Ignored at a Dealership Today; Not Buying a WRX Anymore.

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:39 • Filed to: Stealerships

I waited outside for a bit, went inside for a bit, then went back outside and waited for a bit more. Then I finally asked a passing salesman for assistance and he said he'd bring someone out in a bit. I waited for about another 10-15 minutes and then left without testing the new WRX, the only one in the area.

I saw a 2 salesmen passing up helping me after I had asked, one changing license plates and the other taking a smoke break.

Do I look too young? I don't get it.

DISCUSSION (100)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:45

Next time just whip out your dick and dragon the car that you want. If that doesn't get their attention then nothing will.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/05/2014 at 15:46

Kinja'd!!!

f86sabre > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:46

is it the only car or the only dealership? It is amazing how some in a customer service industry don't get customer service.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > f86sabre
07/05/2014 at 15:48

Only WRX in the area at any dealership, but I expect other dealerships will start to get them with time. This one just showed up this week.

AM3R > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:48

it's probably because so many people are going just to test drive the new WRX and STi. There's a bunch of them in my area so I don't have to worry about that fortunately.

I was talking to a guy up the street from me that works at a Subie dealership and he says probably 6/7 out of 10 "buyers" just want to hoon them. They still fly off the lot though.

Nibby > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:50

Maybe wait and look at one at another dealer. Or make a fuss. My dad and I have made fusses and that always gets their attention. (Mostly my father's doing. I just end up apologizing later to the salesman if he went too far).

Tom McParland > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:50

That sucks man...I see this happening a lot with younger people and the hoon-machines that are made for them. I'm going to try and follow up with a post on this soon.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:51

I would comment on their social media pages, if they have any, that you were ignored while you were there.

If they care at all about sales, they will work very hard to win your business. If not, then you have proven definitively that you should not buy from them anyway.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:51

Forget a WRX. Come get a GTI. We'll treat you right :D

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Tom McParland
07/05/2014 at 15:53

This was also the first time I went without my parents being there for knowledge/support, perhaps that was a factor.

Tom McParland > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:56

If you don't mind me asking...how old are you?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Tom McParland
07/05/2014 at 15:56

I sent you an email

alexotics > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 15:56

It happens. Recently had a similar experience at a Mazda (!!!) dealership when assisting a friend who was seriously considering the new 3. Funny to think that we expect to little in terms of service yet even that doesn't always come.

StoneCold > Nibby
07/05/2014 at 15:57

Good cop/bad cop approach to buying. A classic.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 16:02

This didn't happen to me when I was looking a FoST earlier this year, They talked about the car and we discussed it, the salespearson and I; mind you, I'm 18. I can't imagine why they acted like that. Age and looks is one thing when it comes to car sales I've noticed, but it could be other things too. How were you dressed? How'd you look? That seems to be an important thing. I was wearing a sweater, jeans, and converse.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 16:04

You don't want one, anyway. They discontinued the wagohatch version. Subaru should be dead to you. All the turbo boxer holyfast fuck in the world can't forgive that kind of betrayal.

Soloburrito > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 16:14

The trick is to not want to talk to a salesman. That's when they won't leave you alone.

Spoon II > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/05/2014 at 16:22

I usually look kind of homeless and the dealership personnel around here have been quite good. Hopefully that was just a bad day for them and they aren't like that all the time.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Spoon II
07/05/2014 at 16:26

Eh. Define "homeless"?

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/05/2014 at 16:28

NO, GET MINI. IS OF MANY FABULOUS.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
07/05/2014 at 16:38

The Mini. For men that... wave. Lol

WRXforScience > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 17:06

Pro tips for getting a test drive:

1) Call up the dealership and schedule one (beats standing in the lot and trying to look interested or constipated, whichever is your preferred strategy).

2) Remember that the salespeople work on commission, time they spend riding with an enthusiast who isn't buying could literally be costing them money. Show up during the week or other down times when paying customers are scarce and the salesmen are bored (show up when it is raining and you will get all the attention you want).

