Don't You Hate The Car Sales Game?

[TexasHusker]

Is there any way to know how long cars have been there?

Dealerships are pretty forthcoming on that - they want to get rid of the old stock. The "manager's special" is often code for "lot dog" - they've marked it way down to get it gone.

In December 2014, I purchased a lot dog - an immaculate, loaded 2012 Lexus LX570. They had had it since July. The sales guy said there had been many lookers, but for whatever reason it never was a fit. It was a fit for me. And they certainly did lose money on it, though that wasn't part of my criteria.

SUPER nice dealership - I plan on trading there again because they are convenient, considerate, and professional. I'll pay MORE for good service.

[97guns]

Is there any way to know how long cars have been there?

im in the market right now for a used car and some websites show how long the car has been on the lot, ive been watching cars for a month or so and see dealers dropping prices on cars that arn't turning over

[Fishindude77]

Well, here it is Monday morning and no communication back from them since noon Friday, and they were open all day Saturday. I don't get it, no urgency, and how are got going to sell something if you won't even quote a price?

[TexasHusker]

Well, here it is Monday morning and no communication back from them since noon Friday, and they were open all day Saturday. I don't get it, no urgency, and how are got going to sell something if you won't even quote a price?

I run into that with businesses all the time - restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. Just find another dealership. You either annoyed them or they don't care, or perhaps a little of both.

We just purchased a Range Rover, and it took some searching around to find a dealer that acted like they cared.

[Fishindude77]

Yeah, I'm moving on.
Weird deal. I built the facility, between family and business we've bought probably 25 automobiles there. They always treated us real good and pricing was right in line with the big city guys. The place recently changed hands, same good service guys there, but all new sales team.

If I made my customers wait around like that, I wouldn't have customers.

[TexasHusker]

Yeah, I'm moving on.
Weird deal. I built the facility, between family and business we've bought probably 25 automobiles there. They always treated us real good and pricing was right in line with the big city guys. The place recently changed hands, same good service guys there, but all new sales team.

If I made my customers wait around like that, I wouldn't have customers.

I hear ya. When a business changes ownership, all bets are off.

Franchise car dealerships are just that - franchises - and there can be good franchisees and poor franchisees.

[GeorgeX]

yes i do sir

yes i do sir

[97guns]

i just got home with a 2014 vw passat with 12700 miles on it for $13900. it was a super easy sale for the salesman, i started talking to him last month and saw the $2000 price drop on it over the weekend and jumped on it.

the finance guy as usual tried selling me extended warranty and a maintenance package and before the started his spew i told him i dont want any extras, only the car, tax and license and ill be outta here. boy did his personality change, started banging on the keyboard but soon calmed down, if he had kept it up we woulda had a talkin

[rennigade]

I owned a vw passat years ago...huge money pit...always had issues. Ill never make that mistake again. Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

[97guns]

had an 02 gti that i loved, owned it for 7 years with no problem, im hoping this one holds up too. i did see a few reviews of some electronic problems, keeping fingers crossed

[rennigade]

Thats good...maybe I just had a lemon. It was a 2000 passat...it was all wheel drive...not sure if thats a standard thing with passats now. It was a tank in the snow...not that you have to deal with that where you are. They are smooth rides just in my experience expensive to fix. Thats why I went with a corolla. Very common car, easy to work on and parts are cheap to buy...and so far has been really reliable...knock on wood.

[TexasHusker]

Electrical has always been a weak point for the German carmakers. The running gear, however, has always been some of the best in the world.

[Fishindude77]

Well, after jacking around with original Ford dealer I talked about earlier, I went to another Ford dealer. Got some service and help there, he found one like I wanted at another dealer, we made a deal and I told him I'd take it. A day or two later he calls, said he wasn't able to get his hands on that one, so that deal was off the table. Told him if he could find the same combo I was wanting; bed length, engine, cab style, interior type, color, etc. I'd be game. Don't know how hard he looked, but he said he couldn't find any and suggested I order one, 8 -10 week delivery. Told him to call me if he found what i was wanting and moved on.

I've been driving Fords for a long time, but decided to check out the GM stuff. Guy at dealership was real helpful and very quickly found one that met all of my criteria. Price was actually about $1500 less than the Ford too which was a pleasant surprise. Supposed to take delivery on it in a couple days.

I guess the lesson learned is, that if it's not sitting on the lot, be prepared for a bit of a run around.

[97guns]

the finance guy as usual tried selling me extended warranty and a maintenance package and before the started his spew i told him i dont want any extras, only the car, tax and license and ill be outta here. boy did his personality change, started banging on the keyboard but soon calmed down, if he had kept it up we woulda had a talkin

i was looking over the contract the other day and see the finance guy got me for some kind of $200 window etching theft deterrent, i see the contract for the etching that has my signature on it and i clearly remember him telling me "this one is to decline the bla bla system" and turned it to me to sign. there are 2 spots for a sig, one for acceptance and one to decline, i did not read closely and signed over acceptance. partially my fault but i hold him accountable and let the GM know it when i surveyed

scumbag clearly knew i signed accept because he had to bang it into the conputer

[TexasHusker]

Well, after jacking around with original Ford dealer I talked about earlier, I went to another Ford dealer. Got some service and help there, he found one like I wanted at another dealer, we made a deal and I told him I'd take it. A day or two later he calls, said he wasn't able to get his hands on that one, so that deal was off the table. Told him if he could find the same combo I was wanting; bed length, engine, cab style, interior type, color, etc. I'd be game. Don't know how hard he looked, but he said he couldn't find any and suggested I order one, 8 -10 week delivery. Told him to call me if he found what i was wanting and moved on.

I've been driving Fords for a long time, but decided to check out the GM stuff. Guy at dealership was real helpful and very quickly found one that met all of my criteria. Price was actually about $1500 less than the Ford too which was a pleasant surprise. Supposed to take delivery on it in a couple days.

I guess the lesson learned is, that if it's not sitting on the lot, be prepared for a bit of a run around.

I don't know about a bit of a runaround ... if they don't have it all they can do is try to find it, and that can take a little time. Sometimes they find one at another dealer but the dealer doesn't want to work with them - transportation issues, selling a car out of the franchise dealer's protected territory issues, etc. It isn't complicated but it's not a slam dunk, either.

Glad you sound something that fit your needs.