Your worst car dealer salesman experience?

codex57 · Mar 23, 2004

sketch said:

I got ignored at Allison BMW too. But I was just trying to find their parts department so I didn't care. If I had been looking, I prolly woulda been pissed too cuz NO one asked me if I needed help, even though I looked lost and was wandering around for a few minutes. The dealers in Stevens Creek BMW (San Jose) were much nicer. Random salespeople kept asking me if I wanted to check a car out, even after I told them my friend was filling out paperwork and that I had just bought one a couple weeks earlier. One guy said, "well, get another one." That's the attitude I wanna see!

Least the Cerritos Dodge, Acura, Nissan, Toyota (new ownership), and Honda dealers swarm over me now. Kinda annoying cuz I'm just there for parts or what not, but I appreciate the attention after being snubbed at Toyota back in high school. Too bad the higher end dealers still ignore me (even when I pull up in a new BMW) cept for House of Imports (MB). That's a good and recommended dealership for you SoCal people.

Susie520 · Mar 24, 2004

For the most part I have had positive experiences with various dealerships in my area (Fairfax, VA). Cars have been a hobby of mine since I was really young. I started test driving as soon as I turned 16 and have probably test driven some 30 or so cars. At the age of 16 my friend and I drove off the lot in a new Lexus SC300 (the coupe) with no salesperson! Granted her dad had recently purchasd a Lexus from the dealer months before, I thought they were CRAZY for allowing us to go alone! At the Acura dealer one of the salesmen put the keys to a brand new NSX (on the showroom floor) in my hand and asked if I wanted to take it for a spin. I had been drooling over it, but I didn't know how to drive stick then so I had to decline - the offer caught me off guard. From 16 on (many years later)... I have never been given riff raff about my age or the price of a vehicle I was test driving. I can't imagine some of the things you guys have gone through. Some of these sales associates have been so disrespectful and outright rude, I'm glad you posted the dealership names to avoid!

I was expecting some discrimination when I just ordered/bought my 2004 330xi for two reasons a) I am a woman, b) I am fairly young (a recent college grad). I am pretty sensitive to any type of discrimination or patronization and kept a keen eye out for it at the dealership. I am big on service and I have been known to walk right out of a place due to poor or inadequate service. At BMW of Sterling they always treated me as a professional, maybe because they could detect I wasn't fooling around. I feel as though I was also able to negotiate a fair price, 1300 over invoice and 2820 off of MSRP. I am proud of my dealings and happy with the way I was treated.

I feel bad after reading all of your horror stories!

codex57 · Mar 25, 2004

Glad you had good experiences. Maybe it's the Southern hospitality? I'm a firm believer in posting names of dealerships and sales people. Both for good and bad instances. Let's you have a better idea of which places are consistently bad and which are consistently good. Help out someone out there who might be considering that particular dealership. The more knowledge, the better.

dudley821 · Mar 25, 2004

This isn't my story but it's one from my dad I remember. A few years ago my dad was looking into buying a new Corvette (2001 at the time). After a long day of working in the yard he decided he wanted to go look around the Chevy dealer in town. He didn't feel like changing or taking a shower so he just went in his work shorts and shirt that he had been working in all day. He went there and looked at a few and no one ever helped. He even asked a few of the salesman for help and they just gave him the cold shoulder. After trying to get help for about 30 minutes he just left. Before he left he gave one of the salesman his business card and told him to give it to the manager. As soon as my dad got home he got a call from the manager apologizing and begging my dad to come back in (he had obviously seen my dad was the COO of his company on his business card). My dad just said it's too late and he already did the damage. My dad bought a new Vette about 2 weeks later from another dealer. My mom bought a Chevy Suburban 2 years later and my dad refused to even go to that dealership, so they could have potentially lost 2 sales from that one incident... their loss!