3) Try to look like a potential customer by either a) show up driving a comparable or better car (at least when it was new) and/or dress fancy. I once showed up to test drive the Genesis coupe when it first came out, I brought my dad with me and we borrowed a family friend's DBS. The entire dealership shut down to drool over the Aston Martin and the salesman seemed disappointed that I was interested in a Hyundai.

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday I showed up to test drive the new WRX in my 2010 WRX as it started to drizzle; I was in the driver's seat in under 5 min and could have driven the car all day if I wanted.

heliochrome85 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 17:08

When the local BMW store tried this tactic on me, I sent the general manager an email about the experience. When he made no effort to keep my business, I went elsewhere. three emails later, and the purchase order was generated by a dealer in florida on my behalf. Stores like this deserve all the poor PR they get. This is not how you treat customers in the internet era.

TurboLag23 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 17:54

Don't let one bad experience ruin the car for you. It sucks that this happened, but this just means you now know which Subaru dealerhship to stay away from.

Go to the next closest one to you and see what happens. I can tell you that at the Subaru dealership I go to to get my little brother's Outback serviced, the sales reps sometimes approach ME when I'm poking around cars while waiting for my oil to get changed - and I'm a 5'6" 20-year-old.

theedboogie > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 19:15

You must be black. Happens frequently to me.

DanZman > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 19:49

How old are you and what did you drive up in?

puppyknuckles > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 20:38

"Do I look too young? I don't get it."

"I usually look kind of homeless."

I'm picturing this.

Kinja'd!!!

Bryan > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 20:43

I wasn't thrilled with my Subaru dealership experience at Dunning Subaru in Ann Arbor. I was able to get served, but the experience was high pressure, the salesman was a snake, and they wanted to give me way less for my trade then the dealer down the street. I ended up finding a used one at a GM dealership. It was a thoroughly pleasant experience and they gave me a fair amount for my trade.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/05/2014 at 21:13

Nah don't get a GTI, join the MaSTer Race! We got Brian Silvestro! :D

BullsF6512 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 21:29

I got the same reaction when I was 26 years old and looking to buy a Jeep SRT back in 2010 in the Chicago area. At the time I was looking to purchase, the first Jeep SRTs were no longer being produced and I could only get what was available on dealer lots. I would email the internet salesperson to discuss what they had and pricing before I even stepped foot in the dealership. After a couple emails with one dealership, I had received a price I was happy with and asked when a good time to come in would be. He said come in whenever and take it for a test drive and we'll go from there. When I did stop in one night, I received treatment I never expected. I found out the Jeep was being driven by the owners wife and it had a couple thousand miles on it already(never told that in any of the emails). I was then told that I wouldn't be able to test drive it or see it before any purchase because they lived over 45 minutes away and it was too much of a hassle to bring it back if it wasn't sold. I had brought the copy of the email that discussed price and showed it to the salesman who was "helping" me. He proceeded to laugh at that and walked over to the manager on the floor to show him. Being the only 3 people on the floor, I could clearly hear him say "Get him the fuck out of here." The dealership surprisingly went out of business 4 months later.

I ended up going with a different dealership that didn't even have one in stock and had to do a dealer trade to get one for me. They sold it to me for only a couple hundred dollars more than the price the other dealer laughed at and it had 2,000 less miles and the exact same options. There is always somebody out there who actually wants to make a sale. You just have to find the right dealer.

PS9 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 22:03

Dear [Your dealership's regional sales manager]

My name is [Your name]. I am [your age] and make [your income]. Also I have a credit score of [Your credit score]. I am well suited to purchasing a new vehicle around the price range of a WRX. I thought [Dealership] was interested in selling vehicles such as the WRX. So can you explain why no one at [The Dealership] bothered to assist me when I went? I asked for help and they pretty much behaved like I was simply not wanted on their lot. I could understand not wanting to waste time with people who don't want to buy, but I do want to buy, and I have the means to. I'm simply not understanding the poor treatment I got at [Dealership]. Maybe the cars are their just to tease people with no actual possibility of purchase?

