My Experience at a Local Ford Dealer (UPDATED)

"Hooker" (Hooker)
12/30/2014 at 16:30 • Filed to: stealerships, carbuying, ford, FiST

Update: I just got a phone call from the general manager Rob Satter. Rob and I talked about the events of last night and he assured me that the way I was treated (and the processes) are not what he wants for his dealership. The practices will not be tolerated. I was very much put at ease by this manager. Also, I finally got the answers I needed on the car and was invited to drive whatever I want. Whenever I want with no interaction with sales staff. That's a win folks.

As a dealership employee at a local, small town dealer, I take pride in treating our customers with respect. Not just respect for their purchase but also for their needs, wants and time. Time. That's a big one. No one wants to sit for hours upon hours at a dealership. Under any circumstances. Yesterday, I went online and connected with a woman at a local (but city located) Ford dealership. We built up a rapport over a few emails and a couple of phone calls. I felt welcomed. I felt like maybe, just maybe, I had found another dealership like mine.

Then came the switch. See, apparently, they are so large, they have a BDC (Business Development Center) which is fine. I understand the concept. Get people in the door. However, it was never disclosed to me that the "sales person" I was dealing with was, in fact, not even a sales person at all. Just a robot with a script. I asked, pointedly, if this sales person would be there when I arrived around 6:45 in the evening. I was told that yes, she would be there until 8. Fantastic.

When I called to let them know I was on the way, she was on her dinner break. No big deal. When I got there, however, I was told that she had gone home for the day (at 6) and oh by the way here's Mr. NewSalesGuy and he will take care of you! I wouldn't have minded if the person I had been dealing with (comfortably) had disclosed this prior to my arrival but I was a little miffed at the switch. Still, I pressed on. I wanted to see the ST. Drive it. Feel it in my soul.

I know all dealerships are different. All of them have their own processes. To be honest, without set guiding processes, a business like this would fail. Miserably. However, where I work, we multitask because we know the customer's time is important. We're not here to play games and we expect the same courtesy of our customers. That was not the case at this local Ford dealer. The shear number of questions they asked about my trade was staggering.

"How much did you pay for your car?"

"How much did you put down when you bought it?"

"Length of loan term?"

"Lien holder information? Account number?"

"How much do you currently owe?"

That last one I can understand. If you have a car that is worth 5K and you owe 20K, it is just not worth wasting time over. For either party. But all of these very intrusive (and unnecessary at the time) questions came before I had even seen the car I came to look at! Fine.

At that point, Mr. NewSalesGuy said that as part of the process, I had to step outside, into the cold and rain, to "sell" my car to him. Wait, what? You mean to tell me that you can't pull a VIN, look at Manheim, CARFAX and all that crap without me holding your hand? Isn't my time (and theirs) worth more than that? I could have been sitting in the car I came to look at. Checking out the technology, seats, overall look and feel while they were appraising my car. Two birds. One stone.

Once Mr. NewSalesGuy gets his information together, he then has to spend another 10-15 minutes entering it into the system in order for them to appraise my car. Again, I'm just sitting there. Doing nothing. At this point, I've been there for over an hour and haven't even seen the vehicle I inquired about. I'm out.

I approach Mr. NewSalesGuy and point out my displeasure with their "process" and that I want to leave. He no longer has my keys. No, those are in the Mr. SalesManager's possession. Mr. SalesManager comes over, keys in hand and starts explaining the "process." I, as kindly as I can at this point, explain that I no longer care about his "process" and simply want to leave. Was that enough? Nope. I had to stand there and basically be beat over the head with the "process." He went into detail about how much they gross and how big they are and how much money they rake in. Nothing about customer service scores. I can understand why. The more he spoke the more I thought "this process is simply here to wear me down."

Finally, I demand my keys. I walk out with my friend who I brought with me. She said "you didn't even get to see the car!" Yeah, I know. At that point, after being very quiet for this entire "process" she went back into the dealership. Her distaste for the fact that we came to look at a product and after over an hour, hadn't even seen it was evident. I'm sitting in the car at this point. Fuming. She comes out, I politely open the door for her (I'm a gentleman like that) and she says "they're bringing the car around." Yeah, I don't care anymore.

I had come to this dealership with a no nonsense attitude and it had seemed, at first, that they had the same attitude. Until I walked through the door. Then the games started. I don't like games. I don't like playing them. Either as the dealership personnel or the customer. No one wins. I left the dealership and will never return. After that experience, I am unlikely to ever darken the door of another Ford dealership. This make two bad experiences at two different stores. Thanks for reading.

