If you were thinking about buying a car at a Volkswagen of Orland Park (if this is not allowed, let me know I'll remove the name).

They have a nice corvette in inventory right now. I called and made an offer. They dropped it $1K. And I found a similiar vehicle in GA for another $1K less. He wants me to pay him $500 extra (GA would cost shipping). I said I'll think about it. He gave me an attitude yesterday about "how long do you have to think about it?" blah blah blah. Today he calls me again and asks if I'm still interested. I said I'm having some corvette forum members check out the car in GA for me first. I never said I'm NO longer interested. He basically acts as if I rejected his car already and says crap like "Well, you have fun hunting for your car with people you've never heard of, I'm selling the car to someone else." This attitude kinda pisses me off.

I was neogiating with another guy up at Naperville for an 04 coupe. While we never finished the deal, and the car ended up selling to someone else. I never had a problem with their service. I'm a customer. It's my choice WHAT I want to look at. The chevy dealer at Naperville was never pushy. He offered me their lowest price, and said that's the best they can do for now, and will inform me if they can go lower.

I was curious how bad this VW dealership was, so I went to edmunds.com to check the dealership review. Not surprisingly, I found a review saying how they made a "mistake" about a car they agreed on, then made no real attempt to apologize. This happened to me when I was considering buying a Mazda dealership a few years ago as well.

I don't understand why dealerships are so bad these days. If a customer walks in, and out without buying a car, you treat them like some criminals? Is that what service is?

Okay, I'm done venting. I just need somewhere to complain and let people know. I enjoy reading others reviews about stores/products before I make my purchase decision.

 

From reading your other posts it seems to me you have a lot going on, I would take my time and dedicate my time to 1 car at a time. It would be a lot better that way and if it doesn't pan out then move on, Have you checked the Forum C5 Vettes for sale? There are some great deals there.
JMO.
Bill

 

People want more than what I'm willing to pay. That's fine with me. I'm not going into their posts and suggest they lower to my level. I'm either buying from dealership or auction (still cheaper than private even with tax). I posted WTB and didn't really get anything decent back.

I was just amazed at that particular dealership's service.

What I don't understand is, typically you get better service at those large new-car dealerships, but BOTH of my negative experiences were from big dealerships. Somehow I get better service at those small privately owned dealerships. I'm not saying they are better people, it's just amazingly how some of those big dealerships can hire such people.

 

Not against the rules (as far as I know) to post the name of the dealership but a bit harsh to slam the entire dealership given the scope of your complaint is against one salesperson.

Also, the guy is probably anxious to make a sale, especially in the current economy and while he may not have the best attitude for you, I think its tough to put too much blame on him. He's a sales guy.....that's what they do.

Seems like you have a line on several cars your checking out......so just move along and don't let the nits and nats of the process get you down.

 

Oh, I was especially upset because this was a used car MANAGER.

Oh this won't slow me down. I will be patient when it comes to buying a vette. My cash is always ready when the right one shows up.

 

That manager may have kids to support and the stress of super-slow sales is causing him to say things that he will regret later. We are all human and often succumb to extended hardship. I'm not saying that the manager is justified in any way, I'm just looking at the situation from his (possible) persective. It's a shame that one person can cause years of lost revenue for his employer, but it happens all the time. I once had a $500 deposit to be at the top of a waiting list for a car that wasn't out yet. After a couple of months, I noticed that a $500 refund was posted to my credit card account by the same dealership. When I called the manager to find out why they did that, I was told that he decided he didn't want to have a waiting list any more - too much hassle. Of course, by that time, I couldn't get anywhere near the top of the list at any other dealership, so I was furious. I will never buy from that dealership again, at least while it is under the same ownership.

 

I wouldn't worry about it... you don't have to buy anything. These cars are just toys. However, they have to sell their product to stay alive, so the stress is 100% on them. If they have an issue with you, then just walk away and move on. There's plenty of Vettes to choose from.

 

My son works at a dealership. He tells me there is a lot of fear in the business for obvious reasons. We all know that our economy has a lot of cracks right now I believe people are under a lot of stress worrying about losing jobs, houses, investments on and on. Not a good time for national trust

 

He's a car salesman . Don't take it personally because selling cars is a game and a lively-hood to him.

