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Edmunds.com - Confessions of a Car Salesman

41 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2013 at 10:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Leasing, Car Selling

Confessions of a Car Salesman - We invite you to read the following account of Phillips' day-to-day experience on the car lots. Doing so will broaden your understanding of the dealership sales process. It will also cast a new light on the role of the car salesman. And, finally, it will help you get a better deal — and avoid hidden charges — the next time you go to buy or lease a new car. (more)

Messages Page 3 of 5

#12 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [volvomax] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Dec 18, 2008 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: volvomax (Dec 18, 2008 8:24 am)
Oh come now. Let's not play naive here. The "tricks" aren't made-up, and not every customer's story of unhappiness is due to not being able to lowball the dealer.
 
Sure, the profit margin on many products is much higher than on vehicle sales. However, at both jewelry and grocery stores I've never:
* had a salesperson insist on trying to sell me a monthly payment rather than a price
* had the salesperson "lose" my trade-in jewelry to keep me in the store longer
* negotiated a price, only to have it change before the deal closed
* had a 4-square pulled out on me
* been lied to about the condition/quality of a vehicle (they use largely objective rating scales)
* experienced a bait-and-switch
* had a confusing, frustration, or particularly stressful shopping experience
 
Fortunately, these tactics are becoming less common, but I've experienced all of them in the past 10 years. I used to suffer through them, but now I just walk out and seek out a more reputable dealership. The bad experiences aren't all due to price vs. profit.
 
Just as we acknowledge that there are bad, lying customers, there are also bad, lying salespeople who make the process entirely unpleasant for the customer.

#13 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [kirstie_h] by isellhondas

Dec 18, 2008 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (Dec 18, 2008 12:33 pm)
Yes, all of these things happen, even today.
 
I'm from So. Calif and that is a HORRIBLE market for these tricks although there are good stores there too.
 
On the other hand, customers can be just rotten thrmselves. You won't believe the tricks they play or the lies they tell us.
 
I'll stick with my advise that I've given before...instead of trying to chisel the lowest possible price bu running all over pitting dealer against dealer, ask a family member or a co-worker for a referral!
 
You won't pay any more and you'll be happier!

#14 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [kirstie_h] by volvomax

Dec 18, 2008 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (Dec 18, 2008 12:33 pm)
* had a salesperson insist on trying to sell me a monthly payment rather than a price
* had the salesperson "lose" my trade-in jewelry to keep me in the store longer
* negotiated a price, only to have it change before the deal closed
* had a 4-square pulled out on me
* been lied to about the condition/quality of a vehicle (they use largely objective rating scales)
* experienced a bait-and-switch
* had a confusing, frustration, or particularly stressful shopping experience
 
These things are hardly unique to the car business. In the car business, as in other industries they are the exception rather than the rule.
The problem is sites like this that like to portray them as the rule RATHER than the exception.
The mantra here is "Trust us, the car dealer is screwing you".
Even though most of the info, esp the pricing info on this site is patently bogus.

#15 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [volvomax] by jipster

Dec 18, 2008 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: volvomax (Dec 18, 2008 2:00 pm)
The problem is sites like this that like to portray them as the rule RATHER than the exception
 
I have to say the dealerships I have visited were mostly honest... a lot of game playing to get me in the dealership, but nothing illegal. Most of the salesmen were nice guys, one slimeball who lied about having a poor sick mother.
 
But, that's the way the media (and Edmunds) is nowadays. People don't want to read of someone getting a fair deal and everyone walking away happy. They want to read stories like Kristies... someone getting ripped off. Increased readership/members equals increased advertising $$$.

#16 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [jipster] by tidester

Dec 18, 2008 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Dec 18, 2008 2:31 pm)
Increased readership/members equals increased advertising $$$.
 
My, how cynical! Kirstie is merely expressing her thoughts and I think it's a rather long leap to attribute that to cold advertising calculations. I think we should avoid speculation on motives (which, invariably turn out to be misinformed anyway) and just listen to what people are saying.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#17 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [tidester] by isellhondas

Dec 18, 2008 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Dec 18, 2008 4:31 pm)
Cynical?? not Jipster!
 
Why do you think I ignore him?

#18 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [isellhondas] by jipster

Dec 18, 2008 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Dec 18, 2008 5:42 pm)
LOL. I just knew the first response to that "cynical" comment would come from you isell, my Edmunds stalker who always lies in wait to read my posts then says he ignores them. You are about the only salesperson here that I have little to no respect for, so in the future would you please try harder to ignore my posts?

#19 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman by jipster

Dec 18, 2008 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Dec 18, 2008 6:15 pm)
Kristie writes: Let's not play naive here
 
 I agree. So, why the naivivity (sp) by some on Edmunds being a "business"out to make money. Edmunds is a business... no need to speculate on that. The more members and lurkers, the more $$$ Edmunds can charge for advertising.... Business 101. That a "Confessions of a Car Salesman" discussion is listed in Smart Shoppers 4 years after it was written, during a economic downturn, is... let's say curious. There is no doubt that most salesman consider this "Confessions" article sensationalised journalism, and it is presented in a negative manner towards their industry. I have posted many times before, that my experiences with dealerships, for the most part, have been positive. That most of the salesmen I have dealt with have been nice guys. I agree with kristie that there are a lot of good dealerships and a lot of bad. But, like I stated before, the bad news usually gets the headlines. That is called being a realist.

#20 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [jipster] by isellhondas

Dec 18, 2008 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Dec 18, 2008 6:59 pm)
Please keep this up. Maybe they will finally ban you!

#21 of 41 Re: Edmunds.com Confessions of a Car Salesman [jipster] by tidester

Dec 18, 2008 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Dec 18, 2008 6:59 pm)
That a "Confessions of a Car Salesman" discussion is listed in Smart Shoppers 4 years after it was written, during a economic downturn, is... let's say curious.
 
Not really. We're putting out a series of "confessions" and the salesman confessions was the precursor to all the rest so it is natural to include it:
 
Edmunds.com - Confessions of a Car Thief
 
Edmunds.com - Confessions of an Auto Finance Manager
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

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