Awaiting an explanation. Sincerely,
[You]

Fill in the blanks and fire it off to the guy in charge of all the dealerships. No response then keep pinging the next guy up the totem pole 'til you hit the top. You could also just go away and give up getting a WRX, but that's the wrong choice. You can't let assholes stop you from achieving your dreams especially when you're so close to making it happen.

gc8foreva > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 22:19

Kind of odd that they would so blatantly ignore someone of the target market. Just sounds like a case of terrible customer service. I would say if you really want the car, don't let this dissuade you, just go buy it from the guy who actually bothers to give you the time of day, even if it has to be another dealership. A car is a purchase not made lightly, so might as well give it your best getting the one you want.

McMike > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 22:41

1. Buy car somewhere else

2. Drive to dealer

Kinja'd!!!

nope > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 23:15

Some dealers seemingly just don't want to sell cars. We had a similar experience shopping for my wife's new car in 2012. The first place we went to look was Cherry Hill Subaru. At the time I was 30, clean cut, yadda yadda. She's whatever the female equivalent of that is. We took my 05 LGT. She really liked the BRZ, so we say to the salesman lets go for a test drive. He flat out says no and gives a BS reason about the car being brand new and they wouldn't let us test drive it unless we intended to buy it because they didn't want the miles going up. So we say ok lets drive that WRX. He gave the same answer. He basically told us to to come back when we were ready to buy. I said how the hell would I know if I wanted to buy a car if I haven't test driven it? I told him we'd never come back to this dealership.

So then we went down the street to Cherry Hill VW to look at the Golf R. The salesman says ok, let me go get one. He comes back with a literally fresh off the trailer R. It still had the plastic on the interior and it just hit 3 miles. He grabs her license real quick and we go for a fun ride, the "fun" was his suggestion might I add. We didn't buy the R because ultimately she didn't want another VW. Her GLI was becoming a maintenance nightmare, but to this day she still wishes she got the R. But overall, the salesman there gave us no reason whatsoever not to buy the car. If she would've said yes, we would've bought it on the spot. He made us feel like he actually valued us as a customer.

So screw you Cherry Hill Subaru sales department (the techs are cool though). And if you're wondering, we ended up with a 13 ATS 2.0t 6mt.

NotasteakburnerII > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/05/2014 at 23:39

Actually, we preferred to be called outdoor urban enthusiasts.

Vicente Esteve > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/05/2014 at 23:43

Even I, a 17 year old, went to the outside of the VW dealership to look at used cars, and a salesman came out. He told me if I was interested in any of the models he would get the keys, told me several info on the cars on the lot, and treated me like an adult. I am AMAZED how some dealerships dont see potential from young people, how the hell would they know if he isnt a spoiled kid or who actually has the money to buy the car.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > nope
07/06/2014 at 07:50

Wow, that's really kind of pathetic, especially since the US headquarters are right down the road from that dealership.

I had a really good experience at Prestige Subaru in Turnersville. If you ever find yourself wanting to get another Subie, give them a try. I'd recommend my salesman, but unfortunately he moved on to another dealership.

Doribax > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/06/2014 at 08:37

I am a 30 something doctor. I showed up at one Ford dealership in the area looking to order a 2014 Shelby last year, dressed in shorts and a T shirt. I got exactly the same treatment as you. I went to another dealer in my city the next day wearing one of my office suits, and I was helped and started through the process of ordering in less than 10 minutes. Take it as it is... Car salesmen will start judging you as a potential customer the second you pull onto their lot.

heliochrome85 > nope
07/06/2014 at 11:04

CADILLAC LOVE

Kanaric > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/06/2014 at 12:09

Always talk to the internet sales department when buying a car. You will get attention and discounts. Just walking in is the first mistake you made. I did that with a '12 WRX and got 500 below invoice and a no bullshit saleswoman. It was the best car buying experience of my life.

I had to travel to SoCal from Vegas though. Vegas dealerships are universally known to be terrible.

