A new first in the automobile retail business

NY 986

Well-known Member
I had an appointment just outside of Rochester today and I was running early. I swing into an area Chevy dealership that was on my way and get out to look at used trucks. I walked around for 10-15 minutes and not one salesperson came out to talk price or anything. Not that I was going to buy today but I did have a couple of questions. Any other time I drive in to pick up the wife or get a part (at a different dealership) there are salespeople chasing me before I turn off the truck. I shaved and bathed today so I don't know what I did. Honest! Yes, they could easily see me from the showroom. Must have been too busy writing up sales contracts.
 
That is a first, although we used to have an independent used car dealer in town who was that way. You could walk around on his lot, kick tires, slam doors, etc. to your hearts content and he'd just sit in his office reading a newspaper or something. If you wanted more info on a vehicle, you had to go in and ask him.

I once drove onto the lot of a high volume Chrysler dealer in Omaha, and I wasn't 50 feet onto the lot and hadn't even stopped when a salesman was jogging along beside my van.

That was probably 20 years ago, back in the days when hiring new salesmen at a dealership was an ongoing process. They knew that between family and friends every new salesman would generate an average of five sales. So they continually hired salesmen and at the end of every month when figures were totaled up, the lowest producer was fired.

I think they've gotten away from that practice now, but maybe not too far.
 
My wife and I are going to buy new vehicles,but we have been putting it off because we hate to deal with those people. A few months ago they offered my wife 9000 in trade for her honda,but when they saw we were serious they said it was only worth 7500. When we bought it we negociated the price with tax and title. Then they said there was a 900 dollar dock fee plus a 250 dollar title fee.
 
A lot of dealerships no longer chase customers. "No pressure" sales is the new tactic. You could have waved them out and then picked on them.
"Do you have this in another color?", "Where are the Ford's?" "All you sell is Chevys?". . . .
 
Actually, I do sympathize or empathize with the salespeople as it is a tough way to make a living. Produce to the manager's liking or you're out at the end of the month. The days of working 20-30 years and retiring with a gold watch are long gone. I would hate to guess just how many vehicles they have to sell every month. Friends, neighbors, and family are probably not enough these days.
 
"No pressure" has been around for a while but usually they come out for a quick chat anyways.
 
Two years ago I bought the wife a van since #5 was on the way. I was wearing my poop boots,cut of sleve shirt and old jeans. I could see sales people looking my way but none came out. After a few minutes a salesman drove up and ask I was being helped,I said no. We talked a few and went to his office to talk prices,seems he just got back from getting his lunch and stoped to help me before he ate it. I told him to eat and I would watch the ball games while he ate.( tourney time) . I wrote a check for the van and he said that's why I always help people that look like I did because they have money!
Another time i went with my buddy to look at dirt bikes and we were in boots,and dirty and the lady told us to come back when we could afford something!
 
I'm sure there's a lot I don't know about the auto business, but I've never understood why auto salesmen are necessary. I know when I'm ready to buy a vehicle, I pretty much know what I'm looking for, and I know what I can afford. All I might need are the answers to some questions, and the price. The rest I can decide for myself. I think most people are basically the same, so why is it necessary for a dealer to "sell" a car? I have bought lots of vehicles, but I have never been talked into buying one.
 
Traded my wifes van last october for a 2015 chrysler t&c and they were going to charge a dock fee after the deal wwas made . i said ill go somewhere else . he waived the dock fee
 
Every one of them is different, I remember two times very well, My wife and I were looking for her a new Expedition and stopped at one of the largest Ford dealers outside of Atlanta, wife asked salesman several questions and every time he answered me, I told salesman she was looking for a car not me, she asked one more questi9n and he turned and answered me, my wife looked him in the eyes and said I?m ready to go now, I don?t think he ever caught on to the problem.
The second time I was looking for a new Crown Vic, passed by a big dealer every night on the way home from tractor dealer I was at then.
I saw one one evening that I really liked so I pulled in to look at it. Mind you I was in my dealer uniform, but I was clean and neat, prissy little sales girl walked and and greeted me with ?these are very expensive, do you realize how much they are?? I answered her with yes I do, this would have been my third, think I?ll buy it elsewhere!

Last four cars and trucks I?ve bought, I did through the dealers internet sales, never set foot inside except to hand check to paperwork person.
I have no need or use for a salesman, most know less about their 0roduct than I do.
 
Over ten years ago I was commuting 60 miles each way and driving an old Honda CRX. Got the hots for a diesel Volkswagen and turned into a lot on the way home ready to buy. They watched me from the showroom and I stared at them. I think they called security. I left and got over the desire. Glad I did, since they were lying about fuel economy.
 
This is one of those cases where everyone is different. I prefer not to be chased by salesman. If I am that interested I will go in and talk to them. If I am not I will not go in.

I also like to communicate over email at first if I see something on the internet. Sounds like that is a characteristic of people in my age group(30-40).
 
The modern salesperson does not chase the customers down at a dealership these days. Most people are turned off by that . Hence all the people you see in the lot when the dealer is closed.
 
I think some dealerships are wising up to wiser consumers. It really irked me when I would be driving through a car lot and the minute I stopped, I was "pounced upon." The last four cars I bought, I was pleased with the experience. I typically called before I came to the dealership, indicating I was interested in looking at one of their cars. They put a hold on the car until I at least came to look at it. Not once did I hear about other customers who had called on it or were also looking at it, and I didn't feel pressured. Again, I think these dealers have figured out the high pressured aggressive tactics turn people off. I tend to think, too, when they provide a low pressure environment, a friendly/concerned/interested sales person, and an appealing price, the customer is not only more inclined to purchase, but also less inclined to "haggle" on price. I would add, they are also looking for repeat customers and satisfied customers who will tell their friends and relatives about a positive experience, rather than a bad experience. I know of a small town dealership my wife and I bought our first car as a married couple from. It was a pleasure to deal with these people! We had others whom we had talked with, who went there and purchased cars, too. It was very sad to see General Motors determine their dealership to be too small to support after the shakeup in 2008. I would have gone back again!
 
Had the same experience with several places last week while truck shopping. One dealer I went to, I actually went inside to find a salesman. Did not see one other customer --
was not noticed in there either. They were all surfing the web or noodling with their iPhonies.
 
... and another pain to deal with that I am seeing -- 'document processing fees'. These apparently vary by state. At one Virginia dealer I saw they wanted $689. Been awhile since I've bought a car or truck but don't ever remember being that shocked. Geez, bend over.
 

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