51 am)
Autobytel,carsdirect,AutoUSA, InvoiceDealers.com .....etc are NOT Car Dealers, They do not have any cars!they can not quote you because the DO NOT have any cars to quote. They sell your name & information to Dealers sometimes 2 3 & 4 different Dealers. They are a middleman that you the customer ends up paying for down the line. So when you are looking for a New Car & want the best price go to three dealers websites real dealers. Go the biggest dealer in your area, your Local dealer & one in the middle. ask for a quote from there website tell the all the options colors etc.... Do not worry about what they have in stock it is a new car Dealers swap out cars all the time. Compair the prices Tell the local dealer of your prices Always give your local dealer the Last shot. He will be there for you unlike the Big Dealership. You are going to want to bring your car in for service to your local dealer He will treat you better (loaners etc..) when you brought the car from them. Internet Sales Manager just tell you the truth!

Messages Page 13 of 14

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