Originally Posted by CelicaJoe (Post 2332231)

Okay I know there's a thousand forums about how awful the dealers are, but seriously, is there anyway to have a semi decent time when you go? I went to both a Scion and a Subaru dealer really just to look at the cars and ask a couple questions (both were on my home from work) and both places shrugged me off and treated me like I was 5.

Scion was first up, I was greeted immediately by 7 or 8 workers lounging outside by their pointing at me and sneering in the most rude manner possible. Then one of them approached me and said "Looking to trade in that piece of junk for a new car?" at which point I wanted to run him over. He proceeded to tell me about their brand new frs, how it is superior to all of it's previous models and a bunch of incorrect information (This car only has 200 hp, but you'll be surprised when you launch past every mustang on the street). Then he informed me, without my asking, that I didn't have a chance at trying to test drive one because another "mindless kid your age scraped the curb a few months ago in one of these and I'm not taking the chance that you'll be just as stupid as he was." As soon as he said that I left.

But hey, some people are just rude, and the subaru dealer was literally a street down. I figured I'd go there instead. Not a single person would even talk to me for the first 15 minutes. Then when one guy walked by and I grabbed him real quick he smiled and said "where's your parents, little one?". I get it, I'm 19 and young, but I don't look 7. After a lot of the stuff that happened at the Scion dealer began to repeat I just said, "Sorry but I should be going" and he muttered under his breath waste of time, and then smiled and waved to me. On the way out I saw him motion a few of his coworkers and I watched through the window as he pointed over at me and shook his head.

Guess I ranted on about that a lot longer than I thought, but come on. I'm trying to seriously look into buying soon and I can't be taken seriously anywhere I go. Besides, isn't this car marketed towards the younger crowd? :bs:

Originally Posted by Veloist (Post 2332247)

Come to California I'll let you test drive a BRZ, my dad will let you test drive an FR-S.

What makes your experience different is the personality of the salesperson. One person may not have the same experience as another person if they're talking about the same dealership because they dealt with two different sales consultants.

I'm 22 years old but I take every customer seriously. I've gone on a lot of BRZ test drives and I don't even take the dealership route...I take them to the twisty roads because that's where you truly experience the car.

If a person doesn't want to buy the car, all I do is give them my business card and wait for them to call me. I don't even ask for their number unless they ask me if I want it.

Everyone is different. It's too bad you're out in Florida. I'm positive I could give you an experience you'd never expect especially since I'm an enthusiast for the car :)

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe (Post 2332231)

I'm trying to seriously look into buying soon and I can't be taken seriously anywhere I go.

Originally Posted by Turbo95eg6 (Post 2332262)

The key word is "soon", you're 19 and not ready. They see this a mile away, next time bring a parent.

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe (Post 2332231)

Guess I ranted on about that a lot longer than I thought, but come on. I'm trying to seriously look into buying soon and I can't be taken seriously anywhere I go. Besides, isn't this car marketed towards the younger crowd? :bs:

Originally Posted by pinski (Post 2332381)

At your age, I got similar reactions from dealers. It just goes with the territory. It doesn't make it right, but they see hundreds of flakes that act interested and then just want to tear up a new car.

Just curious about a couple things:

What's your Celica like? Is it clean and in good shape?
You said you came on your way home from work - what were you wearing?

Those things shouldn't matter, but they do.

My recommendation would be to find a third dealer, preferably one from the Whitelist on this forum, one that has the exact car you want to buy, if you like it. Contact them through the internet, leave a phone number or email addy (as long as your email addy isn't ballaboi696969@aol.com, or something else idiotic). When they get back with you, tell them what you want and set an appointment.

Arrive on time, your car clean (it'll increase its trade value, potentially) and dress somewhat nicely, like nice pants and a polo or button up.

If you can, arrange financing ahead of time that you're comfortable with, if you need it. That'll also reduce the chance of shenanigans once you hit the F&I office in the dealer.

Don't go if you're only wanting to beat on the car or aren't ready to buy today as you'll only reinforce the negative stereotype you've been experiencing.

Originally Posted by HunterGreene (Post 2332406)

#ThisiswhyFloridaSucks

I know at a couple of dealerships I have been at, both salespeople would have been fired pretty damn quickly if you had gone to talk to a GM after that. I would have asked to speak to an actual sales professional were I in your shoes, not some know-nothing who just works at the dealership for the discount.

I'm not in car sales, but I can tell you that insulting your customer and their car as soon as they drive up is just a pure recipe for failure.

Originally Posted by HunterGreene (Post 2332406)

#ThisiswhyFloridaSucks

I know at a couple of dealerships I have been at, both salespeople would have been fired pretty damn quickly if you had gone to talk to a GM after that. I would have asked to speak to an actual sales professional were I in your shoes, not some know-nothing who just works at the dealership for the discount.

I'm not in car sales, but I can tell you that insulting your customer and their car as soon as they drive up is just a pure recipe for failure.

Originally Posted by pinski (Post 2332381)

At your age, I got similar reactions from dealers. It just goes with the territory. It doesn't make it right, but they see hundreds of flakes that act interested and then just want to tear up a new car.