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Smart Shopper Choosing a Dealer - What to Look For
97 messages, Last post on Mar 16, 2009 at 1:54 PM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester
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What do you look for in selecting a dealership? Are there telltale signs to distinguish between great dealerships and those to avoid? tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: tidester (Mar 19, 2007 10:55 am) I'll usually pick a dealership by referral. A dealership that has been in the community for a long time, and has built a reputation would be a safer bet. |
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Replying to: tidester (Mar 19, 2007 10:55 am) Seriously, I would select a dealer where they answer my questions honestly with a minimum of BS. If they will lay off the tricks I will offer a decent price and we can be done quickly. In reading these forums I have come to see how in many of my previous purchases I was taken advantage of. I hope to not repeat that experience in the future. |
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Replying to: tidester (Mar 19, 2007 10:55 am) 1) A variety of vehicles and models. At a minimum, two or three of each model in a place that is readily accessible for viewing. 2) Friendly staff who will get you information and service. Nothing turns me off more than having to find help when I walk into a dealership (as happened this evening). 3) Professional staff who know their vehicles. I mean a Ford salesman should be able to know the basics of every Ford model on the lot ... or at least where to find it. 4) The vehicles on the lot should be consistent with the type of store that you operate. If you are a new dealership that sells certified vehicles, I don't want to see a bunch of cars on the lot that have had major damages. 5) Professional salespeople - dressed properly, using clean language, PRINTED business cards, etc.
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Replying to: jlawrence01 (Mar 19, 2007 7:51 pm) 2) Friendly staff who will get you information and service. Nothing turns me off more than having to find help when I walk into a dealership (as happened this evening). If a salesperson greets a customer to quickly then they say they are pounced on, if it is to slow then they say that they were ignored. Some people say just let me look I will come find you if I need you, some people say they just want to look then come inside and tell a manager no one will help them. We greet people within 2 minutes of arrival and say "Welcome to XXX XXXXXX XXXX, how may I help you today" if they say they just want to look they are given a card and cut lose told to keep the card in there hand visible so others will no they have already been greeted. We then check in every 5 minutes or so to see if they have any questions. Like I said its a fine line. Once again thanks for the bullet points, hopefully they will help the sales people here give better customer service |
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Replying to: joel0622 (Mar 20, 2007 6:20 am) During the last MAJOR snow storm in Chicago, I stopped by the local Pontiac dealership. I was just driving through at 8 pm to see their used car stock as I believed the place was closed. One of the salesmen nearly jumped on the hood of my vehicle to talk to me. That is a bit too addressive for me (although I did stop in later and test drive a car). On the other hand, yesterday, I got out of my car, walked the lot, walked into the showroom and had to wait six minutes. What was really discouraging was that I got a greenpea who did not know all that much about the product. My favorite: "the Fusions and the Five Hundreds all come with AWD which is essental for the snow in Chicago." Umm, are your sure about that. The handwritten business cards are kind of bush league. The local Toyota dealership does a good volume of vehicles and is in the process of moving to bigger quarters. However, despite having a good few years, the place looks absolutely shabby. If you buy IKEA style furniture, plan to replace it a couple of times a decade. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good dealerships out there. And when a buyer is in a "tie situation", that is where the offerings are equally attractive, the dealership that does a better job gets the business.
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Replying to: jlawrence01 (Mar 19, 2007 7:51 pm) but it won't stop most consumers from buying from the green pea who knows nothing at the sleazy dealer who was $50 cheaper. |
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Replying to: jlawrence01 (Mar 20, 2007 10:05 am) I know I am pulling this thread off track and maybe the Mod's want to move it to another, but. How much is "Good Service" worth in $$ to a consumer. If you have had a good experience with Service and the Sales associates were well informed, polite, and proffesional will you pay that store an extra $100, $200, $500? Or is it soley on the best deal regardless of how you were treated? I.E Which do you choose? Dealer A 2007 Fordorrolatundra sl Crossover $23500 OTD Internet department was quick with the quote and answered all questions. Came in for appt, sales person had car ready for test drive, was polite, friendly, and knowledgeable. No pressure Dealer B No reply from internet. When you got there had to find some one to help you. Salesmen asked if you were gonna buy today when you asked to drive it. Once you got a price 2 hours later it was $22500 OTD. But in the Business office they sprang another $200 in fees on you. Where do you buy?
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Well, I got a follow-up call from my salesperson (at the same dealership) nearly a year after I purchased the car. She wanted to know how I was liking it and if I was happy with it/her. She was honest and said she was also making sure her contacts were updated, and reiterated the offer of a $100 referral "bonus" for me. For me, it was a win-win. I was impressed that she took the time to call a year later, and she still knows how to get in touch with me to sell another vehicle. I said I was happy, but if I hadn't been, she could have used the opportunity to turn another vehicle, if she'd used the right tactics. I've had follow-ups a month later, but a year later was quite nice. |
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Replying to: joel0622 (Mar 20, 2007 11:38 am) As much as I hate to admit it, I do not think that I ever get the best deal on my personal ride. I like to shop at dealers where they keep only the best cars. If I drive around your used car lot (not the service area) and I see poor looking body work on half of your used cars, I have to think that you'll sell anything. I also like to buy from people I have dealt with before - if they have the inventory available. $500-700 on a purchase that I make every 7-10 years is pretty irrelevant in the long run. Personally, I won't accept any additional fees after the negotiation. And yes, I have gotten up to walk out on occasion. |
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