Dealers

[DP]

Went to the local Subaru dealer, very polite, sold out, other dealer in town sold out.

Did a test drive in a Genesis 2.0 turbo, nice car, very solid feel, but the power was very flat off the boost. Salesman took my info and was going to look for a 3.4 v-6 2012 version, so far I have heard nothing from him. BTW the Hyundia guy had no idea what a BRZ or FR-S was.

Called another Scion dealer in my area, 3-4 cars around June 1, none spoken for. Satellite radio is a huge deal for me, I drive 40 miles each way with not radio for about half of that. Salesman on the phone assured me that S radio could be added with no problem, he had talked to the experts.

Is that true, does the existing unit support S radio or do they have to change the whole head unit. Finally he took my info an will call me the minute they come in.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by DP

Is that true, does the existing unit support S radio or do they have to change the whole head unit. Finally he took my info an will call me the minute they come in....

Per the manual, it does, with an optional radio. The manual for it is online at the Scion website here.

" Must have XM Satellite Radio receiver, antenna and service

installed at an additional charge to listen to XM Satellite Radio.

"

Reference starts page 31. Since this is the same radio they have in other cars I would think they would have the unit in available.

[SpecPer]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Per the manual, it does, with an optional radio. The manual for it is online at the Scion website here.

" Must have XM Satellite Radio receiver, antenna and service

installed at an additional charge to listen to XM Satellite Radio.

"

Reference starts page 31. Since this is the same radio they have in other cars I would think they would have the unit in available.

I just took the xm receiver from my 2011 XB and plugged it into the FRS radio and worked perfectly. So anyone wanting satelite radio, you can just order the xm receiver with the XB fit kit and your done.

[thill]

Originally Posted by CountChoculitis

First of all:
I want to tell you that the way you are treated is direct reflection your attitude. Sales people make money selling, they sell by treating you right, so think about it. Why would they treat you like garbage if you didn't ask them too with your attitude?

I sell Toyotas and Scions. And I can tell you there has been almost no training or info on the FR-S passed on to us. So if your dealer isn't into the car, then they prolly don't sit on here reading about it all day like we do. It's not their fault they haven't gotten any info on it yet.

Next, we meet a lot of people everyday. It can sometimes be a hassle to remember every single one. Your first sales person may have gotten caught up in a sale, which can take hours as I'm sure you know, after you and not had a chance to add you, then forgot. It happens, it doesn't make them a shitty person.

You also have to understand it from their point of view. You came in asking about a car that he doesn't know anything about, [because it's not out yet] to include when it will be available for you to drive or buy. And as far as the $5k deposit - thats because they most likely get a lot of kids or whatever that ask about it and want to lead the store on and waste their time, so they put a rediculous deposit amount on it so that only someone who is truly serious will bother. - Personally I don't agree with this, but that's prolly why they said that.

There were a couple other things in there that were pretty annoying/offense to read but, the last thing I'll mention is the thing about the Avalon.

I have never seen an Avalon, much less a "fully equipped" Avalon for that price. If you really saw a loaded Avalon for that price, you better go back and buy it like, yesterday, because it's worth about $40,000.






Got my flame suit on.

Let me give you some free advice. The customer is always right. And we are talking about a $25k car here. As far as the salesman getting a pass for not knowing anything about a car that is friggin sitting in their showroom? We are talking a Scion here. When is the last time any Scion generated this kind of interest in the automotive world? This is the most expensive car Scion sells. So yeah, I don't blame the OP for being frustrated. I work hard at my job, and it often requires me to research new technologies and keep up with latest trends. And my company does not hand me a training manual or send me to a conference. It is called job security and self motivation.

Honestly, you are the type of salesman that I would walk away from and not look back. There are plenty of hungry salesmen/saleswomen out there that will put the customer first and go the extra mile to make a sale, and to know what it is they are selling. It is not like Scion has 100 different models on the showroom floor.

