Car Sales Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
Car Sales Question
Why is it that almost everytime I inquire a car salesman about the history of a used car, they say a "fireman" used to own it?
Are fireman supposed to be easy on cars?
At least I know to walk away at that point.
Are fireman supposed to be easy on cars?
At least I know to walk away at that point.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
I had not heard that before. If you go back to service dept, and if you have good eyes, one of the service writers can bring up that car on the computer. (You will need the vin.) With any luck, you might be able to see the owner's name, address, and phone. Or you can simply ask srvc mgr to contact prev owner to see if that individual will talk with you.
Dealers do not like to do that, but if you are nice, they might make the call for you. I have had them put me in touch with prev owners prior to me making the purchase.
Keep in mind that prev owner may not admit to much anyway since dealer is likely on line.
Dealers do not like to do that, but if you are nice, they might make the call for you. I have had them put me in touch with prev owners prior to me making the purchase.
Keep in mind that prev owner may not admit to much anyway since dealer is likely on line.
Administrator
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Surprised they didn't say a little old lady owned it and never drove it over 30 mph.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, Florida Life is all about new beginnings;...TRY ONE!
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I had not heard that before. If you go back to service dept, and if you have good eyes, one of the service writers can bring up that car on the computer. (You will need the vin.) With any luck, you might be able to see the owner's name, address, and phone. Or you can simply ask srvc mgr to contact prev owner to see if that individual will talk with you.
Dealers do not like to do that, but if you are nice, they might make the call for you. I have had them put me in touch with prev owners prior to me making the purchase.
Keep in mind that prev owner may not admit to much anyway since dealer is likely on line.
Dealers do not like to do that, but if you are nice, they might make the call for you. I have had them put me in touch with prev owners prior to me making the purchase.
Keep in mind that prev owner may not admit to much anyway since dealer is likely on line.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,581
Likes: 967
From: Communist Colorado
I sold cars for two year & I was really good at it BTW......all I did was tell the damn truth. It was purchased at auction.....or it was a trade in from so-n-so....or i just wasnt sure, but would try to find out. Theres such a stupid stereotype with car salespeople, its just a job & theyre just trying to make a living. Theyre told by their salesmanagers to create value & a sence of urgency to purchase.....I was NEVER, NEVER told to go lie to a customer to sell that car.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Down in the west Texas town of El Paso TX
Never heard that one. 
I work for a Chevy store and we provide a much info as the law allows on request. CSI is very important these days. It affects our general allocations, and allows us to get more Corvettes! By the way we have two 07 Z06's here and six Z-51 coupes, and one Z-51 vert in stock. PM me for more info.
I work for a Chevy store and we provide a much info as the law allows on request. CSI is very important these days. It affects our general allocations, and allows us to get more Corvettes! By the way we have two 07 Z06's here and six Z-51 coupes, and one Z-51 vert in stock. PM me for more info.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Down in the west Texas town of El Paso TX
Never heard that one. I work for a Chevy store and we provide a much info as the law allows on request. CSI is very important these days. It affects our general allocations, and allows us to get more Corvettes! By the way we have two 07 Z06's here and six Z-51 coupes, and one Z-51 vert in stock. PM me for more info.
I work for a Chevy store and we provide a much info as the law allows on request. CSI is very important these days. It affects our general allocations, and allows us to get more Corvettes! By the way we have two 07 Z06's here and six Z-51 coupes, and one Z-51 vert in stock. PM me for more info.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,008
Likes: 49
From: Hoover, AL NCM Life Member #2438
Guys,
rare-72 is completely right on this one.....I too work at a chevy dealer and csi is very important. The more truthful you are to a customer the more chances you have of gaining their trust and selling them a car.....
Steven
rare-72 is completely right on this one.....I too work at a chevy dealer and csi is very important. The more truthful you are to a customer the more chances you have of gaining their trust and selling them a car.....
Steven
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Columbus Ohio
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I sold cars for two year & I was really good at it BTW......all I did was tell the damn truth. It was purchased at auction.....or it was a trade in from so-n-so....or i just wasnt sure, but would try to find out. Theres such a stupid stereotype with car salespeople, its just a job & theyre just trying to make a living. Theyre told by their salesmanagers to create value & a sence of urgency to purchase.....I was NEVER, NEVER told to go lie to a customer to sell that car.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,154
Likes: 0
From: Kali
St. Jude Donor '11
That is from Car-Fax...
But yea I have heard the "fire-man" "fire-captain" story... What do I care what the the guy did, unless he was delivering drugs in hidden storage compartments or took it to a racetrack...
Come to think of it, if he was pimping out girls, the car would have a filthy interior so I'd pass on that one too.
