Overpriced used cars?

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

So to hear someone here say come back on Sunday...then that is one person I will avoid at all costs (it will end up being that person's costs too). That tells me right off that this person has no respect for a true customer and should re-evaluate their own self when dealing with the public. It was a insensitive and rude comment to say.

Believe me these guys would love to leave you alone. The management where they work will send them home right behind you if they don't at least get your name and number for follow up. Next time tell a salesman you want to look around and if you are not buying today tell him or ask for a manager and let him or her know your intentions. If the guy spends any amount of time with you I think it is fair to let him get some of your info so he can follow you up. I is not hard to show a little courtesy. Remember these guys are professionals and not all of them are bad.

[Alfred Jones]

well i read all the comment hope those informations has provide you enough details for your queries. but my suggestion is that when you going to busy used ones, do find out some useful information regarding it before buying. hope this pretends you to suffer from those kind of problems.

[TDG950095]

Wow I guess after reading all of MalibuMaxxSS posts I think I won't buy a new car, or used. I was going to but I guess I either have to bend over and hurry up and buy a car or don't waste his time.

I used to work with a guy that used to be a car salesman and he thought he knew everything too....

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by ChebbySalesDept

Bravo and kudos to MalibuMaxxSS.

I see it's the same in Canada as it is here in the states.

Do customers actually believe that we don't want to sell a car today? I get it. The customer feels that Edmunds' info is gospel when it comes to trades and prices. How many checks do you think Edmunds has sent to customers for their trades? ZERO! An appraisal by someone who is not willing to write a check for that car is not anything but garbage.

My point is (if you're wondering) that when we approach anyone on the lot, we know this is an opportunity to earn their respect and business. We want to put a deal together today because it benefits both of us. We have a car you want and we want to sell it to you today. Why? Because 9 out of 10 shoppers never come back when they say they will. They know it and we know it. Phony addresses and telephone numbers abound. Come on. If you can't afford it, say so. If you think the price is too high, just say so. If you don't like the salesperson, ask to speak to the manager or another salesperson. Just stop with the "I have to talk to my wife, the dog, my uncle who owns a shop, etc." We don't really care. All we want to know is if you like the car, does it do what you need it to do, is it in your budget, do you want it today?

If the price is high, it's usually because you can't afford it. It may make you feel better by saying the dealer is crazy with his prices but the reality is you can't handle it. No problem. We look for a less expensive car that you can afford. But inevitably, the customer takes us back to the one that they clearly cannot see paying for. OK. We part friends. You tell everyone the dealers prices are way too high. We tell our people we just had a guy with champagne taste and a beer pocketbook.

Overall, it doesn't have to be that way. We want to earn a modest and honest living. You want a new vehicle and we try to put it all together for the benefit of everyone involved.

I can see where you are coming from, but this is not always true. I looked at 2005/6 Cobalt SS S/C with 15-20000 miles and I was at a used certified dealer near my home. The guy wanted 18-19 thousand for it. My family could have pepped out a SS/SC and drive and bought it for that price BRAND SPANKING NEW! The car was probably worth 16.5 and I would have paid that, but why bother? I see your point, I think there is some truth on the sales side and the consumer side, no one is 100% right, nor 100% wrong. I don't mind people making a living, as long as they aren't taking advantage of people and I understand the value of a price premium on a used certified car bought through a dealer.

I don't believe any customer wants to 'waste someones time' I know I don't, but if I want to check out the new 08 models at the dealership and have no intention of buying one (or at least not for 6+months) I have a right to go and 'check out' the vehicles! Just like you do at Kmart, Meijer, Best Buy, Macy's, etc. with their respective products.

CobaltSScrazy

[yaknowhowebe]

Originally Posted by BeatFace

Hey all, I have a question for you to consider: Suppose that a dealer has a used car on its lot that you know is vastly overpriced for the model. I ran into this situation myself. Is it possible to plead your case and show them an appraisal report to get them to come down from that price? If any of you have ever had that experience, I'd love to hear your advice.

My example, if it helps: I found a 2002 Saturn SL1 on cars.com. It's in real good shape, not even 50k on the odo. They want $11k for it. I was suspicious, so I trucked it over to edmunds.com and appraised it. The retail value for that year is not even $7000. Left me scratching my head to say the least.

