A TOUGH DAY AT THE NEW CAR "STEALERSHIP"

[chief38]

Mrs. Chief and I spent 5 hours at the Dealership today picking out, driving and buying a car. After watching all the youtube car buying video's before going, there is still no real way to keep from getting hosed! I negotiated my best deal to the point where they would have let me walk out - without anymore counter offers - so I knew I had gotten pretty much the best deal I could. They now have more fees, add ons and BS than ever before - what torture! Even though we think we go into the dealership prepared, they are always two steps ahead. Although I got many of the extra charges taken off, they did add window tinting and a few other items that were permanently part of the car as it sat and they weren't taking those off, although I did get most of the up-charges reduced.

The one thing I don't have patience for is going back and forth from dealer to dealer and they just wore me out. The dealers in our area are all cut from the same cloth and I just made the best deal I could even though we wound up buying more car than we originally wanted. Since we intend on keeping this vehicle for about 9 years or so, the extra options although not necessary are useful as safety tools. Things like 360º cameras, turning cameras, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warnings, automatic liftgate, giant sunroof, premium sound system, hill hold, automatic emergency braking, blah blah blah which are certainly not necessary - but nice to have when keeping a car for the long haul.

The bottom line is we did get up-charged, forced to take items we did not really want, (they bundle things of course so we are forced to do that) but they had most models with added stuff for more profit. I feel like we went through the meat grinder today however I am picking up the car tomorrow morning and I hope it lasts a while! Maybe I am crazy, but I'd almost rather spend a little more than spend a week or so haggling with these guys. Had I spent another day or two shopping and haggling I could have probably saved another few hundred bucks - but they just wore me out!!! My sanity is worth more than a few hundred bucks. So the "Stealers" are still up to their games and tricks and all we can do is the best we can do! I am mentally and physically exhausted tonight and feel like I just ran a marathon - lol.

My sincere sympathy for anyone who has to do though this ordeal!! We were very very spoiled over the last 30 years because we had a very close friend that owned a Cadillac, Buick, GMC Dealership and he always treated us right and gave us an excellent deal. Now that we have moved far away, we are just part of Joe Public again and must endure their torture! Today's events reminded us BIG TIME why car dealers and car salesmen have the reputations they do!

 

[LVSteve]

...aaannndd, we still don't know what you got? The big glass sunroofs frost my chops, I like steel over my head.

 

[chief38]

We got the top of the line Kia Sportage SX Prestige all loaded up. My wife hated the grills on the Lexus SUV and Toyota Rav 4 although they were great vehicles mechanically. We did not want a Honda or Nissan because they had the CVT transmission - (don't like them at all). Buick was out of the model SUV we were interested in ( we would have to have waited 'till August for the new models) and Ford had nothing we liked. The Chevy and GMC were not rated that well, and the Mercedes and BMW models are a maintenance headache and expense when keeping the car for 10 years. The Genesis was rated very high but they were priced super high to match! The Mazda CX5 was OK, well made and reliable but just didn't rock our boat. The Hyundai Tucson was pretty much the same car as the Kia Sportage, but we liked the lines of the SX Prestige Sportage a little more - basically the same vehicle and priced similarly.

This SUV is for my wife and I felt it was just the perfect size for her (her first SUV). I drive a GMC Yukon and that size vehicle is just too much for her. I also did not want to go any smaller as safety, room, comfort and crash worthiness were all important. This is our first Kia and it got rave reviews - hope that means it will last a long time! With a 10 year/100,000 mile power train warranty and 5 year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper on the rest, I believe we made the right choice.

We have zero interest in EV's or Hybrids so they were out from the get-go. This car is rated for 32 Hwy and 26 around town, runs on regular gasoline and is a comfortable ride. The only downside was the BS we had to wade through for hours at the dealership - came close to walking out!! That said, I truly don't believe other dealerships would have been any better! They all go to the same school!

 

[coltle6920]

This can apply to any purchase we make but for the sake of this thread I'll stick the topic. There's a big difference between needing a new car and just wanting one.

If you NEED a replacement vehicle you're kind of at the mercy of what you can afford and what's out there. If you NEED a replacement vehicle you can bet the salesperson knows it and will go for the jugular.

If you are just caught up in WANTING a new vehicle you still have some leverage in whether or not you get a decent deal. You can walk out anytime you want. The dealership might not care but don't give them the satisfaction. You have to be flexible and determined to get what you are willing to accept. Somewhere out there is a better deal on a new vehicle. You just have to find that dealership that is eager to unload his inventory.