DISCUSSION (100)

wagon guy now drives a boostang > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 09:47

Wow. That is so totally opposite of what happened when I went to look at the Focus I ended up buying. I had worked with a sales guy in email, talked to him on the phone, set up a time I was going to swing by to look at the car, and not only was he there, but the car I was interested in had been pulled around and parked up front waiting on me.

There was no mention of trade in, or money in any way until after I had driven the car and he had an opportunity to talk it up.

The Ford dealer you went to is clueless.

Hooker > wagon guy now drives a boostang
12/30/2014 at 09:48

Apparently. I was so discouraged. I just wanted to drive it. See if the seats were something I could deal with.

wagon guy now drives a boostang > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 09:53

Oddly that was the exact same thing I was looking at when driving the Focus. I had been driving a Chevy rental and hated the seats.

Hooker > wagon guy now drives a boostang
12/30/2014 at 09:55

I love my Cruze. Don't get me wrong. Just wanted something more fun in the turns that also got good mileage.

Coty > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 09:55

Time to go to the not so local Ford dealer ;)

Hooker > Coty
12/30/2014 at 09:57

So far away Coty. So far away. Otherwise, I would have been there first!

Coty > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 09:59

I appreciate it. My sales manager doesn't stock any performance stuff anyway.

TxBrumski > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:02

So was the "salesperson" named Heather Gordon (Heather G.)?

E92M3 > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:02

Word of advice. Don't even mention trading your current car until you've driven the car you're interested in. You might not even like it, so there's no point in letting them drive your car or appraise it. When asked what I'm doing with my current car I always say I'm going to sell it myself after I find the right new vehicle. Then assuming I like the vehicle I can always say "you know what, if you can give me a fair price it might save me time to trade it to you". They don't need to know that you HAVE to trade your car to afford the new one (if thats the case) up front.

spanfucker retire bitch > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:02

I am unlikely to ever darken the door of another Ford dealership. This make two bad experiences at two different stores.

That sucks that you had two bad experiences at two separate stores. I had a pushy sales manager at the first Mazda dealership I went to and I never went back to them. The other one I went to was so relaxed and intelligent compared to the first one. They actually told me to take the car home for a weekend test drive (Saturday to Monday evening when I got out of work). I didn't even have to ask. I was amazed at how different the experience was.

Shame your two experiences weren't as drastically different as mine.

Dusty Ventures > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:05

Sucks the two Ford dealerships you went to were so terrible. When my brother went shopping for his Focus the dealership here was fantastic. He came in cold (no prior contact with the dealership) and within ten minutes he was on a test drive. Somewhat amusingly, he wanted the SE trim, but at the time the only manual they had on the lot was an ST, so they put him in that for the test drive.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:06

Ford dealerships are the worst

here's my experience http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/when-i-took-de…

TheBaron2112 > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:09

Who says you have to buy from them?

Test the car, give it the most hell possible, scare the shit out of the salesman riding along with you, park at the dealership, and never talk to them again. If you like the car, buy it from another dealer.

nermal > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:09

Wow, what a bunch of dicks. I've heard of stories of dealerships being wary of granting test drives of "performance" vehicles, such as Evos and STIs, but I wouldn't think a Fiesta ST is all that much of a risk.

How did you present yourself? What were you wearing? Did you look like somebody that could afford the car, and was serious about buying one? Perhaps they wrote you off as somebody that just wanted to joy ride, or that couldn't afford the car and would just be a waste of time. Not saying you fit that mold, or that that type of thing is right, but I'm sure it happens.

The last test drive I went on was for a BMW i3, and they pretty much just handed me the keys to a $50k demo model and told me to have fun. The getting a drive part was easy, they didn't become dicks until we started running numbers.

You definitely need to visit a different dealer.

DasWauto > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:10

Why go through the whole 'process' about the trade-in without test driving the car first? I don't understand that. You are there to drive a car, so tell them that and drive it, then discuss trade-ins/financing/whatever.

Quite frankly, you at least partially did this to yourself by going along with a procedure you didn't need to deal with.

Coty > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:11

So yeah, I commented before I read this. I'm not a great salesman and there's times where nothing is really happening in my process sometimes either, but, just.....wow.

