Car dealers...really?

[ua_guy]

I made an appointment yesterday to go look at a Grand Cherokee at a nearby Jeep dealership. MSRP 43k, and they had it marked down to 35k. Reasonably optioned, and 4x4. Price per pound it was actually a pretty good deal. It's the last "new" 2022 model-year I can find in the area, and judging by the stack of cash on the hood, the dealer wanted it gone. This is how I buy all my new cars, I'm looking for the 1@ with decent options, first year depreciation already deducted.

The sales guy was super nice. We walked the lot looking for it, and it was nowhere to be found. Something seemed "up". He said he'd go try to find the keys and would be back in a few minutes. Wait, what? He had already looked up the stock number and I thought he had grabbed the keys when we were in the sales office, but whatever. Sure enough, he came back out and says, well, it was on the lot, but it had been wholesaled a couple days ago. Well, why did someone lie to me and say it was still on the lot when I made the appointment to see it? Why hadn't the ad been taken down?

I just shook my head and walked away. It's hard to believe we're in the year 2023 and are still playing this game to buy new cars.

[JoeP]

Either it had really had been "wholesaled" or the dealership realized $35k was too low and didn't want to sell it for that little. The vehicle is probably in one of the sales guy's garage. Did he try to find an option while you just "happened" to be there?

For curiosity, I'd keep an eye on the VIN to see where it goes!

[ua_guy]

Either it had really had been "wholesaled" or the dealership realized $35k was too low and didn't want to sell it for that little. The vehicle is probably in one of the sales guy's garage. Did he try to find an option while you just "happened" to be there?

For curiosity, I'd keep an eye on the VIN to see where it goes!

You bet, I've got it, and I'm waiting to see if/where it pops up.

And of course - he tried to hustle me hard on a '23 Laredo...with a sticker of $51k. I don't want to say this is classic bait and switch, because that would actually be illegal, if the car is sold, but this doesn't smell right from here.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

That seems so wild. Is it like those old school ads where they only had one to draw you in? DH's 1st car a ford focus manual was the car in the ad. Color, transmission, model etc. He said give me that and he walked out with the only one. Everyone else wanted an automatic transmission which meant more features and options. He got that draw in car.

[ua_guy]

That seems so wild. Is it like those old school ads where they only had one to draw you in? DH's 1st car a ford focus manual was the car in the ad. Color, transmission, model etc. He said give me that and he walked out with the only one. Everyone else wanted an automatic transmission which meant more features and options. He got that draw in car.

Funny you mention those...I did the same thing with a new Ford Focus back in college! That was a way to save a chunk of money back in the day, go with the manual transmission. Lots more cars still had them back then.

[myrdale]

It sounds like a clerical error. Rather than accusing them of lying to me, I think I'd try to be a bit more patient and ultimately take my dollar else where.

Most likely it got sold off and whoever is in charge of updating their website / app / etc just hadn't done it yet, so when the sale man booked your appointment yesterday, it was still showing in their system. Also rather than booking an appointment for what you perceive to be an amazing deal, I think I'd just go on in with out an appointment. After all the car has been on their lot for weeks or months.

[ua_guy]

Actually, the ad is still up on the website this morning (Monday), and that's after having a back-and-forth with a "sales manager" at the dealership via email on Saturday after I left. Huh. And it had been listed for 3 days at the $35k price before I went to look at it. Other cars have fallen off their website in the same timeframe, after likely being sold this weekend. They're leaving this one up for a reason other than wanting to sell it, since it's already gone.

[myrdale]

You could sue them for false advertising.

[myrdale]

It might be interesting, as a friend to call in and ask about an appointment to look at the car.

[ua_guy]

There's no need to do anything else. It's not a special car, it just happened to be listed at a good price. It's unfortunate that dishonest people like the ones I worked with permeate the car sales business, but here we are.

[myrdale]

The purpose of having a friend call and ask is just to see if they do schedule another appointment for selling the non-existent car, especially if they could get the sales man or manager you spoke with to schedule it. There is a guy on YouTube, Steve Lehto who does videos on these type of shenanigans from car dealers.

[bjl584]

I'm not a fan of dealing with car dealerships. It's sort of a necessary evil, unless you buy from private owners, but I tend to keep cars a while, so I don't have to deal with the experience very often.

[myrdale]

I'm not a fan of dealing with car dealerships.

My first experience with a dealership salesman was around 19, and at the time I thought gezzz this guy is slimmy.

While I was in school, I had a friend who was working on a car lot. He bragged about how he would cheat his grandfather on selling a car, if it meant an extra dollar for him.

About 2 years ago when I purchased my current vehicle, the salesman was slimmy, but oh my god the finance guy was something else. Just trying to get a straight answer to a simple question was like pulling teeth. I'd ask a question about interest rate or fees and all I would get was "I can tell you're a numbers guy, you really care about numbers don't you?" What else is there in a transaction that is +$30k?

[Petunia 100]

About 2 years ago when I purchased my current vehicle, the salesman was slimmy, but oh my god the finance guy was something else. Just trying to get a straight answer to a simple question was like pulling teeth. I'd ask a question about interest rate or fees and all I would get was "I can tell you're a numbers guy, you really care about numbers don't you?" What else is there in a transaction that is +$30k?

I am a pretty level-headed person, but that would really tick me off. Just answer my question.

[ua_guy]

On the flip side, my father in law has been talking about buying a new truck to replace his 10+ year old pickup....talking about it the last two years, and his current truck definitely isn't getting any younger!!

I found two of the exact truck he's looking for, and he was excited to go look at them and said he was ready to buy. Everything was perfect until end of the test drive when FIL dug in and said, "I'll write you a check for $10k less than MSRP to include tax, that's my best offer!" He was asking for almost 30% off on a base model 3/4 ton. I knew that wasn't going to happen, but he's like most 65-year olds who think they know more than everyone younger than them and if they just insist enough, and stick to their principles...yeah, I get it, now, welcome to reality.

I encouraged him to go inside and let them put some numbers on paper. The deal sheet was straight, not one cent of BS on there. MSRP minus a decent cash incentive, plus tax. He was still being petulant and told me they'll call back with the numbers he proposed, he's sure of it! And so he insisted we walk out of there and go home. It's a deal I would have taken, had it been mine.

Well they did call...to tell him that the deal still stands, and they've given their best shot and would like to do business, and invited him to come drive it again. FIL just tells me they're not hungry enough.

So, guess what. I get to listen to *this* about buying a new truck until enough dealers tell him to go pound sand.