The Best Car Buying Advice You Never Asked For And Won't Believe Anyway

"JCAlan" (jcalan)
12/01/2019 at 20:28 • Filed to: None

I recently came to the realization that even though I’ve spent the last 20+ years in the car business, no one ever asks for my advice on buying cars. I’ve had a very stable and successful career, spent mostly in management, at reputable dealerships. I have knowledge that ranges from working to expert on any possible situation involving buying, selling, financing, or servicing an automobile. But you’re not impressed. Y ou will use your own ideas over mine when it comes time for you to make important automotive decisions. In fact, because I am in the car business, my advice has less weight to you than your uncle Al’s or that guy on TV or almost literally anyone else.

I doubt other professions are this way. If I told you that I spent the last 20 years manufacturing widgets, you would probably say, “Wow that’s really interesting. What can you tell me about the widget manufacturing process?” But if I tell you that I sell cars, you are more likely to actually begin telling me all of your precious insights into the car business. Strange, huh?

Of course I’m being a bit facetious . I do certainly have family that trust me 100% to handle every aspect of their car purchases. And of course any successful career in the car business requires that a customer base of returning happy customers be cultivated over the years, all of which at some level at least respect my professional advice even if they don’t always take it. But you, the savvy car buyer, have no need to ask me, the enemy, a single thing.

You know better than me the best way to get a great deal. You know how to negotiate the best buys, how to arrange financing, get the most for your trade, and how best to outsmart the system and thwart the scams. Good for you. But even though you never asked for it, I’m going to give you my best advice anyway. Customers that do what I’m about to tell you are by far the most satisfied. But e ven though I’ve seen this technique successfully used thousands of times over my career, you won’t believe it works anyway.

So here it is: F ind someone that you like at a reputable dealership, and pay full sticker. Let the dealership handle any financing that you need, and add whatever products the finance person recommends . Customers that do this are always by far our happiest. They are the ones that leave raving reviews and bring us home made pies to thank us. On the other end of the spectrum, c ustomers that spend hours or days grinding out every penny , and save .0 15% by going to their own bank , and tell the guy to shove off when it comes to the optional warranty are always our least happiest customers. They leave still feeling slighted and dissatisfied, wondering if they could have done even better. They will be unhappy with some part of the long tedious process that they engineered, and will leave lousy reviews.

I’m not saying pay too much or get duped. I’m saying do your homework , know a good deal when you see it, research the dealer, and then if everything feels right when you get there, just buy the car you want and protect your purchase with the best coverage available.

You know what else no one has ever said to me? “I’m so glad that I ignored your advice and didn’t buy the warranty. Instead I put that money back and was able to live off the interest for last five years and the car has not given me the first problem.” Nope. Instead I get two scenarios. The first is the person that declined the protection and upon their first service estimate are for some reason mad at the world, the manufacturer, and especially the dealership, even though we are the ones that suggested a solution to thei r woes up front. The second scenario is the person that stops in just to thank me for saving them thousands when their car inevitably went berserk one day. I’ve been hugged over GAP claims. For real.

You have access to all the information anyway, so if it’s truly not a good deal, why are you even there? Buying a car should be fun. Cars are cool. Have fun and enjoy the process. And if you truly want to be happy with your purchase, don’t negotiate at all.

DISCUSSION (19)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 20:33

https://www.theonion.com/car-buying-tips-1819592207

Buying a car is a huge financial investment, and it’s important to make sure you’ve taken the right steps to finding the most affordable and convenient vehicle for you. Here are some tips for picking out and purchasing a car:

First, set a strict budget to ensure you’re disappointed by the reality of what someone with your salary can afford.

Inform your salesperson of your budget so he can know how much he’ll have to emasculate you to get you on board.

Remember that most people don’t need an ultra-fancy, tricked-out car to get to and from work, but you aren’t most people, are you?

With its smooth handling and best-in-class safety rating, the Subaru Forester is in a league of its own.

Be aware that you are being monitored while browsing cars, as dealerships lose millions of dollars per year from cars being shoplifted off lots.

