Kolek planning to go pro
You were in the South, right?One of my female friends went to a dealership in Nashville and she was fully prepared to purchase a car. The salesperson saw her wedding ring and told her that he would not sell her a car unless her husband was with her.
I would, yeah, obviously there can be exceptions. But especially if you were a t the dealer on like a Saturday, when they were busy, a 5 hr experience isn't outside the norm. I'm not saying they didn't do that to you. Maybe they did because of some vendetta. But on the whole, the dealership wants you in and out to be able to have another customer.
NM
So the question is, does the dealer add anything to the customer to justify their profit. Also why is this mandated and not a decision for the manufacturer like other categories.
Even if it wasn't intentional, there's something seriously wrong with a business model where it takes five hours to complete a cash transaction.
It's real simple. You have the upper hand. You tell the dealer he has a certain amount of time to complete the transaction. If he doesn't, there are competitive companies nearby.Brother WI Inferiority, how long does it usually take for you to get a buyer in and out of a dealer? I'm guessing if someone told you up front the deal was hinging on it, you would find a way. That's great customer service and you Buick dealers are known for that.
If you are the only person in the dealership currently buying a car, the entire process should take less than an hour. If it is longer, chances are it is because of a credit issue on your end. This is not passing judgment on anyone, but if you don't automatically qualify for 0%, Tier 1 leasing, etc, it takes some calls to get you "run up the ladder," and approved. New car dealerships are not a "buy here/pay here" used lots, so we will always somewhat at the mercy of banks.If you decide to buy a vehicle at 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon, I have to gently, in a customer-friendly manner, explain that this may take a while. The customer(s) ahead of you may be "get-me-dones" who need special attention. It is what it is. I work crapty hours, (I'm at work now), and if I'm willing to sell you a car from 9am-9pm four days a week, I don't feel terrible that you have to wait a bit on a Saturday. Besides, I tended bar at Conway's for two years; I'm pretty good at holding a conversation and passing the time.I understand the idea that the customer has the "upper hand," and I guess in theory that's true; however, isn't it the job of a good salesman, (cars, mattresses, pharmaceutical supplies, whatever), to gain that edge? That basically what I am always trying to do.
You are absolutely right. I would appreciate your candor and clearly understand where you are coming from. If I lived in Milwaukee, I’d come see you!You are so right about the financing. I went with my son to purchase a car a few months back. My credit is fantastic but his is what you would expect for a 22-year-old. We titled the car together (since the money for the car and the payments on the short term were mine) and applied for credit together. It was the first time since I was his age I’d been turned down for credit. The dealer was giving us an incentive on the price to finance (Nissan), so I just swallowed and let him do his thing. We ended up with credit but the rate was a lot, lot higher than I paid on my used BMW.Brother WI Inferiority, I agree with you that it is all about expectations and communicating clearly to a customer!
It's real simple. You have the upper hand. You tell the dealer he has a certain amount of time to complete the transaction. If he doesn't, there are competitive companies nearby.
No.Make the manufacturers compete with each other for pricing, quality, etc.Eliminate the middle men that have no use.It made sense before computers/internet. Now it's useless. Car dealerships add zero value to the transaction.
Don't you think this is already happening? Car manufacturers are hyper-competitive with each other, and consumers have really reaped the rewards. Cars companies are making cars that are more reliable, safer, cooler and more technologically advanced than ever. And as one competitor releases a new feature, vehicle, or strategy others follow suit as quickly as possible. In fact, there has been some consolidation in the industry because companies are spending so much on basically parallel R&D that it doesn't always make sense, but they have to do it because the market demands it.And you sure are throwing a lot of people to the unemployment lines pretty casually because you deem them "useless'.
Can't they just find other jobs? No one gave a solitary dook when we sent our customer support services overseas. When an industry is no longer viable, should we just prop it up forever? What about the poor people who made film for cameras? I'm sure we can think of plenty of examples.
Don't you think this is already happening? Car manufacturers are hyper-competitive with each other, and consumers have really reaped the rewards. Cars companies are making cars that are more reliable, safer, cooler and more technologically advanced than ever. And as one competitor releases a new feature, vehicle, or strategy others follow suit as quickly as possible. In fact, there has been some consolidation in the industry because companies are spending so much on basically parallel R&D that it doesn't always make sense, but they have to do it because the market demands it.
I don't think auto manufacturers want to get into the direct sales business.
Tesla wants to. The only reason they can't is because of stupid laws propped up by dealership lobbiesNo one here is saying outlaw dealerships. If a manufacturer really wants to keep using an antiquated sales model, fine. But there should be freedom to try other models too.
We should have never invented cars in the first place. Think of all the stage coach drivers and blacksmiths that were thrown out of work.
That's not what I was saying at all. If dealerships are made obsolete, than RIP dealership model. But especially before the pandemic (which has changed things as I mentioned) online car buying was really a niche as most people still want to sit in, and drive the car before buying it. And even though companies like Carvana have some really innovative processes, it didn't seem like something that most consumers found interesting. Though, again, the pandemic has changed how both consumers and dealers are operating.