New car salesman WTF

[Joe Ricard]

So I got the bug to go look at a new car for the wife yesterday. The 05 RX-8 is a great car but just looking for something with more umph..

Anyway Looked at the Pontiac G8 GT. dealer in town had one 09 out front and turns out to be the only one they had.

Out come the sales guy nice introduction with the standard blurp "looking for a new car"?

Um yea what gave it away? me standing by this one? I ask are there anymore GT's on the lot. My wife wants a red one. sales guy "Um uh well what about this one"? points to the white G8 with V-6......

Me " Ok this seems to be the only GT you have and it's Panther black" Lets take a look at it anyway. But my wife who is just pulling up is the one you need to sell it too". "Hey nice car what is that"? "It's an RX-8"......................

Finally he figures out which key is for the car and returns Knows nothing of the car "V-8 Really"? Thinks the GTO is faster, thinks they should be getting the GXP next week. no idea about anything of the car.


What do these people do when they are not selling cars? If it were me I would be studying. 0-60, HP gas mileage, know what the rebates are, have an idea of how all the gizmos in the car work.

Left my name and number with the car description we wanted. if he really wants to sell a car maybe I'll get a call today.

[David]

I stay away from American car dealerships on major thoroughfares unless I just want to go for a joy ride. They seem to all be owned by large corporations and have more turn over than walmart.

I've bought my last two chevy trucks from the same salesman at a family owned dealership. He still knows less about the cars he's selling than I do, but he knows a ton more than the 21yo kid selling cars at the big dealerships.

[poorsche930]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

I stay away from American car dealerships on major thoroughfares unless I just want to go for a joy ride. They seem to all be owned by large corporations and have more turn over than walmart.

I've bought my last two chevy trucks from the same salesman at a family owned dealership. He still knows less about the cars he's selling than I do, but he knows a ton more than the 21yo kid selling cars at the big dealerships.

I couldn't believe how stupid the buying public is until I had my time running a multi line m/c dealer. A good majority (it's the same with cars) that came into my store, were clueless. Then I remembered, I'm the weirdo that grew up racing MX and was around and involved in "car stuff" since birth. So everyone doesn't know "all the details". Be weary of a new salesman too. He hasn't been around long enough to realize he can discount. The sales managers "force" is strong with new salesman. Find an "experienced" one that has fear in his eye, he probably hasn't had the best month and will drop his pants for a sale.

[Schumi]

At the Porsche dealership, I was able to ask them nearly anything about the car and they would have the answer. Warranties, fluid change intervals, service intervals, option packages, horsepower, torque, top speed, sound system, how many cows it took to make the interior, etc etc etc...

Obviously they have less types of vehicle to know this stuff over, but please. I think that put in the position I could be one hell of a car salesman.

[Z-man]

As a car enthusiast, most of the car salesmen that I've come in contact with have known LESS about any car that I was interested in. And I can see beyond that, as long as the salesman has some knowledge and won't try to get me to change what I want.

The last car I bought was my '07 Ford Sport Trac. We pulled up to a Ford dealership (Rt 23 Ford/Nissan in Butler, NJ), and I didn't realize they closed at 7pm on Saturday. We got there at about 7:10. Nick, the young sales guy came to the door, and opened it. I explained that I didn't realize they were closed, but just wanted a brochure on the Sport Trac. He said, come inside. I don't have a Sport Trac on the floor, but hop in this regular Explorer while I get you a brochure. Nick could have very easily said, "We're closed. Come back on Monday." Instead, he made the extra effort for me.

Needless to say, Nick got the sale. A little courtesy goes a long way...

-Z-man.

[IROC]

My father-in-law works at a Chevy dealer (sales). It's very entertaining to hear the stories from the salesmen's side. We lambast salesman for not being "car guys" sometimes, but 98% of the buying public they deal with are not "car guys". Heck, most of them can't even get financing.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by IROC

My father-in-law works at a Chevy dealer (sales). It's very entertaining to hear the stories from the salesmen's side. We lambast salesman for not being "car guys" sometimes, but 98% of the buying public they deal with are not "car guys". Heck, most of them can't even get financing.

ha ha so true

"Sorry sir, your credit report came back NFG..."

[Joe Ricard]

Yea all amusing stories.
in contrast I bought the 05 RX-8 sight unseen. Called the dealer in the morning asked for a Sport model. (best for autocross). he said he has a couple what color. I said blue. he said it is sitting right outside the window of his office. Told him I would not be needing financing unless he could beat NFCU. He said nope. OK I want the car how much? 29,950. We haggled a bit and out the door TTL 25K even. I told to have it ready at 4 pm will be picking it up. finally after all the paperwork etc. it was 6:30 and way past closing. The sales guy stayed with the finance person, went to fill up the gas because it wasn't done earlier.
Even took our POS Cooper S in trade.