[luxmn]

it goes both way really but imho, if you make money doing something, selling cars or doing whatever, it's on you to keep up with the changes. it doesn't mean you have to know everything every time, but when you don't, the responsibility is on you to find out.

i pay out of pocket to do what they call continuing education in my industry all the time, 12 hours a year either going to conferences, training sessions or buying and learning new books. the company would pay if it benefits the company immediately but to keep up with newest building codes, design codes, standards, it's all on me.

hope you find one soon DP considering you seem to hustle quite a bit trying to get one

[CountChoculitis]

Originally Posted by thill

Let me give you some free advice. The customer is always right. And we are talking about a $25k car here. As far as the salesman getting a pass for not knowing anything about a car that is friggin sitting in their showroom? We are talking a Scion here. When is the last time any Scion generated this kind of interest in the automotive world? This is the most expensive car Scion sells. So yeah, I don't blame the OP for being frustrated. I work hard at my job, and it often requires me to research new technologies and keep up with latest trends. And my company does not hand me a training manual or send me to a conference. It is called job security and self motivation.

Honestly, you are the type of salesman that I would walk away from and not look back. There are plenty of hungry salesmen/saleswomen out there that will put the customer first and go the extra mile to make a sale, and to know what it is they are selling. It is not like Scion has 100 different models on the showroom floor.

You're absolutely right. Some sales people are jack wagons.


That being said, you need to understand something about sales that you're over looking, and maybe don't know, and please remember I'm not trying to be smug or rude.

We're looking at selling maybe 10 FR-S', and maybe 100 Scions in general for the year - for example at my dealership - vs. say.... 2000 Toyota's and Toyota has about 70+ models/trims/packages 'sitting on the showroom floor' - it's a lot to learn and keep track of.

For someone who sells these cars, they are focused on what's available and what makes money so they can pay they're bills. I don't know why that seems like such a crime to people, that a salesperson want to make money. That's how we get paid, that's how we keep the lights on and our kids fed.

Dealerships are supposed to have Scion Certified salespeople, and Scion managers, and some don't have that. It just gets lumped in with Toyota. In that situation Scion gets neglected and yes, the customer [and the stores potential sales] suffers.

And honestly, I don't know why I'm a salesperson you would walk from. Because I'm willilng to give someone the benefit of a doubt? Because I'm tired of people indirectly bashing me on here? If you're not in car sales, it's hard to understand how difficult it can be.

Being on top of a truck in Iraq with a machine gun wasn't as stressful as this job is. But I get treated the same way - like shit by the people I'm trying to help, because you have preconceived notions about who I am.



Anyways, enjoy your FR-S where ever you get it tho, I can't wait to get mine!

[mines13]

Originally Posted by CountChoculitis

You're absolutely right. Some sales people are jack wagons.


That being said, you need to understand something about sales that you're over looking, and maybe don't know, and please remember I'm not trying to be smug or rude.

We're looking at selling maybe 10 FR-S', and maybe 100 Scions in general for the year - for example at my dealership - vs. say.... 2000 Toyota's and Toyota has about 70+ models/trims/packages 'sitting on the showroom floor' - it's a lot to learn and keep track of.

For someone who sells these cars, they are focused on what's available and what makes money so they can pay they're bills. I don't know why that seems like such a crime to people, that a salesperson want to make money. That's how we get paid, that's how we keep the lights on and our kids fed.

Dealerships are supposed to have Scion Certified salespeople, and Scion managers, and some don't have that. It just gets lumped in with Toyota. In that situation Scion gets neglected and yes, the customer [and the stores potential sales] suffers.

And honestly, I don't know why I'm a salesperson you would walk from. Because I'm willilng to give someone the benefit of a doubt? Because I'm tired of people indirectly bashing me on here? If you're not in car sales, it's hard to understand how difficult it can be.

Being on top of a truck in Iraq with a machine gun wasn't as stressful as this job is. But I get treated the same way - like shit by the people I'm trying to help, because you have preconceived notions about who I am.



Anyways, enjoy your FR-S where ever you get it tho, I can't wait to get mine!

Agreed, I sold Porsche & Audi way back, and even selling higher-end cars some people just do not get it. Respect.

