My Les Stanford Chevy Dealership Experience
11-19-2011, 05:53 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
My Les Stanford Chevy Dealership Experience
My Les Stanford Chevy Dealer Experience
Got home yesterday with my new 2012 GS Centennial Coupe. Awesome car BTW, but that is for another thread. In this thread I want to share my out of state, internet/phone transaction experience with Les Stanford Chevy in Dearborn, Michigan.
In short, I can not say enough good, no make that GREAT, things about my experience with Les Stanford and specifically my salesman, Dennis Tap. This was my first brand new Corvette buying experience, my first out of state dealership buying experience, and my first sight unseen buying experience. So to say I was nervous, apprehensive and basically scared to death would a minor understatement. Although I can afford to buy a new Corvette, I certainly don’t have enough money to throw around if something were to go bad.
I will first say that it was my local Chevy dealership that drove me to buy a car out of state. I had tried to purchase a car from my local Chevy/Corvette dealership earlier this fall, but they did everything they could to NOT sell me a Corvette. Their complete lack of “want” to make a deal is what “forced” me to look elsewhere (and please note, I was not even asking for them to match what was clearly advertised by other dealers here on this forum, just try to get close in price).
So, the long search on the internet to find a car was started. I finally found a couple of cars that matched what I wanted, unfortunately none of them were “close”. Les Stanford, who is nearly 5 hours from me, had one that closely matched my option list so I reached out via PM to Les Stanford and inquired about whom I should contact about the car they had (at least I hoped they still had!). Dennis Tap returned my PM and I immediately placed a phone call. I of course had several questions, and Dennis very politely and professionally answered every question (the man knows his cars - which was a nice refresher, as I am sure we have all had dealings with car salesmen who had no clue about what is was they were trying to sell). Dennis was very patient with me, and at no time did he attempt to force a sale on me. I was immediately at ease talking with Dennis. He explained in great detail how out of State transactions worked, and in short order made all of my earlier apprehensions disappear.
He was kind enough to email pictures of the car to me, and emailed his first quote to me. More phone calls were placed and more questions were asked and again Dennis was as easy to talk to as an old friend. The entire “deal” took 3 days between the phone calls and emails, I certainly was not trying to rush my decisions, and at no time did I feel “pressured” into making a quick decision, he never asked – “what’s going to take to sell this car”. It was very clear that Dennis’ goal was not to simply sell me a car, but to make the entire car buying experience as easy and stress free as possible. It was everything a car buying experience SHOULD be. We agreed on a sale price and I placed down payment via credit card over the phone with Dennis to hold the car. He overnighted the required paperwork for my wife and I to sign and we set up a date and time for me to drive up from Indy to Dearborn to pick up the car (which was yesterday).
Upon arrival at the dealership, Dennis met me out in the parking lot as I was walking up to the front door. This may seem trivial, but I found that to be a nice touch, I didn’t have to wander around the dealership looking for him or wait for him. He was waiting for me and was ready to go as soon as I showed up at the dealership. Conversation with Dennis in person was even easier than on the phone. He did not rush me as we finished up the paperwork, and was more than happy to spend time with me and my friend “talking shop”. All in all a VERY enjoyable day!
Dennis Tap – THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
Dennis Tap and Les Stanford Chevrolet have definitely earned my future business. I HIGHLY recommend that you give them chance on your next Corvette purchase (or any Chevy for that matter).
Good people deserve good praises, and this thread is to let everyone know that Les Stanford Chevy and Dennis Tap are DEFINITELY part of the “GOOD PEOPLE LIST”!
Steve
Got home yesterday with my new 2012 GS Centennial Coupe. Awesome car BTW, but that is for another thread. In this thread I want to share my out of state, internet/phone transaction experience with Les Stanford Chevy in Dearborn, Michigan.
In short, I can not say enough good, no make that GREAT, things about my experience with Les Stanford and specifically my salesman, Dennis Tap. This was my first brand new Corvette buying experience, my first out of state dealership buying experience, and my first sight unseen buying experience. So to say I was nervous, apprehensive and basically scared to death would a minor understatement. Although I can afford to buy a new Corvette, I certainly don’t have enough money to throw around if something were to go bad.
