Can't Stand the Dealers

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by JazzleSAURUS

I used to borrow my buddies E46 M3 when I wanted to go beat on cars. I'd put on some dark jeans and a plain button down shirt, left the Oakley Frogskins for some Rayban's and beat on a few neat cars that way.

When I pulled in with my Forester in winter mode, (zip tie bumper, a fog light out, etc,) and a flannel with half cabs, they couldn't be bothered.

And people wonder why some dealers are leery?

[echo419]

the dealer is there to sell you a car. that's how they make money to pay the bills. it's their privilege to sell you a car not yours to buy one from them. walk in with that attitude and everything will be much easier.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe

No it was not, and not to sound pretentious but not everyone fits under the stupid, financially irresponsible, immature, fickle, rash stereotype us kids have. I don't think my age allows the dealers, or you for that matter, to pretend like because I'm young that I'm obviously in a lower class than everyone else. I know it's easy to believe everyone in a certain age group is the same after that belief if proven to be right time after time, but please do understand there are exceptions. No I don't have an extravagant job or can afford to buy a car on whim and not worry about it, but I also have more than pocket lint and some spare change.
Do try not to take this the wrong way, though. Not trying to overreact, just the constant insulting comments based on only one aspect of my life can get under my skin a bit.

Of course I have never met Joe nor have a clue what he looks like but we have had a couple of long conversations through PM and believe me although he may be young he is not one of the "these cars are sic yo I want one bro" crowd.
He is going about purchasing his the proper and responsible route (actually more responsibly than I did since mine was demi impulse).

[BlueSky]

Yeah when I first joined the site I had a similar situation happen
I saw a beautiful lava FRS near the road and instantly pulled into Toyota
now I'm on 24 (23 at the time) but I work IT so I was in dress pants and dress clothes
and in a 2013 company vehicle too
I saw 1 sales guy, he got up looked at me and then turned around
1 week later I had a brand new Aozora BRZ

[srizzors25]

I've heard stories this from a few people and it's always frustrating. I'd like to think as long as you go in with genuine interest and respect (as it sounds like you did) you should be able to get help no matter what.
This kind of thing happens with dealerships all the time, they tend to stereotype based off past experiences or just having the wrong idea.

I'd like to think if I was a car salesman I would have a better mentality than a lot of these guys. Whether it's Aston Martin or Toyota, you don't know who is walking through the door. The idea is that they should all treat you the same. Who knows, maybe you are the creator of a crazy successful tech company who got rich at 18. You could look 50 and rich and have no money every person should be treated the same when they walk in the door of a car dealership.

A friend of mine (very rich) has had this happen to him on a few occasions. He's 25, but looks pretty young. Son of a very successful California based business guy. Awhile ago he went to a Porsche dealership to inquire about the new Cayman gt4 and they basically shit all over him, telling he wasn't worthy of a Porsche, how Porsche was the best and the cayman isn't anything compared to their other models. etc... (the gt4 is supposedly fantastic btw). He basically went next door to a Lotus dealership and they treated him with the utmost respect and low and behold he has a downpayment on a new evora 400...
Point is they don't know who is walking in the door. There is no point to shit on anyone

I got lucky, my salesperson was super nice but I made his life very easy. basically came in laid out everything I wanted what I wanted to pay, what accessories I wanted, what I wanted for trade in and the kind of financing I expected. I think that showed him right off the bat I wasn't kidding around. My first new car experience but it was very easy, they were wonderful to me (Mike Shaw Subaru)

[Tcoat]

Not just young guy's have issues and stereotyping or misconceptions happen to everybody.
Try walking into a dealership as a 56 year old guy with an 80s 'stasch, ripped jeans and a Marilyn Manson tee. When I bought my first Lancer I think they were getting ready to call the police on me when I was looking them over. Little did they know I had a cheque in my pocket (I knew exactly how much I was willing to pay) and since my Talon was sitting dead in the driveway I expected to leave with a car that day. They were much happier to see me the next day when we came in and dropped another $50K on an Outlander for the wife.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Not just young guy's have issues and stereotyping or misconceptions happen to everybody.
Try walking into a dealership as a 56 year old guy with an 80s 'stasch, ripped jeans and a Marilyn Manson tee. When I bought my first Lancer I think they were getting ready to call the police on me when I was looking them over. Little did they know I had a cheque in my pocket (I knew exactly how much I was willing to pay) and since my Talon was sitting dead in the driveway I expected to leave with a car that day. They were much happier to see me the next day when we came in and dropped another $50K on an Outlander for the wife.

