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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
47811 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 8:49 PM
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Replying to: driver100 (Jan 02, 2009 12:40 pm) It's not foolproof, but it works better than having no set time. And typically when someone does call it means they have done their research, they sorta know what they want. Plus the 2 main reasons for a call is the customer is trying to find out inventory, and shopping for a saleperson over the phone. If the dealer that sandman called had his inventory, and the salesperson would have been friendly, then as he said, chances are he would have put a dip on a unit. People phone in because it's easier and quicker to "get a feel" if a salesperson is good or not (friendly, helpful etc) by a quick 2 minute call, rather than a driving to and spending time at a dealership. I've gotten many deals from folks who called and I was the only dealer in the area who was friendly, and knew my specials etc... To get to my dealership they passed 5 crappy ones who failed to learn current specials, or have basic telephone skills. |
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Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Jan 02, 2009 1:56 pm)
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Replying to: boomchek (Jan 02, 2009 2:05 pm) More than careless, stupid, on so many levels. |
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Replying to: stickguy (Jan 02, 2009 1:20 pm) Only 3 weeks? I saw an ad for a Toyota Sienna CE (base) run for almost 2- 3 months after it was "sold". I was in the market for a CE, the Toyota dealership didn't have any on the lot... supposedly because no one wanted the base model. Ad comes out for the CE, I call first thing in the morning. Salesman doesn't know about it, then comes back and says it was already sold. I see the same ad for the next few months or so. This was back in 04' when the Sienna was a hot minivan. I would guess the dealership sold quite a few of the LE's and XLE's from people calling in about the CE. As it is so often said,"They wouldn't do it if it didn't work." Due to misleading screamer ads, internet inventories not kept up to date, and inaccurate information given over the phone, it's always better to flatfoot a dealership before making any calls or internet inquiries. This is covered in the "Jipst Method" of car buying. Do a google search for more information. 
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Replying to: jipster (Jan 02, 2009 6:56 pm)  Richard |
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Replying to: richard64 (Jan 03, 2009 1:12 am)
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Replying to: richard64 (Jan 03, 2009 1:12 am) PS - the $14,990 Camry I asked about last week turned out to be a hoax - big surprise. It's too bad - my uncle would have bought two at that price just because the deal was good. He would have actually paid the dealer $16,500 (they quoted $16,199) for the same car (which, of course, they didn't have, but that didn't stop them from quoting him a price and telling him to come in!) It's too bad some places still want to do business this way - it gives our good sales friends here a bad name to the general public. |
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Replying to: jimbres (Jan 03, 2009 5:13 am) That is a very good point. On the one hand, it is a lot of car for the money and it is like going back to a 1960 or 70 car experience. However, those safety features are absolutely necessary today and stability control is becoming so important it will become mandatory. Richard, I hope you consider jimbres comments.
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Replying to: driver100 (Jan 03, 2009 6:49 am) Instead of stability control it has traction control which along with the 4 wheel ABS the car handles just fine.
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Just wanted to share... I can't remember last time I purchased a car from a domestic dealer, and should have known better. I happened to come across a used low mile 2005 X5 V8 with all the toys at a GMC store. Stopped over to find it sitting on the back lot, filthy from being traded in the day before (the works, kids' toys still in the back seat, covered in Cheerios, etc.). Figured it was actually a good thing, I got to see how the previous owner treated it. I was immediately approached by a salesman who seemed eager to deal with me not to attend their sales meeting. Test drove the car, all was well except it seemed like it would need tires soon. Mentioned that to the sales guy, they threw a number at me on my trade in (that actually seemed decent), I told them I'd get back to them -- after the 'meet my sales manager and would you buy the car today' bit. I called back in the morning, told him I'm interested in the car, and would be securing my own financing. He (the sales guy) kept asking for a credit app, I had the loan preapproved same day, and agreed on a OTD price (+tax) over the phone. He kept on pushing me to take the car home that night, basically trying to spot me right then and there. He was getting the car detailed that day (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) for me to take delivery the following day, So... I call Wednesday morning, my sales guy is out sick, and the sales manager is not in. I'm patched through to another highly trained sales professional who always answered his phone in Spanish... After making the 30 mile drive to the dealership, now they don't have a working fax machine for my credit union to fax the loan paperwork. Two hours later... Finally we can start signing away, All of a sudden we now have a $599 doc fee. And they yet again are insisting on me filling out their own credit app. I refused on both counts... We then had to argue over sales tax figure -- I'm licensing the car out of state and was not going to pay tax at the time of purchase. Five hours later -- day before Thanksgiving, trying to leave town -- I'm finally out of there. The fun is now just beginning... The same night, at 11:30pm my original (out sick that day) salesman drunk dials me from his cellphone. Twice. Their wonderful detail guy had thrown the floormats on top of the still wet shampooed carpets that pretty much got moldy due to the car sitting on their lot for two days afterward with the windows closed. The following Monday I get a call from my credit union wondering if I decided to withdraw my application, as they are yet to hear anything back from the dealership and the loan is not funded. To make a long story short, it took them over 30 days to send the payoff for my trade in after repeated lies about when it was sent, being unable to find tracking numbers, etc. I left fourteen (14) messages for the finance manager that went unreturned (I actually kept track of this) -- the one and only time I was able to get this sh1thead on the phone was after sittingon hold for 15 minutes for the GM or owner of the place... Anyhow, I AM happy with the car and ultimately the deal I was able to get. However, this was by far the most debilitating car buying experience I've had thus far (having purchased 15+ vehicles in the past). It's absolutely astonishing to me (also in sales) that this is the way they conduct business. Sorry about the long rant, happy New Year! 
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