Every year technology improves and vehicles have a lot more than most of us needs or wants. My last vehicle was a '89 Jeep Wrangler. I kept it for 17yrs. The AM/FM radio sold me on buying it. My current vehicle is a '06 F-150 XLT. I had reached an age where comfort had more meaning. Even though it is loaded with amenities it doesn't compare to what's out there today.

I've been looking at new vehicles for some time. I don't need one but I might want to upgrade before gas vehicles are no longer available. I'll look for what I want and what I feel is a reasonable price for me.

A lot of us know that for years car manufacturers added a lot of extras without charging an outrageous extra amount of money. We came to expect it on even the base models. Life was good.

Maybe it's time to pay the Piper.

 

[petepeterson]

Adding on to above...

I've found that if you show interest in a vehicle, then leave without buying, they tend to call you within a week or so to "check in" with you.
Unfortunately, the internet has done some damage to the art of wheeling and dealing.
The dealerships all know what's out there, so the only bluffing you can do is not to buy.

 

[twodog max]

Should have walked out.
Last 2 vehicles I bought they started that add on **** I said no or I will leave. They took them off and when the finance theft officer started to bring that up I just cut him off with NO.
Total time at the dealer for both purchases less than 2 hours. When they start that delaying talk to the manager stuff just get up and head to the door.

 

[ACORN]

IMO buying a new car ranks up there with getting a root canal.
It’s a royal pain. No matter how good of a deal I got, I feel I got hosed.
There was a dealership that had fixed pricing listed on the car. No dickering.
I don’t know if they still have that.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Based on my 2004 Sportage, you'll (or should I say "She'll") like the car. When we had a snowstorm and everything was slicker than snot on a doorknob, that Sportage went through just fine!

Ivan

 

[Bekeart]

When I didn't need latest and greatest in the past ...

Locally we have several "fix-up / clean-up / detail" shops in an area know as Bondo Alley.
Some are honest and reputable - Some are NOT.

Their business plans are mostly:
1) Buy a car needing detailing or work at "dealers only" auto auction.
2) Do some detaining / clean up at Bondo Alley shop.
3) Resell at another "dealers only" auto auction.
4) Some also resell RETAIL locally for cash with no trade..

In years past I bought three from HONEST detail and resell shops.

1) Dealer had a Dodge Dakota that he had not started detailing yet.
I like it and was interested. He explains exactly what detaching he was planning to do.
Told him to let me know when done because I was interested. Got a GOOD deal!

2) Reseller had a Chrysler auto that had need clean up - no serious detailing. Another GOOD deal.

3) EXTREMELY FAST deal. I NEEDED a car. Walked into an HONEST "detail and resell" shop.
"We do not sell retail, Wholesale Only."
I don't have a trade and have cash!
"That's different what are you looking for."
Within two hours I had CarFax report and my usual repair shop was scheduled for any needed detailing that seller would pay for.

With Franchised Name Brand Dealers Have suffered through extended negotiation (aka ATTEMPTED EXTORTION)
and walked out after receiving multiple successively lower "BEST OFFERS" .

Once I wanted the car. Walked in. Laid my check book on counter.
"What is you best CASH PRICE for that car?"
Did not like his number and picked up my check book.
Salesmen says"Well what would you want to pay?"
"We are done, I asked for your best price. Since you are now suggesting a lower price your first rice was a lie."

In another current thread I cuss/discuss up-selling of Extended Warranty.

Bekeart
Cantankerous Old Coot and Proud of it.

 

[chief38]

IMO buying a new car ranks up there with getting a root canal.
It’s a royal pain. No matter how good of a deal I got, I feel I got hosed.
There was a dealership that had fixed pricing listed on the car. No dickering.
I don’t know if they still have that.

I could not have said it better! I look at life this way........
I do all my own electrical, plumbing and carpentry work myself, I do all my own car and MC repairs and maintenance, and almost all home repairs and maintenance. I do my own repairs in our hobby and save plenty there as well. I am good at those things and save tons of $$. NO ONE, can be good at every single thing and buying a car is where I am vulnerable. Thankfully, I maintain them to the best of my ability and usually get a long life out of them.

We live in an affluent area where business owners take advantage BIG time and unfortunately they know most people will not travel very far away to save on things like a car. As many instructional video's as we watch and learn their tricks from, they can always stay a step or two ahead.

