Originally Posted by
MrSplitshot
A ton of competition, commission-based salespeople, and one of the most expensive purchases most people make in their lifetime other than their home...a recipe for corruption.
Add in that most consumers have been traditionally completely uninformed and it just feeds the machine.
The last three vehicles I've bought, I did not need the salesperson at all. I researched online for weeks, dealt through email, etc. I traded a Mustang to my current F150 that I located at a dealership in Indiana...did every last bit of the back and forth through email. When everything was done, I drove to Indianapolis...all paperwork was ready to be signed with the F&I guy when I got there, because I was very specific that it had to be and that all they had was an hour of my time. They looked at my car to make sure it was what I said it was, I did the same with their truck, I signed, and we were done. Best experience ever for me, because I was very informed and specific about how things were going to go if they wanted my deal.
It was never really about price. I expect them to make money and know, through doing homework, what's fair and what's not.
The Car Max model is working for a reason. People like me do not want to play the silly game anymore.
Sorry to anyone here that's a car salesperson, because I know you're just trying to pay your bills, but I bypass you completely whenever I can. I don't want to talk to you. Chances are very good that I know more about the product you are trying to sell me than you do, because I've done my homework long before setting foot in your dealership. If I'm there, it's because I've already decided...I just need a paperwork facilitator.