"Frosted" (frostedbuns)
06/05/2014 at 22:25 • Filed to: None
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"Frosted" (frostedbuns)
06/05/2014 at 22:25 • Filed to: None | 9
| 9 |
As some/most/all of you know, I've recently purchased a new used car. I made mention in my initial post about having a good experience at one dealership and a bad experience at another dealership. I'd like to discuss my experiences at both dealerships, give my opinion about what makes a good experience versus a bad one and hear from you guys about what makes a dealer good or bad in the customers eye. I am totally going to shame and promote the two dealerships as well.
I'll start with the bad being that the bad is what let to the good. Sansone Automall. I've bought from them before, roughly 2 years ago, and it was a pleasant experience. But they've changed their business practices. I wanted to go to Sansone because my purchase there 2 years ago went smoothly and was very pleasant plus they have a large selection of used cars to look at. I was particularly interested the Mazda 3, of which they had 6 on the lot. Immediately a dealer came out to greet us and asked what we were looking for. We said we were just looking but the dealer insisted we give him a make and model so he could get us a list of cars available. All of the Mazdas were together in a group so a list of where they were wasn't needed and already started to make me feel more like I was just a sales figure than an actual person. They all had been repainted down the sides but on of them was done well and the respray was almost unnoticeable. It was also the most well equipped and, at 14,991$, it was the cheapest. It needed new rotors but being a certified pre-owned, their shop would replace them before the sale. Dunno why they weren't changed before the car was even listed though. Anyway, my father and I stepped into the showroom and sat down to start negotiating. Based on past experience, I figured that there might be a few fees added to the price of the car, so before we even began I asked what the out-the-door price would be. $14,991 was as low as they were going to go on the car. That I had bought from them before meant nothing, which is strange since most dealers offer a loyalty discount. As per usual, there were some additional fees. The dealer went to discuss it with the manager and came back with a piece of paper and a new price written down. $20,991. TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. An increase of 6 grand. For vehicle reconditioning, certified maintenance (they were charging me to change the rotors on a car that should've already had new rotors), pre-owned car wash, DMV fees. I looked the dealer straight in the face and said a brand new 3 could be had for that money. He was dumbfounded and said that you couldn't. My father walked over to the one in the showroom which had a starting price of 18 grand. Yes, you can have a brand new 3 for 20 grand. We got up to leave and the manager came running over, offered us a price of 16 grand because it was the last day of the month and they needed to sell cars. That price was still 2000 dollars over the advertised price. We walked out, frustrated and pissed off.
That's a bad dealership. One who advertises a price and then increases it by 33% later on. One that treat you like nothing more than a sales figure. Rushes you into a car and expects you to buy said car without shopping around. I get it's a high stress environment and the dealers are paid on commission but if they treat customers like that, then don't expect to get paid.
Right across the street was a dealership called Bell Mitsubishi. My father reluctantly suggested stopping in to see what they had. There was a man sitting on the front steps by the door who greeted us when we pulled up. Instead of hounding us for info about what we wanted though, he told us to walk around and take out time, and to let him know if we saw anything we liked. We walked around for an hour and I picked a base model Lancer with all wheel drive, a Honda CRZ, a Nissan Cube S and an SL, and a 4 cylinder Eclipse. We told the salesman though that I needed to do some research as these were 4 cars that I hadn't considered before. He gave us his card and cell number and said he'd be happy to help us if we were happy with what we saw online. The CRZ and the Cube were the best bets after doing a bit of research and I gave the guy a call. He told us he'd get the Cubes out first and we could go from there. Sure enough, we went back to see them both parked up front with the guy waiting. He handed us the keys to both and told us to take out time looking them over. I decided the Cube SL was nicer and asked for a test drive, which he let me take one on a decently long drive.
When we got back he asked if I still wanted to check out the CRZ but I had already decided. I asked the same question in regards to the extra fees. He told us there was a 500 dollar DMV fee for the plates but that was it. So I found myself next to my father in the hot seat yet again. My brother purchased a car from this dealer about 10 years ago but his name was still in the system so we ended up with a 500 dollar loyalty discount, negating the DMV fee really. An hour or two later, all of the papers were signed and I was the proud new owner of a Nissan Cube SL.
This is what I expect from a dealership. Not to be treated like a sales figure. Not to be rushed around and pushed into buying the first car I see. And not to have the price on the sticker increase by a substantial amount.
Thanks for reading!
Your boy, BJR
> Frosted
06/05/2014 at 22:32 |
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NJ OPPO PSA- My stepdad is the General Manager For Pine Belt Cadillac and Pine Belt premium used cars (the used luxo cars they get) But (not to hijack here, ryan) Seriously. He's the best car salesman I've ever seen in action (used to work with him) and As the GM at a place, I can garuntee you, a friend of mine is a friend of his
*disclaimer- nothing is in it for me, i was not asked to say this, i deliver fucking pizza.
BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
> Frosted
06/05/2014 at 22:37 |
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Thank you for posting your story. I'm collecting tips and ways to be better at my job. From my job as a sales porter, I can already tell you the reconditioning and certified maintenance fees were complete bs. They're both additional fees that the slimy members of my new profession do to jack up the price.
Secondly, dealerships pay a fee to get cars CPO'd and everything is supposed to be up to Spec before they're given that designation. It might be worth a call to Mazda to let them know how that particular dealer is handling the program.
Vicente Esteve
> Frosted
06/05/2014 at 22:38 |
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The exact thing that makes a nice buying experience and a stressfull one is how much pressure the salesman puts into you. Hey, you are not buying underwear here. You are making a decition to lay thousands of dollas on something that you will own for a good number of years. Leave the cutomers alone, people like to think things through with only themeselves or their companion to talk to. When the customer is ready, the salesguy can be as active as he wants. Thats the way I see it, and how I would like to be treated in the future.
Party-vi
> Your boy, BJR
06/06/2014 at 12:32 |
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"i deliver fucking pizza"
...for now.
The Hovnanians send their regards!!!
MonkeePuzzle
> Frosted
06/06/2014 at 12:38 |
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a great read! thanks for sharing
Crocket Bernet
> Your boy, BJR
06/06/2014 at 12:47 |
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So all I need to do is say I'm friends with Rolland and they'll hook me up with a decently priced ATS?
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Your boy, BJR
> Crocket Bernet
06/06/2014 at 14:08 |
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Sure. Let's go with that.
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Crocket Bernet
> Your boy, BJR
06/06/2014 at 14:11 |
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I'm on my way.
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Your boy, BJR
> Party-vi
06/06/2014 at 14:18 |
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They won't find me…..I'm rolling like Michael Corleone in sicily (in a vintage alfa with some chick with huge nipples)