Sorry thill, sometimes the customer is not always right. Sometimes the customer is simply unreasonable. Unfortunately due to the stigma that car salesman carry, they often get treated like crap; regardless of who the individual salesman or woman is.

[chris@wagnersubaru]

Originally Posted by Prava

Dude, when I ordered my FR-S, I only wrote them a check for $500. They're just holding on to it and not gonna cash it. When the car gets here, I'll just write him a new check with the whole amount that I'll put down. That whole thing about it being non-refundable is wrong imo.

That's what we do....pretty simple.

I try to treat everyone with equal respect and don't judge or pre-qualify.

BUT it must be said, since the subject is being covered in this thread:

Even though I'm a professional and have been in the business many years and keep up on my knowledge, a lot of people come in with a chip on their shoulder.

A lot of people are very mis-informed as to what they can get a vehicle for via Edmunds and other sites that don't have their facts straight.

A lot of people have dealt with some shady salesmen and dealerships and treat me like a piece of shit.



How many times have you heard someone say "They went to a lot to test drive XXX Hot car out at the moment with no intentions to buy, but wanted to rag it out for the fun of it....waste a little time"?


Or about how they wore out the salesman to the last penny?


It does get a little old when you have something like a Vette, WRX, or GTO on the used lot and every Tom, ****, and Harry comes in and wants to do exactly that....rag the piss out of it and waste your time when you could be doing something more constructive.

Sometimes you get three people on said car in one day.....or say at least five a week.

Once in awhile I eat my words, but being in the business for 15 years you tend to have a good idea of what buyers and trends are like.

The objective of a customer buying a car is to get it for the least amount of money as possible, and it's our job to make as much as we can on the deal.

They also want retail for trade. This is often the only way a dealer can make money on a deal.

With dealers trying to one-up each other, often they'll dip into "Holdback" money....money that's buried into the car that's not supposed to be negotiable.....and used to not be.

This helps the dealer owner advertise, keep the lights on, and pay the staff.

I know most buyers are not sympathetic to this and could care less if we make anything or go out of business.


So we have to "Whore out" the new car because competition is so fierce, and the trade is a clapped out POS that smells like smoke and dogs, but the customer owes 4 grand more than what it's worth, blah blah blah....

Anyways....

Sometimes I love this business and sometimes I hate it.

Gotta take the good with the bad, and I can't see myself doing anything else.

My cars were just rated # 1 by Consumer Reports.

Every car we offer is a top safety pick according to IIHS.

We have the best resale value in the entire automobile industry.
(So someone could actually *Gasp* pay the MSRP Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price and still sell it for a profit anytime after the first year of ownership, the most depreciation heavy year for any car)


We also have one of the best warranties out there....we take care of all wear and tear items for the first 3 years 36k miles.

All the customer has to do is put gas in it and change the oil a couple of times, as we cover EVERYTHING bumper to bumper....Wiper blades, bulbs, Brakes, Batteries, etc...no questions.


Despite all this, my car is only worth $500 under invoice to you, and your rental car trade is worth a mint? Hmmm.....

[russv]

Having bought new cars for the past 40 years I have noticed a general trend of dealers being easier to work with. Not sure if it is because I am older and wiser or that dealers tend to take advantage of younger inexperienced buyers. Over the years I have had all the tricks pulled on me: withholding or "losing" keys to my trade in, using 3 or more salesmen to beat me down, using the 4 square technique to come up with a price only to realize the price difference between trade in and new car price was padded with hidden profit (my fault for not doing the math), and trying to sell me a car that wasn't even in inventory. It's been my experience that if you come into the dealership well armed with invoice price, other dealers' offers, knowledge of the product, and a willingness to walk if the deal is not your satisfaction seems to work best. Also having a calm, almost emotionless, demeanor can readily disarm an aggressive sales tactic. I will say my recent purchase of the FRS was effortless (I'm a 1st 86'er).

[thill]

Originally Posted by CountChoculitis

You're absolutely right. Some sales people are jack wagons.


That being said, you need to understand something about sales that you're over looking, and maybe don't know, and please remember I'm not trying to be smug or rude.

