About 10 years ago I was with my wife at a Chevy dealership here in the Pittsburgh,PA. area. We told them how much a month we could spend on the payment. The salesman started the "let me ask my supervisor" crap. After many back and forths from an office to the front,we left. As I started the car to leave the car was mobbed with salesmen like zombies from night of the living dead. They were hanging on to the car window as we sped out of the parking lot. I laughed out loud.
Yeah, whenever I go into a car dealership, I ask the sales rep for his best price. I've had the "cool your heels while I check with my manager" bit pulled numerous times. They can find you pretty quick when you get back in your car, though. At one Honda dealership, I had to almost threaten them to get my keys back after I let them take my trade in for an evaluation. At a Chrysler dealership, I tore my signed contract up in front of the sales manager after about ten minutes of high pressure to buy an extended warranty.
Other clues of a dishonest dealership are additional charges for scotchguarding the seats, adding those little rubber door trim things, and etching the VIN # on the windows. If I see that, I leave immediately. There are honest car dealerships out there. Why do business with a crook?