- Car Dealer Horror Story -
Still More Car Sales People Respond!
Part 3 of 3

:: Car dealer horror story by Shawn, United States...
"I liked your article about ad unit cars (it will open another window). I work for a car dealer as the finance director and recently bought one of our ad units, they are the best deal available to the general public and employees. I waited till the ad was four days old to purchase and it was still there. I love my car.

I do not like how you portray car sales people. Most of them are just good people who fight too hard for their customers and not for their employers. We as a dealership wish we could generate more profit. We consistantly sell below invoice pricing as an average.

Our CSI is through the roof, but we have to look at ways of additional profit opportunities.
Most of what you talk about on your website is really true, but you do not find these flim flam men in many car stores anymore. We do not pay for that. The manufactures pay us for high CSI, so we have to deliver that.

These individuals still exist in the car business, as well as many other businesses like: attorneys, plastic surgeons, realtors, pastors, journalists, jewelers, restauranteurs, insurance agents, police officers, politicians and the like.
Thanks for a great web site!"

MY RESPONSE...
Shawn, I completely agree with you that scum bags exist in every field possible and its not just car sales people, but this site is here for the car buyers and that is why I have this car dealer horror story series.




:: Car Dealer Horror Story by Ken a "New Car Salesman", USA...
"As a new car salesman (a trustworthy one, believe it or not), I applaud you in helping the consumer not get scammed. The most important way NOT to get scammed is DO YOUR RESEARCH. Please emphasize this more. If a customer comes in with a Kelley or Edmunds quote (and stands firm on their offer) 9 times out of ten they bought a new car and saved themselves money! An informed customer is a wise customer, whether your buying a car or negotiating hotel rooms. A nice side note about how not every salesman is bad would be nice. I don't mind showing the customer invoice, explaining holdback or even discussing bonus-level money, as long as they realize there needs to be something left to pay the bills and feed my family. As far as I can tell, the days of paying sticker are way over. And that is fine, because of the 200+ cars that I've sold I think 1 was 500 below sticker. A lot of manufacturers pay bonus money for customer satisfaction and keeping our clients happy and that is the major way we make money. So keep hammering home how important it is to do research--10 min.s on the computer even--the next salesman they run into may not be like me!! Thanks, Ken"

MY RESPONSE...
Well, there you go. Everything he says is true as far as the importance of doing your research. Actually Ken, I do emphasize the importance of research all over my site. Its interesting because I get these emails from NEW car salespeople and they always tell me how honest they are, and I believe them. I sometimes wonder if after selling cars for a long time that they lose that honesty and innocence because it seems that its always the ones that have been doing it a long time that are always sending me the nastiest email. So thank you to Ken, an honest car salesperson, and my hope is that Ken will always be able to maintain that honesty.

:: Car Dealer Horror Story by Charles Peterson, AZ, USA...
"I am not stranger to the pain of dealing with some dealers, however, some have equated car salesman as scum of the earth! I believe that is only true individually and not collectively! It is possible to be a Car Sales Consultant, and have integrity and character! I believe it to be an injustice to lump all salesman into the same category! The way to win the buying process is to be informed before you step on the lot! Know what vehicle you want, what the average price it is selling for in your area (find this at edmunds.com) and don't expect to pay such a low price that you actually steal it from the dealer! That is also unscrupulous and puts you in the same lump as the Sleezy Car Salesman. Pay a fair price and be informed and handle each sales person as you find them to be! If you are informed well, you will be able to spot the scammers and stop them dead in their tracks!"

MY RESPONSE...
I couldn't agree more Charles. I've NEVER said ALL car salespeople are liars and cheats. Unfortuneately the good honest ones are often over-shadowed by the sleaze bags. But once again, someone here has pointed out the importance of doing your research BEFORE going to the dealer.

:: Car dealer horror story by Kav British Columbia, Canada...
"I am a sales consultant at a new and pre-owned dealership. Even though I make my living selling cars, I do see the consumers side to dealerships. It is true that many dealers are there to take the most out of the consumers, however, do not think all dealers are like that. I have myself been taken advantage from a dealer on a purchase I have made (This is before I became a Sales Consultant). At the time of negotiating, the rate for leasing was at 5.95%. When I went to pick up my new vehicle, I was told the rates had changed and it is now 6.55%. It was a good thing I did my research and found out the rates were 5.95% and the dealer can mark up .5% for profit. I did not have to give them this .5%.

To make a long story short, not all dealers are bad. My advise is to do your research and make sure the dealer provides you with all the details of your transaction. I love my job and what I do, but sadly, it only takes one dealer to screw it up for everyone else."

MY RESPONSE...
I love getting these letters from car salespeople! He's right that all it takes is one, two or a thousand evil salespeople to 'F' things up for the honest ones.




:: Car Dealer Horror Story by Lucas a "New Car Salesman", Alberta, Canada...
"Hello. I work for a Nissan dealer in Canada. I would like to remark on a couple of the things that you have said. I would say that years ago a site like this is just what the consumer needs. Alot of people were very uninformed.I would like to ask you when the last time you purchased a new car or a used car from a reputable car dealer, and what kind of car you purchased and what the manufacturer dealer was. You just cant get away with the things you are saying anymore. Every customer that purchases a vehical from me knows exactually what is comming out of there pockets, weather it is a cash purchase lease or finance. The consumer is so informed these days it is a totally different way of selling. I am glad you are so informed of this. The second thing is that if the agreament that was first made is not the same as the final one comming from the business office, it would void the contract. PEOPLE LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING. those kind of old school sales people that you speek about jusat cant make a real living at this anymore with those kind of ways. In terms of peoples trades, who would not know that we can not give them what they can get for it on there own. Having said that, most people dont realize is that trading a vehical is tax deductable from the new vehical. DID U KNOW THAT???. Last but not least. THE LIES. PEOPLE the as a car dealer you just cant lie about anything, and anybody that does should be fired on the spot. On the other hand, the customer on the hole is terrible for lieing, do you think we havent heard it all. STOP LYING, in order to get a good deal, be freinds with your sales cunsultant, and pick a good one to boot. If a customer is rude to me and is lying, I will not go very far out of my way to really help him, would you??

there it is There are two sides to every story, it really comes down to if you dont trust your sales person, stop complaining about it and find one you trust, and when you do make sure you go to him for all of your car needs they will take care of you, I know I always do."

MY RESPONSE...
Since Lucas asked... The last time I purchased a new vehicle was three years ago. The process took longer than I would have liked it, but it all went very well because the sales person I dealt with was a totally honest and a straight shooter and I am assuming that the dealership overall was the same. However, it was only a few months before that I helped a friend buy a new car (at a totally different dealership) and the lies started on the phone BEFORE we ever even got to the dealership, do don't tell me that dishonest car sales people are a thing of the past!

I'm not a lawyer or accountant and maybe its just a Canadian thing, but I've never heard that a trade-in was tax deductible. Perhaps if it was business related?
As far as finding an honest sales person.... Sure, that seems obvious but the trouble is when the entire car dealership is full of crooks.....thats when its a challenge to avoid car dealer horror stories.
 

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