DeLM > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:23

Sorry to Hear about this bud.... I used to be a car salesman, had to quit. It is stupid crap like this story that pushed me into it. ( I mean how easy can a sales job get?! It was a Subaru/Mazda dealer.) When i go to a dealership if i go i start off as an asshole, If I am approached... I let them know i know more than them and to kindly piss off, I will find one of them IF I feel the need. (If you are posting on here, you are more car suave than they are; trust me!) AND always start off without a trade in, even if you are trading it in. they use that to really F you, you really end up not getting to put any of that money towards care really anyways... Its just to throw a bunch of BS numbers out there to make it seem like you are getting a deal. Give that a try next time.

Funktheduck > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:24

When I was car shopping the sleaze ball sales guy at the Ford dealership was a huge turn off to the whole car buying process. He didn't give me the run around though. He did keep offending my girlfriend and kept trying to get me to buy a car I didn't want.

jariten1781 > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:24

My experience buying a Ford was very much ye olde-timey dealership tactics like this. It's obnoxious, but I have my drop-dead numbers planned before I go in and if they meet them...then meh, I'll deal with it.

I make it clear that we'll talk test drive, then price, then trade-in, then finance (as necessary) in that order and one at a time. If they're not game, I walk (and I've had dealers tell me that if I don't tell them up front what I'm doing with trade in and finance that they won't sell me a car). At dealers like this, it usually takes some gruff insistence for an hour or so before they 'get it'. If they meet the price I'll buy regardless of what happens after. I have a CarMax and usually a consignment offer if they beat that they can have the car. If I'm financing I'll have a Credit Union line available, if they beat that I'll go through them.

Took 10 damned hours when buying the FiST and we didn't have the deal done till 9pm on a Sunday, but they met the numbers in the end. It literally felt like they were actively trying to shoo me out of the dealership after a while.

And don't get me wrong, I know I'm not pulling a fast one on them or getting exceptional deals or anything of the sort. They deal with it every day, me only every few years, so they probably still come out ahead; but when I go through it linearly I can control the process and only deal with one piece of info at a time. It takes longer and probably makes me seem a difficult customer, but I don't get overwhelmed trying to balance 3-4 figures in my head and if it works out I get a car and they get a commission.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:31

I've had the same thing happen to me more than once to the point where I nearly got into a fist fight with mr.salesmanager just to get my keys back. This "process" is all too common and needs to stop.

The last time I bought a car I made it crystal clear prior to them going on their "test drive" that I would not discuss a single thing until the keys were back in my pocket. Sure enough after their drive they brought the keys right back to me. Then I felt comfortable enough to start negotiating.

I also always bring a spare key just incase they try to play nice at first but then pull that "hold your key until you sign the dotted line crap".

I now have 4 dealerships on my shit list that I will never set foot in again.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > nermal
12/30/2014 at 10:33

I hate to say it, but no dealership should write someone off just because the way they look. It's often the guy who is covered in drywall mud that looks a bit strange that is worth the most money.

I really wish dealerships would start treating people better. It almost makes me want to start a dealership that does exactly that. Treat people well - no matter their age, appearance, or credit rating. If you treat them well, even if they don't buy anything from you the first time, they're a heck of a lot likely to come back a second time when they can buy something.

How was the i3? It seems like a pretty funky little ride.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:36

After having a decent dealership experience, I am astounded that these poor dealerships still exist, and that they continue to do business.

Years ago I worked at a dealership (only for about a month) that was run by a complete jackass of a sales manager. They wouldn't even let the customer pick the color of the car they wanted. They had to run a credit check and get everything out of the way before the customer was even allowed to see the vehicle. And, they couldn't stand it if you let a customer walk off the lot. I had a guy who was looking for a cheap used car (under 1K), and he left because I told him we didn't have anything like that. They were upset at me that I didn't try to sell the guy a 50k Durango. I enjoyed telling the sales manager off in front of customers when I quit.

When my wife bought her Corolla, the dealership there was starting to give us the runaround as well. We were there for about an hour and a half and they still wouldn't give us a value on her trade in. After raising my voice and scaring the salesman (I'm kind of a big guy) they ended up giving us about $1500 more for her trade in then it was worth.

Similar shenanigans ensued when I bought my cube. I had my own financing and had completely worked the deal online. All I had to do was drive the vehicle and pick a color. They wouldn't let me get any further without a credit app. I still took close to 4 hours at the dealership. Had I not worked the deal I did I would have walked.

Now, when I bought my Crosstrek it was a completely enjoyable experience. Again I had inquired about that and the Impreza online. I wasn't sure which vehicle I wanted. So, first thing I did when I got there was to drive both vehicles. Including drive time and finance I spent MAYBE 1.5 hours in the dealership. This is the way a dealership is supposed to operate. I'll never go back to dealing with these lousy dealerships again.

