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Dealership dummies depress me

AZHUND

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Undecided
In the 10 or so new vehicles I’ve bought and dozens and dozens of visits to dealerships I did not buy from, there have been a few sales people that I liked and actually felt “helped” me make a decision. But even those let slip some misinformation (such as Jeep salesman saying the 3.6 in a wrangler has etorque- which fast forward a few years and is now true, but I don’t think that dude was a time traveler).

However, I have never dealt with a single finance guy that I have even remotely liked or felt good about after signing. From outright lies, playing on your fears, trying to trick you into accepting some worthless add on they get a commission on.... or just being so clueless they don’t know how to verify a wire transfer went through. Really don’t like them or whatever snake hole they come from.
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IfIHMadeA2021Scout

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Badlands
I think if you were white you might be surprised that you still get crappy customer service from most car sales people.
I walked onto a lot on Friday and it was a ghost town. One guy walks out and asked if he could help me. I told him he had a Velocity Blue F-250 on the lot that I wanted to look at. We talked about the F-250 I was driving than about the one I asked about buying. He said, "let me check", and walked back inside. When he opened the door there was a bunch of guys just hanging out.

3 or 4 minutes later I gave up waiting and went about walking the lot looking for it. I found it and was looking at it when a different guy came out and said they had just sold the Bluejeans F-250 they had. I said no worries and that I was interested in a gas F-250 Lariat Ultimate Package Tremor in Velocity Blue. He asked me what size engine (gas only comes with the 7.3) so I told him the 7.3. He said they don't offer any incentives on those, I would have to order it, and it would be a 2020. I I wanted a 2021 I would have to wait until January.

Not once did he offer to sit down with me or show me to the guy that can take the order. He didn't offer the card of the guy to talk to. He was wrong on still being able to order a 2020. 2021 order books opened in August and they've been in production for 3 weeks. Ford is offering an incentive (albeit a small one) right now. He was either all lies or just stupid. If this was my employee I would be furious.

I don't get it. I'm looking to buy a $65,000 truck and he let me walk away. I even have pre-approval through Ford Credit for it. I'll order it from someone else.

We were standing next to this while we were talking.
Ford Bronco Dealership dummies depress me 20201127_111917
 

dcg2

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Bingo . I remember the first new Mercedes I purchased for my wife . We owned a vehicle customizing business and we bought a new trendy vehicle every 2 years to fix up and showcase our products . We always kept two fixed up and she drove one and I the other . Mostly Fords but a couple GM in the mix over the years . Anyway , at the time she was driving a 98 Ford ZX2 that we had fast and furious'd . Well it wasn't fast or furious but you get the idea . It was a piece of crap that we decided to trade after only 14 months . So we drive up into the MB lot and are looking over the Suv she was interested in and no one ever came out . I walked in and asked if someone would show us the car and after about 20 minutes a guy walks out and I Snit you not he looks at the car when he walks by and then gives us the once over like these two kids in blue jeans and tee shirts can't afford even being here . After giving some of our info and finding out the payments he then actually makes the mistake and says what he was thinking out loud . "Here it is but it's probably a bit too expensive for you ." I said ok buddy and we got in the car and left . I went home and got on the internet , which was fairly new at the time , and after waiting for the dial up tone to connect and fiddling around for about an hour I found a dealer across the state line that had what we wanted . Ordered everything by email and never spoke to the sales person on the phone at all . They had it waiting , cleaned up and greeted us as soon as we parked . That was the best car buying experience we had ever encountered at the time and one reason we have gone back and kept the wife happy in her MBs since . The sales person saw her again when she carried it to the first dealership for service and he asked her if she was back to look at another car . She said no and pointed at her car and said I bought that one at another dealer two days after you said we couldn't afford yours :) They have never stopped sending us stuff trying to get our business .
Reminds of when I sold my company and had some change in my pocket. Wanted to buy my wife a Mini for Mother's day as a surprise. I was 36 at the time and dressed like a bum because I could.

Went to the local BMW / Mini dealership to look at them but I new what I wanted because I did my research on the Internet.

Had two salespeople blow me off and a third one reluctantly talked to me but was definitely throwing the "you probably can't afford this" vibe. When I asked about the S model with the Sidewalk package (a pretty big lift) he straight up said I shouldn't waste his time.

I had done a bunch of research so had the dealer information for the next nearest (at the time in Cleveland) and had their phone number still on the phone since I had asked them some questions as part of my research.