I was originally going to post a link, but cars.com links are infernally long. If anyone cares to see it, PM me and let me know. Thanks.

why r u looking at an 02 saturn sl1 anyway?

[KillerMRK]

A glutton for punishment probably.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

NO DOUBT reading this no wonder customers get told off and salesman get ignorant with most of you, I not going off the handle on this thread but seriously, I wish I could go to you HOURLY paid job and bother you guys with half the useless **** you bug sales man with no doubt then laugh about the poor guy, knowing he got nothing for you wasting his time.

Like Moostopha said if you dont like the guy move on, if you dont like the car move on, if you do buy it, dont screw around, make an offer you think is fair, and negotiate if needs be,



and so where do you work so we may all come bother you for nothing so you dont get paid, if your not looking to buy then dont go bug sales staff, its like people that come on a sales lot on a Sat and say 'I dont wanna be bothered we are just looking' , then get the #$%^% out of here and come back Sunday, when no one is here our job is to bother you...

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

I will start at the end as for the respect thing, you say we dont have respect for you cause sale people bother you when you come on the lot, then dont come when we are open, our JOB is to bother you and get you to buy cars, if a customer on our lot goes 'unapproached' the sales staff will hear about it and new staff is hired....you have no idea hwo things work at a dealership judging by your post....

very few dealership have an UP system, or a rotation, you get who you get if you dont like them move on, if you say just looking you will probably get bothered more, by other sales staff, so come back when we are closed, and you wont get bothered and wont waste our time...

as far as reading hte box I dont know of 1 salesperson that know everyting about all the makes and models I guees we are all not as smart as you, to bad for us sales people, and I consider myself VERY knowledgable about products, however, there are still things I look up to be sure after all would you wnat someone to guess and be off by a coule hundred pounds payload and you blow a spring, then what happens, you bitch at the sales guy...at least the guy who looked it up was smart enough to go look it up if he was unsure.....

And LOL when was the last time anyone walked into walmart and did not get greeted or ask if they needed help, again our job is to ask, and sell cars, if you dont like to be bothered and asked to buy a car then come and look when no one is there. At our store if a customer has to come to the counter and ask fora sales person then managers take that as we need more coverage and hire more sales people, not good for us, so dont THINK you know how a dealership works or you are all knowing on the profit margins on used cars, last time I took a trade I had to fight with the guy so dealerships taking cars from 'poor schlumps whose junker was worth a thousand bucks' last time I told that to a guy he told me to go jump off a bridge, so no we dont get them for free.....

anyhow enough time wasted on this thread.....thank god only10% of customers are ignorant and idiots.

I would never never never never never never never never never never never never never never never, ever buy a car from you.

I have purchased Five brand new cars in the 10 years since I got a permit. If I ever had a salesperson with your abject disdain for people approach me, I'd be out of the dealership before you could even say "floor-planning interest."

You, sir, are the reason car salesmen are held in such low regard. Thankfully, there are plenty of other honest, respectful salespeople on this very forum that prove you're the exception, not the rule.

[bouda]

Thankyou buick61

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

I like how everyone thinks that the used car a dealer has was in perfect conditon when it came in and not a dollar was spent on parts & labor to make the car a safe reliable vehicle.

We spend an average of $1,500 to $1,600 fixing the problems these vehicles come in with. Engine lights, wipers, tires, brakes etc...

There is a reason you pay a premium for a used car off of a lot.

Yep, and they are usually cleaned up.

But obviously every dealer is willing to bargain on the price. Used car sales are about haggling, not paying what is on the sticker. People should know that and expect the sticker to be higher than what is online.

Also, if people notice there is a wide margin from "dealer trade in" to "private sale" to "retail price" on most cars. The retail being at least $1000 more than the private and usually $2000 higher than the trade in. Even on a car that costs $5k for the "private sale."

Easiest way to get a price you both can agree on is tell the dealer you are interested and say the price is too high but don't give a number say you will think about it and go home. The next day call and make an offer (lower than you are willing to pay, but not a super-lowball). The salesman will usually come back with an offer that you both can agree on, if he doesn't you don't buy. If that happens, and you don't buy, watch the car for a few weeks then come back, depending on how many people have looked at it they may be interested in taking your offer. That's how my dad bought my mom's 1 year old BMW 530i with 16k miles for $36k from a Cadillac dealer.

