This is the reason why I hate shopping for cars
 

Today I went to the dealer to try to buy this 370z that I am looking for. I already had a price in mind (around invoice) and I would have pull the trigger on the spot if they would give me what I want for trade in. On the phone, they promised the world like usual. Once I got there, they just started to bitch and moan about everything. They complaint about how my trade isn't worth anything, they then complaint about how they can't sell the car to me for VPP or invoice since the 370z is such a special vehicle. To make a long story short, they said the car is so special that they can only charge sticker for it. As soon as they said that, I was ready to bolt since I was in a rush and I was in no mood to play games with them. Of course they told me to stay and said they will talk to the manager blah blah blah. The salesperson then walked to the manager sitting on some 5 foot highchair, he then came back and said we will give you the VPP price on the car but they would be $5K short on my trade. I told them that is not acceptable and I wouldn't do the deal. He then tried to tell me what I need the numbers to be to buy the car, I told him he needs to make up the $5K on trade and I will sign the paperwork. Sure enough he didn't accept, he then tried to play the shady game of car payments with me. Being a financial person, I already know what I need to be. After a few back and forth, he came back with the numbers that I was looking for. At first I didn't think much about it, but then I realize he was trying to sell me a 6 yr loan and not a 5 yr loan. He tried to explain how the payment is what I want and I should take it. In a nice way, I simply told him I am not stupid him to pay that extra $5000 on the 6th year. He kept telling me that he would transfer the vehicle to another store on Monday since this is the only one in New England with the package I want. If I don't pick it up today, I probably won't get it. Well I called his bluff and left the dealer without buying it. Chances are that I will probably have to wait for the next shipment of 370z before I get my car, but at least I won't let those guys make too much money off of me. Let's see if they will call me next week telling me to come back. I honestly don't think they will judging from their tone, so I guess the search will go on or I will just buy another car. Sorry for the rant, I just get annoyed when people waste my time with stupid promises and using shady tactics.

dealerships always have an act now or what??

they really wasted ur time !!

Don't deal with any place that won't give you VPP, or even invoice in today's market. Also, sell the car outright. I went in to my local dealer with VPP and they actually did a little better, and there was no hassle/haggle at all. I wanted a specific color/package and they had it inbound in two weeks and said right off the bat that if I could wait, they would beat VPP.

it's either a stubborn dealership or a really friendly one...none in between

sell me a 6 yr loan and not a 5 yr loan.----Excellent, so many fall in to that 72 months , thinking they are getting a good deal!
You did right walking off, and not taking the sucker bait,"pick it up today, or you probably won't get it".

there will always be another Z you like......it's not a lambo...lol

You know, I had the same stunt pulled on me when I purchased my Bimmer earlier this year.

What I don't get is that for the most part, car dealers have a horrible reputation.

I would argue that most people would rather visit the dentist than spend any time dealing with most sales reps. At least you can respect a dentist, they went to med school (or the equivalent thereof).

With that in mind, what I don't understand why the public is giving GM and Chrysler such a hard time about closing dealerships. Wake up people, these small business are the same crooks that try to rip us off when we try to buy a car!

I sure as sh_t don't care about them.

You know, I don't mind if a salesperson tells me, I won't sell the car for less than "x". If I can't afford it, I can walk.

What really kills me is when they make promises over the phone to drag you down to the dealership, and then start reneging on their offer. What the hell is that?

Some salespeople are on the level and others are total crooks. Makes finding a straight talking salesperson a rarity.

Whew! I got that off my chest.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase.

they have to lure ppl in....but the lying just kills the deal....but the fact is...quite a few will still bite the bullet and buy it anyways

In salespeople's defense (I know, I know), what they probably hate is when they spend 3 hours giving wrestling with a customer to get the best deal, and then the Customer says, "Well, let me come back in a few weeks when I'm ready to buy"

If you're not ready to buy, don't bother talking to the salespeople, its just a waste of their time.

If I go to window shop at a dealership, I usually try to avoid salespeople, just so that I don't waste their time. When I'm ready to buy (cash in hand)that's when you starting making calls, etc....

Until then, get your info from these boards and enjoy the process.

Martin

i heard 80% of buyers do not buy the car in the 1st meet

[QUOTE=Mike;96032] Also, sell the car outright. QUOTE]

You make that sound so easy.

What if he's upside down on his trade i.e. the payoff>street value of car.

I had hell trying to sell an Acura Integra I bought 10 years ago. I bought it new, I only put 7,000 miles on it in a year. The kelly blue book for Hondas/Acuras is so artificially high in S. California.

My payoff was around $11,000, they kelly blue book was $17,000 yep $17K and guess what I got out of it after 3 months of leaving it in the autotrader?