I can understand they assumed he couldn't afford a Vette from the way he looked that day, but looks can be deceiving. They should help anyone who comes in there with a license.

epj3 · Mar 25, 2004

dudley821 said:

This isn't my story but it's one from my dad I remember. A few years ago my dad was looking into buying a new Corvette (2001 at the time). After a long day of working in the yard he decided he wanted to go look around the Chevy dealer in town. He didn't feel like changing or taking a shower so he just went in his work shorts and shirt that he had been working in all day. He went there and looked at a few and no one ever helped. He even asked a few of the salesman for help and they just gave him the cold shoulder. After trying to get help for about 30 minutes he just left. Before he left he gave one of the salesman his business card and told him to give it to the manager. As soon as my dad got home he got a call from the manager apologizing and begging my dad to come back in (he had obviously seen my dad was the COO of his company on his business card). My dad just said it's too late and he already did the damage. My dad bought a new Vette about 2 weeks later from another dealer. My mom bought a Chevy Suburban 2 years later and my dad refused to even go to that dealership, so they could have potentially lost 2 sales from that one incident... their loss!

I can understand they assumed he couldn't afford a Vette from the way he looked that day, but looks can be deceiving. They should help anyone who comes in there with a license.

2 fairly big sales at that, since SUV's are pricy and dont cost a whole lot to build or maintain (for the most part anyways.)

Usually they weren't helping anyone else when I would go in and get treated like crap.

jrt67ss350 · Mar 25, 2004

Here's my most recent dealership story:

When I was in Memphis 3 weeks back, I went to the International Auto Show there (I posted pics of the 6 series from the show in the Showroom forum). At the show, I fell in love with the Saab 9-3. I had never really considered or cared to look at Saabs before, but the styling of the new 9-3 had caught my eye, and I checked the car out. One of the young guys working at the Saab display was a salesguy at the local dealer. He was awesome - told me all about the car, got a feel for what I want in a car, etc. He asked me when I would be in the market for a new car, and I said that I would be looking to buy in about 3 years when I graduate from med school. He understood my position, and suggested that I come by the dealership and take one for a drive even though I won't be buying for a few more years. He told me that his feeling is that if you drive one of the cars, you'll probably end up buying one sooner or later, and that it is good for the company to get as many people on test drives as possible, so that people can see the merits of the car.

Well, my girlfriend realized that I really loved the car, and she suggested that we go by the dealership the next day and take one for a test drive. We took her car (a 1997 Grand Prix GTP). We get there, and I go directly to the huge line of 9-3s they had, finding a low-end Linear with a manual since that is most likely what I would buy. A saleslady comes over to us and tells me to get in the car. She starts telling me about how nice the car is and how safe it is. I told her that I saw the car at the show, and the guy there told us to come by and take it for a spin. She counters my statement with the obligatory "So how soon are you looking to buy?" I tell her "In a few years." She actually laughed at me and walked away to go shoot the shit with a group of other salespeople who were just standing around. It was very clear that I was not going to get a test drive from her. Pissed me off.

While I am standing there infuriated, the guy who showed me the car at the autoshow the day before pulled in in a new 9-3 Aero convertible. I flagged him down, and he arranged for a different salesman to come show me the car and do a test drive.

I was ticked, but I ended up getting my testdrive. Man, I have to say that I love that car. Truly awesome. I am going to seriously consider buying a CPO Saab 9-3 when I graduate.

Bear6360 · Apr 2, 2004

Kirby said:

I'm not talkin' about the place with the 'vettes (unless it's the same dealership), I'm talkin' about the one right next to it.
If you want to check it out, there's a '94 325i at Heinrich's (about half a miles before you get to John's on the left). It's green. I don't remember the mileage. He's askin' $8K....which is a bit high if you ask me. The driver's window looks like it doesn't go up all the way. If you're interested, go deal with the guy.
It's right next to the West Lawn Post Office. Hard to miss.

They have a 1999 Golf there. They're askin' $8K for it too. It KBB's at $10K. It's got a big V6 in it with over 200 hp. I'd think about it if I had money....any money.

Kirby · Apr 2, 2004

OK, I know which place you mean, Jim's is on the left, vettes on the right. I get the names mixed up because they opened right around the same time, and I 've wondered (no evidence) if they are really the same company/owner.