To ensure the safety of your vehicle, always take it on a test crash.

Don’t forget extra ownership costs, such as mag wheels and flame decals.

If the car’s stereo has one of those auxiliary plugs, stop looking. You’ve found your car.

After carefully considering your options one more time, go with a really fast one.

If the salesman is smiling widely, it’s because he’s happy to have brought such a great car into your life.

Poor_Sh > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 20:40

Oh damn, oppo has ads now...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 20:44

This was a good read. Perspective from the other side is a nice change.

I am also a sales... ish... kind of person. I can instantly tell when the customer is the type to assume that everyone is out to upsell them and therefore the enemy ... Likely a sign I’ve been at this too long. Most often is the champagne taste with the beer budget. “But we exhausted our budget on these awful chandeliers and overpriced tile!” That’s very interesting, but it doesn’t make this specific product you want from me any less expensive...

66P1800inpieces > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 20:45

That appears to be a very interesting take on buying cars. As you clearly are very experienced , can you expand on why people generally do not ask you for advise on these types of interactions?

JCAlan > 66P1800inpieces
12/01/2019 at 20:54

Short answer is because people generally do not respect the field. But I think there’s more to it than that. There is a lot of fear when it comes to car buying because big mistakes can be made and unfortunately people do get ripped off. People try to push this fear out by convincing themselves that it can’t happen to them because they are so shrewd. To illicit advice from someone that actually has inside knowledge would mean admitting that they are vulnerable.

nermal > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:04

What you said about pricing applies to ANY sales transaction. People that buy based on price are only buying based on price and nothing else . People that do not buy based on price are buying based on some other value. It is in the best interest of the party doing the selling to sell based on other value, not on price.

However, most car dealers are fucking idiots. Thus, most car dealership advertising is done around pricing. Customers go into dealerships shopping on pricing. The moron sales guy doesn’t sell based on value, they sell based on “W hat do you want your payment to be?” “Where do we need to be to get you in the car TODAY?” and so on and so forth. When the moron sales guy can’t sell the goddam car based on pricing, the sales manager talks to the customer and then discounts the car further to close the sale based on pricing. Then the finance guy tries to do an even harder close for overpriced warranties and other shit that the customers don’t need.

Car dealerships and their dumbshittery are the reason why Tesla doesn’t do franchises , and there are now Carvana vending machines being built; in both cases you can do everything online and never have to talk to a person. Once Amazon starts selling new cars they will completely decimate traditional dealerships, and the consumer will be better as a result.

Stephen Rivers > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:07

A good read. It’s a tough deal dude. I write on here about being a service advisor. New customers always seem to think that we’re trying to get one over on them. I make it a practice at my shop that we don’t sell something without at least trying to show the customer what’s wrong and why it needs to be fixed. It’s helped a little but the vast vast majority of people out there distrust people in our business amigo.

Nom De Plume > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:07

The stealer’s wife needs a new stole. You just lay down like lambs now.

Kinja'd!!!

JCAlan > nermal
12/01/2019 at 21:13

Another happy customer... Everyone pays full sticker when they buy a Tesla!

I agree with much of what you said. Whenever a customer comes in thinking they can buy a 40,000 dollar vehicle for 200/mo I always point out that it’s because auto ads have conditioned them to believe it’s possible.

shop-teacher > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:27

“and add whatever products the finance person recommends.”

Lol, no. I was quite happy with the dealer I bought my wife’s CX-5 from. I didn’t pay sticker, but I didn’t beat the up over the price either. I left a nice review. I’ve recommend my salesperson to other people. I’ve had the car serviced there for the last five years too. I haven’t purchased another vehicle since, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one from them.

But fuck the finance guy, and the horse he rode in on. He tried to add $7200 worth of “protection” onto our loan. Seven thousand, two hundred dollars. On a vehicle we paid $28k for.