Talon, Lancer, and an 80s stash


will you be my dad

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Not just young guy's have issues and stereotyping or misconceptions happen to everybody.
Try walking into a dealership as a 56 year old guy with an 80s 'stasch, ripped jeans and a Marilyn Manson tee. When I bought my first Lancer I think they were getting ready to call the police on me when I was looking them over. Little did they know I had a cheque in my pocket (I knew exactly how much I was willing to pay) and since my Talon was sitting dead in the driveway I expected to leave with a car that day. They were much happier to see me the next day when we came in and dropped another $50K on an Outlander for the wife.

The dealership was like:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXE_n2q08Yw"]The O'Jays - For The Love of Money (Audio) - YouTube[/ame]

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Talon, Lancer, and an 80s stash


will you be my dad

You will have to wait in line but so far the inheritance is getting spread pretty this on here.

[industrial]

Car salespeople are an interesting breed of people. You were immediately categorized as "waste of time" probably due to your appearance and non-verbal behavior. You were probably projecting weakness which they pick up on.

You will have a better time by:
1. Knowing exactly what you want and stating it.

"Hi, I'm _____. I've done some research about the FRS. There is no additional information I need to know other than what I can get on a test drive. Can you set me up with a test drive of a FRS with a manual transmission? Thanks!"

2. Having money sorted out before you walk through the doors. Or at least act like you have a suitcase full of money and you are just deciding on what to spend it on.

"I can write a check today if I like the car." "I'm already approved by my bank for 2.9% for up to (sales price of the car + some ridiculous overhead) $45,000. I'm willing to work with your finance department should the test drive go well and their numbers work better for me."

These two things will help you project some confidence and not come off as a waste of time or prey. Don't be so passive aggressive. That's weak. Be assertive and respectful to yourself and others. If I heard a salesman mutter something like "waste of time" as they walked by me, I'd call them out immediately and ask to speak with their supervisor. "Did you say I was a waste of your time? What is your name and where is your supervisor?" If a group of people are pointing at something and laughing, ask them to let you in on the joke. These people sell cars for a living. They are not nearly as bad-ass as you think they are. They are not someone who should intimidate you or belittle you.

[cjd]

The first car I bought was a smooth transaction initially. I ignored the insults out front and found the salesman sitting exhausted and dejected at his desk, asked if he was interested in selling me a car. Turns out he was.

Unfortunately he passed before I took delivery, and I had to wade through the jerks again, but in the end it was all there in the contract and I got what it wanted. Stalling almost two hours past closing probably helped (could have been done on time if they'd not played games.)

The almost 14 years between buying that one and this did seem to help. Patience does too. I had my price. I refused to talk anything else. And I sat and chatted with my wife while we waited. I only made one counter, almost 10% below their initial price, but it was that or go home. I got one feeler conversation where price never quite came up again. Eventually they agreed.

Do bring a partner. They're there for you, nothing else, and not part of the negotiations. If not a parent, an older mentor can help, if you just look that young and nothing else works. Their silence and deference will be key.

Lots of tips and tricks, but unless it's natural, don't bother.

Patience, and good luck.

[youngdriver94]

That sucks man because I went to 3 different dealerships and each one immediately asked if I wanted to test drive it, they all took me seriously, and even when it was my 3rd day back at one of the dealerships they still asked me if I wanted to drive it. I feel kinda bad because i was at the point of buying the car from each dealership but then had to wait a week and ended up getting the car from a completely different one that I only talked through over the phone until I actually signed the papers.

[vramsaran]

Car sales folks are about making as much profit on a sale as possible. It's just the nature of the business. They don't care what you want, it's more along the lines of what needs to be sold by the dealership. The best thing to do is shop around and find the cheapest price.

[Premium 615]

I read the first couple of posts and decided to post.

I would suggest checking out the thread "whitelist dealerships" here on the forum. There are several of us that have had AWESOME experiences with the dealerships we used. I drove from Colorado Springs CO to Nashville TN to get my new BRZ. (dealership was in CO, I flew out there and drove the 1200+ miles back).

Sorry to hear about your f'd up experience.