I let some father take it off my hands for his daughter's first car, about $10,000, my payoff...a lot easier said than done.

I think I was in there for less than 30 minutes, I had my numbers in mind and know what it has to be before I sign the paperwork. I told them as long as I get the car for X and the Y for trade in, I would sign the paperwork. But he still at to spend the next 15 minutes running back and forth trying to play the manager games with me (funny thing is that he said less than 20 feet away on some high chair/table), not that I can't hear them.

I already looked at two other dealerships, I just didn't get the color I want and therefore I walked. So when they tried to give me the I can only sell it at sticker BS, I just laughed it off. He also sounded shock when I gave him the my monthly payment and it matched what I was looking for. It seems like he couldn't believe I can do payment calculation, this is why I hate car shopping.

I had a dealer give me the "we don't accept VPP on the 370z" bs. I said, "that's fine, i will find another dealership that will. kthxbai". A few hours later I sealed the deal at another dealership. Good luck with the search.

All salesmen are taught to treat every customer like a potential buyer, even though it turns out that most people that come in to the dealerships have no intention of buying.

Also, trying to sell a customer on payments should be borderline criminal. There are a lot of people out there that would choose a lower payment with a longer term (and higher total cost) than a higher payment and lower total cost and totally think they are getting a better deal because their payments are lower. Granted, you should take the highest monthly payment and shortest term possible within reason.

Too bad. It's not the dealer's fault if you are upside down on your trade.

I don't know why people act so outraged when they aren't offered a "fair" trade-in value from a dealer. They have to inventory it, inspect it, fix it if necessary, detail it, let it rot on their lot for an unknown time or auction it.

If you don't want the dealer to mess with you, don't bring extra variables to your deal. Don't finance it, don't ask them to take your trade-in and don't buy the extended warranty or dealer accessories.

So true. If they want used car inventory, they can buy it at auction, so they won't give you more than auction value unless they are making it up with profit on the new car.

Then they lose a deal, as simple as that, no need to play stupid games.

Just curious... what is your trade? Year, Make, Model, Miles??

95% of the people who walk in to a dealership looking to trade in their car has a # that is WAY over...

06 Chevy Corvette 20K miles.

People are over because they always say we should look at the blue book, yet they don't use the blue book on their trade.

If they can't give me the price, I have no problem, just don't waste my time with lame excuses. It's like dating a girl who dragged you out for multiple expensive dates, then she dumps you because she just wants a free meal

You are right, we don't. We use a book called Galves, which isn't available to the public. KBB is the next best thing for the general public to use as a guide, but as a guide only. Galves is updated bi-weekly so it takes into account the economy and market. Not knowing your Vette's options, it's in the book for "around" $26,000 in excellent condition. No more than $27,000 and not less than $25,000.

What did they offer you? I am assuming your Vette is in excellent shape and a clean carfax?

Your price doesn't include options like NAV and glassroof and other options that change the price. I was given 24K for the car at this dealer. 29K at the dealer that didn't have the options I want. Like I said, I have no problem if they don't want to sell it. Dont ask me to name a price and then tried to lie about it by playing the payment games with me.

I'm in that 80%. I shop for the salesperson too.

OP - good luck with your shopping. I'm sure you'll find the right dealer to work with.

I agree with the above comment...the less variables the more straight the deal. But then again most people trade the car and DO finance...so it's a hard place to be in. I've found some dealerships to be downright horrible, and others to be pretty open and friendly about things. I will say that buying a car can really be a tough game, ESPECIALLY when you start talking higher end/sport/luxury cars. I never seemed to have a problem buying a Honda, go figure? The numbers are RIGHT there, low, and APR is always low.

For every smart car buyer (and with the advent of this thing called the internet and time and research more should be) there are 3 that are completely clueless. Most individuals dont walk into a dealership and go yes I am buying. Most kick-tires. From the salespersons view they want commision it is a business and you cant blame them for playing the %'s. If you are jacked on this particluar car they feel you will be back.
If not there will be others that will pull the trigger.
This is a new model and a great performance bargain.
Clearly they are moving 370Z's.
Also it is not the car dealerships fault if you are upside down in your trade...maybe you should have thought or walked away from your previous deal.
Nevertheless maybe you shouldn't be searching for a new car in the first place.
The best car is one that is paid for.
I doubt the dealership would low ball you on your trade by 5k if it was truly in the shape you claim it was.
Bottomline:
You shouldn't bring baggage to the dealership to buy a new car and then get pissed because your upside down in your trade or your car is not worth what you really think it is.
If you dont NEED a car , advantage consumer.
Patience is a virtue my friend.

YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP!