I've purchased over a dozen new cars and trucks over the past 7 or 8 years or so and the things these "stealerships" do just makes me hate them more each time. Thankfully, I'm an informed customer so I never let them screw me over too much but I'm sure others aren't able to see thru their BS as easily I can...

Let me explain...

1) I work in an office environment where people come up to my desk and talk work stuff, as I do when I visit their desks. Most people are proud to show-off their kids or other family members so desks tend to be covered with photos and such. But, ALL their photos are pointed to the person who sits in the desk, not at the open chair on the other side of their desk... Go to any stealership in the country and notice how they point their family pics at the customer's seats but not their own. They can't even see their family photos when sitting in their seat. Why would a perfect stranger even want to see their family pics anyway? To feel sorry for them that they spend every waking hour away from home? Bunk! We're there to spend thousands of dollars on a horrible investment and your kids mean nothing to me so point your photos in your direction, not mine. I've got my own kids to worry about.

2) When purchasing a brand new vehicle without a trade in and using some form of supplier discount, the stealership's profit margin is very limited. They've got nothing to work with so their F&I guy will try to squeeze you for anything and everything. He/she will try to get you to purchase a $2800 extended warranty for a mere $15/month. Pocket change right? They will feed you with uncertainties like your car is 80% electronic so the likelihood of problems is greater. They will make you believe your new car will fall apart the day after the standard warranty expires. Nice try jack wagon. If my new car is having numerous problems under the factory warranty, then I will just trade it in before the warranty expires. I just saved $2800 by not buying the extended warranty. If my new car was problem free for the first 3 or 4 years, there's a good bet it will last another 3-4 years without any major issues. If something does break, the chances of it costing over $2800 is not likely.

These are just 2 examples as I'm sure many of you have a lot more...Please share your experiences, but only the ones that tick you off!!!

 

Your math is flawed...a $2800 Extended Service Plan...paid back at $15 per month would take 186.66 months at 0% interest.

You don't have to purchase extra items...the dealership does have to make you aware that they are offered. If they don't...they could be accused of discrimination.

Why wouldn't you want folks to share positive experiences as well???

 

When I bought my 2010 Focus I was a bit rusty as the previous purchase was a 2004 Expedition from a different dealer.

I get the closing table and naturally they send the troops to upsell as much as possible. The lady that sells the warranty and options had been a dealer employee for 17 years, she told me as if that were to gain my confidence and build some respect.

I listened to her BS for about 15 minutes and the when she stated that my new car required 3000 mil oil changes I called BS. So I baited her with "when should I have the tranny flushed"? She stated "60K miles".

I broke out the maintenance guide and proved to her that Ford recommends a 7500 mile oil change and a 150K mile transmission service. I then politely asked to leave and when she refused, I left. Anyway, they got me back in there and settled me down and satisfied me with a 1.9% financing rate and no BS add-ons and double talk from an uneducated money grubbing fear mongerer.

So, a year later I went back and bought my 2011 truck. Before I entered the building I set the rules. No F&I guy and warranty options person. I will do the entire deal with my salesperson or I walk, period.

I signed a statement saying that I refused all that extra stuff and my salesman did all the paperwork from his office. When we were done, the truck was ready.

The lady is now working at a different Ford dealer. I'm assuming that I'm not her only complaint.

In short, I don't have an issue with a dealer trying to upsell. In fact, I like the interaction with the folks who actually know WTF they are talking about. I can then make a choice that best suits my needs. I'm not swayed by fancy suits, pics of family or double talking uneducated sales people. I know what I want and I know what I'm willing or can afford.

 

We just bought a 2012 Escape to replace the 2003. When the "finance guy" with the slicked back hair and gold trim tried to sell me the $2500 extended warranty, I told him that I had just run the numbers on my 2003, and that during the nine years we had it ,and the 150K miles we put on it, it had cost us just over $1000 in repairs (in addition to regular maintenance, of course), and that I was expected the new one to be just as good a vehicle. When he started to tell me about the cost of repairs I asked him if he was telling me the new car wasn't as good as the one I was trading in? That ended our conversation on that subject.

 

It usually does.

 

I don't like the "administration fees". If the dealer isn't making enough profit, then let them hold the line on the discount below mfsrp. I also don't like when they don't want to go further until you sign an offer to purchase. In the old days when I bought a vehicle from a GM dealer, they wanted a deposit cheque before going further. At this point I was asked if I wasn't ready to make a deal. I was pretty young at the time so I guess they thought I was pretty green too. I told him that I had a better deal on a Chevy II at another dealership, but I liked the Chevelle better. I didn't like it enough better to be screwed around, and anyway, I was pretty sure another dealer would have a Chevelle I liked. All of a sudden things got more reasonable. I'm not there to nickel and dime someone and haggle forever, but I want to be treated with respect and be able to show respect in return.