BenLikesCars > nope
07/06/2014 at 12:34

I can see them blowing off a teenage guy or something like that. But a married couple?! That tactic is known as "financial suicide." First saw it in action in 1997, when my father and my brother and I were practically jumping up and down on top of a red Civic hatchback on the showroom floor, and the salesguy is like, nahh, it's a quarter to five, I'm going to go home and fellate myself.

BenLikesCars > PS9
07/06/2014 at 12:36

He's got to say "MY WIFE AND I" were at the dealership. Extra face-palm points. :)

Spoon II > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/06/2014 at 13:15

Unkempt facial hair/hair, old clothes, etc.

Conan > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/06/2014 at 13:39

It might not even be age. My Dad went to a Ford dealership to very purposefully test drive a Fiesta ST or even a Focus ST. After ignoring him for nearly 45 minutes they spent the next 45 minutes trying to sell him a Mustang and wouldn't even let him test drive either of the others. He eventually ended up purchasing a used manual 3 series from a small town dealer because they'd actually let him test drive it and were helpful to him.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Spoon II
07/06/2014 at 13:44

Okay, well it couldn't have been that bad then. I'm not sure why they treated you so poorly. Are you going back to that dealer? What did your parents say? any chance of going back and complaining?

Color-Commentary > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/06/2014 at 15:29

If it's any consolation, the Subaru dealer in Redwood City, CA won't let anybody test drive WRXs, period. I've asked on a couple different occasions, most recently in 2010 when I showed up in a Boxster S. (I'm pushing 40 and generally look professional.) I can't imagine having a big enough jones for a car that I would buy it without driving it first.

Anyhow, Subaru dealers aren't all that uncommon - there will be one who actually cares enough to make a sale. Don't let it get you down.

asindhidude > BenLikesCars
07/06/2014 at 17:41

I personally have had mixed experiences with this. I talked to a dealer about a new WRX on the phone and internet. Went to place the next day, and he gave me crap about giving a spin. Two days later, I rolled through a different a dealer, and he let me drive it OFF THE TRUCK.

The funny part is, I went to the first guy straight from work with my old man, both of us in work clothes; shirt tie coat etc - my dad was in his Porsche at the time.

The second dealer we went to, from whom we bought the car, we went on the way home from a BBQ, sweaty and in shorts, in the family shit-car runabout (a poorly looked after 1999 Civic coupe ). I guess it has nothing to do with appearance and everything to do with if they actually want to sell the car.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > nope
07/06/2014 at 22:17

Ironic, considering that Cherry Hill New Jersey is, or at least *was*, where SUBARU is headquartered in the US.

But I had the same experience when I tried to buy a Legacy GT in 2007. No stock, and no interest in helping me... so I bought a used one from a forum member and enthusiast.

babiesmakinbabies > nope
07/06/2014 at 22:53

holy shit, this happened to me too at that same cherry hill subaru. Unfortunately, I was so desperate to get a 2014 wrx hatch, I called their sales manager and got the test drive that way.

babiesmakinbabies > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
07/06/2014 at 22:55

Even worse, is that they are just up the road from each other.

babiesmakinbabies > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/06/2014 at 22:57

One last thing, definitely browse to clubwrx.com. There's a dealer on there who sells WRXs in north jersey at invoice.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > theedboogie
07/07/2014 at 00:09

The hell?? That's never happened to me at all! I've gotten to test drive cars almost without salesperson supervision when I was looking for cars, and I'm 18!! The only time I couldn't was at a Volvo dealer where you had to be 21 to test drive a car, but it was my mother looking for a car so that was no problem. I've never had a problem at any dealer because of my race or color period!

JDIGGS > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 03:26

If the clerk at the quick e mart is a dick to you while buying your hershey bar do you stop eating hershey bars?

Vzwolf > nope
07/07/2014 at 09:43

I bought my Subaru BRZ from Flemington Subaru and I have never been treated better. I travel 45 minutes to get my car serviced there. I got the car when it first came out, got a great price and great treatment.

Next time you're looking at Subaru's just go there.