We were at the guys desk. I just looked at him. Took out my cell phone and called the dealer in Cleveland "I need to talk to a salesman to order a Mini. Yes. Hi Bob! Today's your lucky day, your going to sell a Mini at MSRP with zero effort." Told him what I wanted and read my credit card info to him on the phone for the down payment.

It truly felt fantastic to dunk on that jerk like that.
 

FLSTFI Dave

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I have yet to meet a car or Truck salesman that knows more about what I am looking to purchase than I know. Had a truck salesman try to convince me I did not need a 1 ton dually to tow my 14,000 pound 5th wheel as the 3/4 ton was rated to pull 16,000 pounds. I asked how when the hitch weight on said trailer is 2000 pounds. I was told that didn't matter. I then showed him the truck was rated to carry 2400 pounds. The hitch in the bed would be 100 pounds. That leaves 300 pounds of carrying capacity for my wife and I, putting us in the truck would over load it, add my three kids and it would be 300 pounds overloaded at minimum.
Same goers with any other dealer be it my Harleys, they know less. My RV, they know less.

As stated they only care to make a sale. They know nothing ab out the Bronco because their are none on the Lot. My salesman knows a little, he has one on order.
 

Southern Girl

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That email is the kind of thing that goes through my head, but I don't say it. I really wish I could have been bcc'd on these. :LOL: :LOL:
 

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Bullitt

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Sales personnel should be reading up and studying every make and model they sell when things are slow. There's enough time to read and understand what you sell.

I'm not a fan of a salesperson not knowing what they are selling. But even worse is a salesperson who thinks they know what they are talking about (know-it-all) when in fact they don't. Just be honest and say you don't know but you'll find out and get back with me.

I bought a used vehicle (Grand Cherokee) last month and had a great experience. I saw it online and did my research on it (carfax/1-owner/dealer maintained) and thought I would look at it. I went to the lot and a saleswoman comes out and greets me. She asked if I was looking for something specifically and I said yes, this one. She got the keys and out we went for a test drive. She knew most everything about it and was very professional. I finished and said I'd get in contact with her on the phone. I called her a few days later and made and offer, she countered and we made the deal over the phone. No pressure, no games...very easy purchase.
 

VegasKoop

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Carvanna is a precursor, to the future
Carvana is for suckers who don't know how to shop privately or are too scared to interact with strangers directly. Relying on an algorithm based off dealer data to give you a value for your trade is just like handing them your wallet.
And buying from them? Just because 3 different websites, all driven by dealer data, tell me it's a good deal?? Never!
 

YetiBronco

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Are you your own Subject Matter Expert, or SME?
Do you know more about your prospective product than the sales associate?
Its like going to the auto parts store and telling the kid behind the counter to move over and you will find the thing yourself.
Shouldnt dealerships should have employees learn the product they are going to sell.
Why should I have to explain to the associate that I am buying the Bronco, not the Bronco Sport, not an Escape/Explorer/Expedition either.
Why doesnt anyone but the customer know that Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outerbanks, Badlands, Wild Trak are trim levels, and not other vehicles.
I had an email correspondence where I had to explain all this with screen shots.
Am I the asshole for going full Karen on these morons?

Ford Bronco Dealership dummies depress me 20201127_111917
Exact same conversation I had with a sales associate when my wife was trading in for Lincoln Corsair.
 

TNcoupe

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Ive never had a salesman know more than I did about what I was there to buy. Only halfway decent experience Ive had was when I ordered my 2015 Mustang GT and used X plan.
 

VegasKoop

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Hey guys. I'm black. And I don't really know if thats influenced my experiences at dealerships but I certainly suspect it.
Everytime I've stepped into a Ford dealership, nobody has greeted me

The first time. The sales men actually hot potato'ed me between them on who would take me. That left quite the impression. It burned, can't lie. I was there to try and negotiate a deal with the new Bronco. This was at the Ford in Conshohocken Pennsylvania. And yes I will gladly call them out in the interest that they improve.

The second time was this past weekend. I went to koch ford in Bethlehem... straight to their counter. Nobody was at the counter but their sales people saw me for sure. Nobody came to greet me until I called their number and finally someone came over.

