How to Sell Me a Car

[MalibuMaxxSS]

Originally Posted by isszy

Don't get me wrong, I understand that you work under conditions that I would never work under, but your response is exactly why I bought my last 2 cars through a car broker who dealt directly with wholesale.

hilarious, one thing for sure there is no magic in the car business, and guaranteed that broker made more money off that deal then any dealer would have wished for no doubt...

Im not getting all angry and mad I find this thread amusing actually, to hear all the differnet opinions, and dont form opinions of me by what Im typing its text dont take it to serious, its just my views and opinions and I have strong ones when it comes to people who waste my time....And i just found it funny for a person who has no car experience to write a document on how to sell cars.....like a moron writing a book on good parenting and never had any kids....

I absolutely agree people hate to be bugged and harassed so to speak in a car lot, but people our jobs is to sell cars to everyone who comes through the doors, not to let them shop around and look, I read in here somewhere about how a salesman gets a shocked look on his face when you say your going to look around because he is not confident in his product and he gets scared, The shocked look is not shock its anger, on how he just spend 2 hours test driving cars and helping you out only to have you leave and not come back, and now he has to start all over with someone else and hope they will actually buy the car after they waste his time.

People its simple you come to a car lot expect to be approached by a salesperson, he is trying to make money, we dont get paid to watch you walk around the lot, and as far as just looking.....EVERYONE says it so If I left everyone alone who said that, I would never sell a car, WTF are you looking for, car, truck, SUV, VAN, 2 door, 4 door, 5 speed, automatic, you see where this is going, ASK questions.....find a salesman you like and stick with them forever. like I said before your life will be easier...

Oh and my other pet peeve people who run a busniess in towns and buy their vehicle out of town, we have a few real estate agents in town who do that amoung others, kinda ignorant if you ask me, your making money from the people in this town and supporting somewhere else.

[pontiacjs]

We buy all of our office supplies from the small shop down the street because they bought there van from us. I am sure that we pay more for paper, pens...etc but you can't put a price on loyalty and friendship.

When it is time to buy new wrestling shoes or head gear for my son we go to the little store down the street because he bought his 1988 Grand AM from me (which he is still driving with 180,000 miles on it). Do I pay a little more, sure but I am happy to support his business.

Selling cars is more about building relationships than it is moving metal. I sell myself, then the dealership, and then the car.


I hope this thread continues for a while. It is very entertaining. Malibu and Sonoma are great. If you guys are ever in Detroit let me know, we can grab a beer and burger and vetch about all the bad ups we have had over the years.

[rwalth]

The best way to sell me a car is to be closed on Sunday. This allows me time to browse the selection, comparing colors and options on the model of interest with out a salesman looking over my shoulder. I usually then go back home, jump on the internet and research any questions I may have. In my mind being closed on Sunday can be a very effective tool to allow people to browse your lot with no pressure, and then come back during the week with a good idea of what they want.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

And a good example of a waster of salespeoples time.....if you know what your buying why go waste some poor salespersons time and money.....maybe the time he wasted on you he could have sold another customer...and it must be nice to know everything about everything. I was married to a girl like that once....

I think you missed what I'm saying. I have already done my homework and pretty much know exactly what I want and have been to the dealership while it's closed to look at the car in person. By the time I see a salesperson for the first time I already have it narrowed down to 1 or 2 cars and I am only going there to make the two comparisons that I can't do on my own, the driving experience and interior feel. This doesn't take the salesman more than 10 minutes of his entire day and even less for the last two salesman that threw me the keys and didn't even go with me on the test drive.

So basically it takes 1 or 2 salesmen 10 minutes of their time to show me what I need and one of them is going to get a sale. If that’s too much of your time to spend on me while I'm dropping $30,000+ then your in the wrong business. I sure wish you would take less of my time when I go in there knowing what I want and willing to give a fair price for it. The process, even when reduced to it's most simple form, is a charade of ridiculous proportions that gets intentionally drawn out so bad that I actually put off the car buying process even when I want a new car.

[Big Time]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Well put K/R....

I've experienced "#1" EVERY time I've entered an import dealer to look at a product...not at a domestic dealer though...not a general "your car is a piece of ****" but usually an insinuation of how "inferior" is it.

Interesting how that works...

I'm pretty sure that is to both devalue your trade so you want as much for it and to convince you to buy a new one.

[Big Time]

Buyng a car is an adversarial system.

Ever see this article?

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...2/article.html

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by big swede

I guess I’m different than a lot of people because a salesman has never sold me a car. By the time I go in to talk to a salesman I already have my choices narrowed down to two maybe three cars and quite often the decision has already been made as to which car I will be buying. I have never met a salesman that new more about a car I was buying than I did so why would he know what I want or need in a car than myself. For me it doesn’t really matter what they know about the car because I have long researched each car to death and I know what I want. The way I see it is that the salesman is there to allow me to test drive the car and to negotiate the final price and that’s about it. In fact I might be one of the few people who get’s a better deal with a pushy salesman because I will bust his balls over price far more than an easy going guy.

