1bdvet

I can tell you, something like had happened to me, with nasty salesman and his manager. I wasn't asking for miracle, just fair price for the car. I walked and they helped me leave. Flash to the next day, when I pulled in with I bought from another dealership for the price I wanted, and rubbed it in there faces, has right before I peeled out.
To throw salt on the wound, I wrote the owner of the dealership, why he lost customer, and don't ever in the future recommend his dealership to anybody.
He was gentleman and sent me letter, telling he is sorry of the experience I occurred.

L82Brake

I got a ride 3 hours away to pick up my almost new 2006 C6. Bank check in hand for negotiated price over the phone (I had already looked in person). I too had $1200 in additional fees they forget to let me know about including an oil change for a car with 900 miles. My ride had already left so I am embarrassed to say ended up giving them $125 for some stupid fee.

I don't think there is anyone on this list that doesn't have a car sales horror story.

C82LT

Agreed. I originally visited a Chevy dealer closest to my house to buy a Corvette. They tried to get me on the trade and the new car. They kind of treated me like I was crazy. The cherry on the sundae was that the sales guy calls me literally five minutes after I leave the dealership and offers me $5k more for my trade and asks if that would change my mind. I didn’t even bother to get into it with him and declined. I ended up buying a second car, a 135is, and keeping my trade, not buying a Corvette.

It pays to shop around and have patience. A year later, and with over 20,000 more miles on my trade, I got a better trade in price (by $500) and paid less for a 2017 2LT than what I was originally offered for a 2016 1LT at the original dealer. I still had to haggle a little via text and phone but got it done.

Coincidentally, I actually got a call from the original dealer’s new sales manager while I was in the middle of negotiating the 2017 Vette. I explained the experience and that I wouldn’t consider buying from them again. He followed up a few weeks later to verify I had completed my transaction and wanted me to come in for my serviceto earn my business. I said thanks but no thanks. You hope it’s a lesson learned but it isn’t.

Snowwolfe

Yep. And the dealership is free to tell you to pound sand as well. I never understood why people get pissed if their offer is refused. Just walk away and try somewhere else.

C82LT

I agree, but you cross the line when you disrespect one another as described in the first post. I’ve seen it go both ways, buyer and seller. No point in it, just say no thank you. Just like every other car, it is mass produced and you can find another one somewhere.

sTz

I think that most have had both negative and positive experiences when purchasing a vehicle... and that there are always three sides to a story. If negative, then simply move on.

Post specific, with the information provided, the dealership’s offer was reasonable for the car as equipped. The counteroffer, while not unreasonable, was unrealistic. Being prepared and conducting your own research will go a lot further with negotiations than just throwing out an offer.

Red C8 of Jax

I just give the internet sales guy my best offer and let him do my negotiating for me. I take his lowest offer or just say thanks for your time and move on.

JCSRT8

I broker my entire deal online and never step foot inside a dealership until the numbers are final. I go in to inspect, sign and pick the car up and that's it. I never waste my time in dealerships.

RMS73

While rudeness should not be accepted it goes both ways. Customers offering unreasonable prices are just as rude as sales folks belittling the customer. Rather than giving a low ball offer just give the price your willing to pay. If the dealer refuses then walk. You wasted less time for both of you. My son is a salesman at a Ford dealer. He tells me of customers who want everything for nothing. A customer this weekend a loaded Expedition, $70,000+ WS. He was willing to have a $250 monthly payment for 6 years with no trade and no downpayment. When the customer was shown the total payment of dollars was no where the price of the vehicle, he said to my son you don't know how to do math. The customer was politely told that they could not do business. If you want to be treated correctly then you need to act correctly, low balling is not a correct behavior in my opinion and it just wastes your time and dealership employee's time.

dvilin

I guess in the end it is their problem if that is how they treat people.

AORoads

I fully agree! $4K under the asking is not insulting. Of course, it IS all about how you do/present it. And in this case when you do it---end of year, end of month, last Saturday which is biggest car-selling day of any week in any year---it's a tough time for salespersons, too. Don't everyone cry too hard in unison, but it is what it is.

All that said, I agree w. Skid Row: there are so many places where this type of behavior from the sales side is normal behavior. For them.

But, until you've seen the kind and type of potential customers that sit opposite them, it's really hard to comment if base all customers on YOUR behavior. There are sales vids that show "the unreasonable customer"--and not actors---as training tools.

If all the above posts are from "rational and reasonable customers" you all would practically upchuck looking at some of your fellow customers and how they act. It's pretty bad.

JerryU

100%! It is so much easier to pick up the phone and order a car, exactly what you want! Did that again with my Grand Sport. Spent 15 minutes on the phone with Kerbeck and another 15 calling dealers in my area who would accept Courtesy Delivery! Found one who did it for $250, not a penny more.

To bad that doesn't work with used cars!

OP Was Right to Try!
Assume the only thing the OP was frustrated about is he didn't get the car! The dealer will sell it for what he wants! I recall one negation for a 2 year old CJ5 I bought some years ago. I was firm on what I would pay and the salesman after talking with the sales manager then the dealership owner reluctantly met my offer.

I was a small town and I said to the salesman, I'm sorry you had to go through all that trouble! He said after previously crying they were making no money said, "NEVER FEEL SORRY FOR A CAR DEALER! WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SELL IT IF WE WERE NOT SATISFIED!"

WideVette

In fact I removed my comment (although I think you are "baiting" as well, probably unintentionally). Why do I care how others respond? Happy New Year!

TSLAVette

Lighten up, OP, it's part of the car buying experience. This is precisely why I do 95% of my negotiation over the phone before setting foot in any stealership.

Like any negotiation, the buyer wants to feel like they got a better deal than their neighbor. This is in direct conflict with the seller who wants to maximize profitability while driving volume. Not rocket science here, people - where there is a conflict of desired outcomes, there will be negotiation. Some are more thoughtful and tactful than others. Last time I checked, a Sales Manager or General Manager role at your local dealership does not require an MBA or any degree for that matter ... thus, some just are not as skilled or professional as others. So, ...

Put on your big boy pants and buy a damn car.

TSLAVette

Grow up. Cool story, bro.

65wave

I too experienced this treatment in s.e.pa. they wanted my first born, where I worked. Bought somewhere else.

bearphoto

Thats my offer, take it or leave it. Then get up and walk out!

Thunder22

I bought my last new car in 20 minutes over the phone. There's absolutely no reason to tolerate the bs that the OP was subjected to.

Negotiation is part of the used car buying/selling experience, it sounds like the dealership needs to send their personnel to school to improve their skills.

OntarioOrangeC3

^^^ Especially with the last sentence.

Supersonic 427

The negotiations on purchasing a car date back well over 100 years with the horsetrading days! The seller always tries to get as much as possible for the car they are selling and the buyer wants to buy it as low as possible. I always offer lower than I am willing to pay and the dealer is usually asking more than he is willing to take. The selling dealer knows the game and should not have been offended by your offer. I would have offered 62K also for a start!