I'm so grateful that as we transition to an online world more and more, I can score awesome deals like I have with brewster Ford in long Island. They don't know me from Adam or Joseph and served me with respect. I hate to throw the race card but I can only imagine that with pale skin and straight hair, I'd get real customer service like I'm used to when I deal with online customer agents ??
I am in love with a black woman. And I can attest to the point that you are making here. She will stand patiently waiting for service at any number of businesses, until I walk up behind her with a hug.
And last week at a local Ford dealership she got completely ignored on the lot, and in the showroom until she finally walked out. Her patience and pleasant disposition are an inspiration to me.
I really don't think there are ANY specialists or experts in any particular model for the high volume mass production cars/suvs. There are many who claim they are SMEs or specialist for a particular model, but I'm 200% sure they don't know as much as us who look into all the ins/outs of every particular model and option.

You may find experts in these fields for luxury and high priced vehicles or those who are enthusiasts themselves, but those are far few than average car dealership "experts".
As someone else mentioned they are mostly paperwork pushers and experts in getting more sales closed.

Don't expect to get straight answer from any dealers. Do the homework yourself and ignore all the other crap they tell you.
It's really not that hard to get up
Hence the post I initiated several days ago steering reservation holders away from dealers lacking actual "Bronco Specialists".

If they can't tell the difference between a Bronco Sport or a Wildtrak, they don't deserve your business.

This isn't a '96 Probe you're buying, it's a freakin' American icon.
They don't deserve the job either
 

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XCR440

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Carvana is for suckers who don't know how to shop privately or are too scared to interact with strangers directly. Relying on an algorithm based off dealer data to give you a value for your trade is just like handing them your wallet.
And buying from them? Just because 3 different websites, all driven by dealer data, tell me it's a good deal?? Never!
It's not going to be good for the "deal" buyer, but this is the future. The low gross on new cars is the biggest reason you don't find good sales people, not many can/want to live on the income. I don't know of any other business that runs on this low of margin. Dealers survive as service and used car sales are still profitable, but this doesn't get shared with salespeople.

I see this changing, as dealers consolidate, I see more of the one price (and that price eventually becoming MSRP, no more deals). I also see it becoming more of a walmart experience with no salesman. Rumor is Ford will have an online sales program next year where dealers set their price and even will have some sort of tie in with the auctions for trade ins, so its starting.
 

Dubsilk

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Don't worry. It's not your skin color.
Unless you were there, let’s don’t discount his “shopping while black” experience.

There is a difference between general bad service and “we talk to everyone but you due to race or an assumption about your ability to pay” service.
 
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PSUTE

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By coincidence, I met my ex father in law at a Ford which had been recently sold. He was a contractor and dressed in dirty carhart coveralls. He had bought 10 trucks at this location since I knew him, he and the former owner were friends. He asked about a new F250 on the lot to replace his 3 year old F 250 He asked how much, and the salesman said, "probably more than you can afford". He looked at the salesman and said you're probably right, turned around and left. The salesman turns to me and asks "what can I do for you" I said probably nothing since you just told a multi millionaire he can't afford to buy from you. He gave me a shocked look and I told him that he was the one who built the service department. Wished him a good day and walked out. They're everywhere...
 

Stitches1974

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By coincidence, I met my ex father in law at a Ford which had been recently sold. He was a contractor and dressed in dirty carhart coveralls. He had bought 10 trucks at this location since I knew him, he and the former owner were friends. He asked about a new F250 on the lot to replace his 3 year old F 250 He asked how much, and the salesman said, "probably more than you can afford". He looked at the salesman and said you're probably right, turned around and left. The salesman turns to me and asks "what can I do for you" I said probably nothing since you just told a multi millionaire he can't afford to buy from you. He gave me a shocked look and I told him that he was the one who built the service department. Wished him a good day and walked out. They're everywhere...
I would have loved to have seen the look on the salesman's face with that reply.
 

tyrobronco

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It is known. In 1968, my dad was newly married and wanting to buy a new car. Went to a Ford dealership in NJ and asked about the Mustang. Salesman just talked down to him, saying they don't come with 289 engines, no coupe, only have what you see, etc. No internet - so my dad shrugs and heads to the Dodge dealership and buys a Dodge Super Bee instead.

Had a friend recently who wanted to buy a brand new Toyota Rav-4. She goes to the dealership and battles with the salesman and is frustrated. I suggested going online and talking to 10 dealerships instead of 1. She does and gets the RAV-4 she wants for the price she wanted in about an hour.
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