I don't even get this level of personalized service from my Mercedes dealer.

worrytron > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 10:08

At the dealerships near me (Hartford, CT) they don't even let you test drive an STI, and all the WRXes on the lot are sold. I asked if people actually buy the STI without test driving it first, and the guy looked at me like I was nuts. I've actually never driven any STI before, so i'm sure as hell not gonna buy one without testing it first — but more power to Subie. I'm sure that's a car salesman's dream.

Kyle Petree > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 10:30

I've had similar experiences. I was blessed to be a sys admin by the time I was 19 so I made a sizable paycheck and wanted something fun. My first thought was a Mustang GT convertible. I went to a local dealership that had exactly what I wanted. Talked to the guy and said I would like to test drive and most likely buy this car. (It was sitting in the showroom) He gave me some story about how they weren't moving cars out of the showroom but he'd call me when it was out. I never got a call. A week later I leased a BMW 328i convertible. Ironically the less expensive the brand it seems the worse I was profiled.

DarthTurducken > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 10:55

God I WISH salesman were more like that. My experience has been that they are reaching in my windows for my wallet before I park my car. And I'm maybe lower middle-class-ish.

llamanun > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 11:09

Female here. I have:

1. Asked to test drive a car and been told, "Oh, honey, you don't want that car. It's too much for you."
2. Not been allowed to test drive a car because it's a manual and they don't believe me when I tell them I can drive stick and am LOOKING for a stick shift.
3. Been TAKEN on a test drive — that is, the salesperson drives the car, and I sit in the passenger seat. I was never allowed to drive the car.
4. Clearly been the one looking for a car, and the salesperson spends all their time talking to my (male) friend who came with me.
5. Asked if I wanted to talk to my husband about my purchase (I was there alone, ready to buy a car).

Not exactly the same thing, but illustrates the preconceptions sales people have.

Jason > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 11:12

I had a similar problem. I went to a Mazda dealer to test drive a Mazdaspeed3. The only one in my area. I was 90% sure I wanted the car. It took me 15-20 minutes before I got help. No other customers were at the dealership. Finally they refused a test drive because they wanted me to qualify me for a loan first. Told them I was going to pay cash, and of course didn't believe me. Presumably because of my age (26 at the time). I argued with the guy a little more then left. I eventually drove out of state, to another dealer I found online (with color and add-ons I wanted, and $3k cheaper), did a test drive, and then drove it home.

Jason > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/07/2014 at 11:12

Fleetwood T. Brougham > nope
07/07/2014 at 11:54

Sooo, no excuses for the Subie salespeople, but you did sort of reinforce the tire kicker/time waster stereotype by going to drive a car (the golf R) that was made by a manufacturer you stated you clearly had no intention to buy from. Respect in this process is a two-way street, IMHO. Perhaps the next Golf R buyer at that dealership doesn't get the same courtesy because you gave off the joy-rider vibe.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > PS9
07/07/2014 at 12:39

their=/=there=/=they're

theedboogie > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/07/2014 at 15:04

Audi dealership - Houston, TX, BMW dealership - Charleston, SC, BMW dealership - Houston. Their prejudice, their lost. Bought 2 S4's and a 328i. I guess in Atlanta, they are used to people of color. No problems here.

NeutronStar73 > Kanaric
07/07/2014 at 15:42

I have to agree. Talk to Internet Sales before you even walk in. Tell them this is what I want' the price and here is the finance/lease terms. 9 out 10 times they'll give you what you are looking for and the BS stops right there. Of course, some Internet sales are BS artists who try to get you in so they can jack you up as quickly as possible. And as soon as they say come in and we can see, I stop talking, because I know they are trying to BS me to death.

nope > Fleetwood T. Brougham
07/07/2014 at 18:33

Tire kicker is a term disgruntled car salesmen created to ameliorate their missed sale, whether due to their own shortcomings in their sales presentation, or in the customer's expectations of the vehicle. I would not make as large or long term of a purchase as a car without properly testing it out. If that makes the salesman resentful towards other customers, that's their choice and it can have far reaching negative effects.