Jagvar > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:37

I always act like I'm in a rush when I check out a car. "I have an important meeting at 1:00, so I only have a couple minutes to look it over. But if I like the car, I'll be back tonight!" That sort of thing. It usually keeps the salespeople off my back. Not always, but usually.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:39

So sorry to hear that! Its kinda ironic because all three of the Ford dealerships in my area are terrible as well. They are not liked by anyone. When I went to them looking at the new Focus for a possible first car, I was bombarded by questions and rude employees. I felt pushed around and out of control. Some people have great Ford dealers; just all of mine are terrible. I need to find an ST someone else's now just for a good experience.

Jayhawk Jake > DasWauto
12/30/2014 at 10:42

I agree with this sentiment. While I'm certainly not blaming OP, somewhere along the way he should have stepped up.

That aside, screw that dealer for allowing it to happen. That's a terrible way to handle business and a big part of the reason j hate the dealership system. Hooker may not be turned off ford by it because he might respect the cars enough, but an experience like his can ruin the whole brand for them. Subaru did that to me: I had a few bad experiences at a Subaru dealership so now it would take quite the car to get me to even consider buying a Subaru. Meanwhile I had amazing experiences at Hyundai and desperately wish they had something I want so I can give them my business.

BKosher84 > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:55

My now wife, then fiance, got a job in Cleveland after she graduated and drove a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero that has seen WAY better days and her new job required driving around the city A LOT... So needless to say, she needed a new car. She first started looking at a used Chevy Colbalt LTZ for a good price at one of the local dealerships (This was the first year the Cruze was released, this will play an important part of the story later) and when she arrived at the dealership and inquired about the Colbalt (cold arrival.. No prior contact with the dealership) they immediately attempted to get her a LEASE ON A CRUZE. She was there for two hours and they didn't even talk about the Cobalt she went in for.... She kept reminding them, that:

1. She couldn't take a lease because of how much she will be driving (all over NE Ohio)

2. She didn't want a Cruze because it was out of her price range regardless of the Lease Amount.

The saleswoman actually had the balls to tell my wife that "Well, with the amount on a monthly payment you would be saving (compared to the not priced out Cobalt they never showed her), you can just use that extra cash on the overage of miles you would on on the lease!"

At that point my wife just walked out and we've never been to that specific dealer network since.

And the biggest kicker... The main reason they wanted her to buy a Cruze was because they wanted to win some award from GM for being the top seller of Cruzes for the state of Ohio....

She bought a gently used 2008 Ford Fusion later that week.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 10:56

I worked at a dealer like that. It's tough on the sales guys because if they let you drive the car and then you walk without doing anything else (this is the cosmic 'you' here, not you in particular), they're going to get torn apart by their manager. The process is stupid to the absolute limit...I'll really never understand why anybody wants to do business that way. Fuck 'em.

BeaterGT > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 11:05

Kinja'd!!!

Love this picture.

Jonathan Harper > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 11:14

Man, that's atrocious. I helped my parents trade their '06 3 series for a newer one last spring, and had a pretty good experience dealing with the salespeople on the phone, but there was still some shenanigans when they went to go drive the car, and were ready to make a trade.

First the sales guy was trying to charge more since he doesn't get many manuals and when he does, they go quick, but then wouldn't tack on any extra $$ to the car we were trading which was also a manual 3 series, thus it would demand the same premium. They ended up getting a good deal in the end but I had to get on the phone with the sales guy and basically just make it clear that I knew he's full of shit and to stop trying to pull one over on my parents.

Justin Hughes > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 11:18

In 1999 I was shopping for a Saturn SC2. It was down to two cars - a 93 at the local Saturn dealer, with no haggle pricing and free donuts with your service, or a 95 with higher miles at a typical independent used car lot. Guess which one I got?

Wrong. The "different kind of car company" Saturn dealer pulled every sleazy dealer trick in the book on me. The 93 was selling for way more than book value. Then they expected me to go upside down on my trade-in to pay even more for the car. The used car lot, which had priced the 95 way under book, was awesome - up front, honest, and easy to work with. When I picked up the car they told me they'd also done a brake job at no extra charge, because they weren't 100% happy with them.

Today that used car lot has doubled in size, and Saturn is out of business.

wantafuncar > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 11:36

Is that Capital Ford in Raleigh?

