We have spent the last couple of days looking at cheap cars. We have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 270,000 miles on it that qualifies for the Cash For Clunkers program and since the gov. is giving you from $3500 to $4500 to trade in your car, now is the perfect time to do so. The car will only be used to get Steve back and forth to work, so cheap is called for. The stories we had when I looked for my mini-van and Amanda looked for her Mustang are legendary. A salesman who was a clone of Doug Heffernan (sp) from the King of Queens (wearing shorts too) complete with backpack stuffed with water in case he got thirsty in the car lot, try to help us choose us car, but we laughed so much it was hopeless and we had to leave. At another dealer we tried to put money down on a car, but the salesman wanted to have us talk to his manager (again!). Amanda had to be at work. We finally had to walk out without finding anyone to take the check. Needless to say we didn't go back to deal with a bunch of incompetent idiots who wasted our time. So far we have been to a Nissan dealer, a Hyundai dealer, a Suzuki dealer, a Mazda dealer, a Kia dealer, a Subaru dealer, a Nissan dealer, a Toyota dealer and another Hyundai dealer. Our little spiel when the salesperson comes up to us is:
We are looking for the cheapest car they have with air conditioning, power transmission, and power door locks. NOTHING else matters. We are turning in a car in the gov. program and are looking for cheap.
Here is what we have found out. There is a central clearing house for car salespeople. 1) The first thing is to show you a car they want and you should need. Or the car you are standing next to. I am not sure the reasoning for this I guess if I thought it was intentional I would say they were trying to up-sell you. I don't think it is that calculating though cause the salespeople don't know the prices of anything! Both Nissan dealers were the best informed about their cars. The Suzuki dealer also had a clue and was helpful. 2) As soon as they get you in the showroom and at "their" office you sit down and they disappear. In all cases but one this happened. Maybe there is a contest to see how many minutes their chairs can be occupied during the day or something. The salespeople leave you alone with no literature, info, or water! I really was starting to appreciate "Doug". At one Hyundai dealership the salesperson inputted our name and info into his computer and then left to go see his supervisor. He walked across the showroom floor to an office with 4 guys in it, talked to them for a while and then came back and said he lost our info and needed it again. We gave it to him and off he went back to his buddies. For the next 10 minutes or so (seemed like an hour) he proceeded to talk and laugh with his buddies. We had NO idea what he was doing. So, we stood up and then decided we had enough so slowly walked out (just in case he couldn't run to catch us). We got in our car and drove away. I think in this economy I would have been running down the street after a customer! What is with the disappearing salesmen? At one other dealership there was a couple looking at cars and they were all alone too wondering what was happening. It seems to me one of the keys to selling is to establish some sort of bond with your customer and keep talking. No wonder they don't sell cars. In all the dealerships, I think there were only 2 other couples looking at cars. A note to car salesmen is to talk to the people who are actually in your business!
One funny thing we noticed at the Hyundai dealer was a sticker on the car that detailed where the parts came from. We are wondering if the price is cheaper for some cars because 2 % isn't there!
We are looking for the cheapest car they have with air conditioning, power transmission, and power door locks. NOTHING else matters. We are turning in a car in the gov. program and are looking for cheap.
Here is what we have found out. There is a central clearing house for car salespeople. 1) The first thing is to show you a car they want and you should need. Or the car you are standing next to. I am not sure the reasoning for this I guess if I thought it was intentional I would say they were trying to up-sell you. I don't think it is that calculating though cause the salespeople don't know the prices of anything! Both Nissan dealers were the best informed about their cars. The Suzuki dealer also had a clue and was helpful. 2) As soon as they get you in the showroom and at "their" office you sit down and they disappear. In all cases but one this happened. Maybe there is a contest to see how many minutes their chairs can be occupied during the day or something. The salespeople leave you alone with no literature, info, or water! I really was starting to appreciate "Doug". At one Hyundai dealership the salesperson inputted our name and info into his computer and then left to go see his supervisor. He walked across the showroom floor to an office with 4 guys in it, talked to them for a while and then came back and said he lost our info and needed it again. We gave it to him and off he went back to his buddies. For the next 10 minutes or so (seemed like an hour) he proceeded to talk and laugh with his buddies. We had NO idea what he was doing. So, we stood up and then decided we had enough so slowly walked out (just in case he couldn't run to catch us). We got in our car and drove away. I think in this economy I would have been running down the street after a customer! What is with the disappearing salesmen? At one other dealership there was a couple looking at cars and they were all alone too wondering what was happening. It seems to me one of the keys to selling is to establish some sort of bond with your customer and keep talking. No wonder they don't sell cars. In all the dealerships, I think there were only 2 other couples looking at cars. A note to car salesmen is to talk to the people who are actually in your business!
One funny thing we noticed at the Hyundai dealer was a sticker on the car that detailed where the parts came from. We are wondering if the price is cheaper for some cars because 2 % isn't there!
