I worked with two guys who were car dealers a few years ago. Both were actually nice guys outside of the show room. They were the type that wouldn't hurt a fly. Very nearly literally.
Both admitted they would happilly scr&w over a customer to increase their commission.
We worked together at a bar. Neither would do anything unethical to get better tips but both would talk people into things they didn't need and into paying more than they could comfortably afford.
Now, when I buy a car, I bring someone with me who is actually working in or intimately familiar with the automotive industry.
I can understand trying to get the best commission one can but I can't understand doing so at a moral cost when a person is otherwise far more moral than that.
2007-03-15 18:41:54 · 12 answers · asked by ophelliaz 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
I'm the owner of a small lawn care company, and it is my honest opinion those two dealers do dirty business. It may be legal, but that doesn't make it right.
While car dealers in general may have this reputation, lawn care personnel are not far behind, and I am certain it is by example we lead.
As the owner it is my job to provide the customer with a service that will both work and that they can afford, a practice that may become clearer once a few customers fail to make their payments.
But, if repeat business doesn't interest the owner and they don't mind chasing after deadbeats for the purpose of punishing someone whom they knew ahead of time could not afford it, then I suppose that is their choice because in the end there exists no collection method that guarantees payment, so it works both ways.
2007-03-15 19:22:12 · answer #1 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to live in one of my states largest cities. I will tell you how I have found some really good deals on used vehicles.
There are some pretty good used car dealers out in smaller communities. The smaller the better. I have found that the dealers are more appreciative of the business and also have a local reputation to uphold. If the small town has a local restaurant, stop in and talk to the people of that small town. You'd be surprised the information you can pick up.
As always, take your friends with mechanical know how. I would bet that even they would be surprised at the deals you and they will find.
I learned very early on how a salesman operates. They may have gotten a button or two, but never the shirt.
2007-03-15 19:19:56 · answer #2 · answered by eks_spurt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consumers that label car dealers and sales people the scum of the earth do so for one reason only, They dont allow themselves the time in this fast paced world we live in to study and learn the process how a vehicle is being sold and enter car lots like sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
I entered the industry when I was 20 years old and retired at 50 very financially secure, as a hobby now I have a website that tells all how the process works http://www.usedcartips.org/ If you take the time to try and understand what I am trying to teach you will be on a level playing field entering a dealership instead of the simple way out saying they are all scum.
2007-03-16 01:10:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
You pretty much answered your own question. Its about the money. Car salesmen can make a LOT of money, if they know how to play the cards. My step dad for example is a very wealthy man who has never had any other occupation than selling used cars. Unfortunately, he is, as you say, the scum of the earth, in and out of the show room. The difference between the bar and the show room is that the bar is laid back, and everyone is fun. In the show room setting, every dealer is fun and friendly with their co-workers, when really its a cut throat business. Every salesmen wants to make more and sell more than the guy next to him. Its funny, I had this sort of conversation with a co-worker when I worked at a dealership this past summer and one thing he said that really stuck in my mind was this: "When it comes down to it, car salesmen are better liars than lawyers, and twice as cut throat." *shrug* They live up to their stereotype.
2007-03-15 18:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by TRae 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's right to label an entire profession as scum. I'm sure there are bad in every field, how about teachers that molest their students, how about law enforcement who take bribes, how about doctors that overcharge, and the list goes on....Don't be so hasty in judging others. By the way, what kind of noble and charitable public service work do you perform. I've been in the auto business for 15 yrs, and can look in the mirror and honestly say that I have never earned a dishonest days pay in my life. Anyonewho has sold anything will agree with me that customers come up with some unbelievable lies, but we put up with it because we have to.
2007-03-16 02:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by justcurious 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
What guy? it really is not any ones fault yet your grandfathers. HE signed the papers on the hot automobile. HE replaced into the man who drove it living house. called criminal specialist, BBB and the police?? nicely, that replaced right into a waste of time. you're an fool. i wager you should have went along with your grandfather somewhat of letting him flow with assistance from himself if he's that incompetent. His age is not any excuse. He should be wiser in his elderly years. "He sat down and suggested now he recollects a very good guy pushing this automobile on him, and he concept he replaced into in person-friendly words taking it living house so that they could change each of the tires on his automobile, and he ought to come again the subsequent day and %. up his automobile." Come on...i will not believe everybody is THAT stupid. do not team anybody specialist automobile salesman at the same time. Your grandfather is sufficiently old to to blame for his personal incompetence. no individual held a gun to his head. next time, do not enable him out of the living house with out his helmet.
2016-11-25 23:19:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i disagree with you emphatically. i am very very good at my profession, and i do it each and every day in an honest, professional manner. i do not screw customers, i do upsell accessories (who wants a truck with no spray in liner that looks like hell in six months?) but i do offer the choice to buy or not. i do not pressure, i do not force, and i sure as hell don't steal from my customers. i am trying to build a customer base, and the ulitmate goal is to have you come back to buy another car from me at a later date. and also to have you bring friends. i can't do this by screwing you. truth be known, car salesmen are not bad people, just regular guys and gals trying to earn a living. i'm not sure where the perception that i get a free new car for every one that i sell got started, but i assure you, it isn't reality. a lot of guys (especially young ones) run off at the mouth about how they bent a little old lady over and made a fortune off of her, and i'm sure some guys actually do this, but most of the stories you hear are pretty much b.s. from people who think this is what you want to hear from them. there is good and bad in any industry, but i assure you, a truly successful car guy is not a thief, a crook, or a liar.
2007-03-16 03:24:32 · answer #7 · answered by michael_oxgood 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Dealers are indeed scum. They prey on the uninformed so use Kelley bluebook and edmunds to your advantage.
If keeping the car, get the Xtended warranty. If not forget it.
When negotiating the price, don't fall for the ,"how much do you want your monthly payment to be?" crap...
Know ahead of time what kind of loan you qualify for....
know how much you want to pay for the car and know what the approx mo/payment will be.
Don't fall for the, "it's the only one we have and the manager siad not to let it go for less than", crap....
Study other dealer's inventories in the area, as soon as they try any crap, get up and walk out. Don't cave into peer pressure, it is your money and credit.
It is usually easy to read these chumps....they get so upset when I point their BS out and walk out.
I take great pride in making them squirm.
2007-03-15 20:32:20 · answer #8 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
"The love of money is the root of all evil."
The object desired by you is equal to what you're willing to pay in money, and is therefore a type of money itself. So don't prize anything material too highly, and no one can convince to to pay. Thus you can free yourself from this "evil", but only if you master your own desires, otherwise others will want to manipulate them to work for their desires.
Jesus, Buddha, and others, have all stressed this.
God bless.
2007-03-15 19:11:58 · answer #9 · answered by Gravitar or not... 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
car-stereo salesmen are even worse..... they try to tell you a $50 worth of equipment for $1300 ... since you wouldnt know any better. listen THIS IS THE USA. ITS ****** UP TO THE CORE. LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.
be the change you want to see.... other than that - you can't do much. Teach one fker a lesson and another one will take his place.... :-(
2007-03-15 18:51:25 · answer #10 · answered by forever sport 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