As for not having any intention to buy a VW, we went there didn't we? I wouldn't have wasted my time otherwise. We just wouldn't have kept it past the warranty period.

zetec duratec ECOTEC > McMike
07/07/2014 at 23:18

"Pretty woman shopping scene" for any of you youngins' with the youtoobz

zetec duratec ECOTEC > Vicente Esteve
07/07/2014 at 23:19

Anecdotally, VW's always been good about test drives.

zetec duratec ECOTEC > llamanun
07/07/2014 at 23:22

Ugh. It seems like a big part of the problem is the assholes that tend find their way to this particular field of employment. They all seem like the same guy.

zetec duratec ECOTEC > JDIGGS
07/07/2014 at 23:25

You stop buying them from Apu, at least.

zetec duratec ECOTEC > DanZman
07/07/2014 at 23:26

This should be irrelevant.

It's not, sadly, but it should be.

DanZman > zetec duratec ECOTEC
07/07/2014 at 23:33

That is unfortunately true. But you have to keep in mind that these people are paid on commission and that if dealerships were just giving rides to everyone then they would end up with a bunch of new cars with high miles.

DanZman > llamanun
07/07/2014 at 23:41

This is a sad and far more damning issue than someone showing up looking "kinda homeless".

multiple wheels for each day of the week > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
07/08/2014 at 14:14

I like seeing on this page people from My hometown . WTHS class of 93 .

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > multiple wheels for each day of the week
07/08/2014 at 14:31

Small world. I'm actually a transplant into Winslow. I grew up in Mount Laurel. Lenape HS 94 myself.

multiple wheels for each day of the week > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
07/08/2014 at 14:36

I Live in Colorado now .

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > multiple wheels for each day of the week
07/08/2014 at 14:38

Congratulations on escaping!

multiple wheels for each day of the week > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
07/08/2014 at 14:54

over 20 years ago Ill be back in a few weeks . I love Colorado just a lack of Vitamin Sea

Tom McParland > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:24

This one is for you

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/why-dealership…

Rahul Raman > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:48

Depends on how you present yourself. If you dressed up like a typical WRX fan boy, you will obviously get ignored. I worked at a VW dealership in Chicago for three months and all I got was late teenagers and people in their early twenties wanting to buy a GTI or a Golf R and wanted to drive the crap out of it for the sake of it. In the end, I decided Chicago is filled with posers and quit the job and moved back home and started working in a different industry. The reason why I quit?, lot of people wanted to drive it, but never wanted to buy it and all in the meanwhile I lost potential mature customers who I could have closed a deal with.

cazzyodo > Tom McParland
07/11/2014 at 14:49

Feel free to ask me anything as well...between looking for a vehicle for my mom, myself and my sister all in the past year I got plenty of different reactions.

05STi > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:50

So because someone ignored you you're not buying the car you want? The only person you're punishing is yourself in this scenario.

JerseyJoey > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:50

That sucks. I always schedule a time to come in myself - easy just to go to their website and set up a time. That way they know you will be there for a purpose and not just "looking." I'd also advise you don't make up your mind on a specific car you want or not based on a bad dealership experience - go to another dealer and you might have a much better time. I should also say tho, this could be a blessing in disguise for you - WRX leaves a lot to be desired for.

Matsayz > nope
07/11/2014 at 14:50

You should write Subaru of America about this. Especially since that's the flagship store. You don't have to mention the name of the crappy salesman but at least ding the dealership for it.

TotallyThatStupid > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:51

Over the years I've found it's hit or miss, irrespective of manufacturer, who I'm with, what I pull up in, or of my age/how much gray is in my beard.

I've wandered around plenty of dealer lots and been ignored. I was pounced on almost immediately in the Walnut Creek, CA (quite the upscale neighborhood) Subie dealer when my wife and I pulled up in my roachtastic 1987 325iC. Hell, even the Ferrari dealer in Greenwich, CT was nice to us when my Dad and I rolled up in my 1985 Prelude, and he certainly didn't have to be. Pull up to any BMW dealer in a 1972 Bavaria, and prepare to wait. And wait.

