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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
48021 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 8:07 PM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester
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Replying to: driver100 (Jan 09, 2009 4:15 am)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 09, 2009 3:23 pm) Keep up the good work, I enjoy lurking in this forum - gets me through the conference calls at work... 
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Replying to: traindriver (Jan 09, 2009 6:49 pm) Richard |
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Replying to: murphydog (Jan 09, 2009 10:12 pm) That seems strange - we had safety locks on our 1999 and 2003 MB C230 -40s Maybe they took them out to put in another car and forgot to put them back. |
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Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Jan 09, 2009 3:40 pm) I forgot about that...my less mature days when I could do donuts and swerve around corners to see if I could get the car to fishtale and things like that. Maybe that's the problem, the safety devices ruin peoples fun. |
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Replying to: cdn_tch (Jan 09, 2009 4:59 pm) Oh yes, definitely, but one does what one can with the money available. most RWD "fun" cars that I could afford are too small for me to fit in. |
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Replying to: chikoo (Jan 09, 2009 10:04 am) Never tell the dealer the auto you are really interested in. Negotiate the price and then ask for vehicle.
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Replying to: murphydog (Jan 08, 2009 7:32 pm) Now see, that’s what happens when people use last names. Since we know each other here rather well, we should use first names when talking to our poster buddies. Then again that could be kinda touchy. Imagine what would happen if a poster had a handle like, say… “pussycat’ ?  jmonroe |
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Replying to: madmanmoo (Jan 10, 2009 7:06 am) 1. Never park in the front of the dealership. Behind the dealership is fine as long as the salesperson doesn't see what you are driving. 2. Walk briskly and with purpose into the dealership. Make sure you have a clipboard under your arm. It doesn't matter what is on the legal pad, doodles from your 4 yr old are fine. 3. When you are greeted by the salesperson, do not shake their hand. Acknowledge their existence with a nod and ask them if they want to sell a car today. 4. Never make eye contact with your salesperson. By doing so, you look disinterested and strong. That makes the salesperson work harder and they start giving away profit. 5. The salesperson may try to break the ice with small talk or ask you about the circumstances bringing you into the market. Follow these simple rules - 5a. Never ever under any circumstances let the dealer know you have a trade. They will use this information to extract extra money from you. 5b. Never let them know anything about your family. The dealer can use this information to help find the right vehicle for you. Also, it might create common ground and you should never get close to the salesperson. 5c. Flirt with the receptionist. 6. Do not disclose the vehicle you are interested in to the salesperson. Make him go over all their makes/models and get prices on all of them. You want to be an informed buyer. Knowledge is power. 7. Test drive as many vehicles as time permits. 8. When the salesperson asks for the sale (on anything), tell him you need to pray to your wife while she thinks about it. Then mumble something about the economy and hurry off with your clipboard. 9. Don't take any calls by the salesperson. Don't return any e-mails. Do not have any communication with him for around 2 weeks. If you do, the salesperson wins. 10. After you have settled on the vehicle you want in the comfort of your own home with your cats, show up unannounced at the dealership. Do not ask for the salesperson you worked with. If a salesperson asks if you have ever been to the dealership, stare blankly at him until he becomes uncomfortable. 11. Pick out a car and make an offer even you think would be unreasonable. Like: "I will give you 2 handfuls of candy corn and a backrub for that Aztek." If the salesperson takes the offer to the manager, then you know you can make a deal at at this store. 12. Grind. Constantly. If you don't, the terrorists win. 13. Complain. About time taken, your salesperson's odor, the lack of options on a vehicle that you selected, about the economy, the smell of popcorn, about how you wish Seinfeld was making new episodes, how Jack Bauer is your personal Savior and he doesn't return phone calls. 14. Once you've come to an agreement on the price of the vehicle (by that I mean they have chased you out the door 3 times and given you everything in the dealership) demand something for free. Floor mats, key chain, hat, firstborn, Laffy Taffy, etc. Anything. Get something else from them. 15. Pay cash. Financing is always a stupid decision. Suckers and chumps finance or lease. 16. Decline everything in F&I. Finance managers are the pawns of Satan. They offer evil products designed to destroy you and your family. 17. Your vehicle should be ready now. Walk out and start complaining again. Point out water streaks, fuzz and the lack of the pinstripe you allegedly asked for. 18. Get in your vehicle and floor it. Burn you tires out as you drive off. 19. Hammer the dealership and salesperson on the survey. If you there was nothing negative about the transaction, find something. 20. Enjoy your new ride! Hope this helps everyone as they make a purchase in this buyer's market. Just remember, the economy only affects new cars, it has zero impact on used car sales (specifically your trade-in, it's still worth a mint). If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to add. 
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Replying to: madmanmoo (Jan 10, 2009 7:31 am) Answer your cell phone when it rings. Walk around the showroom talking for fifteen minutes. Do this several times. Better yet, when you have finally settled on a deal, shake the salesperson hand then using your cell phone, call another dealer, tell him the number you have agreed on and ask him if he can beat it.
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