I will first say that it was my local Chevy dealership that drove me to buy a car out of state. I had tried to purchase a car from my local Chevy/Corvette dealership earlier this fall, but they did everything they could to NOT sell me a Corvette. Their complete lack of “want” to make a deal is what “forced” me to look elsewhere (and please note, I was not even asking for them to match what was clearly advertised by other dealers here on this forum, just try to get close in price).
So, the long search on the internet to find a car was started. I finally found a couple of cars that matched what I wanted, unfortunately none of them were “close”. Les Stanford, who is nearly 5 hours from me, had one that closely matched my option list so I reached out via PM to Les Stanford and inquired about whom I should contact about the car they had (at least I hoped they still had!). Dennis Tap returned my PM and I immediately placed a phone call. I of course had several questions, and Dennis very politely and professionally answered every question (the man knows his cars - which was a nice refresher, as I am sure we have all had dealings with car salesmen who had no clue about what is was they were trying to sell). Dennis was very patient with me, and at no time did he attempt to force a sale on me. I was immediately at ease talking with Dennis. He explained in great detail how out of State transactions worked, and in short order made all of my earlier apprehensions disappear.
He was kind enough to email pictures of the car to me, and emailed his first quote to me. More phone calls were placed and more questions were asked and again Dennis was as easy to talk to as an old friend. The entire “deal” took 3 days between the phone calls and emails, I certainly was not trying to rush my decisions, and at no time did I feel “pressured” into making a quick decision, he never asked – “what’s going to take to sell this car”. It was very clear that Dennis’ goal was not to simply sell me a car, but to make the entire car buying experience as easy and stress free as possible. It was everything a car buying experience SHOULD be. We agreed on a sale price and I placed down payment via credit card over the phone with Dennis to hold the car. He overnighted the required paperwork for my wife and I to sign and we set up a date and time for me to drive up from Indy to Dearborn to pick up the car (which was yesterday).
Upon arrival at the dealership, Dennis met me out in the parking lot as I was walking up to the front door. This may seem trivial, but I found that to be a nice touch, I didn’t have to wander around the dealership looking for him or wait for him. He was waiting for me and was ready to go as soon as I showed up at the dealership. Conversation with Dennis in person was even easier than on the phone. He did not rush me as we finished up the paperwork, and was more than happy to spend time with me and my friend “talking shop”. All in all a VERY enjoyable day!
Dennis Tap – THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
Dennis Tap and Les Stanford Chevrolet have definitely earned my future business. I HIGHLY recommend that you give them chance on your next Corvette purchase (or any Chevy for that matter).
Good people deserve good praises, and this thread is to let everyone know that Les Stanford Chevy and Dennis Tap are DEFINITELY part of the “GOOD PEOPLE LIST”!
Steve
11-19-2011, 07:24 PM
#4
My Les Stanford Chevy Dealer Experience
I will first say that it was my local Chevy dealership that drove me to buy a car out of state.
Dennis Tap and Les Stanford Chevrolet have definitely earned my future business. I HIGHLY recommend that you give them chance on your next Corvette purchase (or any Chevy for that matter).
Good people deserve good praises, and this thread is to let everyone know that Les Stanford Chevy and Dennis Tap are DEFINITELY part of the “GOOD PEOPLE LIST”!
Steve
I will first say that it was my local Chevy dealership that drove me to buy a car out of state.
Dennis Tap and Les Stanford Chevrolet have definitely earned my future business. I HIGHLY recommend that you give them chance on your next Corvette purchase (or any Chevy for that matter).
Good people deserve good praises, and this thread is to let everyone know that Les Stanford Chevy and Dennis Tap are DEFINITELY part of the “GOOD PEOPLE LIST”!
Steve
11-20-2011, 11:45 AM
#7
Race Director
Good to hear. My son ordered his 08 coupe from Rick Daniel when he was still there at LS. I ordered my 10 CTS Wagon from Kevin Will also at LS. Both were courtesy delivered to Houston dealers and it all went well. 
11-20-2011, 01:48 PM
#8
I suggest you make sure to contact Dennis if you want this kind of experience.
I was treated like a 18 year old kid who couldn't do math. For a time I was considering a lease, and LS advertises a $3k down / $429 a month low mileage lease in the papers and on a giant billboard up here in Detroit.