Hooker > wantafuncar
12/30/2014 at 11:42

Charlotte, but apparently they have many locations from what Mr. SalesManager said.

nermal > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/30/2014 at 11:45

I agree that dealerships and other establishments shouldn't be quick to dismiss potential customers, but that doesn't mean they don't. For every dirty drywall guy with $50k in his bank account to buy a new truck, how many are there that are just tire kicking? Yes, treating everybody well in order to bring back business down the road is smart. However, with employee turnover so high, that's unlikely. Most sales guys want to get a deal done TODAY.

As far as the i3, I really liked it. Very futuristic. I would have bought one if I could have gotten a lease in the low $300 range, as opposed to almost $600 that I was quoted. They're definitely city cars, and do best below 50 mph. I didn't get to go far, but it was a hoot stomping the throttle at a stoplight and leaving people in the dust. The 0-30 mph acceleration is downright fast.

Meatcoma > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 11:48

The best test driving experiences I had were just recently when we were searching for my wife. She had a list of about 8 cars that were wildly different. We ended up test driving a boxster, brz, juke, 350z, challenger, mustang, sc430, camaro, tt, crossfire and veloster in one weekend day. We made a list of where the cars were that were in her price range and took a whole day visiting dealerships and test driving. I walked into the dealership and flat out told them that we had a list, they had a car or two on it and we wanted to drive them, we also had every intention of driving each one to either narrow the list down before buying. There were only 2 salesman that I would not have bought from, one was a salesman at a Chevy dealership that squeezed himself and another gentleman into the back seat of a mustang, got me into their showroom and let me sit in a C7 and when I asked for the keys he laughed. I told him that the Chevy dealership across town had about 15 of these and I'm sure they would let me test drive one should I want to. We left pretty soon after that even though she liked the mustang. The other was a Honda salesman who after hearing we wanted to test drive a Challenger and were looking at a FJ when he approched us stated we could test drive an Accord. I laughed and asked him to get the keys for the Challenger.

She ended up with a fully loaded AWD Juke and it's not too shabby. I really wanted her to get the SC430 or the BRZ but o well.

wantafuncar > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 12:29

hah - I'm sure they do.

My neighbor bought his F150 new from the Raleigh one.... but from what I can tell, he is the type to get bent over but think he is getting a great deal.

Sorry about your experience — maybe its time to employ Tom's services.

Hooker > nermal
12/30/2014 at 12:51

I looked like the professional I am. I acted accordingly. It was never mentioned that they have a problem with me driving it. Just never saw it in person. I can afford the car. I assured them of that. Though I don't think it would have mattered. They were just interested in playing games.

I'm tapped at the moment. I can't deal with another dealer right now. If I can find a solid used one without a ton of miles I might see if my dealership can get it.

Hooker > Coty
12/30/2014 at 12:52

Probably not a bad idea to be honest.

Hooker > DasWauto
12/30/2014 at 12:54

That's how I kept presenting it. They pushed the trade issue. I just wanted to sit in it and drive it a little. I wasn't there for a joy ride.

You're probably right. I am so used to dealing with my own dealership and how we treat our customers and that is what I have come to expect. I expect more these days and I was let down hard. Again, most of that is on me I guess.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > nermal
12/30/2014 at 12:54

I guess that's really the root of the problem - employee turnover and short term thinking. So how do we go about fixing that?

I've heard the i3 has a really nifty interior. If they weren't so dang expensive, I'd definitely consider one, rather than the Leaf/Volt/Juke that I'm semi-considering.

Hooker > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 12:58

There's only so much stepping up I could do. I made my intentions and my displeasure well known in a well mannered, well spoken tone. Anything north of that and I would have escalated a poor situation and that's not good either. I knew there was a point of no return where I wasn't going to get anywhere with them and I just did what I should. I left. I'm not ruined for the brand but it's leaving a bad after taste in my mouth for sure.

Hooker > wantafuncar
12/30/2014 at 12:59

Usually I do OK because I usually don't take any crap. I must have been a little off my game. Either way, they can keep their last year model FiST.

Hooker > E92M3
12/30/2014 at 13:00

True statements. Probably could have avoided most of the mess if I hadn't mentioned it.

Hooker > Dusty Ventures
12/30/2014 at 13:02

Yeah, I told them I worked at another dealership and hoped that there would at least have been a mutual respect. Instead, all I got was patronization and disrespect. I guess it wasn't meant to be at this time.

