Buying experience
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Buying experience
Anyone here find the dealers arrogant, hard to deal with and lacking product knowledge? What bad experiences. Have purchased 30 new Vettes since 2000 and all but two have been Ugh! Maybe it's me. Purchased many bimmers and other high end cars and the experiences were much better. I dread hunting for a new Z.
Last edited by Corvette03051; Oct 13, 2014 at 06:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 16
From: Waterford Michigan
You did not work with MacMulkin in Nashua, NH. did you? They were professional, knowledgable and wanted to sell a car when I was buying. Good enough for me to fly from Detroit and drive my new ride back.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 182
From: South Dennis MA
Or, are you referring to the other dealers you visited, or is this a generic question???
To be frank, and I am sure others on the CF will agree and/or chime in, majority of dealership sales personnal lack sufficient product knowledge (sad but true), despite the fact, dealership owners should be sending them to product training.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Plus, unless the s'man is a dedicated Corvette sales guys, the typical sales guy sell 100s of times more econboxes, SUVs and Pickups. Not much need for them to study up on Corvettes to do their job.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 23
Another experience in northern Michigan was where I met a Chevy dealer at a resort and I started talking about the new Corvette. Likewise he knew nothing about the car. How do these guys stay in business?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Macmulkin
was not even close. Not a problem just shopped elsewhere. Trade in allowance is subjective at best. They saw very little value in my trade.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,476
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Two recent experiences with dealers/salesmen affirm the OP's point. At a Chevy dealer in Louisville, the salesman who approached me on the showroom floor, knew absolutely nothing about the Corvette.... couldn't answer a single question about the car. Most of these guys spend hours sitting around, why don't they study up on the cars they are promoting?
Another experience in northern Michigan was where I met a Chevy dealer at a resort and I started talking about the new Corvette. Likewise he knew nothing about the car. How do these guys stay in business?
Another experience in northern Michigan was where I met a Chevy dealer at a resort and I started talking about the new Corvette. Likewise he knew nothing about the car. How do these guys stay in business?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Salespeople
Well Al, I thought Massey was your dealer of choice
Or, are you referring to the other dealers you visited, or is this a generic question???
To be frank, and I am sure others on the CF will agree and/or chime in, majority of dealership sales personnal lack sufficient product knowledge (sad but true), despite the fact, dealership owners should be sending them to product training.
Or, are you referring to the other dealers you visited, or is this a generic question???
To be frank, and I am sure others on the CF will agree and/or chime in, majority of dealership sales personnal lack sufficient product knowledge (sad but true), despite the fact, dealership owners should be sending them to product training.
Dealer of choice? This was my fourth Massey vette. I actualy can't complain but no rave review either. I'd go back if I wanted an in stock car. The generic attitude is "if you don't take it I'll find someone else who wants it". I've purchased many cars in the same price range and I truly feel that the Chevy dealer is the Corvette's biggest problem. They don't understand the finess that other brands extend to the customer. Certain large dealers do undedstand and that's why they are successful in dealing with Corvette customers. Others are just ghastly. All in all Masse was ok. Maybe I'm just looking for a great experience. Just my opinion.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Betre
I tried but couldn't come close to the real value of my trade. No problem with that. That's their choice. Macmulkin is great if you don't have a trade IMO. No doubt they are knowledgeable.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Fact is ... every single Chevy salesman MUST pass a GM course on every car he sells. If he/she doesn't they won't receive their monthly GM bonus. And, they all attend a GM sponsored sales meet and drive on all new vehicles introduced by GM. In the case of the Corvette....either the Sales Manager or if they have one, a Corvette specialist attends that. With the intro of the C7 it was held in Vegas.
Most car salesman today work hard. Some of the Vette Snobs that come into the dealers... want the dealer to give them retail for their trades and sell them the new one at wholesale. And, GOD FORBID if they know one thing more than the salesperson...they consider that salesperson a moron.
The C7 Stingray sells itself.....anyone who wants one KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. All the salesman has to do is fill in the blanks and smile all the way to the bank.
Allocation as lossened up....smaller dealers are getting them now. Nothing against the Forum Dealers...they do a GREAT job but talk to your local dealer and see what they can do.
Most car salesman today work hard. Some of the Vette Snobs that come into the dealers... want the dealer to give them retail for their trades and sell them the new one at wholesale. And, GOD FORBID if they know one thing more than the salesperson...they consider that salesperson a moron.
The C7 Stingray sells itself.....anyone who wants one KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. All the salesman has to do is fill in the blanks and smile all the way to the bank.
