Old school dealerships

I thought they were a thing of the past, but I got reintroduced to the whole concept last night.

The story is long and boring, but all the usual tricks were there -

Salesman and the manager sitting in the office together for long periods of time bullE36 M3ting

My trade in keys nowhere to be seen

Conveniently not mentioning fees

Good cop, bad cop

$2000 worth of "options" on every car like paint protection, door guards and nitrogen tires

Total waste of my time. I see why people overpay at fixed price places.

I was hoping those days had passed...

I like my dad's last approach to buying a car. Emailed the place about the vehicle, gave info about the trade-in, what he wanted for the trade-in, and what he was willing to pay for the new car. They emailed back and forth and a couple times and agreed on a price. When he finally went to see the car in person, it was waiting out front and they did a quick check on the trade-in and he was out the door in a half hour.

and people wonder why car salesmen are considered not much higher than pondscum on the evilutionary scale

Have you seen this recent Chevy commercial where the salesman crank calls the Ford dealership?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tmKYyEymM
It makes me wonder why Chevy would want their salesmen portrayed as D-bags? You would think that stereotype would need no reinforcement.

More d-baggery in this one that seems like a talking down to the female shopper from a salesman who does not know his product.
http://www.youtube.com/user/MaguireAutoGroup

Your first problem is that you went into a new car dealer. Buy used. You'll be happier, and spend less.

Bow tie?

Never trust a man in a bow tie.

I've brought a set of spare keys with me to the dealership so they can't hold me hostage. After telling them that they have 5 minutes to get me a price or I'm gone, I pull out the spare set and walk out. Usually I get a surprised phone call later when they realize what's happened.

How to win? Get the Consumer Reports price guide, deal with the stealership only via email and never set foot on the lot unless you have the numbers in hand.

Otto Maddox wrote: Total waste of my time. I see why people overpay at fixed price places.

Or do internet purchases.

It makes them money, so they aren't about to change their ways.

That's why so many that tried the "new and improved" methods ultimately went back to the tried and true old ways.

jimbob_racing wrote: I've brought a set of spare keys with me to the dealership so they can't hold me hostage. After telling them that they have 5 minutes to get me a price or I'm gone, I pull out the spare set and walk out. Usually I get a surprised phone call later when they realize what's happened.

I would give them the spare...

as for my few new car experiences.. I have never had a dealship take my keys before making me an offer on the new car

RossD wrote: I like my dad's last approach to buying a car. Emailed the place about the vehicle, gave info about the trade-in, what he wanted for the trade-in, and what he was willing to pay for the new car. They emailed back and forth and a couple times and agreed on a price. When he finally went to see the car in person, it was waiting out front and they did a quick check on the trade-in and he was out the door in a half hour.

I did this with Bill Britt Mazda in Fredericksburg when purchasing my Speed3. Best experience I've ever had buying a car. I do it this way or buy at a fixed price dealership from now on.

I one time had a car salesman try to "hold on to" my keys after evaluating my trade in. I kindly pointed out that I was twice his size, in much better shape, and that keeping my keys from me would be hazardous to his health.

I've never had difficulty with buying a new car. There are only two things you need to remember, and if you do, the power is 100% in your hands:

1) Know how much you're willing to pay for the car you want before you go in.

2) They need your money MUCH more than you need their car.

Remember those two things and you're golden. I had a coworker who always feared/hated the process - enough that he bought only Saturns. I coached him into understanding these two points when he bought his Dakota, and he told me it felt so good he wanted to buy another one just for fun.

Sky_Render wrote: I one time had a car salesman try to "hold on to" my keys after evaluating my trade in. I kindly pointed out that I was twice his size, in much better shape, and that keeping my keys from me would be hazardous to his health.

I went over the top of the desk to snatch my owners card from the shiny happy person salesman who was holding it hostage while my potential trade was being evaluated. His eyes got big as saucers. I left a happy non-customer.

When I got intersted in the new Fiesta I price one out on the Ford site. Then I went to KBB to get a guess for a trade in price for my 2002 Liberty. Went to the dealer with the idea as to how much I was willing to pay. Sales manager gave me a price that was close enough,so we made a deal. Clean and simple. ain't internet grand ?

I always watch the movie Suckers before a period of dealer engagement. Here's a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5e7WFp3m4

I always buy used, and prefer private party, but I did end up buying my last car from a specialty used car dealer. They weren't slimy, so it was tolerable.

N Sperlo wrote: Bow tie? Never trust a man in a bow tie.

LIES.

Bowties are cool.

Sky_Render wrote: I one time had a car salesman try to "hold on to" my keys after evaluating my trade in.

Yikes. I always keep a spare key tucked into my wallet in the event that I were to lose my key ring. Never knew it could come in handy because of a car dealer. Animals.

If they hold your keys so you can't leave couldn't you call the cops? I think that would be highly funny.

I've went along on their test drive of my car before. I said hey you get to come along when I test drive yours. They weren't happy about that. I ended up not buying from that dealer.

laz wrote: I always watch the movie Suckers before a period of dealer engagement. Here's a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5e7WFp3m4 I always buy used, and prefer private party, but I did end up buying my last car from a specialty used car dealer. They weren't slimy, so it was tolerable.

I bought my late 91 saab from a specialty dealer.. it was listed at 600, I got it for 300

93EXCivic wrote: If they hold your keys so you can't leave couldn't you call the cops? I think that would be highly funny.

You probably could, but why wait? The cops would probably believe you over a slimy used-car salesman, anyway.

In my case, the guy was so rude I was rather hoping he'd try to keep the key's so I'd have an excuse to rearrange his face.

At family gatherings, I typically get a hard time because I always buy used stuff off Craigslist or sold off of forums. They are always telling me how I'm going to get taken advantage of by not purchasing a car from an actual dealership.

I always tell them that at worst, I have one person trying to screw me over in a private sale. At a dealership, you are dealing with a group of trained professionals who are all trying to screw you.

I'll take my chances with the private sales.

Racer1ab wrote: At family gatherings, I typically get a hard time because I always buy used stuff off Craigslist or sold off of forums. They are always telling me how I'm going to get taken advantage of by not purchasing a car from an actual dealership. I always tell them that at worst, I have one person trying to screw me over in a private sale. At a dealership, you are dealing with a group of trained professionals who are all trying to screw you. I'll take my chances with the private sales.

I never get this. Why do some people think a car dealership is more honest than a private individual? A related phenomenon is the person with the 10 yr. old car who has every oil change done at the dealership.