Hooker > Jagvar
12/30/2014 at 13:03

Using that next time. I'm so used to working in such an honest dealer with mostly honest customers that I just expected more.

Hooker > jariten1781
12/30/2014 at 13:05

I couldn't even stand to be at a dealer for 10 hours. I would have walked a long time ago. It doesn't and shouldn't take that long to buy a new car. Ever.

That's what I was trying to do. One step at a time. They simply weren't having it. I left. They didn't try to stop me. Apparently the 200 cars they sell per month is good enough for their bottom line. They don't have to be nice.

Hooker > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
12/30/2014 at 13:09

They not only exist, they apparently are doing very well according to Mr. SalesManager! Your experiences make me feel better and worse at the same time. In this day and age it's unfathomable that these places still exist. These people. How can you spew that much bull shit and be able to sleep at night? I couldn't and wouldn't.

Hooker > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/30/2014 at 13:11

Exactly. The same feeling I got as well. At this point, I'm just going to see if I can buy a used one. The only problem is they hold their value pretty well it seems.

Hooker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/30/2014 at 13:12

Same here. I don't understand it to the point of hatred. It's absolutely crazy to me that these places still exist. And are patronized.

Hooker > Kate's Dirty Sister
12/30/2014 at 13:14

Wow. That's all I can say.

Hooker > TheBaron2112
12/30/2014 at 13:15

If they had even let me SEE the car, I might have been able to do that. Couldn't even get that far even with all my insisting.

Hooker > Funktheduck
12/30/2014 at 13:16

Sleaze ball folks creep me out. If I walk into a dealership and your hair (or hair plugs) are slicked back so hard that I could ice skate on them, I'm out.

Hooker > Coty
12/30/2014 at 13:17

Yeah, it pissed me off. If I even think about it at the moment, my blood still boils. I swear I thought I would have felt better after writing about it. I thought I was really nice by not including names. Though I did include a picture of their dealership.

Hooker > BeaterGT
12/30/2014 at 13:17

Thank you! I spent a few minutes on that one. I cracked a smile over it as well.

Hooker > TxBrumski
12/30/2014 at 13:17

Haha. No.

Hooker > DeLM
12/30/2014 at 13:18

I started off as a reasonable ass hole. Not bad. But they were well aware I wasn't an idiot. I think that pissed them off and cause them to play the game harder. Which just pissed me off more.

Funktheduck > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:19

I asked for a manual focus. He brought me a fiesta and called it a festiva. You know, the car that's been out of production for 20ish years.

Hooker > spanfucker retire bitch
12/30/2014 at 13:20

Yeah. I might give it another try at some point. Just not soon. If I thought I could get anywhere with it, I would report them to Ford Corp but not sure that would do anything productive. Might also make me look like a whiny ass.

Ballzonya > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:25

Last time a dealer wouldn't give my keys back, I pulled out my phone and dialed the police non emergency line and began talking to the dispatcher. I have never seen a sales manager shit himself quicker.

Hooker > Ballzonya
12/30/2014 at 13:35

Things to remember. Still, I just talked to them. Explained my displeasure (again) and asked that the GM call me back. Not sure I will get anywhere. I'll update if I do.

Hooker > Funktheduck
12/30/2014 at 13:35

When people refer to it as Festiva, I just walk away.

spanfucker retire bitch > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:37

If you think they got you there under false pretenses, I would absolutely report them. What's the worse that could happen? Nothing? That's no different than you not doing anything.

Some companies don't care about what goes on in the regional dealers they're supposed to overlook. But quite a few do in fact care a lot. I think Ford has a decent reputation for taking action.

Hooker > BKosher84
12/30/2014 at 13:38

Damn. That's horrifying. It's comforting to know I'm not alone. And no comforting at the same time. How was the Fusion? Good car over the years?

Hooker > Meatcoma
12/30/2014 at 13:41

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Juke. The looks are polarizing but how does it drive? Handle? Comfort? Interior quality?

Hooker > Justin Hughes
12/30/2014 at 13:44

I figured that's how that was going to go. Be careful of the freebies. I have had a few awesome experiences at Saturn dealerships. I was sad to see them go. Honesty is the way to go. After working for the dealership I work at, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Clown Shoe Pilot > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/30/2014 at 13:48

Mrs. Shoe Pilot drives a Volt. It's a nice car. I wish dealerships (and GM) treated EVERYONE like they treat Volt customers.