[MalibuMaxxSS]

way to revive a thread...LOL...most 'good' salespeople wont gvie numbers over the phone or agree to a price over the phone....if your serious then you have the teim to come see me and negotiate......I can phone every dealer and get numbers to...anyone can......the rest I agree with.....

If you cant agree on a price leave and wait a couple weeks..if hte car is still there they will be more willing to move it, the longer it sits the worse it is on the dealer....however, if its a nice used with say low milage, you run the risk of losing it to someone as well.....

for example, 2 weeks ago I get this trade in a 2003...2500 E/C 6.0.....MINT MINT, only 25,000km.......all chromed up, extrememly nice truck, so I call my customer who is waiting for one, he comes in and starts low balling the price, so Im like ok go find another to compare with tht is 5 years old and only has 25,000km on it and in this nice shape.....anyhow I sent him home to reconsider...

While he was gone, our lease manager comes to me and says hey I got this friend coming out of a lease and wants a nice used truck...got anything.....DO I...he never even drove it and bought it dropped a G note on the price and done.....so the other guy calls back the next morning and upped his offer but still low, and I kinda played along for a bit, and he starts going off on how he can get one here and there for this, so I said sure go get it then.......

calls back 3 hours or so later, and ups his offer again, we are almost close now.....but I told him I sold it this morning...and he had the nerve to get mad, said we were negotiating on it, I like dude I dont get paid to negotiate, it was a gorgeous truck and you missed out.....

anyhow little story....

[jfnz24]

Originally Posted by MalibuMaxxSS

way to revive a thread...LOL...most 'good' salespeople wont gvie numbers over the phone or agree to a price over the phone....if your serious then you have the teim to come see me and negotiate......I can phone every dealer and get numbers to...anyone can......the rest I agree with.....

If you cant agree on a price leave and wait a couple weeks..if hte car is still there they will be more willing to move it, the longer it sits the worse it is on the dealer....however, if its a nice used with say low milage, you run the risk of losing it to someone as well.....

for example, 2 weeks ago I get this trade in a 2003...2500 E/C 6.0.....MINT MINT, only 25,000km.......all chromed up, extrememly nice truck, so I call my customer who is waiting for one, he comes in and starts low balling the price, so Im like ok go find another to compare with tht is 5 years old and only has 25,000km on it and in this nice shape.....anyhow I sent him home to reconsider...

While he was gone, our lease manager comes to me and says hey I got this friend coming out of a lease and wants a nice used truck...got anything.....DO I...he never even drove it and bought it dropped a G note on the price and done.....so the other guy calls back the next morning and upped his offer but still low, and I kinda played along for a bit, and he starts going off on how he can get one here and there for this, so I said sure go get it then.......

calls back 3 hours or so later, and ups his offer again, we are almost close now.....but I told him I sold it this morning...and he had the nerve to get mad, said we were negotiating on it, I like dude I dont get paid to negotiate, it was a gorgeous truck and you missed out.....

anyhow little story....

Totally agree there...if you snooze, you lose. Next time they will be the wiser and not low-ball a good deal when they see one.

[Auto_x_Al]

Once I see other people stroking checks for floorplan I'll gladly let them come look at them anythime they want. For now in REALITY as long as I've got someone "Motivating" me to move inventory I'll be forced to do my job. Which includes meeting and greeting people on the lot.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by jfnz24

Totally agree there...if you snooze, you lose. Next time they will be the wiser and not low-ball a good deal when they see one.

Market is very different here in Michigan (specifically Metro Detroit).

First off at the domestics they have a "built-in" amount of leases and new vehicles from people who work for GM or are a family member (most people with GMS buy or lease a new car at least once every 3 years). So that is a lot of sales.

This does two things, one it stunts the used car market (many dealers have SMALL used car inventory), this makes it a buyers market for the most part.

My dad made a low ball offer on that BMW for $36k (the dealer was asking for $42k), the guy called back and asked if my dad would take $37k. He said no, the guy was like OK. My dad wasn't even too serious about his offer, he thought the dealer would never sell for that price. NEXT DAY, dealer called back, was like I'll sell it for $36k. Done deal.

Maybe that wouldn't happen at your dealer, but it does happen here. People are much more willing to move on used cars. Which is fine, for both the consumers and the dealers.