We're looking at selling maybe 10 FR-S', and maybe 100 Scions in general for the year - for example at my dealership - vs. say.... 2000 Toyota's and Toyota has about 70+ models/trims/packages 'sitting on the showroom floor' - it's a lot to learn and keep track of.

For someone who sells these cars, they are focused on what's available and what makes money so they can pay they're bills. I don't know why that seems like such a crime to people, that a salesperson want to make money. That's how we get paid, that's how we keep the lights on and our kids fed.

Dealerships are supposed to have Scion Certified salespeople, and Scion managers, and some don't have that. It just gets lumped in with Toyota. In that situation Scion gets neglected and yes, the customer [and the stores potential sales] suffers.

And honestly, I don't know why I'm a salesperson you would walk from. Because I'm willilng to give someone the benefit of a doubt? Because I'm tired of people indirectly bashing me on here? If you're not in car sales, it's hard to understand how difficult it can be.

Being on top of a truck in Iraq with a machine gun wasn't as stressful as this job is. But I get treated the same way - like shit by the people I'm trying to help, because you have preconceived notions about who I am.



Anyways, enjoy your FR-S where ever you get it tho, I can't wait to get mine!

Thanks for serving. For what it is worth I am ex-military (Army 101st Airborne Division) and have worked at a car dealer (but not as a salesman, but was around the dealer enough to know what goes on). And I apologize if I came off as being abrasive. You are 100% correct, it is a two-way street. I never treat cars salesmen/women like dirt. I treat them with the same respect, and I expect that same respect in return. That said, I have bought my last 5 vehicles almost exclusively from the Internet. I found it took away a lot of stress for both the salesman and me. Negotiate over email or phone, come in for a test drive, and sign the paperwork and leave.

And you are right. Not all car salesmen/women are jerks. I have had very good ones and very bad ones. My advice to those in this thread is if you get a bad dealer, buy from another.

That said, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on the salesman needing to know the basics of the car. I am not talking about understanding the intricate details, but at a minimum, they should know the basics (amenities, horsepower, fuel consumption, etc).

My local Mazda dealer did something pretty cool. All the sales personnel had iPads. They could look up any car at the dealer and give you details and specs at their fingertips. Very helpful.

[chris@wagnersubaru]

Originally Posted by thill

And you are right. Not all car salesmen/women are jerks. I have had very good ones and very bad ones. My advice to those in this thread is if you get a bad dealer, buy from another.


.

This.



And also, this day in age, google reviews will separate the good and the bad pretty easily.

We have people come to our lot over others and drive a good distance just because of our reputation.

[thill]

Originally Posted by chris@wagnersubaru

This.



And also, this day in age, google reviews will separate the good and the bad pretty easily.

We have people come to our lot over others and drive a good distance just because of our reputation.

Word of mouth as well. I think I sent about 10 people to my Honda dealer in about a 2 year span based on the way they treated me.

And I also try to take my vehicles in for service and maintenance at the dealers who treat me well.

[AshWilliams]

Customers have a right to be upset. Car dealers act like a middle man between the manufactuer and customer, often adding hundreds if not thousands of dollars of unnecessary costs. They act just like con-men, treating customers like marks and seeing how much money they can squeeze out of someohe who isn't educated on the actual cost of the vehicle.

Why else can you get the same identical car from 500 dollars over list to several thousand over MRSP? It's a lucrative business which dealers lobby congress to keep alive, because car manufacturers and car buyers would want nothing more than to remove this criminal network that takes advantage of that there is no way for private citizens to buy vehicles directly from the manufacturer.

Don't act surprised when a customer comes in annoyed. The fact that the sticker on the car, the mere MRSP of the vehicle is the LOWEST you're expected to pay for it and the first thing that you hear are excuses as to how that price apparently isn't enough and there is ADM, 300 dollar car wax, and other options that are terribly over-inflated.

Believe me, no one but the car dealerships would mind if you went away and we could buy cars from the manufacturer.

[chris@wagnersubaru]

Yep....and you proved my point I made earlier...

But when your car breaks, will the internet fix it?


And how do you make your living, just out of curiosity?