Funktheduck > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:48

He was all sorts full of crap. He made a big deal about McPherson struts (virtually all modern cars use them these days for packaging reasons) and how the mazda 3 and focus share the same platform. They used to but not anymore. He would have said it ran on water if he thought he could make a sale on me.

Hooker > Jonathan Harper
12/30/2014 at 13:48

It's like they reel you in with kindness and then kill you with shenanigans.

More for the manual? I had a Dodge dealer try that with me once. I laughed and walked out. You have to basically take them out behind the woodshed and show them who's the boss. It's a pain. The worst part is I don't think if I had been more assertive, it would have made any difference.

TxBrumski > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:49

Dang. Our chat system we use at my store has the robot's name as "Heather G". You'd be surprised how well that thing works. And even more surprised at how some people get angry with it thinking it's a real person.

That sounds like a really shitty store. I hate it when I hear about salespeople taking the keys and holding customers hostage. It's always the worst tricks that stick around and get handed down.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 13:50

I know you're not a game player, but if you were it'd be fun to go back, go through the whole process (even make it take longer if you can figure out a way to do so from your end) and then 2 hours in, once you've driven the car a bit say "Man, I really hate the seats in this. I guess I'll go look at {non-Ford competitor}. Bye!"

Hooker > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
12/30/2014 at 13:51

I nearly got into a fist fight with mr.salesmanager just to get my keys back. This "process" is all too common and needs to stop.

This. All of it. The sad part is the list of good dealerships is slowly dwindling. This place (when it was Young Ford) was awesome. They got bought out.

Hooker > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/30/2014 at 13:53

I thought about that. But damn that's exhausting just thinking about it.

Hooker > TxBrumski
12/30/2014 at 13:55

Yeah we just started a test pilot for chat at my store. It's not robots to be honest. We'll see how it goes. It's managed by GM so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Hooker > Funktheduck
12/30/2014 at 13:56

See, those ignorant fucks I just can't deal with. At all. If I know more about your product than you do, you lose.

Hooker > spanfucker retire bitch
12/30/2014 at 13:56

I'll look into it. I might just link to this page. Haha. I can't imagine re-writing this.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:04

Yeah, it'd have to be a day where you have absolutely NOTHING to do.

Or maybe do it on a day where you're sick. See if you can get the sales manager in a small room with you for an hour.

Meatcoma > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:05

My wife drove it in about 2 inches of snow and said it was a breeze (has all seasons). It handles really well and there is minimum turbo lag, it will spin the tires. The wind pushes the car around some but not terribly bad. The seats are leather and they are just on the comfy side of 'firm', I don't think I'd like them on a very long drive but up to 3 hours or so they have been fine. Interior is appealing looking but it's plasticky, the controls all seem solid and are easy to use. The back seat is actually usable by adults, we have had 5 adults in it at once, a friend of mine and I in front, my wife, his wife and their 20 yr old daughter in the back. It was a squeeze for everyone but we drove for an hour like that and no one complained too much. She actually enjoys it and she drives about 110 miles a day. She drives about 75% highway and gets 30+mpg regularly with 60% of the highway being at 75, the rest at 65 and city speeds of 25-35.

The only problem we've had is the oil pan was leaking around the rtv gasket. The dealership took it for a day on the weekend and redid it for free and not a drop since.

spanfucker retire bitch > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:06

Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. They're your best friends.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/30/2014 at 14:08

They seem to treat Volt customers well? Interesting. Dealerships around here don't even carry the Volt. I think I've seen two in total in my town (75,000+ people).

TxBrumski > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:09

Chat works but I find that the only people that use chat to buy a car are almost always "dealer-distrusters". They only want one or two questions answered and then they're off. Not always the nicest customers because they choose to hide behind the computer to deal with you, but people nonetheless.

Clown Shoe Pilot > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/30/2014 at 14:14

After getting a rough start at the first dealership, we went to a second dealership and got amazing service. After purchase, every contact we've had w/ a dealership or GM has been fantastic. They've even got "Volt Advisors" that we can call any time and they will help us with whatever vehicle related questions/problems/concerns we have. They'll schedule service, arrange a loaner car, all that stuff.

Hooker > TxBrumski
12/30/2014 at 14:38

I'm actually OK with that though. You treat them well on chat and maybe, just maybe you will get a call from one of them. It's a win. For you and for them.

Hooker > spanfucker retire bitch
12/30/2014 at 14:39

Yes, I know the shortcuts well. My daily life would be lost without them. Don't you think it would have to be toned down a bit though? I mean, I read it and all I see is my rage. I was trying to be as direct and to the point as possible but my emotions came into play a good bit I think.