I would buy privately if you don't like the soft skills the dealers have offered. You will help out a brother and more than likely save some money.

Good luck

 

That's the problem though. I never told him I'm NOT buying from him. I wanna check out the one in GA first. That's my right as a customer. Heck, I don't have to buy anything I don't want to.

I also disagree about his motive for the attitude. My family is business owner as well. I see things from both sides of the picture. Our business, for obvious reasons, has also lost a lot of revenue per month. We don't take it out on customers. It's common sense. What do the customers owe you? Nothing.

As I stated, another dealershiper gave me time to think. Sure, their car was sold to someone else, but they never gave me an attitude about buying it. They offered me their then-current value, and said if they lower it any, they'll let me know. That's how you do business. Even if we don't make a deal, you smile and walk away. You don't rip off your sheep mask and show your wolf face.

I do understand what you're saying, but I don't feel sorry for him if he loses his job for lack of sales. It's not the first time I've had bad experiences with these managers at big dealers. Everyone has to make money, but these guys take it to a different level.

 

I DO want to buy privately. I posted WTB. However, the problem is most people here are not willing to let their cars go at dealer prices. I don't want to go around "low-balling" (from their perspective). I think private owners get too emotionally attached to their cars (like Harley owners?) and wouldn't let them go.

I know I'll save tax money too. I also trust everyone here much more than a dealer. Let me know if you see anything in the "right" price range. If you need to know what kind of prices I'm see, you can check my WTB. I gave several examples on what dealers are asking.

 

In most states you will pay taxes when you register the car from a private party....

 

It sounds like you told him you'd think about it and someone else walked in later and said I'll buy it.

Unless you had a deposit on the car and I depended on commissions I'd have sold the car in a heartbeat.

 

I remember when car salesmen would crawl over each other to get the chance to serve you, those days a sadly gone. The last person in the world I would take attitude from is a car salesman. Keep looking, your car is out there waiting for you!

 

Coming from the car business, and having many many friends in the business, I can tell you that these sales guys (and managers)are loosing homes, having their power and phones shut off, and flat not getting paid.

I the car business if you dont meet your numbers, and dont make enough to cover your general draw check, (a small amount they give you at the beginning of the month) come pay day, you get a void check.. What does that mean?? That means where the pay line is, it says "VOID"..

So right now, they are impatient.

Try explaining to your kids (if you were the salesman) you cant buy them christmas presents, while another guy is hunting around for a corvette, looking to buy one in another state, and telling you he will "Think about it."

You very well might have been the only chance he had at a paycheck..

Not that that should make you obligated, but hopefully it puts it in perspective.

 

Just go back and tell the jerk he is probably the greatest thing that ever happened to you. Now you can move ahead focused on what you want and not what cheeeezy car dealer that would sell his own grandmother if he could. Take your time

 

It's much less. For Illinois, I checked the tax forms, it's a "flat rate" for year by year under $15K, then over $15K it's like $16-$20K it's X amount. Still flat rate for that price range. It's less than dealer tax.

 

It wasn't the problem whether he sold it to someone else or not. He was giving me an attitude about it. He's a manager, he should know better.

 

I'm not trying to say he deserves to get a void pay check. The problem is how you treat people.

For example, I noticed on threads like "my wheels got stolen" a lot of people suggest getting a gun. I disagree. Just because someone stole your stuff, you try to shoot them, that's just wrong.

It's not other people's fault when your life has problems. Our lives have problems too. I never once was rude to him. The way I see it is, if I offer X, you offer Y, and if we can make a deal, then good. If we can't, walk away with a smile, don't get all a-hole about it.

 

For everyone else, the guy called me and changed his attitude, I guess he finally realizes he was being rude.

He said in a nice tone that the car was sold. (which I ABSOLUTELY have no problem with, it's business).

Perhaps, it was his tactic to try to get me to buy it right away.

Still, his attitude at first was bad.

I'll forgive him though. I posted this just to vent and warn any potential buyer. Maybe salesman have new tactics now!