MetaChat - Car shopping rant

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03 July 2009

Car shopping rant →[More:]Why does car shopping have to be so freaking miserable?

And a corollary: why are car salesmen so stupidly unable to switch their tactics when their tactics aren't working?

I visited some dealerships today because, even though I wish I didn't have to, I really need to replace my beat ol' Suub with a reliable car. Now, I've done my homework. I know my hard and fast budget, I know what interest rate I qualify for, I know who's financing me, I know the Blue Book and auction rate on my trade in...basically, I know exactly what I can afford. And I know what a dealer should be able to sell me because I know the invoice prices. And yet, when I walk into the dealership and describe all this, they STILL try the shady crap! You'd think they'd recognize that I'm serious - I have a deal to offer if they have a car.

But no. They have to be all "What do you want for a monthly payment?" Doesn't matter, asshat. If the price is right the payments will take care of themselves. I don't want you sweet-talking me into something that actually costs $3000 more but doesn't feel like it because you spread the payments out. "What about these models that are totally different than what you need?" No, thanks. "Hey, it can't hurt to take a test drive!" No, thanks, I'm not looking at those, too inefficient on gas/pricey/low reliability. "How about we play with the numbers, see what we can get you in trade?" Well, I know there's no way you're getting enough from a beat-ass '99 Forester in trade to make a $17000 car magically turn into a $12000 car.

I understand they need to make a little money on a sale and I don't begrudge them that. All I'm complaining about is that they are so bludgeon-headed about reading their customer. If they'd just listen to what I'm after, and match me with something in the inventory that worked, they'd have a freaking super-easy sale. But because they are so desperate for that bonus / incentive / award / additional pocket change, they keep pushing and pushing...until there's nothing to do but just walk out.

How does this make sense? Wouldn't it be smarter of them to just efficiently get you into a suitable vehicle, lickety-split, and move on to the next sale?

The first place I went to had every sleazy trick in the book. Guy I was "supposed" to meet wasn't there (may not even exist. Then, the car I thought I was there to see had (oh, shucky darn) been sold, so coincidentally, since I called last night to check that it was still there. (Amazing, given that my appointment was 10 in the morning). The bad cop tells me thes, then I get passed off to a good-cop sales guy who'll be happy to show me some other things that he thinks I might like, and they start to try bouncing me around. The whole time talking me into purchasing new, which I have no interest doing, as it's so wasteful. When I realized they had no intention of helping me out, I just left. Which sucks, because I drove an hour to see the car they baited me with - my ideal model at a good price and mileage. Fuckers.

I had a better experience at another dealership, where the salespeople were great and listened to what I need, but when I arrived they had also just sold the car I wanted. This time I believed them, because it was sitting on the lot getting prepped for delivery and the saleperson was still working with the people. I was just a few hours too late. It was a sweet ride, too, and a great price again.The nice thing was they promised to call me if something similar came in, and didn't try to strongarm me into buying some other crap I didn't want.

Ugh. I feel like I need a hot shower now. And I'm oooonly at the beginning. I think my plan now is to start taking a more directed approach - I'm going to email dealerships directly with all my criteria, and ask them to call/email me ONLY IF they have something fitting on the lot. And right before I go see it I'm going to call and ask if they still have it. And if I get there and they don't have it, and haven't called to say so, then I'm leaving right away. And I'm going to bring everything they've sent me in email along with me, printed out.

Jesus, Lord. Can you imagine if buying groceries were like this? Or clothes? Or musical instruments?

post by: Miko at: 15:19 | 14 comments

How specific are you being about the car you want to buy? Seems like these things go easier if you have some flexibility in colors/options.

posted by mullacc 03 July | 17:13

Oh, no, that's no excuse for these guys. I'm looking for cars within a specific category: small hatchbacks. There are many - Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent GL, Ford Focus, Chevy Aveo, Kia Rio, Mazda3, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Matrix, Scion Xa, etc. I have no color preference, no options preferences. I'm looking only for a body style and price.