Working through email, I got the terms confirmed (math didn't add up to me but they swore it was legit), setup an appointment, and arrived on time for the appointment a couple days later.
Sales guy took 15 minutes to come talk to me, not a big deal but I saw him sitting around drinking coffee when I arrived.
After another 45 minutes of classic car salesman behavior (randomly typing on the computer, leaving to see the manager, etc.) had the ***** to tell me $6k down + $529 monthly was the best they could do and was "pretty close" to $3k down & $429.
After which I immediately asked him how he could say a $6,900 difference was pretty close with a straight face. A look of surprise and "well, that's the best we can do" was all I got.
Another potential customer leaving with a permanent bad impression was all they got.
I was treated like a 18 year old kid who couldn't do math. For a time I was considering a lease, and LS advertises a $3k down / $429 a month low mileage lease in the papers and on a giant billboard up here in Detroit.
Working through email, I got the terms confirmed (math didn't add up to me but they swore it was legit), setup an appointment, and arrived on time for the appointment a couple days later.
Sales guy took 15 minutes to come talk to me, not a big deal but I saw him sitting around drinking coffee when I arrived.
After another 45 minutes of classic car salesman behavior (randomly typing on the computer, leaving to see the manager, etc.) had the ***** to tell me $6k down + $529 monthly was the best they could do and was "pretty close" to $3k down & $429.
After which I immediately asked him how he could say a $6,900 difference was pretty close with a straight face. A look of surprise and "well, that's the best we can do" was all I got.
Another potential customer leaving with a permanent bad impression was all they got.
11-20-2011, 05:34 PM
#10
Cruising
Member Since: Oct 2011
Location: Indy
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can back up everything that was said and more. Since I got the pleasure of following Mr. Smith via the passenger seat. Les went far beyond any dealer I ever seen and I worked for a Chevy and a Pontiac dealership. The Dealership was impressive, probably one of the nicest I have seen and these guys scream performance. How many dealers do you walk in and sitting there is one of 427 ZL1 motors sitting on a engine stand. Steve will go on about the purchase and the WOW of a service issue. Since I had time to walk around I was approached by many of the staff and everyone was very professional and courteous. I even walked over to the Cadillac across the street and even though they were prepping for an event, they took time just to chat about the history of the dealership.
I was impressed that the new car side of the dealership had about 50 corvettes out front and 20 camaros with just a few trucks, cruzes tossed in. Here in indy it is all the small cars and very few vettes and camaros.
I was so impressed, that if I was in the market for a new car that I would definitely contact Dennis.
I was impressed that the new car side of the dealership had about 50 corvettes out front and 20 camaros with just a few trucks, cruzes tossed in. Here in indy it is all the small cars and very few vettes and camaros.
I was so impressed, that if I was in the market for a new car that I would definitely contact Dennis.
11-20-2011, 05:43 PM
#11
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Van Buren Arkansas
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
25 Posts
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I'll add my own experience with Les Stanford Chevrolet. Back in '06, I ordered an '07 through them. To make things complex, they are in Michigan of course and I was in S. Calif. at the time. I custom ordered my fully loaded '07 Z51 with them and planning the R8C Museum Delivery at which time I would pick it up and drive it all the way back to Calif. I not once set foot in the dealership and the whole process was the easiest car purchase that I've ever done. Adding to this, I was doing the GMS discount as I'm entitled to it. When the C-7's come out, not the first year, Les Stanford will be hearing from me again!
11-22-2011, 08:45 AM
#12
dgrant3830,
Thanks for taking the time to post. We really like to hear positive dealership experiences as well as the negative ones.
Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin
Thanks for taking the time to post. We really like to hear positive dealership experiences as well as the negative ones.
Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin
I'll add my own experience with Les Stanford Chevrolet. Back in '06, I ordered an '07 through them. To make things complex, they are in Michigan of course and I was in S. Calif. at the time. I custom ordered my fully loaded '07 Z51 with them and planning the R8C Museum Delivery at which time I would pick it up and drive it all the way back to Calif. I not once set foot in the dealership and the whole process was the easiest car purchase that I've ever done. Adding to this, I was doing the GMS discount as I'm entitled to it. When the C-7's come out, not the first year, Les Stanford will be hearing from me again!