I did the best I was capable of at the time, I did not have it in me to take another week of dealer trips, haggling sessions, jerking around sessions beyond the several days we already invested buying this SUV. I had sold our other vehicle for what I thought was a descent price and I took that deal when it presented itself as I did not want that to slip away, so my wife did need a new one sooner than later. What bothers me is the way they feel they must conduct their business. As a former owner of a business, I am certainly not opposed to making a profit - America is still a Capitalist Country, I just don't care much for their ways of deception, trickery and game playing! I'll survive this torture and hopefully the vehicle will prove to be a good one. Hopefully the joy of owning this will soon make the torture fade into oblivion. WhenI was in business I never treated customers the way 99% of auto dealers do and that is mostly what bothers me.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Why didn’t you just order the car you wanted with only the features you wanted?

 

[chief38]

Should have walked out.
Last 2 vehicles I bought they started that add on **** I said no or I will leave. They took them off and when the finance theft officer started to bring that up I just cut him off with NO.
Total time at the dealer for both purchases less than 2 hours. When they start that delaying talk to the manager stuff just get up and head to the door.

We came very close to that! I did the best I could at the time and the vehicle we wanted is in demand now and I knew that going to another dealer would be pretty much the same or worse. We had gone to several before signing on ghe dotted line. They ALL play the same game!

When a Dealer is at their bottom line, they won't negotiate any lower - that's where we were. The first two dealers we went to for the same car were not any different and we were exhausted. They wore us out! I knew that and to leave, travel over an hour away over the next few days to save another $100,$200 or $300 + just wasn't on our agenda plus I would have had to start all over again- they know that too. At the end of the day we would have most likely been in the same boat!

 

[chief38]

Adding on to above...

I've found that if you show interest in a vehicle, then leave without buying, they tend to call you within a week or so to "check in" with you.
Unfortunately, the internet has done some damage to the art of wheeling and dealing.
The dealerships all know what's out there, so the only bluffing you can do is not to buy.

I would normally agree, however I got a pretty descent deal selling our old vehicle and did not want to let that deal slip away. I guess you can't always have it on both ends! Because of that my wife was without a vehicle and I did not want to become a chauffeur, did not want to lease a car for 1/2 month as that would have cost more and been more hassle than it was worth. I made the call and overall I am glad it's a done deal! When buying a new car - it's almost impossible to beat the house odds - even though we try hard. The way they conduct their business is what I truly resent - it shouldn't have to be that way!

 

[pharmer]

It's better now. 2 years ago the wife and I replaced a 2010 truck and 2012 Impala. The lot had exactly 2 trucks and 1 car, take 'em or leave 'em. Loaded with "options" and $10,000 "fee" added with a sharpie to the stickers, we bit. "Hosed" doesn't quite capture it. Joe

 

[zeke]

Likely will never buy new again, and the last time i dealt with a dealer was 2005. Started having trouble with the ignition key 2 weeks ago, it just wouldn't go all the way in. Finally compared it to the several spares that were provided when new. The key was just worn down too far to work, which never happened to me before.

One concern with all the new "extras" is there are countless new interconnected things to go wrong. But the reality is i just don't drive that much anymore.

Am glad it worked out for ya, new vehicles can be very nice to have.

 

[Bekeart]

KNEW WHEN TO FOLD'EM, WHEN TO HOLD'EM WHEN TO WALK AWAY

When a Dealer is at their bottom line, they won't negotiate any lower - that's where we were. The first two dealers we went to for the same car were not any different and we were exhausted. They wore us out! I knew that and to leave, travel over an hour away over the next few days to save another $100,$200 or $300 + just wasn't on our agenda plus I would have had to start all over again- they know that too. At the end of the day we would have most likely been in the same boat!

You have a dun deal.

If someone duns you for money you owe them, they ask you again and again for payment.

Bekeart

 

[Bald1]

Guess I’m in the minority here. I think the buying process is kind of fun. I enjoy laughing at salesman and telling them I know exactly what their plan is and what they are doing. I also don’t mind telling them what I think of them if they get to aggressive or greedy. I always took my mother to buy cars and her and my wife say I’m mean to the dealers and are embarrassed to be there……. Lol

 

[tripledipper]

Bottom line, the closer, how much will the manager allow for the trade-in above the NADA book value. That is where there is room for negotiation. New vehicle pricing pretty firm.

 

[ladder13]

Dealers read the internet too, they know all the “beat the dealer” schemes.

 

[moosedog]

I've always tried support the big three / union made. companies by buying one union made and one nonunion, mostly Honda or VW.
After watching all my recalls, getting transmissions blowing at low mileage and getting the run around from my Buick dealer, I will not buy another union made vehicle ever. Plus the unions always back those who I won't.
The difference in quality and service with my Honda and VW dealers is like night and day.