Allocation as lossened up....smaller dealers are getting them now. Nothing against the Forum Dealers...they do a GREAT job but talk to your local dealer and see what they can do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,956
Likes: 4,811
From: Camden SC
I purchased both my 'vettes (C6 & C7) from dealerships other than my hometown dealer. I really like the people there, but they do not know anything about Corvettes. In fact, when I take my 'Vette there for service, the salesmen (knowing I am a Corvette guy), gather around and pick my brain for information. I give them great credit for that. These guys literally had pads and pencils in hand when I stopped by to have my C6 serviced just after the C7 first came out. I talked C7s the whole hour I waited for my oil change and they actually took notes. I really do like these guys and I just hope they were able to use some of the info I shared...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Vette
Fact is ... every single Chevy salesman MUST pass a GM course on every car he sells. If he/she doesn't they won't receive their monthly GM bonus. And, they all attend a GM sponsored sales meet and drive on all new vehicles introduced by GM. In the case of the Corvette....either the Sales Manager or if they have one, a Corvette specialist attends that. With the intro of the C7 it was held in Vegas.
Most car salesman today work hard. Some of the Vette Snobs that come into the dealers... want the dealer to give them retail for their trades and sell them the new one at wholesale. And, GOD FORBID if they know one thing more than the salesperson...they consider that salesperson a moron.
The C7 Stingray sells itself.....anyone who wants one KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. All the salesman has to do is fill in the blanks and smile all the way to the bank.
Allocation as lossened up....smaller dealers are getting them now. Nothing against the Forum Dealers...they do a GREAT job but talk to your local dealer and see what they can do.
Most car salesman today work hard. Some of the Vette Snobs that come into the dealers... want the dealer to give them retail for their trades and sell them the new one at wholesale. And, GOD FORBID if they know one thing more than the salesperson...they consider that salesperson a moron.
The C7 Stingray sells itself.....anyone who wants one KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. All the salesman has to do is fill in the blanks and smile all the way to the bank.
Allocation as lossened up....smaller dealers are getting them now. Nothing against the Forum Dealers...they do a GREAT job but talk to your local dealer and see what they can do.
Last edited by Corvette03051; Oct 13, 2014 at 07:29 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 34
From: Hackensack new jersey
dealer
Go to "KERBECK"!! i have always prided myself on doing things 110%. why waste time running around, not being treated professionally and talking to uneducated salespeople. i stated in an original post i met "CORVETTE EXPERT" Ron Michael at Kerbeck. This is my 9th Vette. He is not a salesman. he is a corvette expert. the whole experience took about 3 1/2 hours. arrived, had trade appraised, purchase finalized. My time is too valuable to waste dealing with uneducated salespeople. if you buy from #1 your time will not be wasted. Even the coffee was fresh. not promoting anyone. just relating my experience.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
Vette
I purchased both my 'vettes (C6 & C7) from dealerships other than my hometown dealer. I really like the people there, but they do not know anything about Corvettes. In fact, when I take my 'Vette there for service, the salesmen (knowing I am a Corvette guy), gather around and pick my brain for information. I give them great credit for that. These guys literally had pads and pencils in hand when I stopped by to have my C6 serviced just after the C7 first came out. I talked C7s the whole hour I waited for my oil change and they actually took notes. I really do like these guys and I just hope they were able to use some of the info I shared...
Last edited by Corvette03051; Oct 14, 2014 at 05:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Ordered my Z51 Coupe through Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, ID. While I was pretty much up on the car and didn't really need to ask any questions about it, the order and sales process was smooth, painless and stress free. And after delivery of my car, DSM went above and beyond when helping me out with a FOB issue.
What more can I say?
What more can I say?
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 414
Likes: 95
Sub-par purchasing experiences of Vettes at Chevy dealers is a systemic problem. ALL Corvette dealers are naturally preoccupied with volume sales of many, many different products....from dump trucks to little Korean Sonics...and everything in between. The best purchase and service experiences are found at "mega" dealers, but few of us live near them. I bought my car at MacMulkin in New Hampshire and drove it home to NC. Excellent dealer in every way.
To illustrate my point that Chevy dealers are not "Vette-centric"?? Read on.
Coming up on my first oil change interval on my new Corvette, I stopped at a local Chevrolet dealer and asked the SERVICE MANAGER what was the first oil change mileage recommendation and did they have Mobil 1 for my C-7. His response? "A C-7? What's that?!" God's truth, that's what he said!
To illustrate my point that Chevy dealers are not "Vette-centric"?? Read on.
Coming up on my first oil change interval on my new Corvette, I stopped at a local Chevrolet dealer and asked the SERVICE MANAGER what was the first oil change mileage recommendation and did they have Mobil 1 for my C-7. His response? "A C-7? What's that?!" God's truth, that's what he said!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 148
Likes: 13
From: Cary NC
I ran into the same thing, i bought at a hendrick chevrolet dealer from a "corvette specialist" but this person could not tell me about all the features on the car. He even went to a class and track session on the new stingray.... He must not have paid attention in class.