Philr56

I went to 5-Star in Warner Robins to look at the C7 on their showroom floor. Not one salesperson in the store could tell me anything about the car other than it was $10K over sticker. I started showing them the features of the car and the GSM came out and offered me a job. I told him I'm not interested in selling cars, just Corvettes. I told him to send me to the "Q" school in Vegas and I'll sell them in my spare time. Seriously, Corvette people are not your run-of-the-mill car shopper. There's a connection, a seriousness about the machine and technology that a salesman has to have in order to communicate and close a Corvette deal.

HogwildC7

these sales guys and dealers are why GM can't make money and why they always have to offer rebates and big discounts.

The Panther

The salesman at the Bugatti dealership didn't even offer me a cappuccino. Lost my business

jkcam6017

Now here may be the paradox. The exceptional sales people at Chevy dealerships are truly exceptional, beyond what you would find at a higher end dealership. Why? Because they have exceptional talents that they have developed mostly without extensive corporate support. They have great focus, reasoning, problem solving, and intuitive people skills. They really know how to deliver what a customer wants, and what a customer can afford. They know more about the customer than the customer does.

In the high end dealerships there is not as much room for creativity. You sell a vehicle the company way, (which is scientifically the best way to sell most of the product line) but it may not be the best way to sell a specific vehicle.

We have some exceptional Chevy sales guys that frequent the board, and based on their own self training, they could sell the pants off some BMW robot, and deliver something to a customer that they really want. And, make customers for life, as well as great referrals.

I will also say that the forum is very fortunate to have some dealership owners that are truly interested in the wellbeing of Corvette owners. From personal experience, I have never seen a BMW dealership owner on a forum help out a BMW owner from another part of the country answer a question about a car they bought from someone else.

Bottom line, the consumer has to search out the right dealership and the right salesman. What might be the general rule about Chevy dealers vs. high end dealers is broken every day here on the forum by both exceptional Vette sales people and exceptional Chevy dealership owners. Thanks guys.

Glen e

wow way to generalize....what a load of crap....I've been with BMW for 20 years and there are good ones and bad ones...just like chevy...there is no other answer. Look at Bimmerfest and Bimmerpost forums and you'll see the same thing there as here...some good, and some bad....

jb_va2001

Car salesmen aren't known to be the most refined personalities you will meet. I hope you/your friend don't let that d-bag turn you off.

The worst dealership sales rep experience I've ever had was at a Mazda dealer. The best walk-in experience was at a Lexus dealer.

Cheers,
JB

TractionControlOff

The setup at Paramus Chevrolet is great. There's the main showroom, for everything from the Sonic to the Impala to the Silverado and then the "Corvette Salon" upstairs, where Corvette specialists will help you with whatever you're looking for. I used to go in there as a kid when previous models were debuting, and they've always let me check out the cars. The salespeople there are mainly Corvette enthusiasts. One rep in particular started chatting with me last time I was there; he owned a '59 and '65 and if I recall correctly, he has ordered a C7.

corviette

what dealership in houston has the c7 on display?

b4i4getit

Is there an alternative ?

rrm

Speaking of knowledgeable sales people....I was on the way back from Houston to Austin yesterday and on a whim I stopped at Hennessey's "factory" to find out about a $18k power job they offer on a C7 that kicks it up to 700hp.
The fellow that helped me knew WAY more than I did about the c7 and was a treasure trove of good solid info not only about the vette but could answer my questions on the GT500 and the killer Camaro. He also let me know that they were receiving a c7, that day, from a customer to have it altered to the higher HP. The fellow's name was Chris and if I decide to alter my car he is the one I am going to take it to.
A few years ago I was in charge of operations for a company with over 700 stores some of which were franchised. A sobering pitch I would give the franchisees centered around what they wanted to spend their money on. They would pay top dollar for the building, equipment and marketing but shy away from spending money training their front counter people. This operation was a 24hr one and I would call to the owners attention that their very existence depended on a 18-to 20yo's execution of customer service. This while they were home fast asleep.
Sooooo GM ( and others of course) spend some of your money and TRAIN your folks especially those that act as a personal reflection of your company. RRM

darkmercury

That salesman was The Brand's first line of execution in providing a positive experience. Each person working there is responsible for GM just as much as GM is responsible for producing new cars!

The dealership hawks are the main guys I never talk to when entering the lot!

Yoav G

We started a poll on this... let us know what you think here.

heavychevy

Agreed. 5 words max.


"COME HERE. LOOK AT THIS."


Done.

jb_va2001

Yes. I got my last Corvette from a CF sponsor dealer. Done entirely over the phone and internet. Best price by far, Dave at Kerbeck knew exactly what he was talking about, no BS, quick & easy. All the local dealers around me were clueless, and acted like I was clueless too.

Cheers,
JB

Houston Z33

There might still be a Cyber Grey, Non Z51 w/ Chrome Rim at Classic in Sugarland - It's the only one left. There are only 2 on the streets of Houston right now.

b4i4getit

I meant that there is no alternative to getting a car thru a dealer. Its not like you can order it at gm.com and have it delivered to your home.
I do agree with you about Dave Salvatore at Kerbeck. When I got my first C6 in 2005 I purchased from a Canadian dealer but I needed some additional information. I contacted Dave and the "other" popular salesguy on the forum by email. Dave was the ONLY one that answered my email and helped me out. He is a class act and I have sent American friends to him. I only wish I could order a new C7 from him but cannot do that from Canada.

John Harry

Sure, ignorant salespeople are annoying. That said, I wouldn't go anywhere to buy any car without researching it first. At that point I have no need of a salesperson that knows anything more than where the keys are to give me a test drive.

450hp mike9

No salesman good or bad will not influence me buying a Corvette . Most Corvette buyers know more about the car then your average salesperson. The car does all the selling as they say in racing ". When the green flag drops the bull **** stops ".

Houston Z33

Stopped by Munday Chevy and the experience was a total 180, I know where I'm placing my order.

Jimbob26

I have only dealt with the General Sales Manager of the dealership I purchased from. When I first called and said I wanted to order a 2014 C7, I was directed to him. He's been honest and up front on everything, including constraints, written price guarantee, and telling me that they have only 1 guy who will ever work on my Corvette. That's all the one service guy does is Corvettes ('course I knew this having talked to a friend who has had is C6 serviced there exclusively).

Seems like the other sales guys at the dealership are guys I would chase out of the house if my daughter brought them home (she wouldn't), but you get my drift.