[rcooled]

When I was in the market for a new Audi several years ago, I walked into a dealership on a Saturday afternoon ready to buy. I'd done all the research and knew exactly what I wanted...all I needed to do was work out the price and place the order. After explaining this to the "greeter", he tells me that there's no one available to work with me. It's a Saturday afternoon...there's very few customers on the lot...my checkbook's in hand and there's no one around who can sell me a car...WTF is up with that? Needless to say, I'm outa there. After visiting three other dealers, I finally found a salesman who knew his product. With some of these other guys, it was like they were selling refrigerators last week and figured they'd give cars a try now. Totally worthless! Now, I negotiate everything on-line with the internet sales manager and only show up at the lot to sign the paperwork and drive the car away.

[vash]

i bought my mazdaspeed sight unseen also...i sent out an email feeler, asking for a color i wanted, and best price...an older dude, really old sent a photo, and a price OTD. i took it over the phone and showed up with it gassed, and washed. painless.

i tend to look for the geezer salesmen. young dudes that think they know it all annoy me.

[HardDrive]

Having dealt with Porsche, Lexus and Mercedes dealerships, and had great experiences at all of them, I would find it hard to subject myself to the BS that goes on at domestic dealerships.

The last domestic dealer I visited was a Ford dealer. The clueless (friendly, but clueless) kid trying to help me knew nothing. His belligerent, greasy sales manager was so horrible, something straight out of a movie. I'll pass thanks. If I ever go domestic again, it will be an internet sale.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

ha ha so true

"Sorry sir, your credit report came back NFG..."

Hey, this is AMERICA.

"Sorry, sir, your credit report came back NFG, so let's just fill out this special form OVER HERE, and it'll be just a few minutes. If you're considering a wheel upgrade for your Escalade EXT, sir, I've got a buddy down the street who can totally hook you up. No money Down, 0% interest for ONE YEAR."

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Joe Ricard

Even took our POS Cooper S in trade.

More details please....

[onlycafe]

i have a '7 cooper s. bought it off the lot this past valentines day. got a thousand off sticker. totally satisfied as of now with just under 15k on the clock.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Z-man

As a car enthusiast, most of the car salesmen that I've come in contact with have known LESS about any car that I was interested in. And I can see beyond that, as long as the salesman has some knowledge and won't try to get me to change what I want.

I once had to tell a car salesman that he was embarassing himself by talking and that he should keep to answering my questions instead of making things up to try to sell me on a car. This lasted about two minutes before he told me that Volkwagons have 100 lbs. more paint on them than any other brand. I simply looked at him, got in my car, and drove away.

I had a guy when I was trying to buy an Eclipse refuse to come down from sticker and he insisted that sticker was under invoice. I walked from that deal as well.

Both of the above incidents were from when I was buying my first new car right out of college in 2000. I ended up calling my dad and had him go to dealerships with me. It was funny, because he's not a car guy and didn't say anything--which I think intimidated a lot of the salespeople.

Then, of course, was the incident this past spring where the entire sales staff at the local BMW dealership (Bob Dennison BMW) ignored me and refused to answer questions or make eye contact with me. I'll never buy a car from them.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by legion

Then, of course, was the incident this past spring where the entire sales staff at the local BMW dealership (Bob Dennison BMW) ignored me and refused to answer questions or make eye contact with me. I'll never buy a car from them.

They've probably seen your posts here on PPOT! (LOL, J/K bro)

[Joe Ricard]

Well it's been all day and no call from the DOOFUS.

Got on autotraderdotcom and found the exact car I wanted. Ignition orange all the bells and whistles. 140 miles from me. Just sent an email to the dealer. When I have more time I will follow up with a call.

[m21sniper]

G8's are REALLY nice cars BTW, good luck man, and congrats(in advance).

There was one at the drag strip when i was there about a year ago or whatever. It was running like 13 flats. Very respectable.

[Joe Ricard]

Most of all I miss my 928, had a silver 78 5 speed. Now I found a 91 GT that I am in love with.

[Laneco]

A few years ago, I bought a Mazda6 sportwagon. I went into the local dealership and test drove a car. I wanted one with quite a bit more equipment and the V6 engine (I know...power slut...). The salesman and jerk manager screwed me around for about two hours and then suggested that I come back with my husband.

I went to a second dealership. Most of the guys ignored me, but one older fellow asked to help. I told him what I wanted. He had a similar car on the lot. Drove it. Came back and had him dealer search for the right color and interior. Put a down payment, they arranged delivery and completed financing at zero percent. Done in 45 minutes.

When I picked up my new car, I drove over to the original dealership and had a little chat with the salesman and his manager. Showed those two taco brains my mid 700 credit score and my new car. Things heated up a bit. Especially when I told them that with their professional conduct and demonstrated interpersonal skills that they should consider a new career in the fast food or janitorial services.

Amazes me that in this day and age a car salesman and manager would have the audacity to think that a woman couldn't finance her own car - or decide what she wanted.

All I wanted was a loaded Mazda wagon with the most horsepower I could buy. Made perfect sense to me!

angela