Hooker > Meatcoma
12/30/2014 at 14:41

That's really impressive. Sounds like a solid vehicle. I'd like to drive one. I would never buy one only because I can't stand the Nissan (and most Japanese) switchgear. But I'd love the opportunity to drive one.

spanfucker retire bitch > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:41

You might want to re-word some of it perhaps, but you still want to make sure your displeasure is known. I don't know if you work for a Ford dealer though or not, so that also might have an impact.

Hooker > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/30/2014 at 14:41

Spread the infection! Haha.

Hooker > spanfucker retire bitch
12/30/2014 at 14:42

Chevrolet! :) No problem there! Except that if I had been able to make a deal last night, I would have been driving a Ford while working at a Chevrolet dealership. That may have been bad.

Meatcoma > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 14:44

It's an auto with the CVT transmission and it runs just fine. I don't even mind it, although I do prefer my 6mt in my 2010 Camaro.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/30/2014 at 14:52

Very interesting! I wonder if that's a U.S. only thing. I haven't seen any of the local dealerships here even carrying the Volt. Then again, this is Alberta (oil country), so I'm probably a bit of an oddball.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 15:02

It makes people uncomfortable. At my dealership, we would sit the people down and qualify them before we even talked about a car. It was like "oh, you're here to look at a Camry? We'll see what you can afford."

I actually had qualified a customer, took the figures up to the desk, and said they wanted to see a Camry. The manager looked at it, and gave me a stock number for a Corolla...the people were right on the bottom end of Camry money, but in a spot where you could really inflate a Corolla payment. I said they want a Camry, he said show them the Corolla. I asked about a used Camry then, he said show them the Corolla. So I went back to the folks with the Corolla key, they're not interested in a Corolla. Back to the manager, make them interested in the Corolla. I went back and decided to throw him under the bus, told them he thinks they should look at the Corolla. They left, I brought the key back to him, and I'm the asshole. Sent me home for the day. I didn't work there much longer.

Hooker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
12/30/2014 at 15:23

The only time we try to put someone in a cheaper car is if we have submitted on behalf of them for the car they desire (after they have looked at it and driven it) and it comes up short. At that point, we have a logical, human to human conversation about the state of things and offer potential solutions for less money/payment etc. Sometimes they choose to go this route and sometimes they don't but we never force it just to make a sale.

TxBrumski > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 15:46

The key is to treat them well enough that they overcome their fear of dealing with the store. The problem is, no matter how hard you try, they began their interaction with you behind a screen and want to keep it that way. Essentially they are the people who only want to buy a car online and never want to work with a salesman.

Sometimes I wish the past dealers hadn't screwed it up for the rest of us.

Nobi > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 16:53

As a former employee of a big dealership chain, never buy a car from a big dealership chain.

Dusty Ventures > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 16:58

That update is great news! Planning to take him up on the offer?

deekster_caddy > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 17:02

On the update... sounds to me like a lot of nice face... "We do not tolerate that here!" to the customer. In the staff meeting, "Good job this week, carry on"

There's no way he doesn't know that's standard practice amongst his staff.

Hooker > deekster_caddy
12/30/2014 at 17:09

To his credit, he inherited the staff just a few months ago when Young Ford became Capital Ford. And he came in a few months after the sale went through. I think he is still feeling them all out. Figuring out who stays, who goes.

Hooker > Dusty Ventures
12/30/2014 at 17:10

Just asked him to find a silver ST with no recaro seats. As much as I want the recaro's, my grandmother (and 90 percent of the people I know) wouldn't be able to fit in them. I like bringing people with me. No go. I will hopefully be driving the ST they have in the next day or so.

Hooker > Nobi
12/30/2014 at 17:12

Fair enough. I will see how it goes. So far, it just wasn't meant to be. I'm OK with it.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 17:12

Wow. With me, the conversation would have stopped right when they started asking about my trade-in. I want to just look at your car, I have no intention of buying from you yet, so don't worry about what my current car's loan term is. Let me look at the car, or I'm walking right out. I don't work at a dealership, and have had very limited interaction with dealers, so I suppose I don't have your sympathy for "the process"... makes no sense to me.

philipilihp > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 17:13

I guess someone at the dealership reads Oppo...?

Hooker > philipilihp
12/30/2014 at 17:15

Maybe? No idea. My guess? The sales guy said something. He was just doing what the manager was telling him. Just a guess.