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Smart Shopper Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?
2394 messages, Last post on Nov 03, 2009 at 11:03 AM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester
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Stories is back open for business  with new rules too GP |
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Sales Managers don't sell cars. When a person tries to go directly to a Sales Manager, the SM is just going to hand them off to a salesperson who will do most of the work, paperwork etc. Back in 1985, I graduated from college, moved back to my hometown and needed to buy a car. My dad knew the (then) SM at the local Toyota dealership, and between them they hooked me up with a nice, year-old 1985 Honda Accord LX - I think it was something like $8500. That SM moved up in the business to the point where his name is on this dealership: A license to print money Even though the dealership is in CA, I believe Dick Butkus (former Chicago Bears great) is a part owner (albeit silent) Over the years, my folks have bought a few used cars from him and my dad always felt he was getting the "friend's deal", when in reality, Steve just turned him over to a senior salesman and told him to take care of my dad. I'm sure there are those who post in this forum who have similar tales.
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Replying to: michaell (Sep 08, 2008 1:51 pm) It's really all the same... But in the end... the manager has the final word |
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Replying to: michaell (Sep 08, 2008 1:51 pm) It's really all the same... But in the end... the manager has the final word |
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Replying to: driver100 (Sep 06, 2008 3:52 am) If I can chime in here on that, I would say that it depends on how well you like the other car. Do they like the newer car over 20% more? Also that 6 grand can be used for other things they might enjoy more. A couple of really nice vacations maybe? Or just investing it, it can be 10 grand or more in 10 years. |
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my friend and neighbor called up saturday afternoon and asked if i wanted to take a ride over the porsche dealer to check out some carbon fiber seats. i was pretty beat up for the day, but cleaned myself up a bit and put on a collared shirt, anyways, we check out the seats, but i noticed the people that came into the showroom were not the buyer types. father and son, kid wearing a yellow ferarri shirt, they didn't know a carrera4s was 4wheel drive. next some 'boys' in white tshirts came in and took pictures while leaning on one of the cars. at least it was a turbo. the salesmen were very accommodating, but it seems pretty darn annoying to me. |
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Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 08, 2008 6:59 am)  Still, I guess we're a three Honda family, which should please ISell. I guess I got a bit concerned when one of the responding internet people stated, "Please do not involve a retail salesperson when you call or visit, or you could lose your internet pricing." |
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Replying to: isellhondas (Sep 08, 2008 6:59 am) at his boss' request. The sales manager gave me about 15 seconds and then dumped me on some salesman (who happened to have the same first name as I do). The used vehicles that the Lexus saleman tried to show me were either $8,000 to $10,000 higher or lower than my target purchase amount. I thought the sales manager was arrogant and had dumped me too fast, even though I.had just met his boss about 15 minutes earlier. I bought a vehicle elsewhere in my target price range within 48 hours.
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Replying to: 04350 (Sep 08, 2008 7:39 pm) While it's true, that the GMs and SMs will pass you off to a sales person, I have no qualms whatsoever to make my deal with the SM or GM. The SM is the one who has to ultimately approve or reject any deal. May as well get "to it" by asking them directly. This works if you know the people involved. If not, you may have a difficult time trying to work something specifically with the SM. |
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Replying to: 04350 (Sep 08, 2008 7:39 pm) I understand everyone wants to "just talk to a sales manager" But the thing of it is Sales Managers are very busy. There is alot going on behind the scenes with other customers, trade appraisals, working with banks, follow up other customers, dealer swaps, purchases of used car at auction, everyday internal problems, the list can go on. I know it appears that they may just sit there behind the desk but they are very busy working. The reason people get "dumped" is because it is a sales persons job to help the customers pick out the best vehicle for the customer. The manager's job is to always make profit but he also the guy that has the last say on the price of the vehicle. For anybody wondering if they got "dumped"... don't take it personally  GP |
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Smart Shopper Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?