Dunno. I have no patience for it, though. New cars can, mostly, be purchased anywhere. You don't want the sale? Right on. I'm sure someone else does.

Caid > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:54

Seven years ago I stopped in to Minooka Subaru in Moosic PA. I was killing time between appointments for my job. They had a white STI on the lot and I wanted to get a feel for how they'd deal on the price. I walked in and I'm greeted by one of their sales staff, this one happened to be female. Told her I was looking for a STI saw they had a white one and wanted to see if they'd do invoice. I already had a verbal deal on a blue one in stock at Faulkner for $100 under invoice, but I really wanted a white one and Faulkner was a damn long drive from my area of PA. She looks at me, laughs and says there's no way. Told her I had a blue one lined up for $100 under and she laughed that off too. Told her your loss.

Later that day I drove past a Subaru deal a bit closer to my home town and spotted a white one on the lot. Wasn't there the last time I checked so I was stoked. Walked in waited 15 minutes for a salesman, told him want I was after. Got a test drive, loved the car and made the deal for invoice. Moral of the story, some dealers/salespeople are ignorant asshats, others want the sale.

NeedsmoreaftermarketXTparts > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 14:55

It still blows me away to hear about people doing this at dealerships. I had someone come in looking for a WRX at our dealer but sadly not only do we not have any...but our allocation is sold out and we have a waiting list as we go into each new month. I had someone come in and tell me that he had went to a dealer about 30min away from us that has their own private track so cars don't have to be test driven on the street and they wouldn't even let him test drive one there. Sure the vast majority of people looking at a BRZ or WRX tend to drive and leave but it doesn't stop me...I love going over these cars.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Tom McParland
07/11/2014 at 14:58

thanks man

Matsayz > McMike
07/11/2014 at 14:59

Did that to Subaru of Las Vegas. Salesman was a dick to my wife when she was asking questions about the car so we left. Made some calls a couple days later and bought my WRX at Subaru of Long Beach in CA, spent less than 2hrs there. Drove directly back to the Las Vegas dealer and asked for the rude bastard so we could show him that he lost a sale

JB1 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:18

I've been to a subaru dealership, once. Cant say I was happy with the way their sales people treated me. Ended up walking out, not happy and didnt buy a car from them.

N51fanatic > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:21

True story:

32 years old, Latino, Electrical Engineer. Stopped by a BMW dealership on my way home to test drive a 135i CPO 6 sp. Had my wife meet me there in her car. I was out in the field that day, so i had timbs, and jeans on with a company logo polo. I checked the car out for 15 min outside, no salesman. I walked inside to find a salesman (no help again). I walked back outside for 10 more min, at which point my wife said if someone doesnt come out here in 5 min im leaving.

We headed back inside when a salesman held the door open for us. He let us walk RIGHT past him and proceeded to ask the older white couple that was immediatley following behind us if they were being helped and if he could help them.

We left. I will never do business with Princeton BMW ever again.

Honesty > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:27

I hated this kind of discrimination. Used to get it at dealerships all the time. It's really, really shitty. I'm sorry they did this to you.

talis1984 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:31

I'll give my endorsement to Hamilton Imports (aka Hamilton Mazda and Hamilton VW) both showrooms are across the street from one another in Hamilton NJ on Rt33 (towards 130). Great experience buying my 03 Pr5 there. It was late, and I went with my dad and the sales guy was keen to make the sale. It's not the sale that did it though, but the service and parts guys. AAA+++ all around. Pro tip: they love Primo Hoagies just up the street, buy em some lunch as a thank you for the top service. The VW store is good too, same company so same rules apply; treat the customer well, and expect them to treat you well back; it's always a two way street.

