Posted on 08/27/2006 7:28:57 PM PDT by NicNacPattyWac
Kinda excited since this is my very first time to post something. This is a little long but needed feedback badly, especially those who have knowledge on car sales.
My husband and I began shopping for a 2007 Tahoe. We wanted the LT3 package with the main requirements being a 4.10 rear axle, tow package (we plan on buying a camper in the next year) and second row bench seats (we have a dog safety seat for our three dogs which only works with a bench). The sale would involve no trade in (will sell it ourselves) or loan/financing. What we thought would be a piece of cake sale has turned into a headache.
What we've discovered was that GM offered the dealerships an options package; the price was good so the dealers in this area jumped on it. Included in this package was second row buckets instead of the standard bench, and b/c of this we are having a difficult time finding a vehicle with the seating configurations we need. On top of this, the 4.10 axle is pretty hard to find also.
After contacting 5 salesmen from various dealerships we have discovered there are no vehicles in our state that match what we need. As a matter of fact, three of the salesmen either said they'd search further and call us (then didn't), pushed us to trade in our current truck, and lied to us. One became rude insisting the 3.73 axles he had in stock would work just as well for towing, while insisting second row bucket seats were the latest craze (also the only thing he had in stock). When we didn't agree, he told us to go home, surf the web, and find a truck ourselves.
There were two salesmen who didn't act like we were inconveniencing them. Both men found a vehicle at another dealership that closely matched what we needed, the only drawback being it was in a neighboring state (over 300 miles away). As it turns out both were speaking of the same exact vehicle!
We plan on using my husband's suppliers discount (3% over dealer's invoice), a $2000 GM rebate (paid to dealer by GM), and $1500 in GM credit card points (paid to dealer from GM) towards the truck. When we compared the figures both salespeople gave us, even though the truck started out at the same amount, there was a $200 difference in price after subtracting the suppliers discount; the amounts should have been the same! Also both spoke of a delivery fee to get this truck. One gave a rough figure of $250, the other will have that figure for us tomorrow. Both have given us the impression their dealership isn't making much on the deal, but b/c we aren't familar with how the supplier discount works (if GM is paying the dealer the difference or if the dealer eats the discount per GM) we don't know if this is true?
Anybody have any car sales experience or knowledge we'd appreciate any advice you could give? We don't expect to get the truck for nothing but also hope to get a fair deal (without feeling like we have the word "sucker" on our foreheads). We don't know if we should keep plugging along or sit it out for a few more months before we try again?
thanks much!
What the... ?
I've seen people get good results by becoming members of Consumer Reports, and you can find out exactly what the dealer got the vehicle for and what you should expect to pay. If you save the $15 or so cost of the year subscription, you are ahead of the game.
Try AutoTrader.com for local inventory and CarsDirect.com for the best price quote. But $250 either way shouldn't be a deal-breaker on a $40K car.
Go on-line to Kelly Blue book and check out the prices. You can then see if they are giving you the business or not. Or, contact the dealer that actually HAS the vehicle and trade with them. Then make a weekend of it and go buy it there.
I'll just die if I put this in the wrong forum! Needed suggestions from someone who know the inner workings on auto sales.
Forget the Tahoe and go with the Toyota Tundra. Their sales staff will probably be more accomodating too.
I've tried autodirect, and also found nothing in our area.
I wasn't sure, especially after some of the stuff we were told this week from a few salesmen, if this deal was good?
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We don't expect to get the truck for nothing but also hope to get a fair deal (without feeling like we have the word "sucker" on our foreheads).
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Anyone looking to buy a huge SUV does have the word "sucker" on their foreheads.
I am in the oil/energy business... Gas is not going to get cheaper. It's going up. We simply are not finding large oil reserves. No one is.
We travel with our three dogs which is why we need the interior room a larger vehicle offers. We also are buying a travel trailer this winter/spring so we can take more reasonable vacations.
I am a homemaker, so the vehicle will be in the garage for the most part otherwise besides Walmart runs.
Operate on the assumption that they are all scumbags.
Before you walk into another dealership, do all your homework. Ensure you already know the car you want and the price you are willing to pay. Ensure you know the trim and all the options you want and don't let the saleman talk you into anything different.
Forget about a trade-in. It only gives the salespeople the opportunity to confuse you and increase the price while making you think you are getting a good deal. You are better off selling the car on your own. If you must trade, then have the car detailed (spend at least $250 on this) and demand at least blue book value or you will walk out the door.
Forget about doing your financing through the dealership. NEVER, EVER finance through a dealership. Get a car loan from a bank or credit union and bring the bank check to the closing. If the business manager tries to add on additional charges (and they will), threaten to take your bank check and walk out the door.
Forget about any of those extended warranties they try to sell you. It is a rip-off. Factory warranties are sufficient. Find a good garage to do your routine maintenance. Only have your car serviced by dealership if you are having warranty work done.
Don't let dealership get away with sticking "prep cost" or "cleaning cost" onto the deal. You are buying the car new - why would they need to clean it? Besides, they are paid by the manufacturer to prep a car for sale. If you pay them then they are getting paid twice for the same thing.
thanks much for the link! Oh, and I love your tag line; I crack up everytime I see that commercial :-D
I sold cars for a few years, please allow me to give you some tips.
People buy emotionally. They WANT a new car and the sales staff knows it. There will be a tipping point where the sales people will want to sell you the car more than you want to buy it. That is your point of control.
When looking at the car, don't let the saleperson know it's "just what you want." Always be a little hesitant. "I'm not sure if I want that package..." Have brochures from other car dealers; let them know that you are shopping around and that they are competing for your business. I have helped some people....I had a little black book that I kept referring privately to....it drove the salesman nutz.
When you sit down for bargaining you have to realize that you can make almost $300 an hour (or more) if you do it properly. That time is money time. Don't be in a rush to finish the deal. Wear the salesman down, not the other way around.
Watch out for the Add-ons.
Watch out for ADP (additional dealer profit); it's bargaining money. Scratch it right off in front of them.
Ask to see the factory sticker from the car, then take good note of the dealer installed items. A back up sensor system will cost you $300 to buy and install, but dealers charge a grand for the same thing. Carpets are terribly expensive.
You can buy a can of Scotch Guard for $10; it takes 3 to do a big car. The dealer charges you $400 to $1,000 for the same treatment with an off-brand.
Paint protection treatments are terribly expensive. I used to wonder why the GM or Honda jobs were so bad. They're not; the dealer is just trying to pad their profit. You don't need them.
Hope this helps. Freepmail me if you'd like more.
We thought we had all of our t's crossed and i's dotted before we went to buy, but the "supplier discount" is the unknown in all of this. We weren't sure of the mechanics of it; if it also came from GM (since the dealership gave the impression it is coming out of their pockets). Could be a ploy, but we don't know?
Our car detailer works very cheaply...our grown son enjoys working on cars as a hobby; cost us a few bucks and a homecooked dinner :-D
"Find a good garage to do your routine maintenance."
They can be as bad as dealers TOO!
Good advice on the Toyota....I should have stuck with them. BTW, the Toyota's I've had all received A's....they're great cars and JD Powers last customer satisfaction survey had them at the TOP.
I bought a Ford, then found out that the Toyota has more US made and assembled parts than the Ford.
sigh
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