The economy is doing great!

[Pres712]

Got a tempting flyer from our local Suzuki dealer and with nothing better to do this afternoon, thought we would go in and see what they had to offer. We thought, what the heck if the price is right we would do our part to help "stimulate" the economy. First of all we were welcomed with a "greeter", not really a salesman but someone just to show you around and to MAKE SURE YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BEING THERE!!! Here we are a married couple, in our 60's, a clear title to an '04 Tracker, and obviously buyers. For almost an hour we were questioned, prodded and poked while he walked us around. We flat told him what we were interested in and would he please get an estimate on our trade-in so we could see if we were even in the ballpark. After almost two hours we were sat down to see what we wanted to buy. We told this jerk at the get go what we wanted but nobody seemed to listen. Finally when we told him to stuff it, he introduced us to "Mr. Ed", not the horse but almost as useful. Now he starts the same song and dance as the greeter. He got the GM and they finally went out to look at our Tracker. "What a clean car" and they finally put pen to paper. According to my figures we were only $4,000 apart! They wanted $16,800 and wanted to give us $7.700 for the Tracker which is about $500 over book but I thought they could do better. We all parted our ways. Over 3 hours after we walked in, we walked out. I've been around the car business, as most of us have, and isn't the first item of business to get an estimate on your used car to see where one stands at the outset? All during those three hours I kept asking that very question....why hasn't anyone looked at our trade in? So guess what, they can keep their car and I'll keep my money. Yep, the economy must be doing great!

[ynkedad]

Like you, I would think they'd fight over anyone walking through their door during this economic slump just to get a sale.

Obviously they haven't herd...we're in a crisis.

[LS2POWA]

Every time I had to bring my vette into the local dealer to have something fixed, I would walk around the used lot. The first two or three times I see them all on their high top chairs under the pavilion in the New car section looking at me, then going back to talking. Even had salesmen walking to an from both building right next to me, not a single one greeted me or even said need help?

Then one day i decided to drive out with the windows down and the cutouts open. I drove right by those guys and you can see them with a look on their face. Every other time I went back, they wouldnt leave me alone, but by then i was looking for a car specially from their dealership.

Hell same dealer when looking for a car. This was beginning of the year when things really started to hit the fan in the economy. If your a car salesman and someone brings you a check from the bank with more then whats asked for, even before the price talks...I asked if I could test drive it(this was mint showroom floor car)...he told me know unless I was gonna buy it. Who the hell spends 40k+ dollars on a car without test driving it?!?!

These dealers need to pull their head out of their arse and stop with the pre-crap economy tactics. If you want food on your families table, start treating future customers the way youd wanna be treated if you were in their shoes. I would love to be a sales person for them one day, when they wanna buy something, and i just ignore them, treat them like they dont have money etc etc.

Think some time this week when im bored im gonna drive to a car lot in my lincoln beater, then go back the next day in the vette and see what kinda reaction difference there is.

[Shadow]

I've bought a few cars over the years.

I don't want to be bothered until I find something I'm interested in.

Once (if) that happens, and I'm truly interested, I'll come to you.

This way, I dont' waste your time and you don't drive me crazy while I'm trying to decide.

Prior to that, I don't need or want an escort (unless she's a scantilly dressed, leggy 20's something and then only if they're paying the bill)

I get annoyed with all the stupid questions and interrogations!!

I hate it when they jump on you like raw meet at a vulture convention! I've told salespeople before, thank you for asking. If I find something I'll come back to you. Do you have a card?

On a couple of occasions, they've persisted in tagging along like a remora. I tell them one more time that I don't want/need a salesperson yet and if I do, I'll gladly come back to them. I do this pretty sternly as you can imagine

Once in a while, one will have difficulty understanding me and I simply walk off the lot.

I've had them chase me asking why I was leaving? So I tell them....because of you!

When I bought my Scion, I was fortunate. I had done all the homework (as usual) on the internet and some late night looking at a couple of dealerships.

I had made pre-contact with the internet sales person prior to the visit.

Both she and her associate were great!! They greeted me then said, if you have any questions, I'll be "over there."

Once I did what I needed to do, I got her, told her there was no trade in, got the price, did the test drive and did the deal...just that easy!

[LEJ ZO6]

I bought my new Vette over the internet. Bought it from a large, non-local dealer. They had the car in stock, equipped exactly the way I wanted it and I had it delivered and in my possession within 2 weeks of transferring my deposit to their dealership. I never went through any of the routines the local dealers want to use. I never even talked to a salesman, just communicated through e-mails. No price negotiations, no pressure for dealer installed ad-ons, no BS of any kind. The price advertised in their internet ad was the price I paid and it was $4K cheaper than I could get it for through any local dealer I contacted.

I know that not everyone is comfortable buying an expensive car this way but it is the second new Corvette I have purchased in this manner and I am so glad I don't have to post stories about the horrors of trying to deal with the local lots.

[JIM KILL]

CARMAX

I had a great experience yesterday with my wife's 2007 Odyssey EX. I put the car on Craig's list and was asking $21,500.00 which was I thought just about the right price. I got several calls and alot of interest. The car has every option available and only 7,000 miles on it. I had a idea and took it to CarMax yesterday and just was cool about it and asked if they wanted to buy it from me. After about a 1/2 hour and an appraisal, the head buyer sits down with me and pulls up the computer telling me the market is soft etc., etc., etc. Well.....the computer bid from him was $22,500.00...........I played stupid and said how about $23,500.00....he and I agreed to $23,000.00.......Have to say CarMax was great to deal with and I turn over car to them today. If you are trying to sell your car or buy one, I recommend that you a least give them a shot at it......I made an extra $1500.00.........They had several very clean 2005/2006 corvettes for sell and the prices were competitive.

Jim

[Shadow]

Other than the 08 Scioon, I've bought many cars from them. Always treated fairly even after the sale.

I won't sell a car to them though. I think your experience was unique rather than the rule. You probably had it underpriced.

Byself and everyone else I know that has tried to sell or trade with them took a hit

I'm happy you got more than you bargained for

always nice to see a fellow vette owner get a break

When I'm ready for my next vette, you can bet I'll look there as well

[MADN3SS]

I hate car salesman and dealerships.

[LS2POWA]

Heh Ill never buy a car from carmax again. Thats who I bought my car from. I had given up on finding a vette when the dealer in previous post treated me like crap. Just by pure "wth" instinct i went onto carmax at like 4 in the morning an boom there she was sitting pretty in south carolina carmax.

paid for the car to be dropped shipped to the clearwater location. well the guys in s.c, some how managed to lock both fobs into the car. instead of calling chevy to come make a trunk key, they used a screwdriver to pop my lexan top, which cracked it, and literally tore the paint and halo to hell. they wouldnt budge on the price for me to have work done locally, so i had to make 3 trips to get that fixed, and to this day, it doesnt look as good as it should.

The worst part of the whole ordeal...it took them i think 4 hrs to do a cash sale Thought all i would have to do is sign the back of the check, fill out the title transfer paperwork and grab the keys. nope it was constant "lemme go grab a manager", "ill be right back with the paperwork")

When i went to firkins as a first time buyer, no co-signers etc(and reallllly crappy credit), i walked out with a car in less then an hour.

[Guro305]

Originally Posted by MADN3SS

I hate car salesman and dealerships.

I totally agree! I prefer the old fashion way of doing shady deals in back alleys.