Is that all you people buy????

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
08/28/2013 at 17:21 • Filed to: CUSTOMER SEVIS, CAR BUYING, MERCEDES, Automatch consulting, Automatch

...I have had 4 clients in the past 6 months that I helped get a good deals on a car purchases. I have brokered 3 C300 4matics and a Honda Crosstour. What does my most recent client want?...a friggin' C300 4matic! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Oh well, maybe someday I can land someone an AMG.

DISCUSSION (40)

ddavidn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:22

I mean, at least your job is to sell people cars?

I would like an AMG. But I can't pay for it. Help?

Tom McParland > ddavidn
08/28/2013 at 17:25

I don't actually sell the car. I just locate the car and negotiate the best deal. :)

ttyymmnn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:26

I might be giving you a call in about 10 months. My '01 Golf is pretty long in the tooth, and I'll be putting it out to pasture.

Tom McParland > ttyymmnn
08/28/2013 at 17:27

Well, when you are ready you know where to find me. :)

ddavidn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:28

Yeah, I'm not really sure what I was thinking about when I typed that. I had the right thing in my head, then I typed out nonsense. I looked at your website yesterday (creeper alert) so I actually do have an understanding of what you do...

twinturbobmw > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:29

How do you do that? Just look at the local dealerships?

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:29

Want to find me a Nismo 350z in red or black with less than 60,000 miles, for around $20,000?

J/K I don't have enough for one right now (in the spring I may)

ttyymmnn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:31

Absolutely. Thanks.

desertdog5051 > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:35

So where are you and do you work on a flat rate or a scale of the cost of the car?

B_dol > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:44

Do you help locate used cars as well? I'm looking to conduct a nationwide (minus rust zones!!) search for a car in the next year or tow.

Saracen > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:54

I just found out about the Audi Club of North America perk that lets you get an additional %6 off of the price of a new Audi after you've been a member for six months.

Unfortunately it excludes RS models, which based on their increasing dull lineup means I don't intend to take advantage of it, likely ever.

Milky > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 17:59

I'm mad at you for brokering a Honda Crosstour

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:03

It's the suit car!

It's fancy and makes you look nice both in public or at work, is more expensive than alternative options but seems to make more sense for some irrational reason, and your friend has one that has always seemed nice to you which has, in turn, made you want one too.

Anon > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:04

I might need your help later finding a mercedes 300CD near me. How much do you charge by the way?

Tom McParland > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
08/28/2013 at 18:08

Well when it is time...you know where I am. :)

Tom McParland > B_dol
08/28/2013 at 18:09

I locate used, but I can tell you if you are searching in the 10k range or less than I am not worth the money. I charge $150 flat rate for vehicle location and market value info.

Tom McParland > desertdog5051
08/28/2013 at 18:10

I am located in NJ but work all over the US. $150 I locate exactly what you want and tell you what you should pay. $300 I consult you every step of the way and tell you how to negotiate. $500 I contact the dealers work them against each other and you just show up and sign the papers.

Tom McParland > Anon
08/28/2013 at 18:11

For that type of car I'm probably not worth it. Anything really under 10k is not worth paying me $150 to find. And I am not any better at Craigslist searches than anyone else here. :)

Tom McParland > Milky
08/28/2013 at 18:13

Trust me I tried to talk her out of it. She had an E34 5-series and I tried to convince her to get a CPO E60. But she kept the E34 and wanted something with some utility. Go figure.

Long Live the Longdoor > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:15

So how do you find one that is in good shape, online and for a good deal?

desertdog5051 > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:17

What a novel idea.

Tom McParland > twinturbobmw
08/28/2013 at 18:18

I broad radius search based on how far my client is willing to drive to save money. I contact the dealers that have the exact car that my client wants. I get them to send me offers and pitch them against each other. However, I have relationships with dealers near me that know I will send them people so they give my clients heavy discounts so they can make a quick sale.

Tom McParland > Long Live the Longdoor
08/28/2013 at 18:19

I mostly deal with new cars or lightly used like CPO. Stuff under 15k I'm really not worth the cost. As far as the good deal, I pit the dealers against each other. And I have relationships with some that give my clients big discounts to make a quick sale.

Anon > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:21

Oh well thanks for being up front with me and not taking my money!

Tom McParland > Anon
08/28/2013 at 18:22

I'm not in business to take people's money. I am in business to make sure they make a confident car purchase and don't get ripped off by the stealerships. That is why it is a side-job and not full time.

Milky > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:23

Well at least you tried. :'(

Tom McParland > ddavidn
08/28/2013 at 18:24

Oh no worries...even on the website some folks still don't understand how the process works. That is why I like talking to folks one-on-one. :)

Anon > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:27

I know, I'm actually interested in starting a similar business. I spend a ton of time looking at cars online anyways! It seems like it would be fun! I also am a good people person! Any advice?

ddavidn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:30

Ah yes, people are not all that brilliant sometimes. Like whoever bought that Crosstour. *Shudder*

Tom McParland > ddavidn
08/28/2013 at 18:34

Tried to talk her out of it...oh well at least I got her a good deal.

ddavidn > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 18:36

I guess that's all you can do sometimes.

Tom McParland > Anon
08/28/2013 at 19:01

I can tell you knowing product is a fairly small part of the job. A lot of folks will come to you and ask you what you think about this car or that, but they won't really pay you for that advice. Figuring out what car you want is fun, getting a good deal and jumping though the dealer hoops is a pain in the ass. Folks will pay you to take the hassle out of it, and make sure they are not getting ripped off. For that part you really need to learn the dealer game. You don't have to work at a dealership to learn this ( I didn't) but since you are young it might be a good experience. Being a people person is HUGE! it allows you to connect with your clients and communicate with the dealers. You cannot have an us vs. them mentality with the dealers they will not cooperate with you. You need to set up a win-win for them, for your client, and for you. I would start by trying this out for free to family and friends. That way there is no pressure and you can build a referral circle. That is how I did it. :)

Giles007 > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 19:15

Cool, I didn't know this type of service existed. After buying my first new vehicle, I started to think that this would make a great business. I don't have negotiation skills and would totally use a service like this next time.

Tom McParland > Giles007
08/28/2013 at 19:17

I don't get a lot of business that is why it is a side-job; I am a HS English teacher by day, but it is fun. :)

Spasoje > Milky
08/28/2013 at 19:34

And at least she kept the E34...

B_dol > Tom McParland
08/28/2013 at 19:53

It'll be a 911 Carerra 4S. Sounds tempting!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Tom McParland
08/31/2013 at 13:19

How does one get a job like yours sir?

Tom McParland > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/31/2013 at 13:46

Not my full time job, I'm a HS English teacher. I started doing this for free for family and friends a few years back. Once I finished with grad school I made a business out of it.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Tom McParland
08/31/2013 at 14:21

That's really cool :)

Jmaister > Tom McParland
05/12/2014 at 11:37

The problem is, those that are looking for AMG(and whilst I am typing this) they already signed the paper. Cuz they can. They can almost impulsive do anything they want cuz they gots few line of credits going or what have u.

Whereas the c300 4matics folks are slightly more on the frugal side of things.