If you researched the car inside and out I as a salesman will pick up on that and realize you know what the car is worth. I will show you a price and ask to make a few bucks. I like customers like you because most of your friends know of your research skills and will listen to you if you tell them to see me.
I need lots of singles not a homerun.

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

Our Job is to approach you and get you to buy a car TODAY, not in a year or a month TODAY, dont get me wrong its cool if your just looking and got some questions, I will accomidate.. But dont go off on the salemans who pushes you to buy today, its his job.

I have never "Gone Off" on a salesperson. I'm sure they get enough grief as it is without me yelling at them. See "Don't Insult My Car" for the worst I've ever treated a salesperson. Normally I strive to be as polite to them as I am when I'm trying to sell someone something. What I find is that you'll get much better service being polite to them [the salespeople].
Anyway, there are many salesmen who aren't as accomodating as you. Those are the salesmen I dislike, the ones that won't let you leave without buying a car once you've stepped foot on the lot.

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

and sorry NO most salespeople dont have the authority to say what cars get sold for, or how much they can discount..

Putting words in my mouth. I don't haggle. If it's a fair price (my definition of "fair" will stretch if I like the salesperson I'm dealing with) I'll pay it. If it's not, I'll move onto a different car (or dealership). I won't go near the "Ignore the price on the window!" dealerships.

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

If your on a fact finding mission, look on the net, or come and grab a broucher, dont come in and test drive 5 diff cars, and waste a saleman day, yes waste, if your not buying then we dont get paid, simple and me spending all day with you when your not buying is a waste, your right maybe it will pay off in a month or year, but when the lot is crawling with people, odds are most salespeople wont waste their day on a tire kicker.....

I agree. It is a waste of the Salesperson's time. I won't bother the salesperson if I'm not interested in buying, and I'll let them know that I'm not interested in buying (I won't tell them to leave me alone though, as that's very rude). You'd be surprised how many salesmen will "hover" though after I've explained this. I went to a dealership a few weeks ago to look at Corvettes (unfortunately there isn't a car show here every day of the week, and this particular dealership has ~50 Corvettes at any given time). I told the salesperson that I was just killing time and that there's no way I could afford a 'Vette. He just stood there though and started rambling off his speil. It's not my fault when a salesman decides to waste his time.

I do understand that there are many people that will test drive damn near everything on the lot for fun though, and you've every right to be pissed off about them.

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

And im wondering how many of you 'loyal customers' have gone back and delt with the same salesman that spent all day with you while you wre looking or sent you that thank you card, prolly less then 10%.....

I bought the Taurus from a saleswoman who treated me well. I also kept two business cards from salespersons who were helpful when I was looking for a car (one of them would've been garanteed a sale if he had something in my price range). You can bet I'll be checking with them first when I look for a vehicle to replace the Taurus.

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

There are some idots out there, but like it has been said before find a good salesman and deal with them and only them you will find your future car buying easier and almost fun.....most people get a good salesman and then shop them around and give them grief on why his car is 500 bucks more then the other guy, well its because I give my SS to customers a courtesty car, they dont, I book all the appointments for my customers..they dont, I deliver vehicles out of town..they dont, see the problem is everyone wants salesman to go above and beyone and all that but no one wants to pay the little extra for it.....

I'm sure for many people that's true. Not all of us mind paying a little extra for great service though.


I would like to add a thought to this discussion though: Not everyone buys new, and in your posts you seem to have forgotten this. One has to step foot onto the dealership lot to see what they have for used cars (unless the dealership has a website, but I've seen some horribly designed websites from dealerships). They'd also have to test drive a few cars (would you consider a used car without test driving it?) and leave the dealership if they expect to research those cars before buying.

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Don't insult my car - I would think that this one would be obvious. I once was driving through a lot when a salesman approched the car. He opened with "Looking for a new car? That one's looking pretty crappy." I didn't say a word. I rolled up the window and drove off.

I've had the same experience. When I was searching for my first brand new car in August/September 1997, a few different sales persons did much the same thing with my then daily driver, '79 MC. I didn't even give them a second chance, since I wasn't even replacing a car....

And, another saleperson had the unfortunate experience of watching me leave after he suggested I buy a brand new monte carlo, after seeing my '79 and commenting that he "didn't know the Monte Carlo was made before 1995".

*shakes head*

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

And im wondering how many of you 'loyal customers' have gone back and delt with the same salesman that spent all day with you while you wre looking or sent you that thank you card, prolly less then 10%.....

I have.

Twice.

I bought my second brand new car from the woman from whom I bought my first brand new car.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Gonna make some dreams come true" ... Hoyt Axton ... 'Della & the Dealer'

[isszy]

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

hilarious, one thing for sure there is no magic in the car business, and guaranteed that broker made more money off that deal then any dealer would have wished for no doubt...

Actually no - but I'm cheating a bit. The guy I use is a family friend who charges me a known flat rate to buy a car for me.