To MalibuMaxx, if after I've come in and talked to you the fact that you won't deal with me on the phone with price shows that you are insecure about something. Frankly I wouldn't deal with you specifically due to that, and I'd ask to speak to someone who I could deal with. Or I'd get the car from somewhere else if that wasn't an option. Remember you need to sell that car, I don't need to buy it. I don't expect you to give it to me for nothing, but I do expect you bargain in good faith, regardless of medium. If someone else buys it, good for you.

People who get mad like in your example are stupid customers.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Market is very different here in Michigan (specifically Metro Detroit).

First off at the domestics they have a "built-in" amount of leases and new vehicles from people who work for GM or are a family member (most people with GMS buy or lease a new car at least once every 3 years). So that is a lot of sales.

This does two things, one it stunts the used car market (many dealers have SMALL used car inventory), this makes it a buyers market for the most part.

My dad made a low ball offer on that BMW for $36k (the dealer was asking for $42k), the guy called back and asked if my dad would take $37k. He said no, the guy was like OK. My dad wasn't even too serious about his offer, he thought the dealer would never sell for that price. NEXT DAY, dealer called back, was like I'll sell it for $36k. Done deal.

Maybe that wouldn't happen at your dealer, but it does happen here. People are much more willing to move on used cars. Which is fine, for both the consumers and the dealers.

To MalibuMaxx, if after I've come in and talked to you the fact that you won't deal with me on the phone with price shows that you are insecure about something. Frankly I wouldn't deal with you specifically due to that, and I'd ask to speak to someone who I could deal with. Or I'd get the car from somewhere else if that wasn't an option. Remember you need to sell that car, I don't need to buy it. I don't expect you to give it to me for nothing, but I do expect you bargain in good faith, regardless of medium. If someone else buys it, good for you.

People who get mad like in your example are stupid customers.

Exactlly! Also you made some excellent points about Michigan.
(I thought this was a newer thread until I read it again..hehe!)

As for snoozing and losing...Oh Well! Like my Father taught me (he sold cars in his later life< while retired> as well) is: "the World is full of Deals....never take a deal too seriously.."
Words that have stuck with me ever since.
If I 'lose out' on a deal then so be it another one just as juicy will turn up especially for cars.
That doesn't mean I never get excited about a deal or I never want what is in front of me.
I am a human just like everyone else and I can fall into the 'love' of a car and I can want this deal to work.

I never 'act' angry or am I rude to any salesperson of the bat.
I am always pleasant and kind right up front.
Now when any kind of sales staff for any kind of product starts playing games then my attitude can change.
When I am told that this deal is only for today that is a big red flag to walk away.
Sure it 'could' be the truth but, 99.9% of the time it is not so if I lose out then so be it.

My best friend recently with in the last few months needed a new car.
He was willing to buy any brand as long as it met certain criteria.
Mainly fuel mileage and safety features.
His wife is a terrible driver and he worries about their children riding with her. (that is no joke)
So he did some research on his own and asked me if I knew; anyone at the Toyota dealer when I got my car.
He has driven my XLE and it 'worked' for him.
So I talked to the Service Manager and asked him what he had in Demos that they carry over to the used car lot.
Long story short my friend walked away with a Camry Hybrid that listed at $26.9 for $23.9.
No debating...he knew that was a decent deal and once they salesman stated that price he took it.
The salesman made a $100.00...period.
There were some scratches and a few small dents and the car was sold 'AS-IS'.

My friend (after I pushed it) took the 6yr/100K warranty.
After that deal was done I came back and gave the Service Manager,
Used Car Manager, and the Salesman all a nice box of French truffles as a thank you.
Not much, but I wanted them all to know that I appreciated their kindness.
Because that was what is was...Kindness! My friend also took the salesman's business cards to hand out.
Since he bought that car two of his co-workers went to that dealship and bought cars. (both were Hybrids too)
To me that is what I call Fair Dealing.
They did not have to give that good of a deal.
In fact I was surprised he got that much off on a Hybrid.
I was a tad jealous...hehe!
I also told the Service Manager that I will not come down here and ask for that kind of a 'Skinny Deal' again. (Except I said: "Unless it is for ME.." We both chuckled on that one)
I told him I only would do that for this friend of mine...not any of my In-Laws or Family either.
He understood that so that is why he got that good of a deal is my guess.
It is nice to be able to work a deal based on a hand shake and your word.

[ChebbySalesDept]

Interesting.