And to clarify, my beef is not that I can't find the car. There's no shortage of cars in my area that meet the criteria. It's the sales tactics they're using - after an email conversation where they're sending me viable listings, luring me into a dealer visit, and then trying to upsell me repeatedly despite my clear statements that I'm sticking to my budget. It's that that I'm complaining about. There are a lot of good cars out there, but I don't have time to go see them all, so I have been working to narrow the possibilities before going onto the lot. It makes me mad when I walk into a dealership - especially one I've driven a long way to - to find that they have something else in mind.

posted by Miko 03 July | 17:35

I have bought one and only one car in my life. I went to CarMax, said "I want this one" (which I'd looked up on their web page), the guy said "Take it for a drive" and when we got back the guy said "You want it?" and I said "Yep" and that was the whole deal. It was pretty impressive, and you do sort of have to wonder why everyone hasn't got that model figured out.

posted by Wolfdog 03 July | 17:52

It is strange. Especially when you can SEE that the buyer has done the research and knows what they're after and what they should be paying. Why bother to keep playing 'em?

posted by Miko 03 July | 18:27

I remember when my mum went to buy her first new car. Her current car had died and it would cost more to fix it than a down payment on something new. Anyway, we walked onto the Ford dealership lot and there was a group of four or five male salespeople hanging around the sales room. They took a look at us, two women, and they all found they had something else to do.

We looked at each other and left the lot without looking at one car. Our next stop was the Chevy dealership. Mum had several salespeople zero in on her, but the woman salesperson won. Mum had a strict budget and thoughts about what kind of car she wanted. There was no BS and the salesperson zeroed in one of two perfect Cavaliers. Mum picked the red one.

That happened in the 1980s. Neither she nor I have had any problems with car salespeople since then. Miko, you haven't indicate that it's that kind of problem, but has there been any indication your being female is part of what's going on while you're trying to buy a car?

Also, don't forget the Nissan Versa. The only problem is that it's a new-ish model, so there may not be many used cars out there. The mister and I love ours.

posted by deborah 03 July | 19:50

I think that's always possible, deborah. I know that in the car industry, some people feel that women are bad negotiators and can be pushed into a deal. It must happen often enough to make it worthwhile. But I think men get bad deals as well; the salesmen may just go about it differently.

The first car I bought, I brought my dad with me. He never said a word. The second time I brought a male friend, same thing. This time it's just easier to do myself, plus I know how it works so I don't feel the need for a wingman. I just won't work with anyone who's giving the runaround, like you and your mom experienced. Isn't it just nuts, though, not to work with customers in the way they want? Isn't that, like, the first principle of business? Again, would they rather make $0 that day because someone walked out, than $500 from a ready buyer on a fair deal? It makes no sense.

Thanks for the tip on the Versa, I'll add it to my list.

By the way - my worst experience of the day? Looks like I wasn't alone. Next time I'll read the dealer reviews in advance, too.

posted by Miko 03 July | 19:58

Yikes, not one good review. Kinda reminds me of the doc reviews (which I didn't know existed until the mister looked them up).

posted by deborah 03 July | 22:23

How was the doc thing after all that, deborah? Didn't see any followup..did I miss it?

posted by Miko 03 July | 22:40

Miko, are you a member of AAA? If I remember correctly they list dealerships which will accept a set price from members.

posted by brujita 03 July | 22:42

It's not women. When I bought my truck I went in with all the details and a price that I got from a dealership much further away that had the car I wanted in stock. I told him as much and showed him the quote. They didn't have the car in stock and then the salesman did the immediate, "I'll go talk with my manager" and came back with an insulting counter offer. I re-explained that I already had this price and if they couldn't match it, why are they wasting everyone's time? He went off and got another counter offer which was still higher. I re-re-explained...

See, it's part of (sleazy) negotiating. They have something you want and your very presence means that you want it from them. They're going to try to get everything they can from you.

posted by plinth 04 July | 06:37

I've bought cars at dealerships and from individuals. In either case, make it clear that you'll be taking the car for an independent checkup. At a dealership, you may get better deals towards the end of the month, when salespeople need to meet their bonus goal. I try to be honest, but not say more then necessary (I underplay how much I have to spend). Be totally willing to walk away, politely, if you don't like the deal. It's possible to get a deal even from sleazy dealers.

The 1st time I ever car-shopped, the salesguy really said "What color are you looking for?" I got a good deal on a good car anyway.

It's crummy that they wasted your time so badly.

posted by theora55 04 July | 08:35

I've always had the luxury of buying cars from people I know.

posted by box 04 July | 11:13

My husband used to sell cars. I just know that it is a crooked, crooked business. He was an honest man in a crooked sleazy world and as soon as he could he changed careers.

And yes, being female makes it tons worse when it's time to buy. I used to loan out my husband to my women friends when they needed to buy a vehicle so they wouldn't get ripped off.

posted by bunnyfire 04 July | 11:30

I try to be honest, but not say more then necessary (I underplay how much I have to spend).

That's great advice.

I was thinking that having someone who knew the business would be a formidable tool, bunnyfire.

posted by Miko 04 July | 17:08

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