I'm sure that the usual car salesman's approach must work - otherwise there would be a lot of unsuccessful car salesmen around. But, I do not enjoy dealing that way, and so choose to stay completely out of the retail environment. If I am in a dealership, I am just tyrekicking, wasting a few minutes between appointments or waiting for my car to be serviced. I will make sure the salesman knows this and never lead them on to believe I am buying. I read a lot about cars, have fairly strong opinions on what I want, and do most of my research via magazines or on the internet before I buy. I drive as many other people's cars as I can so I rarely drive dealer cars.

I spend a lot of time researching what I buy, whether it be a popcorn maker or a house, and my aim is to get the best value for my money. I know I am probably the type of person all salemen hate, but that is the way I am.

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by isszy

I'm sure that the usual car salesman's approach must work - otherwise there would be a lot of unsuccessful car salesmen around.

There are, they are called insurance salesmen, lawyers, doctors, pharmacist,....

Most people who attempt to sell cars are out of the business within the first year. The pros. the guys and gals that have been at it over 10 years are the rare ones. These are the ones you should be buying and referring your friends to. We know the ins and outs. We make our own deals, we get our way in the service department if you need us. You can expect a fair price from us and know that you are buying more than a car. You are getting someone who will treat you right, take care of you in service, and loan you a car if you are in a pinch.

[MalibuMaxxSS]

Originally Posted by pontiacjs

We buy all of our office supplies from the small shop down the street because they bought there van from us. I am sure that we pay more for paper, pens...etc but you can't put a price on loyalty and friendship.

When it is time to buy new wrestling shoes or head gear for my son we go to the little store down the street because he bought his 1988 Grand AM from me (which he is still driving with 180,000 miles on it). Do I pay a little more, sure but I am happy to support his business.

Selling cars is more about building relationships than it is moving metal. I sell myself, then the dealership, and then the car.


I hope this thread continues for a while. It is very entertaining. Malibu and Sonoma are great. If you guys are ever in Detroit let me know, we can grab a beer and burger and vetch about all the bad ups we have had over the years.

All over that man....... I was actually born in Leominister, Mass, parents moved to New Brunswick, Canada when I was a kid, been to Boston area many times as a kid...

[Generous Motors]

When purchasing a vehicle off a dealers lot you should have the option of not be hounded by the salestaff if you so choose....no exceptions. A customer who comes in and does a few (not drive everything on the lot) test drives to compare vehicles for purchase is a smart shopper and isn't wasting the time of the salesperson, and shame to the salesperson who thinks so, that is what your job requires. Just cause your dealership wants you to get a sale everytime a person walks on the lot isn't a good enough reason for the customer to impluse buy a vehicle that they not be happy with in 6 weeks, remember this is the second most expensive purchase a person will make during their lives. How would you salespeople feel if real estate brokers did it sameway on a house you're purchasing? "what is it going to get you into this car today?" just replace car with house, and then you can be making a major payment from your paycheck for a house that wasn't right for you. Besides all the agruements by the car salesperson fall by the way side when you consider what a real estate saleperson goes throught to make a sale, drive all over hells half acre and may not even get close to closing the deal. If you don't like these realities then get into another line of work, cause this is what gives you the lousy reputations you have in the publics eyes.

To the "customers" (read tirekickers) who are wasting the salespersons time, get a life. If a salesperson does a good job and has the product I need I will find them to buy from them, I will send others their way, and if in the market again they will get my business again.

[pontiacjs]

[quote= Besides all the agruements by the car salesperson fall by the way side when you consider what a real estate saleperson goes throught to make a sale, drive all over hells half acre and may not even get close to closing the deal. [/QUOTE]

That is why your commision is so high on the sale of a home. If I got paid $1500 to $5000 to sell someone a car I would kiss some serious a$$. but to take a mini ($75) commision to deal with someone who has several advertisements cut out and a thick clipboard of notes and that is already reaching for their drivers license as I welcome them to the store. Test drive 2 or 3 cars even though they will not be buying or leasing a new car for another 6 months. Get beat up on the price of a car even though they are not buying for another 6 months. Told that I am stealing their trade because I am lower on the trade than what the credit union said it is worth. Follow them up with a letter, email, or phone call over the next 6 months. Take a few more test drives because they want to show their girl friend how it drives. 3 to 6 months later schedule a delivery during the busiest time of the night so that I miss another opportunity to make a buck, clean the windows on the delivery because the prep dept did a poor job, spend an hour showing how everything works and go over the maintenance schedule, complete the paper work. Ask for a "completely satisfied" score on my survey and hope that they give it to me. I say no thanks, I will pass on the difficult customer.

[Generous Motors]

Pontiacjs........So you only want the easy customers....the ones who give you their trade in for free or give extra money to take it off their hands on the first visit, while you push them toward the vehicle with the greatest mark up and commision check to go along with it, all this with no test drive........and only taking 3 minutes of your day. Well my friend you have to take the hard customers, the easy ones, and everyone in between....thats the job....I hear McDonalds is hiring.