Chapman BMW in Chandler is good for mostly parts only. Service bay sucks there, as they are always trying to up sell me on random crap for my e46. I went in for a new battery (over paying for the convenience of being close to work / getting a loaner) and he went on and on about my dif mount. got the car back, went to start it a few hours later and... DEAD! took it to my independent guy, starter failed. They never checked the rest of the system and just swapped in a new battery. fuckers. Sales there is mixed. My father (as a retired businessman) has had a lot better experience than I have, but some guys are there to sell, and some guys are there to be assholes.

I'm currently in need of a new car to replace both the Pr5 and the e46 and I'm not looking to spend a lot of money. I'm trolling dealers to see who is the best in the Phoenix area, and so far I've come across Cardinale Way in east Mesa. Again, mixed results, but there is one guy who gets the Mazda love we all have. Don't want to name names just yet, but he knows I'm interested in buying, and will not be pressured. I tell him what the deal is (just got a house so not spending money on a car if I can help it) and tell him when I expect to be in a better position, and he leaves me alone until then. Guy's called me twice, once for the initial follow up, and again after the first interval I gave him to call. He's got my sale when I am ready to buy.

newnewburner > nope
07/11/2014 at 15:35

turbo charged caddie??? sounds terrible!

HappyHighwayman > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:36

My dads client is 5'2", female and round and the Jaguar dealer didn't think she looked like the powerful immensely wealthy woman she is. After getting a runaround she went to a different dealer and did the classic pretty woman drive by afterwards. "Big mistake". Plus the next dealer treated her with respect and a better price.

NeedSSpeed > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:40

Just go to a different Subaru dealership. Problem solved.

TheWixer > Vzwolf
07/11/2014 at 15:46

I have had a similarly great experience with CitySide Subaru just outside of Boston. I brought my 02 WRX in to get my AC recharged, and really wanted to test drive the 15, with no intention to buy. I found one of the sales guys I had chatted with before, since he is a STi driver and enthusiast himself. I told him I had no need to buy, but if I loved it, I'd consider buying it at some point, even though there was no urgency on my part. He was like "Sure, no problem!" He also warned me I was going to love it, gave me the keys, and told me to come back whenever I was ready....I ordered one 2 days later, at a good price. It was the perfect example of what I think all dealers should be like. (And if anyone is in the market in Boston, let me know, and I can send on my sales guy's name).

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > PanchoVilleneuve ST
07/11/2014 at 15:49

There's word that they may be bringing back the wagon soon due to the demand.

prettybored > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 15:52

I see this happening no matter what. Friends father got snubbed trying to buy an S5, we were in there not overly dressed up, sales men basically insinuated he needed to win the lottery to buy the car. Went to next dealership bought a Porsche, in cash.

V8ornothing > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
07/11/2014 at 16:08

Happened to me at a BMW dealer. I was about 25 at the time, had my eye on a 335xi on the lot and had a cheque in my pocket to take it home that day if they met up with me on the numbers. It was not busy in the dealership, and I talked to 2 sales people and a receptionist. Both sales guys said they'd brb... the second literally looked me up and down as if to say "YOU are going to buy one of these?". (I wasn't exactly wearing cutoff jeans and a Ratt t-shirt, I have a professional job and dress accordingly) The receptionist called the sales manager and he said he'd meet me outside by the car I was interested in... Waited 15 mins and nobody came out. I just wanted to go wave a bunch of cash around and see how long it took for someone to talk to me then, but instead I went across the street and spent my money on something else.

I like to think they saw me walking to another dealer and driving away ... but I doubt they ever gave it a second thought. Thems the breaks I guess.

Marioshi > nope
07/11/2014 at 16:13

A lot of Subaru dealers have this dick-ish attitude, I encountered the same nonsense when I wanted to test drive the BR-Z, they were acting like it was some exotic car or something, and get this, I pulled up in my 2011 WRX!

When I bought my WRX, I emailed around to different dealers, I have had better luck setting up test drives online before they can develop prejudices against you when you come in, that way you can say "I have an appt with so-and-so" and they tend to treat you better.

But in all seriousness if a dealer treats you like crap, just go to another one (we have like 5 Subaru dealers nearby though so it might not work if they are your only one).