I looked at the car at Heinrichs about 5 or 6 weeks ago. He started at $8500. He told me he had done a complete 4 wheel pads/rotors job on it and that it was mechanically sound. The cosmetics on it are rough, carpet is worn, etc. I think mileage was 110K - 120K. I agree that $8000 is a little high. I'm really trying to find a 5 speed, otherwise I might offer him $7000 - $7500. He did tell me (when he was asking $8500) that he had room to "work a price".

codex57 · Apr 2, 2004

Kirby said:

I looked at the car at Heinrichs about 5 or 6 weeks ago. He started at $8500. He told me he had done a complete 4 wheel pads/rotors job on it and that it was mechanically sound. The cosmetics on it are rough, carpet is worn, etc. I think mileage was 110K - 120K. I agree that $8000 is a little high. I'm really trying to find a 5 speed, otherwise I might offer him $7000 - $7500. He did tell me (when he was asking $8500) that he had room to "work a price".

I'll bet he bought the car for around $3,000 and that's why he has room to "work a price."

jszar · Apr 2, 2004

when i go for test drives...of course they ask when you plan to buy, i just tell them if i find the right car...i'll get it, but i need to drive it first. garunteed test drive everytime.

Bear6360 · Apr 2, 2004

Jszar, good game plan! [hihi]

Kirby, we can get together sometime and go harass John (or Jim or whoever he is) if you want!
If you're lookin' for a really good car, Dick Horrigan BMW has a 5 speed 325i for sale. I think it's a 2002. It only has 15K miles on it. They're askin' around $29K for it, though. They let me test drive it when Leaky was in for work. The dealer didn't even go with me...he just pulled it around and handed over the keys. He didn't even ask to copy my drivers license! His name is Bruce Dillman if you ever swing by.

Kirby · Apr 3, 2004

I bought the 330 from Bruce, he's a really good guy. Unfortunately for my daughter, $29K is about $22K more than I want to spend on a car for a 16 year old! Actually, I did tell her if she gets a full college scholarship I would buy her a brand new 325. The car is a whole lot cheaper than college, well, the first four years at least. She wants to be a doctor.....

jrt67ss350 · Apr 3, 2004

Kirby said:

So, all the school and work your wife has and is going through hasn't scared your daughter off from medicine, huh? Good for her! I wish her the best of luck, and hope she gets that scholarship and a new 325i!

Bear6360 · Apr 4, 2004

That's cool that we both know Bruce. What a small world.
You were smart to offer her a new car if she gets a full scholarship. School costs way too much!
I used to have a nice Grand Prix that she could've had. Oh well, maybe next time. [hihi]

Kirby · Apr 4, 2004

jrt67ss350 said:

Seeing Mom become a doctor is what has inspired her to do the same. She's interested in psychiatry, so my wife set up a day where my daughter shadowed a psychiatrist. She was fascinated to actually be part of a medical interview with a schizophrenic patient. The guy said that voices in his head told him "you are what your last name is". His last name, in another language, meant "writer" or "author" so he spent 14 - 16 hours a day writing nonsense on paper, like "The Shining" - "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".

gbf1lm · Apr 4, 2004

ok last year my dad saw an ad for an 02 m3 convertible in MB house of imports used lot for 45k. we went there it has 2-3 small scratches, broken subwoofer in the trunk, 20k miles and no tread left. my dad told them how about 39+ new tires. and then the guy starts laughing, "where did that number come from, seriously is that like all you can afford or what, just out of curiousity where did u pull that number out of?" so we showed him an ad for a 01 with 12kmiles for 40. and left. then he wouldnt stop calling for a week the m3 needs to be sold, blah blah blah. we ened up buying the 01 which was in perfect condition.

then another time we were looking for my sisters car. ad for a new civic ex automatic for 15. we call ''oh theres one left - a white one''. 10 min later were there. oh we just sold, it its being washed so i cant show it to you. just look over there any minuite it will come out. from around back. " then he drags us to the office and trys to talk us into buying a slightly differently equiipped ex for 19k. we left and then i used a cell to call him 5 min after we left" yep 1 left, a white one"

a good salesman though, in irvine bmw there used too be a guy named oleck, he was really nice, we bought my car and my moms 540 form him 8 years ago. i think they got rid of him cuz hes too nice or something. we got the 540 new for 36k. and a 4 year old 325 for 16k. back in 96 though buut still.

Your worst car dealer salesman experience?

codex57

2

Susie520

Member

codex57

2

dudley821

Member

epj3

Senior Member

jrt67ss350

2

Bear6360

Guest

Kirby

2

codex57

2

jszar

2

Bear6360

Guest

Kirby

2

jrt67ss350

2

Bear6360

Guest

Kirby

2

gbf1lm

Member