At least he didn’t give me a hard sale when I declined. I bought gap coverage from my insurance company for 1/4 of what he tried to charge me.

thatsmr > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:29

Good stuff and true. Car sales is my new career after decades of retail management. Just no fun to be the boss anymore. That said, I have a background in making sure you are happy and planning to return. I will disclose every detail of vehicle history, inspections, and service records including the recon we did to make the new to you car a "retail" piece. Then I will show you all the average retail prices for my above average vehicle, and I love for you to understand why saying yes without a four square or a payment game makes for a great relationship. It is a blessing I am at a store that spends all the money on recon and cuts no corners. Our wholesale buyers drool over what we deem junk

E90M3 > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:36

I’ll 100% agree with buying a car at fair market value. If a car is for sale at this price, then buy it. It’s the $800 doc fees and other bullshit fees that dealers tack on that cause people to distrust them. For reference, I didn’t negotiate the price on my M3; it was fair market price, the dealer had almost no ad ons, so I bought it without any negotiation. My 3, on the other hand, was over priced and they wanted to add $700 to the price for a doc fee, so I spent weeks negotiating that deal. Buying the M3 was a wonderful experience, buying the 3 wasn't.

nermal > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 21:47

Hmmmm, where could people get the idea that they could get a a $200 / mo payment.......

Kinja'd!!!

JCAlan > shop-teacher
12/01/2019 at 21:57

Some get carried away for sure. Notice I said to buy what they recommend, not everything they offer. Not everyone needs all products, but understand that they are required to offer you everything they sell. A good finance finance person will guide you towards choosing what makes sense for you. They’re not all good.

Also a GAP-like add on from an insurance company is a very different and inferior product than a GAP addendum attached to your bank contract, which is why it’s cheaper. I’ll tell you why, but again, since I’m in the car business and you’re not, you probably won’t listen to me. But here goes nothing.

1. Not all insurance companies offer it, or may only offer it on new cars or certain model years. So advising people to decline the coverage and add it later with their insurance company could leave them with no coverage.

2. People switch insurance companies for a variety of reasons, and could lose coverage when they switch.

3. Products from insurance companies are not GAP addendums to bank contracts and they cannot use that language. They will usually be called something like loan/lease payoff assistance or some such. This is because they do not guarantee that the loan gets paid off, they only state that they will pay a certain percentage over the value of the car (which is a number that they come up with anyway). You can still be left with a gap.

4. There is no insurance policy that I have ever seen that covers negative equity rollover. They only cover depreciation. So advising someone that is rolling over money from their old loan to decline the GAP at the dealership would leave them with no coverage on that portion.

5. If you have the coverage through your insurance company rather than a separate policy, the total liability that the insurance company incurs in a total loss is raised, and they will take this into account when deciding whether to total or repair. So if it’s close, they are more likely to fix your car than total it. Most people don’t want their wrecked car back.

thatsmr > nermal
12/01/2019 at 22:04

If you have an issue with a vehicle you bought from me, I will still be your advocate, if you buy from a vending machine ( which specializes in pad slaps and two new chinese tires and calls it recon btw) you talk to a call center? Or really you just talk to the hand.

shop-teacher > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 22:23

I assure you, he recommended it all.

#4 is a very interesting point. I’ve never rolled over negative equity, as I pay my vehicles off and keep them. I can see how some people can really sink themselves with this stuff.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > JCAlan
12/01/2019 at 22:42

It’s funny you posted this. I just got a car yesterday and my experience was exactly what you described. They had a great lease offer which they honored and I bought some add ons, some they recommended and some i just wanted. Easy and painless (a little time consuming but they were busy). I’m definitely going to go back when the lease is up.

EDIT: I got a Subaru, I'm curious what brands you sell.

camarov6rs > E90M3
12/01/2019 at 23:55

I’d be happy to pay full sticker too if that was the going price. If the dealers would facilitate the sale like someone in say bestbuy I wouldn’t feel the need to second guess every word out of their mouth. You’ve seen both transactions yourself with the M3 the dealer knew what they had and facilitated the sale on your 3 they put a margin on it and hoped to get a bite at that price. One is the market/going price and one is normal dealer tactics

Derpwagon > JCAlan
12/02/2019 at 10:19

People probably don’t respect the field because so many dealership employees all over the country are fucking scumbags.